fb wrote (see)

I have never bought Trail before.

So on reading bits of this thread I bought a copy today. It is just wallpaper really, the same as any other interest group magazine. I used to subscribe to Trout and Salmon, at least that was funny and informative about the natural world (along with advertising). Trail appears to me to be a large outdoor gear company advert which people are daft enough to buy. Absolute guff.

Please feel free to correct me.

With kind regards to all

fb

LOL

really, I did laugh out loud

I just remarked similarly to Mrs Bluff. There is a Dartmoor route that barely enters into the bounds of 'Dartmoor Forest'.

a bit of swings and roundabouts for me. Recently Trail has been a better read than TGO. I got my TGO today  and  flicked through it in 15 minutes. THere is nothing in it I want to go back and read in depth. I have felt for the last 6 months or so that TGO has lost the plot..

Fair enough to have more women only gear reviews. But why lessen the guys ones. Just add a few more pages to the mag or dump the boring as shit photo guy... (thats the wanabie Photographers after me now!!)

All a matter of opinion and personal taste, but if it doesn't improve then tgo will lose my custom.

Example

I read the via ferrata bit 'cos there is a shot on to that young burd. On the kit list...

Lanyard 

"Trail loves the Petzl Zyper Vertigo (£60) - see www.petzl.com" - What bollox.

At least when I read Trout and Salmon they may sugets that a double taper #5 line on an 8ft mid action rod should produce a good result for......... Not bloody well outright name a rod and tell m ewher to buy it!

Well thats what I think anyway - sorry.

Glyn wrote (see)

I just find Trail extremely patronising, like 'WE show you the best walk in The Lakes' and 'everything you need to know about The Lakes'. Seriously, Graham Thompson exepted, I doubt there's any one of the Trail writers that could tell most readers anything about the Lake District that they don't already know. Including those 'hidden gems, WE reveal all'

Yes, they typically appear to have little long term experienced / knowledge of the outdoors. Most are just emap journos rotating through who know JACK.

Also, if someone new to hiking etc was to pick up the rag, they'd think it costs £1,000k in flashy gear before you can get out of the bloody door.

"We reveal all?" Utter balls. Just look at a map. Aint hard.

Jamie @ www.trekkingbritain.com wrote (see)

< enters thread, and leaves quickly as the grumpy old farts that are up there own backsides, known as the Trail bashers are back! >

Your  is noted.

I have never read it before Jamie - let alone bashed it.   (the magazine that is). I bought a copy because this thread was full of naive young gits that were daft enough to read glossy mags  and I stupidly thought something must have changed in the glossy mag world.... How wrong I was.

You can come back in now, I am off to buy a copy of 'Big Jugs Monthly' at least I will be able to spot the difference between a feature and an advertisement, and then get on with some 'bashing'.

There is however, an interesting snippet in the latest issue on 'how to skim a stone perfectly' - you can't miss it, it's in the 'Mountain Genius' section just before the 'how to walk uphill' tutorial

Found it!

Thanks Glyn, it was after the 'Quick guide to breathing' section'.

I stoopidly buy both TGO and Trial mags every month (should get s subscription to save money and get a gift). I find it takes me about 15 minutes per mag to read. Then about a week before the next issue I go back and read it properly.

Trail: -

Get rid of the photographic bit, you are a walking mag not am phot.

Dump the crap backgrounds that make it impossible to read the words unless in good light.

You don't know everything so don't make out that your opinion of the best is actually the best.

They have got better of late in reducing repetition, but can improve. At least they don't have fixed content, like its August, sandals and sun hats, etc. It used to be so predicatble. You could write out the gear being tested, the main articles and advice sections on a month by month basis at the start of the year.

TGO magazine -

Not bad, but seems to lack content. I can read it too quickly.

Don't ever just have gear for men or gear for women. If you do a gear test for one type of product, make sure you do a womens version in the same issue as a mans version (and vice versa).

Your gear reviews are spot on. I would buy on your recommendations (even the womens ones just get the nearest male version by the same manufacturer).

I can get bored of the overseas trips to do the long trails as unfortunately I can not afford to do the long, expensive and time consuming overseas trips. I can only get holidays in up to 2 weeks blocks and don't have enought money for them. I guess a lot of people are able to do these trips and are interested. A case of one size does not fit all.

The lighten up sections are great, but they have gone into more articles style, I would like more SUL gear reviews and product comparisons. Also technique articles. I mean a few techniques for tarp camping would be helpful to a novice.

Don't forget us heavies neither. I mean in weight of gear terms not personal weight. Then again, maybe I do. We might not want the lightweight trainers, please also review more traditional boots, jackets, etc.

TGO = older walker but still able to do stuff (unlike the country walker lot)

Trail = style over substance walker, probably younger with a shorter attention span (ADHD anyone).

Country Walker =  They count the number of stiles on their walks. Need I say more?

Lakeland Walker = Very few gear sections, flora and fauna articles and not really sure what else (sorry). I do like it though, just only buy if something in it to interest me.

Glyn wrote (see)

...next month - how to wipe your @r$e.