A good hiking kit can make the difference between safely enjoying a day on the trail and counting down the wet and uncomfortable miles until you get home.

After years of trekking, camping and exploring trails across the UK and further afield, I’ve learnt that you don’t necessarily need the most expensive or high-tech hiking gear – you need kit that works when you’re out in the real world and lasts for many adventures to come.

I’ve been testing outdoor equipment for over a decade. Some pieces have become firm favourites that I reach for trip after trip, while others have taught me exactly what I don’t want from my kit.

For this guide, I’ve rounded up the gear I’ve actually used and would recommend to fellow hikers, whether you’re planning weekend walks close to home or longer adventures in the mountains. I’ve included my tried-and-trusted walking sandals, my favourite down jacket, the walking poles I’ve taken around the world and the only sunscreen I trust when I’m out in the elements.

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Across my top picks, I’ve looked for the things that matter most on the trail: comfort, durability, weather protection, practicality and value for money. These are the pieces I’d pack myself – trust me, they’re genuinely worth having in your rucksack.

I spend most of my time outdoors, whether that’s hiking in the UK’s National Parks, travelling abroad in the name of a good story or camping in the Cotswolds with my toddler on the weekends. I’ve always got my eye out for the best hiking kit that works well and really lasts.

I’ve owned most of my top picks here for years – I’ve walked miles in my Vivo Barefoot Tracker Oras and my top-rated Darn Tough socks, while my Black Diamond hiking poles have come all over the world with me. I made sure all these top hiking kit picks had been put through their paces on multiple hiking trips in different weather conditions to check they worked – and lasted.

What we love: Lightweight, super cosy and has a hood

A light, packable down-filled jacket is the perfect mid-layer to shrug on for chilly autumn strolls or pop beneath a waterproof shell on cold, wet days. My current favourite is the Helium Utility Down from Peak Performance. It’s deliciously soft and light, with a cosy hood and handy extra pockets, and it’s easy to layer beneath a waterproof without feeling bulky.

The water-repellent outer gives you some protection from light showers, although you’ll want a proper shell for heavy rain. It’s become one of those pieces I reach for whenever the temperature drops, and I’m now eyeing up the gilet version (£116, Cotswoldsoutdoor.com), too.

What we love: Tough and well-made

There are myriad water bottles out there, but my top picks for hiking are tough, bump-proof, leak-proof and easy to pop into a backpack pocket. This 18oz design from Yeti ticks those boxes: it’s tough as nails and has a handy straw cap for drinking on the go, so you can stay hydrated without stopping to unscrew a lid.

It’s not the lightest bottle around at 400g, but its robust construction makes it a good choice for regular hikers who want to put their kit through its paces. Extra points for this fun design, or it also comes in various pastel shades.

What we love: Lightweight, comfortable cork grips, and durable

A walking pole or two makes a surprisingly handy addition to your hiking kit, helping with balance on uneven terrain, taking strain away from your legs and knees and making going up and down hills easier. I first tried poles when I went trekking in the Himalayas – now, I wouldn’t be without them on technical terrain.

Black Diamond’s Pursuit Carbon Z poles are my current favourites, performing everywhere from slick rock surfaces in Cumbria to the heights of the French Alps. They combine comfy, sweat-wicking cork grips with a lightweight carbon body, and fold into three sections for easy carrying. They’re not adjustable, however, so you’ll need to choose the right length for you.

What we love: Long-lasting coverage

We all know we need to protect ourselves from the sun’s rays, even on grey days, but not all sunscreen is created equal. My standout for hiking and other outdoor adventures is P20, which stays put on your skin for hours, even if you sweat or swim. That long-lasting protection means it’s particularly handy for hiking days when you don’t want to stop constantly to reapply protection.

P20 is available in lots of iterations, including formulas for kids or sensitive skin, so there’s something for most outdoor adventures. My only gripe is that it can stain white clothing, so take care when applying it before pulling on your favourite pale hiking T-shirt.

What we love:

When the weather is warm, I’ll happily swap hiking boots for a pair of cool walking sandals for easier trails and sunny strolls. My standout pair are Vivo Barefoot’s Tracker Oras, which combine a barefoot-style, flexible sole with seriously good grip – I’ve found them reassuringly sure-footed even on trickier terrain.

The three adjustable Velcro straps make it easy to get a secure, comfortable fit, while the open design keeps feet feeling much freer than in a traditional hiking shoe. At 223g, the Tracker Oras are light enough to throw into a backpack, too. The rubber soles don’t wick away sweat particularly well, but I still haven’t taken mine off my feet since the heatwave(s) began.

What we love: Very soft, comfortable, and flattering

Feeling the chill? Make like an onion and layer up for the outdoors, starting with a good base layer next to your skin. Merino is a great option for hiking, but I also like bamboo, which is naturally soft, breathable and naturally antibacterial. This lovely top from BAM is made from a bamboo and cotton mix and is amazingly soft, easy to wear and flattering, too.

It’s light enough to layer beneath a fleece or a waterproof without feeling bulky, while the stretchy fit makes it comfortable for moving on the trail. It’s a good-value alternative to pricier technical base layers.

What we love: Great quality, merino wool, and lifetime guarantee

I love soft and long-lasting merino wool hiking socks, and I usually plump for a pair from Darn Tough. They have padding in all the right places and come with a lifetime guarantee, so if yours develop a hole, you can swap them for a new pair. I’ve put mine through plenty of hiking adventures and haven’t needed to make a claim yet.

The merino wool is comfortable and helps regulate temperature, while the cushioning makes a noticeable difference on longer days in hiking boots. They’re £32 a pair, so casual walkers can pick cheaper socks, but for regular hikers, I think the investment is worthwhile. They come in jazzy colours, too.

What we love:

A soft, stick-on-your-head-and-go beanie is one of those simple pieces of kit I always have tucked into my rucksack for warmth – and to hide unwashed hiking hair! I like the soft feel and straightforward design of Buff’s Niels Evo, and 11 colours give you plenty of choice if you want something cheerful on chilly days.

It’s not waterproof, so it won’t replace a hood for wet weather, but it’s ideal for keeping your ears and head cosy on chilly walks and at camp. Thicker woolly versions and baseball caps are also available from the brand.

What we love: Spacious for its size, comfortable, and raincover included

Invested in lots of new hiking kit? Pop it all in a roomy rucksack. For a casual day out you can get away with a light daysack with around 18-24 litres of capacity, but if you’re carrying camping kit or trekking for several days, Near Zero’s Dean TR 50 litre pack is a roomier option.

I found the front-loading access and smart interior organisation with idiot-proof labels for what to store where made packing and unpacking easy, even in a cramped tent, while the ultralight aluminium frame feels good against your back when you’re clocking up the miles.

What we love: Very lightweight, comfortable, and packs down small

You might be surprised by how much a tiny chair makes hiking nicer – it’s lovely having a quick sit down for lunch or for getting off the cold ground on multi-day treks. The Helinox Zero LT is the South Korean brand’s newest and lightest iteration, weighing just 534g.

It packs down small enough to fit inside the water bottle pocket of a rucksack, but can support up to 120g, and is surprisingly quick to set up and comfy to sit in. I take mine on wild camps – it’s an indulgence rather than an essential, but it makes even a back-to-basics backpacking trip much more comfortable.

Travel and outdoors journalist Sian Lewis has been hiking for more than 20 years, exploring trails and mountains across the UK and around the world. She’s written extensively about hiking, camping and outdoor adventures for major publications and has tested everything from hiking boots and waterproof jackets to tents and walking poles. She’s also the author of several outdoor guidebooks, including Under the Stars, her new guide to the UK’s best campsites (£16.99, Waterstones.com).

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