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…

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.

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 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’.

Snugbug Crochet Brooklyn Peak: Noo Yoik cool

With cruel gale force winds ravaging UK coastlines and hail stones battering our towns and cities it’s never been more important to have a nice woolly hat; lucky for you, then, that Snugbug hats are now available through Loving Outdoors.

Snugbug Floppy Beanie: ski slope chic

A company with a zero tolerance policy on cold ears and windswept hair (and a strong ethical and environmental stance), Snugbug hats are handmade in Nepal and the UK from 100% New Zealand wool or Polartec fleece to ensure the highest standards in warmth retention whatever the weather.

Snugbug Neck Flap Peak Hat: warm ears

If you’ve ever wondered why sheep are impervious to foul weather, it’s not because they’re senseless animals that know no better, but rather because of their lanolin enriched wool; the secret ingredient in Snugbug hats.

Snugbug Pillbox Trio: Polartec

To save you a visit to Wikipedia, lanolin is the oily substance secreted from a sheep’s sebaceous glands (yum!) which coats the wool to give it natural water resistance and enhanced insulating properties. Rather than remove lanolin through intensive chemical treatment, Snugbug retain it with gentle wool processing leaving its useful natural properties intact and reducing environmental impact.

As you can tell from the smiling face of the Snugbug model, Snugbug hats offer the ultimate in warmth and outdoor style and we strongly advise you to check out the full range on the Loving Outdoors website.

Loyal, unselfish, affectionate, servile; just a few characteristics that have made dogs mankind’s number one animal for the 15,000 years since man first said ‘fetch boy’. And yet for all our professed affection for dogs, rarely do we think of them when it comes to Christmas gifts. With as many as 90% of UK Christmas presents going to peripheral or unwanted friends and acquaintances, without so much as a sniff for our quadrupedal comrades, dogs are often left out of the festivities. Whilst Ian from work enjoys the bottle of wine randomly bequeathed to him by the mysteries of secret Santa, poor Rex sits in his bed chewing a new hole into his once-squeaky Christmas tree toy: it’s a dog’s life sometimes.

Part of the reason for this is the difficulty of buying presents for dogs. Buying for humans is easy; a quick 5 minute dash round HMV and you’ll have a clutch of presents to satisfy all but the pickiest of recipients. Uninterested in the latest albums by M People or Kaiser Chiefs, Dogs are much harder to cater for. You might find a forlorn squeaky toy in some far-flung corner of Tesco, but nothing really worthy of Man’s Best Friend.

Loving Outdoors are set to change that with the release of an extensive range of dog accessories from esteemed doggy brands Kurgo and Ruffwear. Paws for a moment for a moment to peruse our ruff, pun-laden guide to canine Christmas presents…

Kurgo Backseat Bridge

Most dogs fit awkwardly in car seats which can make them restless, irritating and unsafe. The Kurgo Backseat Bridge makes your car’s backseat area more suited for dogs by bridging the rear footwell, converting the back seat into a flat platform to give your dog a much more comfortable and safer ride. There’s also a built in centre barrier to prevent any unwanted intrusions into the front seats. With plenty of room underneath the bridge for baggage storage, the Kurgo Backseat Bridge is essential for long distance trips.

Kurgo Wander Carrier

The Kurgo Wander Carrier brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘doggie-bag’ and although it would accommodate a healthy amount of Chinese food, small dogs and puppies are its intended cargo. Mesh windows and a padded interior give total breathability and comfort, whilst strong padded straps make carrying easy. Great for getting small dogs out and about.

Kurgo Auto Zipline and Leash Combo

The Kurgo Auto Zipline and Leash Combo aids in-car safety by confining your dog to the backseat area. Hook the zip line between the roof-handles and clip on the leash and your dog will be allowed to move freely along the back seat but will not be able to breaching the front seat area. Combine with the back seat bridge and you’ve got a complete canine car-safety package.

Kurgo Tru-fit Harness

A fully adjustable harness that will allow you better control of your dog on walks or in the car. Ideal for bigger, stronger dogs, the harness provides a dependable mooring for leads, features a loop allowing it to be clipped to a seatbelt and is also compatible with the Kurgo zipline.

Ruffwear Portage Float Coat

A buoyancy aid for sea-going dogs, the Ruffwear Float Coat comes in a choice of vibrant colour with reflective trim and fits comfortably with a full adjustable harness.

Ruffwear Palisades Pack

The Ruffwear Palisades Pack will teach your dog the importance of being self-reliant with two saddle bags giving plenty of room for dog food, bowls and water- you might even fit a first aid kit for true mountain rescue authenticity. Looks particularly good on a St Bernard.

We also have a range of indestructible dog toys which, like dogs, aren’t just for Christmas.

Polar RS800CX

The Polar RS800CX is an advanced heart rate monitor watch that gives detailed insight into your training performance and overall fitness. Rather than leave you to draw your own conclusions from diffuse performance information, the RS800CX makes data meaningful by putting it into simple concrete terms such as ‘fitness’ and ‘calorie burn’. Simply strap on the heart rate monitor unit and in just 5 minutes the RS800CX’s ‘OwnIndex’ monitors your heart and lung function to generate a fitness score which you can use to gauge your fitness over time. When your workout is over, the R-R interval measurement will measure the interval between heartbeats during post-workout recovery; often the best indication of general fitness.

Another great feature of the RS800CX is the range of workout options available. Workouts can be grouped according to their distance, duration or heart function with configurable performance zones for each. Audio alarms and an on-screen performance indicator lets you know when you dips below or exceeds your pre-set performance zone to make sure you train at optimum intensity. The RS800CX is also GPS ready and cycle compatible.

Polar RF60

The Polar FT60 HRM watch has configurable performance zones as well as ‘OwnZone’, a dynamic feature that configures bespoke performance zones based on your performance history. A personal trainer function provides weekly targets and performance feedback to help you stay focussed and motivated. Also featured is ‘OwnCal’ which calculated not only calories burned but also energy burned as a percentage of body fat.

Polar FT40M

Polar FT40 is a personal training watch that sets performance targets based on previous performances. FT40 also features configurable training zones which show when you’ve reached your optimum fat-burn and will emit an audio warning when you’re under or over doing it. As well as heart rate information it gives information on calories burned all on one screen.

Polar FT7M

Strap the heart rate monitor to your chest and the Polar FT7 will give a wide range of performance metrics including heart rate and calories burned. An audio alarm will sound if your performance strays outside your pre-set performance zone to ensure you train at the optimum level: a great work out companion bringing new meaning and enjoyment to your daily workout or jog.

Zamberlan: The Story So Far…

The Zamberlan story begins with Giuseppe Zamberlan being distinctly cheesed off with the studded leather soled boots he endured as a soldier in WWI. On his return from the Great War and spurred on by his love of his native Dolomites, Giuseppe Zamberlan began working with outdoor footwear and went into production with Zamberlan in 1929. Teaming up with the godfather of sole, Vitale Bramani- originator of the Vibram outsole- the Zamberlan family business began producing the first rubber-soled walking boots and set a new standard that survives to this day.

With further breakthroughs in boot and outsole design throughout the 20^th century, Zamberlan assumed their place in the highest echelons of the outdoor firmament and were sought after by outdoor enthusiasts all over the world. Even now, more than 80 years into their story, Zamberlan continue to clear up at outdoor awards ceremonies, most recently for their range of Norwegian welted boots and remain at the vanguard of modern boot design.

Here’s a quick guide to what you can expect from the Zamberlan range available at Loving Outdoors…

Zamberlan Sella: Norwegian welted construction

The Norwegian Zamberlan Welted range are Zamberlan’s top flight boots. Hand made by expert cobblers with serious backpackers in mind, Sella boots represent the very highest standards in boot construction and are manufactured using the Norwegian welted method. With this method the upper is stitched to a cork midsole which is then cemented to the outsole to give superior waterproofing and allowing the boot to ‘breathe’. From this range, the Tofane boot was a recent award winner at the Outdoor Industry awards.

Zamberlan Vajolet: climb any mountain

Representing the Alpine range are the best selling Zamberlan Vajolet range. Designed for the rigors of serious mountaineering and cramp-on compatible, Vajolet boots strike a fine balance between protection and sensitivity making them ideal for negotiating demanding terrain. A split leather and Cordura nylon upper gives exceptional breathability whilst keeping weight down. Inside the boot, Gore-Tex enhances water resistance and breathability whilst precise lasting gives a snug fit for added sensitivity. Banded with a rubber rand and fitted with a custom Zamberlan Vibram outsole the Vajolet boot will stand up to plenty of punishment and will have you conquering mountains for years to come.

Zamberlan Vioz: European backpacking

From the Backpacking range come Zamberlan Vioz GT. With a name derived from the word ‘Visigoth’, Vioz boots are engineered for some seriously epic adventures with a design informed by the epic migration undertaken by their historic namesakes. Cut from full-grain leather with minimal seams, Vioz offer excellent water resistance,  further bolstered by a Gore-Tex lining. A cushioned perforated collar offers additional ankle support and further assists moisture control. Available in women’s and men’s.

Zamberlan Braies: a way of life

From the Lifestyle range, Zamberlan Braies are designed to offer comfort, durability and style. A nubuk leather shoe built to Zamberlan’s meticulous standards, Braies feature a Vibram outsole and a half ‘n’ half leather/ antibacterial Cambrelle lining. Water resistant and comfortable, this is an ideal for travelling or general leisure purposes.

Zamberlan Parrot: who's a pretty boy then?

A rather fetching shoe from the Zamberlan Ascent range, available in a range of colours for men and women. Designed for more extreme end of outdoor leisure, the Zamberlan Parrot offer excellent range of mobility, sensitivity and good grip for conquering tricky terrain or climbing.

www.lovingoutdoors.co.uk/Loving-Zamberlan