TAKE A WALK ON THE STYLE SIDE
Venture outdoors for some healthy trekking in Sophie Warburton’s top gear for the trails
I’ve recently taken up walking. Not learning to walk, but more the idea of walking for pleasure. Some would call this hiking, I guess, but I’ve never known when one crosses the border between walking and hiking. Anyway, I digress.
The fashion crowd has recently taken a shine to hiking, too. Katie Grand, editor of uber-cool Love magazine, recently described her newfound interest in it as an “obsession”. No doubt she’s clocked on to the mental and physical benefits. A 2012 study published in PLOS One found that spending time outdoors increases attention spans and creative problem-solving skills by as much as 50 per cent.
I approached walking as I do most sports (if one can call walking a sport), with an “all the gear, no idea” perspective. Expertly kitted out before my first ramble, I dared to ask, “How hard can it be?” Tough going: like Bond, it’s important to look the part. Take a leaf out of 007’s book and dress for action and adventure with Danner boots Some 27 miles later, I’d learned that walking, hiking, rambling, trekking – whatever you want to call it – definitely qualifies as tough work. Even tougher is to maintain any semblance of style on the trail. But while I might be poor on technique, endurance and orienteering, I can at least point you in the direction of the best garb around. Happy hiking.
Arc’teryx
A good shell is essential to keep out the wind and the rain. Market leader Arc’teryx is pricey but well worth the investment once the gales start blowing.
Danner
Danner has served the American walker for 85 years. The cult brand is newly available in the UK and caters for both fashion and function.
Patagonia
OK, its nearly impossible to find walking trousers that don’t make you look like a dad. But Patagonia gets cool points for its ecocredentials.
Canada Goose
Canada Goose’s new knitwear range is great for the fair-weather walker. It isn’t waterproof, but the merino wool pieces have snazzy Thermal Mapping technology which increases breathability where your body needs it most.
Garmin
Half the fun is knowing how far you’ve walked. Garmin’s Fenix range is the go-to for any hikers looking to track their stats.
North Face
With pockets, zippy compartments and a bungee elastic for storage – plus a removable waist belt and side compression straps – North Face’s day packs are perfect for all your bits and bobs.