Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have half an outdoor shop hanging from their rucksack?
Welcome to the world of Tacticool.
In this video I take a light-hearted look at the growing habit of carrying gadgets and specialist equipment that most hillwalkers simply don't need. From prusik loops and ranger beads to tiny thermometers, cheap carabiners and oversized survival knives, we'll separate genuinely useful equipment from "just in case" accessories.
Don't get me wrong—much of this gear has a very real purpose. The question is whether it belongs on a walk in the British hills, and if it does, whether it really needs to be hanging off the outside of your pack.
We'll look at:
• What "Tacti-Cool" means.
• Fear marketing and why we're persuaded to buy unnecessary kit.
• Why so many of us (especially men!) love gadgets.
• When equipment like prusik loops and ranger beads is genuinely useful.
• Why specialist gear belongs in specialist situations.
• The difference between carrying equipment and displaying it.
The simple rule I use is: Accessible, but contained.
Thanks for watching, and I'll see you on the hills.
___________________________
I’m NOT sponsored (by anyone) but I do get asked for these details quite often.
Thumbnail.
Tacti-Cool at it's finest.
Photo Taken at Anglezark, NW England
Gear
Jacket - North Face
T Shirt - Haglöfs
Trousers - Rohan
Footwear - Meindl
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have half an outdoor shop hanging from their rucksack?
Welcome to the world of Tacticool.
In this video I take a light-hearted look at the growing habit of carrying gadgets and specialist equipment that most hillwalkers simply don't need. From prusik loops and ranger beads to tiny thermometers, cheap carabiners and oversized survival knives, we'll separate genuinely useful equipment from "just in case" accessories.
Don't get me wrong—much of this gear has a very real purpose. The question is whether it belongs on a walk in the British hills, and if it does, whether it really needs to be hanging off the outside of your pack.
We'll look at:
• What "Tacti-Cool" means.
• Fear marketing and why we're persuaded to buy unnecessary kit.
• Why so many of us (especially men!) love gadgets.
• When equipment like prusik loops and ranger beads is genuinely useful.
• Why specialist gear belongs in specialist situations.
• The difference between carrying equipment and displaying it.
The simple rule I use is: Accessible, but contained.
Thanks for watching, and I'll see you on the hills.
___________________________
I’m NOT sponsored (by anyone) but I do get asked for these details quite often.
Thumbnail.
Tacti-Cool at it's finest.
Photo Taken at Anglezark, NW England
Gear
Jacket - North Face
T Shirt - Haglöfs
Trousers - Rohan
Footwear - Meindl
