Our Gear-Zone Outdoor Equipment section boasts a host of famous names, from Mammut Ajungilak sleeping bags to Petzl headtorches and Leatherman multi-tools, from The North Face rucksacks to Five Ten rock shoes.
Whether you're on a family camping trip with the kids or heading to Everest Base Camp on a climbing expedition, you'll find all your basic needs here at Gear-Zone, your one-stop shopping experience for outdoor enthusiasts everywhere.
Take a look at our Vango summer tents and our heavy-duty Terra Nova and Vaude mountain tents, our huge range of men's and women's tropical travel clothing from Columbia and Craghoppers, and our terric selection of camping equipment from Optimus, Coleman and Camelbak.
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I love backpacking and getting away, but sometimes you don't have the time and just fancy a quick trot to some of the UK's many idyllic walking destinations - but what to take? What's really essential, and what's just extra weight?
Here I'll briefly go through my standard kit for a spring-autumn day walk in the UK's hills, although obviously winter walking will require some more specialised gear!
Clothing
>> Good boots
Obvious enough, but your feet are the thing that's going to take the most punishment, and at the end of the day you're going to need them to get you home. Blisters and ill-fitting boots will ruin even the most glorious of weather.
I use Scarpa ZG65 GTX because they're lightweight, yet still stiff enough for pretty much any UK terrain and, most importantly, are the perfect fit. Of course, if the terrain you're on is fairly flat and even, a good pair of approach shoes will do. Scarpa and Salomon are my preferred brands.
As with any footwear, fit is the key feature you need to look for!
Top-Tip - Always take a spare pair of laces, they don't weight anything and are cheap to buy, but you'll regret not having them if you need them!
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Q. What's the cabin allowance for hand luggage?
A. As a general guide, it's 56 cms long by 45 cms wide by 25 cms deep.
However, each Airline usually has its own rules - here's a few of the main airline's restrictions (correct as of 08/09/11.) Please bear in mind that these are subject to change without notice, and may vary depending on country of departure or destination.
Always check with the airline itself before you fly.
British Airways
- Size (max): 56 cms x 45cms x 25 cms (22in x 18in x 10in,) including the handle, pockets and wheels
- Weight (max): 23kg (51lbs) and you must be able to lift the bag into the overhead lockers in the aircraft cabin unaided.
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