As avid Youtuber content consumers, we remember the days of the good “what’s in my bag” tag that was fueled by the natural curiosity to see into other people’s lives. We thought it would be fun to show you our top 5 essential items when packing for walking trip.
1 Footwear
This is where we get our name from! The footwear you select for your stomp are essential to ensuring a happy heart… and that your rambling activities don’t haunt you for the remainder of the week.
Mountain Warehouse is usually our first point of call. They have a good selection of boots for all price points, as well as a good selection of walking shoes (a lightweight alternative, more similar to trainers, but retaining the sturdy sole that helps protect the feet).
Walking boots or shoes protect the feet and ankles whilst you are outside, and probably the biggest investment you should make if you are planning on walking regularly or for long distances.
2 Hydration
Hopefully fairly obvious, but as you walk you are going to get hot and sweat! Dehydration can be detrimental, affecting concentration and decision making and can cause dizziness and fatigue.
Our bottle of choice when it comes to keeping water or electrolyte sports-drinks cool and accessible is the Chilly’s bottle. Matilda is somewhat of a fan and has each of the various sizes, but the 500ml is perfect for an up to 7km walk.
If you are getting more serious, it may be work investing in a hydration pack, this way you can continue to keep up with water intake without having to stop the flow of your steps.
3 Sustenance
Goes hand in hand with hydration! Whilst you walk your body is using up energy and even though a good breakfast before you go is always a must, packing for the trip is a good idea.
Lauren is a fan of the humble Banana, the slow release energy and high amounts of vitamin C come in a nature-made package so you don’t have to carry any bulky tubs or pots.
Matilda is more of a fan of cereal bars. Often packed with added protein and delicious chocolate, they are a good compact snack with a high calorie content. Some favorites are the Trek bars from Natural Balance Foods and the American Cliff Bar.
The best thing with snacks is to keep them in a quick to reach pocket, this way they are easily accessible and can be whipped out on the move
4 First Aid & Emergency
One of the many benefits of walking is that it often takes you far off the beaten track, however this an be horrible in times of crisis. We would recommend learning some basic first aid, such as the advice given by the charity Ramblers.
We carry basic first aid supplies with us when we walk such as plasters and bandages, as well as making sure to snap a quick photo of any signs detailing the emergency procedure on a posted walk so we know the right person to call.
Another thing to remember when packing for a trips to dress for the weather, this may sound obvious but forgetting a jacket can mean the difference between a happy walk and a trip to A&E.
5 Technology
We take our phones which are stocked with two apps that are brilliant! The Ordnance Survey Map app is a brilliant companion to have to make sure you don’t stray somewhere you shouldn’t. We also have the What 3 words app which can be used to give precise locations to emergency services.
Most of our walks we are also accompanied by a camera or two to capture the beauty of the places we walk so we can share them with you!
What are your top 5 essentials to take when you go walking? Let us know!
