Winter Equipment Explained for Winter Skills Courses

What each item does, why it matters, and when you actually need it.

Winter equipment can look intimidating if you’re new to snow and ice. Axes, crampons, helmets and avalanche kit all have a purpose, but not everything is required on every course. This guide explains the key winter equipment used on our winter skills courses, focusing on function rather than brands.

Ice axes

A winter walking axe is primarily a safety tool. It’s used for balance, cutting steps in soft snow, self-arrest practice, and general movement on snow-covered terrain.

• Most winter skills courses use a single general mountaineering axe.
• Length matters more than brand.
• You’ll learn how and when to use it safely during the course.

Crampons

Crampons provide grip on snow and ice and must match both the terrain and your boots. Correct fit is more important than model choice.

• C1, C2 or C3 crampons must match your boot rating.
• Poorly fitting crampons are unsafe and uncomfortable.
• If you’re unsure, guidance on choosing boots and crampons is available by clicking here.

Helmets

Helmets are essential safety equipment in winter terrain, protecting against falling ice, debris and slips during skills practice.

• Helmets are supplied free of charge on our winter skills courses.
• You do not need to bring your own unless you prefer to.
• Correct fit and adjustment are covered during the course.

Avalanche safety equipment

Avalanche safety equipment is only required on our longer winter courses where terrain and conditions make it appropriate. This equipment is used to understand risk and practise safe travel rather than to encourage exposure.

• Avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel.
• Used on the 4-day winter skills course.
• Not required on shorter winter skills courses.

Bivi bags and emergency equipment

On longer winter courses, you’ll carry additional emergency equipment as part of learning good winter mountain practice.

• Bivi bag for emergency shelter.
• Snow shovel for snowholing and winter shelter skills.
• Spare gloves, insulation and essential safety items.

What you don’t need to bring

One of the most common mistakes is bringing too much. You don’t need every piece of winter equipment you’ve seen online.

• Technical climbing axes.
• Excessively heavy or specialist kit.
• Navigation equipment for guided expeditions where navigation is handled by the guide.

Hire vs buy

For many people, hiring winter equipment makes far more sense than buying straight away. It allows you to learn what works for you before committing to expensive kit.

• Core winter equipment can be hired where appropriate.
• Buying after gaining experience often leads to better choices.
• Advice on hire options is available by clicking here.

Winter Layering & Clothing for Winter Skills Courses

A simple system for staying warm, dry enough, and comfortable while you learn.

Winter clothing is one of the most overcomplicated topics in the outdoors. People either turn up with far too much, or they arrive with “a warm jacket” and hope for the best. In reality, winter comfort is about a simple layering system and a few key habits.

This guide explains how to layer for winter skills courses in a way that works in real Scottish conditions — moving, stopping, windy ridges, wet snow, and long days where you’re learning rather than racing.

The winter layering system (in one sentence)

You want to stay slightly cool while moving, then add warmth quickly when you stop, and keep wind and wet off your body without trapping too much sweat.

Base layers: keep it comfortable, not “as warm as possible”

Base layers sit next to your skin and influence comfort more than people expect. The goal isn’t maximum insulation — it’s a layer that stays comfortable as you warm up and cool down.

• Avoid cotton. Once it’s wet, it stays wet.
• Choose a base layer you can move in without overheating.
• Bring a spare dry base layer on longer courses and multi-day trips.

Mid layers: the “engine room” of warmth

Mid layers trap warm air and are the workhorse of winter comfort. In practice, two lighter mid layers often work better than one very thick layer, because you can adjust more easily as conditions change.

• Use mid layers you can vent or remove quickly.
• Keep at least one warm layer dry for when you stop.
• Prioritise comfort and mobility over “technical” features.

Shell layers: wind and wet protection, with ventilation

Shell layers keep wind and precipitation off your body. In Scottish winter, “waterproof” is helpful, but ventilation is just as important. If you trap sweat inside, you’ll end up damp and cold anyway.

• Make sure your shell has room for layers underneath.
• Use vents and zips early, not when you’re already soaked.
• Bring waterproof trousers for proper winter conditions.

Insulation layer: the one you add when you stop

This is the layer that keeps you comfortable during pauses: coaching moments, group stops, navigation checks, or when you’re standing on snow practising skills. It’s not usually the layer you walk in all day.

• Choose an insulation layer that’s easy to put on over other layers.
• Keep it accessible in your pack so you can add it quickly.
• On multi-day trips, keeping one warm layer dry makes a huge difference.

Hands, head and spares: where winter days are won or lost

Most winter clothing issues show up at the extremities first. Cold hands make learning harder, and wet gloves can ruin a day. Having spares is one of the simplest upgrades you can make.

• Bring multiple pairs of gloves (including a warm spare pair).
• Carry a warm hat plus something windproof for ridges.
• Pack spare socks and keep at least one pair dry.
• Use dry bags or liners to keep key items protected.

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

• Overdressing early, then sweating heavily on the first climb.
• Waiting too long to put on a warm layer during stops.
• Only bringing one pair of gloves.
• Shell layers that are too tight to fit warm layers underneath.
• No dry spare socks or base layer on multi-day courses.

How this links to our equipment and kit lists

If you want a clear checklist for your course or trip, the full equipment and kit lists are available here: /equipment-and-kit-lists/

If you’re unsure what’s appropriate for your course dates, send us a message before booking — we’ll point you in the right direction.

Choosing Boots for Mountain and Winter Skills Courses

A simple guide to fit, stiffness and what actually matters on the hill.

Boots are the single piece of kit that can make or break your day. When they fit well, you barely think about them. When they don’t, everything becomes harder: sore feet, cold toes, slow pace, and a lot less enjoyment.

This guide is aimed at people joining our mountain skills and winter skills courses. It’s not a gear review and it won’t tell you to buy a specific brand. Instead, it explains the practical differences that matter and how to choose boots that suit your course and the conditions.

Fit comes first (before features, before price)

The best boot is the one that fits your foot shape. That sounds obvious, but it’s where most problems start. People often choose boots based on reviews, brand reputation, or how “technical” they look — and then spend the course managing hotspots and blisters.

A well-fitting boot should feel secure at the heel, supportive through the midfoot, and roomy enough at the toes to allow natural movement and swelling through the day. Fit is personal, so try boots on with the socks you’ll actually wear on the hill.

Simple fit checks that work

• Heel hold: your heel shouldn’t lift noticeably when walking uphill.
• Toe room: you should be able to wiggle toes; toes shouldn’t hit the front when walking downhill.
• Width: avoid pressure points on the little toe and bunion area.
• Support: the boot should feel stable on uneven ground without needing to over-tighten laces.

Stiffness and support: what you need for mountain skills

For mountain skills courses (non-winter), you don’t need a fully rigid boot. What you do want is a boot that supports the foot on rough ground, handles wet paths and boggy sections, and stays comfortable during repeated days.

Course type	What to aim for	Why it works
Mountain Skills (1–2 day)	Comfortable, supportive walking boots with good grip	More comfort and confidence on rough ground; less fatigue
Mountain Skills (4 day / wild camp)	Supportive boots suitable for longer days and carrying a pack	Better stability with weight; reduced foot strain over multiple days
Winter Skills (1–2 day)	Winter boots appropriate for crampons and cold conditions	Warmth and stiffness help on snow and ice; safer footwork
Winter Skills (4 day / snowholing)	Winter boots you can wear all day, multiple days	Consistency matters: warmth, fit and compatibility reduce problems

Winter boots and crampons: compatibility matters

In winter, boot choice isn’t just about comfort — it’s also about compatibility. Crampons must match the boot’s stiffness and shape. A poor match can lead to crampons coming loose, poor foot placement, and a frustrating day.

As a general guide, winter skills courses often use crampons in the C2 or C3 category, matched correctly to suitable winter boots. If you’re unsure, ask before you buy anything: it’s far cheaper to check than to replace the wrong kit later.

What to check for winter

• The boot is stiff enough to support crampons properly.
• The boot shape matches the crampon frame (some boots are narrower/wider).
• Your crampon system is appropriate for the boot (strap-on / hybrid / step-in).
• Warmth: cold feet ruin learning and reduce enjoyment quickly.

Breaking boots in: do it early, do it properly

New boots can be fine on a short walk and then become a problem after a full day in the hills. If you’re joining a course, aim to have boots worn-in and tested beforehand.

Breaking-in tips that actually help

• Start with shorter walks, then build up to longer days.
• Wear the socks you’ll use on the course.
• Test on hills and descents, not just flat ground.
• Adjust lacing for comfort and heel hold.
• Deal with hotspots early: tape and fit tweaks beat “pushing through”.

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

• Buying boots too small: toes need room, especially on descents.
• Choosing very soft boots for long, rough days with a pack.
• Trying winter crampons on the day without checking compatibility in advance.
• Over-tightening laces to fix poor fit, leading to numb feet or pressure points.
• Assuming “waterproof” means your feet stay dry forever in wet ground.

How this links to our equipment and kit lists

If you want a clear checklist for your course or trip, the full equipment and kit lists are available here: /equipment-and-kit-lists/

If you’re unsure what’s appropriate for your course dates, send us a message before booking — we’ll point you in the right direction.

Calories and Hydration on Mountain and Wild Camping Trips

A practical guide to staying fuelled, hydrated and making good decisions in the hills.

People often underestimate how quickly a mountain day can drain energy — especially when you add a rucksack, rough ground, wind, rain and multiple days in a row. The result can be a slow fade: tired legs, cold hands, sloppy navigation, poor decisions, and a day that feels harder than it needs to.

This guide is here to explain the “why” behind food and fluids on mountain and wild camping trips. It’s not about perfect numbers or fancy nutrition. Instead, it’s about simple habits that keep you moving well and enjoying the experience.

Why mountain days burn more energy than you expect

A “normal” day at home and a day in the hills are not the same thing. Even at a steady pace, you’re often working harder for longer: uneven surfaces, constant micro-adjustments, and sustained effort up and down steep terrain.

Add in a rucksack, wind chill, cold hands, wet clothing and shorter daylight (in winter), and your body spends more energy just staying warm and keeping things ticking over. Over multiple days, small shortfalls add up fast.

Calories: why people run low (and don’t notice until later)

The most common problem we see isn’t that people bring no food — it’s that the food they bring doesn’t match the day. On long or multi-day trips, “light lunch and a couple of snack bars” often isn’t enough.

Another common issue is appetite. Some people don’t feel hungry when they’re concentrating, moving in bad weather, or climbing steep ground. Others are fine on Day 1 and then fade on Day 2 and Day 3 because they never fully refuelled.

What works well in the real world

• Bring more than you think you’ll need, then treat any leftovers as a win.
• Include snacks you can eat quickly without stopping for long.
• Favour foods that still feel appealing when you’re cold or tired.
• On multi-day trips, think about recovery as well as the day’s walking.

Hydration without thirst: why it catches people out

Hydration is not just a hot-weather issue. In cold or windy conditions, people often drink less because they don’t feel thirsty, they don’t want to stop, or they don’t want to take gloves off and faff with bottles.

Mild dehydration can show up as headaches, fatigue, poor concentration and feeling unusually cold. It also makes it harder to eat well, because digestion and appetite can take a hit.

Simple hydration habits that help

• Start the day already hydrated rather than “catching up later”.
• Drink little and often, not just at lunch.
• If you’re sweating heavily or working hard, consider adding electrolytes to one bottle.
• In winter, use insulated bottles or keep water where it won’t freeze.

Timing beats totals: eat before you feel tired

A helpful rule on hill days is to eat and drink proactively. Once you’re already empty, cold or “bonked”, it takes longer to recover. Small, regular snacks are often more effective than big gaps followed by one large stop.

What guides commonly see go wrong

The same patterns come up again and again, even with fit and experienced walkers. Not because people are careless — but because the hills have a way of making simple tasks feel less important in the moment.

• “I didn’t feel hungry, so I didn’t eat much.”
• “I only drank when we stopped, and we didn’t stop often.”
• Food that’s hard to eat in the cold (frozen bars, awkward packaging, very dry snacks).
• Not bringing enough quick snacks for steep sections or bad weather.
• On multi-day trips: under-eating early, then struggling to catch up later.

How this links to our equipment and kit lists

Our equipment lists are designed to help you avoid the common problems above without turning your preparation into a science project. If you want a clear checklist for your course or trip, the full equipment and kit lists are available here: /equipment-and-kit-lists/

If you’re unsure what’s appropriate for your course dates, just ask — we’ll point you in the right direction.