Captain’s Log stardate 11th April 2012: a new brand suddenly appears in Loving Outdoors cyberspace.

Preliminary investigations have identified advanced activewear, telescopic walking poles and a self-heating ‘flameless cooking system’ amongst a full and comprehensive range of outdoor gear. Going by the name of ‘Trekmates’ the new brand employs technologies far more advanced than those commonly found on Earth, but appears friendly; set phasers to stun as we investigate…

Trekmates Vapour Tech Extreme Zip Top

Clothing

Despite the future-world technologies used in Trekmates clothing, all items are completely compatible with the human form as well as the Earth’s capricious atmospheric conditions.

Made from breathable fast-wicking polyester, Trekmates Vapour tech clothing works well as a layering piece on colder planets and also as activewear in warmer climes.

Even more advanced, Trekmates’ ‘Contour’ range employs high tech stretch fabric with gentle compressive qualities, a technology presumably developed by aliens to help diffuse the build-up of lactic acid-like substances in their super-advanced muscles. There’s also a range of merino wool base layers which, whilst offering exceptional warmth and breathability even when wet, also attests to the existence of sheep in faraway galaxies.

Trekmates Grasmere Gaiter

Footwear

Judging by the care and attention paid to footwear, wet feet are apparently as much of an irritation to alien super-brings as they are on Earth, which is reassuring.

Goretex lined and available in a range of sizes and styles, Trekmates gaiters would have been used to protect the ankles of alien wearers from rain and watery deposits found on long grasses on faraway planets, and as such are ideal for the Earth’s preciptous climate.

Same goes for Trekmates socks, which are available in a range of sizes and thinknesses and fibre blends, to offer a comfortable ride to even the most irritable of feet. It is believed that the aliens would, in moments of merriment, wear socks on their ears or other body parts for humorous effect, though it’s difficult to imagine humans behaving in such a foolish manner.

Trekmates Flameless Cooking System

Trekmates ‘Flameless Cooking System’

Perhaps the most unique and exciting discovery in the whole of the Trekmates range, the self-heating ‘Flameless Cooking System’ appears to use futuristic magic to cook food without the use of an external heat source… later analysis has attributed the heating effect to a ‘heat pack’ stored discreetly inside the device, which becomes active when soaked in liquid hydrogen oxide, or ‘water’ as it is known on Earth.

Using the FCS system couldn’t be simpler; just slop some food into the metal tray, add water to the plastic tub and in 7-10 Earth minutes you’ll have a lovely meal which you can scoff straight from the pan!

See the full Trekmates range here…

Theo is Loving Outdoors

So, a few weeks ago I recieved an email from Ryman (award sponsors) inviting me to the home of Warwickshire Cricket Club, Edgbaston Stadium, to meet and recieive an award (it was a certificate!) from none other than Theo Paphitis. We were one of the lucky few to be selected personally by Theo for the award as part of his much talked-about #SBS Business Awards on Twitter.

I drove down in the GUV which, as usual, attracted a few smiles from other motorists. For those readers scratching their heads, the GUV is our fully branded motorhome that is covered head-to-foot in astroturf. Such a vehicle does not go unnoticed, (which, of course, is the whole point); Whenever I drive it I feel like I’m performing a public service making people smile – it’s great fun being part of that.

The event was fantastic and an opportunity for me to learn from Theo. Although he has worked in different industries, retail is retail so I was keen to see how he operated and interacted with the 700 attendees present. Half way through he opened the floor to questions. Hand outstretched I was given a microphone “Theo”, I asked, “first of all we both share a passion for covering our cars in items commonly found at a garden centre, I’ve come in a grassed covered van and you seem to prefer tinfoil” (laughs, referring to his chrome covered Maybach). I then asked Theo whether he has off days where lacked clarity and, if so, how he dealt with that. “Yes”, he said, “I have lots they are normal and on days like that I tend to get around people I can talk with, I keep talking to myself positively and remember that this place is not permanent. Then I just get on with it”. Great advice for anyone, I thought.

It was a question that had personal relevance for me: after moving to Richmond in North Yorkshire from Manchester I’ve found it difficult to adjust to being away from the business and establishing a new business routine. For the first time my plans for the business seemed cloudy; knowing I was not alone helped clear the mist and respark my drive.

As the day went on Theo shared lots of insights about the future of the high street and how click and collect will gain further momentum over the coming years. He also said Mrs P at least a dozen times and made a few less than complimentary remarks about the Scotsman who sits to his right on Dragon’s Den.

Perhaps the most important lesson I took from observing Theo was his dedication to the SBS occasion. He was not preoccupied with selling Ryman business accounts (much), or rushing to avoid the rush hour traffic on what was a wonderful sunny Friday. Instead he changed his schedule, allowing the event to overrun by 3 hours to give everyone the chance to ask a question. I came away feeling like I had met a great guy with plenty of time for others.

We left the event shortly after talking with Theo to crowds of attendees taking pictures of the GUV. It was almost as if the tinfoil car did not exist. Perhaps Theo may consider a change: a Grassed Covered Maybach anyone? I wonder how that would go down with his fello Dragons?

Walks Around Britain is the dedicated walking website whose innovative walking videos are causing quite a stir amongst the online outdoor community. With impeccable production values and keen historical insight, the videos provide a great introduction into some of the UK’s best walks and will be of interest to new and experienced walkers alike. We caught up with Walks Around Britain main man Andrew White to learn a bit more about what makes his website such a great addition to the online outdoor scene.

How and when did Walks Around Britain start?

Walks Around Britain started in 2010 but I’d had the idea for several years before. My company produces documentary programmes for other labels to release and we were making DVDs about trains and trams when I first had the idea of walking videos. So I contacted the labels we were making the programmes for and suggested the idea to them – and they all said no. I was a bit disappointed about that, as I really thought it would be a good idea. Then, Julia Bradbury walked through the Lake District and suddenly the idea was re-born – although this time I decided to do it myself – and Walks Around Britain was born.

The narration accompanying your videos is always rich in information; how long do you spend on research?

Thank you – We pride ourselves on the research in our walking videos, and it does take quite a long time to get all the information together. The research happens in two stages. When we first decide on a walk, or a walk is suggested to us, we undertake preliminary research so we know what to film and so the presenter can have some links to record to the camera. Then, when the rough edit of the video is finished, we do more research to write the script for the voice-over. Overall, it takes around a week to do the research for a walking video.

The trusty Walks Around Britain camera takes in an overcast seaside view

Watching the Coombs Dale video you seem fascinated by the supernatural…had any eerie experiences whilst out walking?

Hehe, well the Coombs Dale walk does have a fair few macabre elements to its history – and that’s the sort of thing we’re interested in when we take on a walk. It might have a bloody past with battles, or a mysterious history, but it has to have story around it. I can’t actually say as though I’ve had a spooky experience, although the Coombs Dale walk was really interesting.

What impact do you think social media is having on the UK outdoor scene?

I think social media is having a profound effect of the UK Outdoors scene. I think it is helping people get together in communities online to chat, discuss and share ideas, views and places in a way never before possible. We certainly wouldn’t be able to do what we’re doing even 5 years ago – social media has involved so quickly.

Give us a couple of your favourite UK walks…

Ohhh, a couple of favourite walks? That’s so difficult. Well, for an easier longish trek I like the Monsal Trail in the Peak District. I filmed a walk along part of it with skier Ellie Koynader last year, and I love the way you’re reminded it was an old railway line – and now they’ve opened up the tunnels too it’s a great trek to do for pushchairs too. The walk through the Valency Valley and Boscastle to the coast is spectacular, as is the Angelsey Coastal Walk. Talking of coastal walks, I’ve only had chance to walk part of the Isle of Man’s coastal walk, but that is truly amazing. There’s so many great walks in the UK, it is so difficult to pick out a few!

Walks Around Britain's Andrew White

Any plans to take Walks Around Britain idea further afield?

Well, the small team here are working on Walks Around Ireland and Great World Walks too, so the three sites should keep us very busy!

What’s next for Walks Around Britain?

We launched a blog in January, and we regularly post outdoor news, reviews, mini walking routes, photos, our latest videos etc on there, and in March we also launched the first edition of our new monthly walking and outdoor podcast – which is 25 mins long and comes out on the 1st of every month. That has interviews, news, audio walks, details about walking festivals and much much more. It’s available every month on our blog and you can subscribe to it on iTunes – just search for Walks Around Britain in the podcasts section.

Check out the spooky Coombs Dale video here…if you dare!

Garmin Forerunner 910XT

Runners have been well served by Garmin’s Forerunner range. The 210, 410 and 610 are each packed with features to enrich bipedal training sessions and all offer detailed performance insight. However, good as previous Forerunner watches have been, lacking full waterproofing, they have so far been unsuitable for triathletes looking to measure their performance across all 3 aspects of their sport. The Garmin Forerunner 910XT fixes this with the addition of full waterproofing and detailed swimming metrics as well as cycling and running data, making it the first truly multi-discipline sports training watch of its kind.

Able to identify a swimming stroke by stroke pattern, the 910XT counts strokes taken, measures distance and will calculate your ‘swolf’ score (A hybrid of the words ‘swim’ and ‘golf’, your ‘swolf’ score is a measure of swimming efficiency generated by dividing distance covered by strokes taken; as with golf, the lower the score the better and more efficient your swimming).

Unlike a fish, the 910XT is just as comfortable out of water, and will provide detailed heart rate and performance information as both a running watch and cycling computer. Strapped to the handlebars of your bike, the 910XT will connect with compatible speed/cadence sensors via an inbuilt ANT+ wireless transmitter to measure your speed and energy efficiency. Strapped to the wrist, the heart rate monitor and optional foot pod will give detailed insight into pace and energy efficiency.

The 910XT’s ‘Virtual Racer’ function brings an interesting interactive dimension to training by allowing you to race against your previous best times or the times of other Garmin users on Garmin’s online training hub,  Garmin Connect. A gentle buzzing emitted by the watch will alert you when your pace dips below that of your virtual competitor, which helps boost you performance  and acclimatizes you to race conditions. When you return from your race, hook the device up to your computer and you’ll be able to view your route and review your performance in detail with Garmin’s online tools.

With multi-discipline prowess housed in a user friendly, button 8-button design the 910XT compounds Garmin’s years of experience in the training watches and will propel you to new levels of amphibious sporting success.

MyOutdoors.co.uk is one of the internet’s most dependable sources of outdoor-related information. Bringing together up-to-date news stories, expert reviews and informed comment, all anchored in the wisdom of experience, MyOutdoors is essential reading for anyone interested in the outdoors. We caught up with MyOutdoors’ main man Dave Mycroft to find out more about what makes MyOutdoors such a vital part of the UK outdoor scene.

How and when did My Outdoors come to be?

MyOutdoors came about by accident when funding for a similar site I was developing fell through suddenly in October 2010. My eldest son, Matt, is  a website developer and programmer whilst the youngest, Chris, is in the final year of a Business Management and Law degree and we decided to combine our skills and continue the project rather than waste the months of work already put in.

Technically we cover all outdoor leisure activities but in practice our main focus is on hill walking and mountaineering in the UK, though we also stray into climbing, caving and kayaking at regular intervals. Our main objective is to report the latest news right across the outdoors world, whether that’s new products, new climbs and routes or government and political decisions impacting on the great outdoors.

Dave MyOutdoors: always at the rockface

Judging by your tweets you spend a lot of time out on the hills; do you prefer to work ‘on location’?

Living on the edge of the Peak District the hills are a second office and one that keeps us sane. When testing equipment “on location” time is essential to give a real world product review, but we’re also strong advocates of John Muir’s philosophy that simply being out there on a regular basis is essential to our wellbeing.

For someone who lives on the edge of the Peak District, and has always considered it as “home” it may not come as a surprise that my personal favourite is the River Wye between Buxton and Bakewell. Much of the walk has been transformed over the last year with the re-opening of the railway tunnels along the Monsal Trail, but the old route down by the river bank still exists and even in the height of summer can provide a peaceful, tranquil, alternative to the formal trail above. The walk from Blackwell Mill to Monsal Head, along the river, showcases the best of the White Peak from the trout filled river to the towering white cliffs of Water cum Jolly Dale and Ravenstor. Wild flowers flourish along the route, thanks to years of work by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, and recent improvements to the Monsal Trail have been carried out sympathetically to open the route up without putting excessive pressure on a fragile environment.

To be honest I’m not sure there’s any more real “interest” in the outdoors now than there was a decade ago. Sure there may be more people camping and walking, but I’m not entirely convinced this is down to an increase in interest – I see it more as an economic necessity. With money tight families are looking for cheaper alternatives to foreign holidays and it’s only natural that attention turns closer to home. The increase in “staycations” is very much a double-edged sword, bringing much needed income to rural areas but putting increased pressure on our National Parks. Managing these two factors is going to become increasingly important over coming years, particularly with funding from government slashed.

As a business there’s nothing to compare to the annual Trade show at Friedrichshafen in Germany, where the next season’s kit gets a first showing, but from a personal point of view it’s a toss-up between Kendal and Cliffhanger. Kendal Mountain Festival is far and away the biggest event on the outdoors calendar and probably the best mountain festival in the world while Cliffhanger is the biggest “outdoors” event for outdoors people and has an amazing atmosphere. Both are firm favourites and we’ll be at both this year, next year and every year ahead.

Click here for MyOutdoors.co.uk

Unusually for brands in the budget or ‘affordable’ bracket, Camp Trails have a long and rich heritage in the outdoor industry that links them with some landmark adventuring achievements.

Founded in 1946 with the vision of making the outdoors more accessible to everyday people, Camp Trails made a name for themselves with their innovative and cost-efficient rucksack design.

In the 1960s, when long-haired youths in their thousands took to the American wilderness in search of an alternative to ‘square’ suburbia, Camp Trails found themselves in the right place at the right time and quickly became a household (or should that be tenthold) name.

In step with the unbounded spirit of the times, Camp Trails backpacks were the logical choice for the American expedition to summit Everest in1968, just as they would be for the first Canadian Everest expedition in 1982.

Unlike many ‘affordable’ outdoor manufacturers, rather than cut corners with quality, Camp Trails put their environmentalist principles at the heart of design, keeping costs down by cutting out superfluous features and saving on materials. You won’t find an ounce of fat on their products and you won’t pay for anything you won’t use.

Coming to a UK market at a time when environmental and economic concerns abound, Camp Trails’ stripped down approach looks perfectly poised to capture the zeitgeist once again and steal the hearts of British outdoor lovers.

Below is a bit of what you can expect from the Camp Trails range…click here for the full range.

Camp Trails Solitaire

An easy-pitch lightweight tunnel tent with small pack size, the Solitaire Aluminium is an ideal choice for solo backpackers and cyclists that will minimize the burden on the back and the wallet.

Camp Trails Stratus 200

A versatile 2 pole, 2 person dome tent ideal for intermediate 2/3 season camping. A unique fly design offers excellent protection from the elements on rainy days and excellent ventilation in summer.

Camp Trails Woodlands 300

Aimed at intermediate 2-3 season campers, the Camp Trails Woodlands series offers sturdy shelter with ample ventilation and plenty of storage space in the front and rear vestibules.

Camp Trails Air Rest

A lightweight luxury air matress (10cm thick) with a small pack size and large valve for easy inflation/deflation.

When the American public fully embraced camping in the 1970s, Eureka became a household name and has been a commanding presence on the US outdoor market ever since. Now, with the help of Loving Outdoors, Eureka are bringing their wares to the UK and with a range that includes tents, sleeping bags, rucksacks, tables and chairs, and pretty much anything else you might want for a family camping holiday, the future looks bright for our exclamatively-named American friends.

Taking its name from one of the defining totems of Britishness, the Spitfire Duo Tent is a sure-fire hit for the British market. A lightweight and compact tent, the Spitfire Duo pitches in minutes with minimal pegging to give a solid, waterproof shelter for 2 that will stand up to the rigors of serious backpacking and dogged aerial combat.

Also great for active campers is the Eureka Wabakimi series which, as its name might suggest (it’s named after a

Eureka Wabakimi 3 Tent

particularly fluminous Canadian national park) is aimed at those who enjoy wet outdoor pursuits such as canoeing and rafting. The Wabakimi 3 in particular has plenty of room for gear storage and, with a weatherproof awning, offers plenty of protection from the elements.

Eureka N!ergy Grand BTC 4 Person Tent

For something a bit more luxurious take a look at the Eureka N!ergy Grand BTC 4 Person Tent. With its three-zipper split front door and large mesh/ClearVu windows, the Eureka N!ergy Grand cuts a distinguished figure on the campsite. The tent interior is divided by a removable wall which separates the sleeping and recreation areas. Great for meal times, the recreation area is big enough to accommodate a table and chairs and the whole tent is protected from filth by a zippable footprint.

When it comes to family camping, Eureka’s vast range of accessories has every eventuality covered. For eating and campsite games there’s the Eureka Table & Bench Set which, with slatted construction, packs away small making it

Eureka Table & Bench Set

easy to store in the boot of a car or motorhome. As well as providing an excellent place for meals, the addition of a table and chairs brings a sense of order and homeliness to your tent that can really boost your family’s holiday spirit.

In the bedroom, Eureka’s Whiskey Jack Sleeping Bag range has bedding for all seasons and climates and, paired with one of Eureka’s inflatable sleeping mats, offers comfort and warmth to ensure a great night’s sleep.

Eureka Drybag: 'it's in the bag'

Although luxury and comfort feature strongly in the Eureka range, the basics are well covered. Their range of double-rolled dry bags offer handy and inexpensive way of keeping your gear dry whether you’re on a motorcycle, paddling a canoe, or enjoying horseplay on the beach.

When the sun sets on another day of horseplay, Eureka’s great low-cost campsite lighting will allow you to continue the fun long into the night. With a 25hr battery life and robust construction, the Eureka Magic 185 is a great camping lantern and its twist-transform flashlight function makes it great for scaring children with the old torch-under-the-chin trick during ghost stories.

Check out the rest of the Eureka range here.

Remember, you can always call the Loving Outdoors office on 0161-241-5500 9-5 Monday-Friday and one of the team will be happy to answer any queries!

A leather hide undergoes treatment

Leather is the single most important factor in determining a boot’s waterproof credentials. Good quality leather will give longer lasting waterproofing than any other material. Although bad leather can be waterproofed by adding synthetic lining it will only remain waterproof as long as the synthetic fibre lasts: there really is no substitute for good quality leather.

The best leather is known as ‘full grain’ leather, a term that is only correctly applied to the upper layer of leather from the unblemished hides of the best kept cows. Full grain leather gets its waterproofing qualities from the hide’s tough upper layer. Known as the epidermis, this is upper layer is where the skin’s tiny air holes narrow to the point where water cannot penetrate. The thicker the epidermis, the better quality and more waterproof the leather: simple as. Full grain leather can be buffed to make full grain nubuck which takes very well to waterproofing protective wax and is equally durable.

Full grain leather under the microscope: notice the small pores

Since its introduction as a useful term for distinguishing top quality leather, the term ‘full grain’ has fallen into misuse, in many cases being used in place of the old seal of quality ‘100% real leather’. Although many of the leathers described as ‘full grain’ are of good quality, the term should only be used in reference to the very best leather.

Often sold as full grain leather, ‘grain’ leather is the next rung down on the leather quality scale. Still perfectly OK for making boots, grain leather comes from thinner skinned cows (often from hotter countries) and has a thinner protective epidermis and hence is more susceptible to water. Boots made from lesser leathers tend to rely more heavily on supplementary synthetic waterproofing which, although effective for a while, will eventually fail leaving you in the long grass with wet feet.

Further down the scale are leather ‘splits’ which are taken from the inward facing side of the hide. What makes this leather worse than ‘full grain’? The answer lies in the skin’s tiny air holes mentioned earlier. Whereas with full grain leather the air holes become narrow and waterproof at the epidermis, leather splits, shorn of the epidermis, have air holes wide enough to let in water. Although comfortable and stylish (suede leather is made from leather ‘splits’) this makes split leather a poor material for boot manufacture. That said it can be, and often is, combined with synthetic material to bodge together a nearly-waterproof upper for cheaper boots.

Alternatives to full grain may be waterproof for a while but no ammount of synthetic insulation can substitute for the long term waterproof protection provided by quality full grain leather: bear this in mind when you’re next buying boots.

A modern OS Explorer Map

Interestingly, Ordnance Survey maps have their roots in the Jacobite rebellions of the 18^th century. Fearing the wrath of the Scottish Clan, the British government sanctioned the mapping of Scotland in order to give nervous British generals a strategic advantage in the event of further uprisings.

An olde Ordnance Survey map shows the historic town of Finchley which still exists to this day.

With Jacobite enthusiasm waning after defeat at Colluden, Ordnance Survey broadened its survey. Throughout the 19^th century OS charted the whole of the UK and, during the First World War, mapped areas of strategic importance in Europe. The Second World War saw their cartographic remit extend to Germany, France and the rest of Europe in preparation for the allied invasion.

Bumped from warfare’s centre stage by improved technology and the significantly reduced risk of Nazi invasion, Ordnance Survey focussed on the leisure market in the latter part of the 20^th century with their ‘Landranger’ and larger scale ‘Explorer’ maps.

Since the dawn of the GPS era many feared the death of paper OS maps but, as is always the case, the many were proved wrong. Hard-learnt lessons from the early days of the satnav era have seen many conscientious orienteers back up their hi-tech handhelds with a paper counterpart which has helped keep traditional map n’ compass navigation alive and well in the 21^st century.

In service of this time-honoured tradition, Loving Outdoors is now offering a range of Explorer OS maps in both standard and plastic coated ‘Active’ format; check them out by clicking here. If you can’t find the map you want give us a call on 0161 241 5500 and we’ll get it for you.

TV's Bear Grylls snacks on a shrub

TV adventurer Bear Grylls has spent years trekking in the back of beyond to bring tales of mysterious faraway lands to the comfort of our living rooms. His pioneering spirit has propelled him to a number of unprecedented achievements, leaving world records smashed in his wake: he was (briefly) the youngest Brit to summit Everest, the youngest young man ever to be appointed chief scout and is the current record holder for the highest paramotor flight after sailing to a height of 9 kilometres over the Himalayas (higher than Everest) in 2007. Gerber’s new range of Grylls-endorsed bushcraft gear channels its namesakes’ spirit and drive into a range of outdoor kit that will give young adventurers the best possible start in the noble art of bushcraft and survival.

Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Fixed Blade Knife

With a 4.8 inch half-serrated carbon steel blade it’s easy to imagine Bear using the Ultimate Fixed Blade Knife to cut branches for a bivoac or whittling tools from pine. Incorporating a fire-starter kit, the Ultimate Fixed Blade Knife has everything you might need in a survival situation.

Though designed with survival in mind, much of the Bear Grylls ranges performs equally well in more prosaic situations. The fierce-looking high-carbon steel Parang Machete might conjure images of intrepid explorers hacking their way through the Amazon jungle, but would be equally at home clearing Nana’s overgrown back yard.

Gerber Bear Grylls Compact Scout Knife

As you might expect considering Bear Grylls’ history with the Scout Movement, the Bear Grylls range caters well to upstart survivalists with a range of quality scouting knives. Both the Compact Folding Knife and the larger Folding Clip Knife offer a half-serrated carbon steel blade, offering a range of usage to give budding scouts a head start on the trail to success.

Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Multi-tool

For those who take their wild adventuring with a measure of practicality there’s Bear’s range of multi-tools. Combining a host of quality tools including pliers to scissors and knives these ingenious devices will prove an indispensible addition to your kit wherever life’s adventure takes you, be it the rainforests of Borneo or the garden shed.

Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Kit

Although surplus to requirements for visits to the garden shed (hopefully), Bear Grylls’ survival packs are ideal for Duke of Edinburgh or for eking out an existence in the event of nuclear war. With a range of tools and fire lighting equipment, Bear’s survival kits contain everything required for sustaining life in an emergency situation; as the scouts’ motto reminds us, it is always best to ‘be prepared’.