Gear Guide
What To Wear And Take On Walks
[Printable Microsoft Word Version]
[Printable Postscript Version]
The most pratical way to dress for walking is to wear many thin light clothing layers that will trap heat but that you can easily take off, or put on to vary your temperature as the terrain changes. This means that you will be able to comfortably climb hills, then walk along flat exposed ridges, before once again descending into sheltered valleys.
Its best to avoid heavy cotton tshirts,trousers (SO NO JEANS) which will just soak up quantites of rain/sweat and not dry out, causing you to get very cold.
This is the basic list of what you should take on any OAC walk. Click on an item to see the details. Some of the gear you can borrow from the OAC stock. Supplies are limited though, so if you have your own then please bring them along. Also if you have more than one of any item, feel free to bring the extras along so other people can borrow them.
Despite what you see other walkers wearing, you don't need a heap of expensive specialist equipment out on a walk. The list below may look long, but the chances are you've probably got most of the stuff anyway - if you're totally new to walking there's probably only a few things you might need to buy.
If you're unsure about anything on this page, have a word with any committee member - we're here to help!
To see a list of reliable equipment manufacturers and places to buy it, look on the Equipment Links page (the list is in no way exhaustive; if you know any other good names not on the list, click here).
Items marked with * are those which you can borrow from the OAC.
| Any Walks | Extras for Weekend Trips |
|
Clothing
| Trousers | Back to list |
The main rule with trousers is no jeans. They're fine when it's dry - they're warm and windproof. But once it starts raining, which it does a lot in Britain, they hold water easily and once wet they stay wet and get cold. Other than being uncomfortable, in extreme cases it can lead to hypothermia. That's why jeans are out.Most other trousers are okay, and should be made of synthetics/polycotton , as they dry quickly/do not hold water, and so stay warm when rained on they're rained on. Also trousers should be fairly lose/ strechy, so they don't restrict you, when your climbing, or chaffe when your walking a long way (ouch). Tracksuit bottoms are good, as are 'combat trousers', so long as they're not made out of heavy cotton.
| Shirt | Back to list |
This is the 'baselayer' that sits next to your skin. Avoid thick t-shirts - thin summer tshirts are okay (OAC T-Shirts are nice and are available for a very reasonable price) , but as with trousers, cotton-based shirts hold moisture and get cold when wet. Again Synthetics will wick well, and dry quickly , so you'll suffer less from the dreaded walkers 'sweaty rucsac' back. Having a neck that you can button/zip up tightly, will keep that extra bit of warmth in when conditions change.A thermal baselayer is nice and will wick away moisture keeping you that much warmer, anything for a cheap M&S job/ a 'smelly helly', to something more expensive with zips and pockets will do. And on a good winter day, you can get away with nothing else..
| Jumper/Fleece | Back to list |
For when the sun goes behind the clouds, which it often does in Britain. You see, that wooly jumper that granny knitted you for Christmas does have its uses after all. It doesn't have to be anything hi-tech, any kind of "fashion fleece" will do. As long as it keeps the wind off and keeps you warm.
Whatever you bring, its a good idea to bring along a second one, as at some point in the day you'll end up sitting around, and need some extra warmth.
| Waterproofs * | Back to list |
A jacket is an essential item, as you may have noticed already it tends to rain a bit in Britain. Other than sitting it out in the pub, the only way of staying dry is to have a decent waterproof. You don't need the latest Gore-Tex XCR or whatever it's called, but you need something that covers your head and keeps the water and wind at bay for more than ten minutes. Preferably the jacket should not be lined/padded, as you'll often need to be wearing them when its quite warm and you don't want to overheat. A breathable waterproof is nice as the less damp/sweaty your clothes get, the more comftable you'll be, and less likely to get cold when you stop moving. Waterproof overtrousers are nice to have but you won't die if you don't have them.The OAC can lend you waterproofs if you need them, but do ask a committee member when you sign up for the trip, as we only have limited numbers.
| Hat * | Back to list |
I'm sure one of the many medics in the club will back me up on this one - you lose about 1/3 of your body heat through your head. So on a cold day a hat will keep you happy. Dig out the bobble-hat buried deep in cupboard or go out and buy one of the clever waterproof windproof heatproof mountain cap thingies. They both do the job fine.
| Scarf * | Back to list |
A Scarf is an easy way of getting that extra bit of warmth, by plugging the gap between your neck and the top of the waterproof.
| Gloves * | Back to list |
Cold fingers aren't nice, for the main reason you can't hold your bar of chocolate or your pint in the pub properly. No, seriously, you're unlikely to get frostbite on any OAC walk but freezing cold fingers aren't pleasant, and you do need to be able to cope with all the zips/toggles your wearing, and fasten your laces.As with hats, any glove ranging from woolly ones to fully-featured waterproof ones will do. Different people need different "strength" gloves - some people are happy with a thin woolly pair, others need thick chunky gloves. Fingerless gloves work for some people as long as your hand stays warm, your finger will to. Also good are thin strechy liner gloves that keep the chill off your hands, while they're in the arms of your waterproof. Its good to have properly fitting gloves/mitts, so you can still manage to tie laces etc, without having to take them off all the time.
Footwear
| Boots | Back to list |
This is an important note - trainers are not allowed on OAC walks. The problem is they do not give enough ankle support, so it is all too easy to loose your footing which could have serious consequences.Similarly with the soles, the stiffer soles of proper walking boots give you a proper footing which means you're less likely to slip. Trainers don't offer enough grip.
The likes of DM's and Cat's which give you some ankle support are to a degree acceptable, but could severely limit your choice of harder walks, as they don't have much grip. You should really have a pair of proper walking boots which give the required ankle support and sole stiffness. These needed be terribly expensive (from £20), and are likely to last some time.Speak to a committee member if you're unsure.
Also see The Boot Faq.
| Socks | Back to list |
Sounds trivial, but choosing the right sock is an important part of footwear. If the seams rub at all, you could end up with blisters in a very short time. Decent walking socks have flat seams which don't rub, and also extra padding on areas like the heel and toes where the most pressure is.Woollen socks very are goodas they provide padding and also wick away moisture keeping your feet dry, and so less likely to blister
Some people wear a second thin pair of socks under a thick pair of socks to prevent blisters, these may will prevent your foot rubbing against the thick sock, which can often become damp, and stick to the boot.
Rucksack
| The rucksack itself | Back to list |
For the average OAC day trip a rucsac of about 20 litres will do, plus a plastic bag to keep the rain out (Unless you're ultra rich and have a mythical waterproof back.), so long as you can fit everything your carrying in it. For a long day in the hills a rucksack with padding and a proper waist strap will help loads. More expensive rucksacks have extra features like load balancing and air-flow systems to help stop you getting a sweaty back (not pleasant, but it happens!).
| Liner | Back to list |
Most rucksacks aren't waterproof, even if they are, they don't stay waterproof for long, so to keep your food and dry clothing dry you'll need some kind of waterproof liner. A bin-bag will do, but tougher rucksack liners are availble.
| Food | Back to list |
It's best to take high-energy foods out on walks. Most people take sandwiches for the lunch stops. But its an idea to carry plenty of things like chocolate, cereal bars, dried fruit, and nuts to nibble along the way and keep you going. Its also a excuse to explore the cake Asile at asda, and a guilt-free way to eat those things that are useually banned from your diet! Also bring along some Emergency Food; a large bar of chocolate/kendel mint cake,etc ; something you won't touch unless we get stuck.And remember anything you don't eat on the walk, can always be turned into a bus party on the way home!
| Drink | Back to list |
You should always take a bottle of water on a walk, to replace liquid lost through the exercise. A litre is adequate, 2 litres is perfect. Bring it in any kind of bottle - plastic or metal, but not glass. One of those bottles that you give you half a litre of lemonade for free are perfect ;).Platypus's are fun, and do mean you don't have to stop to have a drink - maybe from Aunty Jean , next Birthday.
For the cold winter days, a Thermos flask of any hot drink will be useful. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate or whatever, bring it along.
| Extra Clothing | Back to list |
The chances are that the weather will change from one extreme to the other - from hot sunny day to cold, wet, misty , as you walk up from a sheltered valley, and onto an exposed ridge, the weather will change. To be prepared take more clothing than you think you'll need. This is normally the likes of an extra jumper or two.
| Bivvy Bag | Back to list |
This is just an emergency item, hopefully it will never be needed for its proper use. A basic bivvy bag is basically a heavy duty plastic binbag which you can fit inside to keep you warm if you're stuck out on the hills. You should carry one, but are very unlikely to ever need to use it. In normal OAC use, a bivvy bag is used for "bum sliding" on snow or sitting on while eating your butties. Bivvy bags cost about £3.
| Whistle | Back to list |
Another emergency item, used for signalling for help if you're stuck out on the hills - the international distress signal is six blasts on the whistle (or six shouts or flashes of a torch), followed by a pause of one minute then a repetition of the six blasts, shouts or flashes.
Optional Extras
| Gaiters | Back to list |
Gaiters are useful when crossing the likes of peat bogs (it happens frequently with the OAC) or rivers. They help to stop water and mud getting into your boots, hence keeping your feet dry. They also help keep your feet warm. They're most useful in snow and ice conditions, preventing snow entering the top of your boot.
| Camera | Back to list |
Believe it or not, you do sometimes get nice views from the mountains, and it might be a while before you get the views again, so it's worth taking a photo to convince your friends back at home. Alternatively, a photo of your companion being blown to pieces on the hillside makes good content for the OAC website.
| Map & Compass | Back to list |
The leader of an OAC walk will always carry a map and a compass, but feel free to bring along your own. In fact we're always looking for new leaders so if you want to get onto that side of things, keep a look-out for the Leadership Course later in the OAC year.
| First Aid | Back to list |
The leader of a walk will always carry a first aid kit but if you want to, bring along your own supplies. Injuries very rarely go further than blisters or minor cuts so you won't need to bring along your full medical kit.
If you have any previous injuries such as sprained/weak joints, its a good idea to carry a support bandage or two, so that you have something to put on if the injury flares up.
The club does NOT carry painkillers in their first aid kits.
| Torch | Back to list |
OAC walks should be over before it gets dark , but in the winter its possible to still be out while its getting dark. So if you feel the need to bring a torch then feel free. Headtorches are the best option since they leave your hands free for balance.
| Walking Poles | Back to list |
Some poeple swear by them, some hate them - it's a matter of personal choice. They're most useful for people with knee or hip problems. If you're slow going up hill they can give you a boost, but are pain when going over rocky terrain. If you're unsure whether to invest in a pair of poles, chat to any OAC member you see who has them. As usual, feel free to bring your poles along if you have them.
| Extras for Weekend Trips | Back to list |
As well as the normal walking gear listed above, you may need some extra items for weekend trips with the OAC. This will vary on where we're staying - sometimes there's beds-and-everything provided, other times it's basically a stone tent and you bring everything you need. Check the poster the week before the trip to find out what you'll need.
Here's some stuff you might need for general weekend trips:
- Sleeping bag
Should be 'Mummy' style, with a drawcord to seal you in. The club can provide a few of these, and thermal liners to upgrade your bag, if you ask a committee member.
- Rollmat
Once again the club is able to provide these
- Plate, cup and cutlery
- 2 breakfasts
some cooking facilities will always be availble, whether its a full kitchen range, or trangia and stream
- 2 packed lunches for the walks
- Money for chippy meal on Friday night
- Money for pub meal on Saturday night, or food to cook
Check as it depends on location/facilities whether we pub, group cook, or provide stoves for you to cook with
