Equipment

If you are choosing to walk or hike seriously choosing the right equipment is very important.

The most important thing is your footwear. Most people use strong specialist boots which offer support and protection while keeping your foot dry. Others wear training shoes which are more suited to friendly terrain as they do not protect the foot in any way. New boots should always be broken in before use on a long walk to prevent blisters and other foot damage. Socks are important too, most walkers prefer thick wool socks but there are other ‘technical’ socks made with special materials and padded areas.

With the temperamental British weather water and wind proof clothing is a must for the avid walker. I breathable jacket with a hood and large pockets is ideal . Layering up your clothing is the best way of keeping warm, trapping warm air in between the layers and taking them off as you heat up.  A warm hat is a must in the winter as a lot of heat is lost through the head and warm ears are a must!

If you are planning on taking items with you a good rucksack is a must, keeping your hands free and making it easy and comfortable to carry many things. If you are not planning multi day hikes a small daypack will offer a lot of space and not be too heavy itself.

Other useful items you could think about packing.

Pocket knife
Walking stick
GPS
Toilet paper
Mobile phone
Small radio for weather reports
Sewing kit
First aid kit
Food and snacks
Sunglasses
A whistle
Waterproof matches and fire making kit
Strong string or cord
Money

An the most important bit of kit is your common sense