Clothing and Equipment

These suggested clothing and equipment lists are taken from the Mountaineering Scotland website, which has lots of useful information about skills and safety.

Summer kit list

  • Rucksack
  • Walking boots or approach shoes/hiking trainers (with soles which will grip on rock, grass and mud)
  • Waterproof jacket (with hood)
  • Waterproof over trousers
  • General trekking trousers (not jeans or cotton material)
  • Synthetic/merino base layer top (avoid cotton)
  • Warm fleece top
  • Warm hat
  • Gloves (several pairs are useful)
  • Spare layer e.g. fleece top/synthetic down jacket
  • Gaiters (not always essential)
  • Compass
  • Map (waterproof or in waterproof case)
  • Watch
  • Head torch
  • Food & Drink
  • Emergency survival bag/bivvy bag and/or group shelter
  • Whistle
  • First Aid Kit + tick tweezers
  • Mobile phone (in waterproof case)
  • A bag to carry home any rubbish
  • Sunhat/cap
  • Sun cream
  • Sunglasses

Winter kit list

What to wear:

  • Warm/windproof trousers or leggings
  • Thermal leggings/base layer (optional)
  • Thermal top/base layer
  • Fleece/insulating top layer
  • Winter boots, with appropriate socks
  • Gaiters
  • Warm hat
  • Gloves or mitts

What to carry:

  • Rucksack
  • Waterproof jacket (with hood)
  • Waterproof over-trousers
  • Spare insulating layer e.g. fleece top, synthetic down jacket
  • Spare gloves/mitts (at least two pairs)
  • Spare hat
  • Ice axe
  • Crampons
  • Compass
  • Map (waterproof or in waterproof case)
  • Watch
  • Head torch
  • Spare batteries for the torch – or, preferably, a spare headtorch
  • Emergency survival bag (polythene is OK)
  • Whistle
  • First Aid Kit (small)
  • Mobile phone and spare battery pack
  • Sun cream
  • Sunglasses – sometimes the sun does shine in winter!
  • Goggles – essential for navigation in some conditions
  • Food and drink
  • Hot drink in a thermos flask
  • Spare high energy foods (e.g. sweets, chocolate, energy gels)