The Merrell fit is highly regarded, providing designs tailored for both male and female feet, to ensure that there is no slippage and the feet stay perfectly supported, even in the most demanding environments. Providing a shoe for all occasions, no matter where you decide to walk, you will be assured of great support, exquisite grip and above all, exceptional comfort for all of your outdoor adventures. With such a wide choice of styles on offer, we have put together a Walking.org guide to Merrell shoes, to help you choose the best model to suit your walking and hiking requirements.

Merrell Shoes

The Merrell shoes range is extensive, covering all terrain and all climates. Whether you need protection on exposed peaks, or comfortable footwear to wear for your walk to work, Merrell have your feet at the forefront of their minds.

As the National Health Service encourages people to increase the distance spent walking each day and give long term health a boost, Merrell provide the footwear to enable you to do so in comfort. Highly supportive and well cushioned shoes ensure that fitness walkers get the correct balance of grip, support and cushioning for hard urban terrain. The Merrell Sprint is a welcome addition to the Merrell walking shoes range. Combining the technology from their walking trainers, the Sprint is a godsend to urban walkers looking for the snug Merrell fit but a tread better suited to abrasive urban surfaces. For cross country runners, walkers and hikers, the Vibram sticky rubber compound outsoles ensure that no matter what the weather, and where you walk, traction is never going to a problem.

However after the day is done, to help the feet relax there are Merrell Jungle Mocs. The Mocs are perfect for after sports, to give the feet a chance to rest and recover. As casual slippers for the home and garden, they offer comfort, grip and style perfect, and are great for casual wear and much needed R&R. The moccasin style offers pure comfort, however they wouldn’t be Merrells without a rugged tread, great arch support and an anatomically moulded design. They are sure to keep you on the feet and in total comfort in the home, garden and for less strenuous walking.

Merrell Walking

When it comes to walking and hiking, Merrell are in their element. Born and bred in Vermont, they are situated in one of the most beautiful worldwide locations for walking. Inspired by the beautiful scenery in the summer, the New England colourful autumns provide the inspiration for their colour schemes. It also provides them with full seasonal variations to ensure their shoes get thoroughly tested in the in the heat of the summer, the wet weather in spring and autumn and the cold of the New England winter.

The Merrell walking range features rugged tread patterns and Vibram rubber to give maximum bite in snow and ice, and makes for excellent traction in the wet. For baked summer trails the Merrell Air Cushion takes the sting out of a heavy foot strike and cushions shockwaves. The uppers are light and breathable, providing warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer, whilst Gore-Tex fabric keeps the feet perfectly protected from the wind and rain. Gore-Tex gaskets form an impermeable seal, so that even streams will not stop you from taking the scenic route.

Most of the Merrell walking boot designs are based on Merrell trainers. Such is the comfort and support offered that all Merrell thought needed to be done was to provide an additional cuff for ankle protection. Simplistic yet effective, Merrell walking boots are incredibly lightweight, highly protective and help to maintain a good pace to keep you light on your feet, and keep the muscles fresher for longer.

Merrell walking means all seasons exercise from sandals for the height of the summer to winter snow boots, so whenever you walk and wherever you go, there is a shoe to help you walk in comfort.

Merrell Sandals

For many hardened walkers, the summer is not a favourite time to get out into the countryside, requiring greater stamina to keep going through the heat. The trails get busier, the countryside fills up with holidaymakers, and the peace and tranquillity is often broken. However to help you keep cool, calm and collected, Merrell sandals should be the first choice for footwear. The best shoes to keep the feet cool and allow the air to get to the toes, Merrell sandals offer a robust hard wearing design to keep the feet perfectly cushioned, supported and well protected. Constructed from highly durable pig-suede and nubuck leather, they are designed to last, and make all light summer hiking a breeze.

Traction is assured with sticky Vibram rubber outsoles, and innovative cross-terrain tread patterns give the maximum grip. The feet are kept secure and perfectly aligned thanks to anatomically moulded footbeds, with great arch support and cushioning for the forefoot and heel. The low profile sole includes a Merrell Air cushion for shock absorption and rigid arch shanks help to keep the sandals stable.

If you prefer to reduce your walking adventures in summer and take to the cooling water, the Merrell Waterpro offers the most flexibility for the feet. The design has been developed for exceptional underwater grip, and is suitable for the both the sea and fresh water. However the shoes function equally well as summer walking sandals, being great for getting you to and from the water in comfort. Quick drying uppers, razor sipped soles, and sticky rubber lugs give great traction wherever your summer adventure takes you.

Merrell Trainers

The trainer is the heart and soul of Merrell shoes. For a brand which prides itself on comfort and flexibility, it is no surprise that Merrell trainers are the basis for so many of their outdoor range. The ever popular Merrell Chameleon is now in its third generation as a trainer, constantly being fine tuned to get the maximum off-road performance. So popular was the style, that mid-boots and hiking sandals were soon added to the range. The ever popular Merrell Moab has a mid-boot version, offering the same features which have made it such a popular all round trainer.

It is not the men’s Merrell range alone which has brought such flexible designs. In the women’s Merrell collection, Merrell Siren trainers have seen some evolution. Merrell chose to add femininity to their designs, and have steered away from unisex one size fits all construction. The female specific last used for construction of the women’s range ensures the perfect fit for the female foot. Narrower in the heel, and shorter in the toe, they offer an exceptionally good fit, and eliminate the sliding which many women suffer in unisex walking shoes. So popular was the styling for the Siren, that the same designs have been incorporated into an all purpose walking sandal version.

However there is one Merrell trainer which has remained in its original form and that is the Merrell Intercept. In making the Intercept, Merrell have produced a truly awesome multi-sport shoe. For cross country walking and moving at a faster pace the speed sole and lightweight design helps to increase the speed, especially on difficult terrain. When a shoe performs so well across such a wide range of surfaces, there is no need to convert it into a mid-boot.

Merrell Socks and Accessories

Merrell shoes offer a snug fit with soft linings for instant comfort. Removable sockliners help to keep the feet fresh, and anti-microbial treatments prevent foot odour from becoming a problem, however for the maximum comfort Merrell have designed their own range of walking socks. Designed to complement the fit of Merrell shoes, their walking socks are equally Hi-Tec. To add even greater shock absorption, Merrell socks are constructed with padding on the ball and the heel. Soft merino wool cushioning has been anatomically mapped into the soles, giving greater cushioning on the ball and the heel, with reinforcements for a long lifespan. Taking up very little volume, they feel lightweight on the feet and allow air to pass through to keep the feet cool, promoting the wicking of moisture away from the foot and out of the shoes.

The appropriately named Merrell EWE technology combines soft dew wool with synthetics to maximise comfort and dryness and give a foot hugging design. Modern fibres keep the socks breathing whilst increasing the lifespan and improving performance. Nylon, Lycra, Polypropylene and wool are blended for maximum comfort, support and cushioning. Merrell socks compliment Merrell footwear to ensure the perfect environment for the feet is maintained for a comfortable day on the feet.

Merrell Clothing

As active proponents of a healthy outdoor lifestyle, Merrell cater for all outdoor pursuits. Having ensured comfort and support for the feet of walkers and hikers, it was a natural progression to extend their range to Merrell clothing. Just as Merrell Gore-Tex fabrics protect the feet, Merrell lightweight waterproof clothing keeps the body at the right temperature, and well protected from the elements. Designed to be thrown in a pack and emerge looking good, Merrell walking and hiking gear is perfect for a quick change when the heavens open or a storm kicks up. Constructed from quick drying fabrics, the clothing is lightweight and warm, and will not leave you feeling restricted. Perfectly breathable, they help to wick away moisture from the body to keep you dry and comfortable. From base camp to the pub for a celebratory post walk pint, Merrell provide the full range of stylish outdoor clothing to keep you walking in style and relaxing in comfort.

Whilst the heat of the summer has walkers and hikers heading for the shade, it’s a great time to be looking for bargains. The summer is a great time to pick up cheap Merrell shoes from the end of line clearance sales. Due to the level of innovation at Merrell, models are changed each year and the previous season’s model and styles are cleared to make way for the new technology. If you are looking for a late summer pair of sandals, or walking boots for the autumn there are great bargains to be had. Look out for Merrell shoes on sale and you could make a considerable saving on your footwear for the autumn and winter.

Merrell Boots

As the nights get longer and the days get shorter, the autumn offers some of the best walking experiences you will find. Walking in the British countryside as greens turn to red is a pleasure, and a delight for the senses. Cooler temperatures make walking and hiking more invigorating, especially refreshing after the draining heat of summer.

When summer draws to a close its time to think about your winter footwear to give the extra degree of protection and warmth to see you through to the spring. Merrell walking trainers such as the Moab, Chameleon and Siren function well throughout the year. Due to great year round performance and highly popular designs, Merrell have simply added a protective cuff to keep the same sleek and stylish looks. Lightweight and flexible, Merrell mid boots allow you to maintain pace even in difficult terrain, and help to keep foot fatigue at bay.

Merrell boots are strong, hard wearing and protective and are designed to cover all terrain in all conditions. Featuring Gore-Tex linings and gaskets, they offer a totally waterproof seal and total protection from the weather. The lightweight uppers are cool in summer and insulating in winter, remaining perfectly breathable to allowing the feet to breathe and stay cool when the going gets more strenuous.

Designed from the highly comfortable trainer range, the uppers are soft and flexible on the feet for a comfortable fit straight out of the box, with minimal breaking in time. They give a great balance of flexibility and support for tacking varied terrain with ease, and Merrell Gore Tex technology helps to maintain the right environment for your feet, keeping them dry and comfortable even after full immersion.

No matter where you prefer to walk, and what terrain you need to traverse, the Merrell walking range offers the walker, hiker and outdoor enthusiast the widest possible choice of performance footwear with comfort, style and long lasting durability to boot!

GPS receivers are a handy piece of kit to have as long as you remember that they are not a substitute for a map! That might seem obvious, but never leave home without your OS map and a compass. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a GPS receiver suitable for walkers/hikers. Like many gadgets, there are bells and whistles on offer, but you can get away with a simple entry level GPS receiver for your walks for under £100.

Both Blacks and Millets are offering 20% off a selection of GPS devices and accessories, there is no better time to buy than right now!

Garmin eTrex H – £86 Now only £68.99 Click here to read our review

Garmin Vista HCx – £230 With FREE Delivery Click here to read our review

Satmap Active 10 Plus £380 Now only £246 Click here to read our review

Features to look out for when buying a GPS device

Power
Carrying a GPS receiver with you is a waste of time unless it works when it’s needed, so look for long battery life. Some receivers have rechargeable batteries.

Screen
Being able to read a GPS receiver in all weathers and light conditions is essential for walkers and hikers, and higher-priced models with large, clear colour screens make reading map detail easier. But if you can manage with a simple, black and white screen, then an entry level model will suffice.

Durability
The GPS receiver case should be robust, tough enough to take a few knocks, and preferably waterproof. Smartphones and PDAs are unlikely to be as durable or cope with the effects of weather.

Map datums
Map datums describe the irregular shape of the Earth for a particular region and different maps have different map datums. Lines of latitude and longitude on a map or chart are referenced to a specific map datum. Every chart has a map datum reference, usually listed in the title block of the chart. If you are comparing GPS coordinates to a chart or map, the map datum in the GPS unit must be set to match the chart or map’s datum for accurate comparison. GPS users should reference their GPS receivers to their maps. In the UK the GPS receiver should be set to OSGB or GRB36. For most European countries the unit should be set to European 1950.

Waypoints
Waypoints are the coordinates of a location – the stop-off points, locations and landmarks worth storing on your GPS, to enable you to navigate back to these at a later date. You can also use a track back feature to re-trace your steps back to your car, or to your start point, or to reach it via another route. So a large built in memory is a must and look out for units with a slot for a memory card to store extra mapping.

Routes
A route is a series of waypoints that are entered in the way you want to navigate them.

System
GPS receivers come in several flavours – dedicated hand-held receivers, PDAs (personal digital assistants), Smartphones, and PNDs (portable navigation devices) that can be used in a car or on the hills. Dedicated outdoor systems are usually more robust and give longer battery life.

Channels
GPSs use a numbers of channels to track the satellites – the more channels the greater the accuracy, particularly in congested and wooded areas. 12 or 16 channel receivers are now common and are better than an 6 or 8 channel receivers.

Computer links
Waypoints can be keyed in manually but it is time consuming, so software to do this for you is essential. Look out for waypoint upload/download capability using software like Memory-Map, Garmin Topo, Magellan Topo, Anquet, ViewRanger, MapyxQuo.

Co-ordinate systems
UK maps have a grid so you can identify a location using a grid reference. The commonest coordinate systems in the world are LAT/LON and UTM so if you are using a GPS receiver in the UK, the coordinate system needs setting to match the coordinate system on the maps you are using.

Digital Mapping Software
Digital mapping software enables you to view Ordnance Survey mapping on your computer. You can then download routes from your computer to a GPS and also upload tracklogs of where you walk. Some products also have 3D and aerial views. Having said that, you may not need OS mapping software, expecially on easy trails and well known mountain routes – a non-mapping unit will give you an accurate grid reference that you can transfer to a paper map. OS mapping can be expensive, it’s not easy to view on a small screen, and it eats up battery life. Your preference for map detail and your specific activities will determine whether you need OS mapping and which software is right for you. But if you do decide to buy mapping software, make sure that it’s compatible with your computer and don’t assume that the software you buy will work on any other devices you may have and that you can swap the mapping between one device and another. In most cases, you will not be able to do this, so check this out before buying.

Dedicated GPS Receivers
Garmin eTrex H – £86 – Now only £68.99
Click here to read our review

Garmin Vista HCx – £230 – With FREE Delivery
Click here to read our review

Garmin Oregon 300 – £350
Magellan Triton 500 £270
Magellan Triton 2000 £530
Satmap Active 10 Plus £380 – Now only £246
Click here to read our review

Smartphones
MWg Zinc II – £200 – on contract Free
Nokia N79 – £275 – on contract £70
Blackberry Bold 9000 £500 – on contract £137

1 large aubergine
1 medium onion
2 cloves garlic
100 g (4 oz) mushrooms
1 large tin chopped tomatoes
125 ml (5 fl oz) water
5 ml (1 tsp) lemon juice
10 ml (2 tsp) chopped fresh parsley
freshly ground black pepper
black olives to garnish

Trim the ends from the aubergine then cut the aubergine into bite-size pieces. Slice the onion and mushrooms and finely chop the garlic. Put the aubergine, onion, garlic, chopped tomatoes and water in a large saucepan and cook for 10 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking and adding a little more water if necessary. Add the mushrooms, lemon juice, parsley and freshly ground pepper and cook for a further 5 minutes. Serve with a jacket potato and garnish with black olives.

Linking Britain’s largest lake, Loch Lomond, with its highest mountain, Ben Nevis, this tour takes us into the majestic countryside of the Highlands of Scotland following most of Scotland’s famous footpath. Most of the day stages of the route follow the famous droving and military roads that linked the highlands to the lowlands. Many of the hotels along the route were originally old droving inns and have been described in the travel writings of many famous authors including Dr. Johnson and William and Dorothy Wordsworth.

The path threads its way along the eastern shore of Loch Lomond before we come upon the wild ramparts of Ben Lomond which rise from the water to just under 1000 metres. The ‘Way’ then leaves the loch and passes through moor and forest to Crianlarich which is dominated by Ben More, the highest mountain south of Strath Tay and one of the most imposing in the southern highlands.

As we walk along glacial valleys, past the Bridge of Orchy and over to Loch Tulla, surrounded by remnants of the old Caledonian forest, we pass into Rannoch Moor and a welcome stop at the Kings House Inn, Scotland’s oldest and remotest licensed inn. We then leave the moor by the Devil’s Staircase with fantastic views back to the peak of Buachaille Etive Mor, guarding the entrance to Glencoe. The Way then goes down to Kinlochleven at the head of Loch Leven and sea level. Finally we walk the Lairigmor pass and down through forests, into the deep glaciated valley of Glen Nevis at the foot of Ben Nevis, at 1342 metres Scotland’s highest peak.

N.B. To fit into the time available our walk misses the first official day from Milngavie to Drymen, and you are also transferred along a section of the route from Ardlui to Crainlarich. Alternatively you choose to walk this section of the route but you should plan for a 22 mile day.

Click here detailed dossier

Inn to Inn 8 days
Duration: 7 nights/8 days
Tour Code: WWH
Grade: Moderate
Day Stages: Min 9.25 miles, max 14 miles

SELF-GUIDED Dates 2009
Any day April – October
(Not during Loch Lomond Golf Tournament 9 – 12 July & PGA 17-20 September).
Click here for latest SELF-GUIDED prices

ESCORTED Dates 2009
Group Size: Min 4, max 12, plus trek leader
EWWH12 Sun 12 April – Sun 19 April
EWWH27 Sun 27 Sept – Sun 4 October
Click here for latest ESCORTED prices

Accommodation
7 nights/8 days – The first night is spent in Drymen at a very comfortable guesthouse. Our Loch Lomond hotel is close to the waters edge, offering expansive views towards Ben Lomond. At Ardlui we use a comfortable hotel which is located on the edge of the northernmost shores of Loch Lomand. Our hotel at Loch Tulla is well off the main road and the setting reminds one of its original use as a cattle drover’s inn. There is a small restaurant offering good quality home cooking. Our next hotel is in the wilds of Rannoch Moor near the entrance to Glencoe. The rooms are fairly basic, but the bar is a very cosy place to be as it was in 1745 when it was used after the Battle of Culloden. At Kinlochleven, our guesthouse offers a warm welcome. The West Highland Way finishes near our final guesthouse at Nevis Bridge, just outside Fort William.

Waymarks
This is a well signposted National Trail, relatively easy.

Accommodation and Meals
On a bed and breakfast basis, in comfortable country inns and hotels. Ensuite facilities are generally available for each night’s accommodation, except night 4.

Start and End of Tour
The nearest major city to the start and finish of the trek is Glasgow, which has two international airports, Prestwick (45 mins to Glasgow Central by train) and Glasgow (20 mins to Glasgow by bus). Then take the train to Balloch, then bus to Drymen. From London take the train from London Euston to Glasgow Central (5 1/2 hours). Then train to Balloch, and take the bus or taxi to Drymen.
After breakfast on day 8. Short walk or taxi ride to Fort William station. Train to Glasgow approx. 3 hours 40 mins, then taxi/walk to Glasgow Central Station and, as above, to Prestwick or Glasgow airports. For trains to London there is a direct overnight sleeper service from Fort William to London via Glasgow (not Saturday night).

CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW WITH SHERPA EXPEDITIONS

Most people seem to be busy during the evenings or at the weekend, which leaves little time for group outdoor activities. Whatever the reason, it’s times like this that your four-legged friend provides the perfect way to get out in the fresh air.

While more apathetic persons have turned to professional dog walkers to give their pooches the exercise they need, the most obvious benefit of dog walking is achieving an adequate amount of exercise for yourself.

There are numerous benefits gained from walking the dog once a day. Not only does it help to reduce the chance of heart attack, stroke, obesity and stress, but dogs are always eager to go for a walk, so should you ever get the notion to shirk from taking the dog for a walk, your dog will let you know about it! This way, the chance of skipping your dog walking session is greatly reduced. Once you get into a pattern, your dog will keep you in a fixed routine of walking, even if it’s chucking it down with rain, so be sure to put on your waterproof boots to stay safe in all weather conditions.

Walking with your dog is much more fun than walking alone and dogs are great stress relievers too, which can help you to forget your worries and take in the wonder of your surroundings, whether you’re walking to the local shops and back or through the park.

Dog walking is the easiest and cheapest method to keep you and your dog fit and healthy. So get out there and start walking. And if you don’t have a dog, ask if you can take a neighbour’s dog for a walk instead!

4 slices crusty bread
1 clove garlic
4 medium tomatoes
fresh basil leaves
8 black olives
freshly ground black pepper

Slice the tomatoes and put under a hot grill for a few minutes, turning once. Peel the garlic and cut into half. Toast the bread, then rub with the cut clove of garlic. Arrange the tomatoes on the toasted bread. Tear the basil leaves then put the basil and olives on top of the crostini. Add some freshly ground black pepper.

95 per cent of people will suffer from back pain at some time in their lives. ‘Oh, if only I could do something for my aching back,’ must be one of the most common medical complaints. Fitness walking can provide relief for many people suffering from back pain.

‘Taking a walk regularly is one of the best things you can do for your back. It promotes muscular development, increases circulation, and speeds the release of endorphins which provide a natural ‘high’, says Dr John Regan, a surgeon at Texas Back Institute. He goes on to say that: ‘Walking also lacks the jarring impact associated with many other forms of exercise.’

Yoga teaches us that old age comes with the stiffening of the backbone; and it is this stiffening that causes loss of flexibility in the back and joints, and also affects the roots of the spinal nerves, affecting other functions of the body – circulation, digestion and respiration. For the spine to be healthy it needs to be supple, and for this it must have exercise otherwise it receives less blood – which means less nourishment. Wastes are not carried away; muscles and nerves are affected; tiredness and ill-health ensue. Fitness walking can provide the exercise needed to help keep the back and joints flexible.

Our sedentary lifestyles and bad posture can lead to lower back pain, and sitting for long periods of time can cause a shortening of certain postural muscles. Many lower back injuries are caused by jogging (where the feet strike the ground with 3-4 times body weight) and dance aerobics (where the feet strike the ground with 4-5 times body weight). Fitness walking provides an ideal programme of exercise which can be built up gradually to give mobility to the back. It will also help those who have suffered an injury to their back (remember that fitness walkers’ feet only strike the ground with 1-1.5 times their body weight). And it will help those who have been inactive for a long time and wish to start a moderate fitness programme.

Fitness walking strengthens the muscles in the pelvis and lower back. If you have a back problem, you may actually feel better walking than sitting, as the forward movement of the body reduces the force of gravity on your back. Sitting and standing can both put more strain on the spine than walking. If you sit for long, your body weight is unevenly distributed onto the lower back and hips. People who spend a lot of time driving a car may suffer similar problems. Just as it is important to get up from a chair at regular intervals and go for a walk, so it is for drivers to stop regularly to stretch their legs and go for a walk.

It is important to emphasise that to develop mobility in the back a programme of fitness walking and stretching exercises is necesssary. It is total fitness which strenghten the back muscles and helps to alleviate aches and pains.

If you have a serious back problem, consult your doctor before starting out on a fitness walking and exercise programme.