Tag: walking

3 ways to beat the weeds

A weed is of course just a plant in the wrong place. And when that ‘wrong place’ is stinging your legs while you’re on the trails, weeds are a pest. So how to stop the stings and beat the weeds next time you’re out biking, hiking or walking?

Our three tips on ways to beat the weeds:

1 LEGS UP!

Ouch! Cyclists, mountain bikers and trail bike commuters know. When weeds are right on your leg and ankle level, brambles and stinging nettles can be mighty uncomfortable. The solution? Sit down – legs up: freewheel through the worst and hope for the best.

2 ZIP-OFF TROUSERS

Convertible zip-off trousers may just be the spring hiker’s best friend. Legs on while you are thigh deep in skin-irritating weeds and nettles, then zip them off for comfort once you’re clear of the undergrowth.

Zip-offs have numerous benefits, and are perfect for DofE expeditions as they are so versatile.

Visit the WhoSki.com shop to buy and sell secondhand walking trousers in all styles.

3 LONG SOCKS

Warm enough to wear shorts at last? Walkers know, this wet spring has been boom-time for weeds with cow parsley growing higher than your head and super-strong nettles just waiting to do their worst. How can you beat the weeds when you’re staying cool in cut-offs?

Cover up is your best option. If you can’t face long trousers as above, opt for long socks and roll them down when you’re out of the weeds and into the meadows.

Long socks will also help prevent ticks jumping aboard if you’re in an area where infestations have been reported, or livestock have been grazing.

PS Don’t get us wrong: we LOVE weeds at WhoSki.com. In fact, we would say they probably aren’t weeds at all. Wild flowers and plants are essential for the bugs and birds that make the great outdoors even greater.

We are just not such a fan when weeds are causing us aggro on the trails (says WhoSki.com co-founder Nicola, who slipped on a muddy hike recently and landed in a patch of super-strong stinging nettles. Skin was still a-tingle THREE DAYS later. Ouch.)

Walking for teenage mental health

This week is Mental Health Awareness week and at WhoSki.com, we donate 25% of our commission on every sale to teenage mental health charity stem4 . On top of that, our Co-Founder Sally has signed up to walk the Three Peaks Challenge in June.

Sally writes: That means I will be ascending (and descending, obviously!) the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within a 24-hour (ish) period. Yikes!

I’m walking in aid of teenage mental health, raising money for our charity partner stem4, as is the organiser of the expedition Viki Potter, who runs the FitState fitness coaching business in Wimbledon.

my training programme

A major part of my training schedule is walking. Walking, walking, walking. The challenge – I live in London and there aren’t many mountains. But I have discovered the vibrant diversity of urban nature in the heart of the city. Check out my Instagram reel to see more.

Want to support me?

Help me reach my goal by donating to stem4 either directly through their website or through my Three Peaks Challenge fundraising page.

WhoSki.com is proud to support teenage mental health as part of Mental Health Awareness week 2023

Hey AI, what’s my walking style?

Here’s what we learned about walking styles when we asked the AI chatbot ChatGPT to explain the difference between walking, hiking, rambling, trekking and forest bathing…

Walking: a low-intensity activity

ChatGPT says: Walking is generally considered to be a low-intensity form of exercise or activity that involves moving at a leisurely pace on flat or even ground. Walking can be done almost anywhere and at any time, and it can be a great way to get some fresh air, clear your mind, or simply get from point A to point B.

We say: get yourself a decent pair of socks, however short your walk. Your feet will thank you for it whether in wellies, trainers or walking boots.

Hiking: a more strenuous activity

ChatGPT says: Hiking is a more strenuous and challenging activity that involves walking on uneven terrain, often through wilderness areas or natural settings. Hiking can involve climbing steep hills, navigating rocky trails, crossing streams or rivers, and even scrambling over boulders. Hiking can be a great way to explore the outdoors, challenge yourself physically, and enjoy beautiful scenery.

We say: every hiker needs a robust pair of hiking boots, waterproof for winter and breathable for summer.

Rambling: longer distance walking

ChatGPT says: Rambling is a more leisurely form of walking that is done for the purpose of exploring the outdoors and enjoying nature. It often involves hiking on trails or through countryside areas, and it may require more specialized equipment such as hiking boots and maps. Rambling can also involve more challenging terrain and longer distances than regular walking.

We say: invest in a comfortable backpack and tuck a thermal flask into a handy pocket, for a refreshing cuppa while you are out rambling.

Trekking: a multi-day hike

ChatGPT says: Trekking is a form of outdoor recreation that involves walking or hiking for an extended period of time, usually on trails or paths in natural environments such as mountains, forests, or wilderness areas. It often involves multi-day trips, with hikers carrying backpacks and camping gear to stay overnight in remote locations.

Trekking is typically more challenging than a simple day hike, and may involve steep inclines, rugged terrain, and exposure to the elements. It requires physical endurance, good planning, and adequate equipment to ensure safety and comfort during the trip.

We say: sounds like a DofE expedition? Buy and sell the kit your kids need via WhoSki.com.

Forest bathing: a mindful wander

ChatGPT says: Forest bathing, also known as Shinrin-yoku, is a practice that originated in Japan and involves spending time in a forest or other natural environment to improve one’s health and wellbeing.

During forest bathing, individuals typically take a slow, leisurely walk in a forest or other natural setting, focusing on their senses and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the environment. This can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve mood, and boost the immune system.

Forest bathing is not a strenuous activity and does not involve hiking or exercise. Instead, it is a form of mindfulness meditation that encourages people to slow down, disconnect from technology, and connect with nature. Many people find that forest bathing helps them feel more relaxed and centred, and can be a useful tool for managing stress and improving mental and physical health.

We say: leave the electronics at home and breathe in that sweet forest air. Gorgeous!

Go properly equipped

Whatever your walking style, equipping yourself with the right kit, whether it’s a waterproof jacket, hiking boots, Nordic walking poles or a thermal tea flask, will help keep you safe and comfortable on the trails.

Boost your sustainability credentials by thinking secondhand before you buy new outdoor kit for your next trip. WhoSki.com: the secondhand marketplace for all kinds of outdoor clothing and equipment.

Images by Freepix

Buy and sell ALL your outdoor kit at WhoSki.com

NEW: Our marketplace just got bigger. You can now buy and sell all your secondhand outdoor kit at WhoSki.com.

From wetsuits to walking boots, kagoules to camping equipment. Buying and selling secondhand clothes and outdoor kit at WhoSki.com means you are helping keep even more durables in active usage within the circular economy.

As regular WhoSkiers already know, re-sale and re-use beats recycling every time, being less costly in terms of energy and materials than buying new or throwing away items you no longer use.

Keeping kit in active usage

Many thanks to all who have bought and sold ski kit via the WhoSki.com marketplace this season. Your actions have helped keep heaps of ski and snowboard clothes in active usage, reduced their carbon footprint and earned you useful spending money from no-longer-needed clothes and equipment.

We hope you will be inspired to do similar with our expanded marketplace, buying and selling the outdoor clothes and equipment you use for the other activities you enjoy all year round.

It is simple: same platform, same name, same log-ins and now with more departments. The only real difference? A summer-ised WhoSki.com logo: spot the sunshine. Plus more categories for you to list your outdoor clothing and equipment.

list your outdoor kit now

Perhaps your kids have a backpack or sleeping mat left over from a Duke of Edinburgh or Scout group expedition? Maybe there’s a pile of unwanted wetsuits in your loft, used just once during that trip to Cornwall or the Scillies? Has a child out-grown their walking boots?

Buy and sell ALL your outdoor kit and clothing at WhoSki.com.

Outdoor clothes and equipment that is still in good condition but of no further use to you could be exactly what another WhoSkier is looking for. List it now, boost your eco credentials, earn a bit of money on unwanted items and help make someone else’s outdoor activity trip a bit more affordable and accessible.

Questions and comments? Please drop us an email or get in touch via social media. We always love to hear from you.

Stay warm outdoors this winter

Covid-19 tiers are in near-constant flux, but there is one thing that remains consistent: exercising outdoors. We are all encouraged to wrap up and step outside.

Transmission risks are low provided you don’t mingle, and maintaining/improving fitness levels will help you fight the virus or remain healthy.

Since first lockdown all those months ago, there has been a rise in numbers of people discovering the great outdoors. Now winter’s here, it is as important to ever to keep venturing out – safely – but this time around you’ll need to be well wrapped up.

Thankfully, wintersports wear from base layers to waterproof outers is perfect for hiking, walking, rambling – or simply taking the kids to the park.

Pull on your ski and boarding clothes to defy the wind, rain, frost and snow. Not only will you feel toasty and dry, you’ll look great – and have plenty of pockets for mask, phone, keys and snacks.

 Check our listings for everything from socks (perfect to keep your feet warm and dry in walking boots) to thermal underwear and wind resistant overwear for the whole family. #PassItOn