News & Advice

We should always make sure we prepare essential equipment for outdoor adventures. Reaching those stunning views is even sweeter when it’s injury-free! The rugged terrain and unpredictable weather demand careful preparation. Not to mention our own bodies! We have put together what we believe to be indispensable equipment and essentials required for a safe and enjoyable hike. From proper clothing, nutrition and warm-ups to navigation tools and safety items.

The most important thing is that we return home safely without and injury or incident, so let’s make sure we’re well-prepared!

Essential Equipment For Outdoor Adventures:

1.Communication and Navigation

Fully Charged Phone and Battery Charger! It sounds obvious, but so many people often encounter dead batteries when they need them most. In the age of technology, a reliable phone is crucial for emergencies or unforeseen circumstances. Not just to notify someone of an issue, but to make it easy to pinpoint your exact location and even send that location to someone! What’s better than a fully charged phone? 2 fully charged phones. Well… at least a battery pack to full recharge your current one if it runs out.

Map and Compass: While modern technology aids navigation, never underestimate the importance of traditional map-reading skills. Carry a detailed map of the area and a compass you wish to walk to navigate in case electronic devices fail. On occasions, you may be in and out of signal, so these tools are vital for guided outdoor adventures, ensuring you stay on track.

Hydration and Nutrition: Staying hydrated is essential, especially in elevated terrains. Give ourselves a head-start and drink plenty of water before we even set off! Don’t let the temperature of the day catch us out! It’s surprising how much water we lose through working hard and sweating. Carry enough water to last the entire day and consider scheduling an amount to drink so that we don’t drink it all in one go, and then desperate for more later on! Use sachets to add to our water that have electrolytes in it that gives us that little bit of extra energy for the

Breakfast! Some would argue the most important meal of day. Setting ourselves up for the day with a full stomach (packed with nutrition of course) will significantly help us throughout the day. Think about packing nutrient-rich snacks and meals to keep our energy levels up. Consider portable options like energy bars, nuts, and fruits. Proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining stamina during our outdoor adventure.

2.Clothing and Personal Gear

Walking Shoes: INVEST IN FOOTWEAR! We treat so many problems that stem from incorrect footwear. Sturdy, comfortable and well-fitted shoes to provide traction and support on all types of terrain are essential.

Walking Socks: Look to wear moisture-wicking socks to prevent blisters that also keep our feet comfortable throughout our journey.

Fully Waterproof Clothing: Weather, particularly in Britain can be unpredictable. Just because it says there isn’t any rain forecast for today, doesn’t mean there won’t be any rain… Ensure clothing is waterproof and layered to accommodate weather and temperature changes.

Spare Clothing: A spare set of clothes can be a game-changer, especially if we encounter unexpected weather conditions. Not to mention, should we slip or fall and get wet and muddy. At the very least, we want to make sure we’re comfortable!

Dry/Plastic Bag for Essentials: Keep important items like keys and electronic devices in a sealed dry bag to protect them from the elements. Think about this with your spare clothing too. It’s not likely, but if we ever find ourselves in a situation where we need to get wet on our journey, its better to have dry clothes to change into if we need it.

3.Safety Equipment

Whistle/Rope/Spray Can: A whistle is a simple yet effective tool for signalling in emergencies. It can carry over long distances and is an essential addition to our safety gear. Rope is a survival guides number one item to bring on a hike. It can be an incredibly versatile item. We appreciate spray cans might seem a little extreme, however, in the event of a worst-case scenario, being able to mark our journey could be vital.

 

4.Warm up and stretch

You wouldn’t like us to forget we are Physios would you? If we are carrying an injury, we should try to do exercises before we start a walk to maximise the effectiveness of our injured area. Don’t forget, we can stop and stretch at ay point if we feel any niggles along the way. At the end of a walk, if there have been no flat sections to finish on, we can try a little walk around the car park perhaps to loosen the legs and stop the shock of a hard walk. Keep drinking fluids after the walk to help flush out any lactic acids and keep those muscles well hydrated!

Don’t forget, injuries are not the only thing to think about…worn and torn joints may also need a nice warm-up, stretch-off and cool-down too. If we take care of our body, our body will take care of us.

Conclusion

Preparation (in all scenarios) is absolutely the key to a successful and enjoyable hill and mountain walk. By ensuring we have the essential equipment for outdoor adventures, we not only enhance our safety, but also create the opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in the pleasure of our adventure. If we have been given any advice from our Physio, or even your Podiatrist, we must do our best to try and follow it. It means seeing less of us in the future ; )

 

If you have any questions or queries about an injury or issue, you can reach out to use for FREE using our Ask A Physio service, here. You can also ask us question about essential equipment for your outdoor adventure if you’re concerned about any risk