3rd Rock Scrappy Doo Chalk Bag

Pictured above is my actual chalk bag – an Algae Scrappy Doo from 3rd Rock. I love it and it works well with my bouldering outfit.

3rd Rock offer sustainable chalk bags made from upcycled fabrics. They feature a drawstring closure, a large zip pocket and an elastic brush-holder.

The waist strap is elastic string which you have to tie on. I don’t really like this so I don’t use it and just leave my bag on the mat. If you have an old chalk bag it would be easy to thread the strap through the loops on the Scrappy Doo.

No two are the same, and you can’t choose the exact bag to purchase. There are five groups of designs to choose from and they will select one for you – perfect if you like a surprise and aren’t too picky!

You can buy the Scrappy Doo Chalk Bag for £23 from 3rd Rock. Larger sizes are available at slightly higher prices.

SNAP Chalk Pockets

I bought a SNAP Chalk Pocket for my boyfriend for Christmas and he loves it.

Made from 100% recycled polyester with a metal (instead of plastic) clasp on the strap, the SNAP chalk pocket is eco-friendly.

It comes in a variety of colours and features a large velcro pocket, a brush holder, and a drawstring closure to keep your chalk secure.

I love the colours and the practical features are flawless.

You can buy the SNAP Chalk Pocket for £27.99 on Amazon.

Mammut We Care Chalk Bag

The Mammut We Care Chalk Bag is made from 100% recycled materials and offcuts from the production of other products.

This one has a classic design with a brush holder and a drawstring closure.

I love the simplicity of the design and the sustainable approach from one of the better known climbing brands.

You can buy the Mammut We Care Chalk Bag for £22.50 on Amazon.

Dirtbags Recycled Rope Chalk Bags

Dirtbags offer a range of chalk bags but my favourite are the brightly coloured recycled rope bags. These are made using retired climbing rope and fabric offcuts.

Features include an elastic chalk brush holder and drawstring closure. However, you do need to purchase the waist strap separately if you don’t already have one from an old chalk bag.

I love that no two will be entirely the same and they’re made in a workshop in the UK.

You can buy Dirtbags Recylced Rope Chalk Bags for £28.99 on their website.

PrAna Roots Studio Chalk Bags

The PrAna Roots Studio chalk bags are made from 100% recycled polyester. They support indigenous artists around the globe by featuring their designs in the collection.

There’s no pocket but the chalk bag features an elastic brush holders and a drawstring closure.

You can buy PrAna Roots Studio Chalk Bags for £22 from Bananafingers.

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Your essential mountain hiking kit list

Footwear

Footwear is the most essential thing to get right when planning your mountain hiking kit. This year there have been so many reports of people needing to call Mountain Rescue because they’ve attempted to climb a mountain in flip-flops. Don’t be one of those people. Trainers aren’t a good idea either, as the terrain can be rocky and you don’t want to ruin your trip with a sprained ankle. Here’s what you need:

Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support

Mountain hiking routes are typically rocky and uneven, so it’s important to make sure you have hiking boots with ankle support. I have Keen Terradora Waterproof Hiking Boots (read my review here) – they are the most comfortable boots I’ve found and I swear by them.

Hiking socks

It’s important to wear hiking socks as they have additional cushioning in the sole, for increased comfort if you’re walking a long way. Merino wool hiking socks regulate temperature and are breathable, so I usually opt for these. It’s a good idea to pack an extra pair in case your first pair get wet, as damp socks are more likely to cause blisters.

Layers are essential mountain hiking kit

Mountain weather is unbelievably changeable. You can set off in bright, warm sunshine and end up freezing cold in heavy rain and gale-force wind. So it’s essential to be prepared for anything, even if the mountain forecast says the weather will be fine. Lots of light layers in your mountain hiking kit will give you the flexibility you need and won’t be too heavy to carry. You’ll need:

T-shirt or base layer

Any technical t-shirt will make a good first layer – you want something light and breathable as your body temperature will vary according to the changing terrain. I prefer a merino wool base layer as merino is excellent at temperature regulation and controlling body odour. You can wear one of these for a several days of trekking and the t-shirt won’t smell bad.

Fleece

Even if the weather is warm at the base of the mountain, don’t make the mistake of leaving a warm mid-layer behind. Mountain weather can be extremely changeable so, whilst you may start off in 30*C sunshine, the summit might be 5*C and windy. I have a couple of North Face fleeces which are lightweight and warm.

Down Jacket

Down jackets are incredibly lightweight and scrunch up impressively small in your bag, so taking one of these is a must. It won’t add much to the weight of your pack, but you’ll be glad to have it at a cold mountain summit. One of these is always worth the investment, particularly for any travel with luggage limits.

Waterproof jacket

You can get jackets that are both warm and waterproof, however I recommend getting separate jackets and layering up. On a mountain hike this will help you to wear the right layers for the changing weather, so you don’t get too hot or cold.

Make sure you take a good waterproof jacket as, if you get wet, you’ll get cold – and it’s a long way down from the top of a mountain.

Accessories

Warm hat

Pack a warm beanie hat, without a bobble so that it fits underneath your jacket hood if necessary. If the weather turns, you’ll be glad you did.

Waterproof gloves

I always take a pair of waterproof gloves with me on any mountain hike. The weather can be unpredictable so rain is usually likely. Any gloves are better than no gloves, but wool will become cold very quickly if it rains. I have a pair of Sealskins gloves (read my review here) and I love them.

Sunglasses

Backpack for your essential kit

You’ll need a comfortable backpack to carry your essential mountain hiking kit. I like Osprey packs as they have plenty of padding and hip straps, which take the strain away from your shoulders. These will last for years. 20 Litres should be plenty for a day hike up a mountain.

If the backpack isn’t waterproof, make sure you take a waterproof backpack cover as well.

Drinks and Snacks

How much water you’ll need will vary person to person but, although it is heavy, it’s far better to have too much than not enough. If you’re hiking a steep mountain incline you’ll need plenty to drink. Take at least one litre, most people will need more!

Snacks are also important for keeping your energy levels up. You don’t want to run out of steam and collapse! Take a sandwich for lunch plus plenty of high-protein cereal bars, nuts and dried fruits.

First Aid Kit

Don’t forget to pack a basic first aid kit. Paracetamol, plasters, antiseptic wipes, hand sanitiser, antihistamine, and a small mountain whistle should cover the basics. Plus spares of any regular medication you take.

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Why do you need trekking poles?

I’m in my mid-thirties and up until recently I’ve never seen the need for trekking poles, preferring to hike on my own two feet. But I’ve since changed my mind.

Help in high altitude

I first gave trekking poles a go when I hiked the Inca Trail in 2019 as they were strongly recommended for the trip, due to the high altitude.

I was glad I used them on the Inca Trail as it was so easy to get out of breath at 4000m+, but back in the UK I went back to giving them a miss. However, in summer 2020, a few months of lockdown had taken its toll on my usual exercise routine.

Take the pressure off of your knees

I went to the Lake District with a friend for a long weekend of bouldering and hiking, and my knees were in rather a lot of pain coming down the first mountain. I climbed a second mountain on day two, and it took me a long time and a lot of pain to descend.

So, when planning my trip to attempt the Three Peaks in 24 Hours Challenge, I decided trekking poles were a must!

Trekking poles are great because they take a considerable amount of strain away from your knees, especially on a long and steep descent. This is the main reason to give them a try and I do find that it makes a difference to me.

Better your balance

You may find that you also get better balance from using poles, as you have four contact points with the ground instead of two. This can be very helpful when you’re tired, or if you’re carrying a heavy backpack.

Why I chose Black Diamond Distance FLZ Trekking Poles

I did quite a lot of research into trekking poles when I was looking to buy a pair, and the Black Diamond Distance FLZ Trekking Poles seemed to best meet my needs.

I was looking for something:

• Lightweight
• Compact
• Easy to extend and lock
• Comfortable to hold

Lightweight trekking poles

I needed lightweight trekking poles as I was planning to fly from England to Scotland with only hand luggage. My hiking backpack was also my hand luggage bag, so I didn’t want to add too much weight and exhaust myself before 24 hours of hiking!

The Black Diamond Distance FLZ Trekking Poles weigh in at just 415g (95-110cm) and 445g (105-125cm).

The Carbon models are even lighter, but I decided this was light enough for my purposes.

Compact trekking poles

Many trekking poles will retract or fold up, but it’s important to take note of the collapsed length – particularly if you’re planning on carrying them inside you’re hand luggage.

Many of the options I looked at were still 60cm when collapsed, which wouldn’t fit inside by bag. So I found that I needed to find a ‘Z-pole’ – which means that it collapses in a Z shape.

These Black Diamond poles are just 36-40cm (depending on the extended length you need) when collapsed.

Easy to extend and lock

I wanted poles that would be easy to extend and lock. When I was hiking the Inca Trail I was told to use shorter poles for hiking up hill, and longer poles for hiking downhill. I wanted to be able to adjust the length without too much hassle.

As I wanted Z-poles, I wanted to be able to extend and lock them quickly, so that I didn’t have to spend a long time setting them up and putting them away.

Black Diamond Distance FLZ trekking poles are perfect for this. The ‘FL’ in the name stands for ‘Flicklock’. To extend, you hold the pole by the handle (dangling the lower sections) then give the upper section a sharp tug away from the handle. The whole pole immediately locks into place and is ready to use.

It’s genius.

Comfortable to hold

These poles have a really comfortable handle that fits nicely in my (quite small) hands. They are molded to fit the shape of your hand and are a soft material.

I tend to use the poles mostly on downhill terrain, so I don’t usually loop them around my wrists (in case I slip and it causes a wrist injury). But on the occasions that I do use them on an incline, the wrist straps are comfortable and don’t rub.

What length poles do you need?

The Black Diamond Distance FLZ trekking poles come in three lengths:

• 95-110cm (also women’s Distance FLZ)
• 105-125cm (also women’s Distance FLZ)
• 120-140cm

When choosing the length of your poles, you need to ensure that your elbows are at a right angle when holding the handle of the pole, with the tip on the floor and the pole straight.

Black Diamond have a size-guide which recommends the following:

• 100cm if you are <5ft 1
• 110cm if you are 5ft 2 – 5ft 7
• 120 cm if you are 5ft 8 – 5ft 11
• 130cm if you are >6ft

This is a helpful guide, however it will still depend on your particular body dimensions. For example, I am 5ft 6 but, as I have long legs, 110cm isn’t long enough for me – so I need the 105-125cm poles, rather than the 95-110cm ones.

Would I recommend?

I’ve used these poles on a number of hiking trips now, usually in the mountains. I’ve tried other makes and brands of poles which I’ve borrowed or hired for a trip, and I much prefer the Black Diamond Distance FLZ trekking poles to any others that I’ve tried.

I find when you hire poles they are often quite basic, and heavy. These are super light and tuck away small when you’re not using them – which is exactly what I wanted.

I wouldn’t want to head up a mountain without them now! You can usually pick them up from Amazon for a good price if you want to try them out.

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