The Essentials
These are items you must have for any day or weekend trip. We cannot bring you on a trip without them, as you would be a danger to yourself if you tried walking without them. Thankfully, most are relatively inexpensive, and you can find many of them in your wardrobe already. If you’re coming on a winter trip, make sure you also include any underlined gear- these are also mandatory for any trip between December and March.
- Proper Hiking Boots and socks
Boots make the biggest difference in your experience, and you need to get them right. They need to fit properly (much more snugly than most shoes, but not painfully so). To make sure you get them right, we recommend going to an outdoor store and trying on boots with the help of a sales associate. Make sure you wear thick, non-cotton socks under your boots, or you will be absolutely miserable when your boots get wet. In the winter, stiff-soled boots are necessary to operate in snow, as well as to attach crampons to (we supply crampons). B1 graded boots are the minimum for any winter trips. Things that don’t qualify as proper footwear:- Trainers or shoes
- Trail or approach shoes (not enough ankle support)
- Doc Martens, Timberland, CAT boots, etc. Boots can be very expensive, but you there are plenty of workarounds! See our gear resources for further advice.
- Waterproofs
This means a hooded waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers. Even if the weather report is clear, Scotland is almost never dry for more than a few hours, so you must have these on every walk. Items made of eVent or Gore-Tex are ideal. Ponchos or cycling capes are not a viable substitute, since the Highland winds make them unusable (and quite dangerous). - Baselayers and trekking pants
Make sure none of your layers (especially your lowest layers) are made of cotton. Cotton retains moisture, and you will rapidly cool to an unhealthy temperature if your clothes aren’t wicking moisture. Wool is an excellent option, as are any synthetic option you could find in an outdoor shop. Make sure you have upper and lower baselayers. - Midlayers
This refers to a light jacket worn between your baselayers and waterproof jacket. Fleece, merino wool, and synthetic insulators like PrimaLoft are perfect. A hood isn’t necessary since your waterproof jacket will already have one, but can be nice to have. Having multiple or thicker midlayers in the winter is required, but you’ll be better off with multiple- they store heat better and more compactly, and you can moderate your temperature by adding and removing layers - Gloves and a hat
Waterproof gloves would be ideal, but can be expensive or restrictive. Glove liners are a great way to keep your hands warm and dry, even with imperfect gloves. We recommend wool, fleece, or synthetic beanies. A balaclava can also take the place of a hat (see below). - Food and water
We recommend at least 1.5L of water for a single walk. You can refill at the hostel, so bringing empty bottles to weekend trips is fine. You could buy a reservoir to make it easier to drink while moving, or just bring some reusable bottles. In the winter, having hot drinks can be a huge help. For food, calorie-dense food is key, since you spend a lot of energy walking and staying warm (especially in winter- double up for the cold!). Your best bet is to mix slow-release carbs (sandwiches, nuts, and cereal bars) with fast-energy foods (chocolate, dried fruit, and sweets). Keep in mind that walks can run from 5-12 hours, and you can expect to expend 1000-3000 calories just from the exertion. Don’t skimp on snacks! - Waterproofed bag
If you can buy a rainproof bag or a hiking bag with included waterproofing bag, that is ideal. If not, having a plastic bag to store food and dry clothes deep in your bag is mandatory. - Survival Bag
These tiny bright-orange blankets are required on all trips, so make sure you pick one up – they’re less than £4, weigh almost nothing, and can save your life if something goes wrong on a hill. - Headtorch
A head-mounted torch is required for walks that might run past sundown. Even if your walk isn’t supposed to last that long, accidents happen, and having light when you’re coming down a mountain in the dark can prevent serious injury.
Recommended Gear
You will be able to have a fine time without the below gear. However, it might make your trip more comfortable, or might come in handy in the case of extreme conditions.
- Extra Socks, Hats, and Gloves
Soggy gloves are worse than no gloves at all, but neither are particularly enjoyable. Pack an extra set of gloves (or waterproof mittens) and you’ll be glad you did. Especially in the winter, when your hand will go down into snow and suddenly your gloves are compromised. - Gaiters
Gaiters are waterproof fabrics that go around your ankles and keep water, snow, and mud from getting into your boots or under your trousers. When your foot goes 2 feet down into bog, you’ll be glad you picked up gaiters. In the winter, snow can quickly give you chills if it gets into your boots. - Buff or Balaclava
A balaclava is great for excessively cold or windy days, keeping your head warm while staying tight against your head. A buff is another excellent option, serving as a neckwarmer, headwarmer, face covering, or scarf. Getting a polar buff is usually worthwhile, but if you don’t need the extra warmth you can always go without. - Compeed Blister Pads
Blisters are rough. Compeed pads are available everywhere and will save you a lot of discomfort, especially if you aren’t used to walking in boots. - First Aid Kit
The club has enough of these on hand to have one or two on every walk, but more is always better. If you have any specific medical conditions, we strongly recommend bringing your own first aid kit with the things you need. Most will have an emergency whistle and a good supply of medical essentials, and will be quite light and compact.
Optional Gear
Tons of people in the club go their whole time without using these, and don’t particularly miss them. That said, certain people might really want them.
- Map with map case and compass
The club has all their nav gear, but you might want your own! Especially if you’re interested in navigation. - Walking Poles
Walking poles can help reduce impact on your knees, especially when descending. They can also help you maintain a rhythm while walking and assist you while moving over difficult terrain. - Goggles or Sunglasses
Wind in your eyes can be uncomfortable, and snow-blindness in winter is a serious concern. - Hand Warmers
If you have poor circulation, or your hands just get cold, reusable hand warmers can be a cheap way to help yourself out. - Camera
The club runs photo competitions from time to time, and there’s almost always a few opportunities for landscapes, group shots, and more on every walk. While your phone works fine, some people prefer a dedicated camera. We caution against bulky DSLR’s or particularly expensive or fragile cameras, and advice you to bring pocket-sized compact cameras.
Weekend Trip Stuff
This isn’t hillwalking kit, just stuff you might want to have on a weekend trip. There’s quite a bit of time between walks, and you’ll want to make sure you’re comfortable and not bored.
- Casual Clothes
Your hiking clothes will be less than comfortable at the end of a long walk. Make sure you pack or wear something to wear in the hostel at night. - Food
You’ll need breakfast for Saturday and Sunday (in addition to food for your walks!). We cook a communal meal on Saturday night, so that meal is sorted. Cookware and cutlery will be provided by the hostel, though. We also bring tea, coffee, and milk for communal use. - Alcohol
Many of our members and committee enjoy a bit of bev, and our hostels are often quite far from the nearest grocery or pub. Make sure to pack your own drinks if you plan to indulge. And make sure you drink responsibly! Walking while hungover is a wickedly unfun experience. - Entertainment
Many hillwalkers just chat for their time in the hostel, but some prefer to bring a board game, book, instrument, or deck of cards. Totally up to you!