Bolt-On Pedometer For Poles From Silva

We're not particularly into pedometers, but we were quite impressed with a new line of trekking pole-mounted ones from the guys at Silva spotted at the recent outdoors trade show in the midlands.

The devices are part of Silva's new exercise-4-life initiative, which is aimed primarily at couch potatoes, but we reckon some of the products could also go down well with outdoors people.

Pole Pedometer...

Top of the range is a carbon composite trekking pole called Ex-Pole in either fixed length or adjustable versions, which has a built-in digital pedometer which can measure distance covered, the number of steps taken and estimate calories burned. The price is £59.95 which includes a rubber tip for road walking - nordic walking anyone? - and quality looks good though the positioning of the pedometer right at the top of the handle makes it look a tad fragile...

More interesting for most OMers though is the bolt-on version of the pedometer - above - called the Pole Mate. It's the technical gubbins from the full-on pole but in a stand-alone version which you can attach securely to any existing trekking pole making it ideal for existing pole users.

There are two versions of the Pole Mate, a simple one which covers the basics of step, distance and calories plus a chronograph and a more complicated incarnation which will also give you details like average speed and a memory facility to record the other details.

It's easy to see and you can remove it if you're planning on jamming your trekking poles into rocky crevices or perhaps using them to fight off hungry cattle... Prices start at £24.95.

Both the Ex-Pole and Pole Mate will be available from January 2007.

Information on the current Silva range at www.silva.se