Tag: Go for a walk

PADA Knee Padded Leggings

Birthday Gifts, Fashion, Gifts for Her, health, hiking, National Walking Month, Sport, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

As the years (and the miles) have added up, my knees have started to get a little… well creaky. I really notice it on those colder days out on the hills, especially when I’m heading downhill and I’ve started to think that it might be time to give them a bit of extra support, so I can keep enjoying the walks I love for many years to come. So, when PADA offered to send me a pair of their Knee Padded Leggings the timing couldn’t have been better! Now, whilst they’re technically yoga or gym leggings and I don’t do either – it didn’t put me off as with the built-in knee pads they immediately struck me as being the ideal solution to my knee issue.  

Let’s start with the fit, because that’s the most important thing when buying leggings. These are high-waisted, sculpting leggings that actually reach my ankles ( for someone who is 6’ tall that is a huge plus point before we even start!) The fabric is also soft, stretchy, and super supportive in all the right places. The knee pads aren’t bulky or obvious, but they really do help, keeping my knees warm and nicely cushioned, which takes the edge off that stiff, achy feeling which is worse in colder weather. They’ve got just the right amount of hold around the tummy too, without ever feeling restrictive and the moment I popped them on, I could feel the difference – even dashing up the stairs, my knees didn’t complain like they usually do!

Outdoors, they’ve really come into their own. I’ve tested them on a few longer walks and gentle runs now, and they’re so comfortable – no chafing and no digging in. The seams are smooth and the waistband stays exactly where it should. Plus, there’s plenty of stretch in the fabric, so scrambling over rocks and striding up hills is a breeze.

They’ve even got a generously sized leg pocket (big enough for my phone, tissues and, yes, the odd snack!), and I love the reflective detailing on the back and ankle — a useful safety touch for those early morning or evening outings.

They are available in sizes XS to XXL, with a petite option too, and I found the sizing spot-on. I ordered my normal size and they fit like a glove. They also come with a handy little wash bag to protect them in the washing machine. So far,they’re washed well, no stretching or fading which is good.

These leggings have quickly become my go-to for anything outdoors – walking, running, hiking as they offer just the right blend of performance, comfort and subtle support. If your knees have started to feel the miles too, these might just be the perfect walking companion.

RRP £87.

Helly Hansen Verglas Warm Running Tights

Autumn, Birthday Gifts, camping, Fitness, Gifts for Her, hiking, National Walking Month, Winter, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

As autumn sets in and the mornings turn colder, it’s time to swap my running shorts for running tights so I was really pleased when Helly Hansen sent me a pair of their Verglas Warm Running Tights to try.

The tights come in three different colours—hickory, ocean, and black and I opted for the ocean shade since I often wear blue tops, plus the darker colour hides mud and dirt well!

When I first put them on, I immediately noticed how comfortable they were. The fit was excellent, with an adjustable, flat-front waistband that’s both flattering and, most importantly, doesn’t dig into my waist while running or walking. The stitching is smooth and flat so there was no rubbing or chafing, even on longer runs. I’ve worn them for hiking as well as trail running and the 4-way stretch means there is plenty of movement in the fabric, making them ideal for all outdoor activities.  

We all know Autumn weather can be unpredictable, with sudden rain showers, strong winds, and chilly weather all too common.  These tights are fleece-lined so they keep my legs lovely and warm now the temperature has started to drop. The tights also feature a handy back zipped pocket, it’s not particularly large but I can get my phone in it or if your phone is too large you could use it to safely store your keys. The tights are machine washable at 30°C, and after a few washes, they’ve held up well, drying quickly both indoors and outdoors. The fact that they dry quickly makes them  great for travelling since you can rinse them out in the evening and they’ll be dry by the next morning.

Available in sizes XS to XL, I was very impressed with the length of the tights. At 6′ tall, I often find leggings a bit short, but these reached my ankles perfectly. The sizing was also spot on, I ordered my usual size, and they fit like a glove.

The Helly Hansen Verglas Running Tights have quickly become my go-to choice for all outdoor activities, they’re perfect for running and walking and they’ll keep my legs warm as the temperature drops.

RRP £70.

Helly Hansen Men’s Brono Softshell Zip Off Pants

Autumn, Birthday Gifts, camping, Christmas, Family Life, Fashion, Father's Day, Fitness, Gifts for Him, hiking, National Walking Month, Sport

Disclaimer; We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own

We’re all familiar with the unpredictable nature of British weather, which makes having adaptable clothing a must for outdoor activities. The Helly Hansen Men’s Brono Softshell Zip-Off Pants have been my go-to walking trousers this this summer with the zip off legs being ideal for those typical British days which can be quite chilly to begin with but end up with unexpected sunshine (in between the showers!) The zips enable a quick and hassle-free switch, ensuring you’re always prepared for the weather.

Made from 4-way stretch softshell fabric, these trousers offer both flexibility and comfort. They are incredibly comfortable to wear and pack down small, making them ideal for backpacking and travelling when space is at a premium. The lightweight fabric is treated with Durable Water Repellency (DWR), allowing it to withstand light showers and it dry quickly when you get caught in a sudden downpour – particularly useful in the UK, where surprise rain showers are all too common.

In terms of design, the articulated knees and gusseted crotch provide excellent mobility, letting you move freely whether you’re scrambling up hills or navigating rocky terrain. Their smart design also makes them versatile enough to wear out and about, and once the legs are zipped off you have a pair of reasonably stylish shorts.

Practicality is another strong point. With two hip pockets and a zipped pocket on the thigh, you have ample secure storage for essentials like your phone, keys, and the all important emergency snack. The fit is true to size, and the inclusion of belt loops allows for an even better fit if needed.

The Helly Hansen Men’s Brono Softshell Zip-Off Pants are an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities. Their versatile design, durable fabric, and zip off legs make them perfect for tackling whatever the British weather throws at you. Whether you’re on a long hike, a weekend camping trip, or just out for a walk with the dog, these trousers will keep you comfortable, dry, and ready for anything.

Available in five sizes (S to 2XL) and two colours, Ebony and Pebble

RRP £100

Fieldtrip 10oz Field Cup Set

Birthday Gifts, camping, Christmas, Days Out, Family Life, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, National Walking Month, Summer, Valentine's Day Gifts

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

May is National Walking month and we’re trying to go for a walk every day, some days it’s just a quick walk after work but at the weekends we are heading further afield and enjoying longer walks in the beautiful countryside.

On our longer walks we always carry a flask of tea or coffee, in winter it’s just what you need to warm you up and there’s nothing better than sitting in the middle of nowhere enjoying a breathtaking view with a brew in your hand.

In the past we’ve just taken a couple of plastic mugs but the arrival of the Field Trip 10oz Field Cup set has certainly upped our game. The double walled stainless steel cups are available in stacks of 4 or 5 and come in a very practical 6oz waxed cotton bag which is hand finished with a stainless steel cord slider.

The insulation is just right for a quick hot drink or even a more leisurely coffee  and most importantly they are really comfortable to hold, unlike the old fashioned metal cups that burnt your hands and lips – most hikers have had at least one bad experience with that style of cup! At 10oz the cup is a good size and is the equivalent to a normal mug that you use at home.

The metal doesn’t hold onto flavours so it can be used for any drink without the flavours being tainted and can also be used as a handy bowl for soup or porridge when camping. The cups are solid, durable, well-made, and a pleasure to drink out of and as they can be stacked in the purpose made bag, they don’t take up much space making them easy to throw in the rucksack or car so we can enjoy a nice brew when we’re out on our adventures.  

We generally only take 2 cups with us so we have found the waxed cotton bag is a great place to store biscuits to enjoy with our brew!

At £59.95 for the 4 cup stack and £67.95 for the 5 cup stack they’re certainly not the cheapest set of cups around but they are made to last and I guarantee you’ll be using these cups for many years to come.

AA 2024-25 Walking Guides

Birthday Gifts, Books, camping, Days Out, Family Life, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, National Walking Month, Sport, Stocking Fillers, Summer

Disclaimer: We received these books for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

May is National Walking Month and is the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and explore our beautiful countryside. If you’re new to walking or just on holiday, then a guide book is a great way to discover the best routes in the area. The AA have recently launched a new series of walking books covering some of the most beautiful areas of England, each featuring 50 walks to suit all abilities. The walks are numbered and it is easy to see their locations on the handy map at the start of the book. As well as being numbered they are also colour coded according to the difficulty of the walk – easy (green), intermediate(orange) and hard (red).

Each walk has information about the distance, time, gradient, type of surface and accessibility, landscape, dog friendliness, parking, and public toilets as well as the OS map that covers the area. They also give useful information about the area, a little of the history of the area and things to look out for. There is a map of each walk with the route clearly highlighted making it easy to follow the written instructions. As the guide is meant to be taken out on a walk with you it fits perfectly in a map pocket or rucksack, making it easily accessible when walking.  

There are two books covering Yorkshire and there is a great selection of walks in them, some we already know like Malham, Pen-y-Ghent and Grassington and lots for us to discover over the coming months.

Whether you want to explore country lanes, the coast or the fells these handy guides offer plenty of walks for novices and experienced walkers alike.

The new 50 Walks In guides are £13.99 and feature Devon, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire and Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, North Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire.  

Available from Amazon and all leading bookstores.

HJ Hall Pro Trek Socks

Autumn, Birthday Gifts, camping, Christmas, Days Out, Easter, Family Life, Fashion, Father's Day, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Winter, Women

Spring is in the air and with the Easter holidays fast approaching it’s the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and explore the countryside. There are many forms of outdoor exercise that you can do but my favourite is hiking, a great all-round exercise that is suitable for everyone and best of all doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment.

If you are planning on starting walking then my advice is to invest in some decent socks, it really is amazing the difference a good pair of walking socks makes, having cushioning in the right places and wicking materials to draw moisture away from your feet is really important, helping to keep feet nice and comfortable and also prevent blisters – every walkers nightmare! I’ve been trying out a couple of pairs of HJ Hall socks over the last month and I’m really impressed, they’ve kept my feet incredibly warm and comfortable (and blister free) and I’m looking forward to covering many miles in them this year.  

The Mountain Climb socks are a heavyweight sock with extra padding on the heel, toe and Achilles tendon areas. Made with an ultra durable, moisture wicking, scientific wool blend, the socks offer warmth and long lasting comfort and are the perfect choice for colder days. The socks are lovely and thick and keep your feet nice and toasty when the temperature drops. They are comfortable to wear, the arch support and ankle bracing keep the socks from moving about on your feet and they are a good length, coming up higher than the back of my walking boots. The socks are also long enough to tuck into trousers if you wish.  This sock is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a heavy duty hiking sock, especially if you walk a lot in cold weather as they will keep your feet warm in sub zero temperatures.

The Adventure Trek are a middleweight sock, they are thinner than the Mountain Climb socks and are suitable for both boots or shoes. The breathability is excellent thanks to the mesh zones that run across the top of the sock and along with the cushioning underfoot they are very comfortable to wear in both warm and cold weather. The socks hug my feet nicely and I have worn them on both long and short hikes with no discomfort. Whether I’ve been on the fells, the park or a recent trip to London, when we walked an average of 12 miles a day, they’ve never slipped, sagged, or bunched up and my feet have been comfortable all day long.

I would highly recommend the HJ Hall socks for anyone who enjoys walking and hiking, they are good value for money and your feet will certainly thank you for putting them in socks as warm and comfortable as these are. So whether you’re exploring the local fells, conquering mountains or walking the dog make sure you have a pair of HJ Hall socks on your feet. Happy hiking!

Mountain Climb Socks RRP £16.50 available in sizes 4-7, 6-11 and 11-13

Adventure Trek Socks RRP £15 available in sizes 4-7 and 6-11

Enertor Socks and Insoles

Father's Day, Fitness, Gifts for Him, health, Sport

Disclaimer: we received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Walking is such a good form of exercise, not only is it free but it is also good for wellbeing too. May is National Walking Month so we’ve been going for a walk every day and it’s been a great opportunity to try out some new gear.  

Decent socks are crucial if you want to keep your feet comfortable and blister free when out walking, they provide a buffer between your foot and shoe, preventing rubbing and chafing. It’s worth buying a pair of dedicated walking or running socks rather than just grabbing a pair out of the drawer as they have been specially designed to increase ventilation, wick moisture and offer support to your feet in all the right places.

The Energy Run socks from Enertor contain advanced Nilit® Innergy energy return fibre, EnergyKnit™ band and NanoGLIDE® anti-blister technology. The socks are made in Italy and are really comfortable to wear. They fit nice and snugly and the double layer of fabric around the ankle helps to prevent rubbing and blisters. I have worn them for a 10 mile walk and they were comfortable and not too hot in my shoes.    

The socks cost £13.99 and are available in small, medium, large and extra large (size 2.5 to 15) so you will easily find a pair to fit your feet.

Enetor also sent me a pair of their Shock Absorbing Insoles which I have tried in both my walking shoes and fell running shoes. The insoles have shock absorbing PX1® technology which Enetor claim has up to 89% more shock absorption than their competitors. This helps to spread the load on your feet helping to reduce the impact on your feet, knees and hips.

I hadn’t tried an insole before but now I have been using them for a couple of weeks I am finding them very comfortable. I soon got used to them after starting with shorter walks and runs and I find them especially good for fell running where my foot gets thrown about on the uneven ground. They really do help cushion the feet and whilst I am only a casual fell runner, my times have started to improve which I have put down to the insoles – they are used and recommended by Usain Bolt so watch out for me sprinting on the fells!!!

£39.99 available in sizes 3-14

Both products are available from the Enertor website here

1000 Mile Fusion Walk Sock

Autumn, Birthday Gifts, camping, Christmas, Days Out, Family Life, Fitness, Gifts for Her, health, Mental Health Awareness, Mother's Day, Sport, Winter, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own

May is National Walking Month and is the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and explore the countryside. I have set myself a challenge to do a walk every day in May as walking is not only a good form of exercise it is a great way to destress after a busy day at work. We are fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the country with plenty of good walks on our doorstep, so I am hoping that it won’t be too difficult a challenge!

When you are going hiking it’s amazing the difference a good pair of walking socks makes and this pair of Fusion Walk socks from 1000 Miles are going to be doing plenty of miles this month.

The socks are a double layered 3 /4 season sock with extra padding on the heel, toe and Achilles tendon areas. Combined with the high volume Merino wool, the socks offers warmth and volume, making the socks ideal for wearing from Autumn right through to Spring.

As soon as I put the socks on my feet I noticed how comfortable they are, and that’s before I even started walking! The Merino wool and Tactel mix gives a comfortable, breathable sock that wicks moisture away from the foot and elastane ensures a close fit that doesn’t slip or bunch in your boots  The ribbed cuff is a comfortable fit and not too tight around my leg and the socks are a mid-calf length and they fit nicely in both my walking boots and trail shoes meaning I can wear them for both hiking and fell running.

I was especially pleased when I saw the sizing of the women’s socks, the medium size is for UK sizes 6 to 8.5 and it’s nice to find a company who recognises that women do have feet bigger than a size 7!

The socks come with 1000 Miles’s blister free guarantee and they will give you your money back or a replacement pair of socks if you experience either blisters or the socks wear out within 1,000 miles – provided that the socks have been cared for following their guidance and are returned with the receipt.

The socks are mid length and easily cover the bottom of my walking trousers, the heel padding comes up the back of the heel and finishes slightly higher than the back of my walking shoe, meaning the backs of my ankles are protected and comfortable.  Available in Ladies (3 to 8.5) they cost £18.00 but don’t be put off by the price, given the excellent warranty they really are a  worthwhile purchase