What to Wear Outdoors in England?

Starting from the bottom up we have detailed recommendations below for clothing and equipment. Outdoor brands are a highly personal choice subjective to budget, quality, fit, branding, availability etc. As a disclaimer, we have a partnership with Haglöfs which you’ll see our guides wearing and we may give a nod in their direction at times, but we genuinely believe that they produce high-performance, durable and comfortable outdoor gear. Other great outdoor brands include, but are by no means limited to: Rab, Osprey, Montane, Mountain Equipment, Salomon, Patagonia, Arc’Teryx, Icebreaker, Scarpa and Merrell.

The Haglöfs L.I.M series contains everything you may need and is very lightweight – perfect for a destination that requires layering.

Feet

Quality socks – The best socks for hiking are wool-based or synthetic. These keep your feet warm, cushion impact, wick away moisture (sweat) and help stop you getting blisters. Make sure your socks are high enough and go past your footwear to prevent rubbing, and make sure the fit is right to prevent blistering. Please avoid cotton socks as they don’t wick away moisture and will rub.

Sturdy boots – Whether you’re tackling a mountain, undulating fields, or a rough trail you’ll be happiest in waterproof hill-walking boots. Although hiking in the English countryside usually involves a path; at times you may be walking off-track and over rocky and boggy terrain. Make sure your boots fit properly and offer sufficient ankle support. To avoid sore feet we recommend breaking in new boots before using them on your holiday. Head out for several medium-length hikes ahead of your trip.

Lower Body

It gets quite tricky here as you can’t layer up or down on your lower body as easily as you can for your upper so it’s important to get the base layer right. We recommend lightweight, quick-drying trousers. We advise against jeans and heavier trousers as they will take a long time to dry and get uncomfortable and cold when wet against your skin. There are many variations of ‘softshell’ trousers on the market to suit your personal tastes, you can get cargo-style trousers which are always a safe bet, alternatively, zip-offs and legging versions are available too. To ensure you have the best time and can outsmart the weather, we recommend fully waterproof and breathable shell over-trousers. We favour trousers with adjustable ankle cuffs so you can get them over your boots easier.

We also recommend leg gaiters. They are a bit like marmite, you either love them or hate them. On the plus side, gaiters are fantastic for keeping your legs and feet dry on wetter days and prevent things like itty bitty insects and mud from going into the top of your boots. On the downside, gaiters can get pretty warm and sweaty, and you’re not going to be doing much stealth walking in them. 

Upper Body

Moisture-wicking base layer – Ideally long-sleeved and in synthetic or merino wool. Wearing lighter colours can help you spot ticks on the fabric – but is not a must. 

Light insulation layer – You’ve got several options here but we recommend a microfleece or light-weight softshell. 

Heavier insulation layer – This is a great layer to add on in colder weather or if you’re stopping for a longer period of time. We recommend heavy fleece or lofting insulation such as down or synthetic down.

Fully waterproof and breathable shell jacket – Something that’s not too heavy in which you can easily move. This layer is to throw on in case of rain and to keep the wind out. We recommend Gore-tex jackets over other waterproof products. Having a high hood and collar will ensure you stay completely dry and can still easily see and communicate when you’re fully zipped up. 

Heads & Hands

Wool hat or headband – We lose half our body heat through our head, so it makes sense to carry something to keep your head and ears cosy. 

Cap – On those sunnier days this is an effective way to keep the sun off your face and head.

Gloves – Nobody likes cold hands and it can really impact your enjoyment so we always recommend carrying gloves, especially if you’re heading higher up. 

Neckwear – This is entirely optional but some people enjoy having extra warmth through the use of neckwear like scarves and buffs.

Additional Equipment for Hiking in England

Essential Hiking Equipment

• Water bottle or hydration bladder – 1-2 litre total capacity
• Small ‘day’ rucksack to carry clothes, equipment and food (25 – 35L capacity), ensure comfortable straps and weight distribution
• Waterproof rucksack cover, or ‘drybags’ to pack inside your rucksack to make sure your valuables and warmer layers stay dry even in heavy rain
• Midge net just in case or insect repellant 

Optional Items

• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Personal blister kit
• Walking poles
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Thermos flask
• Lunchbox