Planning an expedition to Greenland? Cathy and Wayne are joined by Olly Sanders to chat about how to prepare, what kit to pack, why climbing style may be dictated by your kayak, the effect of comms and tech on expeditions and why wellies are always on his kit list. There are top tips on how to travel with minimal impact, information and funding advice for those planning their own adventures all interspersed with how to pack your boat, where to strap your gun and the very real discovery that Polar Bears are REALLY big when you're lying down! If that's not enough - we even talk Batman stunts ..read more

Ever wondered what's involved in starting a new outdoor clothing brand? Cathy and Wayne are joined by Artilect Co-Founder Trent Bush to chat about the incredible amount of passion, science, skill and global logistics involved in getting a product from concept to shelf. Based in Boulder Colorado, Artilect offer men's and women's ethically produced base layer, insulation and waterproof clothing packed full of  innovative technologies and centered around the outdoor user.  This is a fascinating behind- the-scenes insight into the passion, knowledge and expertise poured into technical ..read more

This week Cathy and Wayne talk about head protection with Petzl sponsored athletes and climbing giants: Emma Powell and Neil Gresham. Whether you are trad, sport, winter climbing or dry tooling we delve into why you might choose to wear a helmet when you climb, different construction types, testing, safety, how to check your helmet, how to tell when your helmet should be retired and why recycling them is so difficult. Packed full of technical geekery, anecdotes and possibly a little too much information from Cathy, this an essential listen for climbers everywhere. Listen ,learn, laugh and if ..read more

Cathy and Wayne are joined live from Columbia by Ben Davies and Felix Sullivan from the El Rio Hostel in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountains. This very special episode talks not just about the kit needed for the nearby trek to the Lost City but also the unique relationship between The Climbers Shop and the El Rio Foundation. Listen to how buying great kit from us helps fund vital work with children in post conflict Columbia - and how you can help kids learn simply by visiting the hostel and buying a beer! Listen ,learn, laugh and if you are able, please consider making ..read more

Join Cathy and Wayne with Dr Matt Fuller, for a fascinating insight into down and it's amazing ability to keep us warm! Matt has a PhD in Feather and Down Structure and is Product Engineer at Mountain Equipment. This episode is a real journey, explaining how ethically sourced down ends up in your jacket, sleeping bag, or suit  from source. Learn how down is almost structurally perfect, how it works, it's longevity, why insulated legwear and skirts rock, what "clumping" is and what to do if you've got it. If you have ever wondered about the difference between cheap down and responsibly sou ..read more

Cathy and Wayne are joined by outdoor cook and all round smashing bloke Harrison Ward to talk about getting out in the fells to cook. Perhaps better known by his Instagram handle @Fellfoodie, Harrison shares his own version of haute cuisine among his native Lakeland Fells alongside his personal recovery from alcoholism and poor mental health. Harrison openly describes how combining his newly found passion for hillwalking with cooking tasty nutritious food has lead him into a new realm of positivity and ultimately, the realisation of a childhood dream. There is plenty of talk about kit, camping ..read more

Cathy and Wayne are joined by Voom Brand Manager and Team GB Triathalete Beau Smith to seriously geek out on nutrition for endurance sports. Listen and learn what energy bar ingredients mean, the difference between caffiene and guarana, what are the key causes of stomach issues (and potential solutions), why hydration is so critical alongside energy foods, how electrolyte drinks work, why B vitamins are so important, discover that Recovery Fudge is a "thing" and how plant protein is increasingly popular in race nutrition. From baby milk to hangover cures - we discuss the lot! Grab a brew (and ..read more

Cathy and Wayne are joined once again by the brilliant Stuart Smith to discuss  undergarments. You'll hear all about why a baselayer should be close fitting to work effectively in our climate, how they work, why some niff more than others, how to make a stinky baselayer smell better (and last longer), the difference between natural and man made fibres and what is good merino vs bad merino. There are tales a-plenty (including vanishing underwear) but beware - you may never be able to eat a Polo mint again! Listen ,learn, laugh and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen c ..read more

If trekking in Nepal is on your bucket list then join Cathy and Wayne as they chat with Denise Prior at Community Action Treks. She has 20 years experience and along with Nicola Terry from parent charity Community Action Nepal, explains not just the importance of packing the right kit but also how to travel and trek while having a positive impact on the country you are travelling in. Both Community Action Nepal and Community action Treks were originally set up by mountaineer Doug Scott - who summited Everest in 1975 alongside Dougal Haston making them the first Brits to do so. You can find ou ..read more

In September 2023 Outdoor Gear Chat Co-Host Wayne Singleton stepped into the water at Bowness-on-Solway on the North Cumbria coast to "celebrate" an upcoming birthday. Some say he'd taken a wrong turn as originally, he'd started out planning to swim the English Channel. When he couldn't find a pilot he decided on a different type of swim challenge, one no-one had ever tried before - to swim the entire coastline of his home County of Cumbria. With no idea what to expect, no idea if three years of training was enough, 10 days off from work and an acute fear of sea wildlife, Wayne describes dark ..read more