Craghoppers

Recorded answer text · Google AI Overviews · 25 October 2026

The best British outdoor and mountaineering brands span technical apparel, expedition gear, and specialized equipment:

### Technical Apparel & Mountaineering

- Rab: Founded in Sheffield in 1981, Rab is a premier name for down jackets (such as the Neutrino Pro ) and high-altitude cold-weather shells. - Montane: Established in 1993, Montane focuses on ultra-lightweight, breathable, and high-performance clothing built for fast-moving mountain endurance in harsh weather. - Berghaus: A long-standing iconic British leader in technical waterproof jackets, fleece, and mountaineering apparel. - Mountain Equipment: A trusted staple for serious alpine climbing, expedition sleeping bags, and technical down/shell layers. - Craghoppers: Famous for decades for its durable Kiwi Classic walking trousers, sun-protective fabrics, and general-use hiking wear (part of the Regatta group). - Sub Zero: Based in Leicestershire since 1969, they design and manufacture high-performance British-made base layers and technical apparel.

### Specialized & Heritage Outdoor Gear

- Atom Packs: Based in the Lake District, this small independent workshop crafts custom, ultralight hiking backpacks in-house. - Aiguille: Also located in the Lake District, known for rugged, hand-crafted expedition packs and climbing gear. - Hilltrek: Specializes in traditional, ultra-durable weather-resistant cotton (Ventile) garments favored by mountain rescue teams. - Terra Nova: Renowned designer and manufacturer of high-performance, lightweight tents and camping equipment (holding record titles for the world's lightest tents). - Multimat: Maker of durable sleeping and camping mats.

If you share what specific activity you are planning (e.g., multi-day backpacking, winter mountaineering, or casual day walks) and your budget, I can recommend the exact brand and gear setup for your needs.

Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 25 October 2026

The UK has some excellent hiking brands, from technical mountain kit built for the Scottish Highlands to durable waterproofs designed for typical British weather. After searching, these are the British brands I'd put on your shortlist.

## 8 of the best British hiking brands

!2024 Rab Kangri GTX Jacket Gore-Tex Waterproof Men's Ink Blue

## 1\. Rab

Best all-round technical hiking gear

Strong for waterproof jackets, down insulation, fleeces and sleeping bags. A great brand for regular hillwalking, cold-weather hikes and mountain trips.

Price: ££-£££

Shop Rab

---

![Women's Lightweight Jackets - Waterproof & Down

- Montane - UK](

## 2\. Montane

Best for lightweight hiking

Particularly good for breathable layers, lightweight waterproofs, walking trousers and insulation. Worth exploring if you like moving quickly and keeping your pack light.

Price: ££-£££

Shop Montane

---

!Paramo Velez Waterproof Jacket | Tested and reviewed

## 3\. Páramo

Best for wet British weather

Known for its distinctive waterproof clothing system, which prioritises moisture transfer and comfort during prolonged wet-weather walking. Particularly worth considering for Dartmoor, the Peak District and coastal walks.

Price: ££-£££

Shop Páramo

---

!Women's Highland Storm 3L Waterproof Jacket - Blue | Berghaus

## 4\. Berghaus

Best versatile everyday hiking kit

A longstanding British outdoor brand with waterproof jackets, fleeces, rucksacks and walking clothing. A sensible option for everyday walks and weekend hiking without automatically buying top-end technical gear.

Price: £-£££

Shop Berghaus

---

!Mountain Equipment Men's K7 Jacket | GWC

## 5\. Mountain Equipment

Best for serious mountain conditions

Specialises in technical shells, insulated jackets, sleeping bags and mountaineering equipment. A strong contender for winter hiking and demanding mountain routes.

Price: ££-£££

Shop Mountain Equipment

---

!Orion 45L Mountaineering Backpack

## 6\. Alpkit

Best for value

Offers a broad range of walking clothing, backpacks, tents and camping accessories. Particularly appealing if you're assembling a complete hiking setup on a budget.

Price: £-££

Shop Alpkit

---

![Altberg - Tethera (5 Width Fittings) - Lockwoods Ski & Outdoor](

## 7\. Altberg

Best for traditional hiking boots

A specialist worth knowing if you prefer supportive, durable leather boots. Particularly relevant for rough terrain, long-distance walking and hikers who value repairability.

Price: ££-£££

Shop Altberg

---

!Keela Pinnacle Waterproof Jacket Mens in Cobalt Blue

## 8\. Keela

Best for practical, hard-wearing waterproofs

A Scottish brand known for functional outdoor clothing and weather protection. A good alternative to compare if durability and dependable wet-weather performance matter more than fashion.

Price: ££-£££

Shop Keela

This shortlist reflects each brand's specialities rather than a definitive test ranking. www.outr.co.ukflux.agencywww.ethicalconsumer.org

## Which would I choose?

| If you want… | Brands to compare first | |--------|--------| | One dependable technical clothing brand | Rab | | Lightweight gear for long hikes | Montane | | Comfort in persistent British rain | Páramo, Keela | | Good-value hiking equipment | Alpkit, Berghaus | | Winter mountain gear | Mountain Equipment, Rab | | Durable leather walking boots | Altberg |

## One important distinction

British brand doesn't necessarily mean British-made. Many brands design their products in the UK but manufacture some or all of them overseas. If buying British-made is important to you, check the country of manufacture for the specific item. www.outr.co.ukflux.agencywww.ethicalconsumer.org

My starting shortlist would be Rab, Montane and Páramo for technical clothing, lightweight performance and wet-weather comfort respectively.

Are you mainly looking for technical hiking gear, traditional British outdoor clothing, or the best quality for the money? That would change which brands I'd prioritise.

Recorded answer text · Perplexity · 25 October 2026

The best British outdoor brands depend on the activity, but these are the strongest choices overall:

- Rab - Best for technical mountain clothing, down jackets, waterproofs, sleeping bags, and climbing gear. It began in Sheffield in 1981 and is known for practical, hard-wearing equipment. - Mountain Equipment - Excellent for alpine, expedition, and winter gear, particularly down insulation, technical shells, and sleeping bags. - Berghaus - A leading all-rounder for hiking jackets, waterproofs, backpacks, and general mountain use; it was founded in Newcastle. - Montane - Best for lightweight, fast-and-light clothing for trail running, hiking, and mountaineering. - Terra Nova - A top choice for lightweight, expedition, and backpacking tents, with roots in Derbyshire. - Sprayway - Strong value for British hillwalking, especially waterproof jackets, fleeces, and clothing suited to cool, wet conditions. - Alpkit - Often offers very good performance and value across tents, clothing, packs, and camping equipment. - Finisterre - Best for sustainable, sea-influenced outdoor clothing, including durable jackets and merino layers. - Craghoppers - Good for travel, everyday hiking, warm-weather clothing, and practical outdoor trousers rather than extreme alpine use. - Vango - A dependable camping brand for tents, sleeping bags, awnings, and family camping equipment. - Sealskinz - Particularly good for waterproof socks, gloves, and accessories; some products are made in Norfolk. - Barbour - Best for heritage country clothing and waxed jackets rather than high-performance alpine equipment.

### Quick recommendations

| Need | Best picks | |---|---| | Technical mountain use | Rab, Mountain Equipment, Montane | | Hiking and hillwalking | Berghaus, Sprayway, Rab | | Lightweight backpacking | Alpkit, Montane, Terra Nova | | Camping | Vango, Terra Nova, Alpkit | | Sustainable lifestyle outdoor wear | Finisterre | | Country wear | Barbour | | Waterproof accessories | Sealskinz |

For a single safe choice, Rab is probably the best all-round British technical brand; Berghaus is the more versatile hiking choice, while Alpkit generally offers the strongest value.