There is a really good chance you could be allowed to approach something soon. Not someone, but definitely something. What better way to celebrate this (and increase your chances of success) than with a new pair of approach shoes!

Cat has been doing what any good gap year student does and wearing one outfit to do it all. What this means for you and I is we can see what two or more years of regular wear can look like on a pair of shoes in just 8 months! Her somewhat uncharitable review of the Five Tennies helps to highlight why this model is so much cheaper than the competition. Have a read!

Some of you may remember a time, pre-global pandemic, where folk could roam freely. Cat once roamed so far she only recognised 1 in every 10 people at the local crag! Well, she's been there and back again and kindly wrote us a review on her most cherished travel companion.

Writing new reviews is a bit challenging for us at the moment, so please bare with us. Unless you're interested in hearing about Bertie's potatos, Jack's sourdough, or my workout routine?! ..didn't think so.

If you need an all-round trail shoe these are our staff favourites. We haven't had them long, but they build on all the good points of the last generation beautifully. They inspire confidence, even on off-camber slick rock and uneven roots and ruts. Have to love them!

I drew the short straw needing to get out in these come rain or shine these last two months but they never complained on some windy, wet and wild runs. A mostly cosmetic update, if you need an excuse to buy a new pair of trail shoes I can highly recommend these and if you need more convincing I have wittered on inside!

Jack has traded his 3 wood for a new harness to get through this warm and wet Welsh winter. I think he is actually enjoying himself, too? Very peculiar.

Anyway, I won't dwell too much on the whats, whens and whys. There is plenty of that ahead!

They have been around long enough now that it is safe to say they are not just a fad. A simple solution to a mild irritation. Not for everyone and not always that useful but firmly established now and a regular sight at the crag and the wall.

The price was always a bit of a sticking point but with a steady supply and a firm foothold now they have gotten much more affordable. If you have somehow gotten this far complaining about a sore neck without being recommended a pair of belay glasses, have a read of Bertie's review!

With DMM recently flaunting a bunch of new colours for the long standing Zenith, Rich has shown an otherwise uncharacteristic level of wisdom in reviewing his old faithful red one. Purely aesthetic updates, what you're about to read for the original Zenith remains relevant for this years update!

It really is a very well featured, tough little day sack fit for whatever one-day outing you've planned. In the timeless lyrics of the Beastie Boys; Ch-check it out.

Our jet-setting scouse may look like a budget Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, lost on his way to Comic Con, whenever he pulls up at an airport. But rest assured, he's about to go climb something tres difficile, and he has everything he could possibly need in that big green bag.

Read on!

I got some new shoes! Always a joyous day, but particularly exciting when the brand is an unknown entity with a bunch of solid reviews early on. I don't boulder too hard but hold my own, so I got a shoe to suit. If you are in the market for a new technical model, without being aggressively toe down or even an all-day comfy fit work horse, then the Up Lace could be both (with a little size adjustment) and well worth getting down to the shop to try on.

I've not been this excited about shoes in a long while and I may have just found a new favourite brand.

Bertie has recently got his partner psyched for routing and has taken every belay opportunity to give the whole range of newest devices a fair trial. From what he has told me, and written here, the Edelrid Jul2 is his favourite. There might be more belay device reviews to follow but I think we've found his go to!

Belay devices are a minefield. Considering the intended use remains pretty unchanged they come in a plethora of different shapes and sizes and they aren't cheap. You would be forgiven for scratching your head and sticking to what you know. Hopefully, Bertie can help to lift some scepticism and show you how this relatively cheap and simple device can replace your classic tube plate! I just wish he'd fiddled with his camera settings a little more before snapping the how-to pics.