Potentially boring thread alert....Walking attire

[ImFree2doasiwant]

Hoping that o continue to get a child free day per week, I am going to start walking sone of the circular routes nearby.

I think I should probably invest in some proper footwear, and possibly trousers. Any recommendations? On a budget.

[MercedesDeMonteChristo]

Marking my place here. I’ve started walking recently and keep faffing about on various websites deciding whether to buy shoes/boots etc.

[RevIMJolly]

Google “approach shoes” and you will get to a of good walking shoes that are quite close to trainers.
I have Salomon ones which were quite expensive but worth every penny.

I have walking trousers that come out when doing long walks in spring and autumn. In winter I wear an old pair of cords, they are soft and dry easily. In summer I wear shorts, But I also like to walking in running leggings of various thickness.

A Uniqlo lightweight down jacket or best is also really good to keep in your back park with a waterproof

[wowfudge]

I find chinos preferable to jeans. Not just because wet jeans are unpleasant and take ages to dry, but also because they get sweaty around the waistband.

Use Strava or Relive to record your walks. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back if you are out on your own in the countryside.

[BobbinThreadbare123]

I wear Merrells on my feet and a pair of running leggings or some Rab walking pants. Decent waterproof and a puffer that can be squashed into its own bag.

[ragged]

Are jodphurs difficult to walk in? Genuine question, am not a horsey person. They seem comfy looking.

[LivingDeadGirlUK]

Craghopper walking trousers are great and they have a half price sale on at the moment :)

[ImFree2doasiwant]

I have running bottomscactually, so could wear those while it's not too cold I guess. Just fancied a bit more coverage!

The jods I've got that fit me, are thick winter weight ones, and will stay wet and chafe if walking.

[Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons]

Honestly I would just wear your riding clothes plus comfortable trainers. Then as the weather turns & you get more used to the routes you want to do adapt/add from there.

I walk 2-3 hours most days usually through the woods & wear my usual trousers & my merrel trainers/walking shoes.
Oh Waterproof jacket too as 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

“ Mistrust all enterprises that require new clothes”

[Crosspatchy]

I’m a ‘good’ size 14 (-16) and the last ones I got were 32/R. I think that’s a regular leg length, I’m 5’ 6”. They are very stretchy so comfy.

[lljkk]

Roughly where are you in UK, OP?

I ask because it is really different where I am (quite dry) from planning to walk on the wet side of UK (west & north, especially north west). Footwear, legwear, waterproof needs: all the calculations are different.

[randomsabreuse]

I like running leggings and trail trainers for walking now. Much more comfortable than my proper walking trousers and generally more substantial against nettles!

[TinkersRucksack]

My walking trousers are Craghoppers and are made out of type of material which is light but breathable and it dries quickly. They also unzip into long shorts.

[wishing3]

I have Scarpa walking boots which are good. I have water retardant trousers-not sure where from.

[MaidenMotherCrone]

I've got the lot boots, approach shoes, tech trousers, god knows how many coats and jackets.Hagloffs, Norrona, Mountain Warehouse and much more.

I prefer to wear Birkenstock Bartlett Boots and leggings and a goretex jacket.

God I've wasted some money over the years.

[viques]

Small backpack for keys/phone. Less likely to accidentally pull out of your pocket when fumbling for mints,tissues, gloves.

I have merrell walking boots and find them secure and comfortablefor all surfaces.

You say you are walking in school hours so you are young , but for an older person I really recommend getting some walking poles for uneven ground, hilly places etc, really make a difference to my sped and stability.

I have a waterproof jacket with hood, but second the recommendation to get a hat. I find the hood very noisy, and it restricts my view.only use it if it is tipping down.

[Whathappenedtothelego]

I have Rohan soft shell trousers for very cold and wet weather, but the rest of the time I just wear joggers. DH has zip off walking trousers, but I don't know the brand.

In dry weather I wear sturdy trainers, and I have insulated boots from Lands End for winter. They are fantastically waterproof.
I've tried Mountain Warehouse boots but could never get a comfortable fit.

My waterproof is a cheap mountain Warehouse one, and has been shown up to be very inferior to DH's expensive brand one (Vaude?), which we actually got second hand. We managed to reproof DH's no bother in the washing machine and now it is good as new. Whereas mine seems to have permanently lost its waterproofing.

[TheSpottedZebra]

Lidl have their walking gear coming up next week - they have boots, jackets etc.
I've had their boots before - i buy Lidl/Aldi walking boots for gardening and find them excellent. They are very waterproof, until I wreck them through digging.

[TheSpottedZebra]

Lidl stuff

[ImFree2doasiwant]

@viques the words "geriatric mother " appeared on my maternity notes 😂 but can manage uneven ground reasonably well!

@lljkk Norfolk. A lot of flat countryside but by no means all as I discovered when I did Peddars way on horseback a few years ago.

@Crosspatchy that's useful thanks, I too am a "good" 14. And 5ft 7.

[ImFree2doasiwant]

@Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons I can't wear the jods , I'll be sweltering. I don't feel the cold much and being a bit fat soon get hot even walking.

[ImFree2doasiwant]

I'll get my running leggings out and see how I feel in those. I'm a bit self conscious.

[DragonmotherKhaleesi]

Following this with interest as we are going to the lakes for a week in October. How do the craghopper trousers fit?

[LivingDeadGirlUK]

I find them quite true to size, wearing a 16 at the monent and lots of room for my huge arse.

[lljkk]

Ach. I also live in Norfolk. My walks are more typically under 2 hours and we don't go out in (unusual) heavy rain. I would do 3 hours in plain thick tread sandals, but obviously temperature & rain dependent. I would have far less hope of doing the same distance in Yorkshire in sandals. Walking in wet sandals sucks (much experienced). Plump friend walks in lycra leggings -- I would swelter if I did that.

I don't think I've ever used my craghoppers to talk in Norfolk. Have worn them to Lakes & Kenya, though.

walking sticks in Norfolk are a bit.. um, OTT. DC would happily walk 15 miles here in ordinary trainers, the ground really isn't muddy most often.

[lljkk]

*talk should be = walk