SIX OF THE BEST
GADGETS FOR WALKERS
PNY OUTDOOR CHARGER 7800 MAH PORTABLE POWER BANK – BLACK & BLUE £24.99, Currys
SCALING a summit or strolling through the countryside can be the perfect antidote to a life spent plugged into technology. And yet, sometimes reaching those summits and seeing a lovely landscape isn’t enough; a picture is needed, but it seems a waste of precious phone battery. This PNY portable charger is coated in rubber, making it a hardy companion and pumps phones, cameras and any other tech with juice on the go via the USB ports.
LIFESYSTEMS INTENSITY 105 LED HEAD TORCH £19.99, lifesystems.co.uk
LIGHTING is key on hikes through dark valleys and as night sets in, but holding a torch can prove problematic, particularly on uneven pathways. Fasten the elasticated Lifesystems Intensity torch to your head and roam free without the worry of stumbling into the unknown. There are six light modes and a rechargeable battery – each pack comes with a micro USB to charge between walks – offers up to 25 hours’ light.
FITBIT FLEX 2 £69.99, fitbit.com
THIS reliable fitness tracker covers the basics without being too bulky or bogged down in technical detail. Attach to your wrist and the waterproof band will count your steps and keep a tally of any fitness goals as you stride. Link it to a smartphone, double tap the band and wait as lights appear. Each solid light represents a quarter of the day’s fitness targets completed. It can also give you a nudge if you’ve been inactive for too long!
GARMIN ETREX 10 GPS OUTDOOR HANDHELD £99.99, Argos
ENTER your destination into opencaching.com, then link up with this gadget and it will keep you on track by pointing you in the right direction. Encased in a waterproof shell, the display is in an easy-to-read monochrome and reveals useful information, such as the terrain and difficulty, along the way.
APEMAN SPORTS ACTION CAMERA ACTION CAM £33.99, amazon.co.uk
FOR those who prefer a gentle ramble, this Apeman action camera probably won’t do. But for pluckier climbers and hikers, this portable little camera which is waterproof to 30m and features a full HD 170 ultra wide angle lens and also has a mounting accessories kit for cycling swimming climbing, can be attached to chest straps – or even dog harnesses – to give you a different perspective on meanderings.
NIKON COOLPIX A100 20MP 5X ZOOM COMPACT CAMERA – BLACK £89.99, Argos
PRESERVE phone battery and take a slimline camera to snap any stunning summits on your rambles. This Nikon compact – charged via a USB port – is just 118g and comes with a strap, making it easy to carry. For a pocket-sized gadget, it takes decent pictures and is easy to use.