Come rain, shine, snow or sleet, for those of us that love a good hike, it means facing the weather whatever it may bring. Hiking gear can be expensive, and if we’re purchasing multiple outfits to keep up with the changing seasons, a mountainous stroll could end up costing us hundreds of pounds.
We shouldn’t have to dip into our pockets every time the wind blows, and with the unpredictable nature of British weather, we need to be prioritising high-quality hiking gear that moulds to the seasons.
In this handy guide, we’ve outlined the essential gear you need for year-round hiking without breaking the bank.
Hiking Gear Checklist
Before we delve into the specific brands to be on the lookout for, we need to define the gear we need. You may not need all of this gear for each hike, but make sure to check through the list before any adventure to ensure you’re covered!
Clothes and footwear
- Socks
- Hiking boots
- Walking trousers
- Thermal T-Shirts
- Cosy fleece
- Waterproof Jacket
- Gloves
- Hat
- Scarf
Walking equipment and other essentials
- Trekking poles
- Walking backpack
- Water Bottle
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Navigation tool, e.g. phone maps
- Headlamp
- Portable battery
- Travel size first aid kit
- Hand sanitiser or biodegradable wet wipes
- Nutritional snacks
Hiking Boots & Socks
When it comes to a hike, the most important part of your gear should be the correct footwear. Without comfortable socks and boots, you’ll find your hike much harder than it needs to be, and may even end up hobbling home with multiple blisters. Ouch.
Here are our top brands for supportive hiking boots & socks:
Boots
- Scarpa Terra II GTX® Walking Boots
- Meindl Bhutan MFS Walking Boot
- Keen Revel III Waterproof Winter Boot
- Brasher Men’s Country Walker Walking Boots
Socks
Clothing
Now that you’ve got the footwear, you need the rest of the outfit. Thermal gear is the perfect choice for a hike, keeping you snug and warm in the winter and light and breathable in the warmer months.
Opt for a long or short-sleeved thermal t-shirt to wear under your jumper, fleece, waterproof jacket or all three depending on the weather!
Here are our top selections for a comfortable under-top for your next hike, for both ladies and men.
Equipment
You’re dressed and ready to go, and now it’s time to pack your rucksack with all of the hiking essentials. Let’s get into our must-pack, durable, high-quality hiking gear:
- For the rucksack itself, the Osprey Hikelite 26 is an absolute must.
- Whether ascending or descending, the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles are a superb support, especially on rockier terrain.
- When hiking in winter or later in the afternoon, use the Nitecore NU25 Headlamp to ensure you always have clear vision on your route.
- Phone service means limited map coverage, we suggest using a Garmin inReach Mini 2 to avoid getting lost.
Remember to also pack a small first-aid kit, plenty of water and a battery pack.
And there you have it, the 360 hiking essentials you need to get out into nature during any season!
If Heat Holders make it onto your hiking checklist, we’d love to see your adventures 📷 Tag us on TikTok at @HeatHoldersUK, Instagram at @HeatHoldersUK and Facebook at @HeatHolders, we may even feature you on our page 🥾🏔️
