Come rain or shine, our expert guide to hillwalking kit explains the hillwalking essentials you need for a classic day in the hills.
Autumn is a great season to get out hillwalking in the UK. The advent of cooler, crisper days heralds invigorating conditions for walking, with clear views and warm autumn light. If you are lucky the harvest moon will illuminate your nocturnal moorland excursions. So get yourself prepared with the right kit and hike in comfort before slumping next to an open fire.
Starting with your clothing, our expert guide explains the hillwalking essentials you need for a classic day in the hills, come rain or shine.
- What clothing do I need to go hill walking
- Essential equipment to take hill walking
- Walking poles for hill walking
- Food and drink when on the hill
What to wear when you are hill walking
When you are walking in the hills you should wear clothing that works together to keep you warm and dry. This, in the outdoor industry, is known as the layering system. The basic concept is that lots of thinner layers are more adaptable and more comfortable than a single, thick layer. Here is the layering system for hillwalking:
- Outershell shell - is your wet weather protection. It is waterproof to stop water getting in and breathable to let water out, so you don't sweat up like a plastic bag.
- Mid layer - keeps you warm and helps transmit excess body heat through to your shell.
- Base layer - a thin layer worn next to your skin to wick sweat away from your body.
- Insulation - worn on the coldest days, or carried compressed in your rucksack for when you stop to prevent hypothermia.
By combining these layers you will create a comfortable, wind resistant, waterproof and quick drying barrier. Let's take a look at each layer in more detail, along with our recommendations for your next hike.
Hill walking waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers
If you are getting cold and wet then sorting your waterproofs is your first priority. Being cold and wet can lead to hypothermia so a waterproof jacket and waterproof over-trousers are probably the most essential bit of walking kit. Our waterproofs are PFC free and designed to hold off all-day mountain downpours. They are highly breathable to keep you warm and dry as you generate heat when clambering up hillsides.
Fortitude is a classic, all-weather hillwalking waterproof. 3-layer hardshell protection for horizontal squalls, driving winds and raining-upwards downpours. If you are after something you more versatile take a look at Balance. Also a 3 layer waterproof jacket but with a shorter cut that you can wear on your bike or scrambling.
For your legs we would recommend Parallax as our most packable and comfortable waterproof trousers. As you move into winter you may wish to consider Nautilus as our most durable all weather, waterproof over-trousers, offering protection for year round hill walking in the UK.
I wasn't quite sure where to put gaiters, but they kind of feel like shell, so here they are! Gaiters go over your boots to help keep them dry and stop mud getting inside. For hillwalking our Colca gaiters are great for traversing boggy ground or tussocky hillsides.
More on outerlayer for hillwalking
Hill walking mid layers
A warm mid layer traps lots of still, insulating air and holds onto the heat your body generates when you’re moving about. You’ll probably end up wearing your shell for good chunks of the day so the more breathable it is, the better.
Midlayer tops
Microfleece like Kelpie partner perfectly with a baselayer and shell as they transfer vapour seamlessly. If you need more warmth, fleece tops like Keeshond have a high loft outer face to trap more air and with an incredibly high warmth-to-weight ratio.
If you prefer the benefits of natural fibres for hillwalking our merino lambswool jumpers should be high on your list. 100% natural, biodegradeable and ethically sourced, wool is renowned for its warmth, breathability and odour resistance.
Hillwalking trousers
We have already covered your waterproof trousers, but what about your walking trousers? A good pair of wind resistant and water-resistant trousers like our Ardent hiking trousers will keep out those blasts of bitingly cold wind. An active cut and stretchy fabric allow you to stride without restriction. Arnison are a step up; year round walking trousers for UK conditions. For fairer conditions Teleki are lightweight walking trousers, perfect as the temperature rises and you don't want to overheat your legs.
More on midlayers for hillwalking and hillwalking trousers.
Hill walking base layers
A good wicking base layer is the foundation of the whole layering system – wicking underwear will change your life too!
Baselayer tops for hillwalking
A moisture wicking base layer like our Koulin and Vayper will stop you getting cold and clammy while you walk. They trap a thin layer of insulating air next to the skin to back up your mid layer. Merino wool can be the most comfortable natural fibre base layer. It is natures technical fabric: naturally wicking, anti-microbrial and temperature regulating. Outdoor multi-activity shirts are ideal for walking, trekking, riding and general outdoors activity. Ours our treated with Polygiene, a natural anti-microbrial treatment so you don't need to wash them as often. Cotton, by contrast should be avoided as it absorbs lots of moisture and takes forever to dry, meaning you can get very cold very quickly.
Baselayers for your legs
This is an area that is often overlooked, but a pair of snug, close fitting merino baselayer boxers or long johns can transform the coldest Autumn and winter days.
More on baselayers for hillwalking
Hill walking accessories
Socks, hats and gloves protect your extremities from rain and windchill with a disproportionally positive effect on your hillwalking comfort and mental attitude.
Treat your feet to a pair of Ushbar mid-weight lambswool hillwalking socks. Soft and comfy against the skin, its natural breathability, fast moisture wicking and odour resistance make it perfect for multi-day hikes in all weathers.
Our Aura grip gloves are a lightweight multi-purpose hillwalking glove that you can use with your trekking poles. Their sticky silicon palms give great purchase on your pole handles.
Your headwear is a great place to accessorise and display your individuality. If you have a thing for colour, choose a beanie colour that matches the rest of your hillwalking kit.
A top headgear tip is to always have a neck gaiter in your pack. This incredibly versatile piece of kit can be deployed as a scarf, ear warmer, hat and hair bobble.
Hill walking equipment essentials
Hillwalkers are not immune from the joys of nice kit. As you will have to carry your own stuff, you want it to be lightweight, compact and comfortable. This starts with the humble rucksack.
Hillwalking rucksack
Unless you are backpacking with a tent, your day pack should be comfortable and well-fitted. Mountain and trekking packs like the Presta 25L and the UK made cotton Brevent 25L give you ample room for all your bits and bobs with a back support to help you carry stuff comfortably. It's always a good idea to pack your spare clothing and electricals into a waterproof Airlok dry bag, just in case you get a real soaking.
Hillwalking safety accessories
It seems odd to take things that you hope you’ll never use when you go out hillwalking, but carrying these items about all the time will be worth it if you ever need to use them:
- Headtorch - Don't get caught out by the shorter days. An LED headtorch is compact, lightweight and bright. Essential if you are a bit slower getting off the hill than planned. We have lots in our range, but the 350 lumen Ionic stands out for just this scenario.
- Survival shelter - It makes a lot of sense to keep a Kapar 2 hillwalking shelter in the bottom of your rucksacks. A waterproof and windproof shelter it will help keep you and your partner warm and dry in an emergency and can also be used to offer respite from inclement weather.
- Emergency whistle - Our Williams Whistle is for attracting attention in emergency situations.
- Map case - Despite the adoption of digital wayfinding devices, maps still play an important part in mountain navigation. A waterproof map holder is the best way to keep your map dry and easy to manage in a gale.
- First aid kit - A fully stocked first aid kit can make the difference from finishing your hike and bailing early. Our first aid kit comes in a waterproof dry bag.
- Battery pack - Cold weather drains batteries quicker. A spare battery will add a few grams to your pack but will ensure your phone, or torch has a juice boost when it needs it.
Walking and trekking poles for hill walking
Trekking and walking poles reduce fatigue, improve balance on uneven ground and reduce the impact on your legs, knees, ankles and feet by up to 40%. More simply, poles help you walk and run. Poles help you carry a heavy rucksack which is something every backpacker appreciates. They improve your rhythm so you can go faster. We developed the best lightweight trekking poles for support, weight, strength, comfort and ease-of-adjustment whether you are hillwalking, alpine trekking or running an ultra.
For more information on using poles read our guide How To Use Trekking Poles.
Food and drink
Make sure you pack yourself a good meal and take a few extra high energy snacks too. You may not think you’ll eat it all, but you never know what delays you may face when out and about and there’s nothing worse than being hungry on the hill! (If you don’t eat it, at least you’ve got tomorrow’s lunch sorted!)
How to make a brew while hillwalking
If you have the space, then taking the Brukit all-in-one stove will make it easy to whip up a fresh brew, hot soup or warm your food!
How much water to carry when hillwalking
Water is heavy, but unless you want to risk finding natural sources you are going to have to carry it. We all know the importance of staying hydrated, but it’s amazing how often we forget to take a flask of water with us.
1 to 2 litres should be enough for most hikes. Choose one of our BPA-free bottles, titanium flasks or hydration bladders to make sure that you’ve got enough water for your day out.
If your walk is taking you far from civilisation a portable hiking water filter is an essential device for cleaning your drinking water.
Build your own hillwalking kit list
These have been just a few of our suggestions; kit we think works well for hillwalking, not only in the UK but also in the Alps and beyond.
Inspired by Winter Munroist Anna Wells we have another kit list specific to winter hillwalking.
Use this list as a starting point, tweak as needed, it is not an exact science. Many products can easily be swapped out for another in the range.
You may prioritise natural fibres over synthetic fibres, durability over ultra-lightweight, we hear some folk actually choose by colour!
Have fun out in those hills.
Rucksacks and backpacks
25-litre ultra marathon backpack with space for overnight kit and comfort on the run
$99.99
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