You don’t have to spend a massive amount to fall in love with walking. Just grab the essentials and go!
Pretty much every outdoor activity other than walking costs more than walking. (Just ask anyone who’s ever got into golf, angling, cycling, photography, paddleboarding, kayaking, climbing, ski-ing or snowboarding; they’ll all be happy to complain about the damage to their bank balance.)
At brass tacks, to walk 1000 miles all you need is a decent pair of shoes, a waterproof coat, a jumper of some kind and something to carry your sandwiches in. But a few careful choices will mean you’re literally ready for anything and anywhere, for years to come – and they’ll make even the soggy days a joy. Here’s what we’d recommend.
Good footwear
If you’re comfy in your trainers, great. But once your curiosity takes you further out into the countryside, you’re going to hit some terrain that trainers don’t do so well in: muddy fields, stony hill paths, boggy moors. And to a pair of dedicated walking shoes or boots, these are all part of the job description. Tougher, comfier, more stable, more protective and more weatherproof: good footwear really is your golden ticket. Our partners Scarpa have everything you need; consider the go-anywhere Rush TRK Lt GTX or the multi-activity Rove GTX (above). Both are fully waterproof, tough yet flexible, and built to last.
The perfect socks
It is astonishing how much more comfortable you’ll feel in a good pair of walking socks. Its not just about thickness; it’s about how they protect and support your foot, how they prevent rubbing, and how they manage the heat and moisture that are inevitably generated by walking as many miles as you’re planning to. Bridgedale’s UK-made socks feel unbelievably comfy, and thanks to careful tailoring, cushioning, construction and wicking materials they do it all day long, day after day. Slip into a cutting-edge pair like the Bridgedale Midweight Merino Comfort Boot and you’ll jealously guard them forever. See the full range at bridgedale.com
A decent waterproof
Not gonna lie, it rains out there sometimes. But with a decent waterproof jacket, that won’t bother you at all. A good jacket needs to have a magic mix of waterproof barricade and breathability, to ensure you don’t overheat on the go. Look for a waterproof/breathable membrane; Gore-Tex is by far the biggest name, but many own-brand membranes work just as well. Always try the jacket on first if you can – and wear it over a jumper or fleece to make sure it fits perfectly, whatever the conditions. Lastly, a bit of TLC and careful re-proofing will keep the waterproof membrane in tip-top condition for years to come.
Something to lighten the load
The joy of a good rucksack is not just how much it carries, but how it disperses the load so you feel like you aren’t really carrying anything at all. Simpler packs have a padded back panel which keeps the load close to your back, with channels to move air around. Higher-spec packs push the load away from your back, creating a space where air can circulate for best ventilation. Look for a hip belt and a chest strap, which wrap the pack snugly around your body, meaning the weight is dispersed around your waist and upper torso and the rucksack won’t bounce around. And consider capacity: 15-25 litre packs are perfect for day walks; 30-40L packs are good for long trips if you’re walking between accommodation venues, and 50-60L packs are ideal for multi-day walks where you need a lot of kit, possibly including camping gear.
Confidence
The UK has the best footpath network in the world and our partners at Ordnance Survey make discovering them easy. Use the OS Maps app to track your walks, discover routes and never get lost (and a subscription to Country Walking gets you 50% off Premium access). explore.osmaps.com
The nice-to-haves
WALKING POLES
Usually named as the product that has made the most difference to walkers’ lives after boots, a pair of walking poles keep your body well balanced, lengthen your stride and relieve the weight and pressure on your knees and lower back by about 30% over the course of a five-mile walk.
HEAD TORCH
A head torch is great to have in case you accidentally get stuck outdoors after dark. But they’re also great for deliberate night-time walks, eg. watching the sunrise or sunset, or heading out for a spot of stargazing or an owl prowl. And they’re fab for peering into caves, of course.
SIT MAT
Mama Nature is lovely but she doesn’t often leave obvious dry places to sit, have a snack and watch the world go by. Step forward the sit mat – a foldable pad that fits neatly in your rucksack but pops out to make any surface comfy.
…and pride!
You are not alone on this voyage of discovery – so remind yourself of your mission, and show what team you’re on, with a #walk1000miles badge. Guaranteed to give you that ReadyBrek glow! And you can order your medals (500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 miles available) at any time – keep it sealed and feel its force pull you towards the finish! Click here to grab yours!
EXPERT ADVICE YOU CAN TRUST
Every month, Country Walking has jargon-free reviews of outdoor gear courtesy of our team of writers who are out there in all winds and weathers, to help you find exactly what you need.
