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
