The Ireland Walking Guide
  • Where to walk
    • Browse counties
    • Walking areas
    • Walking locations
    • Walking trails
  • Hill lists
    • Irish summit lists
    • Irish High Point lists
    • All-Ireland hill lists >
      • All-Ireland hill list rankings
    • Ireland's provincial hill lists
    • Ireland's local hill lists
    • Original hill lists
    • Derived hill lists
  • Initiatives
    • Monthly themes
    • Hillwalking challenges
    • All-Ireland Hillwalking Championships
    • Reasons to take part in our initiatives
  • Community
    • Social media
    • Irish walking clubs >
      • Choose a county
    • Irish walking guides
    • Irish walking events
    • Charities
    • Mountain Rescue Ireland
    • Skills training services
    • Outdoor Brands
    • Recommended apps
    • Accommodation providers
    • Others
  • Walking Kit
    • Guide books
    • Maps
  • Travel Guide
  • Extra
    • Search
    • About >
      • Contact us
      • Follow us
      • How are we different?
      • Frequently asked questions
      • Terms & conditions >
        • Terms & conditions for advertisers
    • Support us >
      • Bookmark us
      • Interact on social media
      • Use our affiliate links
      • Set up a link exchange
    • General Information >
      • Clothing & equipment
      • Knowledge & skills
      • Walk planning
      • Countryside etiquette
      • Walking holidays in Ireland
      • Gift ideas for walkers
    • Reasons to take part in our initiatives
    • Downloads >
      • Wall calendars
    • Our news
    • Our other websites >
      • The Ireland Travel Guide
      • High Point Ireland
Home  »

Walking Kit


 
Welcome to the first page in our brand new Walking Kit section. This section of the website is being set up to help you source the right clothing and equipment for your upcoming walks in Ireland. From footwear to headwear, and everything in between, as well as all the other bits and pieces you're likely to need in your backpack.

We are currently in the process of developing a comprehensive new Walking Kit information and advice section, for which this page will function as a home page. Please refer back on a regular basis to see how the section is coming along, and keep an eye on social media for all the latest updates.​

We have also set up a handy selection of useful links to outdoor sports shops in Ireland and well-known outdoor brands to help you source the items you need for your upcoming walks in Ireland.
​
 

Clothing


​The weather in Ireland can change dramatically, even within the space of a single day, so it is important to have the necessary clothing while out walking in the Irish countryside. In the event of something going wrong during your walk (e.g. sustaining an injury, getting lost, etc) having the right clothing with you will also improve your chances of survival while waiting for help to arrive.

​
Base layers

​Socks
Underwear
T-shirts & vests

​
​
Mid layers

Fleeces
Down insulation
​Synthetic insulation

​
​
Jackets

Waterproof jackets
Windproof jackets

​
​
Legwear

Trousers
​Waterproof trousers
Shorts
Gaiters

​
​
Headwear

​Insulating hat
Sun hat
Buffs


​
Gloves

Gloves
Liner gloves
​Mitts

​
▲
 

Footwear


​The type of terrain you are walking on will dictate your choice of footwear. For walking on paved surfaces and well-drained gravel paths in urban and other lowland settings, a pair of trainers / runners or any other everyday shoes will be quite adequate. On grass and muddier paths, a pair of waterproof trail walking shoes would be a worthwhile investment. If venturing into Ireland's upland areas, a sturdy pair of waterproof hillwalking boots will provide the extra grip and ankle protection that is required.

​
Socks

Runners / training shoes

Trail walking shoes
​

Hillwalking boots
​

▲
 

Equipment


​The equipment you need to carry on your walk depends on the type of terrain, the prevailing weather, how long you expect to be out, and any other supplementary activities being undertaken along the way (e.g. camping, photography, wild swimming, etc

Packs & bags

Backpacks
Waistpacks
​Dry bags

​
​
Hydration & nutrition

Water bottles
Water bladders
Water filtration
Insulated flasks
Lunchboxes
Plates & cutlery


​​
Navigation

Maps
Compasses
​Map protectors


​​
Extra propulsion

​Walking poles
Winter traction devices



Activity tracking

Handheld GPS devices
Smartphones
Smartwatches

​
​
Safety & survival

First aid kits
​Sanitising gel / wipes
​Sunscreen
Footcare
Emergency blankets
Storm shelters
Whistles
​Headtorches
Smartphones
​Handheld GPS devices
Power banks
"What3Words" app

​
​
Waste disposal

Mini trowels
Refuse bags
Toilet roll

​

Insect control

Insect repellents
Insect nets


​
Power supply

Power banks
Solar charging panels
Wind-up chargers
Cables


​
Camping

Tents
Bivy bags
Tarps
​Hammocks
Sleeping bags
Mattresses
Pillows
​Lighting
Stoves
​Cooking utensils

​
​
Photography

Action cameras
DSLRs
Smartphones
Tripods
Lenses
Filters
​Selfie sticks
"PhotoPills" app
"Stellarium" app


​​
Wild swimming

Swimwear
Wetsuits
Tow floats
Floatation vests
Swim goggles
Swim caps
Swim gloves
Swim booties
Changing robes
Towels

​
​
Sport Hillwalking

"High Point Ireland" website
"Peakhunter" app


​​
▲
 

Publications


Recreational walkers in Ireland are well-catered for in terms of walking guide books and maps. Flicking through the pages of a good walking guide book is probably the most satisfying way to find inspiration for future walks. Whether it's a regional or all-Ireland guide book, the routes described within will have been carefully selected, researched, walked, written up, photographed and illustrated by leading experts. A map can be one of the most vital pieces of equipment you carry on a walk, especially if you are venturing off the beaten track. High-quality maps published by a variety of trusted public and private map makers cover the whole of Ireland in great detail. You can find out more about Irish guide books and maps by clicking on the links below.

Guide books

Maps

​
▲

The Ireland Walking Guide - Walking kit - What clothing and equipment is needed for Irish walking?

Support us (at no cost)

Our website is a 100% free resource for all to view without having to pay any subscription fees or being asked for donations. We cover all the costs of running and maintaining the website ourselves on a voluntary basis. And we do all of this purely for our love of walking in Ireland. The long-term development strategy for The Ireland Walking Guide website will continue to be implemented over the coming years and for as long as it takes until our strategic goals are achieved. In the meantime, here are some zero-cost, zero-time ways in which you can support the ongoing development of The Ireland Walking Guide and its growing family of independent Irish information websites.
​

Walking initiatives

We have developed the widest possible selection of meaningful initiatives to promote recreational walking in Ireland. These are delivered across The Ireland Walking Guide and High Point Ireland websites and range from monthly walking themes right through to the official All-Ireland Hillwalking Championships. We aim to deliver a consistent programme of initiatives every year on a recurring basis rather than a series of standalone one-off campaigns. Our "predictable" approach to participation initiatives means walkers always know what's coming up and have ample time to plan ahead. But why should you take part? Click here to find out...
​

Connect with us


Main sections of the website



Our most popular pages




​The Ireland Walking Guide is the best and most user-friendly independently-owned Irish walking and hiking information website. If you are planning a day walk, a weekend of walking, a holiday or vacation in Ireland, make us the first stop resource for all your on-foot Irish adventures. 

Find out more...

Disclaimer

Please be aware that recreational walking in the great outdoors can be a risk activity. The Ireland Walking Guide and Donard Media (the website's publisher) accept no responsibility for any injury, loss or inconvenience sustained by anyone using this website. Personal safety is entirely the participant's own responsibility.

The inclusion of walking routes, locations and geographical areas on this website is not an indication that access is permitted. It should not be assumed that access is permitted to any specific piece of land in Ireland. Please note that upland areas and coastal areas indicated on this website are based purely on their geographical characteristics. It should not be assumed that access is permitted to any of the upland areas and coastal areas illustrated on this website. Where local access restrictions exist (e.g. those indicated by "Private Property" signs, "No Trespassing" signs, etc), we strongly advise that you comply with the relevant landowner's wishes. The Ireland Walking Guide and Donard Media recommend that anyone planning to go walking in Ireland should check for potential access restrictions and to request permission from the relevant landowner(s) in advance.

Copyright © Donard Media 2012 – 2025
  • Where to walk
    • Browse counties
    • Walking areas
    • Walking locations
    • Walking trails
  • Hill lists
    • Irish summit lists
    • Irish High Point lists
    • All-Ireland hill lists >
      • All-Ireland hill list rankings
    • Ireland's provincial hill lists
    • Ireland's local hill lists
    • Original hill lists
    • Derived hill lists
  • Initiatives
    • Monthly themes
    • Hillwalking challenges
    • All-Ireland Hillwalking Championships
    • Reasons to take part in our initiatives
  • Community
    • Social media
    • Irish walking clubs >
      • Choose a county
    • Irish walking guides
    • Irish walking events
    • Charities
    • Mountain Rescue Ireland
    • Skills training services
    • Outdoor Brands
    • Recommended apps
    • Accommodation providers
    • Others
  • Walking Kit
    • Guide books
    • Maps
  • Travel Guide
  • Extra
    • Search
    • About >
      • Contact us
      • Follow us
      • How are we different?
      • Frequently asked questions
      • Terms & conditions >
        • Terms & conditions for advertisers
    • Support us >
      • Bookmark us
      • Interact on social media
      • Use our affiliate links
      • Set up a link exchange
    • General Information >
      • Clothing & equipment
      • Knowledge & skills
      • Walk planning
      • Countryside etiquette
      • Walking holidays in Ireland
      • Gift ideas for walkers
    • Reasons to take part in our initiatives
    • Downloads >
      • Wall calendars
    • Our news
    • Our other websites >
      • The Ireland Travel Guide
      • High Point Ireland