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
![Hiking man or trail runner walking in mountains. Travel in Italy, Europe. Fitness and healthy lifestyle outdoors in fall autumn nature](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nNEUKR5iARcBFQyHDhMoqj-320-80.jpg)
Fastpacking essentials: what you do and don’t need
By Craig Taylor published
The cut-down kit list: keep your weight down and your speed up on your next fastpacking trip
![Forclaz MT900 Minimal Editions trekking pole tarp tent](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/t9i45QFgWJaa2QxXKbfjuC-320-80.jpeg)
How light should a tent be for fastpacking?
By Craig Taylor published
How much is too much when heading out on a fastpacking weekend? We take a look at the options
![A woman in a tent is deflating a yellow sleeping pad](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r2UpJmv6wowbKpegSDXEtH-320-80.jpg)
Can you rely on a budget sleeping pad?
By Craig Taylor published
Want to sleep easy and save money? Here’s what you need to be aware of if you’re looking to buy a budget sleeping pad
![Family looking out from tent at rain](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HqL87YfSupGfPgK6oVBuSd-320-80.jpeg)
How to seam seal a tent
By Craig Taylor published
Your definitive guide to seam sealing your tent – in four simple steps
![A small group of young adults camping with a tent in the wilderness of the Western United States](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wALvNbKZnnWP6EexdRwrCm-320-80.jpg)
9 camping hacks for easier adventures
By Craig Taylor published
Follow these hacks to make your next camping trip easier and more comfortable
![Man sitting in Nortent Bivuakk](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6jaHj8DKnDBLTdbX33myjG-320-80.jpeg)
Nortent Bivuakk review: a deluxe tarp or a stripped-down tent?
By Craig Taylor published
The versatile Nortent Bivuakk is a tarp-style shelter that works well in a variety of different configurations and environments.
![Big Agnes Crag Lake SL3 tent](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/T9Fj5D7hvjkrM8KFJxB2zR-320-80.jpeg)
Big Agnes Crag Lake SL3 tent review: quality construction is all the USP you need
By Craig Taylor published
Easy to pitch and simple to carry the Big Agnes Crag Lake SL3 is a great-looking three-person, three-season backpacking tent that ticks a lot of boxes
![Couple camping on mountain top, preparing food and drinks next to tent](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E3jXBdp2qT2EPio5Lqx8RK-320-80.jpg)
Can you rely on a budget tent?
By Craig Taylor published
Looking to save money on your next tent? Here’s what you need to be aware of if you’re shopping on a budget
![A woman lays out a sleeping bag inside a tent at a campground – she’ll want a sleeping bag liner too](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mFHamQhPndrtTe6FJjs5R5-320-80.jpeg)
How to use a sleeping bag liner
By Craig Taylor published
Sleeping bag liners can provide extra comfort, keep your bag clean and give your sleep system a helpful boost in the heat department. Here’s how to use them
![Two people in a small tent, but how big should a two-person tent be?](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FcRLh8DK39WMJdfreMVCfF-320-80.jpeg)
How big is a two-person tent?
By Craig Taylor published
If you’ve ever tried to share a two-person tent with someone else, you know it’s a struggle. So how much space do you actually get in an average two-person tent?
![Mountain Warehouse Backpacker Lightweight 2 Man Tent](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BvTsJeC5yCTwEAH7bXU333-320-80.jpg)
Mountain Warehouse Backpacker Lightweight 2 Man Tent review: a reliable, durable, budget-friendly shelter
By Craig Taylor last updated
A straightforward backpacking shelter, the Mountain Warehouse Backpacker Lightweight 2 Man Tent comes with some great features for the price
![Nortent Vern 1 four-season tent](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YUABAKxMyATMDATE5fBGLh-320-80.jpeg)
Nortent Vern 1 four-season tent review: really tough but surprisingly lightweight
By Craig Taylor last updated
A very well-thought-out four-season shelter, the Nortent Vern 1 delivers impeccable performance in a huge range of challenging conditions
![OEX Leviathan EV 900 sleeping bag](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TQya45Asf5ZsLnBzg4LDs3-320-80.jpeg)
OEX Leviathan EV 900 sleeping bag review: impressively low comfort rating at an impressively low price
By Craig Taylor last updated
A down-filled four-season sleeping bag, the OEX Leviathan EV 900 promises big things for a comparably low price tag
![Fastpacking – Around 25km into the run on day one, I was struggling to come down on the Central Beacons Ridge](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Ykm3PpQ3Reu7hWQWwim37U-320-80.jpeg)
What I learned from a failed fastpacking trip
By Craig Taylor published
The art of not-so-fastpacking, or all of the things I wish I’d known before I committed to running a silly distance with my usual hiking setup on my back
![Man in Robens Chaser 1 tent](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uGA2D6i2zxBc4um9eXwCkc-320-80.jpeg)
Robens Chaser 1 tent review: one-person tents don’t come much better than this
By Craig Taylor published
The lightweight, easy-to-pitch and surprisingly rugged Robens Chaser 1 lends itself to a variety of different sports and adventures
![Forclaz MT900 Minimal Editions trekking pole tarp tent](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EokJPwZPCrYRWavtvLHG6E-320-80.jpeg)
Forclaz MT900 Minimal Editions trekking pole tarp tent review: all white on the night
By Craig Taylor published
Easy to pitch and roomy the Forclaz MT900 Minimal Editions trekking pole tarp tent performs way better than you’d expect – especially considering its ultra-low price
![Man lying in Big Agnes Three Wire Hooped Bivy](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6b5RykHeNEQPjPN2r23x8Q-320-80.jpeg)
Big Agnes Three Wire Hooped Bivy review: great things come in small packages
By Craig Taylor published
The cleverly designed Big Agnes Three Wire Hooped Bivy performs well in a range of conditions while packing down to an incredibly small size
![The Big Agnes Anthracite 20° sleeping bag](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UhqSKbuSFqjXZnhdLkxJ8D-320-80.jpeg)
Big Agnes Anthracite 20° sleeping bag review: cozy, comfortable and warm in temperatures down to zero
By Craig Taylor published
The Big Agnes Anthracite 20° sleeping bag is a super-cozy and soft synthetic three season bag that’s easy to carry, a joy to sleep in and keeps you toasty
![Big Agnes Zoom UL Insulated sleeping pad](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qXWQ4kyMij2kjGzrHHZ9Y3-320-80.jpeg)
Big Agnes Zoom UL Insulated sleeping pad review: a comfortable, lightweight pad with an impressive R-value
By Craig Taylor published
The Big Agnes Zoom UL Insulated is a luxuriously comfortable sleeping pad that will keep you warm down to freezing temperatures
![Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9cW2bZg9uw9HjNdWnesNhd-320-80.jpeg)
Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 and Grill review: a great option for home barbecues or for using as a fire pit
By Craig Taylor published
The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is a sleek-looking, functional fire pit that can be set down and fired up in an instant, as long as you’re strong enough to carry it
![The North Face Cat’s Meow Eco Sleeping Bag](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HNDn2yqHXNTj4msWeq4fu7-320-80.jpg)
The North Face Cat’s Meow Eco Sleeping Bag review: a comfy three-season, synthetic bag with great features
By Craig Taylor published
The North Face Cat’s Meow Eco Sleeping Bag is a durable three-season synthetic cocoon that promises to keep you warm down to freezing
![DWR coating of theThe North Face Summit Superior FutureLight trail running jacket](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EKPajXGVc9wTPbrpJS8xwL-320-80.jpg)
The North Face Summit Superior FutureLight trail running jacket review: a formidable, packable waterproof
By Craig Taylor published
The super-lightweight The North Face Summit Superior FutureLight is a packable running jacket offering excellent breathability and protection from the elements
![The North Face Trail Lite 2-Person Tent in Dartmoor](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FQZEeB6aK5QshAobXwUPsF-320-80.jpeg)
The North Face Trail Lite 2-Person Tent review: lightweight, hassle-free and sturdy
By Craig Taylor published
Versatile and spacious, The North Face Trail Lite 2-Person Tent comes with some well-thought-out features and performs well in a range of conditions