Gear Up For Your Big Adventure
Heading out on a big adventure? Packing the right gear is key to enjoying your time out in the hills but knowing how to use it can make the difference between an enjoyable day or a nightmare ending in Mountain Rescue.
Joe Browns have been advising customers on great kit for the mountains since 1966 so you know you can trust us when we explain a comfy pair of boots, a well fitting pack, knowing how to use a map and compass for when the tech batteries run out are all key pieces of kit to think about, before you even start to think about clothing.
Our Gear Up For Your Big Adventure window is designed to get noticed and get you thinking about the kit you need to enjoy a safe day out in the hills:
Footwear
Never under estimate the importance of supportive, durable footwear when you are tackling rocky mountain terrain. Happy feet make for a great day out - especially if you are carrying extra weight on your back. Tough sole units combine grip and provide ankle support while thick durable uppers protect the delicate bones, ligaments and muscles of your foot from strain and sharp rocks.
As a Scarpa Pro shop we have the best range of Scarpa footwear in the UK. Backed up with selected styles ranging from UK 3 to UK size 14.5 across both men’s and women’s styles we’re sure to have your size available. If you need socks, laces, proofings, footbeds or gaiters - we have them all available. Got an old pair of trusted boots that need a little TLC? You can find re-solers in our online repair directory here.
Our long term partnership with Scarpa is partly due to the many thousands of miles and metres we have walked and climbed in their footwear, partly because they back their superb quality footwear with excellent customer service and partly due to their Green Manifesto. With 90% of their range made in Europe and 100% of their mountaineering line made in Italy in a building generating a whopping 400,000 kW of energy (that’s enough to power 148 UK homes for a year!!) Scarpa are committed to minimising their impact on the planet.
Our giant model of the classic Scarpa Ranger Active boot was made especially by Scenic Arts student Molly Casey as part of her degree course at Rose Bruford College. A life long user of Scarpa boots since stomping the Lakeland fells as a child, Molly built a scale model out of recycled items kicking around the college workshop. The boot is 3 times actual size making it the equivalent of a size UK28! Believe it or not the laces (made of semi-static climbing rope) are over 2 metres long!!
Rucsack
The giant Deuter pack on display is a whopping 875litres in size and built to be used on the hill just like it’s smaller (more comfortable) compadres. Deuter have been building world class rucksacks since 1898, so they really do know a thing or two about carrying your kit comfortably! Check out their excellent History video.
Everyone of their tough, feature packed rucksacks is a joy to carry whether you are out with a small pack for the day or needing something a little bigger to enjoy a multi-day backpack. Fitting your pack correctly is as important as fitting your boots, not least because you don’t want it shifting while you are traversing technical terrain - another great reason to pop into the shop and chat with a member of our team. They can pop some weight in one and help you fine tune that fit around all of your clothing layers. Ask them about all of the extra features too - from raincovers to hydration tube slots to phone sized waist pouches there will be a Deuter pack with everything you need.
When it comes to the environment, the really good news is that all Deuter products are ClimatePartner certified too. Built with recycled and bluesign®-certified materials, and incorporating sustainable technologies, Deuter maximize product lifespan through durability.
Compass
There is no denying that modern navigation tech is handy on the hill but when it get’s cold and batteries die - the traditional skills of using a map and compass help you pinpoint your location and get you to where you need to be. Safely.
We have a range of compasses for all your navigation needs, even ones that will work in both the northern and southern hemispheres. A little pre-planning and a little know how can make a big difference to how you enjoy your day on the hill. It’s as simple as 1-2-3……
Our giant compass is the classic Type 4, recommended by Mountain Guides and considered THE compass for Mountain Leader training. It’s been made by the Silva engineers in Sweden who have been creating world class navigation tools since 1933 and once it has finished it’s debut in our windows, it will be on display at showrooms and trade shows across Europe!
The Silva Type 4. Big & small!
Map
Can you spot our shop pinned on our bespoke Harveys 1:very large scale map?
Trace your path up our nearest hill and watch the two dimensional world magic into three dimensional mountain fun. Learn how to spot crags, bogs and evil hills so you can plan out the nasty surprises and have a great time out in the hills.
And the really cool thing about maps is, that you can keep it on your shelf and take a peek every now and again to relive your adventure! We stock a wide range of Harveys maps from short local walks to the countries longest national trails.
Need a map case? A waterproof map? Or an accompanying note book which you can write on in the rain? We have them all. Want to learn how a map is made? Watch below….
Snacks
Absolute hill essential!
Coming soon:
Romneys Kendal Mintcake 550g Mega Bar!!!
Don’t forget to add water, first aid kit, torch, warm and waterproof clothing to your pack and always check the mountain weather forecast:
Stay safe and have fun!
