Kit List

Required kit

In addition to footwear and what you'll be wearing, this is the kit that you should bring with you. Depending on the weather you may be wearing some of this from the start of the day; if not, have it packed in your bag.

• Waterproof jacket

• Waterproof trousers

• Spare warm layers (e.g. fleece, puffy jacket) - please ensure you have enough warm layers to keep you warm whilst walking but also warm enough should we stop and sit down, for example for lunch. This may mean bringing at least two layers.

• Warm hat

• Gloves

• Small, personal first aid kit - we will always carry a large first aid kit but it is useful to have your own supply of small items like blister plasters

• Any required medications, e.g. asthma inhaler

• Snacks, water, and lunch

• Rucksack to put all of your gear into (most people would use something in the 20-30L range)

What to wear

Please come in appropriate clothing that will enable you to be comfortable and warm in the outdoors. It doesn't need to be specific hillwalking clothing: general sports/gym clothing is great! We're looking for clothing that is quick drying and enough layers to keep us warm.

We don't have many hard rules, but one of those is no jeans. If they get wet, they will stay wet, and they will make you very cold. Other cotton clothing like hoodies, thick tracksuit bottoms, are also very bad in the wet and aren't suitable for hillwalking.

Leggings, shorts (provided you have full length waterproof over-trousers), running gear, are all fine by us.

Footwear

We recommend a good pair of waterproof boots or walking shoes, with a pair of cushioned hiking/sports socks. If you're buying a new pair of boots/shoes then we think the best way to do this is to go into a good outdoor shop and get fitted by a knowledgeable member of staff. If you can, make sure you break these in before you come out on the hill with us - this should hopefully prevent any painful blisters.

If you regularly use trail running shoes and are comfortable in these, then we are happy for people to wear these unless we state specifically otherwise. Please bear in mind the limitations of these, particularly in the rain and in boggy conditions.

Wellies, trainers, slip on boots, are all unsuitable.

Optional kit

These are some of the non-essential things that you may wish to bring with you:

• Walking pole(s)

• Map and compass - we provide these for our classes but feel free to bring your own to the class or on our walks

• Midge net/midge repellent

• Sunglasses, sunscreen, and sunhat/baseball cap (yes, we do get sun sometimes!)

• Headtorch - not essential unless specified