As the nights draw in, we generally see even more people joining our evening walks but why?

Gone are the lazy summer evenings where a walk can be a great excuse for people to enjoy long hours outdoors, warmth from the fading sun and views, so what draws them to our groups at this time of year?

The answer is simple – they  still want to exercise, socialise and be active outdoors but now they want that precious time away from the comfort of home to be really worth it.

Joining a walk with others provides camaraderie, fun and safety in numbers. It also means you are more likely to make the effort to step out into the chill and crucially, the leader will make sure you get some exercise benefits by making you do that extra loop, hill or fast paced section! The result is that you return to the fireside, glowing, refreshed and proud of yourself for giving your body what it needs to stay in shape and ward off ill health. If you do walk on your own – always tell somebody else where you are going and when you will be back.

Here are our tips for staying safe and maximising the benefits of a brisk evening walk

Tip One – arrange to meet others, whether by booking a scheduled walk ( we have thousands a week across the UK see HERE) or simply calling somebody to buddy with. Your are far more likely to go if you have this external motivation.

Tip two  – plan ahead and make sure you eat at the right times during the day (a healthy snack 2 hours before a walk is ideal), so you have the energy and are not starving as you are about to set off. This is the number one reason people give for not exercising after work so top up your tummy to avoid hunger driving you to the sofa and wine instead! Also make sure you are hydrated (with water or herbal teas) as that will help with energy levels too.

Tip three – wear the right clothing. Use layers to keep warm (you can always peel them off) and bright things to keep you safe. Long sleeved under layers and gilets are a great idea and if you choose less bulky layers, you can store them easily into a  waist or back pack if you don’t need them. If you do wear a backpack, why not pop a high viz backpack cover on to make sure you can be seen – these are waterproof too so great for the British winter ahead.

Remember to wear HIGH VIZ so other users of paths and roads can see you. You can get stylish running tops with built in high viz and even hats which have high viz yarn woven through them. Select something that works for you and if you simply want to wear your favourite outdoor jacket – just select a simple lightweight vest or belt – this one is ideal and comes in a number of colours plus to option to add wristbands too

At WALX we also love a clip on light and these ADVENTURE LIGHTS are must have for any outdoor enthusiast to be honest. They clip on to backpack straps to make sure people can see you coming and also clip on to the back of the pack to warn those behind you. they come in different colours too and are easy to clip on and off.  They are one of those items that you should always carry in your pack, just in case of emergency, fog etc. A whole group wearing these is the best way to warn other road and path users of your presence on a dark night ( and it looks lovely too!)

Finally think gloves before you usually need them as chilly digits will always spoil a lovely walk – invest in some special ones that fit neatly into pole straps or provide grip on ergonomic handles – our Favourites are the Gabel Expert gloves which come in both green and grey. They are in the sale too!

Tip four – Use your head! We lose a lot of heat from our heads so donning a hat or headband is always a good idea but make sure you can still hear traffic or bikes that might be sharing your space. Also, your head is the best place to light up the way ahead via a …. head torch of course! These lightweight gadgets help you both to see and be seen. Good ones will light up the way ahead to help you spot any trip hazards.

They can get quite technical and have different beams and settings for different scenarios including the ability to not glare into the eyes of those you are talking to and long range or wide angles areas of light depending on what you need to see. We stock some of the most technical and robust models available – see here for the LEDLENSOR range and remember WALX Members get a discount on their full range too.

If you are looking for a cheaper but brilliant option, lot’s of our walkers swear by the Everbeam H6 pro LED which comes in a handy zip up case that takes up no room in your pack

Tip five – use your senses. Take a minute to notice how things sound different in the dark and how your other senses are awakened when you can’t see so clearly. Notice how your balance might be affected when you do your stretches or try using your sense of smell more to notice what’s around you. Use your sense of touch and take a minute to feel the coldness of the metal gate or roughness of the tree bark. Things you don’t necessarily notice as you walk in the daylight can become magical and of course if you are lucky you will be able to see the moon and stars too.

All these things will help you to shake of the stresses of the day, boost your mood and energy levels yet help you to sleep well too. Just make sure you allow an hour or two after exercise before you go to bed.