If you don’t like the idea of hitting the outdoors without great gadgetry, then invest in these tech-filled walking and hiking accessories…
SPOT GEN3 SATELLITE GPS TRACKER/MESSENGER
For serious trekkers, this satellite communicator will appeal. Just to clarify exactly how “serious” it is, athletes taking part in the Marathon Des Sables in the Western Sahara use it so they can be located if they go off course. The Check In function – where you can update friends and family with a pre-programmed text and your location – will provide reassurance to loved ones if you’re in an area with no phone signal. For more serious situations, there’s an SOS function – at a push of a button, you can alert the GEOS International Emergency Response Co-ordination Center to come to your assistance. One thing to bear in mind before purchasing, the cost doesn’t end with the actual product, you will need to pay for a “service package” (a subscription) too. This cost starts at £118 a year. £129.15
SURGE II CHARGED BACKPACK
If you have to take your tablet everywhere you go – even when you’re out hiking – this daypack should suit. In addition to having a laptop pocket, it also comes with a Joey T55 battery so you can charge any USB device. The lithium polymer battery pack is also water and crush resistant and comes with Smart technology so you’ll be able to conserve the charge. The backpack itself can house 32 litres and as you’d expect from a North Face product, the straps make this a comfortable backpack to carry around. £165
COBRA AIRWAVE MINI BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
Want to create a soundtrack to your day out? This small and compact Bluetooth speaker will help. It has a rugged look rather than sleek and smooth like many gadgets, but there’s a point to this: it means it can be water-resistant, dust and shockproof. In terms of its tech capabilities, it’s a two-watt speaker that comes with a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery and will play your favourite tunes for up to 10 hours. It can also be used as a hands-free speaker phone. £14.99
BRUNTON’S HEATSYNC BENCH WARMER
Like the idea of going out hiking but put off by cold weather? Because it’s fine when you’re moving, but it’s when you stop to catch your breath/have a rest that you can feel the cold. Brunton has a range of instant heat products to put an end to this problem. Its HeatSync products include this bench warmer. Simply connect it to a portable power device, Brunton’s Revolt 9000 or 4000 (5V/2.1Amp) is recommended, and almost instantly the pad heats up. If you want to share the warmth with your fellow ramblers, invest in the HeatSync Zone – it’s a fold-out mat and the RRP is £85. £49.50
GARMIN ETREX 30 HANDHELD GPS
There is no shortage of GPS watches/apps out there, but when you’re going off the beaten path, it’s time to invest in a handheld option. You won’t go wrong with the Garmin eTrex 30. Built to be durable and withstand the outside elements, the main selling point of this app is that it comes with 1.7GB of internal memory and a microSD slot – so there’s plenty of room for Ordnance Survey maps. If you think you’ve taken a wrong turn, you can locate your current position and get yourself back on the right track. £174