The Complete Packing List for the Coast to Coast Walk

What does one bring for a self-powered journey across an entire country? One of the absolute best parts of Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk is the ever-changing landscapes it traverses. That type of variety can make packing a little tricky, though. What you might need during a rainstorm in the Lakes District is quite different from what you’ll require on a sunny day in the Yorkshire Dales.

However, before you go packing a rucksack bigger than you are, remember the golden rule of backpacking: keep it as light as possible! Carrying minimal weight is one of the best things you can do to ensure you enjoy your trip to the fullest.

So how does one strike that elusive balance between having all of the necessities without feeling like they have a baby elephant on their back? Read on for our best advice and detailed kit lists to learn everything you need (and everything you don’t) to have your best possible Coast to Coast Walk!

In this post:

• Coast to Coast Packing Basics
• Personal Gear
• Miscellaneous Gear
• Women’s Clothing
• Men’s Clothing
• Camping Gear
• Hostel/Bunkhouse Gear

Packing Basics for the Coast to Coast Walk

There are so many variables when it comes to packing for the Coast to Coast Walk, such as accommodation type, hiking style, trip length, baggage transfers, time of year, and many more. Every hiker will have a unique kit to best serve their individual needs. Even though you are a special, one-of-a-kind snowflake, there is some universal gear wisdom that applies to all Coast to Coast Walkers.

How Much Should My Pack Weigh?

This isn’t easy to answer, since there are a ton of factors that influence how much is too much for any individual hiker. Some things to think about…

• How fast are you hoping to hike? Generally speaking, lighter=faster
• Have you completed a multi-day through hike with this specific backpack and this amount of weight before? 
• Are you injury-prone or do you have any chronic knee, hip, or back issues? 

As a very general rule, campers should keep their pack weight below 13kg, including food and water. Those staying indoors should carry no more than 9kg. If having your luggage transferred along the trail, most transfer services will limit you to 20kg, and your daypack shouldn’t exceed 4kg. If you are backpacking for the first time or have a chronic injury, the weight of your pack should be significantly less than these guidelines.

Generally speaking, less is more. Here’s a few tips for lightening your load:

1. You only need a couple of shirts. Same goes for underwear and socks. Bring quick-dry items that you can rinse out in the sink or shower.
2. Plan out when/where you’ll restock food provisions and don’t carry more food than you need.
3. Consider leaving your bulky camera equipment at home. Unless photography is your passion, most smartphones take great photos and save a ton of space and weight.

Choosing a backpack for the Coast to Coast

Just like with footwear, a properly fitting backpack is crucial on the Coast to Coast walk. Also similar to your boots, your pack needs to be broken in for optimal comfort. We recommend carrying a weighted pack on your training walks to get used to the extra weight and ensure it fits well.

If you plan on staying in B&B’s along the route, you won’t need a very large rucksack. A 25-liter pack should be enough to hold a few clothing items, food, water, and toiletries.

Those staying in dorms and bunkhouses will most likely need to carry a sleeping bag and towel. A 30-40L pack will be more than enough space for everything you need.

If you plan on camping, you’ll need a larger pack to fit your tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and cooking equipment in addition to your basic supplies. A 45-60L pack will be suitable for most campers.

Last but not least, don’t forget to bring a pack cover to protect against rain! Many newer packs come with one built-in.

Footwear on the Coast to Coast

Taking care of your feet is of the utmost important on a long-distance walk like the C2C. Blisters, chafing, and other ailments can completely sabotage your experience, and the Coast to Coast’s wide range of underfoot conditions and wet environments can increase your risk of issues. The right shoes and socks can make all the difference.

Hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes will all work for the Coast to Coast Walk, provided that they will work for your unique needs. The most important thing is that they’re adequately broken in and that you’ve tested them on multiple walks to ensure they are comfortable.

In terms of waterproofing, there are two opposing schools of thought about this. It is inevitable that your feet will get wet at multiple points along your walk, from driving rains, flooded paths, bogs, and so on. Many hikers prefer to use sturdy boots with a thick layer of waterproofing to keep the moisture out as much as possible. This is a good strategy, but keep in mind that when these heavier shoes get wet they can take a long time to dry. Other prefer to use breathable trail shoes. These will get wet right away, but they’ll also be dry again within a couple hours and allow your feet to get some air in the meantime. It’s totally a matter of personal preference, but it’s a good idea to try a few options out prior to setting off on your C2C journey.

Good socks are also a game-changer on the Coast to Coast. We love merino wool socks like these for their comfort, breathability, and anti-stink qualities.

If you’re blister-prone, consider trying toe socks, sock liners, and/or Body Glide.

Good Waterproofs

There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad rain gear! You will undoubtedly face plenty of wet days on your Coast to Coast, so good waterproofs are an important investment.

At the very minimum, make sure you have a lightweight rain jacket, rain pants, and a pack cover. Some hikers pack their clothing and other items inside trash bags or waterproof packing cubes as an extra precaution. A hat can be nice to keep the rain out of your face. A waterproof carrying case for your map and/or phone isn’t a bad idea either. Finally, many walkers like to use gaiters for especially boggy or flooded areas.

Personal Gear

Whether you’re camping or staying indoors, these items are must-haves for your Coast to Coast Walk packing list. While we’ve included some toiletries that are absolutely essential for this trek, we’ve left it up to you to determine your own list of additional self-care items (comb, toothbrush, prescription medication, etc). 

Most Valuable Personal Item: Sea to Summit Ultra-SIL Dry Sack

The Coast to Coast Walk passes through some of the rainiest parts of England, so it’s pretty much inevitable that you’ll do some wet walking at one point or another. Walking in a downpour? Kind of fun. Getting to your destination and not having dry clothes to change into? The worst. Even with a pack cover, sustained walking in drenching conditions can penetrate your bag. You’ll be glad you took the extra step to protect clothes, bedding, and electronics.

Item	Recommended	Notes
Multi-Tool	Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier	Perfect for making sandwiches, repairing gear, and a million other purposes!
First-Aid Kit	Adventure Medical Kits	A good backpacking first aid kit is essential. You hope to never have to use it, but will be glad you have it when you need it. Make sure to include some Compeed for blisters.
Hydration Bladder or Water Bottles	Platypus Big Zip EVO Reservoir – 3L	We prefer hydration bladders over water bottles because they allow you to carry more water and tend to be more comfortable. Plan to carry 2-3L of water each day.
Pack Cover	Sea to Summit Pack Cover	Sea to Summit makes a variety of sizes to fit a range of packs.
Men’s Backpack	Osprey Atmos 65L or Osprey Talon 36L	If you’re camping, a 65L pack is a good size for all of your gear. The 36L Talon pack should be plenty for anyone who isn’t camping. We believe that Osprey makes the most comfortable packs on the market.
Women’s Backpack	Osprey Aura 65L or Osprey Kyte 36L	If you’re camping, a 65L pack is a good size for all of your gear. The 36L Kyte pack should be plenty for anyone who isn’t camping. We believe that Osprey makes the most comfortable packs on the market.
Small Daypack	Cotopaxi Luzon 18L Daypack	Optional item that is great for walking around town.
Trekking Poles	Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles	Essential for long downhills!
Travel Towel	Sea to Summit Drylite Towel	Those camping or staying in bunkhouses will need to bring their own towel.
Headlamp	Black Diamond Storm Headlamp	Great headlamp with long battery life and adjustable brightness.
Dry Bags	Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack	Keeps your clothes and other items dry in a downpour!
Hiking Gaiters	Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain High Gaiters	These will help keep your boots dry when walking through wet or boggy areas.
Sunscreen	Blue Lizard SPF 50	We recommend a waterproof sport version with SPF 30 or higher.
Bug Spray	Ben’s Insect Repellent	You may not need insect repellent often on the C2C, but you’ll be glad to have it when you do.
Toilet Paper	Coghlan’s Packable Camp Tissue	It’s always good to have a backup. Be sure to pack it out!
Hand Sanitizer	Dr. Bronner’s Spray	This can come in handy on the trail and while traveling.
Extra Batteries		It’s a good idea to have a few spare batteries for your headlamp or other essential electronics.

Miscellaneous Gear

These odds and ends are the unsung heroes of any Coast to Coast Walk packing list. From getting your stinky shirt clean to keeping your phone charged, these items help your trek run smoothly. Make sure to use this list in addition to the other categories to complete your Coast to Coast kit. 

Most valuable miscellaneous gear: Anker Powercore 10000.

Chances are, you’re getting out on the trail to get a break from the constant demands of screens and technology and that’s wonderful. However, don’t underestimate the importance of having a charged cell phone on the Coast to Coast Walk. Your phone can be your navigational device, your camera, your guidebook, and your notepad all in one. Charging opportunities can be unreliable along the route, so a battery backup can be an absolute lifesaver. This one is dependable, relatively small, and can fully charge your phone 1.5-2 times between charges.

Item	Recommended	Notes
Guidebook	Trailblazer Cicerone Knife Edge	We think Trailblazer’s guide is the best overall, but the Cicerone book is available as an eBook, and the Knife Edge book is the most up-to-date.
Earplugs	Mack’s Earplugs	Essential for sleeping in dormitories or crowded campsites.
Sleeping Mask	Alaska Bear Sleeping Mask	This is a must-have for a good night’s sleep.
Travel Adapter	All-in-One Travel Adapter	Great for all of your travels.
Digital Watch	Casio digital watch	We recommend a simple digital watch to keep track of hiking times. Unlike smart watches, you don’t need to worry about charging this.
Battery Backup	Anker PowerCore 10000	Great for charging electronics when you don’t have access to an outlet.
Biodegradable Soap	Sierra Dawn Campsuds Outdoor Soap	This is a great all-purpose cleaner for your body, your clothing, your gear, and everything else.
Plastic Bags- quart, gallon, and garbage bags.		We used these constantly for everything from storing trail mix to keeping our sleeping bags dry. A must-have for backpacking.

Women’s Clothing

When you’re wearing the same clothes for two weeks in various weather conditions and while doing some serious walking, it is imperative that those clothes are comfortable and high quality.  Although your individual preferences may look a little different, this list is an excellent starting point to ensure you’ve got all the essentials for your Coast to Coast Walk. Plus, if you’re anything like us, you have no idea how many pairs of socks to bring. This list is also a handy (and experience-backed)  guideline for quantities of items such as shirts and socks. 

Emily’s most valuable clothing item: Columbia Storm Surge Rain Pants 

English weather is temperamental. You’ll get to experience a wide range of elements (rain, sun, wind, etc), often all in one day! For the times when the weather turns, you’ll want to be able to quickly and effortlessly adapt your clothing to stay dry and comfortable. These Columbia rain pants are simple, effective, comfortable, and easy to get on and off over boots.

Item	Recommended	Notes
Underwear (2-3 pairs)	ExOfficio Women’s Underwear	Very packable, comfortable, and easy to wash on the go!
Socks (2-3 pairs)	Darn Tough Micro Crew Socks	In our opinion, these are the best hiking socks available. Your feet will thank you!
Sports Bra (1)	Brooks Women’s Dare Crossback Sports Bra	Provides excellent support, cushion, and breathability.
Standard Bra (1)		After a long day of hiking in a sweaty sports bra this can be a welcome relief to change into.
Long sleeve base layer (1)	Smartwool Women’s NTS Mid 150 Crew	A great merino wool base layer for chilly temps.
Short Sleeve Hiking Shirt (1)	Smartwool Women’s Merino Short Sleeve	Merino wool is perfect for backpacking. Lightweight, quick drying, and odor resistant.
Leggings or Hiking Pants (1)	Prana – Women’s Halle Pant	These pants are stylish, lightweight, and great to hike in.
Shorts	Lululemon Run Speed Shorts	We prefer running shorts to hiking shorts, as they are more breathable and comfortable under a backpack.
Puffy Jacket	Marmot Featherless Hoody	Lightweight, super warm, and packs down small. It’s a good idea to bring a warm jacket even in the summer months.
Rain Jacket	Outdoor Research Helium II Jacket	A high-quality all-weather jacket that packs up small.
Rain pants	Columbia Storm Surge pants	For those heavy downpours!
Hiking Boots or Trail Shoes	Altra Lone Peak Trail Shoes or Keen Targhee II Mid Hiking Boot	Depending on your preferences, these are our favorites for a traditional hiking boot and a minimal trail runner.
Sandals/Camp Shoes	Crocs Classic Clog	Great to change into after a long day of walking!
Sunglasses	Suncloud Loveseat Polarized Sunglasses	Good quality sunglasses are essential when you’re in the mountains all day. And these are stylish too!
Hat	Columbia Bora Bora Booney	This wide-brimmed and breathable hat keeps you cool and protected from the sun.
Bandana/Buff	Buff CoolNet UV+	These are great for wiping away sweat, keeping hair out of your face, or protecting your neck from the sun.
Gloves	Seirus Waterproof Gloves	Essential if there is any cold, wet weather in the forecast.

Men’s Clothing

When you’re wearing the same clothes for two weeks in various weather conditions and while doing some serious trekking, it is imperative that those clothes are comfortable and high quality.  Although your individual preferences may look a little different, this list is an excellent starting point to ensure you’ve got all the essentials.

Ian’s most valuable clothing item: Darn Tough Merino Wool Socks

The conditions on the Coast to Coast Walk are such that hikers are at a particularly high risk of getting blisters at some point on their walk. The wet environments, long mileage, and stony paths conspire to create the perfect environment for blisters to sabotage your walk. Fortunately, a good pair of socks can greatly reduce your chance of foot issues. This is one of those times where you really do get what you pay for. We love Darn Tough socks because they keep our feet dry and comfortable in a variety of conditions. They have just the right amount of cushion without being too bulky in boots. Plus, the Merino wool keeps them smelling fresh for days.

Item	Recommended	Notes
Underwear (1-2 pairs)	ExOfficio Men’s Give-N-Go Boxer Brief	Highly recommended! 1-2 pairs is all you need as they are super easy to wash out and dry.
Socks (2-3 pairs)	Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks	In our opinion, these are the best hiking socks available. Your feet will thank you!
Long Sleeve Base Layer	Smartwool Men’s NTS Mid 250 Crew	Very versatile mid-weight base layer
Short Sleeve Hiking Shirt	Icebreaker Merino Men’s Central Short Sleeve	Merino wool is perfect for backpacking. Lightweight, quick drying, and odor resistant.
Sun Hoodie	Columbia Sun Hoodie	This is a new favorite item of ours. Cool enough to hike in even on hot days, you’ll appreciate not having to constantly reapply sunscreen.
Hiking Pants (1)	Prana Brion Pants	These are great for hiking and also look good around town!
Hiking Shorts (1)	Prana Brion Hiking Shorts	Awesome shorts that are great for hiking.
Down Jacket	MARMOT Highlander Down Hoody	Super warm and super packable.
Rain Jacket	Outdoor Research Men’s Helium II Jacket	A good rain jacket is a must! This one packs up small and light
Rain Pants	Marmot Precip Pants	For those heavy English downpours!
Hat	Columbia Bora Bora Booney	This wide-brimmed and breathable hat keeps you cool and protected from the sun.
Hiking Boots	Salomon Men’s X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boot	Super comfortable and super waterproof! There is a trail running version for those who prefer something a bit lighter.
Sandals/Camp Shoes	Crocs Classic Clog	Great to change into after a long day of walking!
Sunglasses	Suncloud Mayor Polarized Sunglasses	Good quality sunglasses are essential when you’re in the mountains all day. And these are stylish too!
Buff/Bandana	Buff CoolNet UV+	These are great for wiping away sweat, keeping hair out of your face, or protecting your neck from the sun.
Gloves	Smartwool Merino 150 gloves	You’ll be glad to have these for cold, wet days on the trail.

Camping Gear

Camping on the Coast to Coast Walk is definitely worth carrying the bigger backpack. We loved the flexibility and independence it gave us. Plus, campgrounds along the trail are plentiful, convenient, and generally quite comfortable. With the right gear and a manageable pack size, you are guaranteed to have an amazing experience conquering the Coast to Coast Walk with your own tent.

Most valuable camping gear: MSR 2-Person Mess Kit

Many people choose to camp along the Coast to Coast Walk because of the tremendous money they can save on their accommodation. The budgetary benefits go beyond your sleeping arrangements, though. Camping allows you to self-cater your meals, saving you from spending tons on overpriced pub food every day. This MSR Kit is super lightweight, easy to pack, and convenient for all of those al fresco dinners and trailside coffee breaks.

Item	Recommended	Notes
Tent	MSR Hubba Hubba Backpacking Tent	The MSR Hubba Hubba 2 is the best overall tent you can buy, and the freestanding feature is helpful when you’re trying to find a level pitch or squeeze into a tight spot.
Sleeping Bag	Marmot Trestle 30	A 30° F or 0° C sleeping bag should keep you plenty warm on the Coast to Coast Walk.
Sleeping Pad	Nemo Astro Insulated Sleeping Pad	This is one of the most lightweight and comfortable sleeping pads out there. Plus, the genius pump sack makes inflating it so easy!
Pillow	Therm-a-Rest pillow	A camping pillow can be great when you’re spending multiple nights sleeping in a tent, but this is an optional item for those looking to save weight.
Stove	MSR Pocket Rocket Stove + MSR Windscreen	If you’re camping, a good stove is a must. The MSR is a classic backpacking stove, but you’d be wise to bring a windscreen given the unpredictable weather you may encounter.
Backpacking Pot	GSI Halulite	For those planning to cook their own meals this pot will serve you well.
Utensils	Humangear Spork	This do-it-all utensil is all you need.
Plate/Bowl/Mug	MSR 2-person mess kit	We find this bowl and mug combo to be light, durable, and perfect for camp dinners.

Hostel/Bunkhouse Gear

If you are sticking strictly to hotels, B&B’s, and guesthouses, you shouldn’t need to worry about the items on this list. However, for those staying in communal/dorm-style accommodations, there are some essential items you need to pack. Keep in mind that most hostels provide bedding, but you should check with individual places in advance to be sure. On the other hand, you will be responsible for providing your own towel (although some places will rent you one for an additional fee).

Most valuable item for bunkhouses & hostels: Mac’s Ear Plugs

Hiking is infinitely less fun when you haven’t had a good night’s sleep. There are many wonderful hostels along the Coast to Coast Walk, but Olympic-level snorers and other noisy neighbors seem to hang out in all of them. These earplugs do an excellent job of blocking out sleep-sabotaging sounds. We find that they work better, stay in longer, and are more comfortable than those cheap foam earplugs.

Item	Recommended	Notes
Earplus	Mack’s Earplugs	The perfect defense for that snorer in the bunk next to you!
Sleeping Mask	Alaska Bear Sleeping Mask	Perfect to block out light while sleeping in dormitories.
Sleep Sheet	Vumos Sleep Sheet	A nice item to have for nights in bunkhouses and hostels.
Travel Towel	Sea to Summit Drylite Towel	Those camping or staying in bunkhouses will need to bring their own towel.

What’s Next?

• The Ultimate Guide to the Coast to Coast Walk
• Coast to Coast Walk: Maps and Routes
• GPS Digital Download for the Coast to Coast Walk
• Coast to Coast Walk Accommodation