I just encountered my first via ferrata on a walking holiday in the Dolomites and loved it! Are there any in Britain? Tony Murombe  

 Andrew McCloy: Via ferrata is Italian for ‘iron road’ and describes an adventurous, mountainous route with fixed ladders, bridges and cables. Although popular on the Continent, there are only a handful in Britain – the oldest being the Elie Chain Walk on the Fife Coastal Path. It consists of a series of eight chains strung along the lower slopes of a sea cliff, some almost vertical. And although only 500 metres long, it’s an exciting scramble, plus it’s free of charge and self-guided – unlike the two existing via ferratas in England. One at Honister in the Lake District follows the cliff-edge path once trod by slate miners across the steep slopes of Fleetwith Pike. Open year-round, it includes ladders and old mineshaft tunnels, and takes two-to-three hours to complete in a small led group (visit www.honister-slate-mine.co.uk). There’s also an instructor-led route at How Stean Gorge Outdoor Centre in Nidderdale, in the Yorkshire Dales, which involves scrambling and even abseiling through a narrow gorge via ladders and beams (visit www.howstean.co.uk).

I walk most days, but have developed plantar fasciitis, or policeman’s heel. What can I do to alleviate the condition? Philip Jefferies  

 Dr Helen Crawley: Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the ligament that joins your heel to the middle of your foot. It causes pain under the heel, which is often worse when you first get up or during a long walk. Fortunately, within a year it usually gets better by itself. In the meantime, rest your foot and take painkillers or rub non-steroidal anti-inflammatory gels on your heel. An ice pack wrapped in a towel held to your heel for 20 minutes might also relieve the pain. Do only short, gentle walks, and wear cushioned lace-up shoes. Your chemist or a chiropodist can recommend heel pads and arch supports, which should be worn in both shoes. Cut a hole in the heel pad at the site of your pain. Stretching exercises can also help (visit www.patient.co.uk/health/Plantar-Fasciitis.htm). If your problem doesn’t improve, consult your GP who may offer steroid injections, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, night-time splints, or surgery.

What advice can you give on walking with my dog over farmland where animals are grazing? How should I react if they approach or threaten to charge us? Mr and Mrs Smith  

 Emily Shaw: Walkers with dogs need to take particular caution when crossing through fields containing grazing animals. Section 1 of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 makes it an offence for a dog to be at large – defined as ‘not on a lead or otherwise under close control’ – in a field or enclosure containing sheep. The majority of attacks by livestock on walkers involve dogs or cows protecting their young, so make sure your dog is kept close to you, stick to the line of the path, and don’t get between a cow and its calf. Be prepared for cattle to approach; they will usually stop before reaching you. If not, just carry on quietly or try to find another way around, and do not run. Should a bull or cow come up very close, turn around to face it and take a couple of steps towards it, waving your arms and speak firmly. If you are charged or feel threatened, let the dog off the lead – it’s better that they go after your dog than you. You should report any incident of an attack to the landowner and the highway authority, and also the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), as well as the police if it’s serious.

I’m considering buying a Platypus. What sort would you recommend?  Rose Janes  

Minnie Burlton: Drinking small amounts, regularly, during longer walks will help to sustain your energy levels, so a Platypus is a good and convenient idea. Virtually all good daypacks now feature a storage sleeve with a route for a tube, making them compatible with the majority of hydration bladders on the market. The CamelBak Antidote or Source Widepac models work well. They’re made of materials with anti-microbial protection, which blocks bacterial growth, provides a purer plastic-free taste and requires less intensive cleaning. Both have a twist lock to prevent leakage, and are very easy to fill. You can also disconnect the hose from the bladder without leaking so you can top up without removing the tube from your pack.

All of the three-season boots you reviewed in the autumn edition have a waterproof lining, but I find it makes the boots smell terrible. Can you recommend any plain leather boots? Callum Johnston  

Minnie Burlton: I spoke to Richard Shepherd, footwear buyer at Ellis Brigham, who said: “Your feet can sweat about a pint a day. The stink caused by bacteria can be dealt with by drying properly after use, switching insoles regularly and by anti-bacterial sprays, but is no worse a problem in Gore-Tex lined boots than unlined leather boots. Using good Merino-based socks and changing them regularly can also help. You will need to treat unlined leather boots with a waterproofer, which can reduce the breathability anyway. However, the Meindl Borneo is a good unlined option.”

I sleep extremely badly after I’ve been out walking. I thought that spending the day out in the fresh air walking 10 miles would relax and tire me out. Should I be worried? Margaret Armitage  

 Dr Helen Crawley: A day spent walking in the fresh air often leads to a good night’s sleep and people who exercise regularly do sleep better. However, exercise-induced insomnia is a well-recognised problem. Your wakefulness could be caused by the excitement, exhilaration and physical stress of your walk. Excitement and stress lead to activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the production of chemicals within the body, which prepare the body and mind for action. Your heart pounds, your blood vessels dilate and energy is released for ‘fight or flight’. Try walking earlier in the day so that you’ve time to settle down before going to bed. Relaxation techniques can also help. Avoid caffeine, smoking and alcohol within six hours of bedtime and mentally demanding activities within 90 minutes. Your bedroom should only be used for sleep and sex so that your mind associates your bed with slumber. If you cannot get to sleep within 20-30 minutes, leave your bedroom and do something such as reading until you feel sleepy.

Send us your questions
Do you want an answer to a health, gear or legal question? Then write to us at walk, Ramblers, 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW or email denise.noble@ramblers.org.uk with your name and address. Letters may be edited and may be included on this website. We are not able to acknowledge letters.

The writers of all letters published will win an Oasis Crewe top from Icebreaker, worth £52.95. This raglan long-sleeved top has a higher neck to trap in heat
and flat-sewn seams in the side gusset to keep you comfortable. Visit www.icebreaker.com.

I am a walk leader for Retford Ramblers and am considering getting a HTC Sensation smartphone. What is the best GPS/Ordnance Survey-mapping software for an Android phone that would allow me to plan walks, fix waypoints on my desktop computer and transfer the route to my phone? Peter Hunt

I find using rucksacks uncomfortable, due to pain in one of my arms and shoulder, so I use the largest bum bag I can find for daytrips. On one walk I saw someone wearing two rather large bum bags that looked both comfortable and cavernous. He said he got them in the US and didn’t know of any supplier in Britain. Can you help me? Erik Wilkinson
Minnie Burlton: These are certainly more popular in America than in the UK. If you’re searching online they may also be called waist packs, lumber packs, hip packs or even fanny packs. The largest bum bag Ellis Brigham currently stock is the Osprey Talon 8 with a capacity of eight litres. Other brands that may have what you’re after are The North Face, Lowe Alpine and Haglöfs. Mountainsmith make good lumber packs but there are currently no British retailers stocking the American brand.

Can I walk my llama on a public footpath? They walk on a lead just like a dog and cannot be ridden. Sarah Brobin
Amy Cook: In law, a dog would probably be considered a ‘usual accompaniment’ for a walker on a footpath. In theory, a llama could be seen as an inconvenience to other footpath users so shouldn’t be walked with you – but there are no previous legal cases to give a definitive answer. On a bridleway, you are able to lead a horse – which includes an ass, pony or mule – so a court may well consider that a llama falls outside this category. Walking your llama on a footpath could be considered trespassing against the landowner or a nuisance.

What’s the best technique to ascend and descend a hill or mountain without exerting too much strain on your muscles or joints? I always find my muscles are very stiff when climbing and my knees jarring on the way down.Norman Jeffreys
Dr Helen Crawley: Walking downhill strains your knees and ankles because gravity makes you hit the ground harder. On very steep hills, use a zig-zag route to reduce the rate of descent and bend your knees slightly to reduce the pressure on them. Keep upright or bend slightly forwards with your weight over your hips for stability. If you feel you are going too fast, reduce the length of your stride. Walking poles can help, lessening the impact on your knees by taking weight through your arms. Uphill walks are hard work, using muscles in the front of your thighs and in your buttocks, so warm up with a brisk walk on the flat for at least five minutes. Then, when you climb, shorten your steps so you never have to raise your knees more than six inches, and keep your posture upright rather than leaning into the hill.

On a recent walk in the Berwyn Mountains with my local Ramblers group, we came across a fairly new stile along a well-signed public footpath. I say ‘stile’ but it was basically just five or six planks of timber without any steps to mount it. Are there any minimum standards for stiles, or penalties for landowners if walkers are injured by one not fit for purpose? Jan Winster
Anastasia French: There is no statutory design, height or width with which stiles and gates must comply. This is because each site differs according to the slope of the ground, the condition of the fence, wall or hedge and the materials to hand. Indeed, the diversity of stile and gate designs found throughout England and Wales is generally considered to be an attractive feature of the path network and to be encouraged, provided they’re maintained in a safe condition and are convenient for all users to cross – including the elderly and less able. There is a British Standard to ensure they cause the minimum of inconvenience to users, while still preventing the passage of animals. It instructs that the least restrictive option should be chosen. More information on gaps, gates and stiles can be found at tinyurl.com/3oybwm8.

Following hip replacement surgery, my right leg is nearly two inches shorter than my left. Will I experience any problems walking long distances because of my shorter leg? And if so, what can I do to prevent them? Harry Protz
Dr Helen Crawley: Some patients do have a change in leg length following hip replacement, which often improves within a year. Nonetheless, it can lead to muscle fatigue in the longer leg, back pain, leg numbness or a difficult gait. The simplest solution is an insole if the difference is small, or a built-up shoe for larger leg-length discrepancies. Your GP or orthopaedic surgeon can refer you to orthotics for a built-up shoe on the NHS. Sometimes your legs may feel unbalanced after hip surgery due to a tilted pelvis rather than a difference in leg length. This can be treated with physiotherapy. Slowly build up your rambling to your previous levels of fitness, avoiding hills or bending your hips for the first three months.

Send us your questions
Do you want an answer to a health, gear or legal question? Then write to us at walk, Ramblers, 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW or email denise.noble@ramblers.org.uk with your name and address. Letters may be edited and may be included on this website. We are not able to acknowledge letters.

The writers of all letters published will win a HotRox Electronic Hand Warmer – the new way to stay warm. They’re rechargeable and can be turned on and off at the flick of a switch. HotRox hand warmers are the must-have accessory for everyone who enjoys the great outdoors. Visit www.thehotrox.co.uk.

Images: Stile by Tom k&e; Llamas by MilborneOne

The local authority would like my Ramblers group to help survey, repair and maintain rights of way but is uncertain about the question of insurance. How are members of our group insured by the Ramblers against risk of injury to themselves or others while doing this work? Graham Taylor

I want to go on a walking holiday but without paying an extortionate single supplement. What can you recommend? Mary Campos
Andrew McCloy: The price you pay can vary significantly, so do your homework. Ramblers Worldwide Holidays says it all depends on the type of hotel they use for particular trips – their Walking & Cooking tour of Tuscany charges only £38 extra, for example, but a week-long city tour of Russia is £365 more for a single bed. Up to 10% of places they use don’t charge any supplement, and this is echoed by Exodus, who claim that supplements can be from as little as £10 extra for a week. There are also companies that specialise in holidays for single people, such as Solos Holidays and Friendship Travel, where prices include any single supplement. Or, you could try camping!

I was recently fitted for a size 6 walking boot, but was then recommended a half-size larger after testing them on the ramp and finding my toes touched the front of the boot when walking downhill. I’ve since found my foot keeps sliding forward in the boot, causing me blisters even when wearing thicker socks. Should I have gone for the smaller size? Sue Dean
Minnie Burlton: Mike Sheehan, master bootmaker and owner of Alt-berg (www.altberg.co.uk), says a smaller shoe is not the answer – but the width of the shoe could be: “When you increased the size, the whole volume of the boot increased – not just the length. This would result in more foot slippage, even though your toes no longer touch the end of the boot. That’s why width-fitting boots are very useful, as you can increase the length of the boot without increasing overall volume. For instance, moving from a size 6-medium to a 6½-narrow will give more toe room but the same volume (i.e. 6½ length, with 6 volume).” But can your current boots be adjusted to fit? “Using different footbeds or spacers under them to reduce the boot volume may help,” Mike suggests. “On certain models, it’s also possible to hold the heel further back in the boot using extra sponges behind the tongue.”

I’ve been walking for a while now with the hope of losing weight, but it just isn’t happening! I walk 10 to 15 miles with a group at the weekend, but get so hungry I find myself snacking constantly to keep my energy up. It’s usually ‘healthy’ snacks – flapjacks, mostly – so why isn’t the weight shifting? Tina Bowdry
Dr Helen Crawley: The problem seems to be the balance between the energy you are using to walk and the calories you are eating to help you with your exercise. Throw away your flapjacks: they’re usually high in sugars and fat, as well as containing some healthier ingredients. The oats in your flapjacks will slowly release energy in a useful and sustaining way, but the sugars will give you a quick boost of energy that quickly subsides, leaving you hungry. It would be better to start your day with oats as part of a healthy porridge for breakfast, and then use high-fibre foods – rather than sugary snacks – to keep you going during the walk. Try fruit, wholemeal sandwiches with healthy low-fat fillings and trail mixes of nuts and dried fruits. If you want to lose weight, avoid energy bars and foods that are high in fat or have added sugars. Watch what you eat and continue to exercise throughout the week, using a pedometer to clock up 10,000 steps every day. Remember: walking is not just for the weekend!

When walking, I sometimes suffer from a pain in one of my calf muscles. It comes on suddenly and the pain is quite intense. What is it? Rose Jane
Dr Helen Crawley: Your discomfort could be a musculoskeletal problem, such as muscle strain or joint pain. Try stretching your legs and taking painkillers before you start walking. Another possibility is intermittent claudication. This is caused by narrowing of the arteries supplying the leg. When you walk, the calf becomes painful because not enough oxygen is reaching the muscles. Pain tends to come on gradually, and gets better if you rest. The risk factors for intermittent claudication are the same as for strokes and heart attacks, including smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes and a family history of heart disease. I suggest you see your GP for a proper diagnosis.

Send us your questions
Do you want an answer to a health, gear or legal question? Then write to us at walk, Ramblers, 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW or email denise.noble@ramblers.org.uk with your name and address. Letters may be edited and may be included on this website. We are not able to acknowledge letters.

The writers of all letters published will win a HotRox Electronic Hand Warmer – the new way to stay warm. They’re rechargeable and can be turned on and off at the flick of a switch. HotRox hand warmers are the must-have accessory for everyone who enjoys the great outdoors. Visit www.thehotrox.co.uk.

Can a landowner legally ban walkers from pushing or even carrying a bicycle along a public footpath? I thought the law allows having with you a ‘natural accompaniment’? Benjamin Gosling

I’m a fit and healthy 40-year-old woman who regularly walks around 15 miles with friends. But I’m always so exhausted the next day that I can hardly get out of bed. My friends don’t seem to have this problem. What’s wrong with me? Am I doing more harm than good with these walks? Jennifer Crowe
Dr Helen Crawley: It’s unlikely that you’re doing more harm than good, but you should try to find out why you are so tired. This exhaustion could be normal for you. However, you might have a medical problem or feel worn out by stress or depression. Chronic illnesses or disorders such as infections, an underactive thyroid, anaemia or diabetes can all cause feelings of fatigue. I suggest you see your GP. They will probably ask you about any physical or psychological symptoms you might have, including insomnia, reduced appetite or weight loss. Your doctor may suggest blood tests, and a physical examination or other investigations. If all the tests come back normal, your symptoms are probably due to your lifestyle, your level of fitness or emotional symptoms, such as stress. I suggest you walk shorter distances more frequently to improve your fitness. Then gradually increase your walks until you can keep going for 15 miles without feeling worn out  the following day.

I recently read that walkers were being advised to disinfect their boots to prevent the spread of phytophthora ramorum, or Sudden Oak Death. Is this advice still current and what sort of disinfectant should we use? Allan Davies
Andrew McCloy: Phytophthora ramorum is a deadly pathogen that attacks trees and shrubs, leading to a fungus-like disease. It was first identified in California 10 years ago, where it’s killed millions of oaks – hence the colloquial name Sudden Oak Death. It’s since spread to Europe, initially attacking rhododendron and viburnum and, latterly, trees such as the larch – although the Forestry Commission says that so far the UK’s two native oaks (sessile and pedunculate) seem to be fairly resistant. Nevertheless, it’s likely that infected
foliage or mud can spread the disease. So the official line is: do continue to enjoy a walk in the UK’s woodlands, but where local signs warn of outbreaks, make sure you stay on marked paths, keep dogs on leads, and don’t remove any plant material or cuttings. As far as reasonably practical, remove any mud or soil from your footwear when leaving the woods. And if you can wash your boots, then even better – the Forestry Commission says that warm, soapy water is as good as any disinfectant.
I often go mountain walking in southern Spain and as much of the walking there is through running river beds, the continuous soaking ruins my trekking shoes. Could you recommend a walking shoe that can cope with these conditions? Chris Hudd
Minnie Burlton: Richard Shepherd, specialist footwear buyer at outdoors retailer Ellis Brigham (www.ellis-brigham.com), says: “Traditional walking shoes are not designed to be submerged for long periods of time, so they will fall apart. However, how you dry your shoes also has an effect. Speed drying using heat can melt the glue and shortens the lifespan of most footwear. A quick-draining watersports shoe might be a good alternative. Both the Teva Churn (£69.99) or Merrell WaterPro Maipo (£53.41) would be a good choice.”

I’ve recently begun to experience a lot of neck pain when I come down steep hills. Using a single walking pole seems to make it worse, but even with two poles or no poles I have some pain. What do you suggest? Margaret McGowan
Dr Helen Crawley: Your posture is probably to blame. Your neck will hurt more when you use one pole because your gait is asymmetrical. Try to maintain a better posture by looking ahead as much as possible rather than downwards. Walk slowly with an even gait by taking smaller steps and picking out a less steep, zigzag route. Avoid putting too much of your weight through your poles – place them slightly to the front and at your side. You could also see a sports physiotherapist or a specialist in Alexander Technique for advice on your posture.

As a committee member of Lampeter Ramblers in Ceredigion, I’m looking to purchase a first-aid kit. Where can I buy one that’s suitable for our varied walks? Gill Stevens
Minnie Burlton: A first-aid kit should contain different-sized plasters and sterile dressings, triangular bandages to support bone injuries, an eye pad, safety pins and disposable gloves for good hygiene. St John Ambulance (✆ 020 7278 7888, www.stjohnsupplies.co.uk) and the British Red Cross (✆ 0844 893 0089, www.redcross.org.uk) both sell ready-made first-aid kits and offer good advice on what you need. Brands such as Gelert (✆ 01766 510 300, www.gelert.com) and Lifesystems (✆ 0118 981 1433, www.lifesystems.co.uk) also supply a range of kits, including those for outdoor professionals, such as mountain leaders. Lifesystems’ product manager, Matt Jones, recommends their Explorer kit for your needs.

Send us your questions
Do you want an answer to a health, gear or legal question? Then write to us at walk, Ramblers, 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW or email denise.noble@ramblers.org.uk with your name and address. Letters may be edited and may be included on this website. We are not able to acknowledge letters.

The writers of all letters published will win a HotRox Electronic Hand Warmer – the new way to stay warm. They’re rechargeable and can be turned on and off at the flick of a switch. HotRox hand warmers are the must-have accessory for everyone who enjoys the great outdoors. Visit www.thehotrox.co.uk.

Top image by David Hawgood via geograph.org.uk

£85
✆ 01702 541 741 www.hi-tec.com

+ We absolutely love the number of eco-friendly innovations built into these boots – you can read about them in our first look review. What’s most impressive is how this hasn’t driven up the price, as often happens with premium eco-friendly products. Unlike some other reviewers, we’ve found Hi-Tec’s ion-mask™ waterproofing flawless so far, although admittedly our longest walk to date in them was in the bone-dry moutains of La Palma, on the Canary Islands.

– As mentioned on first glance, some of the cosmetic touches aren’t perfect – but considering this is due to their improved environmental credentials we feed bad even mentioning them. Unlike some other reviewers, we found them a bit painful to break in, with stiff areas around the ankles slow to soften.

VERDICT: An excellent value boot with very impressive eco-improvements – great if you are concerned about the footprint of your footprints! Let’s hope some of these ideas roll out to other Hi-Tec products and beyond, making walking even greener in the future.

]]> http://www.walkmag.co.uk/gear/hi-tec-altitude-enviro/feed/ 0 http://www.walkmag.co.uk/features/ask-the-experts-winter-2010/ http://www.walkmag.co.uk/features/ask-the-experts-winter-2010/#comments Tue, 23 Nov 2010 12:33:27 +0000 Chris Hatherill http://www.walkmag.co.uk/features/ask-the-experts-winter-2010/
My husband wants us to undertake the Coast to Coast Walk in May. Is this route suitable for our two-and-a-half-year-old son? Ruth Scott
Andrew McCloy: When my daughter was the same age as your son I carried her the length of the St Cuthbert’s Way, but it was hard work over the Cheviot Hills. At 294km/183 miles, the Coast to Coast Walk is almost three times as long and possibly a bit over-ambitious, especially the high crossing of the Lake District mountains. How about starting with the 140km/84-mile Hadrian’s Wall Path (above), a coast-to-coast route with good views, historical interest and reasonable amenities? The Dales Way (126km/78 miles) is another possibility, full of great scenery but not too exposed or strenuous. There are also plenty of easy riverside sections. Like the Coast to Coast Walk, both these routes are served by baggage carriers, which when you take a toddler in tow is an extremely attractive option – we couldn’t have completed the St Cuthbert’s Way without it. Other trails that might fit the bill include the Norfolk Coast Path – flat and wildlife-rich – and the South Downs Way with its undulating chalk tracks and good local facilities.

I have a short length of public footpath running along the bottom of my garden, with a rhubarb plant growing along its edge. It doesn’t cause an obstruction yet someone has come along and pulled up a few stalks. Are they allowed to just take my rhubarb? Paul Taylor
Anastasia French: The Ramblers’ position is that walkers should only remove enough of an obstruction to continue their way and leave any remnants of the obstruction that they remove. So in your case, the removal of the rhubarb could amount to theft and criminal damage. You should report it to the highway authority, and possibly even the police if it keeps happening. A good crumble is worth protecting!

Are farmers allowed to put bulls into fields that have public footpaths running through them? Sheila Austin
Anastasia French: Coming across a bull in the countryside can be a frightening encounter. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (section 59) makes it an offence, subject to important exceptions, for the occupier of a field crossed by a right of way to cause or allow a bull to be at large in it. The exceptions are if the bulls are less than ten months old, or not a recognised dairy breed and in the company of cows or heifers. Those dairy breeds include Ayrshire, British Friesian, British Holstein, Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey, Jersey and Kerry. If you believe the bull you encounter is prohibited, then report it to the local highway authority (the county council or unitary authority); or contact the Health and Safety Executive if the bull acts in a threatening way. For more information on livestock or any other animals you may encounter on a walk, read the Ramblers’ advice note at www.ramblers.org.uk/rights_of_way/knowledge_portal/advice_notes.

My toes get scrunched up and hurt on walks, so much so that I welcome the uphill tracks. I’ve tried different size boots, new sock and insoles – what else can I do? Veronica Piekosz
Dr Helen Crawley: Toe deformities, such as hammer toes and mallet toes, tend to worsen with age. In the most severe cases, surgery to straighten the toes may be recommended. Before consulting your GP I suggest you pay attention to your posture. As your foot touches the ground, your hip and knee should be slightly bent. Your heel should strike the ground first and then your weight should roll onto the ball of your foot. Make sure your heels are held properly inside your boots and do the laces up firmly. Walking poles can help relieve the weight on your feet, and protective dressings on corns or calluses and a wide shoe may reduce uncomfortable friction. You can ask a chiropodist for advice on shoe inserts or splints for your toes. If joint problems such as knee pains are affecting your gait, you might benefit from physiotherapy advice to improve your walking action. These services may be available on the NHS or you can contact private providers directly.

Send us your questions
Do you want an answer to a health, gear or legal question? Then write to us at walk, Ramblers, 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW or email denise.noble@ramblers.org.uk with your name and address. Letters may be edited and may be included on this website. We are not able to acknowledge letters.

The writers of all letters published will win a HotRox Electronic Hand Warmer – the new way to stay warm. They’re rechargeable and can be turned on and off at the flick of a switch. HotRox hand warmers are the must-have accessory for everyone who enjoys the great outdoors. Visit www.thehotrox.co.uk.

Top image of the Coast to Coast Path near Orton: mauldy
Bull image: MigGroningen

Designed with the environment and your feet in mind, the boots were ‘inspired by’ and launched in association with the National Trust. Both the boots and their packaging are made from natural and recycled materials, with green touches throughout. It starts with the box…

Made from 80% recycled cardboard and, of course, 100% recyclable it’s printed with soy-based inks and comes from an FSC-certified supplier. There’s also a clever fold-out handle than means you don’t need a plastic bag to carry them home, and the wrapping is eco-friendly too. In fact, the only thing we had to put in the rubbish bin was a small, thin plastic sheet, but even this can be recycled if your local recycling collection accepts such items. Opening the box reveals another nice little surprise…

… a small tag on the boots is made from recycled, natural paper – and seeded with wildflowers to help start your own little meadow!

But on to the serious stuff – the actual boots themselves. On initial inspection the Altitude IV WPi NT Enviro looks much like the other boots in Hi-Tec’s range, most notably, of course, the V-Lite Altitude Ultra WPi on which it’s based. Look a bit closer, though, and the eco-friendly features stand out. The most obvious is the recycled rubber outsole, which is made from 15% post consumer waste and thus flecked with little white and grey bits. That, and the slightly foamy-looking tongue and scree collar is our only cosmetic complaint – but well worth the minor trade-off when you considering you’re helping to save the entire planet!

The uppers are constructed using water-based cements, and finished with naturally-dyed, reduced-chrome leather; avoiding the heavy chemical mix required in conventional tanning. Another nice – and equally unnoticable – touch are the recycled metal steel shanks, which are manufactured from 90% post consumer waste. Inside, your feet will find Nature Tex 50/50 lining, a 100% regenerated mesh which uses 50% recycled post consumer waste and 50 % recycled pre-consumer waste from plastics sourced from recycled water bottles. Environmentally that’s great, and we’re sure they’ve made it breathable, but we’ll report back on this point after we’ve given them a good field test.

Even the way the components are made is greener – with something called “Injection Molded EVA” reducing the ammount of waster produced in the making of the cushioning bits. And beyond the product itself, the custom-made retail point-of-sale materials (like boards, stands etc) are manufactured from recycled materials. Heck, even the bag they were shipped to Walk in was biodegradable! So overall, the Altitude IV WPi NT Enviro is a worthy demonstration of how we should consider every stage of the consumer process – from sourcing greener materials to recycling them when we’re done. As Hi-Tec admirably acknowledges, the Altitude IV WPi NT Enviro isn’t the ultimate green solution, but rather “the beginning of an important and significant journey” for the company which will involve “small but greener steps in the right direction.”

The Altitude IV WPi NT Enviro WPi (SRP £90) is fully waterproof and available in men’s sizes 7-12’s (inc ∏’s), women’s 4-9’s (inc ∏’s) and juniors J13-6’s (SRP £50). For stockist information – and your chance to win a walking holiday worth £1000 – visit www.hi-tec.com

In the coming months, walk will be reviewing the Altitude IV WPi NT Enviro to see how it fares out in the field, so stay tuned.

Trezeta Chinook

Verdict: This unisex shoe is very masculine looking, making it too clumpy for women. It’s also the heaviest on test.