If, like me, your idea of a fun day out is to go to a nuclear bunker, look at a disused viaduct, or wander round a castle, you’ll like NerdyDayTrips.com. It’s all very Web 2.0 – anyone can add a new ‘spot’ to a clickable map of the UK. There are over 1000 to choose from at the moment, so most likely plenty in your local area. From archaeological sites and ruins to museums and natural wonders, Nerdy Day Trips really will appeal to anyone who likes to get out and about and visit interesting stuff. Continue reading
Make Your Own Ordnance Survey Map – How Cool Is This?
5 May
I’ve just been reading how you can now custom make your own Ordnance Survey maps. I love these maps for a variety of reasons (and am planning a big post on them soon) but it’s pretty annoying when your walking area covers the very edge of a map or even goes off one and onto another. Call me lazy, but standing on a windy hillside faffing around with 12 square feet of paper trying to find where I am isn’t my favourite thing, and call me cheap, but why buy lots of maps when you could just make one? Continue reading
Sport Pursuit Gives You Money Off Outdoor Brands
19 Apr
I’ve stumbled across a new site called Sport Pursuit – it’s a UK ‘flash sale’ site offering money off clothing and equipment from big sports brands. To be honest I had no idea what a flash sale was supposed to be, but apparently it just means that the sale, or offer or whatever you want to call it, lasts for 7 days. Continue reading
Campsite Reviews & Bookings at Pitchup.com
16 Apr
As an SEO by day I’ve got a pretty judgemental eye when it comes to websites. When I come across one I like, it makes me want to tell people, so today’s post is about my new favourite camping site – Pitchup.com. As the tagline says, it’s a guide to loads of campsites in the UK and Ireland, and it’s where I found somewhere new to go camping this summer.
Craghoppers Pika Trousers Review
21 May
My Craghoppers Pika trousers are my absolute favourite walking trousers – the perfect victim for my first clothing review.
Update: you can get these from Outdoor Gear at a pretty good price at the moment – just follow the link!
Overview
Pika trousers are billed in the product description as a “contemporary” version of Craghopper’s popular Kiwi trousers:
They come in several styles:
- A lightweight walking trouser
- A winter version that has a warm fleecy lining
- A convertible version that allows you to zip bits off to make three different lengths (called “Duo”)
- A convertible version that lets you make shorts (this isn’t on Craghoppers’ website but I’ve seen it elsewhere)
- Some crops
I have the normal walking trousers, so this review covers those. A lot of it probably applies to the rest too 
Pika Fit
The best thing about these trousers is the fit. I’m a pretty standard size 8 and not exactly tall at 5’3”, and one of the most difficult things I find with clothes is the sizing being wrong. Jeans are almost always too long, and a size 8 in one shop is completely different to a size 8 somewhere else.
My Pika trousers fit me perfectly on the hips and bum, the crotch isn’t too low (another problem with some walking trousers) and the legs are nice and straight so they don’t swish together when I’m walking. I really hate high-waisted trousers (they just never fit properly) so finding some with what I’d call a “normal” cut is brilliant. They’re slightly stretchy which makes them extra comfy when climbing up hills.
The trousers come in three different lengths (short, regular and long) and I went for the regular. I could probably wear the short ones but I wasn’t really sure – the regular length doesn’t seem too long and after a few months of use they’re just fraying a tiny bit on the bottom cuffs.
Features, Such As Pockets
My Pika trousers have 7 pockets:
- Two bum pockets with no closure like a button or flap
- Two hip pockets, again with no closure
- A zip pocket in one of the hip pockets – good for car keys!
- A leg pocket with a flap over it
- A small elasticated pocket inside the leg pocket
I’ve never actually used all of them at once, but having a leg pocket and a zip pocket is really useful. The elasticated pocket is a great idea for anything you want to keep separate and safe. They’re all nice and deep so you can keep plenty of stuff in them.
Build Quality
As I mentioned above, months of quite possibly being crushed under my boots has only frayed the bottom of my pika trousers a little bit. The fabric is soft, cool and lightweight, but seems incredibly durable. Most of the seams have two rows of stitching and overall they look the same as they did when I bought them.
The fabric technology is called “SolarDry” and consists of polyester cotton and spandex (apparently). I’ve found that they dry really quickly after rain or if you get really hot and sweaty – they’re a great walking trouser for warm-weather hikes. I imagine that the winter version would offer the same quick-drying but with added warmth and that sounds good to me.
The fabric is also meant to be stain-resistant, and overall I think they are. I’ve got my Platinum (light grey) coloured ones pretty muddy and they’re fine after a wash. I *did* drop some fish and chips on them and a vague, greasy stain remains… but not everyone struggles to find their mouth.
Waterproofing
As mentioned above, Pika trousers dry really quickly – but are they waterproof? Well, I accidentally stepped in a massive puddle and half my leg disappeared. I came out dry so I’d call that waterproof!
Colours
I can find Platinum, Cardamon (brown), Black or Sand (light colour). It’s worth looking around to find the right size in the colour you want as not everywhere has every size/colour in stock.
The Verdict
Pika trousers are brilliant for hiking, really comfortable with a great fit and very durable lightweight material. Loads of pockets means you’re never short of somewhere to put stuff, and the waterproofing means they’re good for all sorts of weather conditions. I like them so much that I’ve just got another pair
Concrete Canvas – The Tent That Turns Into Concrete
19 May
A really cool product made the BBC yesterday – called Concrete Canvas, it’s a fabric that turns into concrete over 24 hours when you wet it. It’s billed as the perfect material for creating quick shelters in disaster zones – just watch the video below to see why.
The really cool thing about concrete canvas is that it can be sewn together into a proper tent. The canvas is placed on top of a rubber skin that’s inflated to create the structure – once wet, you just have to wait 24 hours for the whole thing to harden in place.
It’s unclear from all the articles I’ve read whether they’re actually in use in disaster areas – I hope so because it’s a great idea. The Concrete Canvas website is a bit outdated but has a super cool virtual tour of the inside of one of the tents.
At the moment I’m trying to save up for a house – do you think I could just buy a piece of land and have one of these instead? 
Camp In My Garden – Does Exactly What It Says On The Tin
15 May
I was intrigued this morning to see a camping story in the Daily Fail, promoting a new website aimed at homeowners and campers alike. Launched in April 2011, Campinmygarden.com
The idea behind the site is that homeowners can cash in on big events in their area by renting out their gardens on a nightly basis. Apparently, you can do this for 28 days a year without needing planning permission.
Campers, who have tickets to an event but nowhere to stay, are invited to find a pitch in someone’s garden nearby.
I like the clean and simple interface, with a big search box and clear login/signup areas.
There aren’t many “campsites” listed yet (just 7 for the London area), but a running theme is the pretty comprehensive facilities. This garden in London offers electricity, hot water, WiFi, potential sleeping space in the house, negotiable transport services and meals. It’s like a cross between camping and a B&B.
So the implementation is good, but I have two reservations about the site. One – if you’re going to an event wouldn’t you already have sorted out a place to stay? Two – would “proper” campers (meaning those who don’t just camp at festivals) be interested in staying in someone’s garden?
I’m not sure I would, but as an alternative to expensive accommodation near an event it’s certainly an interesting idea and one to watch.
If you’ve used Campinmygarden.com please get in touch and tell us what you think!