AD | Confession time: for years, my idea of “packing for the outdoors” involved shoving a jumper and a packet of biscuits into a tote bag and hoping for the best. It took one memorably damp weekend outdoors in the Brecon Beacons, where I had neither a working torch nor a dry pair of socks, to realise that a bit of proper planning makes the difference between a trip you talk about fondly and one you quietly never mention again.
So here’s my actual, tried and tested packing guide for a weekend outdoors trip, whether that’s a couple of nights camping, a hiking trip, or somewhere between the two.
Clothing That Actually Works
Layering is the only sensible approach, because our lovely British weather simply can’t be trusted, even in summer – actually, make that especially in summer. So, I always pack:
- A waterproof jacket that’s actually waterproof, not just “shower resistant”, which I learned the hard way is marketing speak for “will let you down exactly when it matters.”
- A warm mid-layer, usually a fleece, because evenings outdoors get cold fast once the sun disappears.
- A moisture-wicking base layer rather than my usual cotton t-shirts, which turn into cold, clingy misery the second they get damp.
- Proper walking boots, broken in well before the trip, plus a spare pair of socks, because wet feet ruin a day faster than almost anything else.
- A hat and gloves, even if the forecast looks reasonable, since exposed hillsides have a habit of being several degrees colder than wherever you checked the weather from.
Outdoor Equipment Worth the Space in Your Bag
Beyond clothes, there’s a short list of outdoor equipment that earns its place every single time.
- A head torch with spare batteries, which I now consider completely non-negotiable after The Torch Incident.
- A portable charger, because phones die at the worst possible moments, usually right when you need the map.
- A basic first aid kit, including blister plasters, which I guarantee someone in your group will need.
- A decent map, or a downloaded offline route, since signal has a habit of vanishing exactly when you most need directions.
- Trekking poles if you’re doing anything hilly, they look a bit much at first but your knees will thank you by day two.
Don’t Forget the Camping Equipment
If your weekend outdoors involves actually sleeping outdoors rather than retreating to a cosy B&B (no judgement either way, I’ve done both), proper camping equipment makes an enormous difference to how much you enjoy yourself.
- A tent that’s genuinely weatherproof – and tested beforehand if at all possible, because the campsite car park is a much better place to discover a faulty zip than 11pm in the rain.
- A sleeping bag rated for colder than you expect, plus a sleeping mat, since the ground pulls heat away far quicker than you’d think.
- A folding camping chair, which I resisted for years as an unnecessary luxury and now consider essential the moment I saw everyone else happily sitting in comfort while I perched awkwardly on a damp log.
And the Outdoor Cooking Equipment You’ll Actually Use
Nothing improves a trip quite like a proper hot meal at the end of a long day, and a little outdoor cooking equipment goes a long way.
A compact camping stove and a lightweight pan cover almost everything you’ll need. Pack a few freeze-dried meals (they’ve come a long way and taste far better than the sad beige offerings of years gone by) plus some porridge sachets for a fast breakfast before setting off.
A refillable water bottle and a filter or purification tablets save you from carrying every drop from home. And always, always pack tea bags or coffee sachets, because morale on a cold, damp morning depends entirely on a hot drink appearing fairly promptly.
The Small Things That Save the Day
A few extras that take up barely any space but solve a surprising number of problems: insect repellent, sunscreen regardless of season, bin bags for rubbish (and as an emergency waterproof layer if needed), a whistle, and some actual cash, since plenty of rural pubs and campsites still don’t take card payments.
Your Pitch Perfect Weekend Outdoors Trip
None of this requires turning into a full-on outdoor expert overnight. Pack the right layers, bring the camping equipment and outdoor cooking equipment that actually gets used rather than just admired in the shop, and you’ll spend far less time being cold, damp and hungry, and a lot more time actually enjoying being outside.
* This is a collaborative post – please see my Disclaimer.
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