Yes, us Southerners have to put up with a lots of travelling, and it's the most expensive part of a trip! For the CWT I took the sleeper train from London to Fort William, which was extravagant but great fun. Luckily a good friend offered to collect me from Durness and we drove back. To get to Skye last year I took the overnight coach from London to Glasgow; it cost just £12 but I would never ever do it again LOL To get to the Hebrides I'm flying to Barra from Southampton via Glasgow, mainly because I want to minimise the time away from home, & that's the fastest option.
Nice one. A thought about the ‘flappy’ Montane Terras… I’ve used these for many years and for me one of the lovely things is that they are wide enough to roll up above my knees, which I often do when it’s warm . So please carry on as is Montane. Might not work for everyone though. Hope you’re still out doing your thing.
That’s a good point; very useful for stream crossings too! Yes, still doing it; just back from the Hebridean Way, and heading out on the Cleveland Way in a couple of weeks time 🙂
Glad I might have helped you. FYI since then I have switched to Topo Athletic trail runners. They have a wide toe box also, but the soles are much more substantial and have Vibram with deeper lugs; I find that they protect my feet better, and have superior grip going downhill (one of the biggest problems with the Lone Peaks in my experience).
@vvs3796 it’s a very personal choice and opinions are divided. Personally I have tried Goretex boots, but they have drawbacks on a serious length trail like the CWT. Remember that the Goretex doesn’t breathe once it is covered in water, has ‘wetted out’. And the waterproof qualities disappear as soon as the membrane is damaged. The CWT is tough on footwear and there are frequent river crossings and boggy sections. I had a particularly wet time and it was impossible to avoid the feet getting wet; trying to keep them dry would be frustrating and slow you down. And wet boots are not pleasant, heavier, and more likely to cause blisters. They’re also very slow to dry out. More and more people are using trail runners. Whilst they aren’t waterproof, if you combine them with very good quality merino wool mix socks then your feet will stay warm and comfortable even when they are wet. You can splash through the stream crossings and boggy sections without worrying. And the shoes and socks dry out much faster. I’ve just got back from the Hebridean Way and didn’t have any discomfort or blisters at all. BTW the socks I prefer are either’Darn Tough’ or ‘Silverlight’. They’re not cheap, but the socks are just as important as the shoes, I think. Anyway give them a try. If you’re worried about ankle support then it’s a bit of a myth; plenty of training in runners develops natural strength in the ankle joint. Sorry it’s a long answer 😁
Great kit review. And as one who is setting off end of March this year on the CWT your endorsement of trail runners over boots is a great boost to me, having bought my first ever pair specially for this trip and hope to continue with them afterwards. Take care.
Thanks for the video, nice review. I do a fair amount of walking, plus watching of youtube vids etc and I can see you put in your research before you set off. Totally agree on the Darntough socks, I wear them with Hoka One Speedgoats, which are very comfortable with great grip. Keep up the good work!
Thanks! Unfortunately, the Hokas don't have a wide enough fit for my foot shape. I'm tempted to try the Topo MTN racer 2 next; they have a wide foot shape, and a Vibram sole.
@@longsufferinghiker understand what you mean about the Hoka’s. I have had 3 pairs now and have gone up a full size 10 to 11, due to the small toe box. That said they are excellent and I would recommend taking a look in the larger size. They are like walking in slippers. I live in the Dales and have worn them everyday for 3 years in snow, rain, you name it. I find the older version Speedgoat 4’s are a little more supportive with a pack over rugged ground than the newer, lighter speedgoat 5s which are more of a running trail shoe. But either way, highly recommended, but not cheap
I did the CWT in September 2022 and had an excellent time. This year I plan to do it again in November. This time I will take less gear, clothing and food. I will, however, take more time. I'm thinking 23/24 days (including one off in Ullapool) is much more sensible; giving me time to stand and stare. Enjoyed your film, well done 👍
That sounds like the perfect approach to the CWT and you’re fortunate to be able to take your time and enjoy the experience at your leisure. And the lessons learned last time will help you to enjoy it even more! Not at all jealous. Really.
Great review of your kit for the CWT, much appreciated. I am still on the fence re trail runners as always used boots. I agree re none goretex so that they can dry (a little) during the day/night. It would be good not to have to stop and change to river shoes for each crossing. In Nov last year I walked the first stage of the CWT in reverse coming back from a Hike through the Knoydart to Kinloch Hourn, Barrisdale and back to FtW as a trial for the CTW as I did not have enough time to do the whole walk. Hope to be going April next year.
Sounds like you're doing some good preparation for the CWT. What was that section like in November? I'm guessing it was a bit wet, cold, and dark :-) I'm trying out a different set of trail runners now; the Topo MTN racer 2, as they appear to have much better grip; Vibram with deeper lugs. Still not Goretex tho; I really find that with the Darn Tough wool socks my feet are still warm even when wet. But I definitely ned to change them for a good pair of dry warm socks when I'm at camp! I'm jealous of you doing the walk next April. Good luck!
The section was very wet with rivers in spate which often meant searching for safe crossing points for up to a Kilometre. It was however, unusually warm and thus I had overkill regards sleeping bag and fleece bed clothes. revised that all now. For sleeping I use a summer bag and a MYOG light Apex quilt as in most mountain areas I find the footbox always gets very damp from condensation and the synthetic quilt is unaffected. Can also just use the quilt if too warm. Be interested in your thoughts on the Topo's as they do look like they would be up to the task.
Great video full of good tips What weight were you carring? Did you carry spare underwear and walking socks? Were your trail runners your only foot wear for use around camp going for a shower etc? Very much enjoy your videos.
The 'dry' weight (without food, water, gas) was 9.5kg, but it could definitely have been reduced. I took too much clothing, because I didn't know what weather to expect e.g. I didn't need to take both puffy and fleece jackets. I did take spare underwear because, y'know, I like to stay fresh down there if possible ;-) I also took a spare pair of walking socks, but I'm not sure they were needed; using trail runners meant that my feet were damp nearly all the way, so there was no point in putting on clean & dry socks. But the high quality (darn tough) socks meant my feet stayed warm and comfortable all the way. There were laundry facilities at the campsites I stayed at (Shiel Bridge, Kinlochewe, & Ullapool) so I was able to wash everything. I only used the trail runners. At camp I put plastic bags (bread bags are great) inside the trail runners to keep my feet dry & clean, which worked very well. I would not use Altra Lone Peak again, because the grip around the heel was not good enough. I've since switched to Topo Athletic; either the MTN racer 2, or the Terraventure. They are more sturdy and have better grip with Vibram soles. Hope that helps!
Great video and so very useful for my forthcoming trip. Also using Altra's but confused on where to source 'Stone-guard's' you referenced. Can you buy (if so where from ?) or did you make your own and if the latter, can you share how please ?
The Stoneguards came from a different pair of Altras (The Superior) but you could easily make some from some plastic cut to the same shape as the insoles. BUT I found that the Altra Lone Peak weren't rugged enough, and the grip at the heel was poor; I ended up on my ar*e in a a peat hag too many times. I have since switched to the Topo Athletic MTN racer 2 which have a Vibram sole that gives better protection and has much better grip. I've just used them for the Skye Trail in similar terrain to the CWT and they were great.
I totally agree. It's very reassuring to know that I could ask for help if I need it, and it's good to be able to check in regularly with the folks at home. I was very surprised that so few other walkers were using them.
Well spotted! Sorry; I'll get them added to the list. They weigh 30g each, and were bought from a seller on eBay who used to make custom carbon fibre tent poles to order. Sadly, he doesn't seem to be doing them any more, which is a huge shame, but I guess that you could improvise something similar. For the Lanshan 2 I got them made to be 60cm long (splitting into 2 sections for easier packing), which seems to be a good height. They improve the direction of pull for the side guylines, which improves the interior space and adds stability in windy conditions.
Thanks for the tip. Yes, the concept is great and weight is really worth it. I'll give it a go from some old poles l have hanging about. Thanks again for your time
How are you getting on with the Topos, did you add a custom stone plate? I’m walking the CWT in April ‘24 and just transitioning from boots to trail runners. I’m using my old Brooks Cascadias at the moment but plan to use the new Mountain Racer 3’s when they arrive in the uk.
I've been using the Topos for several months now, and I think that they're excellent, and better all round than the Lone Peaks. The sole is much more sturdy, so I haven't felt the need to add a stone guard at all. Also, the Vibram sole gives better grip than the Altras; much better on wet rock and downhill boggy slopes!! And it seems that the uppers are a bit more durable. If I was going to do the CWT I would definitely opt for the Topos. Especially the MTN3s, because they'll have better padding and, most importantly, they are available in Black!! ;-)
They look super comfy, but the foot shape doesn’t suit my wide feet, which is frustrating. I’m using Topo Athletic these days; currently the MTN racer2 but eying up the Terraventure
Hi Dave. I used guards that came with a previous pair of Altras. But there’s nothing special about them to be honest; a sheet of stiff plastic cut to the shape of the insole is all you need. It makes a big difference to prevent bruising the bottom of your feet from rough paths etc.
You can choose and create your own downloaded maps in the OS App. Go to Saved/ offline maps/ create offline map. Then zoom to an area. Then select an area. Zoom out as much as possible; you’ll see ‘zoom in to download’ when you’ve zoomed out too far. Then hit ‘download’. You can label the downloaded map. In this way I managed to cover the CWT in just a few downloads. I did this same for the Hebridean Way last month. BTW on the trail the App works best in flight mode, otherwise it’s very slow, trying to download the local map. Hope this helps 🙂
It’s by OMM (hence the ugly great logo) and it’s just about wide enough to fit a map in the back pocket. Shame it’s not waterproof though; I’ve recently added some grommets at the bottom as drainage holes.
This is great. Appreciate the time you took to put this together, many thanks
Thanks. I really hope it helps.
Great video!!! I’m doing the CWT in 2 weeks! So this video is great to not let me forget anything!
Thanks for the nice comment - Have a great trip! I’ll be walking the Outer Hebrides at the same
time, so let’s hope we both get good weather 😀
@@longsufferinghiker enjoy! How do you find getting up there? I’m from the south west of England so is a bit of a jaunt
Yes, us Southerners have to put up with a lots of travelling, and it's the most expensive part of a trip!
For the CWT I took the sleeper train from London to Fort William, which was extravagant but great fun. Luckily a good friend offered to collect me from Durness and we drove back.
To get to Skye last year I took the overnight coach from London to Glasgow; it cost just £12 but I would never ever do it again LOL
To get to the Hebrides I'm flying to Barra from Southampton via Glasgow, mainly because I want to minimise the time away from home, & that's the fastest option.
@@longsufferinghikerlol, coach is a great budget option,but I agree, it s better to save money on Smth else ..
Nice one. A thought about the ‘flappy’ Montane Terras… I’ve used these for many years and for me one of the lovely things is that they are wide enough to roll up above my knees, which I often do when it’s warm . So please carry on as is Montane. Might not work for everyone though. Hope you’re still out doing your thing.
That’s a good point; very useful for stream crossings too!
Yes, still doing it; just back from the Hebridean Way, and heading out on the Cleveland Way in a couple of weeks time 🙂
Good review ty.
Thanks for your report on the Lone Peaks and wool socks. I’ll likely do the same if I go. And I’ll add the rock plate.
Glad I might have helped you.
FYI since then I have switched to Topo Athletic trail runners. They have a wide toe box also, but the soles are much more substantial and have Vibram with deeper lugs; I find that they protect my feet better, and have superior grip going downhill (one of the biggest problems with the Lone Peaks in my experience).
So goretex mid weight boots are no go? bad idea?
@vvs3796 it’s a very personal choice and opinions are divided. Personally I have tried Goretex boots, but they have drawbacks on a serious length trail like the CWT. Remember that the Goretex doesn’t breathe once it is covered in water, has ‘wetted out’. And the waterproof qualities disappear as soon as the membrane is damaged. The CWT is tough on footwear and there are frequent river crossings and boggy sections. I had a particularly wet time and it was impossible to avoid the feet getting wet; trying to keep them dry would be frustrating and slow you down. And wet boots are not pleasant, heavier, and more likely to cause blisters. They’re also very slow to dry out.
More and more people are using trail runners. Whilst they aren’t waterproof, if you combine them with very good quality merino wool mix socks then your feet will stay warm and comfortable even when they are wet. You can splash through the stream crossings and boggy sections without worrying. And the shoes and socks dry out much faster.
I’ve just got back from the Hebridean Way and didn’t have any discomfort or blisters at all.
BTW the socks I prefer are either’Darn Tough’ or ‘Silverlight’. They’re not cheap, but the socks are just as important as the shoes, I think.
Anyway give them a try. If you’re worried about ankle support then it’s a bit of a myth; plenty of training in runners develops natural strength in the ankle joint.
Sorry it’s a long answer 😁
Great kit review. And as one who is setting off end of March this year on the CWT your endorsement of trail runners over boots is a great boost to me, having bought my first ever pair specially for this trip and hope to continue with them afterwards.
Take care.
Thanks Philip. I’m sure you won’t regret opting for Trail Runners 🙂
Thanks for the video, nice review. I do a fair amount of walking, plus watching of youtube vids etc and I can see you put in your research before you set off.
Totally agree on the Darntough socks, I wear them with Hoka One Speedgoats, which are very comfortable with great grip. Keep up the good work!
Thanks!
Unfortunately, the Hokas don't have a wide enough fit for my foot shape. I'm tempted to try the Topo MTN racer 2 next; they have a wide foot shape, and a Vibram sole.
@@longsufferinghiker understand what you mean about the Hoka’s. I have had 3 pairs now and have gone up a full size 10 to 11, due to the small toe box. That said they are excellent and I would recommend taking a look in the larger size. They are like walking in slippers. I live in the Dales and have worn them everyday for 3 years in snow, rain, you name it.
I find the older version Speedgoat 4’s are a little more supportive with a pack over rugged ground than the newer, lighter speedgoat 5s which are more of a running trail shoe. But either way, highly recommended, but not cheap
I did the CWT in September 2022 and had an excellent time. This year I plan to do it again in November. This time I will take less gear, clothing and food. I will, however, take more time. I'm thinking 23/24 days (including one off in Ullapool) is much more sensible; giving me time to stand and stare. Enjoyed your film, well done 👍
That sounds like the perfect approach to the CWT and you’re fortunate to be able to take your time and enjoy the experience at your leisure. And the lessons learned last time will help you to enjoy it even more! Not at all jealous. Really.
Great review of your kit for the CWT, much appreciated. I am still on the fence re trail runners as always used boots. I agree re none goretex so that they can dry (a little) during the day/night. It would be good not to have to stop and change to river shoes for each crossing. In Nov last year I walked the first stage of the CWT in reverse coming back from a Hike through the Knoydart to Kinloch Hourn, Barrisdale and back to FtW as a trial for the CTW as I did not have enough time to do the whole walk. Hope to be going April next year.
Sounds like you're doing some good preparation for the CWT. What was that section like in November? I'm guessing it was a bit wet, cold, and dark :-)
I'm trying out a different set of trail runners now; the Topo MTN racer 2, as they appear to have much better grip; Vibram with deeper lugs. Still not Goretex tho; I really find that with the Darn Tough wool socks my feet are still warm even when wet. But I definitely ned to change them for a good pair of dry warm socks when I'm at camp!
I'm jealous of you doing the walk next April. Good luck!
The section was very wet with rivers in spate which often meant searching for safe crossing points for up to a Kilometre. It was however, unusually warm and thus I had overkill regards sleeping bag and fleece bed clothes. revised that all now. For sleeping I use a summer bag and a MYOG light Apex quilt as in most mountain areas I find the footbox always gets very damp from condensation and the synthetic quilt is unaffected. Can also just use the quilt if too warm. Be interested in your thoughts on the Topo's as they do look like they would be up to the task.
I'm just waiting for Santa to deliver the Topos... :-D
Also, I use the "Nalgene Flexible Cantene Water Container" as a pee bottle! It packs away smaller
Good point. I just worry about how durable they are.. I mean, the last thing I want is a leaking P bottle... o.O
Great video full of good tips What weight were you carring? Did you carry spare underwear and walking socks? Were your trail runners your only foot wear for use around camp going for a shower etc? Very much enjoy your videos.
The 'dry' weight (without food, water, gas) was 9.5kg, but it could definitely have been reduced. I took too much clothing, because I didn't know what weather to expect e.g. I didn't need to take both puffy and fleece jackets.
I did take spare underwear because, y'know, I like to stay fresh down there if possible ;-)
I also took a spare pair of walking socks, but I'm not sure they were needed; using trail runners meant that my feet were damp nearly all the way, so there was no point in putting on clean & dry socks. But the high quality (darn tough) socks meant my feet stayed warm and comfortable all the way.
There were laundry facilities at the campsites I stayed at (Shiel Bridge, Kinlochewe, & Ullapool) so I was able to wash everything.
I only used the trail runners. At camp I put plastic bags (bread bags are great) inside the trail runners to keep my feet dry & clean, which worked very well.
I would not use Altra Lone Peak again, because the grip around the heel was not good enough. I've since switched to Topo Athletic; either the MTN racer 2, or the Terraventure. They are more sturdy and have better grip with Vibram soles.
Hope that helps!
Great video and so very useful for my forthcoming trip. Also using Altra's but confused on where to source 'Stone-guard's' you referenced. Can you buy (if so where from ?) or did you make your own and if the latter, can you share how please ?
The Stoneguards came from a different pair of Altras (The Superior) but you could easily make some from some plastic cut to the same shape as the insoles.
BUT I found that the Altra Lone Peak weren't rugged enough, and the grip at the heel was poor; I ended up on my ar*e in a a peat hag too many times. I have since switched to the Topo Athletic MTN racer 2 which have a Vibram sole that gives better protection and has much better grip. I've just used them for the Skye Trail in similar terrain to the CWT and they were great.
@@longsufferinghiker - Many Thanks ! Noted and will action. Much appreciated and thanks again for such a comprehensive and useful video !
having had to use my PLB once, I can attest it is a responsible thing, if going alone, to take one for this sort of trip.
I totally agree. It's very reassuring to know that I could ask for help if I need it, and it's good to be able to check in regularly with the folks at home. I was very surprised that so few other walkers were using them.
Hi. Could you give more details on the poles used to raise the guy lines? I couldn't find them on your equipment list. Thanks in advance.
Well spotted! Sorry; I'll get them added to the list.
They weigh 30g each, and were bought from a seller on eBay who used to make custom carbon fibre tent poles to order.
Sadly, he doesn't seem to be doing them any more, which is a huge shame, but I guess that you could improvise something similar.
For the Lanshan 2 I got them made to be 60cm long (splitting into 2 sections for easier packing), which seems to be a good height. They improve the direction of pull for the side guylines, which improves the interior space and adds stability in windy conditions.
Thanks for the tip. Yes, the concept is great and weight is really worth it.
I'll give it a go from some old poles l have hanging about.
Thanks again for your time
How are you getting on with the Topos, did you add a custom stone plate? I’m walking the CWT in April ‘24 and just transitioning from boots to trail runners. I’m using my old Brooks Cascadias at the moment but plan to use the new Mountain Racer 3’s when they arrive in the uk.
I've been using the Topos for several months now, and I think that they're excellent, and better all round than the Lone Peaks. The sole is much more sturdy, so I haven't felt the need to add a stone guard at all. Also, the Vibram sole gives better grip than the Altras; much better on wet rock and downhill boggy slopes!! And it seems that the uppers are a bit more durable.
If I was going to do the CWT I would definitely opt for the Topos. Especially the MTN3s, because they'll have better padding and, most importantly, they are available in Black!! ;-)
Thanks for your update re the topos, can’t wait to get a pair and get on with my preparation for next spring👍
Thanks for that update. I’ll consider the Topos. Either way, I’m a trail runner gal over boots.
Have a look at a pair of Inov8 G390 . I think you will be impressed 👍
They look super comfy, but the foot shape doesn’t suit my wide feet, which is frustrating. I’m using Topo Athletic these days; currently the MTN racer2 but eying up the Terraventure
Hi - Can i ask where you got the stone guard from?
Hi Dave. I used guards that came with a previous pair of Altras.
But there’s nothing special about them to be honest; a sheet of stiff plastic cut to the shape of the insole is all you need.
It makes a big difference to prevent bruising the bottom of your feet from rough paths etc.
Since the cwt requires so many maps in os format , what exactly didntou download on your os app? I do like the app very much.
You can choose and create your own downloaded maps in the OS App. Go to Saved/ offline maps/ create offline map. Then zoom to an area. Then select an area. Zoom out as much as possible; you’ll see ‘zoom in to download’ when you’ve zoomed out too far. Then hit ‘download’. You can label the downloaded map. In this way I managed to cover the CWT in just a few downloads. I did this same for the Hebridean Way last month.
BTW on the trail the App works best in flight mode, otherwise it’s very slow, trying to download the local map.
Hope this helps 🙂
@@longsufferinghiker thank you! Now I just need to find which parts to download..
👍 I also used the Harvey map. It’s important to have one just in case, and it helped me to find the areas I needed on the OS maps.
@@longsufferinghiker hmm..some secret hacks to cwt are being revealed here ..thanks a lot..
@@longsufferinghiker
Some real hacks are being revealed to cwt here..thanks a lot..
Sorry, ME cap ..what model is it? Aerofoil or frontier?
It was the ME Squall cap. I like the way the peak folds to make it easier to pack.
What make is your chests pod
It’s by OMM (hence the ugly great logo) and it’s just about wide enough to fit a map in the back pocket. Shame it’s not waterproof though; I’ve recently added some grommets at the bottom as drainage holes.