Gaitors
Have you ever stepped into a deep boggy puddle and
sunk up to your mid calf in stinking mud, feeling it soak your sock and
trickle into your boot? To prevent this I wear gaiters when on snow or
waterlogged muddy ground and they have saved me the soggy sock syndrome
more than once. They are also excellent for helping to keep ticks off
your legs, a big plus!
Walking Poles
Walking poles are an invaluable piece of kit on
hill walks or longer treks, saving your knees to walk another day by
aiding ascent and descent. To sum up their benefits in one sentence;
they let you carry a heavier load for longer with less stress on
your legs and back. I never walk without them.
Daypacks
These smaller packs, 20-35 litres, are perfect
for day to day use at school, college, going to the gym or shopping,
as well as shorter day walks where only a light load is carried. They
tend to be lighter and more basic than the rucksacks in other sections
and so are better for general use.
Rucksacks
For longer days on the hill when more equipment
is required, to occasional treks of several weeks duration, the rucksacks
in this section are perfect. Choose the size needed for your activity
from the broad range on offer according to your strength, size and body
weight; 35-40 litres or so for year round hill walking, 65-75 litres for
a week long trek is fine for most people, 85-100 litres for very long
expeditions in all weathers. But remember, you should aim to carry no
more than 33% of your body weight, so choose your equipment carefully!
Womens' Rucksacks
Specifically designed for womens' anatomy.
Specialist Rucksacks
If you carry loads for lengthy periods on a regular basis,
or need a sports specific rucksack with special features such as daisychains,
ice axe loops or bungee mesh on a climbing pack, these specialist rucksacks
will give you the performance you demand. Tough, lightweight and strong
materials plus ergonomic design set these models apart from the crowd as do
features such as the "Dynamic Balance System" from Craghoppers. This system
ensures that the load is centred with your centre of gravity and lets your
body move naturally rather than struggling against an unbalanced load.
Waterproof Rucksacks
Does exactly what it says - keeps your stuff dry!
Travel Luggage
When I travel, I use the theory of "Less is more".
Usually that means I have less room in the bag than expected and try to
fit more into it! With the luggage in this section a range of requirements
are taken care of. From 100 litre holdalls that will swallow the kit of
even the most generous packer, to a smart and tough suit carrier for
those business trips when you want to travel light.
Child Carriers
Do you find prams unwieldy, impractical and limiting?
Child carriers allow you to cover rougher ground as well as making the
traverse of the High Street a bit less of an expedition. These carriers
have features including sun and rain protection plus storage space for
the myriad of things you need to carry, from drinks cups to spare nappies,
which means a new arrival doesn't necessarily mean your departure from
the great outdoors.
For most people, traveling in the great outdoors involves
a sense of communion with nature. How many times have you spied a distant
shape and wished you could tell if it was a Buzzard or Eagle, Stag or Hind?
A small, lightweight and powerful set of binoculars can add a whole new
dimension to your walks; they also let you spot the pub from a greater
distance!
Global Positioning System
G.P.S is new and improved! The inbuilt inaccuracy, which
caused civilian units to have a margin of error of up to 100 meters, has been
removed by the U.S Government (who own and run the satellites) and so these
units are now accurate to 10-15 meters. This means these are even more powerful
navigational tools which can be invaluable in poor conditions where you can
find your exact position quickly and accurately even in a whiteout or
complete darkness.
SAFETY NOTICE
Although these units are extremely reliable and rugged you
should not rely on them as your sole navigation aid. Carry a map and Compass
and know how to use them whenever you venture out.
Compasses
Still the mainstay of navigation, having and knowing
how to use a map and compass is an essential skill for almost any outdoor
pursuit where you travel in unfamiliar or hazardous terrain. My advice is
to buy the best you can afford and practise, practise and practise some
more. There is a real sense of achievement in successfully navigating to
a snug, warm Bothy through unfamiliar terrain in poor weather and failing
light, not to mention it might save your life.
First Aid Kits
An accident can happen to anyone, but the well-prepared
can deal with these situations efficiently and correctly if they carry a
first aid kit and know how to use it. This becomes even more important
when you lead a group or travel further from professional medical help
such as on an expedition or traveling to remote, exotic locations.
In value for money terms these are probably the best items you will
ever buy when you consider what you can save with, or lose without, one.
Flasks & Bottles
That moment of unashamed luxury; sitting on the summit
of a hill soaking in the view and then reaching into your rucksack and
pulling out a flask filled to the brim with piping hot Tomato soup. Heaven!
The benefits of carrying a flask far outweigh the small extra load it represents,
whether you carry soup, tea or coffee it gives you something to look forward to
at the top. Sigg aluminium bottles have set the standard for many years and have
a large loyal following, across many sports and activities, who will use nothing
else. In some circles an ancient, scratched and battered Sigg bottle is a status
symbol!
Hydration Systems
Regular water intake is vital to peak performance and
continuing health when involved in energetic activities. Unless you have
the opportunity to stop frequently to drink you will quite quickly experience
fatigue, light-headedness, poor concentration and irritability, all symptoms
of dehydration. On the other hand if the water can be easily consumed while
walking, climbing or cycling without having to stop or use your hands then
you can simply sip away, constantly topping up your fluid levels. That is
exactly what Hydration systems do; try one and you'll never go back!
Knives & Multi-Tools
Swiss Army Knives have been an essential piece of
equipment for many years, and remain, probably the most useful and
compact camping multi tool due to the convenience and ease of having
all essential tools in one easy to use item. I have one which is 17
years old that travels everywhere with me, whether on holiday,
trekking or hill walking and has been used for a huge range of
purposes. Now, if only I could get it to do the washing up...
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