Shop like a boss
Find exactly what you need every time – and make buying gear the pleasure it ought to be.
Never feel overwhelmed by choice or lacking in confidence in the gear shop. Here’s what to look for, think about, and say.
SHOPPING FOR WALKING gear is – or should be – one of the pulse-quickening, endorphin-flooding joys of being a walker. The thrill of sizing up the options, the science of the research, the art of bargain-hunting; the joy of the purchase and the follow-up feeling of cleverness when, after a few months of hard use, you know you made a smart choice. When it all works, it’s magic.
But it’s not always like that, and not everyone finds it such a delightful experience. Gear shopping can also be a bit bewildering. The options can seem overwhelming. What are the right questions to ask? Am I buying something that’s more advanced than I need it to be? What do some of these bizarre words mean? And what are my rights if it doesn’t turn out to be what I needed?
So in these pages we’ll help to demystify, decode, de-stress and de-risk the buying process. We’ll show you what to look for, suggest smart questions to ask, and outline ways to seek redress if your kit lets you down. So read on, and unlock the secrets of buying with confidence every time.
Before you start
The best way to cut out the bewilderment factor is to think carefully about what you really need. What kind of walking do you do, how frequently, and on what terrain? For example, if you don’t go into mountain terrain very often, you may be able to disregard a big chunk of the boots you will see displayed, because stiff, abrasion-resistant mountain boots make up a huge portion of the footwear market but they aren’t what you need.
And consider the things that make a product more expensive: waterproofing, breathability, lightness, extra features, fancy-name fabrics. Which of them do you really want to prioritise?
So jot down: where you go, what you do, how often, and what you really need the item to provide for you. And use that list to judge every product you look at.
Online vs in store
We can’t pretend online isn’t the easiest, quickest and sometimes cheapest way of shopping, especially with all that’s going on. But think carefully: these are purchases that have to stand up to a lot of hard use, and you want them to last. So ensuring that they fit you perfectly, and having the chance to ask questions about them, is almost always worth the extra effort of real-world shopping. And with footwear, trying on is vital.
So we reckon online works best in tandem with in-store. Use the web for research, then take that intel to a good outdoors store, where hopefully you’ll be swayed by good, service (and potential aftersales care) and make the purchase in person. You can be fairly sure of great service at chains such as Decathlon, Craghoppers/ Regatta, Rohan, Cotswold Outdoor, Go Outdoors and
Mountain Warehouse. But if you’ve got a good independent gear store near you, look after them – it’s good to love local.
Reading reviews
Obviously your favourite magazine is a reliable source of in-depth, objective and jargon-free reviews by writers who’ve tried out hundreds of products. CW always reviews products across a price range that reflects what’s on offer out there, with male and female reviewers. And you can always pose questions on our Facebook pages (Country Walking and #walk1000miles), and get helpful answers from fellow walkers.
Online consumer reviews are great for extra insight, but don’t discount a product because you read one or two bad reviews. If the criticism is widespread and consistent, fair enough, sounds like one to avoid. But any brand can have an off-day; if the complaints are far outweighed by compliments, it might just have been a duff day on the conveyor belt. And a good outdoor brand should be ready to help you address any issues after purchase, anyway.
A word on waterproofing
If you’re looking for a waterproof, check that the product you’re trying on/viewing online actually claims to be waterproof. That might sound obvious, but there is now such a huge market for ‘soft shell’ jackets (which are waterresistant rather than fully waterproof), that it’s very possible to try on a jacket that looks, feels and smells like it’s waterproof, but actually isn’t.
What’s really worth the big bucks?
It can sound like there’s a lot to buy, but not everything is essential. If you want to know what to prioritise when it comes to a bigger investment, we would say (in this order):
1) Boots or shoes with a waterproof/ breathable membrane
2) A good waterproof jacket
3) A good rucksack that distributes the load evenly via hip and chest straps 4) Proper walking trousers.
Sizing
Don’t assume your size. Boot sizing can vary hugely, even within UK sizings, so you should definitely get your feet measured, and try sizes above and below your normal fitting. It’s the same with most kit: when it comes to jackets, CW gear writer Nick can comfortably wear a Small in Páramo, a Medium in Vaude and a Large in Mammut, so there is huge variety between brands. And if you struggle to find gear in your size, you’re not alone. So take a look at our in-depth special Gear for All Sizes, which you can find at lfto.com/gearforallsizes
Aftersales
Whether the product has failed or you’ve just changed your mind, it should be easy to seek aftersales help, especially if you’ve bought from a store. Generally if you’ve just changed your mind or noticed something you don’t like that you didn’t spot in the shop, the product will need to be pristine for the store to take it back. But if the product actually fails, that’s different. If it’s covered by a guarantee, sorted. But even if it isn’t, you can still seek redress. If it fails within a reasonable timescale (say, within a month of moderate use) and it’s a basic flaw like failed waterproofing or a split seam, you should be well within your rights to take it back to the store, or contact the customer services team of the actual brand. They’d far rather repair or replace it and keep you happy than risk losing you as a long-term customer and seeing an unhappy review.