General (Walking) Kit List
This Kit List applies to all Large Outdoors experiences that involve walking, navigating and challenge events.
Compulsory items are listed at the top - you must have these items with you to begin your activity with us.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed. Your guide or activity leader makes the final decision in regard to your suitability to complete the activity and can refuse to let you participate if they feel your safety (or the safety of the group) is being put at risk. Please refer to the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISK AND APPROPRIATE FITNESS/EQUIPMENT section in our Terms & Conditions.
Underneath these compulsory items we have listed recommended kit that should help make your experience more enjoyable.
When packing your kit for a mountain or high-level walk, remember that conditions higher up can be very different to conditions lower down and can change quickly, so you should always pack for the worst-case scenario.
If you are unsure about anything, from kit to the expected fitness level for the experience you have booked, please contact us.
COMPULSORY
Waterproof Jacket & Trousers - These can range from very cheap to very expensive but when shopping, make sure you buy items that are ‘waterproof’ rather than ‘water-resistant’ - there’s a big difference in a downpour! Walking Trousers - if you are packing separate waterproof over-trousers to carry in your rucksack, make sure the trousers you are walking in are light-weight and flexible. Please do not walk in jeans as these soak up a lot of water and are stifling on a hot day.
Walking Boots & Socks - A good pair of walking boots which you’ve tested out in advance - ensure they fit you well and are comfortable. Proper walking socks have more padding or reenforcement where needed and are designed to wick away sweat - again, it’s a good idea to have tried them out in advance. Check out our blog with tips on buying walking boots.
Rucksack / Backpack - To carry your spare clothing, food, water and other items. 30 litres capacity is a good bet for most people, but the size of your bag will be determined by the amount you personally need and wish to carry. Visit your local outdoor shop for advice and to try different brands and sizes. Dry Bags - we recommend a waterproof backpack cover, or use of dry bags to keep your kit dry - these come in different sizes and can be used for everything from cameras to jumpers. Plastic bags also work, but are liable to tear.
Warm Clothes (layers advised) - A t-shirt or technical baselayer to wear next to your skin, under your other layers (see below). We advise against cotton as it soaks up water, often rubs, and doesn’t dry easily. A synthetic option is a good idea, or if you get cold easily you may want to try wool. Fleece/Jumper - a couple more layers to keep you warm. You may want both thick and thin options if it’s a cold day, or you’re doing a high-level walk.
Hat & Gloves (waterproof advised) - You need to keep your head, hands and neck warm - a hat paired with a buff and some waterproof gloves is ideal. These items are still essential in the summer months, see FAQs below.
Food & Lots of Fluid - Don’t forget to pack your lunch* and whatever snacks will help keep you fuelled up. In terms of water, most participants find 1.5 litres of water is suitable for a normal day walk, or 2-3 litres if you’re on a longer walk, i.e. the likes of Ben Nevis, Snowdon, Scafell Pike, Yorkshire Three Peaks or other challenge walks.
* If you are attending a Large Outdoors Multi-Day Experience we might provide a packed lunch - please check the What’s Included section on the relevant webpage. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag for your packed lunch - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.
Survival Bag & Whistle - We hope you’ll never need these - but they are essential for your safety. Check out our blog on how to use a survival bag and whistle and see the FAQs below.
Personal First Aid Kit - Whatever personal medication you need, as well as some blister plasters/lip salve/painkillers (hopefully not needed!). All of our walk leaders/guides are first-aid trained.
Head Torch - An essential piece of kit throughout the year - why?, see FAQs below. Please also bring spare batteries. This must be a head torch, not the torch on your mobile phone! Note: If you are coming on one of our Sunrise, Moonlight, Wild Camping trips, or other night walks, your head torch will be checked by your guide at the start of the walk. If you do not have a working head torch, you will not be allowed to start the walk.
Mobile Phone - If you need to leave the group for any reason, we ask that you contact your guide by text message when you have returned to the meeting point or alternative agreed location safely, as a courtesy. Plus, it’s always good practice to have your mobile phone with you when exploring the outdoors, in case of emergency.
Money (mix of card and cash advised) - If for any reason you need to leave the group (e.g. in case of injury or emergency) you may need to arrange a taxi or public transport back to the meeting location/to your accommodation/for onward travel. Plus, you’ll be grateful to have some pennies with you if we pass a tempting pub, tearoom, or souvenir stop! It’s useful to have both cash and a credit/debit card with you.
RECOMMENDED Walking Kit
Walking Poles - Many people find these useful for spreading the effort required to go uphill and reduce joint impact going downhill. It’s a good idea to test these out before your Large Outdoors experience though - some people find they take a bit of getting used to!
Sun Cream - The Great British weather can be changeable and sunburn can occur even on cloudy days - especially at higher altitudes and on/near the sea.
Midge Spray - A bottle in your rucksack can save a walk from turning into a swat/scratch fest if these wee beasties turn up! See the FAQs below.
Gaiters - These close the gap between your boots and trousers, help keep your feet dry and keep dirt out of your boots. You can find out more in our blog on how to use gaiters.
Sit Mat - A lightweight, foldable, and waterproof mat that helps you stay dry and comfortable if you need to sit on wet ground for lunch or a break. Top tip alternative: if you pack your lunch in a dry bag, you avoid soggy sandwiches if it rains and you can avoid a soggy bottom by sitting on the bag when you stop for lunch (although it’s not going to be as comfy as a sit mat!).
FAQs
-
These are absolutely essential for your safety - we hope you never need to use one, but would advise you always have one with you when walking, especially up in the hills and/or when walking in exposed or remote areas when the temperatures can be substantially colder and emergency help will take considerably longer to reach you should you need it. We do insist on them for all Large Outdoors participants booking an experience with this Compulsory Kit List requirement.
We sell survival bags & whistles for £12.50 per participant - THESE MUST BE ORDERED AT LEAST 10 WORKING DAYS BEFORE NEEDED, to ensure we have time to post them out to you. They are also available online/in shop from any good outdoor equipment retailer.
You can add a survival bag & whistle to a Large Outdoors order when you book online, or you can contact us via hello@largeoutdoors.com to order if you’ve already made your booking.
NB: Survival bags can also prove extremely useful as make-shift rain shelters and sun shades!
-
We hope you wouldn’t need it on a planned day walk, but we’d advise you always have one with you in case of a situation which leaves you out for longer than expected. If you have to return from a walk in the dark because of an unforeseen delay (e.g. an injury slowing down the walking pace or yourself/a fellow participant requiring assistance or evacuation, which you may have to wait some time for), or you need to signal for help in an emergency, a head torch can be invaluable.
Here’s some additional advice to help you pick something suitable.
-
You don’t need to set off on your walk wearing your waterproofs and you are of course welcome to wear shorts if the weather is fine, but please ensure you have additional layers and waterproofs with you. Weather forecasts are not always correct and weather can rapidly change unexpectedly - especially if you’re walking in the hills.
If yourself or a fellow participant were injured or involved in an emergency situation and you needed to wait for help, compulsory Kit List items like your survival bag, additional clothing and waterproofs will help to reduce the risk of exposure.
-
Yes - these are also required for experiences in the summer months or if the weather forecast is good, as conditions can be changeable, especially when walking in the hills. If you need to stop for longer than expected, keeping your head and hands warm and dry makes a huge difference to keeping your core body temperature at a safe and comfortable level.
-
Midges exist all over the UK, but Scotland has a bad reputation for them and we often get asked if midges will be a problem on our experiences which run in Scotland. Midges tend to be encountered more often in Scotland as the midge favours the damper climate and habitats found there. The usual season for midges is May to September. Certainly for most of our swimming, coastal and Scottish isle trips, there is often enough of a breeze to keep them away (they can't fly once the wind speed is above a few miles per hour).
Overall, midges are generally not a significant issue on our trips, but we'd advise you to be prepared. A bottle of repellant (there are some great natural options) or suitable clothing to cover up stashed in your rucksack can save a great outdoor experience from turning into a swat/scratch fest if these wee beasties turn up!