While most of the United Kingdom had ground to halt due to severe winter weather 2500 hardy Scouts aged between ten and eighteen enjoyed a weekend of winter camping fun.

If you, like me, love your warm comfortable bed, especially when its cold and wintery outside, then you too will be wondering why anyone would want to sleep outdoors while there is snow on the ground.Being prepared, as the old scout motto says, is clearly the answer when it comes to winter camping. This means having the right camping equipment and some good quality, warm outdoor clothing and plenty of layers.

There were no less than 70 adventurous activities available for the scouts to enjoy and keep warm. These included abseiling, zorbing, orienteering along with trampolining and snowboarding.

Making certain that the scouts were all safe was a key factor. Organisers carried out careful risk assessments to ensure that those coming to the Gilwell campsite in east london would be safe.

To keep warm at night, when temperatures plummeted to minus six degrees Celsius (21 degrees Fahrenheit), the hardy scouts doubled up on sleeping bags and squeezed together with fellow scouts to share body warmth.

When I spoke to a few of these hardy young scouts they told me that the way to stay warm in these freezing temperatures was to wear plenty of warm layers. The youngsters told me that they were wearing around 7 layers with two pairs of gloves (mittens being the best) and some very thick, warm winter socks. I was also told that I should cover my bald head with a warm hat as 70% of the bodies heat lost is through the head.

Although I could see that these scouts were clearly having a great time in the snowy winter conditions I was glad to get home to a hot cup of cocoa and my warm, comfortable bed.

It is important to stay warm whatever the situation and that is not always by just putting on one big coat. The best technique to keep warm is layers, this may sound simple but I promise you won’t be disappointed with the results. This technique is not just about putting on loads of clothes it has a lot more depth and science to it.

A technique which is used widely across the world is a layer system using three specific layers. Mens jackets and womens jackets follow the same principle and these are the following benefits:

Base Layer - Sometimes also known as the wicking base this layer is the first layer and closest to your body. This layer needs to be made out of materials which can absorb moisture and dry quickly, the main aim of this layer is to push moisture away from the body.

Also think about the colour as this is equally important as the fabric. If you’re going to hotter environments then light colours would be advised as they reflect the sun. As we all know darker colours absorb heat so will be more beneficial in cool temperatures.

Insulation Layer - This layer is used to provided that extra warmth and multiple thin insulation layers can work better than one thick one. Mid layers should be made from warm materials such as wool, fleece or cotton as these material absorb heat brilliantly.

Shell Layer - The third layer is the weather protection layer that is most commonly a lightweight shell. The type of shell you will use will depend on the weather you are going to encounter however it shouldn’t be too tight, be windproof and have a hood. This type of layer could include snow jackets, raincoats and waterproofs.

Winter certainly is coat season which means it’s time to again find a coat with great looks and also something which is going to protect you from horrible weather. This article focuses are coats that are practical but also up-to-date with the latest fashions for this winter.

We are seeing a definite trend for some designer’s focusing on the neck as a focal point this winter. While many designs are being produce to highlight this area of the body many of the designs are just not practical for many men. A scarf is always a great accessory to add that little extra to your look.
A very practical coat making a return is the Duffle coat, this is very stylish and also incredibly warm coat so it’s not surprising it’s become popular again. Longer lengths and extra warm fabrics help to keep you warm and protect against the elements, but brighter colour and contrasting hood liners help to add some flash and interest to many designer’s versions.

With many people trying to save money this year they are thinking twice before splashing out of designer clothes. In the current recession consumers do not want to buy a coat which is going to fall straight out of fashion. That’s the main reason why classic coats are making there come back this season. The Double Breasted, a classic coat style that is more popular than ever this season thanks to its practical styling and exceptional good looks. This year it’s being shown in a range of colours, including traditional dark harvest shades, but also in striking jewel tones like red, blues, greens, and the like.

Whatever coat you end up choosing make sure you’ve happy to wear it through the whole winter!

Some great brands worth looking at Fat Face, Boxfresh and Hackett

Waterproof hiking boots have completely altered what we see as hiking comfort, as they allow hikers to go into places which would usually cause our feet wet, sodden, and just irritated. Obviously, selecting the best waterproof hiking boots always comes along with meticulous research based on their performance as one. But don’t worry, as I have all the keys here that you will have to understand to make your final conclusion regarding waterproof hiking boots. Here is what you are required to understand about waterproof hiking boots

Purpose - Well evidently the whole purpose of water proof boots is to keep your feet dry and warm, in all landscapes and heats. The waterproof material is often used on the outer coatings of your boots, so you can literally walk into dirt, if need be, without getting your feet soaked. The good thing about water proof boots, is that the fabrics are not totally solid, which means that your feet can still breathe and circulate air- so you don’t feel like you are walking on scorching fire coals as you are climbing. Yet, the breathability of your boots must also be taken into point with regards to the type of hiking you are going to perform, because it can influence the performance of the boots.

Kinds of boots - Water proof boots come in every kinds of fashions and are designed for every kinds of landscapes. But as there are so many types, it is best that you decide on the one that is better for your style of hiking, so that you do not have to fork out on extra addons and other stuff in the future. You should also consider the best support for your ankles and feet when you purchase the boot - depending on what kind of hiking you are doing as well. If you are going to be switching between diverse rough landscapes, then ankle support is absolutely vital.

Water proof vs water resistant - A few boots state that they are “water resistant”, which really means they will be more susceptible to water infiltration, as they have been designed to block out less water and humidity from the environment. However, water proof boots do not have the same problems as water resistant boots, as they always get easily damaged because they are not so sturdy in periods of elongated exposure to dampness and water. Additionally, if you are going to be hiking over watery terrains, such as rivers, marshs, creeks etc- then it is important that you do take tough boots, rather than the less durable ones- as light boots will prone to let water to seep in from different regions.

If you are going for winter hiking, visit this page for winter hiking boots.

A good set of hiking boots can turn any trek a wondrous outdoor adventure instead of a foot-blistering nightmare, however in the winter you have more to worry about than just foot blisters. The chilly atmosphere has the potential to transform ordinary trekking paths into hazardous icy trails and that is something you need to be aware of when selecting your winter hiking footwear.

Here is what you need to know to find the best set of winter hiking boots.

A Good Winter Hiking Boots

Traction - Stay away from smooth surfaces, and make sure that your boots will have excellent traction. This is important, as it is easy to slip if they do not, and obviously you do not want to risk injury just because your boots were inadequate.

If you suspect that your boots will build-up with ice and snow underneath (thus getting rid of the traction) then it is best to try spike chains, which attach onto your boots or shoes and they adjust themselves to virtually any surface to create the perfect traction and grip for you.

Your winter hiking boots must have the ability to keep the feet warm while trekking through deep ice and snow to prevent any occurrence of frost bite. It is advisable to also purchase thick socks as in the woolen variety so that your feet are kept warm and since they are usually longer in size, you can wear them to the point the shoes end thereby making sure that no cold air is able to pass into your shoes.

Waterproof Hiking Boots

Make sure that you purchase winter hiking footwear that is waterproof so that you do not face the specter of having to walk around with water in your footwear formed due to the ice melting on the outside of your footwear. To avoid the scenario of soggy boots, it is imperative for you to purchase waterproof winter hiking footwear.

You can try Gore-Tex liners, if you often have sweaty feet, because they are water proof, but they also allow sweat and excess moisture to escape from your boots, and they are often found to be in the best quality footwear.

Instead of watching it on the television why not go out and give winter sports a go. Now obviously you cannot just jump straight in there without first having lessons as you are likely to cause yourself some harm. This is not just for amateurs as even experienced skiers do not know when or if they are going to have an accident. 1 out of every 100 skiers are likely to suffer an injury in a typical 5 day ski holiday. However if it is snowboarding you fancy this is likely to be halved with 1 in 50 doing themselves an injury.

Of course by injury it is certainly not meant that death or near death has anything to do with it. Even if it is something small like a broken limb it could cost you a lot of money. Although it is going to be a lot more expensive to ski in places like Europe this year as for Brits the Euro is at a all time low in the exchange rates the cost of travel insurance can still be low. For just under twenty pounds you can get yourself covered against all types of injuries which of course could benefit you if you unfortunately turn out to be one of these people who happens to fall and suffer an injury.

Do not let the current economical climate get you down this winter, get to another one and tear up the slopes knowing that if something does go wrong you have some insurance help you out. I-pod insurance could also come in useful if you are looking to take it with you.

Of course if you are at home it is worth checking the home insurance to see if it covers you from everything. Sometimes only home emergency insurance will cover you from the less obvious things that are care potentially going to cost a lot of money to fix.

Get timely ideas in the topic of wedding favours to make - this is your individual knowledge pack.