Photo credit: Ben Carmichael Photography

Lakeland is wet. Much of the land is peat-based and holds water like a sponge; the felltops are riddled with bogs. (It took me a while to wrap my head around the idea that the mountaintops are often damper than the valleys, but there it is.) And the rainiest town in England (Seathwaite) is in the heart of the Lakes region; it gets 140” of rain per year. That means that water comes from the sky down and the turf up (and sometimes it seems like it comes in sideways too).

That’s because Lakeland is also windy. There are very few trees, so there’s often little to slow down the wind. And mountain tops and passes can be hard-to-stand-up gusty even on days that the valleys see little more than a gentle breeze.

So here is our list of basic things to bring with you to the Lakes:

Waterproof shoes – Can’t do without them. Most fellwalkers swear by heavy waterproof leather boots. Some prefer lightweight Gore-Tex trail-running shoes, on the theory that even if they get damp, they’ll be quicker to dry.

Waterproof shell and rain pants – Can’t do without these either. And not just any shell: get something that can endure a full day’s rain. Some of the lighter running shells won’t do that. Make sure your shell has a hood and, ideally, armpit zippers to help you shed heat on steep climbs.

Rain cover – your backpack deserves a rain jacket, too! To really keep your stuff dry, you can get a set of dry bags to go inside your pack, or just use large Ziplocs or plastic grocery bags.

Gaiters – Even on a dry day the grass can be damp, and gaiters will help keep your legs dry. (They can also help keep you warm!) The knee-high ones stay up better than the ankle length variety, and they are great for walking through tall brush and/or wet bracken.

Extra socks – We prefer to hike in double socks: a thin, wicking sock liner underneath a heavier hiking sock (like Darn Tough). Even so, it’s always good to bring an extra pair of socks with you when you’re hiking. Sometimes extra socks can give you extra cushioning late in the day. You can also use them as mittens if it gets cold!

Wool T-shirt and long-sleeve layer – except in the warmest summer weather, it’s good to bring wool layers as they stay warm when wet. Even in hot weather, you will still be grateful for a wool base-layer when you get to the summit! We like both Smartwool and Icebreaker. (For the ladies, we also recommend wool Icebreaker sports bras, which don’t itch at all, and don’t get cold and clammy like synthetic sports bras.)

Insulation layer – because Lakeland weather can be so unpredictable, it’s prudent to hike with an insulating layer that will stay warm when wet, like fleece or synthetic down (unlike real down, synthetic down will stay warm when wet). Most days you’ll be just fine with only a base layer and a shell, but an insulating layer like Patagonia’s Nano-puff series packs down to almost nothing and will store easily in your pack in case you need it. 

Hat or headband – To cope with the blustery wind on the felltops, bring a hat or headband that will cover your ears (both for warmth and for a bit of quiet — you’ll get tired of hearing nothing but the roar of the gale). Support local business and check out the wool hats and headbands from Ghyll and Crag!

External battery and cord – Because your cell phone’s GPS function is so useful in the Lakes, always hike with an external battery like a Mophie so that you can recharge if you start running out of juice.

Headlamp – Bring a headlamp (or “head torch”) on every hike, even if you think you won’t need it. Make sure the batteries and bulb are working before you set out.

Whistle – you should always hike with a whistle in case you fall and need help. It’s much easier to make a racket with a whistle than with your voice! 

Backpack – Obviously you’ll need a place to keep all this stuff. Our pick is the Osprey Daylite Plus, which has a built-in whistle, a chest strap and a waist strap, and will easily fit under an airplane seat or fold into your luggage. It will also hold everything we’ve mentioned here, though that may take some creative cramming.

If you bring the wrong gear, head to Keswick or Ambleside, where you will find a delightful array of outdoors shops. Our favorites are George Fisher in Keswick and The Mountain Factor in Ambleside. 

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