Hiking Boot Fitting
Every walker needs a good, reliable pair of hiking boots, but there’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to walking footwear. The best hiking boots for one person might be a poor fit for someone else’s needs.
Instead of gambling on the boots you think your loved one would like, why not gift them a trip to a well-regarded outdoor shop for a specialist boot fitting service? They’ll get suggestions based on the mechanics of their feet and the type of trails they enjoy, so you can buy them the best hiking boots for their needs.
Our suggestion: Book a boot fitting appointment at
Cotswold or
Snow and Rock – or check your local independent outdoor retailer for specialist boot fitting services.
Where to use: Boots are essential for our more challenging walking holidays – especially on mountainous itineraries like our
Eiger to the Matterhorn route through the breathtaking Bernese Oberland. .
Head Torch
Looking for a useful stocking filler? A good head torch is light, relatively inexpensive and always useful to have on-hand whilst out walking.
Our suggestion: The
Vango Flux is good value, whilst being powerful and versatile enough for use when hiking.
Where to use: Pack a head torch for our
Hadrian’s Wall Path holiday and use to lead you to Northumberland’s fabulous stargazing locations.
Walking Poles
Using walking poles improves stamina, reduces load on key joints and offers extra support and balance – especially on uneven ground or steep ascents and descents. They’re the perfect gift for walkers who want to take on longer or more challenging trails.
Carbon poles are lighter but more fragile; aluminium models are more durable but heavier.
Our suggestion:
Komperdell Carbon C3 Cloud are some of the best walking poles on the market – they offer more durability than most carbon models and weigh just 175g each.
Where to use: Use poles to ease the ascents on our challenging
Tour de Mont Blanc itinerary.
Merino Wool Socks
Socks for Christmas are somewhat of a cliché, but hear us out. Walkers really appreciate a good pair of hiking socks – the right pair makes all the difference comfort-wise whilst out on the trails. Opting for a couple of Merino wool, odour-free pairs can help save on packing space, too.
Our suggestion:
Darn Tough and
Smartwool offer a range of Merino wool socks.
Where to use: Perfect for longer walks - use Merino wool socks for
The Long Trail of Recomadour
Packable Hiking Cup
Anyone who’s stopped for a chilly hill-top coffee break will know the importance of a handy hiking cup! Classic stainless steel camping mugs with carabiner handles, more on-trend insulated models from Stanley and Chillies, pack-flat silicone options…you’re not short of choices here.
Our suggestion:
Stojo’s collapsible cups with leak-proof storage are the ultimate practical pick.
Where to use: Pack one for our
Lake District itinerary to keep hill-top winds at bay.
Lightweight Gilet
Light, breathable layers are a must for walking holidays. A down (or synthetic equivalent) gilet offers plenty of warmth whilst remaining ultra light and taking up minimal space in your rucksack.
Our suggestion: Fellow Yorkshire business
TOG24’s Drax gilet packs down into its own pocket, making it effortless to pack and carry.
Where to use: Extra layers are especially useful at variable altitudes, such as on our
High Dolomites itinerary in Italy.
Lightweight Day Rucksack
Rucksack design has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years. Treat your loved one to a brand-new, lightweight day rucksack that promotes airflow across the back and offers enhanced support without compromising on space.
Our suggestion: We recommend the
Osprey Talon 22 for comfort, ventilation and plenty of useful pockets.
Where to use: A day rucksack is vital for all our walking itineraries for snacks, water and extra layers.
Where to use: Pack everything you need for the day and head off for the trails of the
Coastal Algarve
Rechargeable Hand Warmer
Keep your loved one’s hands warm on chilly trails with a rechargeable hand warmer this Christmas. A particularly nice gesture for keen winter walkers, these can be used to restore warmth after a cold day’s walking, or charged up and taken out in a rucksack for use on the go.
Our suggestion:
OCOOPA Quick Charge Hand Warmers for speed of charging and durability.
Where to use: Rechargeable hand warmers are the perfect gift for anyone heading on one of our
winter walking itineraries.