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...