April 20th, 2012 
Tushar Mathur Footwear:
Probably the most essential thing to make sure you get right on a walking holiday is your choice of footwear. You will probably have a detailed itinerary of how far you will be walking each day and over what type of terrain. You should use this to plan the type of boots you will need. If you are doing less than 10 miles a light, mid or trail show will do. For day long hikes then choose a thicker boot with a higher cut. If you are walking for a number of days then choose something with arch support and a strong toe box. The best thing to do would be to visit your local outdoor store and have a chat with them. If you are buying new boots for your holiday then make sure that you do so well in advance so that you have ample time to break them in. Always take a second pair of shoes (something like sandals) to change in to for after your walk for comfort.
Underwear:
If you are carrying your own gear then it is essential that you pack light. A minimum of three pairs of socks and pants will be required but it is probably best to play it safe and go for four. That way you can wear one, wash one, have one drying and one spare. Choose socks with an elastic support so that you are not constantly stopping to pull them up. Women should wear a well-fitting sports bra for walking holidays as undulating terrain and climbs can put strain on the chest.
Sun Protection:
You must protect yourself from the sun when walking. Even if it doesn’t appear to be a bright day you can still end up with sun burn and so a hat should be worn at all times. Choose a hat with a large rim to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun. Some caps will have flaps that can be let down to cover the ears and neck and protect you from the wind & rain as well as the sun. Choose a sports sun screen that is water resistant and keep it will you at all times as you will need a number of applications during the day.
Other essentials:
-A signalling device such as a whistle and a mobile phone
-Blister plaster
-Water
-Insect repellent/bite cream
-Plastic bag (for rubbish)
-Torch
-Maps, compass and any other navigational devices
-Camera
Vicky loves to go on hiking tours, especially in the UK and Spain. She is also a passionate writer and likes to combine the two and write useful travel articles.
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