Packing List for Outdoor Adventures

A good day outdoors starts with a well-packed bag. Whether you're heading for the hills, a forest trail or a coastal path, this checklist covers the essentials – plus a few extras for camping trips.

The day-hike essentials

• A comfortable daypack – 20–30 litres is plenty for a day walk.
• Water – at least one litre per person, more on warm days.
• Waterproof layers – a jacket, and a rain cover or dry bags for your kit.
• Warm layer – a fleece or gilet; it's colder on the tops than in the car park.
• Navigation – a map and compass as well as your phone, which can lose signal or battery.
• A power bank to keep your phone charged for maps and emergencies.
• A head torch – walks often take longer than planned, and it gets dark early in winter.
• A small first aid kit with blister plasters.
• Snacks – more than you think you'll need.

Nice to have

• Walking poles for steep descents and tired knees
• A sit mat or lightweight picnic blanket
• Sun cream and a hat, even when it's cloudy
• Ice grips for winter paths

Staying overnight?

Add a tent, sleeping bag and liner, a camping lantern, a stove and a compression sack to squeeze bulky kit down to size.

Before you go

Check the mountain weather forecast, tell someone your route and when you expect to be back, and turn around if the weather turns.

Shop the whole list in our outdoor & hiking collection.