A selection of British and Irish kit for keeping you going on a day in the woods.
DIRT ISSUE 145 – MARCH 2014
Words by Steve Jones. Photos by Steve Jones
Kelly KettleWhen Billy (Thackray, the web) finally decided it was time to leave the Dirt website (a five year drama which began with the ‘Down and Out Days’, rumbled through Penthouse and Grandma), he eventually bust out because of the lure of the cold light of Merthyr Tydfil and digging trails. We happened upon one of these products as his leaving present. Well, more of an award really.
The men on the tarmac were surfacing down the road and are never without a cup too far away. Seeing as the boy was off to whack out a new career in the surfacing game we thought Kelly would be a perfect companion for him to talk to up in the Gethin undergrowth, more commonly know as BikePark Wales.
How does it work? Simply light some sticks in the lower tray, the smoke and heat rises through the centre of a sleeve into which you pour water. Three minutes and you’re done. Packs into a rucksack, it’s a simple method for heating and cooking. One of our favourite pieces of hardware ever.
From £35.00
Engine Mans BootsHand made in the Hope Valley, Derbyshire, the S31P Engine Mans boot is a good option for trail builders fed up of ruining expensive walking boots. We found these perfect for kicking out root, sideways raking out of leaf litter and general trail maintenance that’s nearly always done by foot and not hand.
Engine Mans Boot £53.95
Hands-on-Coffee (Coffee)‘Small and independent and roasting bloody good coffee’ is how ex Diet designer Jon Gregory (and his partner Nara) describes his business at Hands–On–Coffee. He recently brewed up the Cappuccino Steve (Peat) blend and sure enough it has proved a winner. The coffee is about a fiver a bag and comes direct and is freshly roasted in Cornwall.
Cappuccino Steve £5 bag
