In advance of our brand new magazine feature, ‘Walk of the Month’, we thought we’d bring you a guide to essential walking equipment to get you started. So whether you’re hill walking, rambling or simply fancy getting out and about with the family, here are some essential items that you won’t want to leave the house without...
Handy equipment checklist
Walking socks
It’s important to understand the difference a pair of good quality walking socks can make, they can be the difference between comfortable boots and painful blisters.
Walking boots
Invest in a good pair of professionally fitted boots, doing this will ensure that no matter what terrain you are walking on, how far you plan to go or what the weather conditions are like, you will be comfortable, supported and blister free.
Pedometer
This is a particularly useful piece of equipment if you are walking to improve your health as well as for enjoyment. A pedometer is also good if you plan to share your favourite routes with other people, it gives you the chance to state exactly how far the walk is so that people can judge for themselves how long it will take them to complete.
Rucksack
An essential piece of equipment for short and long walks alike to ensure that you can comfortably carry money, mobile phone, spare socks, extra layers, food and drink, as well as heavier camping and walking equipment if you’re making a weekend of it. An ill-fitting or badly packed rucksack can cause unnecessary back, neck or shoulder strain or rubbing.
Hats, gloves and scarf
These obviously only apply in the winter months and cold weather, in warmer weather it’s all about layers. Layers mean you have a level of control over your body temperature no matter what the weather.
Waterproofs
With such unpredictable weather in the UK, it’s worth buying a set of good waterproofs that can be packed away into their own compact carry case and carried with you easily whenever you’re out walking.
Map and compass
It is essential to carry these items if you are hill walking or rambling as it can be dangerous if you get lost in the UK countryside and these will help to ensure that that doesn’t happen.
Basic first aid kit
This should contain essentials such as antiseptic wipes, sterile dressings, bandages and disposable gloves.
Top 3 walking tips
- Always plan your walk thoroughly and inform a friend or relative of your route and when you plan to be back.
- Take navigation equipment, a fully charged mobile phone and enough change to make a call from a phone box should you need to and you’re out of range.
- Don’t forget to take a flask or bottle of water and some high energy snacks in case you’re out for longer than you plan to be.
More from the Walking Series:
Irish walking holidays
Wildlife walks in the UK