Gear Review - Men's Wool Ultra Socks- 2-3 Season

To say these have been a lifesaver would be a tad of an over statement – but my trip to Jersey would have certainly been more painful without them...

For reasons best left to another blog post, on my recent trip to film and experience walks on Jersey I discovered at Doncaster Airport I had left my walking boots at home.  I know, as I said, the reasons are best left to another blog post…

So, I was down on the itinerary to go on a “Moonwalk” along the coast during low tide, a walk through some the green lanes of Jersey and a challenging hike along the north coast part of the Channel Islands Way.

Now, for the Moonwalk, the crocs were a must, and they were fine for the roads and paths of the green lane walk – but for the north coast part of the Channel Islands Way – with its rocky coast, undulating paths and steep climbs, crocs certainly wouldn't have been my choice…  Brasher Fellmasters yes, crocs a definite no.

I had visions of blisters; of broken nails; of rubbed feet unable to convey me around the rest of my trip to this fabulous island.

So, having these socks in my kit back to review, I decided to save them for my coastal jaunt – and I'm glad I did.

First impressions are good.  The light grey colouring is one I don't mind people seeing between my trousers and my boots when I sit down, and it makes a change from the various shades of brown people who buy me socks for Christmas always seem to find.  (Seriously, how many shades of brown can there be in sock wool?)

Upon putting them on, it’s clear they are a great fit – not too big, which is always my bug-bear with walking socks.  This means all the parts of the sock is in contact with the areas they are supposed to on the foot.  The elastic around the top of the sock is judged well – not too tight as to stop the circulation to the foot, but not too loose that they fall down all the time.

So, I took them out for a road test along that north Jersey section of the Channel Island Way.  It’s strange attempting a path which, at times, can get quite challenging in crocs, but the socks certainly helped.  Obviously, socks with crocs provides nowhere near the support wearing a proper set of walking boots does but I was able to do the whole walk I'd planned without having feet throbbing like in a cartoon.  And when you think I’m walking around double the length of the 5 miles of the planned route to allow for the filming, that is no mean feat.

I can happily tell you that although they aren't necessarily designed to be waterproof, they do seem to resist water quite well.  Now, this might not be too important when you haven't got sidetracked and are wearing sensible walking boots, but when you're walking one of the most beautiful coastal paths in the world in crocs, it is good to know…  (note to self, always check footwear in future)  And when they get wet, they dry out quickly.

Subsequent wares of the socks inside proper walking boots have shown them to be most comfortable, and, during walks in the cooler temperatures of late autumn, fairly warm too.

So, in conclusion, they are a great ware and I certainly would recommend them for serious walkers everywhere... not just on Jersey.


What's good...
Great fit
Warm without being too sweaty

What's bad...
Started to go a tad bobbly after several washes

Brasher Men's Wool Ultra Socks- 2-3 Season - Rough price - £12

Walks Around Britain rating 8/10

Podcast Edition 008 - Show Notes

listen to ‘Edition 008 - Wastwater Photography, the National 3 Peaks and Cameron McNeish’ on Audioboo

Edition 8 of the Walks Around Britain podcast features an insight into the inspiration behind Wastwater Photography, Mark Brigham tells us about his National Three Peaks adventure and walking expert Cameron McNeish explains how he got into walking and writing - and about his new National Trail in Scotland.


Wastwater Photography

Mark Gilligan is cited as one of the worlds top Landscape Photographers.
A multi award winning member of both the British Institute of Professional Photography and the Royal Photographic Society, Mark is a features writer for many magazines such as 'Lake District Life', 'Lancashire Life', 'TGO', 'Country Walking' and 'Cumbria'.

On the podcast, Mark talks about his love of the Lakes and in particular Wast Water.

To find out more and to see Mark's stunning photography, visit his website here.



National Three Peaks

The Three Peaks Challenge involves climbing the three highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland within 24 hours.  It is a misconception the challenge takes in the three highest peaks in Britain - it doesn't - over 100 peaks in Scotland are higher than Scafell Pike, and 56 higher than Snowdon.

Having said that, it is a considerable challenge, and one rated up there with several higher mountains by people who have attempted many.

Mark Brigham joined Andrew to chat about his National Three Peaks adventure last year.

Photo - http://www.livefortheoutdoors.com

Cameron McNeish

There isn't much in the outdoor world Cameron McNeish hasn't done.  He's edited magazines, written books, presented television and DVD programmes, after dinner speaking, lecturing and being an adviser to various outdoor organisations.

But before all of that, he is a passionate wilderness hiker, backpacker and mountain walker - and it is this fact - as he points out - which makes him different to other presenters.  And spot the lovely mention of Nick Crane...

To find out about Cameron's ever growing range of DVDs and books, visit the Mountain Media site - and say we sent ya!

Hope you enjoyed this month's podcast.  Please let us know your comments and suggestions.

Walks Around Britain - A Passion for Walking

Our latest promotional video featuring some of the walks available now and coming soon to our website.

Podcast Edition 007 - Show Notes

listen to ‘Edition 007 - Tanya Oliver's Ashdown Walk, National Park Week, Flying over the Peaks and Christopher Somerville’ on Audioboo

Edition 7 of the Walks Around Britain podcast features a walk around Ashdown Forest in Sussex with Tanya Oliver and a look at National Parks Week. Andrew takes a flight over the Dark Peak reservoirs with Central Helicopters and walking writer Christopher Somerville tell us about his latest walks and his new book.

Ashdown Forest

Ashdown Forest - photo (c) Ashdown Forest

The walk through Ashdown Forest gives us a great taste of the rich walking available in the county of Sussex.

The Forest was originally a deer hunting forest in Norman times, Ashdown Forest is now the largest free public access space in the South East. It is a great place for walking and enjoying spectacular views over the Sussex countryside and is known the world over as the 'home' of Winnie-the-Pooh.

To find out more, visit the Ashdown Forest website here, and Visit Sussex has more information about walking in the county.  You can find Tanya Oliver's blog here and also follow her on Twitter.


National Park Week

This year's National Parks Week is a celebration of our beautiful winning landscapes which have inspired mountaineers, sailors, cyclists, runners and Olympic athletes to aim higher and train harder - sometimes to record-breaking effect.  And there's many events to interest both children and adults across the 15 National Parks in Britain.

To find out more information, visit the National Parks portal here.

Central Helicopters

Andrew took a flight with the team from Central Helicopters from Owler Bar just outside Sheffield, over the moors of the Dark Peaks to the 3 reservoirs of Ladybower, Derwent and Howden.


The footage Andrew shot will be including in several walking videos we're making about walks around the Dark Peak area of the Peak District.

The shot on the left is from our forthcoming walking video around part of the Ladybower Reservoir with Andrew's dog Merlin - which will be exclusively available on the Bob Martin website and Facebook page.

To find out more about Central Helicopters' range of pleasure flights, visit their website.


Christopher Somerville

Christopher is one of Britain's most prolific walking writers, with a weekly column in The Times newspaper and a collection of over 40 walking and travel books to his name.

August sees another book added to that tally - "Walks in the Country Near London" features 25 walks within 1 hours train ride from the centre of London.

It is available from Amazon here.