Outdoor Clothing & Equipment - e-outdoor

Most avid outdoor walkers will, at one point, have experienced one of the most common foot injuries. This is a small pocket of fluid within the upper layers of the skin, which is discovered when boots are removed. A blister has developed, where the foot has been faced with friction, heat, dirt (causing friction) and moisture. If gravel or sand gets into your boots, make sure you remove them immediately- or else they will irritate your skin, resulting in blisters.

However, common and simple steps can be taken to avoid the chances of blisters. The number one priority is the boot fit. You must ensure that your boots fit your feet perfectly. To do this you should go to a specialist shop that will take time to measure your feet, give advice and offer you a range of suitable boots. Often people are so keen to “get out” that they forget the most important preparation is finding the best walking boots for them.

Keeping your body correctly hydrated prevents foot swelling, and keeps feet and toes from rubbing on your shoes. Additionally it prevents swollen toes from rubbing on each other. On the other hand, if you over-hydrate and take in excess sodium, fluid retention causes your toes and feet to swell and increases the likelihood for friction.

To prevent friction you should try wearing two pairs of socks; a thin pair (liner socks), and a your normal walking socks. Like most experiences with the outdoors, it is a journey of discovering and and adopting the best methods.

Season ratings are a score from 1-5 used describe the level of comfort the sleeping bag will provide. Please note even though sleeping bags are categorised into season rating this is only a guide and everyone's needs will differ.

• Season 1 – Provides warmth to 5°C. Good for Summer
• Season 2 - Provides warmth to 0°C Good for Spring and Summer
• Season 3 – Provides warmth to -5°C Good for Spring to Autumn use
• Season 4 - Provides warmth to -10°C Best for use in Winter
• Season 5 – Provides warmth to -15°C Best for professional expeditions

It is important to work out the temperature rating you will need on your trip. For example a 4 season sleeping bag will be too hot and uncomfortable for the heat of Summer.

When picking a sleeping bag there are important factors to take into consideration. The packed size, weight and maximum length of the sleeping bag. Some people feel the cold more than others. Research the type of sleeping bag you need. Work out the temperatures you will be sleeping in and perhaps go for a slightly warmer rating. Check the extreme temperature rating and remember this test is for emergencies only. This is the maximum (lowest) temperature that you could use this bag in without freezing. It is not recommend you test this!

The two main types of sleeping bag insulation are:

Down – which is a fine layer of fluffy feathers found underneath the normal feathers on geese or ducks. When down is used as a filling it creates small air pockets that trap in air, and therefore heat.

Synthetic – Polyfibre is a man-made version of down and the equivalent to natural down. Poly-fibre provides the chance to achieve higher levels of breathability, at a lower cost than down.

Before you head off on camping trips, there is a certain amount of preparation that needs to take place. For example, you ought to ensure you have all the necessary camping equipment. Obviously, if you are lacking certain items, you will struggle to get the most from your adventures. However, it is not always enough to simply have your things packed up. Sometimes, you need to check them thoroughly to ensure they are working.

For example, you might benefit from inspecting your tent before you set off. After all, this is a crucial piece of kit, and if it is not working properly you will be in trouble. Either you will have to put up with substandard sleeping arrangements, or you will be forced to buy another tent on the road, meaning you run the risk of wasting your cash. Things you should check for include any tears or holes in the material. These are particularly likely to occur around the seams, as these are weaker points. Also, you should make sure you have all the right tent equipment. For instance, you need to have enough pegs and poles, and these items can be easy to lose. The last thing you want to happen is to be in the middle of nowhere assembling your tent only to discover there are not enough pegs to keep it stable. Similarly, you do not want to be awakened in the middle of the night by the feel of water dripping onto you and your sleeping bags through gaps in the material above your head.

When you are heading on trips to the great outdoors, you need to carefully plan what it is you will take with you. This is a fine balancing act. You want to have everything you need without taking extraneous items. After all, while you should be comfortable on your adventures, you don't want to be carrying around things you don't need.

The possessions you take will also be determined by the mode of transport you are using. For example, if you are driving to a campsite, you can take quite a lot and so do not have to be so tactical.

On the other hand, if you are cycling or walking for much of the way, you will be limited in terms of the amount of items you have with you.

So, it is worthwhile thinking about your requirements before you go and planning what you will take.

There are certain things you will not be able to do without regardless of how you are getting around. For example, general camping equipment such as tents and sleeping bags are a necessity.

Other items that are generally essential include food and water, as well as waterproof attire.

However, whether you choose to take things like gas stoves and pans will very much depend on your individual requirements.

When you are considering what to take, bear in mind all the activities you will be doing while you are away and make sure you will be equipped to deal with them. It can help to draw up a list, as this means you will not forget things.

However, such trips can be dangerous, and so it is vital you know what you are doing. It is vital that either you or someone else in your party has experience of organising such events. Also, carefully plan your route and research the area in detail before setting off.

You do not want to be confronted by completely unexpected difficulties while you are climbing. After all, rugged mountain landscapes can be extremely isolated, and if you run into problems, you might be on your own.

One of the important aspects of such adventures is making sure you are fully prepared in terms of the climbing equipment you need. Of course, this will depend on the nature of the particular excursion you are going on.

You may require mountain tents, crampons and many other specialised bits of kit in order to complete the journey successfully.

Meanwhile, it is also important that you have detailed maps of the area (and compass) with you so that if you get lost, you can navigate your way back to safety.

Thankfully, it is easy to get information about different climbing areas these days as a result of the web. There is a plethora of facts circulating in cyberspace about virtually any location you can think of. However, you must make sure the sources you use are reliable; otherwise you could run into issues.

Vibram FiveFingers were born from research which indicated that humans are able to run most comfortably and safely when barefoot, or wearing very minimal footwear. Landing with a flat foot or on the ball of the foot before bringing down the heel were found by Vibram to be the most effective and comfortable ways of travelling, and so the FiveFingers range was designed to offer as close to a barefoot movement experience as possible.

FiverFingers are immediately recognisable, with a distinctive look as each of the toes are separated; allowing for freer movement of all the digits for better balance and a more authentic barefoot effect. Made from stretch nylon and a durable sole, FiveFingers are designed to offer complete movement and agility for the wearer.

We are currently stocking a wide range of the Vibram FiveFingers footwear for both men and women; available in all different shoe sizes and prices to suit any budget. Our range includes the Komodo, Classic, Speed, Treksport, Bikila, Jaya and KSO ranges of Vibram’s innovative FiveFingers. Visit our FiveFingers page; offering the perfect, optimally-performing footwear for running, yoga, martial arts, sailing, kayaking and many other sports.

For more information on e-outdoor’s range of Vibram’s FiveFingers footwear, please visit http://www.e-outdoor.co.uk/ or call 01604 230901.

About e-outdoor:

e-outdoor is the online accompaniment to long-standing outdoor wear company White and Bishop, which has been retailing quality camping and climbing equipment and outdoor clothing since 1930. The company has grown considerably in the last 80 years and has maintained its success and popularity by keeping up with modern developments and trends; stocking well-known brands including The North Face, Barbour, and Salomon, and constantly adding new ranges and brands to their stock. e-outdoor now has 2 offline stores located in Northampton and Rugby, and their comprehensive website http://www.e-outdoor.co.uk/, offering their entire range of outdoor equipment and clothing.

Contact:

Northampton store:

White and Bishop
13-17 Bridge Street
Northampton
NN1 1NH

Tel: 01604 230901
Fax: 01604 630492

But now mercury in thermometers across the land is rising, and before long, the full warmth of later spring and summer will be upon us. For this reason, you should make sure you are fully stocked up on camping equipment.

After all, you have to be prepared for spells of good weather as they do not last long here in the UK. And so you should be ready to set off with your tent equipment, sleeping bags and other such things as soon as you get good weather reports.

And it has never been easier to source such equipment. For example, here at e-outdoor we stock a vast array of these products, meaning you will be able to find everything you could possibly need.

So, next time you have a spare few minutes, you should peruse the selection and decide what it is you are after. Also, you should store the things you buy in an organised fashion so that you do not have to dig around to find them before heading off on trips. Doing so reduces the chances you will forget potentially important items when you set off.

When you are planning a camping or trekking adventure, you might decide to invest in some new walking boots. Having good quality footwear can make your trip much more enjoyable as you will not be as likely to slip or fall, and you can have greater confidence in your steps. Also, good boots help to prevent your feet from getting wet, and there is nothing more uncomfortable than walking around with soggy feet.

However, when you invest in a pair of Meindl hiking boots, Salomon boots or any other brand of shoes, you should always wear them in before you go on your big walk. After all, this type of footwear is made from hard and tough material. This is great for protecting your feet and ankles, but it means they can initially cause some discomfort. But by going on some shorter strolls in the items before your trip, you can ensure they become easier to wear.

Not only will you start to get used to them, but the shoes will begin to mould to the shape of your feet. To make the process as easy as possible, you should ensure you take thick socks and plasters in case you get any blisters. By taking these steps, you can ensure you do not experience any pain as a result of your footwear while you are on your camping or trekking journey.

This is well worth it as there is nothing worse than having to put up with such difficulties. Indeed, in some cases, they can mean you have to cut your adventures short.

A cheap waterproof could cost as little as £10 or £20. If that will keep the rain off, why pay £200 or even £300? The difference isn't in the degree of waterproofing- technically a plastic rubbish bag is fully waterproof- it's in how breathable the material is. In other words, it's not about stopping water coming in from the outside, it's about letting water get out from the inside.

A plastic shop dummy dressed in a £10 discount waterproof might stay just as dry as one dressed in the very best of Rab waterproof jackets but they aren't designed for mannequins, they're designed for people. Real people move about, and as they move about they sweat. This sweat needs to be allowed to evaporate away or the person inside the jacket will feel damp and uncomfortable. As soon as they stop moving the sweat will get cold and that is just as unpleasant as it sounds.

Top of the line waterproofs from companies like Rab, Mountain Equipment, The North Face or Berghaus are superbly breathable as well as fully waterproof. They're designed to be comfortable and keep you as non-sweaty as possible even when working hard in the mountains. It may not sound like much of a difference but when your body is giving everything it can and you're wearing a cheap plastic waterproof you will get just as wet with sweat as you would with rain water, and it'll smell much worse!

Cheaper, less breathable waterproofs are fine for wearing around town or watching the football, or even doing a little light walking. Not everyone needs an expensive highly breathable jacket, but for those that do, modern materials like eVent and GoreTex Proshell make life a lot more comfortable.

Pen knives have come full circle. In centuries past a pen knife was something a gentleman carried in order to cut fresh quills for writing. It was simply a small, very sharp single blade. These days the most useful little knives might actually contain a tiny biro pen along with dozens of other handy little tools - scissors, nail file, bottle openers, LED lights, corkscrews, screw drivers, tiny saws... the list goes on!

A knife is one of the most indispensable pieces of camping equipment, even on wholly civilised camping trips where the family spend a few days in a field with showers and washing-up facilities provided. The most serious trouble you are likely to encounter is getting a bit wet, but a trusty knife is still your best friend for cutting string for guy ropes, slicing cheese for sandwiches, finding a way into plastic meal pouches, and opening a relaxing beer.

They are also great to have around for day to day uses. A fully featured Victorinox swiss army knife can help you make small repairs around the house and in the car. There is even a recorded incident of a passengers swiss army knife being used to get a train back underway when a faulty windscreen-wiper had halted progress. Not bad for something you can keep in your pocket!

They also make wonderful gifts. Every outdoor person should have one, and so should every DIY-minded suburbanite. You never know when they will come in handy but a good swiss army knife is sure to.