Hiking clothing reviews
Layering systems, waterproofs, insulation and everything else you wear on the hill. Reviews based on real use across UK trails in all seasons.
17 reviews
Rab Electron Pro Review: when 700FP is not quite enough
The step up to 800FP European goose down is real. If the Microlight Alpine leaves you cold on the days that matter most, this is the jacket that fixes that.
Rab Glaceon Pro Review: lightweight down done properly
The Glaceon Pro and the Microlight Alpine use the same fill power. The difference is 160 grams of total weight and a more technical construction that earns its premium. Here is who it is actually for.
Rab Microlight Alpine Review: the packable down jacket most UK hikers want
153 grams of 700FP hydrophobic down in a jacket that packs to the size of a water bottle. The Microlight Alpine has been the reference point for packable down for years. Here is why.
Rab Nebitron Pro Review: the serious winter upgrade
If the Rab Cirrus is the jacket that showed me what good kit looks like, the Nebitron Pro is the one I want when conditions turn genuinely serious. Here is everything you need to know before buying.
The Complete Rab Insulated Jackets Guide (2026)
Eight jackets, from the packable Microlight Alpine to the paradox that is the Mythic G. Here is how to work out which one is actually right for your hiking.
North Face Exploration Regular Tapered Trousers review: the hiking trouser that works everywhere
The North Face Exploration Regular Tapered is a four-way stretch hiking trouser that doubles as everyday wear. No zip-off, no bulk, just a clean tapered fit that works on trail and off it.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Pants review: the waterproof overtrousers that actually keep up with you
The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Pants are the waterproof overtrousers I reach for on every serious wet-weather day on the Jurassic Coast. Fully taped seams, proper 3-layer waterproofing and long enough ankle zips to pull on over Salomon boots without sitting down in a puddle.
Danish Endurance Merino Hiking Socks review: the case for budget merino
Three pairs of merino hiking socks for £28. That's less than the cost of one pair of Darn Tough. After walking them on the Jurassic Coast, here's what the Danish Endurance 3-Pack actually delivers.
Best waterproof hiking trousers UK 2026: overtrousers worth carrying on every hike
The best waterproof hiking trousers available in the UK right now. From ultralight emergency layers to proper 3-layer Gore-Tex shells, here is what to carry when British weather turns serious.
The North Face Exploration Convertible Pants review: the hiking trouser I reach for most
Lightweight, stretchy and comfortable enough to forget you are wearing hiking-specific kit. The North Face Exploration Convertible is the trouser I reach for most on UK trails and the one I would recommend to most hikers starting out.
RevolutionRace outdoor trousers review: the Swedish brand taking UK hiking by storm
RevolutionRace is a Swedish outdoor brand most UK hikers had not heard of five years ago. Now their GP and Nordwand trouser ranges are among the highest-reviewed hiking trousers on Amazon UK. Here is the honest picture on what they make, who it is for and whether the hype is justified.
Best hiking trousers UK 2026: what I actually wear and what to buy for every condition
From lightweight convertibles for spring days on the Jurassic Coast to waterproof overtrousers for properly wet conditions, here are the hiking trousers worth buying in the UK right now. Including four pairs I actually own and wear.
Best hiking socks UK 2026 — 10 pairs worth buying for every budget
The right hiking sock prevents blisters, regulates temperature and makes a long day significantly more comfortable. The wrong one does the opposite. Here are the 10 best hiking socks available in the UK right now, for every budget and every condition.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L review: the waterproof shell that kept me dry on Pen y Fan in January
A Christmas present that replaced every other waterproof I own. The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is the shell I wear on every serious hike and the one I'd recommend to most UK hikers without hesitation.
Rab Cirrus jacket review: the insulated layer that changed how I think about kit
My first proper premium purchase when I started hiking. 2.5 years later I've got rid of almost every other coat I own. Here's why the Rab Cirrus converted me to buying kit for performance rather than appearance.
Darn Tough socks review: the best hiking socks you can buy?
After hundreds of miles on UK trails without a single blister, I'm convinced Darn Tough makes the best hiking socks available. Here's why — and which pair to buy for every condition.
10 best waterproof shells for spring hiking in 2026
Spring on the Jurassic Coast means one thing — unpredictable weather. These are the waterproof shells worth buying in 2026, tested and reviewed for the 40+ hiker.
What to wear hiking in the UK
The layering system is the foundation of all UK hiking clothing. Three layers, each with a specific job, give you the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions without carrying unnecessary weight. Base layer moves moisture away from the skin. Mid-layer provides insulation. Shell layer keeps wind and rain out. The system works because each layer can be added or removed independently as conditions change.
Base layers should never be cotton. Cotton absorbs sweat and holds it against the skin, which causes chilling when you stop moving and blisters on longer days. Merino wool and synthetic base layers (polyester, polypropylene) wick moisture away from the skin and dry faster. Merino regulates temperature better and resists odour; synthetics dry faster and are usually cheaper.
Mid-layers provide insulation when you're not moving hard enough to generate body heat. Fleece is the traditional choice — durable, fast-drying, and effective even when damp. Insulated jackets (down or synthetic fill) are warmer for the weight but down loses performance when wet; synthetic fill maintains warmth in wet conditions, which makes it the safer choice for UK hiking.
Hiking trousers balance durability, comfort, and weather resistance. Softshell trousers offer light water resistance and good stretch — useful in cool, damp conditions. Lightweight hiking trousers in nylon or polyester are better in warmer weather. Waterproof overtrousers are worth carrying for sustained rain. Jeans are not suitable for any serious hiking in any conditions.
Hiking clothing for British conditions
British weather demands adaptability. A May day on the Jurassic Coast can be 18°C in sunshine and 10°C with a cold sea wind twenty minutes later. The layering system allows you to respond to that without stopping to unpack your bag. Bright colours (orange, red, yellow) are worth considering in remote areas — they're visible to mountain rescue and other walkers in poor visibility. On coastal paths in particular, weather can change faster than the forecast suggests.