Equipment Lists

HAVING THE RIGHT KIT

Having the right equipment for your adventure can make all the difference to your comfort and enjoyment, which is why Journey Wilder encourages you to read these resources carefully, and then get in touch if you still have any queries.

For many of our trips you will need to consult both the camping kit list AND the kit list for your chosen mode of transport.

Expand each section below by clicking the “+” for more detail…

Camping Kit List

Lightweight 1-2 person backpacking Tent
Sleeping mat
Sleeping bag
Inflatable pillow (optional)

Clothes to sleep in (pyjamas or thermals)
Spare socks
Dry shoes/slippers/flip-flops for camp (optional)
Change of day clothes for longer trips
Warm lightweight jacket – aka puffer or duvet jacket

Personal medication
Sanitary products as needed for the duration of your adventure, and ‘nappy sacks’ for carrying used products to the nearest bin for disposal
Wash kit as needed
towel (ideally a quick-drying travel towel)
Insect spray
Ear plugs and eye mask (optional)

Food and drink for the duration of your trip
Water bottle or hydration bag
Stove with fuel (could be shared)
Pan�
Mug/bowl/cutlery as needed
Matches/lighter
Water filter (if wild camping)

Phone
Kindle or paperback book (optional, but nice to have on a wet evening!)
Camera (optional)
Charge wires as needed for all your devices.
Battery pack
Torch and charger (or spare batteries)
Wall plug (optional for longer trips)

Hiking and Walking Kit List

You’ll need these items whether you are undertaking a day hike, an overnight or a multi-day hike.

Clothes to wear –

Choose quick-drying or synthetic materials that are comfortable to wear. Avoid cotton as it dries slowly and is cold and stiff when wet, especially denim.

Walking Boots (with ankle support)
Good quality hiking socks
Comfortable (sports) underwear
thermal/quick-drying T-shirt (long or short sleeved depending on the weather)
Fleece or other mid-layer for warmth
Hiking trousers or sports leggings. NO JEANS

Clothes to carry –

Waterproof Jacket
Waterproof Trousers
Spare warm layers
Warm hat
Buff or neck tube
Gloves
Sun Hat (ideally with neck cover or an all-round brim)

Equipment –

Rucksack (daysack or large backpack depending on trip length)
Water bottles (1-2 litres)
Suncream
Food for the day
Head-torch
Personal first aid kit
Personal medication
Sanitary products (as needed) and small plastic bags to carry used products to the nearest bin
Toilet paper and a bag for disposal of used paper
Hand gel for using after toilet visits
A small trowel for digging toilet holes (optional – the group leader will usually carry one)
Foam sit mat for comfort (optional)

Electronics (optional)

Phone
Battery pack
Charge wire
Camera

Cycling Kit List

Cycling is quite simply one of our favourite ways to travel. Flying downhill, with the wind whistling through your helmet simply can’t be beaten! But we also recognise that choosing cycle kit can be daunting. So please read through the info we’ve provided and then reach out with any specific questions you still have.

Bike and cycling equipment

Bike – suitable for your trip – see the event booking page and your booking confirmation for more info
Helmet
Panniers OR bike packing bags. Your trip information will have more info on which option is most suitable and how to choose.
Handle-bar bag for personal items
Bike lock
Bike lights (front and back)
Bell or horn (important for shared use paths)
Phone mount (ideally waterproof and totally optional, but can be nice to have)
Bike pump to fit your wheels
Tools for simple repairs (optional – your group leader will carry a comprehensive tool kit, but if you know how to undertake simple repairs, by all means carry the right tools for your bike)

Spare parts

Please don’t panic if this seems confusing! Take your bike and this list to your local bike shop and let them help you!

Inner tube to fit your bike wheels
Brake pads or disk pads to fit your bike
Spare spokes to fit your bike
Spare mech hanger for your bike (optional, but recommended for longer and more remote trips, especially the Outer Hebrides)

Clothing

Cycle shorts – padded by preference
Warm trousers to wear over your cycle shorts. Sports leggings are ideal
Sports underwear – many people forego knickers when wearing cycle shorts
Thermal/quick-drying t-shirts or cycle jersey
Warm fleece-type mid-layer or insulated cycle jersey
Windproof jacket (ideally high vis)
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Cycle gloves
Buff or neck tube
Shoes – cycle shoes or sturdy trainers
Cycle over-shoes (optional – helps keep feet dry and warm in cold wet weather

Other Equipment

Food for the day and extra snacks
Water bottles (filled)
Personal first aid kit
Personal medication as needed
Sanitary products (as needed) and small plastic bags to carry used products to the nearest bin
Toilet paper and a bag for disposal of used paper
Hand gel for using after toilet visits
A small trowel for digging toilet holes (optional – the group leader will usually carry one)

Canoeing and Kayaking Kit List

All of the technical and safety kit you will need for your trip will be provided by Journey Wilder. You will also be provided with a large waterproof barrel or dry bags to pack your kit into. This list covers the personal items and clothing you will need (don’t forget to also pack your camping kit if your trip is a multi-day one!).

Clothing

Underwear – quick drying sports underwear by preference.
Thermal top or t-shirt
Warm comfortable trousers or sports leggings
Fleece mid-layer
socks (waterproof socks are optional but can work well)
Waterproof trousers
Waterproof jacket
Wetsuit boots, water shoes or old trainers

Head and hands

Warm hat
Buff or neck tube
Thin gloves
Large marigold gloves that fit OVER your thin gloves
Sun hat
Sunglasses

Personal kit

Suncream
Insect repellent
Personal first aid kit
Personal medications
Sanitary products (if needed) and small plastic bags to carry used products to the nearest bin
Toilet paper and a bag for disposal of used paper
Hand gel for using after toilet visits
A small trowel for digging toilet holes (optional – the group leader will usually carry one)
Towel
Swimming costume
Lunch for the day
Water bottles (1-2 litres)
Snacks
Phone (in a waterproof case/bag which are very cheap on Amazon)
Camera
Foam mat to sit on at lunchtime (optional)

Complete Change of Clothes

Not surprisingly your chances of getting soaked are higher than in other activities! In addition to your usual camping clothes, you need to pack and bring a complete change of clothing in case of a capsize.

Underwear
T-shirt or long sleeved thermal
Trousers
Midlayer (fleece is ideal)
Socks
Spare hat

Food for multi-day adventures

Choosing food for multi-day adventures can be intimidating, especially if you know that you’ll be carrying that food on your back for several days!

Once you’ve booked a trip with us, spend some time planning your approach to your food. Check the trip description to find out how much food you’ll need to pack, how much you might need to carry, and any re-supply points along the route.

Things to consider

If you are carrying a backpack then weight matters! You’ll enjoy your whole trip more if your bags weigh less, so prioritise lightweight food options as much as your budget allows.
Will there be time to cook/heat water at lunchtime, or will you need ready-to-eat food or snacks?
Will resupply points or cafes be open, and will they have a limited range of products? Check your trip details!
Fuel can be bulky and heavy to carry, especially gas canisters. There’s no point choosing lightweight foods then carrying the weight saving in gas!
Think food hygiene – there will be no refrigeration available so make sure all your food choices will remain safe throughout your trip.

Roughly your options for food can be broken down into:-

Expeditions meals

Dried
Ready-to-eat

Huel type bulk buy dried meals
Supermarket options

Dried
Ready to eat

Do-it-yourself dried meals using a dehydrator
Eating at pubs, cafes and restaurants along the trail!

Dried Expedition Meals

Pros

Ultra Lightweight (around 150g per serving)
Nutritionally balanced
Long shelf-life
Require little to no cooking
Great for fuel economy

Cons

Cost
Limited options, especially if you have complex dietary needs
Usually packed in single-use plastic packaging
Fixed serving size

Commercially available single-serving dried expedition meals are the simplest option, so long as you can stomach the costs. Usually, these meals are freeze-dried to preserve flavour and facilitate quick rehydration. But they’re costly – at the time of writing (2024) they cost between £8-£12 per serving, which quickly adds up on a longer expedition.

How? – Open the bag, pour over the required amount of boiling water then wait (5-10 minutes is usual) for the food to rehydrate. An insulated outer bag (known as a cosy) helps keep the food warmer while you wait. Special long-handled spoons are available to make eating out of the bag cleaner and easier which means limited washing up!

Ready to Eat Expedition Meals

Pros

If eaten cold they require no cooking or soaking – you can eat them as they are
Nutritionally balanced
Long shelf life

Cons
Weight (around 300g per serving)
Cost (although they are usually much cheaper than their freeze-dried cousins)
Limited options for those with complex dietary needs
Packed in single-use packaging
Fixed serving size

Ready-to-eat expedition meals have many of the same advantages as their dried counterparts but with one major disadvantage – the weight! At 300g+ per serving a five-day supply of JUST your main evening meals weighs in at 1.5kg – equal in weight to many tents! But they make an easy, hassle-free option for an expedition where weight isn’t an issue (perhaps we’re using a bag transport service, or travelling in canoes). They are also cheaper than freeze-dried meals at around £5 per serving.

How?– Meals can be warmed up in the bag by placing the bag in a saucepan of boiling water until the food is heated through. A long-handled spoon is useful for staying clean whilst eating. Alternatively, you can empty the pouch into a pan and heat directly on the stove.

HUEL Hot and Savory Meals (other brands may be available, this is the one I’ve come across).

Pros

Cheaper than other pre-packaged options
Plant-based
Nutritionally balanced
Ultra-lightweight
Serving size can be varied according to hunger
Long shelf life

Cons

Large order sizes if you want any variety (you get approximately seven servings per pack)
Limited options for complex dietary needs
Single-use packaging (although less than single-serve meals)

Huel makes plant-based freeze-dried meals along with protein shakes. Their range includes bulk-sized bags of freeze-dried meals, which work out at a very reasonable £3 per serving. The downside? Unless you want to eat the same meal all week you’ll end up spending quite a lot to have any variety. If you take multiple trips each year or also eat them for a quick lunch in the office, this can be a cost-effective and low-hassle option.

How? – Simply add a scoop of Huel powder to the provided pot, pour on boiling water and wait for your meal to rehydrate. You can vary the scoop size depending on your hunger level.

Supermarket options

Pros

Cost
Variety
Lightweight options are available

Cons

Meals often require full cooking so use a lot of fuel
Can be heavy if the food is wet or ready-to-eat.�
More research is needed to find options that will work
Time needs to be taken to calculate nutrition and energy requirements.

There’s a surprising variety of food available in any reasonably sized supermarket that can work well for expedition meals. Ready-to-eat packets of rice/grains etc are quite common, and with a bit more searching dried options are also available. Even if you use the more expensive expedition meals for your main meal of the day it’s worth searching out breakfast and lunch options in the supermarket. Ideas to look out for include –�

Dried options

Flavoured couscous packets
Flavoured rice (like golden rice)
Dried pasta meals (Bachelor for example)
Instant Mash
Instant/pot style noodles
Porridge pots
Cereal Bars
Dried fruit and nuts
Crackers/biscuits
Check out the baby food aisle for dried meal options!

Wet options

Packets of ready-to-eat grains
Packets of ready-to-eat pasta
Packets of ready-to-eat rice
Pasta sauce packets
Long-life Microwave meals
Cheese
Salami-style preserved meats

If your trip is a longer one it’s worth spending some time checking your meal plan is balanced, as poor nutrition will affect how you feel on a longer trip. Beware of the stated serving size – they are NOT calculated for a hungry hiker covering longer distances day after day!

The final thing to be aware of if choosing this option – dried packets from the supermarket are usually not made to rehydrate by soaking and often require LONG cooking times (30 minutes plus) which can use a lot of fuel on a windy day. So read the packets carefully and consider whether carrying large amounts of fuel negates any weight or cost savings compared to other options available.

Drying your own meals in a dehydrator

Pros

Complete control over your dietary needs
Can be very cost-effective
Complete control over portion sizes.
Ultra lightweight

Cons

Steep learning curve
Good food hygiene standards are needed.
The initial cost of a dehydrator is high
Time intensive!

I am not for a second suggesting anybody rushes out and buys a dehydrator. But if you already own one or have complex dietary needs, AND you have the time and inclination to learn, dehydrating your meals is satisfying and gives you complete control over what and how much you eat.

There are several good books available on Amazon and Chef Glen’s website is an amazing resource for anybody wanting to learn more about how to safely dry their own meals.

Resources

“The dehydrator cookbook for Outdoor Adventurers” Julie Mosier
“The Hungry Spork Trail Recipes” Inga Aksamit
“Recipes for Adventure” Chef Glen Mcallister
https://www.backpackingchef.com/

Dehydrating your own backpacking food Facebook group is US based but is very active –https://www.facebook.com/groups/610904789060556

Dehydrating for campers and hikers in the UK Facebook group is much quieter but is UK focused –https://www.facebook.com/groups/352140268620489

Personal First-aid Kit

Your trip leader will always be carrying a full and comprehensive emergency first aid kit. However, it’s still important for you to carry your own, small, personal first-aid kit, to deal with the small things that will make your life more comfortable during your adventure.

Enough of any personal medication you usually need to cover you for the duration of your trip.
Compeed Blister Plasters (mixed sizes and shapes)
A selection of plasters.
A couple of wound wipes for cleaning small scrapes.
Your usual choice of painkillers.
Lipbalm (optional)
Vaseline or an anti chaffe cream. I usually carry their lip balm tin as it’s the perfect size!
Canesten cream or athlete’s foot gel if you are prone to getting these types of infections.

Shared Group Kit List

Usually, any group kit will be provided by your Journey Wilder leader (unless you have been told otherwise in our pre-trip briefings). We have included it here for educational purposes and as a resource for your own trips in the future.

Your group leader will usually ask for volunteers to help carry this shared group kit.

Navigation