travel and rhum

I'd like to bring an alarming discovery to the attention of anyone who currently owns Rab clothing or ever intends to purchase any.

I do a bit of sewing myself, so I have a habit of checking the build quality on the clothing I purchase. I want to make sure it was made right because clothing is expensive and poor stitching naturally reduces its lifespan.

Anyway, I can say with absolute confidence that Rab is producing clothing with the sloppiest and worst construction I've ever seen in my life. And I am in no way being hyperbolic. It's just an embarrassment. Not even Walmart would allow such garbage on their shelves.

Here are the two garments I inspected with photo proof and descriptions explaining what you're seeing:

Rab Force Baselayer Hoody – $75

Rab Nexus Fleece Hoody – $140

The fact that they are selling these garments at premium prices is downright criminal. And even if you don't notice this type of thing and think it doesn't affect you, it does, because poor stitching is a major point of failure, and of course it also indicates corner cutting in other areas such as material quality.

Also worth noting, when I sent these photos to Rab, they didn't apologize, offer a replacement/warranty, or even ask for the info on the tag so they could investigate. Instead they just thanked me for my feedback. Disgraceful.

Please don't allow companies to get away with this type of thing. It's bad for consumers and bad for the environment.

Hi guys, I’m after some new boots.

I currently have some Scarpa boots that fit well and are fantastic for short hikes (less than 10km) but for longer all day hikes the balls of my feet hurt to a point that it takes a enjoyment out of it… the soles of my boots are just too hard for what I find comfortable.

I’m looking for recommendations for boots (not shoes/trail runners as I have plenty) that will provide that ankle support but have plenty of cushioning in the soles. What would you recommend?

Hoping for a few options so I can try them out and see what fits best.

Ps I’ve already tried insoles

Hi! My partner and I are considering taking a trip to Portugal in February for a week to do some hiking. We've found cheap flights to Porto and spotted the near-ish town of Arouca and its nearby mountains Serra de Freita.

Has anyone hiked in this region and could give us some useful information? Our plan is very much still in its early stages, but we're wondering about accessibility by public transport and foot from Porto (we won't be driving), and the possibility of camping. One post we saw mentioned open shelters but I haven't managed to find out anymore info about that, and I know that it will get cold at night.

If anyone's spent time here and could tell us anything about the area it would be great to find out more! Thanks!