HOWTO and Checklist: Preparing for walks
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Preparing to Walk Comfortably
Walking is a great habit, if you don't believe me read below.
However, some simple preparation can make sure that walks are enjoyable, not rushed and avoid some of the usual disasters that may occur.
Making sure you have prepared a little bit will help a great deal. There are simple bits which shouldn't be missed to avoid being put off, and more interesting things that you can buy to make it a fun and great experience.
If you have made a New Years Resolution to start walking, be sure not to get put off walking by failing to go through some of the more simple bits like taking a peek on Google maps and printing a route, finding some local stuff, having the right shoes, bringing a water bottle, having backup and contingency plans. This may sound a lot, but it quickly becomes simple habit and you will thank me for providing these tips.
Many of the equipment you can buy is optional and depend on if you are merely taking a walking shortcut on a transit route, hiking cross country or walking up a mountain. If they are appropriate for the type of walks you intend to take, you should seriously consider each one and you will improve your walking experience.
However, some simple preparation can make sure that walks are enjoyable, not rushed and avoid some of the usual disasters that may occur.
Making sure you have prepared a little bit will help a great deal. There are simple bits which shouldn't be missed to avoid being put off, and more interesting things that you can buy to make it a fun and great experience.
If you have made a New Years Resolution to start walking, be sure not to get put off walking by failing to go through some of the more simple bits like taking a peek on Google maps and printing a route, finding some local stuff, having the right shoes, bringing a water bottle, having backup and contingency plans. This may sound a lot, but it quickly becomes simple habit and you will thank me for providing these tips.
Many of the equipment you can buy is optional and depend on if you are merely taking a walking shortcut on a transit route, hiking cross country or walking up a mountain. If they are appropriate for the type of walks you intend to take, you should seriously consider each one and you will improve your walking experience.
Why is Walking Such a Good Thing?
For the sake of our fitness, happiness well-being and planet, we should be walking more. I walk as a recreation, for getting fit and as part of the daily route to work. I love to take walks. You see more, hear more and meet people walking. You notice buildings, streets or shops you may otherwise miss in a car, bus or tube.
Walking is also an essential component of a pub crawl, although some of these recommendations are a little less suitable for pub crawls than walks.
Taking time out to walk is worthwhile, as is finding ways to incorporate a long walk in your daily commute. In fact, you may find it cuts commute time in busy cities. I also gives you a little time for reflection at the start and end of each day.
Taking at least 10,000 steps a day has great health benefits and will burn plenty of calories and if used as part of your daily route, need not cost you money like a gym and shave time from your commute.
Taking a walk with friends, or a significant other is a good and frugal way to spend an afternoon, although ensuring you know a couple of pubs on the route is essential here, as you will all probably want to sit down afterwards.
Walking is also an essential component of a pub crawl, although some of these recommendations are a little less suitable for pub crawls than walks.
Taking time out to walk is worthwhile, as is finding ways to incorporate a long walk in your daily commute. In fact, you may find it cuts commute time in busy cities. I also gives you a little time for reflection at the start and end of each day.
Taking at least 10,000 steps a day has great health benefits and will burn plenty of calories and if used as part of your daily route, need not cost you money like a gym and shave time from your commute.
Taking a walk with friends, or a significant other is a good and frugal way to spend an afternoon, although ensuring you know a couple of pubs on the route is essential here, as you will all probably want to sit down afterwards.
A hiking backpack/rucksack
A small, lightweight simple backpack is an absolute must for most walks, be they City walks for a route to work where a handbag, shoulder bag or satchel will get in the way, or for cross country walks where you may need a water proof store for important gear, and storage for a water bottle. Also, having large items swinging round in pockets is not recommended when taking anything more than a 5 minute walk.
Choose a backpack with some pockets and compartments to separate some things so they can be found easily without too much rummaging, to keep food/drink away from electronics and paper and to reduce the chance of theft.
Things to use a backpack for:
For a less casual backpack when taking long hikes or travelling abroad:
I have picked up a Surfanic sports pack from TK Maxx with a water bottle compartment, key holder, iPod pocket with headphone opening, plenty of pockets and a document/general store area for less than $20.
Choose a backpack with some pockets and compartments to separate some things so they can be found easily without too much rummaging, to keep food/drink away from electronics and paper and to reduce the chance of theft.
Things to use a backpack for:
- A wallet - I keep cash and cards apart.
- Mobile Phone.
- A Water bottle.
- A lunch box (good for walking to work).
- A diary/notepad.
- A pen.
- A small netbook like the Eee PC.
- An iPod or MP3 Player.
- Some pocket tissues.
For a less casual backpack when taking long hikes or travelling abroad:
- Emergency phone power.
- Travel Documents.
- A compass.
- Maps.
I have picked up a Surfanic sports pack from TK Maxx with a water bottle compartment, key holder, iPod pocket with headphone opening, plenty of pockets and a document/general store area for less than $20.
Water bottle
Do not go walking without some water. I normally carry a bottle of water in my backpack. It is not particularly big, and at home or work I refill it from the filtered water taps. You need not spend money on bottled water unless you are caught short, or need a new bottle. It need not be chilled, and some schools of thought on digestion consider it harmful to be chilled, so do not worry about using a Thermos.
I sometimes take a bottle of green tea instead, although green tea is a bit of an acquired taste. It is not as hydrating as water and can be a diuretic. I recommend not using sugary soft drinks.
If you want to get really sophisticated, you could acquire a "camelback" style backpack with a water skin. My backpack has a holder and outlet for one but I do not yet own such a skin.
Being caught without water will leave you feeling a lot worse for wear. It is neither comfortable or healthy.
I sometimes take a bottle of green tea instead, although green tea is a bit of an acquired taste. It is not as hydrating as water and can be a diuretic. I recommend not using sugary soft drinks.
If you want to get really sophisticated, you could acquire a "camelback" style backpack with a water skin. My backpack has a holder and outlet for one but I do not yet own such a skin.
Being caught without water will leave you feeling a lot worse for wear. It is neither comfortable or healthy.
Shoes for walking
It is important to have shoes that will not hurt your feet. If your shoes have damaged soles or similar, then you should not really use them for walking.
You should not wear heels, crocs, strappy numbers, flip flops or patent leather shoes - if you will need such things at the destination, pack them in the backpack and change when there.
If you are going to walk a lot, you probably want to seriously consider buying some proper walking shoes. Do not go cheap on these. The shoes should be solid, comfortable, give good foot support, breathable and hardwearing. My current pair are a good pair of Merrell shoes designed for urban walking.
It is important to have more than one pair, so a pair can be left to air while the other is worn, and the longevity of them, as well as your feet, will benefit.
Also consider a shoe tree to help shoes retain shape and air better.
You should not wear heels, crocs, strappy numbers, flip flops or patent leather shoes - if you will need such things at the destination, pack them in the backpack and change when there.
If you are going to walk a lot, you probably want to seriously consider buying some proper walking shoes. Do not go cheap on these. The shoes should be solid, comfortable, give good foot support, breathable and hardwearing. My current pair are a good pair of Merrell shoes designed for urban walking.
It is important to have more than one pair, so a pair can be left to air while the other is worn, and the longevity of them, as well as your feet, will benefit.
Also consider a shoe tree to help shoes retain shape and air better.
Not breaking the bank
As you can see, the Merrell's I bought were not cheap. However, used shoes can be bought on eBay. If they are a brand like this, the used shoes are still a better bet than new shoes from a cheaper design.
Other Foot Care
More for your feet
Walking for a long time will mean your feet get a good workout. When you are at home, and at the office, Make sure you remove the shoes as soon as possible to give your feet (and the shoes) breathing space. Try to avoid wearing the same shoes after a long walk.
Take time later to bathe your feet as soon as possible too. A simple wash tub of warm water is nice, a foot spa is better.
If you are in London, take a walk through Hyde Park, and bathe your feet at the Diana Memorial (as is the culture), it is highly recommended.
Take time later to bathe your feet as soon as possible too. A simple wash tub of warm water is nice, a foot spa is better.
If you are in London, take a walk through Hyde Park, and bathe your feet at the Diana Memorial (as is the culture), it is highly recommended.
Walking canes and hiking poles
As most of my walking is urban, or over the occasional small hill, I do not really need a walking cane. However, if you are going off into the countryside or over rough terrain, a walking/hiking stick will really help out at times. It is an extra support to let you walk further, and can also be used for things like prodding at areas to see if the footing is good.
Get familiar with maps
Make sure you have done a preliminary check of the route your walk will take you. Better still get a map.
You may not want to memorise or overly prescribe a route, but you should quickly check the surrounding streets and landmarks so you do not get lost. If you are in a bit city then the transport system should be your backup plan to return you to somewhere you know. Learn to use Google maps well.
Map - taking the tips about the route above, it nearly always makes sense to have printed out a map for the area. Google Maps tends to be appropriate for this.
You may not want to memorise or overly prescribe a route, but you should quickly check the surrounding streets and landmarks so you do not get lost. If you are in a bit city then the transport system should be your backup plan to return you to somewhere you know. Learn to use Google maps well.Map - taking the tips about the route above, it nearly always makes sense to have printed out a map for the area. Google Maps tends to be appropriate for this.
Getting a pre-printed map when necessary
When you find you are printing a lot of maps for a city, it is time to buy a street Atlas for your city.
In London, comprehensive cycling route maps for each borough are available for free from Cycle shops and council buildings - they are well designed street maps for walking too.
In London, comprehensive cycling route maps for each borough are available for free from Cycle shops and council buildings - they are well designed street maps for walking too.
Gmaps Pedometer
Gmaps pedometer is a handy tool to plan routes. If you have learned to use google maps, then gmaps pedometer helps to take it to the next level.
It allows you to draw a route directly onto a Google map, giving you the length of the route in the units of your choice.
Get familiar with it, learn to make routes, get the measure of how far they are, make a rough estimate of how long it will take, check the contours so you know how much is uphill and then to print off the routes to help you later.
It allows you to draw a route directly onto a Google map, giving you the length of the route in the units of your choice.
Get familiar with it, learn to make routes, get the measure of how far they are, make a rough estimate of how long it will take, check the contours so you know how much is uphill and then to print off the routes to help you later.
GPS Devices
If you are flash, or simply want to save paper, you may optionally acquire a GPS device with maps. It definitely will help you out in a bind, allow you to save time, and defer route planning decisions although they are costly.
Other Info on Walking in London
I do most of my walking in London - so some of this info will be London-centric.
Your thoughts/suggestions
What do you think? Have I missed anything or not given it enough coverage?
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World-Wanderer
Nov 5, 2009 @ 1:45 pm | delete
- Leki Telescopic poles are awesome, Meindl boots are great for walking. A first aid kit would also be useful on any extended walk I think. And maybe people should know to adapt gear to different conditions. In hot and humid weather for a day walking 3litres can be to little, where in cold dry conditions a litre will be sufficient. Mind you, i look at this from an out of the city point of view
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dannystaple Mar 4, 2009 @ 6:32 am | in reply to sulynsi | delete
- Read my other lens - http://www.squidoo.com/walkinginlondon for tips on walking in London. Being in the city never stopped me.
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sulynsi
Mar 3, 2009 @ 4:54 pm | delete
- I used to walk every day 45 minutes each way to and from work. It is about the ONLY thing I miss about living in the city! Can't wait until the snow's gone.
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tdove
Oct 18, 2008 @ 4:12 pm | delete
- Thanks for joining G Rated Lense Factory!
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About Me
Updated my lens on preparation for Walking
15/12/08 5:04 pm
I walk a lot. More importantly - I walk a lot more than I did a couple of years ago. I made time for walking, and actually shaved time off my commute doing so. As I did so, there were things I found I needed on the journey, and so I have taken the refined list and popped it into HOWTO and Checklist: Preparing for walks. Enjoy!
by dannystaple
I walk through West London every day for my health and happiness. I observe the street while I do so. I experience weather for real, not just through glass.
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