Coast-to-coast equipment list: What is in my backpack?
Coast-to-coast equipment list: What is in my backpack?
Our kit list from coast to coast contains everything you need for this classic long-range trip through northern gland
I recently returned from England's Coast to Coast Walk. The 302 km long unofficial hiking trail crosses England from St. Bees Head in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire.
To help other hikers find the right balance, I have put together my usual post-trip kit list with everything I packed up. Where possible, I linked the equipment that I took with me as a reference.
Related Articles: From coast to coast: Twice through England Tips from coast to coast: All you need to know
equipment list from coast to coast
Since I live on the trail, I decided to run from my home in Richmond to Robin Hood’s Bay and back (seven days) and then from Richmond to St. Bees and back again (13 days). When I came home, I had completed the trail twice, so I have a good idea of the required equipment.
I decided to camp throughout, but there is a large selection of accommodation options along the route. If you do not want to take all of your equipment with you, baggage transfer services are available that transport your equipment at all important stops between your accommodations.
Camping equipment
I completed the first stage of the trek with my Jack Wolfskin Exolight tent, which weighs 1,435 g. I wanted to be easier for the longer, harder second stage of my hike, so I took my Alpkit Polestar tent (980 g), which is set up with trekking sticks to save weight and space.
- tent or shelter - Read our guide to choose a tent
- sleeping pad
- sleeping bag - Read our guide to choose a sleeping bag
- inflatable pillow
on the trail
choose the smallest and lightest backpack that you can. A small pack will encourage you to rationalize your equipment. I personally think that somewhere between 35 and 45 liters are more than enough. I used an Osprey Exos 38 backpack that weighs just over a kilogram. Another great option is the Levity 45, which weighs only 800 g! Read our guide to choose a backpack
Atlas & Boots I used an Osprey exos 38 backpack
- backpack (30-45lt)
- Wanderstock
- water system (it is easy to get water along the way, so I only took a 1-liter gallowe with me)
- cards / travel guide
- compass
- navigation system (smartphone or GPS)
- First aid set including bladder treatment
- sunscreen
- Moskito regret
- cultural bag - only biodegradable toilet items
clothing
Although I completed the hike in July (i.e. in the midsummer of the English summer), the unstable weather in Great Britain means that they have to be prepared for different conditions all year round.
Atlas & Boots Pack for all conditions
To demonstrate that, I enjoyed seven days of unbridled sunshine in the North York Moors during the first stage of my hike. But on the second stage through the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District I was not so lucky. Of the 13 days on this section, only the first and the last were completely dry.
- hiking shoes or shoes - Read our guide to choose from hiking shoes
- flip-flops or sandals for the camp (optional)
- sports or intermediate socks x 2-3
- hiking socks x 3-4
- Discipable hiking pants x 2
- base or midlayer top x 2
- light down jacket or fleece
- waterproof jacket/shell - Read our guide to choose a waterproof jacket
- waterproof trousers
- hat or sun hat
- neck buff
- sunglasses
- warm hat or hat
- light or moderate gloves
cooking system
along the way there are many places where you can stop and eat. In theory, they could get by without packing one of the following things. I wore provisions for seven days and then added my diet by stopping on the go to eat something. However you decide to organize your meals, I would always recommend taking snacks with me.
- stove and fuel
- pot
- bowl (optional - I often use my saucepan)
- cup
- cutlery
- Breakfast: coffee, protein bar, muesli/yoghur drip
- lunch: protein bar, muesli/yoghurstriegel and black tea
- dinner: dehydrated trekking meal, chocolate bar and hot drink
- snacks: Between the meals I gave a homemade trail mix of nuts, dried fruit and chocolate
Atlas & Boots My cooking system
electronics
Apart from the headlamp, these objects are all optional (although I have never seen someone on a trail without at least one smartphone).
- headlamp
- Powerbank
- smartphone
- DSLR camera and zoom lens
- GoPro Hero7 and replacement batteries
- light mini-tripod
- power cable and adapter
Mission statement: Atlas & Boots
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