Best Outdoor Safety Gear for UK Hikers and Campers 2026

Safety Gear That Could Save Your Life

Nobody plans to get injured, lost or benighted on the hills. But it happens — to experienced walkers, not just beginners. A twisted ankle three hours from the car park in fading light and dropping temperatures is a genuine emergency if you're not prepared.

Mountain Rescue teams across the UK attend thousands of callouts every year. Many involve well-equipped, experienced walkers who simply had bad luck — a slip on wet rock, a sudden weather change, an unexpected injury. The difference between a manageable situation and a crisis often comes down to whether you're carrying basic safety gear.

Here's the safety gear that earns its weight every single trip.

Our Top Picks with Full Specs

The Minimum Safety Kit (Under 500g)

Every pack, every walk, no exceptions:

That's less than a can of beans and could literally save your life. There's no good reason not to carry it. We've carried this exact kit on every walk for years and the only items that ever need replacing are the batteries and occasionally the first aid supplies.

Building on the Basics

Once you have the minimum kit, consider adding:

• Blister care — Compeed plasters and zinc oxide tape (50g, ~£8). Blisters are the most common trail injury
• Tick remover — included in Lifesystems kits but carry a dedicated one if walking in tick-heavy areas (spring/summer in bracken and long grass)
• Emergency rations — a couple of energy bars that live permanently in your pack (100g, ~£3)
• Foil blanket — separate from the bivvy, useful for wrapping an injured companion while you're in the bivvy
• Notepad and pencil — for recording injury details, grid references and times for Mountain Rescue

First Aid Training

Gear is useless without knowledge. Take a 16-hour Outdoor First Aid course — Wilderness Medical Training and Expedition & Wilderness Medicine both run excellent UK courses. Learn how to manage bleeding, fractures, hypothermia and when to call Mountain Rescue (999, ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue).

A first aid course will teach you that most outdoor emergencies are manageable with basic skills and the right kit. You'll learn to assess injuries, prioritise care, and make good decisions under pressure. It's one of the best investments you can make as an outdoor enthusiast.

When to Call Mountain Rescue

Call if someone:

• Can't walk out under their own power
• Has a serious injury (fracture, head injury, significant bleeding)
• Is hypothermic and not improving
• Is lost in deteriorating conditions

Mountain Rescue is free, volunteer-run, and would rather come out unnecessarily than have you not call. Save the number: 999, then ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue.

Give them: your location (grid reference), the casualty's condition, number of people in your group, and what equipment you have. Stay on the phone and follow their instructions.