Hiking - where to start/What to know/What to buy

The advice to join a club is good - they'll help you know what gear is best, and they'll show you good routes without you having to worry about navigation. It's also a lot safer to walk in a group, twisted ankles and the occasional leg break can happen. Mountaineering.ie has a list of clubs.

I'd spend money on boots & a good rainjacket - proper mountain boots are probably from around 125-250, good raincoats are usually at least 100 quid. You'll also need a rucksack, raintrousers, and some warm clothes, but you can buy them cheap. Layers are best - e.g. a few light fleeces are ideal. Don't wear jeans, buy a pair of hiking trousers (you can buy cheap here as well). Don't worry about buying the "right" thing, hikers are always changing their gear as they gain more experience.

Buying boots is best in a specialist outdoor store who can give you advice & where you can return them if they cause problems. Raincoat - anything goretex is probably easiest to buy as it's hard to go wrong. There's lots of other types of material, again being in a club is best to ask around as many of these brands are crap. Look for a coat with a good hood (ideally stiffened). Don't worry about insulation in the raincoat, ideally there would be none - it's more flexible that way as it would be too warm in Summer. Good hiking brands would include Berghuas, Montane, Marmot, (some) North Face, Salomon, Meindl, Lowa and Patagonia.

Buy a map of where you will be walking. Ordnance Survey 1:50000 to start with.

In time yep do a mountain skills course.

My minimum equipment for a day walk.
• Compass, GPS and maps. Learn how to use a compass with your map – it’s not that hard!
• First aid kit.
• Fleece – windproof as a minimum.
• Gloves (winter).
• Good quality boots.
• Hat – summer one and a warm one for winter.
• Proper walking socks for boots.
• Quality daysack or rucksack. 25-30 litres capacity for 1-2 days.
• Suncream and insect repellent.
• Swiss army knife or leatherman (or similar) tool.
• Torch.
• Trekking trousers, like Craghoppers and such.
• Rain jacket – and maybe something heavier for winter walking. A cheap poncho is usually good enough for summer.
• Water (2 litres for a day walk).
• Food and/or snacks.
• Pen, pencil, notebook and mobile phone fully charged.

As for shops – the great outdoors in Dublin is a good place to start, but there are lots of others such as base camp, outdoor adventure store and such.

For something like the inca trail or everest base camp you would probably need heavier duty clothing and a much larger rucksack (60 litres and above).

As you can see there’s as many different opinions on what you need as there are hikers!

Personally I recommend good boots (I like Scarpa personally), merino wool socks (often start on a thick pair and have a change of a thinner pair as your feet swell throughout the day), rain gear, map and instructions of your route (often just a print out), food and lots of it and I carry two litres of water (if it’s too heavy start drinking).

It sounds like you want to go backpacking which is it’s own thing, I invested in a two man MSR Hubba Hubba, expensive but recommend it highly, I use a trangia spirit stove, have a no name sleeping bag (but have a cotton liner and thermals) and a good sleeping Matt.

As you do more day hikes you’ll learn what your preferences are, comforts you can and can’t live with out etc. we’re all different.

Recently I bought a sit mat, €7 and it keeps the bum warm and dry which means you spend longer relaxing and enjoying the views, I also just invested in a pair of trekking poles (for my July trip to the Kungsleden) and probably will never hike with out them again, I fly with them!

Good luck!