UKC

I have a small set of binoculars, 10x25 which I like to take to the hills, mostly for just observing far off peaks, and just looking around. I like the small size and weight, but find they can be a little shaking with the relatively small field of view.

I would like to get a second set, which could potentially be a little more stable and maybe with more magnification if possible, ideally I’d like to keep them as small and light as possible, but not sure if this is feasible with what I’m trying to achieve. Any recommendations for what to look at? Preferably not too expensive 

My friend has some old Canon binoculars with image stabilisation, but they are much heavier.

Stick your current lighter ones on a boulder or a shooting stick old bean?

:-}

Friend uses a monocular for checking routes in the mountains. i guess about half the weight of binoculars.

I was about to suggest a monocular too.  Less pleasing for watching wildlife etc. but for generally just 'spotting' stuff you get a much clearer image for the same weight and bulk having one big lens instead of two little ones.

The downside of more magnification is that it also magnifies the wobble.  Do you use walking poles?  Perhaps worth looking at using one as a sort of monopod.

Go for 8 x 24+
You wont lose much on the magnification aspect and you’ll get much more light with a bigger lens size. That should cut down on the ‘shakiness’. Generally recommendations are that lens size should be minimum 3x the magnification.

eg Nikon Prostaff 8x30 get good reviews. £159 in Jessops.

I have the same problem (though I assume the issue is me shaking) but anything bigger is too heavy to comfortably wear. I think I've resolved to lean behind a boulder like a Victorian going stalking, but there must be a more expensive solution somewhere! 

Just to echo what others have said above, more magnification will exacerbate the stability issues. I'd also chip in with saying that I find binoculars better for stability than a monocular personally, ergonomics are better for holding with two hands. I have a monocular that I use when space is at a premium, but I find it much harder to use than my binoculars. My favourite small binoculars (bearing in mind I haven't splashed the cash on any Leica/Zeiss/Swarovski optics) are the Pentax Papilio II which are 6.5x21. Obviously they have lower magnification, but a steadier, brighter image provided by a low magnification is often preferable to a dimmer, shakier, but more magnified view assuming the same size objective lens. They're also small and light and have a very good close-focus. I have bigger, heavier binoculars for when I want the magnification, but I wouldn't want to lug them up hills.

Higher magnification = shakier and smaller field of view.

Ye cannae break the laws of optics, captain.