Beginners guide for walking at all ages

Walking and hiking can dramatically improve your fitness, and the Walk and Ramble Walking Shop is committed to offering some of the best walking boots, outdoor clothes, rucksacks and walking equipment to aid your enjoyment of the outdoors.  If you require any further advice, please feel free to contact us as we are keen walkers ourselves!

Walking to increase fitness

There’s no doubt about it, exercise is good for you. Not many doctors will argue with that! And we’re learning that we simply don’t get enough, but what’s stopping us?

Probably the most accessible form of exercise is walking.  It’s a form of exercise that can truly make a difference between somebody who is fit and healthy, and somebody who simply isn’t.

Naturally, as we are part of the walking and outdoor industry we will advocate walking and hiking as part of peoples’ lifestyle, but this is only because we see the benefits to those that take part, including ourselves!

Benefits of Walking:

Nothing beats spending time in the great outdoors...

Walking is Free!

Not many things are free nowadays but once you’ve bought your walking equipment (which can be used for a variety of purposes), walking in the hills and countryside becomes free!  

You might consider buying some walking equipment, but most of this gear can really double-up for general use too.

Here are a few basic items of walking equipment you might consider investing in…

Walking Boots

For instance a good pair of walking boots will last you years and is always worth the investment. Walking boots keep your feet dry, support your ankle and other parts of your feet to reduce aching feet the next day, and provide a high-degree of traction! A recent trend has been for more low-profile walking shoes, which offer the benefits of walking boots, but with a smaller ankle. Walking shoes are often preferred by those wishing an all-round walking footwear - something that can be used for all sorts of outdoor activities, and doesn't look quite like heavy-duty, fully-fledged walking boot. There is more advice on choosing your walking boots, on the walking boots advice page.

Waterproof Jacket

A waterproof jacket is always recommended, as the UK’s weather is changeable. Many waterproof jackets provide wind protection too, unlike cotton t-shirts for instance. Even if it’s warm and sunny when you leave your house, by the time you’ve arrived at your starting point, or passed over a hill the weather can change. Men’s waterproof jackets and women’s waterproof jackets are available in the online walking shop.

Rucksack

If you’re going to be walking for a couple of hours, all day or even several days, you’ll appreciate a good quality rucksack designed for the job. It needs to be water resistant, hard-wearing and comfortable on your shoulders. Rucksacks for walking and hiking are designed especially for this job. They often have other additional features such as loops for your walking poles (or ice axe), back designs to encourage airflow, elasticated webbing, and narrow in width to avoid carrying an unwieldy and awkward weight.

Rucksacks' designs have also been influenced by technology, especially in regards to their choice of fabric. Rucksack and backpack materials have been developed to be strong, water resistant and durable. They are often made from lightweight materials such as high denier, abrasion resistant and ripstop materials. Please see the rucksack and backpack advice page for more information.

Walking Poles

Walking Poles, also known as trekking poles, hiking poles, Nordic walking poles are increasingly used now by walkers and hikers in the UK and abroad. This is because of benfits they have for your walking style fitness and Walk and Ramble have an advice page on walking and trekking poles, along with advice on Nordic Walking, so take a look at those pages too.

Other Walking Equipment Essentials

Mountain Whistle – it’s always best to be prepared than wishing you were, get a mountain whistle just in case. 

Map and Compass – learn how to read a map and compass too! 

Waterproof Trousers - pack a pair of waterproof trousers in your backpack and you'll be glad you have them handy for keeping the wind and rain out. 

Gaiters – gaiters are a great way of keeping your feet dry and stopping water getting in over the ankle of the boots, thus risking blisters. They are handy even when it's not raining, as the ground can be wet and muddy. 

Hydration pack / drinking bottle / water bladder – water bladders are great for hands free drinking. on the move.  A bladder simply slips into your pack with a long flexible straw for drinking.

Gear and Fabric care – look after your gear, whether it is a waterproof jacket, walking boots or rucksack, they all benefit from being looked after! 

First Aid kit – if you’re expecting to be walking for a while make sure you take a first aid kit with some basic medical accessories, such as scissors, paracetamol, plasters for blisters and cuts, and bandages for sprained wrists and ankles.