Craig Taylor
Growing up just south of the glorious Brecon Beacons National Park, Craig spent his childhood walking uphill. As he got older, the hills got bigger, and his passion for spending quality time in the great outdoors only grew - falling in love with wild camping, long-distance hiking, bikepacking and fastpacking. Having recently returned to the UK after almost a decade in Germany, he now focuses on regular micro-adventures in nearby Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons, as well as frequent trips to the Alps and beyond. You can follow his adventures over on komoot.
Latest articles by Craig Taylor
![Testing Decathlon tents](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3oABQYo249vMK3faFMVeuM-320-80.jpg)
I got soaked at Decathlon HQ to learn how the French brand tests its tents
By Craig Taylor published
Decathlon’s design and testing process involves listening to consumers, extensive prototyping and a lot of water
![A headshot of Michael Glavin in a forest](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/88D9emY6kzkenFV7Zz38QA-320-80.jpg)
“Everything else is just a bag!” Zenbivy founder Michael Glavin’s mission to reinvent sleeping outdoors
By Craig Taylor published
We catch up with the founder and designer of one of the comfiest sleep systems on the market
![A mountain rescue volunteer in a bright red Helly Hansen jacket, against a background of mountains and lakes.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BGrnrDhcwetmeK4RjcYrmG-320-80.jpg)
What do mountain rescue team members wear on operations?
By Craig Taylor published
We take a deep dive into exactly what mountain search and rescue services wear on operations, and look at how it differs from regular hiking kit
![A MSR Tindheim 2 pitched on a hillside](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CrFV6ponFTz44X3g3paxHo-320-80.jpg)
MSR Tindheim 2 review: a solid two-person palace for comfortable camping
By Craig Taylor published
The MSR Tindheim 2 is one of the most spacious two-person tents I’ve tried so far this year
![A group of friends sit playing cards in front of tents at a festival.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rLvwcsn6TGWuStk2prsfYD-320-80.jpg)
Can you connect two tents together? And if so, how?
By Craig Taylor published
Connecting two tents can maximize liveable space and give you a palace to sleep in – even in the great outdoors. But just how do you go about it?
![Man wearing Revolution Race Nordwand Pro hiking pants in snow](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MKCNjTGoPL7aBRSYow24GS-320-80.jpg)
Revolution Race Nordwand Pro review: well-designed hiking pants at a reasonable price
By Craig Taylor published
Water resistant, windproof and a joy to wear, Revolution Race Nordwand Pro hiking pants are excellence at a very reasonable price
![A Zenbivy Ultralight Bed laid out on a floor of fallen leaves.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TE7QffPV7e6ZTmJjJXxzo4-320-80.jpg)
Zenbivy Ultralight Bed review: is this the most comfortable sleep system on the market right now?
By Craig Taylor published
The Zenbivy Ultralight Bed is an innovative sleep system designed to maximize your comfort on the trail
![Robens Pioneer 4EX](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VqrU8CLkRKwL5KbpF6ntzX-320-80.jpg)
Robens Pioneer 4EX tent review: an ideal family tent for comfortable nights in the outdoors
By Craig Taylor published
Affordable, simple to pitch and offering tons of room for the whole family, the Robens Pioneer 4EX is a great option for group wildcamps or family camping holidays
![An over the shoulder view of a senior man kneeling down by his tent to cook bacon in a portable camping stove, he is preparing breakfast at his campsite at Hollows Farm, The Lake District in Cumbria, England](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SCqepv8CKpDAS7Zeav3MtR-320-80.jpg)
Can you cook inside a tent safely?
By Craig Taylor published
Everything you need to know about cooking safely inside a tent so that you don’t end up with the wrong kind of campfire
![Sierra Designs High Route 3000 1P trekking pole tent](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JkfR6oSXM8ca5BgcdqCrje-320-80.jpeg)
What is a trekking pole tent?
By Craig Taylor published
Trekking pole tents are quickly becoming one of the most popular styles of camping shelter out there. But what are they? And why should you care?
![The interior of a red bivy shelter](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XGgnXQ4DLVZyX4eKThaESj-320-80.jpeg)
Types of tent fabric: what to look for in a shelter
By Craig Taylor published
A guide to understanding the different types of tent fabrics out there – what are the material benefits?
![A pair of feet wearing Scarpa Mescalito TRK Pro GTX hiking boots, standing on grass](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/k7J4o5nZ3oZc6ASdzHGEY9-320-80.jpeg)
Scarpa Mescalito TRK Pro GTX review: an ideal hiking boot for true four-season adventures
By Craig Taylor published
The all-new Scarpa Mescalito TRK Pro GTX are comfortable, solid, crampon-compatible hiking boots that deliver impressive year-round performance. Could this be the most versatile boot on the market right now?
![Wild Country Helm Compact 1 tent](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vEgf86YEi7HTURqaNRDXce-320-80.jpg)
Wild Country Helm Compact 1 tent review: an amazing all-rounder for 1-person, 3-season camping
By Craig Taylor published
The Wild Country Helm Compact 1 is a well-designed and comfortable tent that does an incredible job for the price
![An orange The North Face Summit Series Pumori Down Parka laid open on grass](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UGhtNT2Esh5Mgi4rsuJwha-320-80.jpeg)
The North Face Summit Series Pumori Down Parka review: a down jacket as lofty as it is expensive
By Craig Taylor published
The Summit Series Pumori Down Parka is The North Face's flagship mountaineering jacket, suitable for warming you up in the coldest places. But is it worth the high price tag?
![The North Face Summit Torre Egger Futurelight jacket hood up](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RvdA68uECbDKKzgAq6Hw6P-320-80.jpg)
The North Face Summit Torre Egger Futurelight Jacket review: hardshell performance with a shoftshell feel
By Craig Taylor published
A remarkably flexible and comfortable jacket, the North Face Summit Torre Egger Futurelight is ideal for tackling the worst conditions in the mountains
![Therm-a-Rest Parsec 0F/-18C sleeping bag](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qk8H4hv3FCCkb5LXQ7nbYi-320-80.jpg)
Therm-a-Rest Parsec 0F/-18C Sleeping Bag review: a cozy bag that makes you excited about sleeping in the cold
By Craig Taylor published
The Therm-a-Rest Parsec 0F/-18C offers unrivalled warmth to weight, promising to keep you warm and cozy in temperatures down to around -10° C/14° F
![Collage of eight of the best four-season sleeping bags on white background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bm2uTpcsRb6o5J6NMSvzqJ-320-80.jpg)
The best 4-season sleeping bags 2024: cozy bags for year round camping
By Craig Taylor last updated
Our selection of the best 4-season sleeping bags will keep you safe and toasty while camping, no matter how low the mercury
![Collage of eight of the best four-season tents](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ybEMQ8EtF9wtYfGBb39Rg8-320-80.jpg)
The best four-season tents 2024: backpacking shelters to protect you all year
By Craig Taylor last updated
Committed campers need a four-season tent designed and built to cope with any conditions. Here’s our roundup of the best available right now
![Decathlon Forclaz MT900 Tunnel Tent](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tfgtbVVhiwF34CUtGFwTH-320-80.jpeg)
Decathlon Forclaz MT900 Tunnel Tent review: judge me not by my size (or price)
By Craig Taylor published
Lightweight, small and easy to pitch, the Forclaz MT900 Tunnel Tent performs excellently in the wind and rain, especially considering its budget price tag
![Nortent Lavvo 4 tent](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/m3k7apGFCu7XAMSM36fe95-320-80.jpeg)
Nortent Lavvo 4 tent review: spacious and strong protection against the worst weather
By Craig Taylor published
The Nortent Lavvo 4 is a versatile, solid and stunning shelter that excels in wet, windy and freezing conditions
![Nortent Gamme 4 Tent in Svalbard](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KTXHaKzqeAcFRkjtp4Xatc-320-80.jpeg)
Nortent Gamme 4 Tent review: a fortress against the worst the weather can throw at you
By Craig Taylor published
The Nortent Gamme 4 is a heavy-duty fortress that will keep you safe in conditions way worse than most of us would ever consider camping in
![A sleeping bag in its sack, lying on grass in front of a small stream](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6Fwics67WXBRZgWXuHdbyL-320-80.jpeg)
What is ‘packed size’ when it comes to outdoor gear?
By Craig Taylor published
Whenever you’re shopping for a piece of outdoor gear, its ‘packed size’ is something you’ll need to be aware of. Here’s what it means
![A North Face Trail Lite 2 tent, showing the yellow bathtub floor](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BfeXd7mTrdrEuXM6Jz9Pf9-320-80.jpeg)
What exactly is a tent bathtub?
By Craig Taylor published
Find out just what people mean when they refer to a tent’s bathtub floor, and why this small design detail can make a huge difference to your trip