Outdoor Gear Chat

Cathy Casey and Wayne Singleton

Join Cathy and Wayne as they chat about the pro's (and the con's) of technical outdoor clothing and equipment.Outdoor Gear Chat takes a lighthearted peek inside the wonderful world of fabrics, garments, footwear and equipment helping you to understand some of the science behind how to stay dry, how to stay comfortable and how to choose the best outdoor kit for you.

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94 episodes
Updated June 23

Episodes94

Newest first

Feb 7, 2022 · 38 min
14: James Gibson - First Winter Wainwright Round
Get in touch! Cathy and Wayne are joined with new Lake District legend and part time Ambleside staff team member James Gibson as he talks about being the first person ever to complete a continuous round of 214 Wainwrights in the winter of 2021. James had wanted full winter conditions - and he definitely got them, with Storm Barra making an appearance too. Listen to his accounts of snow, blizzards, jaw dropping sunrises, fantastic camaraderie and how he is coping with his new found fame. There's even a bit of talk about kit! You can read a "realtime account" on The Climbers Shop and Joe Brown Blog here: Winter Wainwright Attempt 2021 — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) To learn more about James and his achievements click through to his website: James Gibson I Adventure Runner and Mountaineer I No Limits Adventuring (gibsonrunandclimb.co.uk)
Feb 7, 2022 · 40 min
13: Joe Browns and The Climbers Shop - The Big History
Get in touch! Wayne quizzes Cathy on the amazing history surrounding the two shops and learns how they were interlinked from the very start - way before Cathy and her husband Paul became the owners of both. Listen to stories of climbing and fell running royalty, why the shops are pivotal in their local outdoor communities and how Cathy explained to the climbing legend; Mr Joe Brown her ideas for a unique competition involving his nether regions! You can read the full Big History here: The Big History — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Why not take part in our permanent challenges: Ali's Round — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Ali's Family Round — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Cumbrian Centurion Challenge 100 — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Read the list of climbs involved in the Anniversary celebrations: 50th Anniversary: The Hunt For Joe's Golden Nuts — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) 60th Anniversary “Nuts of Legends” — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Sign up for the Ambleside 25/50k: Brathay Challenges | Ambleside 25K Brathay Challenges | Ambleside 50K Read more about Joe Brown - arguably one of the worlds best all round climbers: About Joe Brown — The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy Joe Brown Biography and first ascent list — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk)
Feb 2, 2022 · 36 min
12: Insulated Jackets - Snug As A Bug
Get in touch! Join Cathy and Wayne as they chat about the wonderful world of insulated clothing. Learn the difference between feather and down, why "fill power" is a good thing to know and understand why most insulated jackets aren't waterproof. There's laughter, there's techy stuff, there's the word "poofiness", there's an explanation of why you need tennis balls to wash a down jacket and perhaps most impressively, another of Cathy's podcast visualisations! Links: Buyers Guide to Insulated Clothing — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Clothing — The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy
Jan 28, 2022 · 34 min
11: Lighting - Beam Me Up
Get in touch! Cathy and Wayne take a light hearted look at the science of headtorches: learning about lumens, marveling at "intelligent" lighting, discovering what exactly an IP rating is along with the revelation of what type of inflatable impresses Cathy!!! If you have a pony tail, wear a helmet or are fed up with getting blinded by your tent mate then this is the podcast for you! Incidentally - SOS in morse code is ... --- ... Listen ,learn, laugh and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Wayne Singleton is fundraising for Brathay Trust (justgiving.com) To learn more about this weeks topic click through to: Buyers Guide to Choosing Lighting — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Camping — The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy Lighting Headtorches | The Climbers Shop And Joe Brown Shops (climbers-shop.com) Lighting Lanterns | The Climbers Shop And Joe Brown Shops (climbers-shop.com) Lighting Handheld | The Climbers Shop And Joe Brown Shops (climbers-shop.com)
Oct 6, 2021 · 41 min
10: Rucksacks - What's in your sack?
Get in touch! Join Cathy and Wayne as they talk about rucksacks and load carrying. Learn the importance of your squishy bits when it comes to measuring backsize, why most rucksacks aren't waterproof, why you might want to consider a "rucksack filing system" and how, when it comes to what you put on your back; big may not always be better! Listen ,learn, laugh and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Wayne Singleton is fundraising for Brathay Trust (justgiving.com) To learn more about this weeks topic click through to: Buyers Guide to Rucksacks — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Knowledge - Backpacks — The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy
Sep 28, 2021 · 33 min
9: Rock Boots - Trust The Rubber
Get in touch! Wayne's getting into his climbing and wondering if he needs to buy rock boots. This week's talk with Cathy journeys through rubber, precision placements, flat toes, squished toes, slip lasts, leather and why tear inducingly tight climbing shoes might not always be a good thing. Good footwork, however, most definitely is! Listen ,learn, laugh and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Young Minds Matter Appeal | Brathay Trust Buyers Guide to Choosing Rock Shoes — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Footwear — The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy
Sep 28, 2021 · 38 min
8: Stoves - Burning Ring of Fire with Stu Smith
Get in touch! Cathy and Wayne talk stoves and fetishes in this episode - just how many stoves does a person need? Joining them is special guest Stuart Smith whose experience using stoves across the globe in hot, cold and wet environments shines through with descriptions of fire rainbows, sinking stoves and little prickers. Learn the difference between integral canister systems, multi-fuel stoves, why all gas is not equal and just how reading gas canister instructions helped Stu become an accomplished linguist. Listen ,learn, laugh and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Young Minds Matter Appeal | Brathay Trust Buyers Guides to Stoves — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Knowledge - Cooking — The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy For Events, Skills, Guiding and Event Safety: NAV4Adventure
Sep 15, 2021 · 40 min
6: Walking Boots - When Size Really Matters
Get in touch! Join Cathy and Wayne for a second season of science stories and laughter. This episode explains why there are so many boots to choose from, the differences between fabric and leather, how boots should fit, why colour shouldn't matter, the importance of lacing and why the size you were expecting to buy might not be the size you walk out with. There is also mention of saveloy! Listen ,learn, laugh and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Young Minds Matter Appeal | Brathay Trust To learn more about this topic please click through to: Buyers Guide To Walking Boots<br/> — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) How To Lace Your Walking Boots — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Blisters. Aaaaaaargh! — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Footwear — The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy
Sep 15, 2021 · 30 min
7: Trad Climbing Gear - Nice Rack! with BMG Libby Peter
Get in touch! Wayne's getting into trad climbing so he and Cathy are joined by British Mountain Guide, Author and DMM Ambassador Libby Peter to discuss what gear he should select for his first rack and why. Learn about why there are so many different types of nuts, cams, hex's and krabs, when you may want to use an extender, why coloured karabiners are a great idea and how Cathy unintentionally made an American climber very, very happy! Listen ,learn, laugh and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Young Minds Matter Appeal | Brathay Trust To learn more about this weeks topic click through to: Buyers Guide to Building Your First Trad Rack — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Skills : Climb — The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy Climbing Knowledge — The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy The British Mountaineering Council (thebmc.co.uk) You can buy Libby's book here: Rock Climbing: Essential Skills and Techniques (climbers-shop.com)
Jun 3, 2021 · 36 min
5: Gloves - Mittens vs Fingers
Get in touch! Cathy and Wayne take a light hearted look at the science of gloves: why a tight glove isn't a good thing, why a large glove isn't necessarily a good thing either (!), why you may want to layer, which gloves are easiest to get a wet hand in and out and why choosing one with a nose wipe is a really good idea. All this AND why Wayne conducted the entire podcast in rubber....!! Listen ,learn, laugh and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Wayne Singleton is fundraising for Brathay Trust (justgiving.com) To learn more about this weeks topic click through to: Buyers Guide To Gloves — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Caring for Gloves and Accessories – Mountain Equipment (mountain-equipment.co.uk) Warmer hands and feet in the mountains - ...all but essential travel...
May 26, 2021 · 36 min
4: Sleeping Bags - Slip Into Something Silky
Get in touch! Cathy and Wayne take a light hearted look at the science of sleeping bags: why choosing to use a sleeping bag generally gives you a better nights sleep (!), sleeping systems, how to clean a bag at home, why your choice of zip side is important, the differences between synthetic and down, how to make sense of temperature ratings and why a women's specific bag is a great idea if you are a.....woman! Listen ,learn, laugh and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Wayne Singleton is fundraising for Brathay Trust (justgiving.com) To learn more about this weeks topic click through to: Buyers Guide to Sleeping Bags — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) A (sleeping) Sound Investment — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Knowledge - Sleeping — The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy Down Codex - Mountain Equipment (thedowncodex.co.uk) Rab Wash - Rab® UK
May 19, 2021 · 31 min
3: Socks - My Feet Stink
Get in touch! Cathy and Wayne take a light hearted look at the science of socks and how looking after our feet is critical to enjoying our time outdoors. Listen as they get down to the nitty gritty of footcare, foot smell, blisters, dry skin, sweat glands and trench foot. This is NOT a podcast to listen to while eating! Listen ,learn, laugh and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Wayne Singleton is fundraising for Brathay Trust (justgiving.com) To learn more about this weeks topic click through to: Buyers Guide to Socks — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Blisters. Aaaaaaargh! — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) » History of Socks (outdoorgearcoach.co.uk)
May 12, 2021 · 37 min
2: Layering - The Joy of Moisture Management
Get in touch! Cathy and Wayne take a light hearted look at the science of layering: why we sweat, why "wicking" is important, how layers keep us cool AND warm, why more and more clothes are being made from plastic bottles and tree fibres, nasty chafing and why, when it comes to technical underwear, going large is good. In fact there is a lot of talk about underwear. Men's and Women's. It is also highly likely that this is the first ever Podcast to coin the term "Hurty Boob Day"! Listen ,learn, laugh and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Wayne Singleton is fundraising for Brathay Trust (justgiving.com) To learn more about this weeks topic click through to: Buyers Guide to Layering — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk) Clothing — The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy How to Layer like a Pro — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog (theclimbersshopjoebrownblog.co.uk)
May 4, 2021 · 39 min
1: Waterproofs - I'm Wet Through to My Undies
Get in touch! Cathy and Wayne take a light hearted look at the science of waterproofs: the history of waterproofs, just how wet you can be in waterproofs, why your need to wash (and tumble dry) your waterproofs much more frequently than you used to and why Wayne is planning on being wet through to his undies, on purpose...... Listen ,learn, laugh and if you are able, please consider donating to our chosen charity: Wayne Singleton is fundraising for Brathay Trust (justgiving.com) To learn more about this weeks topic click through to: Buyers Guide to Waterproofs — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog Gore-Tex Talk Sustainability in Chamonix — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog Washing Your Waterproof Clothing — The Climbers Shop / Joe Brown Blog Clothing — The Joe Brown Outdoor Academy 2024 - There are lots of changes happening to waterproof fabrics. Yake a listen to our three part special where we discuss changes for the better with industry experts: Episode 47: New Waterproof Fabrics. What you need to know - part 1 Episode 48: New Waterproof Fabrics. What you need to know - part 2 Episode 49: New Waterproof Fabrics. What you need to know - part 3