Over that I usually put my coat straight on, and this is where little fashionista Lyd would be pleased: I have grey, red, pink, and even bright yellow waterproofs to choose from! My best advice when choosing a coat is to size up to allow for layering, and check that the zips and pockets are comfy. You'll thank me when your hands are snug in the sides rather than awkwardly tucked into front-facing pockets. Official advice tells me I should have another layer, but 10 minutes into a walk and you can already roast a chicken down my top so I swerve this unless it's seriously cold, or compromise and wear my 2-in-1. It has a fleece layer and a light waterproof shell which is no trouble to whip off and carry or shove in my bag.

Speaking of bags, this is the one area I do need to figure out. I usually wear a backpack to keep my arms free and shoulders happy, but it does trap heat in at my back, and I shove so many 'essentials' in there that it usually becomes quite heavy. By 'essentials' I mean lip balm, snacks, camera, mini first aid kit, phone, the kitchen sink and so on. One thing I would class as a real essential, and suggest you wear or pop in your bag, is a hat in case you do get chilly or your ears ache when it's windy. I'm lucky to have a mum who practically knits me one a week, but you can grab one anywhere.

Finally we come to the feet, arguably the most important part of walking. The wrong shoes will turn any hill into Hell if they give you blisters or don't support your foot properly. However, what may be seen as the 'right' shoe might not always be the one for you. Over the years I've had a whole army's worth of walking boots, and always hated how stiff and heavy they felt. Nowadays I wear a pair of Nike running trainers and they make all the difference, my foot is protected from water and rough terrain, yet my sole and ankles can still flex, and the shock absorbers keep aches at bay. However, I wouldn't wear them on slippy or loose surfaces where you need grip and stronger ankle support.

When it comes to shopping for all this gear, it can get really expensive, especially when shops are using jargon and inventing fancy new techniques and fabrics. Unless you're going to extremes, don't worry too much about that, but try to invest in your coat and footwear, you don't want cheap ones springing a leak halfway up a hill! My favourite shop is Mountain Warehouse because their sales are great and their designs are as pretty as waterproofs can be, but I've also found discovered some good bits at Sports Direct, and bought basics from Decathlon.

Do you have any tips to add?