How to Choose Hiking Gifts for Friends

There are thousands of hiking fans all over the world and finding hiking gifts that they will enjoy is something that should be born in mind around Christmas or birthdays. Obviously, hiking boots are the main piece of kit that any keen hiker will have a need for but there are various other hiking gifts that may well tick all of the right boxes as well.

Most pieces of hiking equipment are fairly inexpensive and will last for a considerable amount of time so it is easy to find hiking gifts to match any price range. It's not just hiking boots that will put a smile on a keen hiker's face - various other gifts are likely to be just as well received.

Great Hiking Gift Ideas 
There are many considerations that can be taken into account when it comes to purchasing hiking gifts and most won't cost you and arm and a leg. Hiking equipment comes in many different forms but it often pays to think outside of the box when it comes to picking hiking gifts. Just some ideas to think about include:

Hiking Magazine Subscription - Getting a subscription to a hiking magazine won't cost massive amounts of money and is a great idea for a hiking gift. For anyone who enjoys this pursuit, getting monthly literature about the activity will be extremely rewarding so a hiking magazine subscription is definitely a gift that keeps on giving.

Hiking Apparatus - There is essentially no-end to the amount of hiking equipment which hits the market and heading online will fill you in with the sorts of products which are likely to make good hiking gifts. Things like roll out tables are bits of hiking kit that are incredibly useful but are the type of thing people forget they need - which makes them an ideal hiking gift idea.

Hiking boots, such as the Altitude NT WP Enviro, are ideal for all your light hiking trails and trips and will also make the perfect hiking gift for those who are wanting to push the boat out a little.

Going on Hiking Trips with Man's Best Friend

Hiking trips are enjoyed by thousands of walkers each year across the UK and more and more are deciding to get their four legged friends in on the action - and bringing their dogs along. It is important to make sure that the hiking trail that you choose is suitable for dogs and that you have all the hiking equipment that you require before you set off.

Dogs absolutely love being in the wilderness alongside their masters so it makes perfect sense to take them on hiking trips with you. There are so many sights, sounds and smells that can be enjoyed by you and your hairy companion but making sure that you've got all the hiking boots, clothing and equipment that you'll need in the boot of your car is a must - whether you are just going on a day hike or are planning a few days in the wilderness.

Getting your Dog Ready for a Hike 
Whilst some dogs will take to hiking like a duck to water, excuse the inaccurate animal analogy, it is important that you properly prepare your pet for hiking if it's something that they are not used to. Needless to say, if your dog is of a lazy disposition, you shouldn't endeavour to take him on an extensive hiking trip straight away - dogs are like humans and will need physical conditioning in preparation for hiking trips.

So, start off by taking your four legged friend on a few smaller hikes before working your way up to the more difficult terrains that you want to tackle together. Generally speaking, if you plan on taking your dog on repeated hiking trips and trails, it is probably a good idea to discuss their health with your vet just to make sure that they will be up to facing the rigours associated with hiking activities and trips.

Bringing your dog with you on a hiking adventure will really add to the enjoyment considerably because dogs are in their element in the wilderness and their sense of adventure is likely to open new doors that you may not have otherwise witnessed during your hiking trip.

Of course, dogs won't require any specific hiking equipment but it is imperative that you kit yourself out with a good pair of hiking boots - if only to be able to keep up with your pet pooch! Many hikers swear by the quality of the Hi-Tec Rainer Event hiking boots.

How Many People Choose Music For Walking?

It has long been recognised that playing music during exercise can help concentration and focus the mind on the job in hand. Ever since the Sony Walkman was unleashed on the world in 1979, changing our music listening habits forever, music has become an essential part of individual pursuits such as running, jogging and cycling. What person hasn't seen a jogger with a piece of wire attached to each ear, with an MP3 device clipped on the back of their shorts?

Now walkers and hikers can also take up the habit, and benefit from music for walking. So, here we recommend some artists and composers for three different styles of walking:

Countryside Ambles 
Vaughan Williams, John Denver, Erik Satie, Dire Straits and Cliff Richard: All of these artists and composers have a range of gentle and soft music ideal for the Sunday afternoon countryside amble.

Stiff Hilly Hikes 
Queen, Gustav Holst, Iron Maiden and The Prodigy: If you're going up a mountain or need to cover a few more miles quickly, then this selection will suit you fine - hard and sometimes very fast.

Athletic Power Walking 
Kraftwerk, Wagner, Beethoven and Paul Oakenfold: Get yourself into a trance with the big German composers or some experimental electronic sounds.

On a serious note, it's a proven fact that whilst music in itself doesn't necessarily improve a person's health and fitness, listening to music whilst exercising can help improve the ability to keep to regular fitness routines, be it through music for walking, hiking, running or cycling. Music helps improve concentration levels during physical activity and as a result it can have a dramatic effect indirectly on a person's health.

If you're going walking after reading this, try equipping yourself with some basic equipment; a small MP3 player with a clip and some earphones that won't fall out during your physical exertions. All you then need to do now is choose some music for walking from the artists above - and your away.

Happy Hiking!

The Ramblers - Still Wearing Hiking Boots at 75

Over 75 years ago, if you fancied a walk in an area of natural beauty like the Peak District one sunny afternoon for example, it wasn't the case that you could simply pop your boots on, pack your vittles and saunter off into the dales.


Thanks to the Ramblers Association, formed 75 years ago in 1935, hikers no longer need fear the wrath of the gamekeeper's gun or the lock and key of the local gaoler, which was the case back in those inter-war years. The Ramblers Association or Rambler's as they are now known, has been at the forefront of public accessibility arguments, helping to ensure the UK's 140,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways remain open for the walkers, hikers and families. They are one of the largest charitable organisations in Britain.

To celebrate their organisations continued success and achievements, the Rambler's are holding a succession of Baton Walks, which by the end of 2010 will have crossed the whole of Britain. In August, the baton is being passed by walkers around the East Midlands, and then for the last 4 months through the East of England, London and concluding in the South East. If you're interested, get your hiking boots on and join in!

The Ramblers (http://www.ramblers75.org.uk/) won't rest on their laurels though. They're already campaigning to try and encourage more families to take up walking and put on their hiking boots - sharing information on the benefits of the activity, as well as continuing to campaign for hikers' rights. They're also keen to encourage walking health benefits. One way in which they aim to achieve this is through their extremely popular Get Walking, Keep Walking campaign which highlights the importance to body and mind of natural exercise - not only in places of outstanding natural beauty like the National Parks, but also in inner-city areas like Birmingham, London and Sheffield.

You can also apply for a Get Walking Pack which (although temporarily suspended due to demand) will be available online very soon to help you plan your walking activities and get the most benefit from it, which, together with choosing the right equipment and hiking boots, will give you everything you need to get started.

Hikers Tackling Britain’s National Park Walks

Some of the most interesting and yet challenging hiking is provided by the UK's National Park walks. Many of these are well-known, such as the Pennine Way or the Viking Way, and can be longer than 250 miles.

Further information about National Park walks can be found at theNational Park's Website http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/visiting/outdooractivities/walking. Here there is plenty of useful information about the many different National Park walks available such as 214 of Alfred Wainwright's walks in the Lake District or the Coast to Coast which runs from St Bees in Cumbria and ends in the North York Moors town of Robin Hood's Bay.

For those attempting National Park walks of such magnitude as the Pennine Way in one go, then it should be noted that this task is suitable only for those who have walking experience, are fit and healthy and (it almost goes without saying) that they are able to carry a backpack comfortably.

Importantly the choice of equipment for such an expedition should take into account several things such as making sure that it's waterproof, windproof and perhaps even foolproof (depending on the hiker of course)! Things such as tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment and food all need to be carried, as well as the essential survival kits, first aid and water supplies (the latter being especially important during the summer months).

Hiking along one of the National Park walks is a valuable experience for those wishing to achieve something truly special, but the challenges that these impressive and protected parts of the UK countryside can throw at even the most experienced backpacker, can be the utmost test of strength, ability and stamina.

If all of this sounds far too arduous, then there are plenty of alternatives. Whatever your ability, the National Park walks provide an opportunity for everyone to get out and about in some of the most beautiful landscapes that Britain has to offer.

Work Experience

I have just finished a week of work experience at Hi-Tec in the marketing department.  I was given the opportunity to undertake various projects in which have not only tested my ability and taught me about what it takes to be the best, but also about sports I had little knowledge of.

Researching the competition relating to Outdoor Footwear in the UK allowed me to understand price points in comparison to Hi-Tec (which not only appeared to be the most reasonable, but varied) was intriguing and useful. However, I particularly enjoyed researching the relatively new phenomenon, Trail Running, which is becoming increasingly popular and mainstream. 

Trail Running differs immensely from road or track running, since it occurs on hiking trails and diverse terrain. Mud, gravel, steep inclines and declines are expected on rough or soft surfaces in areas such as mountains, deserts and forests. Therefore, specialist equipment is compulsory in order to eradicate potential injuries which may ensue in these conditions, and to help ensure you have the best run possible reaching optimum speed with paramount stability.

Hi-Tec’s s/s 2011 collection for Trail Running, V-Lite Infinity, delivers on Function, Comfort, Lightweight, and Innovation, collaborating all the essential needs of a Trail Runner.  Stability is key when running and V-Lite Infinity guarantees that the shape is more biomechanically functional and comfortable, with a more efficient gait cycle in order to help reduce pronation and injury. The ion-mask keeps your footwear dryer, lighter and cleaner along with providing breathability to ensure a comfortable run and longevity of the product.

Running on varied terrains means that it is essential for the sole to grip well and be durable, which is exactly what the Vibram Sole provides. They do not seem to clog up with mud therefore ensuring longevity, and the central rubber is a sticky Vibram for improved wet surface traction.

Along with the technical functions, V-Lite Infinity is aesthetically pleasing and shoes come in an assortment of colours.  The comprehensive and extensive research I have compiled allows me to suggest that the V-Lite Infinity range contains the perfect Trail Running shoe, for all trail runners.

But, unfortunately you will have to wait until early next year to grab a pair for yourself! However, I can assure you that they will be well worth the wait.


Amy Foster-Taylor

Walking to Work for Body, Mind and the Environment

Everyone is being encouraged to do it. Walking to work is free, easy to get into and for most able-bodied people, not a particularly difficult challenge. So the question that needs asking is - why are so many people still so averse to doing it more regularly?

Clearly, accusations of laziness might be the first approach to those that can't take their hands of their steering wheel and the keys out of the ignition. However, fairness is always important in such arguments and many people may actually want to start walking to work but find that other reasons prevent walking to walk being their first choice.

For these 'driving pedestrians', walking to work is clearly not just a choice based on how far their homes are to their place of work. Feeling safe in areas that need to be walked through, street cleanliness and ironically, the ability to avoid traffic and cross roads easily all contribute to the decision on whether walking to work is a good idea. In big cities, noise and pollution is also a concern - ‘'driver pedestrians' can either create pollution whilst being protected from it in their air conditioned vehicles, or, prevent contributing to the pollution whilst having to breathe it in.

For those pedestrians wanting to get into walking to work, there is a support charity called Living Streets which campaigns for pedestrian rights, as well as encouraging people to walk to work through their campaign Walking Works. Living Streets gives advice for those walking to work on how to complain about excessive littering, poor pavements and areas where traffic and pedestrians compete for rights of way.

The Walking Works campaign is specifically targeted at office workers and held a very successful Walk to Work Week intended to highlight its benefits to health, body and mind and generate publicity. And of course, let's not forget the environmental impact of walking to walk - there isn't one. Walking to walk is healthy, green and sometimes, just sometimes, an enjoyable experience that more people should try.