Grant Crawley Challenge Events

Review Archive

Here you will find an archive of my reviews of the equipment, clothing and accessories that I ride, wear or use in the pursuit of completing the challenges I take on. They are my personal opinions based on experience of using them in a real-life scenario.

Accessories : Data Logging

Nike+ Sportband

Manufacturers Product Page

Nike+ compatible wristband for recording pace and distance

This is a pretty cool little gadget, it records the output from the Nike+ footpod you would normally use with an iPod Nano onto a tiny USB device that fits into a rubber wristband. You can then download the data by plugging it into a PC or Mac and upload it to the Nike+ web site. The pedometer function is quite accurate, but not as accurate as a GPS receiver with a good signal.

Manufacturer

Nike

Supplier

Sweatshop

Price Paid

£40.00 (RRP: £40.00)

Ratings

Build Quality	Practicality	Value	Overall

Reviewed Thursday 1st May, 2008 by Grant Crawley

Accessories : Firelighting

Delta Turboflame Stormproof Lighter

Manufacturers Product Page

Ruggedised, shockproof, stormproof, windproof turboflame lighter.

This thing is like having a blow torch in your pocket. The only downside is that the lid gets in the way, there's no doubting that it helps protect the lighter and keeps it safe so you don't suddenly burst into flames, but it's just a bit awkward.

Manufacturer

Windmill

Supplier

Heinnie Haynes

Price Paid

£29.95

Ratings

Build Quality	Practicality	Value	Overall

Reviewed Thursday 1st May, 2008 by Grant Crawley

Clothing : Baselayer

NikePro Compression Vest

Skin tight sleeveless compression vest

This is an awesome piece of essential clothing. I recently ran the London Marathon, during which it rained several times, and when I got home everyone was telling me that loads of people were complaining about chafing and sores. I didn't have any, and I put it entirely down to wearing one of these vests. They cling to you like a second skin, wick your sweat away and obviously protect you from chafing even in the rain.

Manufacturer

Nike

Supplier

Newitts

Price Paid

£12.00 (RRP: £15.99)

Ratings

Build Quality	Practicality	Value	Overall

Reviewed Thursday 1st May, 2008 by Grant Crawley

Load Carrying : Rucksack

Raid Revo 20

Manufacturers Product Page

Lightweight adventure racing rucksack (463g)

It's called the Raid Revo 20, which leads you to think it's a 20 litre pack - it's not, it's 17 litres. This pack is amazingly lightweight and really comfortable to wear, but the build quality is not quite what it should be.

Manufacturer

Salomon

Supplier

Ellis Brigham

Price Paid

£39.99

Ratings

Build Quality	Practicality	Value	Overall

Reviewed Thursday 1st May, 2008 by Grant Crawley

Shelter : Tent

Laser Competiton

Manufacturers Product Page

Ultra-lightweight backpacking and adventure racing tent. (940g)

This is my number one, first choice tent that I use whenever I want to travel light (ie. carry it). It packs down very small, although I would rather sacrifice a few grammes for shorter pole lengths so it could be packed down even smaller. It weighs next to nothing, you don't appreciate just how light it is until you pick one up. Pitching is a doddle, just peg down the groundsheet which is attached to the flysheet and integral to the inner, and then put the main pole in, and that's basically it. It takes me between 2 and 5 minutes to pitch depending on the ground.

Manufacturer

Terra Nova

Supplier

Adventure Centre (Warrington)

Price Paid

£187.50 (RRP: £250.00)

Ratings

Build Quality	Practicality	Value	Overall

Reviewed Thursday 1st May, 2008 by Grant Crawley

Sleeping : Sleeping Bag

Travelpak Lite

Manufacturers Product Page

Lightweight temperate spring and summer sleeping bag (700g)

It's light, very well made and packs up very small. However, it doesn't compress down as much as it says on their web site, 12cmx14cm would be fantastic but it's not happening. You might be able to compress it into a metal box with those dimensions using a power press, but there's just no way it will compress to the stated size in it's own compression sack.

Manufacturer

Snugpak

Supplier

Penrith Survival Equipment

Price Paid

£35.00

Ratings

Build Quality	Practicality	Value	Overall

Reviewed Thursday 1st May, 2008 by Grant Crawley

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