This is my 5-day Bob Graham Round-inspired walk and wild camping winter gear list. I’ve also included a run-down of how the gear performed.
| Winter Gear List | ||
| CATEGORY | ITEM | WEIGHT |
| Rucksack | Granite Gear Blaze 60L (inc. 81g Lid) | 1578g |
| Pack liner waterproof – Sea to Summit – small | 80g | |
| Shoulder strap pocket – Gossamer Gear hipbelt pocket | 34g | |
| Shelter | Lightwave S10 Sigma Tent | 978g |
| Pegs – x12 various sizes including bag and spares | 171g | |
| Cloth – for tent condensation | 5g | |
| Bag for above – Sea to Summit 13L drybag | 28g | |
| Sleep system & | Sleeping mat – Thermarest Neoair Xtherm (winglock) | 424g |
| emergency clothing | Pump sack for sleeping mat – Thermarest | 55g |
| Pillow – Exped UL | 47g | |
| Sleeping Bag – PHD Ice Camp Expedition -25C comfort limit | 1208g | |
| Baselayer – Icebreaker hooded one-piece 200gsm merino wool | 418g | |
| Socks – M&S Ankle High merino | 28g | |
| Socks – PHD Wafer K series | 54g | |
| Jacket – PHD Yukon K series | 370g | |
| Bag for above – Dyneema | 12g | |
| Cook bag | Stove – Vargo Titanium Triad multifuel stove | 30g |
| Vargo Windbreak and alloy base | 43g | |
| Pot + Lid – Evernew 600ml | 92g | |
| Mug – Titanium 400ml | 62g | |
| Knife – Deejo Naked pocket knife | 15g | |
| Spoon – Esbit titanium long handle | 18g | |
| Gas Lighter | 21g | |
| Bag for above – Sea to Summit small | 15g | |
| Outside pack & | Sitmat – Thermarest Z-Seat | 57g |
| in pockets | Compass – Silva | 34g |
| Head torch – Petzl | 88g | |
| Head torch – Spare – Petzl e+lite | 27g | |
| Rubbish bag – Sea to Summit small | 15g | |
| Water bottle – 2L Evernew | 40g | |
| Wine bottle – PlatyPreserve | 24g | |
| Waterfilter – MSR Guardian Water Purifier Pump | 640g | |
| Bag for above – MSR | 66g | |
| Phone/Camera/GPS/Mapping – Ulefone Armor waterproof phone | 361g | |
| First Aid Kit bag + Mirror | 217g | |
| Repair & Spares Kit bag | 88g | |
| Wash Kit bag- inc. Towel and Soap Leaves | 74g | |
| Drybags for above | ||
| Face masks x 2 in bag (Covid-19) | 8g | |
| Maps – Harvey Bob Graham Round map | 31g | |
| Snow/sun glasses (inc. 22g case) | 62g | |
| Toilet bag | kitchen roll and Antibacterial wet wipes (for the day+) | 56g |
| Toilet trowel – The Duece 2 | 16g | |
| Dry bag for above – Dyneema 1L | 12g | |
| Clothing | Socks – Darn Tough Light Hiker | 75g |
| often in my | Socks – EDZ Liner merino | 64g |
| rucksack | Baselayer – Inov-8 at/c merino short sleeve t-shirt | 112g |
| Midlayer – Icebreaker Descender merino vest | 252g | |
| Outerlayer – Paramo Torres Alturo jacket – synthetic insulation | 668g | |
| Gloves – EDZ grip merino wool touch screen | 41g | |
| Gloves – PHD Tiaga fleece slit mitts | 58g | |
| Gloves – Extremities synthetic insulation mitts | 89g | |
| Gloves – Extremities Tuff Bags waterproof mitts | 71g | |
| Head Band | 22g | |
| Balaclava – Outdoor Research | 52g | |
| Stuff sack for above – Dyneema | 13g | |
| Dry bag for above – Sea to Summit 13L | 28g | |
| Crampons – Nortec Alp micro spike – including 66g bag | 564g | |
| Ice Axe – Petzl Ride | 250g | |
| Base Weight – TOTAL = | 10061g | |
| Gear worn or | Boots – Inov-8 Roclite Pro G 400 GTX (including Inov-8 insoles) | 830g |
| carried in hands | Socks – EDZ merino wool boot socks | 99g |
| Gaiters – Rab | 222g | |
| Underwear – EDZ merino boxers | 90g | |
| Baselayer – EDZ zip collar long sleeve 200g 100% merino top | 254g | |
| Midlayer – Paramo Bentu fleece jacket | 417g | |
| Outerlayer – Paramo Bentu windproof jacket | 433g | |
| Trousers – Paramo Cascade 11 | 481g | |
| Neck tube – EDZ – 100% merino | 51g | |
| Hat – EDZ Beanie merino | 44g | |
| Gloves – Rohan convertible mitts | 69g | |
| Walking Poles – Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Z – 120cm – pair | 460g | |
| Watch – Lorus | 64g | |
| Wallet – Cash, credit/debit cards, ID. In plastic bag | 100g | |
| Gloves – PHD Kappa synthetic mitts | ||
| Total = | 3614g | |
| Consumables | ||
| (5 days) | Water – 1 Litre = 1kg | 1000g |
| Dehydrated/freeze dried meals – Breakfasts and Dinners | 2900g | |
| Snacks and Lunch | 2500g | |
| Fuel – Methylated spirit 500ml bottle 452g + smaller refill bottle 240g | 692g | |
| Batteries for Head Torch – spare – 3 x AAA Energiser | 37g | |
| Loo Roll/kitchen roll | 50g | |
| Antibacterial wet wipes | 124g | |
| Total = | 7303g | |
| Base weight + | 10061g | |
| Consumables | 7303g | |
| Rucksack total weight = | 17364g | |
| Winter means more hours in the tent because of the longer nights | ||
| so I am taking more fuel, food and coffees than I would in the summer. |
Food
I needed to save weight on food on this trip, as I needed to carry at least 5 days of food from the start. Due to Covid restrictions (and my route), I wouldn’t be able to resupply during the walk.
I took dehydrated meals for all breakfasts and dinners, with another 5 dehydrated meals for lunches if I was able to stop. If not, they would boost my dinner rations once I’d camped. I carried extra calories on this trip because I burn more keeping warm in the winter, in the form of a number of dehydrated puddings.
Snacks were a large proportion of my food weight because when I’m walking high level in the winter, it’s not always possible to stop and heat water for a dehydrated meal for lunch. So I eat snacks to keep me going to the camp spot, and then cook out of the wind in the tent.
Stopping things freezing was my biggest problem during the walk. My boots and even the wet wipes were frozen solid by morning. I also had to keep water bottles in my jacket while walking to stop them freezing. But the most distressing problem was frozen chocolate bars. I am now an expert on which bars to take hiking in the winter: feel free to contact me for my definitive list!
Thoughts on gear taken
I’m not a particularly light weight hiker. I would rather carry more than I need to ensure I am safe and a bit more comfortable. Saying that, this winter gear list was perfect for the walk. I had extremely cold temperatures and everything I took was used and worked well. At no point was I overly cold or uncomfortable.
Tent
The Lightwave S10 Sigma Tent was great and handled the condensation as well as any tent could in the conditions. It stood up well in the wind and snow too. I was very pleased with it.
Boots
The biggest gear surprise was my Inov-8 Roclite Pro G 400 GTX boots. They were amazing in the winter conditions, with very impressive grip and extremely comfortable. I did wear two pairs of socks, though, to keep my feet warm. So do size up if you intend to wear these boots in winter.
Winter walking essentials
Walking poles and crampons were essential in this weather, they really helped with traction and balance on the frozen ground. I also needed the snow/sun glasses to protect my eyes in the spindrift. I didn’t use my ice axe, but like my first aid kit, I would always carry it in winter just in case. No winter gear list would be complete without these items.
Sleeping bag
I took a -25C PHD sleeping bag that is designed for colder conditions, but I’m a cold sleeper. The long nights meant I would be in it for a long time too, so I wanted to be comfortable. I also knew it would get damp after a number of nights out, meaning it would lose some of its insulation qualities. This proved to be the case and if I’d been out for too many more nights, the sleeping bag may well have not kept me warm enough.
Gloves
5 pairs of gloves may seem excessive but this was perfect for me, as I suffer with cold hands. I often kept two pairs warming in my fleece pockets, and regularly swapped them with the ones I was wearing to keep my hands warm and dry.
Clothing
I used 7 items of EDZ clothing on this trip and they were as good as always. I find their clothing to be excellent value for money. Due to the extra low temperatures, I did add the Inov-8 at/c merino short sleeve t-shirt as a baselayer under the EDZ zip neck top. These two baselayers work exceptionally well together.
They also seemed to work really well with the Paramo fleece and windproof jackets. Adding the Paramo Torres Alturo jacket to keep me warm when I stopped worked well; occasionally I even hiked in it when it was extremely cold. I think I’ve finally found the perfect combination of clothing. It was nice not to feel wet from sweat on every climb and then subsequently freeze on the tops and descents. I’ve written a separate post reviewing all the Paramo clothes here.
Rucksack
The Granite Gear Blaze 60 rucksack is a very well-designed pack. I found it very comfortable, even with the high weight that I set off with. It’s a very user-friendly pack with all the pockets you could ever need and all well placed.
Further reading
Inov-8 Roclite G 345 GTX V2 boots review
Inov-8 Roclite Pro G 400 GTX V2 boots review
My 5-day high level, wild-camping circuit of the Lake District – in the snow
Granite Gear Blaze 60L rucksack review
My 1100 mile Dover to Cape Wrath walk full gear review
The Bob Graham Round Map is recommended. It’s very informative, with extra notes on the route.
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