What gear do I need for wild swimming in the UK?

The essentials for wild swimming are a dry bag to keep your clothes and electronics safe while you swim, a compact quick-dry towel, and appropriate footwear for entering rocky or stony water. A 2L dry bag handles your phone and wallet; an 8L size is enough for a change of clothes. A wetsuit is optional but worth considering for colder northern waters even in June.

How do I protect myself from midges in Scotland in June?

The most effective approach is a combination of a picaridin-based repellent like Smidge and a midge head net. Midges are most active at dawn and dusk in still, humid conditions, so timing your exposure helps. Wearing light-coloured, close-woven clothing reduces landing sites, and a head net — which weighs under 20g — is the single most effective piece of kit for tolerating midge-heavy evenings.

What are dry bags and do I need more than one size?

Dry bags are waterproof roll-top bags that protect your kit from rain, splashes, and immersion. Having a few sizes is more useful than one large bag: a 2L bag protects your phone, wallet, and documents; an 8L bag holds a change of clothes or a mid layer; and a 20L bag keeps your sleeping bag dry on overnight trips. Sea to Summit and Exped make lightweight, reliable options across all sizes.

Is it safe to wild camp in June in the UK?

June is one of the safest and most comfortable months for wild camping in the UK. Temperatures are mild overnight, the nights are short (especially in Scotland), and the risk of severe weather is lower than in autumn or winter. In Scotland wild camping is a legal right under the Land Reform Act. In England and Wales, stick to areas where it is tolerated — remote moorland, Dartmoor, and the Lakeland fells are all popular destinations.

What hiking shorts are best for hot weather walking in the UK?

Look for shorts made from lightweight stretch fabric with a DWR finish and secure zip pockets. The DWR coating sheds light rain and splashes, while stretch fabric allows full movement on scrambles and steep ground. Secure pockets are important for keeping your phone safe on technical terrain. Montane, Rab, and Patagonia Baggies are consistently recommended for UK summer conditions.

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June Gear Picks — Best UK Outdoor Kit to Buy This Month

Survivals editorialUpdated 2025-07-265 min read

Quick Summary

The summer solstice gives you maximum daylight for long days out
Wild swimming season is here — consider a dry bag and quick-dry towel
Midge season is ramping up in Scotland — come prepared

June: Long Days, Big Adventures

The longest day of the year falls in June, and it shows. You've got daylight from before 5am until after 10pm in northern Scotland. That's enough time for seriously ambitious days — long ridge traverses, multi-summit rounds, or dawn-to-dusk adventures that just aren't possible in winter.

1. Dry Bag Set — Around £15-30

June is when wild swimming, river crossings, and generally being near water become part of outdoor life. A set of lightweight dry bags in various sizes keeps your electronics, spare clothes, and sleeping bag bone dry. Sea to Summit, Exped, and Alpkit all make excellent ones. Get a few sizes — 2L for phone and wallet, 8L for clothes, 20L for sleeping bag.

2. Quick-Dry Towel — Around £12-20

If you're wild swimming, a compact quick-dry towel is essential. Sea to Summit Pocket Towel and Lifeventure SoftFibre are both excellent — they dry you off, dry themselves quickly, and pack down to almost nothing. Way better than carrying a full-size bath towel on a walk.

3. Midge Head Net — Around £5-8

If you're heading to Scotland (or the Lake District, or Snowdonia on a bad day), a midge head net is the difference between enjoying your evening and losing your mind. Lightweight, packs to nothing, and saves your sanity. Pair with Smidge repellent for maximum protection.

4. Lightweight Shorts — Around £30-50

Hot-weather walking in full-length trousers is miserable. A pair of lightweight hiking shorts with a bit of stretch and a DWR finish handles summer conditions perfectly. Zip pockets are essential for keeping your phone secure on scrambles. Montane, Rab, and Patagonia Baggies are all popular choices.

5. Electrolyte Tablets — Around £8-12

When you're sweating on summer walks, water alone isn't always enough. Electrolyte tablets (SiS, High5, or Nuun) replace the sodium, potassium, and magnesium you lose through sweat. Drop one in your water bottle — they make a noticeable difference on hot, long days. Low-calorie options are available if you don't want the sugar.

June is perfect for overnight wild camps. The short nights mean you barely need a sleeping bag in lowland areas — a bivvy bag and a thin liner can be enough. Just keep a warm layer handy for the pre-dawn chill.

June Essentials

Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag (8L)

Amazon UK

£14Budget

Capacity

8 litres

Weight

36g

Material

70D nylon

Closure

Roll-top with buckle

Pros

+Keeps electronics and spare clothes bone dry
+Ultralight — barely noticeable in your pack
+Roll-top closure is reliable and quick

Cons

−Not a stuff sack — don't overfill

Wild swimming, river crossings, and summer downpours all happen in June. An 8L dry bag keeps your essentials safe and weighs practically nothing.

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Lifesystems Midge Head Net

Amazon UK

£5Budget

Weight

15g

Mesh

Fine enough for midges

Fits over

Most hats and hoods

Packed Size

Palm-sized

Pros

+Saves your sanity in midge country
+Weighs nothing and packs to nothing
+Fine enough mesh to stop even tiny midges

Cons

−Visibility is slightly reduced through the mesh

If you're heading to Scotland or the Lakes in June, this £5 mesh net is the most important piece of kit you'll carry. Midges ramp up as evenings lengthen.

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