Walks And Walking – Top 5 Walking Jackets

Walks And Walking – Top 5 Walking Jackets

Now that we are well in to Spring with the Summer just around the corner it’s time to stow away those heavy duty walking jackets for lighter wind and waterproof walking jackets and walking clothes. I tend to wear a shower proof soft shell walking jacket at this time of year and always pack a light waterproof walking jacket in my rucksack to cope with the very interchangeable weather in the UK. Whilst researching this article I wasn’t able to find the exact walking jackets that I own so I chose the nearest possible match currently available from the leading outdoor retailers listed next to each jacket that you can also find in the Walks And Walking Shop.

Here are my Top 5 Walking Jackets:

1. The North Face Men’s Apparition Anorak

Walks And Walking - Top 5 Walking Jackets - The North Face Apparition Anorak

This is my most reliable walking jacket that I wear most often and is smart enough to wear to work and rugged enough to wear on mountain and coastal walking routes. I have had my version of this jacket for over 3 years and it is in perfect condition. This type of walking jacket is an investment so I have looked after it and washed it with waterproofing solutions each year. It is completely windproof and is generous enough to be able to fit several layers underneath whilst also given me a great deal of flexibility. It is a perfect all-rounder and I’m sure it will still last me for a good few years yet.

Technical information:

The North Face Men’s Apparition Anorak in GORE-TEX ® Active Shell is a Summit Series™ mountain shell for demanding alpine aspirations. Gore-Tex® Active Shell construction combines a lighter, thinner GORE-TEX membrane with fine denier performance textiles to deliver the ultimate 3-layer waterproof and breathable construction for active mountain athletes. Generous map friendly twin alpine pockets. Pit zips aid moisture and heat management. Hunker down in the adjustable hood when the weather rebels. Comfortable moulded cuff tabs. Effective, uncomplicated and with Summit Series™ pedigree, The North Face Men’s Apparition Anorak is a trustworthy choice for an alpine waterproof jacket.

Product Features:

30d 62% Nylon 38% Polyester Ripstop Gore 3L Actie Shell
Pit-Zips
Two alpine pockets
Adjustable hood
Moulded cuff tabs

Retails for about £225.00
Available from Cotswold Outdoor

2. The North Face Mens Apex Elixir Jacket

Walks And Walking - Top 5 Walking Jackets - The North Face Apex Elixir Jacket

This is a staple of my walking clothes wardrobe and another The North face jacket that I have owned for over 3 years. Due to the stretchy fabric it has a few pulls in the material but has still retained its shape and hasn’t faded much after being washed quite frequently and being waterproofed several times. The Apex is superb at managing occasional bad weather and showers as well as being completely windproof. This is without doubt my favourite jacket and because it isn’t Gore-Tex it is perfect for warm weather as well as blustery weather. It works well as part of layers underneath a winter jacket for when it is really cold but I wouldn’t rely on this jacket to keep me warm.

Technical information:

A soft shell with plenty of stretch. The Elixir combines extraordinary mobility with a sport fit to produce a jacket that won’t cramp your style, whether you’re exploring new scrambles in your favourite hills or reaching for the next move on your latest bouldering problem.

Product Features:

Apex Aerobic fabric
Durable Water Resistant finish
Windproof
Two large hand pockets
Reflective logo
Brushed collar lining
Elasticated cuffs
Hem cinch cord

Retails for about £100.00
Available from Cotswold Outdoor

3. Bear Grylls by Craghoppers Packaway Jacket

Walks And Walking - Top 5 Walking Jackets - Bear Grylls by Craghoppers Packaway Jacket

Although I really like this Bear Grylls walking jacket it does mainly live in my rucksack. I keep it as my safety jacket because it is bright red so if I ever got lost or if I am out walking across moors and valleys then at least I would be easily seen. It folds up really small so fits in to any of my rucksacks and is fully waterproof. Even though I have had my version of this jacket for a few years now it is still as good as new so it is definetly built to last.

Technical information:

Waterproof protection without weight – it’s a delicate balance. Bear’s new Packaway Jacket manages it brilliantly, delivering reliable AquaDry Membrane performance in a super-light, packable format that’s designed to defeat the heaviest downpour.

Product Features:

100% polyester with AquaDry 2.5 layer laminate construction and water-repellent finish
Weight: 450g
Fully waterproof
Brushed chin guard
Fixed grown-on hood with Velcro tab adjusters
Half-zip outer and inner stormflap with stud fastening
Large Bear Grylls branding to sleeve
2 zipped outer pocket – stows into right pocket
Self-fabric Velcro cuff adjusters
Length 29″
Inner drawcord system on hem
Lifetime guarantee

Retails for about £100.00
Available from Bear Grylls Store

4. ARC’TERYX Beta FL GTX Active Jacket

Walks And Walking - Top 5 Walking Jackets - ARCTERYX Beta FL GTX Active Jacket

I haven’t got this walking jacket but if I had the money it is definately something I would invest in due to it looking extremely awesome and really well designed.

Technical Information:

For fast and light alpine ascents or any mountain pursuit where breathability is paramount, the Beta FL is a pinnacle design in the new GORE-TEX® Active Shell.

Product Features:

GORE-TEX® Active Shell delivers extreme breathability and durable waterproofing
Athletic, anatomical hip length fit
Minimal ergonomic 3-dimensional (e3D) cut reduces weight and bulk
Low-profile fully adjustable Storm Hood
Reinforced hip and shoulders for durability when carrying a heavy pack
New ultra-light WaterTight Vislon front zip
Reflective hits
Weight: 338g (M)

Retails for about £360.00
Available from Ellis Brigham

5. Regatta Toronto

Walks And Walking - Top 5 Walking Jackets - Regatta Toronto Walking Jacket

If you want something really cheap that offers good value and all round performance then Regatta offer some amazing bargains.

Technical Information:

Keep warm and comfortable with the breathable and waterproof Toronto. The garment’s insulation system, made of advanced synthetic fibres, captures air, keeping you cosy even in crisp, cold weather.

Product Features:

Waterproof and breathable Isotex 5000 polyester pongee fabric
Taped seams
Thermo-Guard insulation
Fleece lining to upper body
Concealed hood with adjuster
2 lower zipped pockets and 1 chest pocket with hi-tech water repellent zip
Inner security and map pocket
Adjustable shockcord hem

Retails for about £18.00
Available from Regatta Clearance Outlet Store

You can find all of these retailers in the Walks And Walking Shop

Walks And Walking – Bear Grylls Latest Offers

Walks And Walking – Bear Grylls Latest Offers

Bear Grylls

 For all of the latest offers please visit the Walks And Walking Shop

Bear is a man who has always loved adventure. After breaking his back in three places in a parachuting accident, he fought his way to recovery, and two years later entered the Guinness Book of Records as the youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest aged only 23. He has since led ground-breaking expeditions across the world.

But for Bear, it is not just about pushing the limits. It’s about overcoming challenges, and living your dreams. This belief, and Bear’s gift for communication, have led him to become a world class motivational speaker, author and tv host. His passion and enthusiasm for the outdoors are now shared and enjoyed through his TV programmes in over 100 different countries around the world.

By combining his adventures with media work, Bear realised that he could support and raise money for those causes closest to his heart. These have included charities that encourage young people to overcome some of life’s biggest challenges, many different children’s organisations, as well as the Armed Forces charity SSAFA Forces help, reflecting his own military service with the UK Special Forces as part of 21 SAS.

You can also find all the latest updates from Bear on his website www.beargrylls.com.

Bear Grylls 20% off and FREE P&P on your 1st order

Bear Grylls 20% off and FREE P&P on your 1st order

Bear Grylls is now offering 20% off your first purchase and with free P&P.

For all of the latest offers please visit the Walks And Walking Shop

All other Bear Grylls Offers can be found on our shop page: Outdoor Clothing Shop

Ends Midnight 18.09.11

Bear Grylls – Latest Offers

Latest Offers From Bear Grylls – Adventure Wear

Latest update from Bear Grylls.

In preparation for the Autumn/winter range Bear Grylls has just added a Preview tab on the home page.

To coincide with this sneak preview Bear Grylls has released a brand new women’s section on the site, you can find this in the preview section.

 For all of the latest offers please visit the Walks And Walking Shop

There is also a men’s and kid’s Preview Section!

 

Bear Grylls 50% Discount Offers

Bear Grylls 50% Discount Offers

For 50% Discount Offers from the latest Bear Grylls range of outdoor clothing for UK walking.

For all of the latest offers please visit the Walks And Walking Shop

Save Big With the Bear Grylls Special Offers Page, Up To 50% Off Summer T-Shirts and Tops.

When this offers expires then please check my Walks And Walking Twitter and Walks And Walking Facebook pages for the latest offers from Bear Grylls.

Bear Grylls Half Price Sale Discount Offer June 2011

 

About Bear Grylls

Bear is a man who has always loved adventure. After breaking his back in three places in a parachuting accident, he fought his way to recovery, and two years later entered the Guinness Book of Records as the youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest, aged only 23. He has since led ground-breaking expeditions across the world.

But for Bear, it is not just about pushing his limits. It’s about overcoming challenges, and living your dreams. This belief, and Bear’s gift for communication, have led him to become a world class motivational speaker, author and tv host.

Bear’s passion and enthusiasm for the outdoors are now shared and enjoyed through his TV programs in over 150 different countries, reaching over one billion people worldwide.

By combining his adventures with media work, Bear realised that he could also support and raise money for those causes closest to his heart. These have included charities that encourage young people to overcome some of life’s biggest challenges, many different children’s organisations, as well as the Armed Forces’ charity SSAFA Forces Help, reflecting his own military service with the UK Special Forces, as part of 21 SAS.

In 2009, Bear was chosen and appointed as Chief Scout, and figurehead to 28 million Scouts worldwide. His mission is clear: to help and encourage every young person to be able to live their own adventure through Scouting. Bear considers this his proudest task.

 

Bear Grylls Free Delivery Offer From Walks And Walking

Bear Grylls Free Delivery Offer From Walks And Walking

Bear Grylls regularly releases special offers and discounts including free delivery.

Bear Grylls offers the very best in outdoor clothing for UK walking so grab these free delivery offers when you can and get ready for some great walking routes available free from Walks And Walking.Free delivery is not always available but there are always regular discounts schemes, promotional offers, sale items and new stock being added all the time.

Choose Bear Grylls; Give an outdoor adventurer something really useful. We’ve got something for every lover of the great outdoors, and for every next adventure!

When this offers expires then please check my Walks And Walking Twitter and Walks And Walking Facebook pages for the latest offers from Bear Grylls.

For all of the latest offers please visit the Walks And Walking Shop

Bear Grylls Free Delivery On All Orders Over £75

About Bear Grylls:

Bear is a man who has always loved adventure. After breaking his back in three places in a parachuting accident, he fought his way to recovery, and two years later entered the Guinness Book of Records as the youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest aged only 23. He has since led ground-breaking expeditions across the world.

But for Bear, it is not just about pushing the limits. It’s about overcoming challenges, and living your dreams. This belief, and Bear’s gift for communication, have led him to become a world class motivational speaker, author and tv host. His passion and enthusiasm for the outdoors are now shared and enjoyed through his TV programmes in over 100 different countries around the world.

By combining his adventures with media work, Bear realised that he could support and raise money for those causes closest to his heart. These have included charities that encourage young people to overcome some of life’s biggest challenges, many different children’s organisations, as well as the Armed Forces charity SSAFA Forces help, reflecting his own military service with the UK Special Forces as part of 21 SAS.

 

Spring Walks In Newbury Berkshire – Combe Gibbet

Spring Walks In Newbury Berkshire – Combe Gibbet

I was all kitted up in my Bear Grylls gear and sturdy walking boots for this one as it was very windy but the views were beautiful and full of lush green landscapes. When I visited it was in late May 2010 and the weather was OK but later in the walk it did rain a bit and the views from Combe Gibbet were a little overcast… hence, no photos!

This walk is 7 miles and about 3 hours worth of hard walking and I loved every minute of it. With a really sensible walking jacket and walking trousers to keep out the wind and a rucksack storing all my essentials I was ready for adventure!

Setting off on my Combe Gibbet walk

Heading over to the Wessex downs we found Inkpen Hill quite easily, just outside of Hungerford, and was really looking forward to a really tough walk across woodland paths, field and downland tracks, a good stretch of the Wayfarer’s Walk and plenty of farmland. The steep scarp of Inkpen Hill is an absolute killer but well worth it when you get to the top and see the views.

The View From Combe Gibbet

Definitely worth while doing this walk when the weather is bright and sunny. I found this walk when I was looking on The AA’s website and thought it sounded great and really interesting. It was erected in 1676 for the purpose of gibbeting the bodies of George Broomham and Dorothy Newman and has only ever been used for them. The gibbet was placed in such a prominent location as a warning, to deter others from committing crimes.

George and Dorothy were having an affair and were hanged for murdering George’s wife Martha, and their son Robert after they discovered them together on the downs. Unfortunately for the lovers, the murder was witnessed by Mad Thomas, who managed to convey what he had seen to the authorities.

A replica gibbet marks the site. The original was destroyed many years ago and subsequent replicas have been replaced several times mainly, in part to vandalism. It is such a shame that such a haunted yet beautiful spot of British countryside gets ruined by idiots.

I was going to copy and paste the walk and the map in to this blog but I didn’t want to get busted by The AA lawyers!

Here is the link instead for the instructions and map:  The AA Combe Gibbet Walk