Off The Wall Vans

There is this really weird conundrum that faces many people who love the outdoors. As much as they honour and love nature and feel a natural affinity for the planet, their clothing is often made from the most unnatural synthetic fibres you can imagine. If you think that is nonsense then think again for a second. Most outdoors types wear fleece as main insulating layer. But synthetic fleece, whether it is made by Polartec or any of the other major brands, is produced from plastic. Now some companies do go out of their way to recycle (old plastic bottles if you must know) but it still means that you are heading out into the wild wearing completely synthetic and unnatural fabrics.

One great option is to consider using Smartwool or Icebreaker wool clothing made from merino wool. This is about as natural a product as you could possibly hope to find anywhere. Merino is the soft wool that comes from sheep in New Zealand and has the most amazing characteristics. 

The first amazing thing about merino wool is that it insulates. Now that is a bit obvious is what you want is a nice insulating layer in your outdoor clothing. But it is also a very wearable and user-friendly fabric that works with your body, not against it. 

The first thing you will notice when wearing merino is that it doesn’t stink in the same way that synthetics fabrics do after a few days out in the mountains. Do you know what I mean? If you don’t it just means you haven’t hiked a trail for three or four days wearing the same top. 

The reason for this is that synthetic fabrics provide a home for bacteria that lead to stinky clothing. Merino, on the other hand, has totally natural antibacterial properties that help keep bad smells down.

I love the outdoors, after a week at work, there is nothing like going out in the fresh air and enjoying nature. I am not alone in this either there are, in fact, more and more people making the most of the natural world around us, as a form of relaxation. So hiking is becoming more popular, there are usually good maps available for any place you want to hike to, and it is becoming more of a mainstream hobby.

The correct equipment for this is essential, and it is important to make sure you have the right things for the type of environment you are going to. This means making sure you have warm clothes, and shelter, so if the weather turns suddenly you will not be caught out. This happens often, with people getting stranded in the middle of nowhere, if they are not careful they can get lost and end if suffering from hypothermia.

So, because of this, I now have a check list of everything I might need for any place I choose to go. I have thought about all the places that I like to hike in, such as the mountains, and made a list of equipment that is tailored to that environment and terrain. Things to include are good sturdy boots, some form of light weight shelter, rations and waterproofs. I will also keep a good check on the weather forecast, and will only go if the weather looks to be settled for a few days. In this way it should be safe to go hiking and not risk any sudden change, or a weather system moving in early.

I have learnt to make my safety a priority, and am also aware that if I get into difficulty it is a good idea to make sure that some one knows exactly where I am going, and when I will be back.