Questions we get asked

It is a list of the kit for one person on one trip, worked out from two things you choose: how long you are out (a day hike up to 5–7 nights) and the season. Each row is a slot, such as Tent or Water filter, with a product from our shop that we would pack in it. You see what each piece weighs and costs, and the totals for the whole list.

It is a starting point. It covers the shelter, sleep, pack, kitchen, water, light, navigation and safety kit most walkers carry for that length and season. It does not include clothing, boots, food, a map of your route or anything personal, such as medication. Your route, the forecast and how you feel the cold all change what you need. Check the forecast and your route before you go.

Base weight is the weight of everything in your pack that does not get used up: shelter, sleeping kit, pack, cooking kit, bottles and so on. It leaves out consumables such as gas, food and water, because those change from day to day. It is the number walkers compare when they talk about a light or heavy pack. Our base weight counts the rows you ticked as well, because you still carry them.

Tick "Have it" for anything you already own. It stays in the list and in the base weight, but it is not added to your cart and its price is not counted. "Swap" shows the other products that fit the same slot for that season, for example a lighter tent or carbon poles instead of aluminium. Pick one and the totals update.

Nothing we sell for that slot is available at the moment. The row stays in the list so you do not forget it, but it has no price and is left out when you add the rest to your cart. Gas always shows this for now; see the next question.

Gas canisters are pressurised and travel as dangerous goods, so most parcel services will not carry them. Until we find a seller who can deliver them legally to all three countries, we do not sell them. Outdoor shops, campsites and many hardware shops sell the threaded canisters our stove uses. As a starting point, take one for one or two nights, two for three or four nights and three for a week, and more in the cold.

Because the kit does. In winter the list swaps in a four-season tent, a −8 °C sleeping bag, a warmer mat with a foam mat under it, and adds microspikes, a warm hat and a flask. Summer adds a sun hat and an insect head net. Spring and autumn add gaiters for wet paths. Rows that only apply to some seasons carry the tag "For {season}".

Yes. Your ticks and swaps are kept in the page address, so you can bookmark the page or send the link to someone. If you have an account, "Save to my account" keeps the list under Account, My lists, where you can reopen, rename or delete it. You can keep up to 20 lists.

Yes. "Print" opens a clean A4 version of the same list with tick boxes, weights and the base weight, ready for the kit cupboard or the car.

It is for one person and one pack. For two people sharing a tent and stove, build one list each and tick the shared items as "Have it" on one of them, so they are counted once in the cart. The first-aid slot offers a duo kit if you walk together.

Look at the comfort rating, not the limit. Comfort is where a typical cooler sleeper should be comfortable lying relaxed; limit is where a typical warmer sleeper can sleep curled up. Choose a bag whose comfort figure is at or below the coldest night you expect, and pair it with a mat of the right R-value. Our journal article on comfort ratings goes into more detail.

Each product page lists its sizes. For gloves, measure round your palm just above the thumb. Gaiters and microspikes are sized by EU boot size; if you are between sizes, choose the larger one, because a winter boot is bulkier than your shoe size suggests. If a size does not fit, you can return it unused within 30 days.

As a starting point: 24 L for a day, 45 L for one or two nights with light kit, 55 L for two to four nights or a winter overnight, 65 L for a week or bulky winter kit. The checklist picks the size for you and lets you swap. Fit matters as much as volume; set the back length to your torso before you load it.

No piece of gear can promise that. Good kit makes a trip more comfortable and gives you more options when things change, but safety on the hill comes from planning, skill, the weather on the day and the choices you make. Check the forecast and your route before you go, tell someone your plan and turn back when it is the right call.

Prices are set in euros and include VAT. You can switch the shop to pounds or US dollars; we convert at the European Central Bank's daily rate. Checkout shows the exact amount and the currency you will be charged in before you pay.

No. You can use the checklist, print it and order as a guest. An account lets you save checklists, see your past orders in one place and check out faster.

Orders leave the warehouse after payment. The usual delivery time to the United Kingdom, Germany and France is listed for each country on the Shipping and returns page. We e-mail you a tracking link when your order ships. If you need kit for a set date, order early.

Yes, within 30 days of delivery, as long as it is unused. Pitching a tent indoors to check it is fine; sleeping in it on the hill is not. Contact us with your order number and we send you the return address. Faulty, damaged or wrong items are on us.

Yes. Enter it at checkout and the discount shows before you pay. One code per order.