What boots do I need for winter walking in the UK mountains in December?

For December mountain walking you need a stiff boot with proper ankle support, a Vibram sole for grip on frozen ground, and ideally a crampon-compatible welt if you plan to go onto ice or hard snow. Scarpa Manta Tech, Salomon X Ultra Winter, and Meindl Bhutan are all proven performers in UK winter conditions.

What are microspikes and when do I need them?

Microspikes are lightweight traction devices with stainless steel spikes that stretch over any footwear to grip ice and compacted snow on paths and trails. They're essential for UK winter walking from December onwards as paths at altitude frequently ice over — they're not a substitute for crampons on technical terrain, but for most UK hill walking they're the right tool.

Why does cold weather drain phone batteries and what can I do about it?

Cold temperatures slow the chemical reactions inside lithium-ion batteries, causing phones to show rapid battery drain or unexpected shutdowns — particularly noticeable in December on long winter days. Keeping a 10,000mAh power bank in an inside pocket (where your body warmth maintains it) gives you 2–3 full charges and keeps your phone alive for navigation and emergency calls.

What is an emergency group shelter and should I carry one in December?

A group shelter (also called a bothy bag) is a lightweight waterproof bag that a group crawls inside to share body heat and escape wind and rain — essential winter safety kit if someone is injured or becomes hypothermic before help arrives. Models from Vango and Terra Nova weigh around 400–600g and are worth carrying on any serious December mountain walk.

How many hours of daylight are there in December in the UK?

Around the winter solstice on 21st December, daylight lasts barely 7 hours in northern England and even less in Scotland. Efficient planning is essential — early starts, planned turnaround times, and carrying a quality headtorch are non-negotiable for December mountain days.

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Updated this month

December Gear Picks: Best UK Outdoor Kit This Month

Survivals editorialUpdated 2026-03-255 min read

December: Deep Winter

The winter solstice falls around 21st December, giving you barely 7 hours of daylight in northern England and even less in Scotland. December walking is an exercise in efficiency — early starts, planned routes, strict turnaround times, and kit that handles the worst conditions the UK can throw at you.

But when it works — frost-covered landscapes, clear winter skies, deserted summits, the crunch of frozen ground — it's absolutely magnificent.

1. Winter Walking Boots — Around £120-200

If you're heading into mountains in December, you need boots with proper grip, ankle support, and ideally a crampon-compatible sole. A stiff boot with a Vibram sole handles frozen ground, ice, and snow far better than lightweight trail shoes. Scarpa Manta Tech, Salomon X Ultra Winter, and Meindl Bhutan are all proven winter performers.

2. Emergency Shelter — Around £20-40

A group shelter (also called a bothy bag or storm shelter) is an essential piece of winter safety kit. If someone in your group gets injured, hypothermic, or you get caught out by weather, a storm shelter provides immediate wind and rain protection and traps body heat. Vango Storm Shelter, Terra Nova Bothy, or even a heavy-duty survival bag. Carry one — always.

3. Thermos Food Flask — Around £20-30

Hot food on a cold December walk is a game-changer. Fill a food flask with stew, chilli, or soup before you leave. By lunchtime, you've got a hot meal without needing to carry a stove or fuel. Thermos Stainless King Food Flask (0.47L) keeps food hot for 9 hours.

4. Traction Devices — Around £20-40

Ice and compacted snow on paths, particularly at altitude, make walking treacherous from December onwards. Microspikes (like Kahtoola MICROspikes) or traction devices grip onto packed snow and ice and fit over any boots. For more technical terrain, proper crampons are needed — but for most UK winter walking, spikes are sufficient.

5. Power Bank — Around £20-30

Cold weather kills phone batteries fast. A 10,000mAh power bank gives you 2-3 full phone charges and can keep your phone alive through a long winter day. Keep it in an inside pocket to maintain battery performance in the cold. Anker, RAVPower, and Nitecore all make reliable, compact power banks.

Winter mountains in the UK are genuinely dangerous. Short days, ice, snow, poor visibility, and extreme wind chill create conditions that catch out experienced walkers every year. Check conditions, carry the right kit, know how to navigate without GPS, and don't be afraid to turn back.

December Essentials

Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction Devices

Amazon UK

£0Mid-Range

December ice on paths and trails catches people out every year. Microspikes fit over any boots and give you confident grip on frozen ground. Essential winter safety kit.

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Anker PowerCore 10000mAh Power Bank

Amazon UK

£0Budget

Cold weather destroys phone batteries. A power bank in an inside pocket means your phone stays alive for navigation, emergency calls, and photos all day long.

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Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you