PODCASTS - OUTDOOR GEAR CHAT
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.
| KIT LISTS |
Cathy & Wayne are joined by Montane Sponsored Athlete Debbie Martin-Consani, first woman to cross the finish line of The Spine Race 2022.
Cathy & Wayne are joined by Scott Umpleby from The Brathay Trust, event organisers of the fantastic Ambleside Trail 25 & 50k races.
"Lakeland Legends" Cathy & Wayne are veterans of a number of Lakeland 50's but why has neither of them stepped up to the Lakeland 100 start line?
Cathy and Wayne are joined by Everest Basecamp Trek Leader Paul Poole to chat about what conditions to expect & what kit to pack to enjoy this iconic trek.
Cathy and Wayne are joined by British Antarctic Field Operative Catrin Thomas who gives a fascinating insight into managing clothing systems in the harsh polar environment.
This Outdoor Gear Chat outlines all of those little kit decisions that can make all the difference to having a GREAT day on the hill.
Climber, Alpinist, Himalayan Mountaineer, International Mountain Guide, & Award Winning Author Andy Cave joins us to chat about everything from life before Gore-Tex, to harness culture.
Cathy & Wayne are joined by Rab athlete Jon Gupta who has a wealth of experience climbing and guiding the worlds highest peaks - so many, in fact, just listening to the intro is exhausting!
If trekking in Nepal is on your bucket list then join Cathy and Wayne as they chat with Denise Prior at Community Action Treks.
Cathy and Wayne are joined live from Colombia by Ben Davies & Felix Sullivan from the El Rio Hostel in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountains.
We talk about the NEW Mountain Goat Circuit/ Cylchdaith Yr Afr Fynydd, a spectacular 50km loop in Snowdonia along the skyline from the Joe Brown's Capel Curig shop to Llanberis and back.
We are joined by Olly Sanders to chat about how to prepare, what kit to pack, why climbing style may be dictated by your kayak, the effect of comms & tech on expeditions and why wellies are always on his kit list.
After a 15 year search for two friends willing to trek 220 miles through Scotlands wilderness, Cathy chats about their fantastic 12 day trip involving camps, bivvies, bothies, hostels, river crossings and a LOT of bellowing stags.
Recorded live out and about at Kendal Mountain Festival, Cathy chats with Shane Ohly, the man leading the team behind the legendary KMF Terrex 10k and the new KMF The North Face 50k Ultra.
If you have ever wondered what's involved in becoming a British Mountain Guide, what IFMGA stands for, or what's a Guide's favourite snack on hard routes then this is the podcast for you!
Recorded live out and about at Kendal Mountain Festival, Cathy and Wayne are joined by Isla McCay, from Glenmore Lodge, the National Outdoor Training Centre delivering world class training in a wealth of outdoor activities for 70 years.
Charlie gives a fantastic insight into all aspects of the sport as well as drilling down into kit lists and why training is key to coping with those times when things don't always go to plan. Shoes, poles, race vests and bivvy bags - we cover them all!
| CLOTHING |
A light hearted look at the science of waterproofs: the history, just how wet you can get and why you need to wash (and tumble dry) them much more frequently than you used to.
Take a light hearted look at the science of layering: why we sweat, why "wicking" is important, how layers keep us cool AND warm.
A light hearted look at the science of gloves: why a tight glove isn't a good thing and why a large glove isn't necessarily a good thing either (!), plus more!
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.
We are back to talk about the humble hat & the many headwear items designed to protect your head from the cold, the heat, the sun & vicious biting mcbeasties.
Ever wondered how to zip up a jacket when you only have the use of one hand? Or how to get in and out of a tent when half your body is paralysed?
Cathy & Wayne are joined by Author, Walking Leader and Outdoor Swimming Instructor Suzanna Cruikshank to talk about women's technical clothing for sizes beyond the norm.
Hear about why a baselayer should be close fitting to work effectively in our climate, how they work, the difference between natural and man made fibres and what is good merino vs bad merino.
Matt has a PhD in Feather and Down Structure and is Product Engineer at Mountain Equipment. Take a real journey in explaining how ethically sourced down ends up in your gear.
Cathy and Wayne are joined by Artilect Co-Founder Trent Bush to chat about the incredible amount of passion, science, skill and global logistics involved in getting a product from concept to shelf.
Part 2 - There are big changes happening in the world of waterproofs . They're a long time coming and are great news for the environment BUT we will all need to learn how to use and maintain the new technologies.
Recorded live out and about at Kendal Mountain Festival, Cathy and Wayne are joined by Malcolm Rudge, Product Design Manager at Mountain Equipment.
Recorded live at Kendal Mountain Festival, Cathy and Wayne are joined by Lucy Speakman, Director of Addidas, Terrex and 5:10 and Andrea Paulson, Senior Vice President of Innovation and Technology at Primaloft.
Part 3 - There are big changes happening in the world of waterproofs . They're a long time coming and are great news for the environment BUT we will all need to learn how to use and maintain the new technologies.
Recorded live out and about at Kendal Mountain Festival, Cathy and Wayne are joined by Catriona Shearer, UK Account Marketing Manager and PR Specialist for W.L.Gore Ltd. We chat about fabrics, testing and how Gore-Tex is changing to reduce it's impact on the environment.
Part 1 - There are big changes happening in the world of waterproofs . They're a long time coming and are great news for the environment BUT we will all need to learn how to use and maintain the new technologies.
Recorded live at Kendal Mountain Festival 2024, Cathy talks with Jon Frederick, Group Marketing Director for Equip (Global) about the passion in product design and delivery throughout their company and their key brand: Rab.
Recorded live at Kendal Mountain Festival, Cathy and Wayne are joined by Alice Sainsbury, Product Designer for Berghaus Adapts. This is a fascinating insight into Berghaus' drive to create adaptive outdoor clothing for adventurers with additional needs.
| CLIMBING |
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.
Wayne and Cathy are joined by British Mountain Guide Adrian Nelhams who shares his gargantuan knowledge and experience of ice axes.
Cathy and Wayne are joined by the Czar of Carabiners: Chris Rowlands from DMM Climbing in Wales.
Recorded live out and about at Kendal Mountain Festival, Cathy and Wayne are joined by Billy Ridal. Listen in awe as he describes how he retired from indoor climbing competitions to make a free ascent of The Nose on El Capitan, Yosemite.
Are you baffled by the number of different ropes available? Cathy and Wayne talk with Edelrid UK Representative Alex Smurthwaite and discover how not all ropes are equal...
Recorded live out and about at Kendal Mountain Festival, Deuter Athlete Tamara Lunger chats about her how her passion for mountaineering extends to her equipment - testing Deuter rucsacks in the worlds harshest environments.
This week Cathy and Wayne talk about head protection with Petzl sponsored athletes and climbing giants: Emma Powell and Neil Gresham.
| CAMPING / EQUIPMENT |
Cathy and Wayne take a light hearted look at the science of sleeping bags.
Learn the difference between integral canister systems, multi-fuel stoves, and why all gas is not equal.
Learn what THE most important piece of first aid equipment is, why you should never take Ibroprufen during an endurance event, what applications of a tampon to avoid & why a tick remover is now an essential piece of kit.
Learn the importance of your squishy bits when it comes to measuring back size, why most rucksacks aren't waterproof & why you might want to consider a "rucksack filing system".
We take a light hearted look at the science of headtorches: learning about lumens, marveling at "intelligent" lighting & discovering what exactly an IP rating.
Listen in for tips on getting it up in bad weather, what constitutes as fondling with your erection and of course - bell ends.
Be prepared for a world of eye protection knowledge as Cathy and Wayne are joined by Barnabé Grison, International Area Manager for French outdoor eyewear specialists Julbo.
Recorded live out and about at Kendal Mountain Festival, Cathy and Wayne are joined by Matt Haigh, Key Account Manager for Osprey celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year.
Recorded live out and about at Kendal Mountain Festival, Cathy and Wayne are joined by Kerry Page from Community Action Nepal. Founded by Doug Scott, CAN works to build, maintain and run health posts, porter shelters and schools in remote regions of Nepal.
Cathy and Wayne are joined once again by World Extreme Medicine Joint Medical Director Dr Will Duffin as they tackle the murky world of water purification and how to keep healthy in the wilderness.
Recorded live out and about at Kendal Mountain Festival, Cathy and Wayne are joined by Tim Francis to chat about the new changes in waterproof fabrics, why and how we need to look after them differently - including why you may wish to tumble dry or even iron your waterproof garments!
Wayne is a tech geek, Cathy is most definitely not so this is an ideal listen for anyone who already embraces their wrist computer to anyone thinking about using a back up to their trusted map and compass.
We are joined by engineer, sewer & outdoor equipment & clothing repair specialist; Rosanna Watson from Snowdonia Gear Repairs to delve into how to make your gear last longer.
Recorded live out and about at Kendal Mountain Festival Adventure Athlete and Montane Ambassador Jenny Tough describes how she took her Montane Trailblazer pack and ran mountain chains in 6 continents. Solo.
| Eating |
Cathy and Wayne are joined by outdoor cook and all round smashing bloke Harrison Ward to talk about getting out in the fells to cook.
Cathy and Wayne are joined by Voom Brand Manager and Team GB Triathalete Beau Smith to seriously geek out on nutrition for endurance sports.
| FOOTWEAR |
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.
This week's talk journeys through rubber, precision placements, flat toes, squished toes, slip lasts, leather & why tear inducingly tight climbing shoes might not always be a good thing.
This episode explains why there are so many boots to choose from, the differences between fabric and leather, how boots should fit, and much more!
Cathy and Wayne are joined by Scarpa UK Core Sales Director Glyn Padgett to discuss what sets mountain boots apart from regular walking boots.
In this episode Cathy and Wayne are joined by The Climbers Shop Manager and Spine Race veteran Chris Worton to talk about the wonderful world of trail shoes.
| Everest 50th Anniversary |
A very special chat with Sir Chris Bonington and Paul Braithwaite about the 1975 Everest expedition which saw the highest bivvy ever survived and placed the first two Britons on the summit of the worlds highest mountain.
Tom is known for his trad, winter and alpine climbing - the bigger and badder, the better! His Fast & Light approach sets him apart. Listen in as Tom talks about minimalism and the self-belief that get’s him to the top and back.
Running the family business Karrimor, Mike Parsons was a key equipment sponsor for the Everest 1975 expedition and describes how working with the team to create bespoke equipment shaped the products demanded by customers.
The first British woman to lead an expedition to the top of Mount Everest from the North side, Di has climbed all 7 Summits and worked 4 Antarctic seasons. Di gives us an insight into todays commercial expeditions chatting about essential kit and climbing from a women’s perspective.
Voted the Mountaineer’s Mountaineer, Mick is the master of small, extreme expeditions. Be prepared for your jaw to drop as he describes using clothing (most of the time) and equipment at the cutting edge of technical climbing for the past 50 years.
| COMPANY / STAFF |
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.
Recorded in front of a live audience at Kendal Mountain Festival, Cathy chats with KMF CEO Jacqui Scott about their unique journeys into and through the Outdoor industry, how they have balanced motherhood through their careers and how they are helping those just starting out.
We are joined with new Lake District legend & 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.
Learn more about this incredible expedition that cemented friendships, promoted respect for the local people and their beliefs, challenged class distinctions of the time, applied technical rock climbing skills above 8000m and saw four members attain the summit ridge.
In September 2023 Outdoor Gear Chat Co-Host Wayne Singleton stepped into the water at Bowness-on-Solway on the North Cumbria coast to "celebrate" an upcoming birthday.
| Kendal mountain festival 2025 |
Cathy & Wayne reveal the incredible line up of special guests they chat with at the Kendal Mountain Festival 2025 season of Hope.
Listen to the worlds toughest Maths teacher describe how she kept running every hour, on the hour for 4 days non-stop to achieve her world record and how she uses her Suunto Vertical 2 to help her compete, train and rest.
The first blind person to climb the Old Man of Hoy, Jesse describes how his wife describes the rock in front of him which he then interprets with his fingers to place gear and build belays on climbs all over the world.
While surviving -60 degree temperatures, Nigel lost his nose, toes and fingers aged just 30. His film "Frostbitten" tells the story of his recovery and subsequent return to the mountain and rescuers 25 years later.
Record-breaking adventurer Alex has already overcome more than many will in a lifetime. Before the age of 19, he survived the two most significant disasters in Mount Everest history, whilst his biggest mountains have been even closer to home: epilepsy, bullying, mental ill health and a lifelong stammer.
Cathy catches up with Sir Chris Bonington to chat about his incredible year celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Everest The Hard Way, what it has meant to him and the team members and how the legacy of that 1975 expedition is positively impacting the people of Nepal.
Head of Climbing and Mountaineering at Plas Y Brenin, the National Outdoor Centre; Dave talks through how their long term relationship with Mountain Equipment, creates clothing and equipment offering consistent protection in all conditions.
Scottish Climber, Mountaineer and Dry Tooler Caitlin Connor describes the gear and training she uses in this niche sport to compete on the World stage. Now, she's a member of the GB climbing team and has her eye firmly set on the 2030 Winter Olympics.
Rachel and Sonam specialize in the threat of Glacial Lake Collapse, an increasing issue due to climate change, spending weeks in remote, glacial regions on fieldwork in the Bhutan Himalaya.
Cathy & Wayne round up an inspirational three days recording live around the KMF 2025 Basecamp and The Brewery.
Berghaus Athlete Ed Jackson chats about his success as the first disabled person to complete a first ascent of a Himalayan mountain. He & Alice Sainsbury to share their experience of the Berghaus Adapts program and the Millimeters 2 Mountains charity.
Going through a rough time? Find a mate and take yourselves off to climb a 4000m peak in Tajikistan! Hannah and Sam chat about their un-supported trek into the remote Fann mountains before tackling their mountain through joy, tears and friendship.
Through his career, Robbie has moved from comp climbing for Team GB through all disciplines including bouldering, sport climbing, trad climbing, winter climbing, and big walling so he knows a thing or two about choosing rock boots!
Listen to Guinness World Record holder Sally Orange describe how she had to re-think her clothing while running the Everest Marathon with a cancer diagnosis and why running to her chemotherapy appointments was so important.