Monday 18 July 2016

Coleman Battery Lock

New Coleman Battery Lock!


Battery drain and erosion are both a hiker's, and a family camper's, idea of hell. Imagine, it's 3am, pretty chilly out, everyone is asleep and typically, you are desperate for the loo.

You go to pick up your torch and flick it on to the lowest setting, and nothing happens. You take the batteries out with the purpose of rolling them around a bit hoping to coax just a bit more power out of them, and as you take them out of the torch, you feel the unmistakable crusty, flaky feel of rusty, corroded batteries.

This leads to you tripping over every item in the tent, falling on every sleeping person and fumbling around, blind as a bat, trying to find the zip... 

All because you didn't check the batteries!


Well, Coleman have now got you covered for situations like this. Whether the batteries have drained themselves or corroded, Coleman's brand new Battery Lock system quickly and easily disengages the battery, without you having to physically remove them and then, undoubtedly, lose them! 

Starting at a very modest £19.99 (Duracell batteries included), this collection of lanterns, hand held and head torches are sure to be paving the way for prolonging battery life in no time! 
Standard electric lights lose their power over time, even if they are turned off. This is because the battery is still in contact with the connection points of the torch, meaning it slowly but surely drains the power from it. 
Coleman's new system is patent pending, but it means that with a twist of the hand, this problem is solved, and battery loss will become a thing of the past!


Check out the Coleman section of our website, or have a look at our full range of torches (both hand held and head torches) here

If you have any queries on how this works or why it happens in the first place, give us a shout and we will do our best to enlighten you! 

Friday 27 May 2016

May Bank Holiday Special Offer

ADDITIONAL 10% OFF ALL TENTS*


May Bank holiday is upon us and the weather looks like it's going to be glorious! Perfect for a spot of camping and some alfresco dining maybe!

For the Bank holiday weekend we are offering an extra 10% off our range of tents. To take advantage of this offer just enter:-

BANK10

when at the basket stage to receive this additional discount.

*some exclusions apply

SHOP NOW!

Monday 23 May 2016

The Best Family Tents - Our Top 5

Our Top 5 Family Tents

Summer camping trips are possibly one of the most rewarding way we Brits spend our holidays and is a great way to create fantastic memories with loved ones. Of course one of the key elements to your enjoyment of a camping holiday is the tent itself, and not all tents are created equal. If you have spent anytime camping you'll know this to be true, especially if the weather turns and leaves you with a battered, leaky tent which in turn leaves everyone feeling pretty miserable. That said a quality tent doesn't have to cost the earth either and there are plenty of brands coming up with great innovations and technologies that make the whole experience of camping even more enjoyable.

We've compiled a list of our top 5 tents to suit a range of budgets and tastes detailing our thoughts and even some alternatives.

Budget Tents

Maybe it's your first camping trip or maybe you're just looking for a bargain. Well this would be it! The Drummond 400 tent by Vango sleeps up to four people comfortably, has a spacious living area for a smaller tent and best of all offers full head height.


Vango Drummond 400
We also like the darker, 'lights out' fabric that's used in the bedrooms which increase your chances of a lie on bright sunny days and the removable bedroom divider.

Other tents of note in the cheaper end of the market are Outwell's Galileo 4 and Nevada 4 tents. Both are similar in shape and size to the Drummond, but feature sewn in, rather than linked in groundsheets that some may prefer. The Vango trumps the Outwell's 3000mm h/h weatherproof rating with a hydrostatic head of 4000mm. It is the price however that swayed the final decision with the Drummond's RRP £60 less than the Galileo 4 and £120 less than the Nevada 4 at £179.99.*


Outwell Galileo 4
Outwell Nevada 4





*Prices correct as of the 25/04/16 http://www.penroseoutdoors.co.uk/c/306/Family-Tents


Something Different

Not content with 'normal tents', want to standout from the crowd? How would you like your very own circus tent? At least that's what we think it looks like! Coleman's Cortes Octagon 8 tent won Camping Magazine's 'Tent of the Year' Award in 2015 and we can see why. As far as we are aware there are no other octagon shaped tents on the market but maybe there should be. Its' unique shape and 360° wrap around windows makes the tent feel far bigger than it really is. Even though it's classed as an eight man tent you wouldn't realistically want to sleep more than four, or two if you'd like to make the most of the Octagon's layout. There is a divider which splits the space in two but that kind of defeats the point of the tent in our opinion.
















Not sure about the Octagon 8? Why not consider a podded tent. Vango's Palermo 800 AirBeam tent is a true eight man tent with three bedrooms, one of which can serve as an alternative entrance. The Palermo has an rrp of £950 compared to £329.99 rrp of the Octagon so is quite a bit more expensive but to be fair it's a lot more tent with more durable fabrics and easy pitching AirBeam technology.


Entry Level Inflatable Tents


Inflatable tents are a relatively new development in tent construction but have been incredibly popular due to the speed and ease of pitching they offer. As with any new technology, prices of these inflatable tents were initially quite high compared to standard poled tents, but a few years on they are now quite affordable. 

So which one is the best that won't break the bank? Well we narrowed it down to three with the Kampa Brean 4 Air Tent coming in the cheapest at just £399.99. The Solaris 500 from Vango (£500) and Coleman's Valdes FastPitch Air 4 tent (£699.99) which is brand new for 2016. While we'd love to say the Valdes 4 is our recommendation the fact that Solaris sleeps five makes it that bit more usable. The Vango also features a sizeable canopy that provides an ideal area to cook or to relax in the shade. It is of course also that little bit cheaper.

Coleman Valdes FastPitch Air 4
Kampa Brean Air 4

Vango Solaris 500


Poled Tents

The traditional poled tent hasn't had it's day yet, and if anything, the introduction of inflatable tents has brought their prices down. This means you can get a lot more tent for your money. The Kampa Croyde 6 for example is a large tent with loads of living space and three bedrooms that sleep two in each. It's inflatable equivalent, the Croyde 6 Air, is almost twice the price yet for all intensive purposes is the same tent. This has been a popular tent ever since it's introduction and is definitely a favourite.







For something a little different the Vango Stanford 600 offers a vis-a-vis style layout with loads of quality features such as durable fabrics, TBS and ample living area.



Luxury Tents

For those who want the best and most luxurious camping experience there's only one type of tent that will do. Polycotton tents, which are undeniably expensive, but when it comes to durability, breathability and overall sense of Zen like calm polycotton outperforms any other fabric available. Don't get us wrong, modern polyester fabrics are great and offer fantastic durability and waterproofing at a much cheaper price. Polycotton however, is inherently waterproof and naturally breathable. It's fabric contracts when wet and expands when dry and also provides good insulation levels for a tent. This insulation not only regulates temperature exceedingly well but also proves to be quieter, cutting down on wind noise in a breeze.

Three tents were in the running for our top luxury tent the Kampa Studland 8 Classic Air, Outwell's Harrier 6AC and Vango's Studland 800XL.



All three of these tents feature polycotton fabrics and are inflatable with the Harrier inflating from one single inflation point and the others from each tube in turn. While all three tents are exceedingly good we think the Studland 8 Classic Air from Kampa just steals it. Why? Well both the Kampa and Vango can sleep up to eight whereas the Outwell only manages six and the fourth bedroom in each can be easily removed to gain more living space. There are also large windows throughout that are easily adjusted to provide just the right amount of privacy. But the Kampa is slightly larger and when going for out and out luxury size does matter, especially when both tents are can be found for a similar price (£1500*) even though the Kampa's rrp is over £2000!


*as of 27/04/2016:- penroseoutdoors.co.uk-Family-Tents


So there you have it! We hope this article has been helpful. If you would like to have a look at our full range of family tents head over to our website where you'll find all the best tents at truly competitive prices.

Wednesday 18 May 2016

Opinel No.8 Review - Guest Post by Kernow Outdoors

Opinel No 08 Outdoor Knife 

Opinel are a French maker of knives. With several sizes/styles. 08 being the specific size of the knife in question today.

I have always been a fan of the traditional Opinel knives, ever since I bought my first in a French supermarket 20 years ago. They use a very high carbon content blade. This is similar to some high end chefs knives. They do not use stainless steel, and as such the blades do tarnish, look dull and can rust. However look after it and clean it correctly after use, and it is one hell of a sharp knife. The edges these things are able to hold are astonishing.

I was after something similar to the traditional one, but different. Something perhaps a little more outdoors oriented.

A few years back when I was living in Morzine, I walked past a hardware shop daily, and spotted the Opinel No 8 Outdoors knife. I walked past it day in, day out for months. Contemplating the knife. Nothing became of it, until I saw it more recently. The knife is the classic folding Opinel design, it has a metal "virobloc" locking system, used on all of Opinel’s knives. Simple but effective.

So I bought the knife. It has a loud survival whistle built in to the handle, a partially serrated blade, and the thumb nail-knife pull-out is hollow, and can be used as a shackle key (Something to do with boats I believe). 

So the knife feels good in hand-exactly the same geometry as the traditional beechwood handle. The knife is sharp. Sharper than I thought being stainless “Inox” steel. 


To test the knife I thought I would do some bushcraft styling, and do my best to create a fire drill kit. Normally a fixed tang knife is tougher for this kind of wood re-shaping, but hey. The outdoor knife is a survival knife-so I gave it a go. 


I have never started fire with a fire drill before, but am aware of what is required. I found a big lump of wood-, and managed to split it, using the knife as a chisel/wedge. Locked with the locking bit. The wood turned out to be an old seasoned hardwood branch-from either Ash or Beech. The wood was hard, really hard. However the knife, it took some effort, but it did what it does. The serrated bit sliced as a plane, and the sharp end, used as more precision. It was a joy to shape the wood. I got quite obsessed, to the fact I started wanting to decorate my drill spindle. I decided not too, as my first careful blade sweep cut deep in to my thumb, and sent blood dribbling all over the gorgeous pale wood. The knife is a corker. I have created all parts of the set now, and am simply looking for a specific cord to string the bow with. The set has darkened from working it, so I am confident it will light. However I may have to give it a few days, or at least until i can use my left thumb again.


So the knife I was impressed with. Even now, the blade is sharp. I have done my best to blunt it, but it is still incredibly sharp. So I was very impressed. The only one part I was not so keen on was the lock. On my knife, even when fully locked the blade moved a mm or two. Although this isn't a problem, as it is still locked, and as such cannot fold on your fingers, I felt the lock should be absolute-like their traditional Beech handled ones. Perhaps it is an issue with the moulded mana made handle-who knows. Despite this I like the knife a great deal. Even though it hurt me. It folds up small, it is light and comfortable to use.

Highly recommend!!

This post was kindly supplied as guest post from the good people at Kernow Outdoors writers of independent outdoor gear reviews and stories of their travels around the world.

If you enjoyed this article and wanted to read up on the specs of the Opinel No8 knife you can find it on our website HERE.


Tuesday 3 May 2016

Arc'teryx, Rab, North Face and More In Our Sale!

Arc'teryx and Rab lines have been included in our sale! 




Many items from both Rab and Arc'teryx, such as the Beta LT Jacket and the Atmos Jacket, have been included in our huge sale, alongside items from brands such as Berghaus, The North Face, Sprayway and Paramo. If you're local, pop in store where you will find all of our bargains at the entrance to the store, or have a browse online and see what you can find! 

Many of our prices have only been dropped as we only have a couple of sizes left, or because they are from the winter season - making them an absolute steal for next season, or a bargain if you're the type of person that feels the cold all year round! 
With North Face Triclimate Jacket to keep you warm, and the Paramo Mirada to keep you dry, our sale has got you covered whatever the weather!

Camping Deals

More Camping Deals At Penrose Outdoors!


Alongside our recent tent package deals (more info on that here!), we have just launched another great option for those who love to get the most out of their money! Selected Outwell tents are now being offered with a free gift - 2 Outwell Catamarca camping chairs, with an RRP of £39.99 each! 
The chairs feature 2 good sized cup holders, high strength, durable steel and a design that allows it to fold out and pack away in seconds! They also come with a carry bag each so you can even take them to the beach with you when you decide that they are much comfier than the sand!
 

This deal is included when you are buying the Outwell Montana 6AC, an inflatable, 6-man tunnel tent that is part of Outwell's Comfort Air range. With a set up time of under 10 minutes, and plenty of space for all the family, this tent was a great deal before the 2 chairs were included! This tent is new for 2016, and with Outwell's reputation growing rapidly for great quality tents, we are positive that our stock won't be hanging around long, so make sure to grab this great deal while you still can! 

You will also bag the two free chairs with one of our most popular traditional pole tents, so if the air tent idea isn't for you, we've got you covered! 

We are offering this deal with arguably the most popular and prestigious of the Outwell tents, the Bear Lake 6. An excellent quality tunnel tent that certainly doesn't lack in space, the Bear Lake features high strength steel poles, with a large sun canopy and a massive 210cm head height. This tent has been Outwell's 'signature' tent for several years now, and they seem to manage to improve every year. With the addition of some extra chairs for the adults of the group, this tent is perfect for any family holiday, home or away! 


If you're interested in this deal but these particular tents aren't what you were after, don't hesitate to give us a call on 01872 270213 and we will see if we can sort something out for you! 

Keep your eye on our blog, website, Facebook and Instagram for further exclusive offers to make your camping holidays just that bit more enjoyable! 

Best Walks in Cornwall - Rinsey to Porthleven

4. Rinsey Head to Porthleven - 4 miles


Copyright: www.iwalkscornwall.com
Starting just east of Praa sands, at Rinsey car park on the cliffs, this coastal footpath takes you along a stretch of some of the most beautiful sea views around. Passing old mine stacks, world war II remnants and if you're lucky, seals, dolphins and basking sharks roaming the sea, although this walk can be tough at times, you can often forget about it due to the amount of things to look at. The path can be very steep at times, and can get quite muddy after long wet spells, so make sure you've got a good pair of flexible walking boots to carry you through it (the Keen Durands are perfect for this terrain). On a clear, sunny day, this walk is at it's prime, with the views out to sea and along the coast stretching for miles, and although you are likely to work up a sweat, you can guarantee to be rewarded with a cold pint and some nice food in the vibrant harbour town of Porthleven! After you pass the WWII memorial towards the end of the walk, make sure you are looking out to see to catch the surfers out on the reef, before climbing up into Porthleven. 
As soon as you step foot on the road, you will pass a huge house with the most amazing views over both the harbour and the sea, before the road drops down into the heart of the village. With frequent market days selling everything from furniture to jewellery, and some of the most renowned restaurants in the south west, staying in Porthleven for the day is definitely something to do - buses run back to Rinsey fairly frequently depending on what time/day you are looking for. 
Copyright: www.aspects-holidays.co.uk
However, if it is a nice day and you're feeling active, walking back is totally do-able, and due to the turnaround you will be rewarded with another set of breathtaking views! This walk could also start from Praa Sands, and then with a pub either end turning this walk into a return shouldn't be too much of a chore! The main must have's on this walk are binoculars - whether it's birds, seals or dolphins, you don't want to miss a chance to see them up close!



If the coastal footpath seems a bit much for you, have a look at the stunning moorland Cornwall has to offer in our previous walk here!

Wednesday 27 April 2016

Tent Deals, Pole Repairs and Tent Showroom at Penrose Outdoors

Summer is almost upon us! Over the past few weeks we have taken all of our ski and snowboard stuff off display (if you're after some deals, head over to our website!), and our summer stock has arrived! 


From lightweight jackets to kayaks and wakeboards, we have everything you need to get excited about the summer ahead, and perhaps most important for us here in store is the huge amount of tents, both inflatable and conventional, arriving on an almost daily basis! 

For those of you not familiar with Penrose Outdoors, we are a family run company based in the heart of Cornwall, and we pride ourselves in the amount of services we offer all year round. 





This year at Penrose Outdoors, we are launching our new Tent Package Deals. We are offering selected larger tents with their matching footprint and carpet for a special price that you will only be able to access through ringing our store on 01872 270213. These packages and the prices that come with them will be selling out super quickly, so make sure to give us a ring and have a chat as soon as possible! 


One of our main attractions during the summer is our large tent showroom, with a mixture of inflatable tents and awnings, standard family tents and smaller hiking ones, giving you a feel for the type of thing your money will be buying you before parting with it! 

We also offer all our customers the option to request a particular tent to be put up for you to see if you have an exact one in mind. Just give us a ring a few days in advance to when you're planning to call in, let us know which one you're thinking of and we'll have it up ready for you! We find that this is the perfect way to familiarise yourself with the tent and make sure that you're happy with all the features and that it is going to suit you and your family.

We also offer our increasingly popular pole repair service the year round, but this one is particularly popular with tourists in Cornwall. We know better than anyone how unpredictable the weather is down here, and the wind can whip itself into a frenzy in the blink of an eye! Although this is all part of Cornwall's charm, it is never particularly pleasant for anyone staying in a tent with standard fibreglass poles. With a whole family to try and keep comfortable, a snapped pole is the last thing you need, especially on the first night of your trip! At Penrose Outdoors we can reduce the stress of this nightmare rapidly! Just bring the whole pole section into us, where we charge £5.00 for every pole that needs to be replaced (plus the cost of elastic if that needs to be repaired as well), and during the times when we are busy, we do offer a same day express service for another £5.00 - all of which would be much cheaper than buying a new tent!



To have a chat regarding any of these services, please give us a ring on 01872 270213, or pop in store. You can find us on Town Quay in Truro, Cornwall (TR1 2HJ), just between the Tesco roundabout and the Halfords one!
To set yourself up for the perfect summer of camping, check out our website where we have everything you can possibly think of to meet your camping needs!


Best Walks in Cornwall - Brown Willy

3. Rough Tor Car Park to Brown Willy - 5.2 miles

Although the Cornish coast is what it's famed for, Cornwall does have some amazing moorland as well. Heading up through Bodmin and out, into what seems to be the middle of nowhere sits Rough Tor (pronounced row) and then Brown Willy - the highest point in Cornwall. From the car park, 5.2 miles seems a ridiculous length for this walk, but don't be fooled. So many people climb up to what they believe to be Rough Tor, the smaller stack on the horizon, and think that the larger one must therefore be Brown Willy.
 From this perspective, it seems a lovely picnic walk, however once you get up to the top, you will then see Brown Willy. Although it is only 20m higher than Rough Tor, it is worth the relatively steep climb (unless you are wobbly on your legs then you'll be fine) to the top, for fabulous views over the county, and even out to sea. Brown Willy stands at 420m above sea level, and gets its somewhat comical name from the Cornish for "hill of swallows" - Bronn Wennili. During this walk there are many cairns to take note of, 2 of which are man made, but the Brown Willy Summit cairn could date back as far as the early Bronze Age - around 1500 BC. This ancient history continues along your walk, with holy wells, stone circles and the ruins of old settlements all making an appearance on the way up to the summit. 
Once you reach the top, you will see the aforementioned summit cairn, which has never been excavated, although local folklore suggests that the body of an ancient Cornish king may be buried underneath it. All of this history is great for entertaining kids, and providing they have the right footwear (this walk gets surprisingly boggy even in the summer), it's a great walk for not only tiring them up but for getting them used to walking before you attempt some of the coastal paths. If they don't have the right boots, check out our kids footwear here.  
Dogs are allowed on this piece of moorland, however there are sheep and ponies grazing so if they do have a tendency to run off, keep them on a lead! This is really the only walk on this page that doesn't require directions - simply find the car park and walk from there - it is so wide open you aren't in danger of getting lost! 


If ancient history is your thing, check out our walk no. 1 here!

Thursday 21 April 2016

Pitching the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2

Pitching the MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2

Ever wondered what the the Hubba Hubba is like to pitch? Wonder no more, just watch and prepare yourself for some real tent envy!


You can check out all the tent features here :- MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2

Or read our full review here:- MSR Hubba Hubba NX & Elixir 2 Tents and Hiking Stove Review

Tuesday 19 April 2016

Rab Fuse Jacket SS16

Rab Fuse Jackets - Low Cost, High Spec













Rab are known for their high quality, well fitting technical clothing, favourites with climbers, hikers and dog walkers alike. You could say it's only downfall is that you get what you pay for - high quality = high price. 

However, this summer at Penrose Outdoors we are stocking the Rab Fuse jacket in both men's and women's. The Fuse is a super lightweight, breathable, and totally waterproof jacket, perfect for summer with just a t-shirt underneath, or winter with a few layers on! 

With waterproof pocket zips so your phone doesn't get wet, and a waterproof storm flap over the main zip to keep the wind and rain out, this jacket is perfect whatever the weather.

Pertex Shield Membrane
The Fuse uses a Pertex Shield+ fabric, making it not only resistant to whatever the weather can throw at it, but also making it so much more breathable than many other jackets in this price range. This breathability means that during humid and drizzly walks, you won't overheat, and the same in the winter when you're layered up, this jacket will help to regulate your body temperature. It also works in conjunction with your rate of activity, so the more work you do, the more breathable the jacket becomes, and when you aren't working it keeps all of the warm air inside so you don't get too cold.

The main feature of this jacket has to be the price - only £124.99. As already mentioned, it features most of the technical bits of Rab's more expensive clothing without some of the other more nifty things - such as folding away into its own pocket. The hood is still adjustable and rolls down, and has the standard wire peak. The jacket also includes elasticated draw strings around the bottom hem of the jacket and the cuffs are of course still Velcro, giving it all the basic necessities without it being overkill for those of you who want a stripped down waterproof jacket, or a high quality dog walking or every day outer shell.

For those on a slightly smaller budget, the Rab Fuse jacket is perfect. Boasting all the main features of the more expensive jackets, Rab have condensed them all down into one, very neat, very affordable package.

For the perfect wet weather walk, pair the Fuse jacket with the Fuse pants and the Nucleus Pull-On for that extra layer of warmth.


If you think you need something a little more robust and technical, have a look at the Berghaus Light Speed Hydroshell, both men's and women's currently in stock on our website!

Best Walks in Cornwall - Loe Pool

2. Circular walk around Loe Pool - 6.2 miles

Copyright: www.flickriver.com
Leading on from the Arthurian legend of Tintagel takes us to the Loe Pool and Bar just outside of Helston, a lake separated from the sea by a sand bar. This pool is said to be the lake in which Sir Belvedere threw King Arthur's sword Excalibur, with Lord Alfred Tennyson writing this in his work Idylls of The King. The bar that intercepts the sea and the lake is a huge sandy beach where dogs are allowed all year, however we wouldn't recommend swimming off it as there is limited lifeguard coverage and the rip currents are notoriously strong! This walk links up coastal with inland woodland, taking you through the picturesque gardens of Penrose House, a national trust property with a cafe and the old mansion dating as far back as 1281! 
Copyright: www.luphen.org.uk
This is an easy walk with wide paths mapped out for you - perfect for kids to run riot and you to soak up the beautiful scenery surrounding the lake - but if you do think that six miles is a bit much there are other choices that focus more on Penrose House and don't go out as far as the bar, with several car parks dotted around the whole route. However, if you want to circle to whole lake, take one of our baby carriers out with you and pop the little one in it once they've run their little legs off! 





To get even more of your fix for Arthurian history, have a look at our previous walk - a must do for anyone with an interest in history!

Tuesday 12 April 2016

Best Walks in Cornwall - Tintagel

1. Tintagel (via the Castle) - 2.4 miles

Tintagel is one of the most famous English Heritage sites in the country, due to its historic links to the legend of King Arthur. The ruins of the Castle paired with the dramatic coastline makes this and indeed any walk around Tintagel a breathtaking one. Starting from the visitor centre in the small village of Tintagel, this walk takes you past King Arthur's Great Halls, a sort of museum containing many pieces link to King Arthur and The Knights of The Round Table, with 72 glass windows illustrating Arthurian legends. The path will then take you on to the castle itself, with many options for diversions onto the beach where you can try and spot the newly carved face of Merlin the wizard in the cliffs, or just explore the castle. Although this walk is short and most of it is easy, if you do choose to explore the castle there are many steps on uneven terrain, and it is position on the cliffs, so you may want to think twice about taking your dogs on this one!
Up on the cliffs it can get fairly windy as well, so keep hold of little ones if the weather does look like its about to turn and invest in a windproof jacket - but this weather will only enhance the medieval Gothic atmosphere of the intriguing heritage site! This walk is perfect for families with little boys and girls who love learning about heroic knights and damsels in distress, and for parents who have an interest in history, incredible views or a good country walk!


If it's more medieval history you're after, but perhaps a bit further south, our walk no. 2 is for you!

Thursday 7 April 2016

MSR Hubba Hubba NX & Elixir 2 Tents and Hiking Stove Review

MSR: Newsletter to Brand Leader

Mountain Safety Research (MSR) was founded in Seattle by engineer, Larry Penberthy (must be a Cornish boy!) as a newsletter in 1969. As a lifelong mountaineer, his mission was to improve mountain safety by making better and more reliable mountaineering equipment that would in turn "unlock greater adventures". Safe to say that nearly 40 years on that goal has been realised. Trusted by top mountaineers and explorers such as Levison Wood (Walking the Himalayas) MSR's core range of dedicated backpacking tents, stoves, water treatment and snow tools are second to none.

MSR Elixir 2 Backpacking Tent

The Elixir 2 is a truly versatile, freestanding tent that can be pitched in a number of ways to suit the environment your in. From fully pitched (above left) to fast and light (above right) which solely utilises the flysheet and footprint that comes as standard. This tent also boasts great livability for a backpacking tent, with optimised headroom throughout the tent due to the symmetrical pole geometry. There's also enough room for two air mattresses side by side which is more generous than many other two man backpacking tents on the market.

Other features include two vestibules for storage, one on either side of the tent. Two large, "StayDry" doors that have drainage channels to direct rain water away and prevent being dripped on when entering or exiting the tent. Colour coded aluminium poles, aluminium stakes (pegs) and plenty of ventilation via mesh panels and kick stand vents integrated in to the flysheet.  If more storage space is needed an Elixir Gear Shed is available that increases the size of the vestibule area.

Colour coded aluminium poles, clips and webbing make pitching the Elixir 2 incredibly easy. The poles are connected by a hub to further aid the pitching process.


           

Fast & Light Minimum Weight w/ footprint: 1.61 kg
Minimum Weight: 2.1 kg 
Packed Weight: 2.64 kg


MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2 Backpacking Tent


The Hubba Hubba NX 2 is one MSR's best selling tents and has received critical acclaim as well as an 'Outside Gear of the Year Award' in 2014. With similar features to that of the Elixir 2, such as dual vestibules for storage, ventilation and 'StayDry' doors the Hubba boasts a minimum weight of just 1.54 kg. This is achieved in part by the poles' unified hub system which replaces two main two poles seen in the Elixir, whilst retaining the strength that crossing poles provides.

The Hubba can also go 'fast and light' when the flysheet is pitched with an optional footprint, which unlike the Elixir, does not come included. There is also the option to add on a Hubba Gear Shed, which effectively doubles storage space if packing light isn't an option.





These backpacking tents are an amazing option for those who are after a low weight, high performance tent at a price which is far lower than many other specialist tent manufacturers.


Windboiler Personal Stove System


Featuring award-winning Reactor technology, the Windboiler stove is perfect for solo travellers, backpackers and wild campers. 
The enclosed design and Radiant burner allows this small stove to cook much quicker than conventional burners, making it popular for those who are going to be out in exposed conditions - especially strong winds. This enclosed design, paired with 100% primary air combustion and internal pressure regulator, makes the Windboiler virtually untouchable from the outside elements.

This design of the radiant burner and heat exchanger also makes it extremely efficient, meaning not only quicker boil times but greater fuel efficiency compared to convector stoves. This efficiency in design is furthered by MSR with the quick and easy self storage of the stove, which all packs into itself and features a handle on the outside, which can be used as a mug handle and makes it easy to carry. The PackTowl, canister stand, stove burner and the 110g fuel bottle (sold separately) all fit neatly and easily inside the 1L pot, which not only means that you get great space economy but also means that you're not as likely to lose bits due to them being stored separately.



















SHOP MSR Windboiler

A brilliant option for any outdoors enthusiast, the MSR Windboiler is a market leader and a product which cooks rapidly, efficiently whilst taking up minimal space in your pack. The price also means the brilliance of MSR is open to everyone - at just £110 this stove is a steal for what it is! 


MSR Windboiler Coffee Press Kit


For just £21.00, you can also turn your Windboiler into a proper cafetiere with the MSR Coffee Press Kit. With a durable stainless steel strainer dish and a flexible gasket, this add-on is sure to give you the freshest brew possible.

The whole set lies flat and will sit in neatly with  all the other components, meaning you don't have to be without your morning cuppa!

SHOP MSR Windboiler Coffee Press Kit



MSR PocketRocket Stove


The humble pocket rocket is the epitome of an all-rounder. With a tiny pack size, an incredibly efficient adjustable flame, the ability to boil 1L of water in 3.5 minutes, and all this with a tiny price tag of £29.99!
At just 85g, and standing at only 4 inches tall, the PocketRocket is super light and super compact, making it perfect for any traveller, whether you need to pack light or not.

Although the PocketRocket looks as though it would not fare well when exposed to the elements, it features a small yet practical Tri-Sectional WindClip wind shield, protecting the flame and allowing it to burn as hot as possible even when exposed to the elements. 

With a hard shell carry case and the low maintenance needed for this brilliant stove, the PocketRocket isn't going to need to be wrapped in bubble wrap when taken out - it is a robust and wear-and-tear-proof design that will withstand all the abuse the trail can throw at it!

SHOP MSR PocketRocket


MSR WhisperLite Universal Stove

Labelled by MSR as 'the ultimate, hybrid fuel backpacking stove', the WhisperLite stove can switch between gas and liquid fuels and offers great simmering capabilities. The stove also features the groundbreaking, patent-pending AirControl technology, maximising the fuel and air mixture with each fuel type, giving the WhisperLite not only brilliant performance but makes the most of your fuel too.

The upgraded chassis of the WhisperLite is extremely lightweight (326g when unpacked), yet surprisingly sturdy. With the stainless steel legs, giving the stove excellent stability and a refined design, the WhisperLite really is everything you could want in a backpacking stove.

Despite it's ability to utilise practically any fuel you can find, the WhisperLite is unbelievably easy to clean. The self-cleaning Shaker Jet technology and redesigned leg assembly allow rapid cleaning and even easier maintenance out and about! 

SHOP MSR WhisperLite Universal


Here at Penrose Outdoors we also stock other MSR accessories, such as the fuel bottles and canisters, pole repair splints and maintenance kits. The reasonable prices for excellent products makes MSR a great choice for anyone who is serious about their kit's performance, and wanting to know that when they go out, they can rely on their products!

Check out all our MSR stock on our website, or contact us with any questions or queries!