Review of Karrimor X-Lite 8L Running Pack

This little running pack has been a brilliant add-on to my list of 6 rucksacks...

Sadly as of the time of writing, Karrimor have seemingly stopped making this little beauty. No idea why, although they are doing the 15L version still...

It was on a trail run in 2017 when I decided I needed a smaller lightweight running pack. Trying to run with a strapped down 32L pack became quite comical - almost as comical as my fitness level trying to run up a scree slope and mountain that day...

"I must get a running pack" I kept on repeating, convincing myself that this was obviously the key to my improved running times... Fitness and training may work for some, but for me it's getting a running pack... Or something like that.

Attempting to keep up with a friend up the scree

The pack has a top opening (on the picture below, the zip runs around the black material), a space for a small hydration bladder (inside the pack at the back as usual) and a front zipped pocket. The Karrimor logo is reflective and the small bits of material that hold the yellow bungee also have reflective elements. The hydration bladder can run out of the pack to the back left or right which is useful.

To the rear of the pack there is a mesh bit which won't do much but it really doesn't matter with a running pack. There is a 'waist belt' of sorts which is enough to help keep the thing attached to you when running, as well as a chest strap. Two zip up side pockets are great and the mesh outers just about hold a 500l water bottle but only just.

Inside the pack there's enough for me to stash a drink, some food and an insulated layer.

The outer material is lightweight. It is ripstop but I have slightly damaged my pack on the front as it's not designed to be super-resilient. Still, it's nothing that McNett tape won't fix (I've had that stuff on an old rucksack and gaiters for years without it coming off!)

Recently I've even used it for cycling, stashing a fair bit of kit - repair kit, pump, food, lightweight chain, repair tools, extra layer. Definitely not its intended use but it had more than enough room.

This cost around £8 or so when I bought it in 2017. For running it's perfect. I can't see why it's been discontinued or why anyone would use a 15l pack except doing longer runs or ultras. And then I'd probably buy a more features and well-known pack anyway, just in terms of reliability. For what it is, it is brilliant.

I'm not a gear snob but (as always) the low price does make me think about where it was made and the conditions of the workers (let alone the poor quality conditions of Sports Direct staff and the allegedly questionable business practices of its management). That aside this is a well-featured running pack and for the average amateur runner needing a small pack it's perfect.

Simond Men's Mountaineering Pants Review

Over the last couple of winters I've been using the Simond Mountaineering Pants for general outdoors wear and mountain excursions. Simond kit can be found at Decathlon and has gained a reputation as having some excellent kit at very good prices.

Trudging back crampon-less from Coire an t-Sneachda on a very icy March day!

Having used a pair of Sherpa winter pants that I'd got cheaply on eBay and having been impressed with their resilience, I took a punt on the Simond pants simply so I had two pairs of winter trousers (from experience!) My conclusion is that I've started wearing these Simond ones almost exclusively.

Simond Mountaineering Pants - from decathlon.co.uk website

These are very resilient pants. Decathlon says they have a 275gsm weave but in English that means these are good for climbing, scrambles and pottering around in. The inside of the lower legs are reinforced and nice and tough for protecting from crampon scratches - or at least helping! In practice I wear gaiters anyway so while the gaiters have been torn, the pants have been protected!

The pants are quite fitted in terms of wearing them but without hindering movement. They definitely have some added articulation which I've found perfect for climbs, scrambles and walking over boulder strewn hills and moors.

Murk on Dartmoor in winter

The pants also come with accessories that would make me consider wearing them even on skis - there are some detachable inner gaiters which although I haven't used are very helpful. I think they'd just about fit over ski boots. The pants also come with detachable braces. If you haven't used braces in winter then it can be a useful, if acquired, taste. But simply to have these with the pants and the fact they can be removed just adds to their value.

Update March 2020 - I did wear these for skiing in the Cairngorms and they worked a treat - the outer zip at the bottom helped me get them on over skis and then was able to buckle them up over the ski boots, absolutely brilliant!

Skis at Cairngorms, was holding my bag between my legs so image looks a bit weird!

Can't find any close-up pics of the pants except these - with the Rab gaiters guesting...

The lower leg has a zip and the option to close them on one of two snappers, which gives you a decent fit over boots. In practice I've found these can cause the pants to ride up the boot a bit. Not a deal breaker and this can be slightly remedied by choosing to close the pants on the slightly 'looser' popper giving the pants more space over the boot.

Winter course on Blencathra, image courtesy of Grahm Uney

The tops of the pants also have zips on the outside of the legs for added venting option. Useful especially when hacking up deep snowy wanders or moving fast - I tend to get very hot and then get cold quickly, so venting helps!

In terms of pockets, there's a zipped leg pocket at the front of the right leg. This isn't at all huge but good for stashing some small gloves, food etc. The main pockets at the sides are zipped and again they are not huge, meaning that if you've got a larger phone with tough case on, you may not be able to fit in the pocket. This is one area where the pants need a tweak - larger pockets please. The toggles are fairly long and grab-able in winter snow with a liner glove or larger glove.

I've seen some reviews on Decathon saying these are a slightly strange fit, but I haven't found that to be the case! The pants don't have a belt or belt loops, so if they don't quite fit, use the braces. At the top there is zip fly with a couple of clips for you to get a good fit around your waist. As I say I have found these to move very well with me and not hinder movement at all.

A wintery and gloomy Blencathra

My advice is to try a pair and see if they work for you - if they do, then at £50 they're a ridiculous bargain!

Happy winter days!