what to wear
Active Travel Hub > Walking > What to wear
what to wear
Walking is one of the simplest forms of exercise there is, and can be done without any specialist equipment - especially if you are going somewhere local.
However, there are some tips below that might make it more comfortable if you are aiming to increase the amount of walking you are doing, or exploring areas that are new to you.
Footwear
The shoes you wear are the contact point between your feet and the ground, so it’s a good idea make sure you have comfortable and supportive footwear that is suitably worn in. For local journeys it can be more comfortable to wear a pair of trainers than to walk in work shoes, but you don’t need to go out and buy an expensive pair of hiking boots for walking into town.
If you want to start exploring the local woods and green spaces, some of the paths can get muddy in wet weather so it’s a good idea to have shoes or boots with good grip.
Clothing
As with footwear, there is generally no need to purchase clothing specifically for going on short walks.
If the weather forecast suggests that it might rain, then having a waterproof coat will help keep you dry. When it’s raining it’s often too windy to comfortably carry an umbrella in Inverness!
On colder days it is a good idea to wear layers that can be easily taken on and off. Wearing either wool or fleece will mean that even if you do get a bit damp you will stay warm.
Accessories
Ensuring you have protection for your extremities on cold, windy days will make for a much more pleasurable walk.
Gloves that are breathable and ideally waterproof will prevent cold, damp hands that can ruin the enjoyment of a walk.
Buff or Scarf will protect your ears and face from the wind. A Buff is quite small and can easily fold up in your pocket if it gets too warm.
A Hat will prevent heat loss from your head. Consider the weather as on sunny days a baseball cap or sunhat will prevent glare in your eyes but on cold days a wool or fleece hat will keep you warm.
bags
If you need to carry work equipment or are nipping to the shops, it is good idea to use a rucksack. Shopping bags or tote bags can get heavy and can be cumbersome whilst walking, whereas rucksacks allow you to distribute weight evenly onto both shoulders, while keeping your hands free.
If you want to do a larger shop, or transport something heavier, then it could be a good idea to invest in a lightweight shopping trolley.
