Gear guides
Help with buying and using your outdoor equipment
Gear Guide: Walking Socks
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.
A Cornish Coast Adventure with the NEW Suunto Race S
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
Exploring Waterfalls with the Suunto Race S
Lisa explores a beautiful waterfall route in North Wales while reviewing the new Suunto Race S GPS watch.
Outdoorsy Christmas Gift Ideas from Ordnance Survey Champions!
Need some Christmas Gift Inspiration? Our OS Champions have picked out some great outdoorsy gift ideas for your adventure loving friends and family
OS Test The Best Lightweight Head Torch – Silva Smini & Smini Fly
Our intrepid OS Champions review the NEW Smini Headtorch and Smini Fly Headtorch - take a look at their in depth reviews
Hiking in the Lake District with the NEW Suunto Race S
First time user of a GPS watch Molly Veitch reviews this popular new performance watch on her latest hike up Coniston Old Man
Nature Gifts for Kids
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’ – Eco Adventuring with the Red Equipment Pro Change EVO
Join OS Champion Gee Jackson as takes this brand new changing robe through it's paces in her Red Equipment Pro Change EVO review
Open Water Swimming in Llyn Padarn with the Suunto S Race Watch
Oen water swimming in Llyn Padarn with the Suunto Race S - OS Champion Liz Asad puts this waterproof smart watch to the test!
Which GPS device do you need?
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.
Beacons Way Ultra with Suunto Race S
Suunto Race S Review - Tracy out this performance watch to the ultimate test on the Beacons Way Ultra
Gift Ideas for Hikers (that they’ll really love!)
Gift ideas for hikers that they will really love! We have handpicked perfect gifts for hikers to make your gifting decisions easy!
Malham Circular – A Day in’t Dales with the Suunto Race S
Malham Circular Walk - OS Champion Megan Rose has a day in the Yorkshire Dales testing out her brand new Suunto Race S GPS Watch
Best Christmas Gifts for Outdoor Lovers
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.
The Gritstone Trail – putting the new Suunto Race S to the test!
OS Champion and runner Emily Thompson puts the new Suunto Race S to the test on the Gritstone Trail.
Exploring Eryri: My 3-Day Solo Adventure with the Suunto Race S Watch
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.
OS Test The Best: Lightweight Running Jacket
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 Guide – Everything you need to know about choosing the right walking poles!
Hiking Poles - a complete guide to hiking poles including a look at all the main features and how to use hiking poles when walking
Hiking Checklist
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.
Autumn Walking Guide
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
Wet weather gear guide
Don't get caught out by the rain, be prepared for your next walk with this wet weather gear guide.
Summer gear guide for outdoor adventures
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.
A guide to ethical and responsible outdoor clothing
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.
Which compass is best for me?
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.
10 best short walks across Britain
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.
Walking books – Which guide is best for me?
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.
Gear guide: dog harnesses
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.
Gear guide: sleeping bags
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.
Gear guide: camp stoves
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.
Garmin Fenix 7 Series
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.
How to look after your outdoor kit
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.
What to wear walking
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
The ultimate guide to layering
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.
Gear Guide: Walking footwear
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.
Gear Guide: Head torches
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.
What is a GPX file?
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.