The right gear keeps you safe on the hills

Hillwalking Gear

It may sound obvious but many people new to hillwalking do not appreciate how difficult it can be walking on Irish mountains. At the base of the mountain, it may seem mild and calm while at the summit, the temperature can be 5 to 10 degrees cooler with a howling wind.

As an island out in the Atlantic, Ireland gets more than its fair share of rain and weather conditions on the hills can change rapidly. More often than not, there are no tracks and the ground can be wet and boggy. It pays to have good gear, especially the correct type of boots and jacket.

Boots

For Irish conditions, you need boots that can:

• Handle the wet boggy conditions and keep your feet dry
• Give a good grip on soft slippery surfaces
• Provide ankle support

Good hillwalking stores sell popular brands like Meindl. You should expect to pay in excess of €100 for a good pair. You really need to go into a good hillwalking store and see what type of boot suits your feet rather than buying a pair over the Internet.

Jacket

There are many different types. Some are light and suitable only for mild conditions while others are suitable for the harshest of winter conditions. A good jacket should:

• Be made from a material like Gore-Tex and be breathable. It should let moisture from sweat pass through yet keep out the rain.
• Have plenty of pockets for gloves, scarves, etc.
• Have a storm flap at the front to prevent rain getting through the zip
• Provide protection from the wind.

It's probably best to buy them in a good local hillwalking store rather than over the Internet.

Trousers

Light trousers or tracksuit bottoms can be worn. The idea is that if they get wet, they should be able to dry out quickly. Denim jeans should NEVER be worn. When they get damp, whether it is due to rain or sweat, they will cling onto your legs impeding movement and conducting heat away from your body.

Some of the better products are made from a stretchable material which dries out very quickly. In the summer time, shorts are ideal. Because your legs are doing most of the work, they tend to stay warm regardless of conditions.

Vests, Tops & Fleece

The best type of undergarment to wear is a thermal vest. Cotton T-shirts should be avoided. The problem with cotton is that it tends to get damp with sweat and does not dry out easily — a damp cold T-shirt conducts heat away from the walker making them feel cold.

Thermal vests are made from man-made materials and allow a process called wicking to occur. The material takes the sweat away from the skin and transfers it to the outside of the garment where it evaporates easily. Typical good makes are Helly Hansen, Berghaus, Lowe Alpine, etc.

The next layer above the thermal vest should be a good fleece. It pays to get a good brand that is a snug fit rather than the cheaper baggy variety which allow draughts of cold air to get in.

More often than not, that's all you need to wear on top — a thermal vest, a good fleece and then the jacket.

Rucksacks

Most beginners think a rucksack is a rucksack, somewhere where you stick your lunch and flask. As with all things in hillwalking, you get what you pay for.

The problem with a typical cheap rucksack (~€20) is that it may not have padding and will probably be flat. These can rest in the small of the back creating a damp spot that goes cold once you stop. The better quality rucksacks will have an internal frame which leaves a gap between the bag and the walker's back. They often have pull-out rain covers as well.

Walking Poles

These are a matter of personal preference. Some people swear by them, some don't. They can take a lot of the pressure off the knees and legs, especially when walking downhill. It is probably best to borrow a pair or buy a cheap pair before you commit to buying a good set.