Winter Day Hike Packing List

Here’s a summary of what I pack when walking in winter conditions in Scotland. What do I mean by winter conditions? Well that can mean anything. Snow, rain, sleet, bog, ice, wind, you name it. So my winter packing list is inevitably bulkier and heavier than what I might carry in summer (top tip: I use Lighterpack to inventory my gear and pack weight).

Even if I can’t see snow on the hills, I still almost always carry an ice axe and crampons – a seemingly innocuous Scottish bog could be an impassible slick of frozen ice when encountered up close (something I’ve learned from experience!).

Packing lists are a very personal thing, and I often think of things while walking that I “must add to my packing list” (then forget to do it when I get home!). If you’ve got any winter walking hacks / packing essentials, I’d love to here them!

Winter Day Hike Packing List

Item	Notes	What I carry	Rough Costs
Winter essentials
Rucksack / backpack	30-40L	I carry a Lowe Alpine Halcyon though TBH I think there’s much better bags out there	120
Winter boots	B2 or B3 crampon compatible – get a boot fitting to ensure a good fit for your feet!	Scarpa Ribelle CL	300
Crampons	Not micro spikes!	Grivel Evo Crampons	147
Ice Axe		Grivel Ice Axe	99
Goggles	Clear goggles can be helpful especially if you’re out at night	Cheap-ish clear ski goggles from Amazon	29.99
On your body
Base layer	Thermal top
Winter trousers
Socks + sock liners
Waterproofs
Waterproof jacket		Berghaus MTN Guide Gore-Tex Pro or Paramo Velez Smock	250
Waterproof over-trousers	Not needed if you’re wearing all day waterproofs like Paramo Cascada	Paramo Cascada	300
Warm layers
Warm hat that fits under a hood	Like a beanie
Midlayer fleece		Mountain Equipment Hispar Fleece	100
Insulated jacket		Rab Xenair Alpine Jacket	150
Buff
Waterproof Gloves		Mountain Equipment Guide Gloves	30
Spare Layers
Buffs	Spare buffs can be used for both head and neck warmth
Gloves	Gloves are useless once wet, so ideally carry 1-2 spares
Insulated jacket	Something really warm to put on over everything when stopped for any length of time	Mountain Equipment Fitzroy / Alpamayo Jacket
Navigation
Map
Compass
Map case
Comfort / Safety
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Hand warmers
First aid kit
Whistle
Emergency surival bag
Bivvy shelter		4-person Terra Nova Bothy Bag (smaller ones are available but the 4-person is good for two people plus dogs and packs)	64.99
Headtorch
Tech
GPS	or PLB, something with comms function in case of emergency	Garmin Montana with inReach	599
Mobile phone		iPhone
Watch
Optional Accessories
Helmet	Not always needed but I do carry if scrambling or going up gullies
Walking Poles
Gaiters
Sunglasses
Snow shovel
Snow probe
Food / Drink
Easy to eat snacks
Flask of something hot (soup, tea, hot chocolate)
Water	In a hot flask or carried close to the body so it doesn’t melt
Spare high energy snacks