If you’re like me, a good pair of walking boots is the difference between a day spent enjoying boggy moors and one ruined by sore feet or wet socks. Buying secondhand boots is a great way to save money and reduce waste, but it takes a bit of know-how to avoid a dud. I’ve tested and worn plenty...
Jul 12, 2026
• by Aurélien Duval
Latest News from Outdoorangus Co
I spend a lot of time wandering footpaths, through hedgerows and over damp woodland floors, and fungi are one of the most rewarding things to notice when you slow down. They’re seasonal, often ephemeral, and beautifully varied in form and colour—but they also need good records to help conservationists track biodiversity and detect changes. Over the years I’ve developed an exact 8-step...
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Why a lightweight tarp shelter matters for dawn sea-cliff silhouette shotsThere’s a particular magic to shooting silhouettes at dawn from sea-cliffs: the soft gradation of colour, the crisp horizon line, and the drama that a 70–200mm brings when you compress distance and isolate shapes. I’ve learned that staying comfortable and protected in those early hours—without hauling a full bivvy...
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I’ve spent enough damp days on Pennine bogs to know that overtrousers are not a one-size-fits-all purchase. They need to keep driving rain and rising peat water out, while also letting your sweat escape during long slogging sections or steep climbs. In this piece I share how I choose and test waterproof overtrousers for wet, cold, and technical upland conditions — what I look for in fit, the...
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I’ve spent hundreds of ridge kilometres in summer light testing boots, chasing views and, importantly, chasing comfort. Hot spots and blisters can ruin a perfect day on a long exposed ridge, so over time I’ve learned to focus as much on fit and small details as on brand hype. Below I share the practical, field-tested fitting checklist I now use before I buy any midweight walking boot, along...
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Finding a wandering red kite chick on a roadside verge, in a garden or in a field can be worrying. I’ve come across young raptors on more than one walk and learned that staying calm, observing carefully and following a clear set of steps is the best way to help. Below I’ll walk you through exactly what I do when I find a stray red kite chick, what information to collect, who to contact and...
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Running a hedgerow moth night in a village is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to connect people with nocturnal wildlife. You don't need a garden full of professional kit or a heavy wallet — just a bit of planning, a white sheet, a light source, a camera (even a smartphone), and a willingness to learn. Below I walk through everything I do for community moth nights and how I then...
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On cold, wind-blasted mornings when I’m chasing the soft light over the sea, the last thing I want is moisture on my lens or my camera body getting drenched by spray. Over the years I’ve learned that a simple, lightweight waterproof shelter made from a tarpaulin can keep my gear dry, let me work low to the ground for interesting foregrounds, and collapse into a compact kit that won’t slow a...
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I slipped into my first pair of elevator shoes years ago expecting a novelty; what I found surprised me. If you've ever wondered whether height increasing shoes can be discreet, comfortable and suitable for an active lifestyle, I can share a practical, experience-driven take that goes beyond glossy marketing. This is about more than gaining 2–4 inches — it's about posture, confidence and...
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When I want to understand the history hidden in a hedgerow, I run a simple age survey that combines field observation, a few quick measurements, and clear record-keeping. Over years of walking, photographing and surveying hedgerows across the UK I’ve found this approach reliable enough to build useful local data and to feed into county trusts and recording schemes. Below I’ll walk you through...
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Why a strict 10-item kit works for exposed headlandsHeadland photography is a lesson in restraint. On exposed cliffs you’re dealing with wind, spray, uncertain footing and birds that are often distant and quick. I don’t want a van-load of kit on these walks — I want a compact, reliable 20L rucksack and only the essentials that let me get the shot and stay safe. This list is what I’ve...
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