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Learn to Layer from GORP. The trick to layering is to combine the right clothing in the proper order, trapping the air warmed by your body heat while letting moisture vapor from your body's perspiration be conducted away from your skin. The choice of garments must be versatile enough to adapt to your activity level and variations in weather conditions—maintaining the delicate balance of staying cool when active and warm when at rest. Full Article

Featured Event

Vancouver Discovery Walk - Vancouver, Washington. This international event is held each April. It is a great event for both novice walkers and marathoners. The Discovery Walk Festival features marathons, a family-friendly event, a cool-off swim event and a bike event. Participants choose from a wide variety of options. No matter what events you participate in, you will enjoy meeting people from all over the world.  More...

 

 

About Volkssporting and Volksmarching

Volksmarching – A Fun Walking Sport

Volksmarching is a fun, family-oriented walking sport. The term, Volksmarching, at first glance, brings up a mental image of goose-stepping military units. But not so. Volksmarching, sport of the people in German, is actually a very fun, self-paced walking sport enjoyable for all ages. And, there are over 300 non-profit volksmarching clubs in the United States putting on events that you can enjoy.

Volksmarching is for Everyone
The roots of volksmarching are, indeed, German. In the 60’s, villages enjoyed running races but only a few people could be winners. Determined to find a more family-oriented sport, the German villagers came up with a self-paced walk event where everyone received a medal, and everyone was considered a winner.

Routes were marked at 10 kilometers (6.3 miles) and 20 kilometers. Extra awards were given for the very old and the very young. These non-competitive events, in true German fashion, were ended with great celebrations. Lots of beer was quaffed and bratwurst was served heaping with sauerkraut. This was fun!

Volksmarching in the U.S.
Where there was beer, there was bound to be U.S. soldiers. They enjoyed the walks through the German woods, the wurst and beer at the end and decided that volksmarching had to be brought with them back to the states.

In the late 60’s in Fredericksburg, Texas the first American volksmarch was enjoyed by old and young. Awards were given to all and yes, there was a celebration at the end. You see, Fredericksburg is a German town so they readily took to the sport.

Volksmarchers, just as they did in Germany, line up at the end of their walk to get a stamp in their record books. There are record books for distance and for the number of events that you complete. And, they are good world-wide. It’s a great incentive to get out and walk!

Soon this sport spread across the U.S. and walkers looked forward to events and even walking conventions.

You Can Go on a Volksmarch
Nowadays volksmarches are usually 10 kilometers and 5 kilometers in length. The trails are measured, often marked, and events are held on weekends. You can see a calendar of events in your area by logging on to http://ava.org

If you aren’t available for one of these weekend walks, many clubs have daily walks you can do on your own that are map guided. You’ll find these little treasures located all over the U.S. In fact, through volksmarching, you can walk in all 50 states and all 51 capitols.

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Featured Products

About Socks: Let's get you started on the right foot. Walking depends on foot health. If you plan to walk in cotton socks... don't! Wendy Bumgardner, of About Walking, fills us in.... Space age fibers. Antibacterial! Antifungal! Shock absorbing! Wicking action! Antifriction! Battle shearing forces! Who would of thought the lowly sock worthy of such hyperbole? Many of us just throw on a pair of cotton crew socks, lace up the shoes and hit the trail. Some of us are bold enough to wear nylons or even go sock-less in our shoes or sandals. Ah, but sock technology is catching up. They promise to keep sweaty feet dry, prevent blisters, reduce fatigue, and control temperature. Full Article

Volks-Ware Clothing and Gear features Fox River Mills wicking walking and hiking socks.

You can find merino wool hiking socks and lightweight over-the-ankle type white walking socks.

These are the best socks to wick away the moisture and keep your feet healthy. Find Fox River Wicking Socks

Photo: Courtesy About Southwest for Visitors

About Walking Poles for Exercise: More than 50% of the body's total muscle mass is in the upper body, and with my easy-to-learn techniques you'll put all these muscles to good use with every step you take. Imagine how much more fitness you can build by simultaneously exercising all the body's major muscles! Fitness experts now stress the importance of upper body muscle conditioning in addition to aerobic fitness. You won't have to find time to do separate weight training workouts. Now there is a simple and effective way to enhance the aerobic effects of walking and build upper body muscle strength and endurance at the same time. Transform ordinary walking into total body Exerstriding! Find Out More...