Author Topic: Walking clothing and footwear needed  (Read 2930 times)

paulhereford

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 5
Walking clothing and footwear needed
« on: 22:04:30, 29/12/08 »
Good evening all,

I hope you all enjoyed a good Christmas.  :)

I am seeking advice please - I am looking to buy walking clothing and footwear in the near future and am a little dazed by the choice available.

I intend to walk / camp in Britain in all weathers  mostly footpaths, across fields and rocky terrain as well as through mud.

I would be grateful if anyone can advise me on recommendations and suppliers for an appropriate pair of walking boots, socks, waterproof trousers, waterproof coat and thermal layers plus anything else I may need i.e. tent.

I also have an opportunity to do some walking / camping in Scandinavia so advice on clothing for sub zero temperatures would also be useful.

My budget is flexible but I would like to purchase reliable items for a reasonable price.

Many thanks for any advice you can give me.

Paul

Steelystan

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 383
Re: Walking clothing and footwear needed
« Reply #1 on: 10:33:17, 30/12/08 »
Start by making a list of all the things you think you'll need.  Go mad and write anything you can think of down, then you can edit it back.

If you plan to carry most of it on any wild camping trips etc, don't forget a rucksac.  Weight will be a factor in this case too - and really light stuff costs more on the whole. Remember that walking gear behaves like its gaseous, so it spreads to full any container you put it in, which means limit the size of the rucksac or you'll fill it regardless.

When you have your list, assess how severe the conditions you are prepared to walk and camp in are.  If you never feel like camping when its really cold, you may get away with, for example a two or three season sleeping bag, and so on.

After that start with the boots - don't skimp on these.  Look at some of the other threads on boot buying and get the best you can afford.  I like Meindl, if you have wide feet maybe Scarpa who do width fittings, but there are many excellent brands.  Most walkers will tell you leather is the best all round material for mixed terrain.

Waterproofs evoke enormous arguments.  Again though, you probably shouldn't skimp here.  Most choice comes down to the technology involved.  There are three main types - coated (sprayed with a water repellent plastic coating), transprational membrane (goretex, event, hydrodry etc) and active fabrics (which work like animal fur, such as Paramo).  Again read all the threads on these, and then get Paramo. I shouldn't say that as Paramo may not be for you, but I've got four coats now and the fourth was Paramo - I will not need to get another till I've worn it out.  You may benefit from getting a jacket slightly longer than you would expect.  Sometimes the bootom of you fleece can get wet if your jacket is shorter and it will then pull down with the weight and in the end you will have a foot of wet fleece round your knees.

Waterproof trousers are not a luxury - you need them.  Not only is walking with wet trousers horrible, and possibly dangerous when its cold, you may also find that wet trousers will eventually mean wet feet.  Water from your wet trousers gets on your socks which will wick inside your boots, no matter how waterproof they are from the ground up.  It took me several walks in the rain to figure out that my boots were not leaking even though my feet were wet through.  Same choices of waterproof trousers as jackets.  I use Paramo trousers which one wears next to the skin, whereas most membrane types go over the top of your dry throusers.

Basically look at all the old threads when you've made you list and go and see stuff for yourself.  Its also fair to say that while good walking equipment and clothing is inevitably expensive because of its specialist nature, it is also a ferocious fashion market where some expense it completely unjustified.

SS

178/214.

Mr Sam

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 323
Re: Walking clothing and footwear needed
« Reply #2 on: 12:20:16, 30/12/08 »
I would say that during the January sales is the best time to buy. It's when they change to the new years stock so you can get some good bargains.

« Last Edit: 13:18:45, 30/12/08 by Mr Sam »
"I've run out of map... Hold on"

paulhereford

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 5
Re: Walking clothing and footwear needed
« Reply #3 on: 17:20:18, 30/12/08 »
Many thanks Steelystan and Mr Sam for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate your advice and will most certainly follow it.

I am a keen walker but have only opted for short distance jaunts up until now so want to prepare properly and cover all situations I may face when I travel much further i.e. 10 miles plus.

I had a look around a shop in Hereford today called Trekitt. Fabulous shop and very enthusiastic staff who are very helpful but I was blown away by the choices available with regard to walking gear so didn't make a purchase.

A member of staff recommended the Berghaus RG1 waterproof jacket at £69 an said it is reliable and hard wearing and it was nice and light - what do people think?

Thanks  :)

Paul

almost_welsh

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1
Re: Walking clothing and footwear needed
« Reply #4 on: 22:46:21, 30/12/08 »
Hey Paul, first post on here. I was looking at that jacket too, although im not sure whether to buy something a tad more expensive i.e. berghaus shadow 4 in 1 or an artic gemini?? im in the army so im used to tabbing with the stuff i have to use, however, id like to go for longer 'walks' with better kit so any advice would be gratefully received. cheers Si. O0

paulhereford

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 5
Re: Walking clothing and footwear needed
« Reply #5 on: 18:32:31, 31/12/08 »
Hello Si...........it's mindlowing how much choice there is out there. I will let you know about the Berghaus RG1 if I end up getting it. I will wait for more feedback here before I make a decision though.

Almost_Welsh ----- where are you?

Paul

susiej

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3700
Re: Walking clothing and footwear needed
« Reply #6 on: 00:23:51, 07/01/09 »
try these; nice sale
http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/

good luck
take it easy...but take it


www.yogaunionswansea.org

paulhereford

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 5
Re: Walking clothing and footwear needed
« Reply #7 on: 18:05:20, 08/01/09 »
Thank you Susie....much appreciated.

chd123

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 18
Re: Walking clothing and footwear needed
« Reply #8 on: 15:46:32, 09/01/09 »
theres some really great sales on if you look hard enough, sometimes you can find a bargaiun thats not nessacerily advertised in their 'sale' either.

Ive bought a bunch of stuff since boxing day because i think the outdoor stores are competing to not be the first to 'go under' so to speak, so prices are great right now.

try:

Outdoorworld
Gooutdoors
Blacks (though not a whole lot on offer, plus the new website took me a little while to get my head around)

Best thing to do is shop around, most places are offering 'price guarantees' right now so you can play them off of each other to get a good saving.
http://outdoorguide.blogspot.com [nofollow] - Outdoor Gear Tips, Reviews and More

The Knobs

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: Walking clothing and footwear needed
« Reply #9 on: 17:27:32, 09/01/09 »
We have had a few gortex jackets, then discovered Paramo. Paramo easily the best in our experience.

Cat

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 125
Re: Walking clothing and footwear needed
« Reply #10 on: 18:09:51, 12/01/09 »
I've been gradually kitting myself and partner out all year and we're almost there but finance means its been a bit at a time.  currently (January and wet) I'm wearing:
Reebok wicking t-shirt (its my old jogging top)
Craghoppers micro fleece (£15 in the sale)
Dare 2 be soft shell ( £17.99 put it on under waterproofs when I stop and get cold)
Berghaus paclite trek jacket (£99.99 its simple, it works, the hood is awesome)
Tog 24 base layer trousers
Craghoppers trek stretch trousers
Berghaus paclite pants
Crap boots (won't even say what they are cos I wouldn't want you to buy them)
Bridgedale sock (I love them soooo much)
I carry a 20l sack for a day and a 45l sack for overnighters
I have recently bought a fleece neck gaiter which I like and I'm in the market for leg gaiters, probably gonna buy rab ones

Feriol

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 136
Re: Walking clothing and footwear needed
« Reply #11 on: 22:33:26, 13/01/09 »
If you can afford it then different kit for different conditions is the way to go. If you buy general use kit you'll find that there is always something lacking, that said i can't afford it myself so much of my kit is general use. There are some things you can get or consider to make your kit more versatile though.

Gore Tex boot liners. I got a pair through my brother who is in the army, they are like socks, and mean my lightweight, barely water resistant boots, which are perfect on hot summer days, can now be used in spring showers and autumn too.

Extensive compression straps on your bag mean you can just buy one big enough for long winter trips, and keep it stable for those smaller summer loads. (Check this carefully, just having compression straps doesn't mean they are actually useful!!)

Gaiters are often more useful than waterproof trousers, unless its quite heavy rain, and/or high winds. (your trousers get wetter from the water already on the ground) and you won't get too hot. That said windproof over trousers can make a big difference keeping you warm in winter.

Sooner than buy a thick coat, by a thinner coat that will be comfortable (not too warm) in summer/spring, but a little larger than you would normally (be sensible though) just enough room for an extra fleece underneath when its cold. While on the subjects of coats, getting one with a good hood can cost a fortune, far better and more comfortable IMO to buy a separate waterproof hat (with a good rim for shade in summer) and not worry about the hood on your coat.

A water sytem, that fits down the back of your bag, is more convenient, and a more efficient use of space than bottles, feels more stable too. (IMO)

I personally find sleeping bag liners very effective at adding warmth, i can use my 1 season bag well into autumn with my micro fleece liner (that's me, you might not get as long out of it, but I'm sure it will extend the use of your sleeping bag to a notable extent) Plus its easier to clean, lighter, and takes less room than having a warmer bag.

sun dogs fire on the horizon
meteor rain stars across the night
this moment may be brief
but it can be so bright
(Rush - Chain Lightning)

paulhereford

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 5
Re: Walking clothing and footwear needed
« Reply #12 on: 21:24:25, 18/01/09 »
Thank you SusieJ, chd123, The Knobs and Feriol...really useful advice.

I have actually found alot of good walking gear at good prices at TK MAX....things like Craghopper micros and fleeces for £16, Craghopper Kiwi Trousers @ £16 and various baselayers such as Trekmates, Hitec and others. They have a good range of Sprayway waterproof jackets from £30, Trespass and Regatta.....I purchased a Berghaus RG1 waterproof from a local Hereford shop for £69 but now wish that I had waited until I discovered what was available at TK Max as I probably could have purchased a light waterproof such as a Sprayway for less. The Berghaus RG1 is great having said that but had I waited my budget would have stretched further.

I have a pair of Meindl Gortex boots still going strong after over 15 years so am now looking for a good alternative.........does anyone rate the Karrimor KSB range such as KSB 300 X-lite?

Many thanks

Paul Hereford

 

Terms of Use     Privacy Policy