What to wear and carry
Layers, boots and the short list of things that should always be in your bag.
You don't need expensive kit to start, but you do need to stay warm, dry and able to find your way if the weather turns. On a British hill it can turn in any month.
What to wear
- Layers, not one thick jacket. A wicking base layer, a fleece or light insulated layer, and a shell over the top. Avoid cotton and jeans: wet cotton stays cold.
- Waterproof jacket and trousers, both with you whatever the forecast. They are your windproofs too.
- Boots or sturdy shoes with a good grip. Boots support the ankle on rough, wet ground; trail shoes are fine on good paths in dry weather.
- Hat and gloves, even in summer. A sun hat and sun cream on bright days.
What always goes in the bag
- Map and compass, and the knowledge to use them. See Map and compass: the basics.
- A spare warm layer you don't expect to wear.
- Food for the day plus something extra, and water.
- A head torch with fresh batteries. A phone torch is not enough to walk off a hill by.
- A charged phone, kept warm and switched to save power. Register it for emergency text messages before you go: text "register" to 999 and follow the reply.
- A whistle, a small first aid kit and a survival bag or group shelter.
What winter adds
From roughly November to April on the higher hills, add an extra insulated jacket, spare gloves, goggles, and winter boots with an ice axe and crampons if there is snow or ice on your route, along with the skills to use them. Winter walking: what changes covers this.
What you can leave behind
Almost everything else. A lighter bag makes for an easier, safer day. Walking poles help knees on descents and balance on rough ground, but they are a comfort, not a need.
General guidance from the TRXO team, last read through on . It is no substitute for training or for your own judgement on the day.