Gelert

Recorded answer text · Google AI Overviews · 1 November 2026

The cheapest way to buy quality hiking gear in the UK is to combine budget-friendly direct-to-consumer brands, high-street clearance sales, second-hand marketplaces, and cashback portals.

### 1. Best Budget & Value Brands

- Decathlon: Offers technical, durable gear (such as Simond trekking backpacks and Quechua/Forclaz clothing) with multi-year guarantees at a fraction of premium brand prices. - Alpkit: A UK-based brand known for high-value tents, sleeping bags, and technical wear designed for British weather without markup. - Go Outdoors (Member's Price): Signing up for a membership card unlocks heavy discounts on staple brands like Eurohike, Rab, and Salomon. - Sports Direct & Nevisport: Frequently run massive online clearances (up to 50%-80% off) on brands like Karrimor, Gelert, Adidas Terrex, and Berghaus.

### 2. Clearance & Outlet Stores

- Ultralight Outdoor Gear Sale: Check dedicated Ultralight Outdoor Gear Sale pages for end-of-line ultralight backpacking gear. - High Street Outlets: Stores like Blacks, Millets, and Mountain Warehouse regularly feature seasonal changeover sales and multipack offers on base layers and socks.

### 3. Second-Hand & Peer-to-Peer

- Vinted, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace: Great for lightly used waterproof jackets (Rab, The North Face, Mountain Equipment), rucksacks, and poles. - Outdoor Gear Swaps / Forums: Local hiking clubs and specialized community groups are ideal for sourcing reliable hard goods like tents or stoves.

### 4. Stack Savings with Cashback

- Run your online purchases through cashback and voucher sites like TopCashback or Quidco before checking out to double-dip on existing sale prices.

If you'd like, let me know:

- What specific items you need most right now (e.g., boots, a waterproof jacket, a tent) - Your approximate budget

I can point you to the best current deals or brand picks.

Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 27 September 2026

For UK family hiking, I'd prioritise waterproofing, layers, grippy footwear and keeping the kids' packs light. The Ramblers specifically recommend waterproof jackets, suitable boots/trail shoes, layers, spare socks/gloves, food/drink, a torch, first aid and emergency shelter. Ramblers Ramblers

### My practical kit list

- Junior & Youth StormDri 4000 Jacket - £29.99 (Brand Me Now) - Quechua Kids' Hiking Backpack 7 L - £9.99 (Decathlon UK) - Quechua Kids' Hiking Backpack 10 L - £9.99 (Decathlon UK) - Gelert Softshell Waterproof Walking Boots Juniors - £34.99 (Sports Direct UK + others) - Peter Storm Kids' Rivelin Hiking Boots - £50.00 (GO Outdoors + others) - Jack Wolfskin Little Scout 10 Backpack - £30.41 (Alpinetrek.co.uk + others)

- Waterproof jacket: A lightweight, properly waterproof shell is the most important item. The StormDri 4000 is a relatively inexpensive option; for frequent hiking, look for something with good hood adjustment and room for a fleece underneath. Ramblers' current guidance suggests at least 10,000 mm waterproofing for summer and 20,000 mm for year-round walking. Ramblers - Footwear: Waterproof boots with a decent sole for muddy paths. For easy summer trails, trail shoes can be perfectly adequate; for wet/muddy UK countryside, boots are more forgiving. Ramblers - Backpack: 7-10 L is plenty for younger children. Put only their water, snack, waterproof and perhaps a small treasure-hunting kit in it. Don't turn their pack into a load-bearing exercise. - Layers: Wicking base layer + fleece + waterproof shell. Avoid cotton for colder/wetter walks because it dries slowly. Ramblers - Trousers: Quick-drying hiking trousers; waterproof overtrousers are worthwhile for genuinely wet days. - Socks: Merino or synthetic walking socks, plus one spare pair in a dry bag. - Headwear: Sun hat in summer; warm hat and gloves in colder months. - Safety: Headtorch, whistle, small first-aid kit/blister plasters, emergency blanket/shelter and a phone. Ramblers - Food: More snacks than you think you'll need. Hiking with kids is considerably easier when everyone is fuelled.

### If they're under ~5

I'd spend less on technical hiking gear and more on warmth, waterproofing and comfort. Wellies can be excellent for muddy low-level walks, while proper walking shoes/boots become more useful when you're doing longer or hillier routes. The Ramblers' children's gear testing has also highlighted flexible, grippy waterproof options for younger walkers. Ramblers

If you tell me the kids' ages (e.g. 3 & 7) and roughly how much you want to spend per child, I can put together a specific UK shopping list at budget / mid-range / premium prices.

Recorded answer text · Perplexity · 18 October 2026

For most UK campers, the Stanley Wildfare Go Cook Set is the best all-round choice: durable stainless steel, compact, suitable for two people, and typically around £40-£50.

| Best for | Recommended set | Why | |---|---|---| | Best overall | Stanley Wildfare Go Cook Set | Robust stainless steel, good for two campers, and reasonably compact at about 900 g. | | Solo backpacking | Alpkit MytiMug Titanium Cook Set | Very light, nests compactly, and includes a lid and spork. | | Two to three people | Sea to Summit Camping Cookware Set | Lightweight at roughly 750 g while providing enough capacity for 2-3 campers. | | Budget camping | Living and Home 9-piece set | Includes a kettle, two pots, frying pan, utensils, and storage bag; suitable for car camping rather than hiking. | | Family or campervan use | Gelert Altitude II Cookset | Includes two pots, a kettle, handle, and griddled pan, making it versatile for larger meals. |

### What to choose

- Backpacking: titanium or hard-anodised aluminium; keep total weight below about 750 g. - Car camping: stainless steel is heavier but more durable and easier to use over varied heat sources. - Non-stick cooking: convenient, but avoid metal utensils and abrasive cleaning. - Two people: look for a pot around 1-1.5 litres plus a frying pan. - Family use: choose at least 2 litres of total pot capacity and separate mugs or plates.

For a single recommendation, choose Stanley for durability, Alpkit for lightweight hiking, or Sea to Summit for the best weight-to-capacity balance.