Sprayway

Recorded answer text · Google AI Overviews · 27 September 2026

Essential gear for a multi-day hike in the UK includes a 40-60 litre backpack, a 3-season or 4-season tent, and reliable waterproof layers, tailored to handle the unpredictable British weather.

### Backpack & Packing

- Rucksack: Choose a 40 to 60-litre backpack (such as the [Gregory Zulu 55L]( ) to comfortably fit your multi-day kit. - Dry Bag Liner: Place a large waterproof bag or rucksack liner inside your pack to keep your sleeping bag and spare clothes dry.

### Sleep System & Shelter

- Tent: Pack a lightweight, wind-resistant, 2-person tent (like the [MSR Hubba Hubba]( ). Store poles and pegs separately. - Sleeping Bag: Bring a 3 to 4-season sleeping bag depending on the time of year and elevation. - Sleeping Mat: Use an insulated, high R-value sleeping pad (such as the [Therm-a-Rest NeoAir]( ) to block ground cold.

### Clothing & Waterproofs

- Layering System: Wear moisture-wicking base layers, a fleece mid-layer, and a packable down jacket for camp warmth. Avoid cotton completely. - Outer Shell: Carry a high-performance waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers (such as Gore-Tex models from Rab or Sprayway) regardless of the forecast. - Footwear & Socks: Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with ankle support and wool-blend walking socks. Pack at least one extra pair of dry socks.

### Navigation & Safety

- Navigation: Carry a physical 1:25,000 or 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey map and a magnetic compass, backed up by a GPS device or phone mapping app. - Emergency Kit: Pack a head torch with spare batteries, a first-aid kit with blister plasters, an emergency bivvy bag with a whistle, and a power bank for your phone.

If you share where in the UK you plan to hike and the time of year, I can give you a more specific weight limit and weather-specific gear adjustments.

Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 4 October 2026

If you mean British-founded hiking/outdoor brands, these are the ones I'd put at the top of the list:

| Brand | Best for | My take | |---|---|---| | Rab | Jackets, insulation, mountain clothing | ⭐ Best all-rounder | | Montane | Lightweight hiking, waterproofs, fast & light | ⭐ Best for lightweight kit | | Mountain Equipment | Serious mountain use, insulation, shells | ⭐ Best technical choice | | Berghaus | General hiking, waterproofs, backpacks | ⭐ Best traditional British brand | | Paramo | Wet/windy UK conditions | ⭐ Excellent for British weather | | Alpkit | Hiking & backpacking on a budget | ⭐ Best value | | Sprayway | Waterproofs and everyday hillwalking | Good value, underrated | | Keela | Hard-wearing waterproofs | Particularly good for wet conditions | | Terra Nova | Lightweight tents & shelters | Excellent for backpacking | | OMM | Ultralight running/hiking | Great for fast-and-light adventures |

These brands consistently appear in UK hiking/outdoor roundups, while specialist UK hiking testing has also featured Rab, Montane and Mountain Equipment among its standout gear brands. flux.agency

### 🏆 My top 5

1. Rab - probably the safest choice if you want one British brand that covers almost everything. Particularly strong for insulated jackets, waterproofs and mountain clothing. coastandfell.co.uk

2. Mountain Equipment - I'd choose this for more serious Scottish mountain days, winter hiking and mountaineering. Their Lightline and Saltoro ranges are particularly well established.

### [Mountain Equipment Men's Lightline Jacket]() £280.00

3. Montane - fantastic if you prioritise low weight and breathability. Its technical clothing is aimed heavily at fast hiking, running and mountain use. flux.agencywww.ukhillwalking.com

### [Men's Montane Minimus Lite Jacket]() £125.00

4. Berghaus - a great choice if you want something slightly more traditional and versatile for UK hillwalking, with a long history in British outdoor gear. flux.agency

5. Alpkit - my pick when value for money matters. Particularly interesting for backpacking and camping rather than just clothing.

### If I were buying a British-brand hiking kit

Rab + Montane + Mountain Equipment would be my core combination. I'd add Berghaus for a robust everyday pack or walking gear, and Paramo if I regularly walked in persistent UK rain.

If you tell me whether you're looking for jackets, trousers, boots, backpacks or a complete hiking outfit, I can narrow this down to the best 5 products currently available in the UK.

Recorded answer text · Perplexity · 4 October 2026

The best British-owned outdoor brands depend on whether you want technical mountain gear, everyday walking clothing, or camping equipment. Strong options include:

- Páramo - British company based in East Sussex, known for highly weather-resistant directional clothing and repairability. Best for wet, windy UK conditions. - Jöttnar - Founded by British Royal Marines; specialises in premium alpine, insulation and mountaineering clothing. Best for high-performance technical kit. - Montane - British-founded brand focused on lightweight clothing, trail running, fast-and-light trekking and mountaineering. - Rab - Founded in Sheffield by climber Rab Carrington in 1981; particularly strong for down jackets, sleeping bags and mountain clothing. It is now part of Equip Outdoor Technologies, whose UK headquarters are in Derbyshire. - Mountain Equipment - Long-established British mountaineering brand, respected for down gear, sleeping bags, tents and expedition equipment. - Terra Nova Equipment - British tent and outdoor-equipment maker, especially known for lightweight and expedition tents. - Vango - Scottish-founded camping brand offering good-value tents, sleeping bags, backpacks and family camping equipment. - Berghaus - British-founded technical outdoor brand, now owned by Pentland Group. Best known for hiking clothing, footwear and packs. - Regatta - British-owned, family-run mass-market outdoor brand with affordable walking clothing and camping equipment; its wider group also includes Craghoppers and Dare2B. - Craghoppers - Practical travel and walking clothing, particularly strong for insect-resistant and easy-care garments; owned by the same British group as Regatta. - Sprayway - British outdoor clothing brand with a good reputation for waterproof jackets and practical hillwalking gear. - Lowe Alpine - British-founded backpack brand, now associated with Equip Outdoor Technologies alongside Rab; particularly good for trekking and expedition packs. - Tilley - Canadian-founded rather than British-owned, so often mistakenly included in British-brand lists; it should be excluded if UK ownership is essential.

Best overall shortlist: - Premium technical clothing: Páramo, Jöttnar, Rab, Mountain Equipment - Lightweight mountain kit: Montane, Rab, Terra Nova - Backpacks: Lowe Alpine, Berghaus - Affordable everyday walking: Regatta, Craghoppers, Sprayway - Family camping: Vango

Ownership changes frequently, so “British brand” and “British-owned” should be treated separately: Rab, Berghaus and Lowe Alpine have British origins but are now part of larger ownership groups.