A group test of eight rugged outdoor compacts in Chip Foto-Video Digital 07/2010, and how it matches our own experience: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT 2 comes out ahead, plus two non-rugged alternatives for hiking.

Besides the standard gear for hikes, treks and climbing trips, a mobile phone is often part of the basic kit. In the early days, outdoor phones differed from standard models only by a reinforced, sometimes waterproof casing. Today’s outdoor phones offer much more, though – especially in terms of battery life, a lot has happened in recent years. Having already introduced several outdoor cameras, we now present outdoor phones from a range of different manufacturers.

A carbon trekking pole – that sounds like ultralight, but it does not really apply to the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork. This trekking pole stands out for its particularly good stability and high comfort rather than for its especially low weight.

I would like to briefly introduce a couple of insoles for hiking boots that I plan to test more intensively over the coming weeks. They are two models from the US manufacturer Superfeet. Both are foam insoles reinforced with a plastic stabiliser cap to support the heel and arch. According to the manufacturer, this is meant to improve guidance, support, balance and comfort while reducing the strain on muscles and bones.