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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 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. The outdoor brands listed on this page can together meet all your walking clothing and equipment needs. In addition, we have listed some brands who specialise in non-walk-specific products which you may also wish to carry while out walking or to power up your devices beforehand.

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.

Please note that this section of the website contains links to the online stores of reputable outdoor brands and that we may receive a small commission if you click them and subsequently make a purchase. While this will not affect the amount you pay for your purchases, it would help to support the ongoing maintenance and development of The Ireland Walking Guide website. If you have found our website helpful, please do consider using the links in this section for your future purchases.
 

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.

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Base layers

​Socks
Underwear
T-shirts & vests

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Mid layers

Trousers
Shorts
Fleece jackets
Down jackets
​Synthetic jackets

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Outer layers

Waterproof trousers
Waterproof jackets
Waterproof gaiters
Windproof jackets

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Hats & gloves

​Insulating hat
Sun hat
Gloves
Buffs


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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.

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Socks

Runners / training shoes

Trail walking shoes
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Hillwalking boots
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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

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Hydration & nutrition

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


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Navigation

Maps
Compasses
​Map protectors


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Extra propulsion

​Walking poles
Winter traction devices



Activity tracking

Handheld GPS devices
Smartphones
Smartwatches

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Safety & survival

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

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Waste disposal

Mini trowels
Refuse bags
Toilet roll

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Insect control

Insect repellents
Insect nets


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Power supply

Power banks
Solar charging panels
Wind-up chargers
Cables


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Camping

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

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Photography

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


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Wild swimming

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

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Sport Hillwalking

"High Point Ireland" website
"Peakhunter" app


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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.

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Guide books

Maps

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Brands (A-Z)


​We have compiled links to the online stores of all the very best outdoor brands below to help you purchase the right clothing and equipment for your walking adventures 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, you'll find it all via the links below. You are just a few clicks away from your next kit purchase.


Please note that this section of the website contains links to the online stores of reputable outdoor brands and that we may receive a small commission if you click them and subsequently make a purchase. While this will not affect the amount you pay for your purchases, it would help to support the ongoing maintenance and development of The Ireland Walking Guide website. If you have found our website helpful, please do consider using the links in this section for your future purchases.

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A-H

​Adidas
Aladdin
Alpkit
Anker
Apple
Berghaus
Black Diamond
Bluetti
Brasher
Bridgedale
​Buff
Camelbak
Canon
Coleman
Columbia
Compeed
Craghoppers
Deuter
DJI
Dryrobe
EastWest Mapping
Fitbit
Fjallraven
Garmin
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Geonaute
​Google
GoPro
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Gul
​​Haglofs
Harvey Maps

Helly Hansen
Hi-Tec
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Hyke & Byke
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I-O

​​Icebreaker
Inov-8
Insta360
Jack Wolfskin
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Jackery
Jetboil
Leki
LifeStraw
Lifesystems
Lifeventure
Lowe Alpine
Lumix
Mammut
Manfrotto
Marmot
Meindl
Merrell
Montane
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Motorola
Mountain Equipment
Mountain Hardwear
Mountain Warehouse
MSR
Nabaiji
​​Nikon
Nikwax 
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​Nokia​​
​OMM

​O'Neill
Ordnance Survey Ireland
Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland

Osprey
Outdoor Research


P-Z

Petzl
Platypus
Portwest
Quechua
​​Rab
Regatta
​Salomon
Samsung

Sawyer
Scarpa
Sealskinz
Sigg
​Silva
Smidge

Sony
Speedo
Sprayway
Suunto
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Terra Nova
The Collins Press
The North Face
The O'Brien Press
Therm-a-Rest
Tilley
Trangia
Trekmates
Trespass
Vango
Vaude
Wild Country Tents
Yaktrax
Zamberlan

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

Shortcuts & bookmarks

If you find yourself returning to any particular page on this website, we recommend creating a shortcut on your device and a bookmark in your internet browser. These will give you much quicker access to the Irish walk-related information you need. For full details, including step-by-step instructions, please visit our "Shortcuts & bookmarks" page.
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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...
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Outdoor sports brands


​The Ireland Walking Guide is the best and most user-friendly 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 for all your on-foot Irish adventures. 

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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 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 – 2023
  • Where to walk
  • Initiatives
  • Community
  • Walking Kit
  • Extra
    • About >
      • Contact us
      • Follow us
      • Terms & conditions >
        • Terms & conditions for advertisers
    • Our news
    • General Information >
      • Clothing & equipment
      • Knowledge & skills
      • Countryside etiquette
      • Walking holidays in Ireland
      • Gift ideas for walkers
    • Shortcuts & bookmarks
    • Reasons to take part in our initiatives
    • Downloads >
      • Wall calendars
    • Our other websites >
      • The Ireland Travel Guide
      • The Ireland Sightseeing Guide
      • High Point Ireland