Activities: Gear Guides

Help with buying and using your outdoor equipment

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  • Gear Guides

Gear Guide: Walking Socks

December 5, 2024
7 min read

Having the right walking socks will prevent blisters, regulate foot temperature and wick away moisture, helping you extend your favourite walks. This guide from Bridgedale will help you choose the perfect pair to keep your tootsies comfortable all day long.

  • Gear Guides
  • On the water
  • OS Test The Best
  • Water sports

A Cornish Coast Adventure with the NEW Suunto Race S

December 4, 2024
3 min read

Holly Atyeo reviews the Suunto Race S on a Cornish Coastal Adventure - find the route map and what she thought of this exciting new performance watch

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  • Gear Guides
  • Hiking
  • OS Test The Best

Exploring Waterfalls with the Suunto Race S

November 26, 2024
5 min read

Lisa explores a beautiful waterfall route in North Wales while reviewing the new Suunto Race S GPS watch.

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  • OS Curated Gift Guides

Outdoorsy Christmas Gift Ideas from Ordnance Survey Champions!

November 20, 2024
9 min read

Need some Christmas Gift Inspiration? Our OS Champions have picked out some great outdoorsy gift ideas for your adventure loving friends and family

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  • Camping
  • Cycling
  • Gear Guides
  • Hiking
  • OS Test The Best
  • Running
  • Walking

OS Test The Best Lightweight Head Torch – Silva Smini & Smini Fly

October 30, 2024
24 min read

Our intrepid OS Champions review the NEW Smini Headtorch and Smini Fly Headtorch - take a look at their in depth reviews

Suunto Race S Review Lake District Molly Veitch
  • Gear Guides
  • Hiking
  • OS Test The Best
  • Walking

Hiking in the Lake District with the NEW Suunto Race S

October 28, 2024
5 min read

First time user of a GPS watch Molly Veitch reviews this popular new performance watch on her latest hike up Coniston Old Man

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  • Gear Guides
  • OS Curated Gift Guides

Nature Gifts for Kids

October 9, 2024
4 min read

Nature Gifts for Kids - OS Curated gift ideas for children who love to explore the outdoors and enjoy nature, give the gift of adventure

A wee dook, wild swim and Beach clean with Gee Jackson and Red Changing Robe
  • Gear Guides
  • OS Test The Best
  • Swimming

A ‘Wee Dook’ – Eco Adventuring with the Red Equipment Pro Change EVO

October 8, 2024
4 min read

Join OS Champion Gee Jackson as takes this brand new changing robe through it's paces in her Red Equipment Pro Change EVO review

Suunto Race S Wild Swimming in llyn Padarn with Elizabeth Asad
  • Gear Guides
  • On the water
  • OS Test The Best
  • Swimming

Open Water Swimming in Llyn Padarn with the Suunto S Race Watch

September 25, 2024
3 min read

Oen water swimming in Llyn Padarn with the Suunto Race S - OS Champion Liz Asad puts this waterproof smart watch to the test!

  • Gear Guides
  • Hiking
  • Off-road cycling
  • Running

Which GPS device do you need?

September 24, 2024
3 min read

If you’re considering buying a GPS device, you’ll be probably be comparing dozens of models with hundreds of features. Here’s our guide to finding the best GPS. We look at handheld and wearable GPS devices for walking, hiking, running, cycling and off-grid adventures.

  • Gear Guides
  • OS Test The Best
  • Running

Beacons Way Ultra with Suunto Race S

September 24, 2024
5 min read

Suunto Race S Review - Tracy out this performance watch to the ultimate test on the Beacons Way Ultra

GIFT IDEAS FOR HIKERS
  • Gear Guides
  • OS Curated Gift Guides

Gift Ideas for Hikers (that they’ll really love!)

September 19, 2024
5 min read

Gift ideas for hikers that they will really love! We have handpicked perfect gifts for hikers to make your gifting decisions easy!

  • Gear Guides
  • Hiking
  • OS Test The Best
  • Walking

Malham Circular – A Day in’t Dales with the Suunto Race S

September 10, 2024
3 min read

Malham Circular Walk - OS Champion Megan Rose has a day in the Yorkshire Dales testing out her brand new Suunto Race S GPS Watch

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  • Gear Guides

Best Christmas Gifts for Outdoor Lovers

September 4, 2024
14 min read

Stuck on what to gift this Christmas? The Ordnance Survey team share their best Christmas gifts for outdoor lovers. So, whether they're dog walker, wild swimmer or adventure seeker, there's a present for everyone.

  • Gear Guides
  • Hiking
  • OS Test The Best
  • Running

The Gritstone Trail – putting the new Suunto Race S to the test!

August 28, 2024
6 min read

OS Champion and runner Emily Thompson puts the new Suunto Race S to the test on the Gritstone Trail.

  • Gear Guides
  • Hiking
  • OS Test The Best
  • Running

Exploring Eryri: My 3-Day Solo Adventure with the Suunto Race S Watch

August 28, 2024
5 min read

With the Suunto Race S strapped to her wrist, Janire Denny-Arzalluz set off on a 3-day expedition over the Glyderau and Carneddau mountains... read her review of this exciting new performance watch.

Mac In a Sac Venture Running Jacket
  • Gear Guides
  • Hiking
  • OS Test The Best
  • Running

OS Test The Best: Lightweight Running Jacket

July 19, 2024
8 min read

OS TEST THE BEST Lightweight Running Jacket: Mac In A Sac Venture Ultralite Running Jacket Review. Our OS Champions have been putting this new hiking and running jacket through its paces.

Hiking Poles LEKI_Trekking_2023_©Adam Raja_11
  • Gear Guides
  • Hiking
  • Walking

Hiking Poles Guide – Everything you need to know about choosing the right walking poles!

July 9, 2024
9 min read

Hiking Poles - a complete guide to hiking poles including a look at all the main features and how to use hiking poles when walking

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  • Gear Guides
  • Hiking
  • Walking

Hiking Checklist

July 8, 2024
2 min read

There's a fine line between having the right equipment to keep you safe and comfortable on a walk and being so weighed down with unnecessary kit you'll struggle. Our hiking checklist will help you get kitted out with essential gear for a long day on the trail and tell you what to take on a walk.

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  • Gear Guides
  • Hiking
  • Walking

Autumn Walking Guide

October 26, 2023
7 min read

As we get into autumn the clothing and equipment you need for walking and hiking changes too. Here's a guide handy guide on autumn walking gear

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  • Gear Guides
  • Hiking

Wet weather gear guide

October 20, 2023
8 min read

Don't get caught out by the rain, be prepared for your next walk with this wet weather gear guide.

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  • Gear Guides
  • Hiking

Summer gear guide for outdoor adventures

July 31, 2023
17 min read

IIn this summer gear guide, we ask the Ordnance Survey team about their best outdoor product for this summer and how it helps them enjoy their time outside.

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  • Gear Guides
  • Sustainability

A guide to ethical and responsible outdoor clothing

July 25, 2023
5 min read

How ethical and sustainable is your outdoor kit? Montane share their expert knowledge on what to look out for when choosing outdoor clothing, so you can become a more responsible explorer.

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  • Gear Guides
  • Map Reading

Which compass is best for me?

June 14, 2023
6 min read

In some sense, all compasses do the same job but not everyone uses them for the same purpose. There are many different models with variations in features, accuracy and functionality. We take a look at some of the best on the market to help you decide which compass is right for you.

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  • Gear Guides
  • Walking

10 best short walks across Britain

April 13, 2023
12 min read

Discover Britain’s 10 best short walks for a great day out. Featured in the OS Short Walks Made Easy guidebooks, each walk provides key information like where to park, where to eat and what to see on route.

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  • Gear Guides
  • Walking

Walking books – Which guide is best for me?

April 13, 2023
7 min read

The OS Pathfinder Guides and OS Short Walks Made Easy series capture some of the best walking routes across Great Britain and include a range of useful information to make it easier to plan your walks. We take a look at these two guidebooks in more detail to help you decide which one is best for you.

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  • Dog friendly
  • Gear Guides

Gear guide: dog harnesses

August 18, 2022
4 min read

Our friends at Ruffwear share their expertise on choosing the right harness for your dog in this comprehensive gear guide. Find out why having the right harness makes all the difference and how to correctly fit one, so you can enjoy many adventures with your four-legged friend.

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  • Camping
  • Gear Guides

Gear guide: sleeping bags

March 10, 2022
8 min read

This guide to sleeping bag takes a look at the different types of sleeping bags, their materials, features, ratings and what they’re best for, to help you choose the right one for you.

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  • Camping
  • Gear Guides

Gear guide: camp stoves

March 7, 2022
5 min read

This gear guide to camp stoves will introduce you to the different type of camp stoves available and highlight the key features you need to consider when buying one. Whether you’re brewing a cuppa or cooking a hearty meal, camp stoves can make a big difference to your outdoor adventures.

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  • Gear Guides

Garmin Fenix 7 Series

February 4, 2022
5 min read

We take a look at the new Garmin Fenix 7 series and the unique features which make these high-performance, multi-sport GPS watches a cut above the rest. Built around a 7-day week, these watches will help you meet any outdoor challenge.

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  • Gear Guides

How to look after your outdoor kit

January 14, 2022
8 min read

As you spend time outdoors, the technical features on clothing can start to wear off. Kit care experts, Grangers, explain how to look care of your outdoor kit so you can restore its performance and enjoy it for years to come.

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  • Gear Guides
  • Walking

What to wear walking

December 15, 2021
2 min read

You can wear almost anything out walking but having the correct clothes and shoes will keep you comfortable, warm and dry. Here's a checklist of essential hiking clothes to answer that all important question

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  • Gear Guides

The ultimate guide to layering

December 2, 2021
11 min read

Whether you’re a seasoned hill walker, a speedy trail runner or you’re new to the outdoors, this ultimate guide to layering will help you get kitted out so you can enjoy your favourite routes whatever the weather.

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  • Gear Guides

Gear Guide: Walking footwear

November 8, 2021
8 min read

Regardless of whether you’re a local dog walker or a seasoned trail blazer, you’re going to want to have the right footwear to make your walk more comfortable. We take a detailed look at the best footwear for walking and how they fair across different terrains.

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  • Gear Guides

Gear Guide: Head torches

November 5, 2021
7 min read

During winter and autumn and on overnight trips you’ll need a light to see where you’re going and what you’re doing. This gear guide tells you all you need to know about headtorches to help you choose the perfect one for you.

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  • Cycling
  • Gear Guides
  • Walking

What is a GPX file?

July 1, 2020
5 min read

In any discussion of routes, navigation or GPS devices, you have probably seen people mentioning ‘GPX files’. GPX is shorthand for GPS eXchange Format and is a type of file that’s really helpful to anyone who loves the outdoors, plus it's the most popular way of saving and exchanging routes.