A blog by the Wild and Woolley Walker
Walking is one of the best forms of exercises: it’s get us out and connected with nature, gets those endorphins going and also keeps our physical well-being in good shape too! It’s also been proven to improve our mood, which is also good for baby! So, hiking in pregnancy is definitely something that we want to keep up doing.
In this blog, I wanted to share some pieces of clothing and equipment that have been really helpful to me whilst hiking in pregnancy. Keep your eyes peeled for my next blog where I will share tips on making hiking in pregnancy easier.
Maternity Walking Trousers
Okay, so sadly there isn’t a great deal of choice out there. Mother and Nature have somewhat filled a gap in the market and their walking trousers are super comfortable and good quality. They have stretchy side panels to fit around you snuggly, but also have buttons on the inside so you can adjust the waist even further. They are also shower resistant and dry pretty quickly if you do find yourself caught out in a downpour! Find them here: https://motherandnature.co.uk/product/maternity-walking-trousers/
Coat / Jacket Extender
I opted for the Make My Belly Fit. This is a lovely piece of kit and worth every penny I spent. You can attach this to the waterproof coat or fleece you already have, it’s easy to use and keeps you nice and warm too. It can also be used as a cover for baby if you’re wanting to carry them on your front after birth. Whilst it doesn’t claim to be waterproof, we ventured out in some pretty wet weather and I was honestly bone dry underneath! Find it here: https://makemybellyfit.com/
There are a few options to choose from. Before you buy, make sure that your zip is compatible. You can check this on their compatibility checker. Alternatively, the universal extender fits most coats and jackets.
Walking Pole
Please don’t over look this one…I thought I didn’t need one at first but it has really improved my confidence when going up and down hills. It can take some of your additional weight off you too, which is always good and helps to steady your balance. There are lots of walking poles out there, so my best advice would be to go to a shop and try a few out to find one that is comfortable for you.
A Maternity Fleece
Mother and Nature to the rescue again! Their maternity fleece is super soft, comfortable and keeps you warm and cosy. It features a zip on either side of your growing bump meaning it grows with you and also shrinks back down to your regular size afterwards! Another benefit is that it’s super stylish, so I don’t feel frumpy in my hiking gear! Find it here: https://motherandnature.co.uk/product/new-maternity-fleece/
Walking Boots
Anything other than walking boots isn’t going to cut it anymore. Walking boots give your foot much more support, hold your ankle in place and also offer more grip than any trainer could give you. I can trust my walking boots completely and feel confident when going up and down the hills. I opted for the Scarpa Delta boots because I have always done lots of hiking. Again, there’s plenty of choice out there, so get trying some on to see what suits you.