Kit for the hills
You don't need a lot. You do need the right things.
The non-negotiables
Waterproof jacket (not a softshell — a real waterproof with a hood). Map and compass or phone with downloaded map. Spare warm layer. Emergency food. Water. First aid kit basics. Phone. Whistle. Survival bag for anything above 600m or remote routes.
The jacket question
Weight vs coverage. A race-weight jacket is fine if the forecast is good. In the mountains, take something more substantial. Gore-Tex or equivalent. A hood that actually covers your head in wind. If you're unsure, take the heavier one.
Footwear
Trail shoes are fine for most routes. Anything with exposed ridge or technical fell ground warrants a shoe with some ankle support and a proper lug. Waterproof trail shoes are worth it in the UK — you will get wet feet without them.
Navigation kit
OS Explorer map in a map case. Silva-type baseplate compass. These weigh almost nothing. Learn to use them.
What not to take
Cotton. It holds moisture and cools you rapidly when wet. Jeans. Anything that takes a long time to dry. The goal is layers that keep you warm even when wet.
In an emergency
- Call 999 or 112 → ask for Police → then Mountain Rescue
- No signal? Text 999 — pre-register first: text "register" to 999
- Coastal routes: ask for Coastguard instead of Mountain Rescue