My Kit List
Ross Wilson
The Kit We Carry
What's in my Bag
The Ultimate Test: What Makes It Into the Rucksack
As landscape photographers and full-on outdoorsmen, what makes it into the rucksack is the ultimate achievement for any piece of kit. For all the gear we test, buy, sell, and swap as outdoor people, the kit that stays with us is the kit we believe to be the best. It hits the spot on many of our values:
• Price
• Quality
• Warmth
• Weight
• Pack ability
• Features
• Comfort
• Protection
My Clothing Gear
Hiking & Wild Camping Clothing
My mountain adventures rely on a practical layering system that’s earned my complete trust through countless expeditions. I start with a warm base layer topped with a thick fleece for reliable insulation, then add my dependable packable rain coat that’s weathered many sudden downpours. My quality trousers and well-worn walking boots have conquered challenging terrain together for years, while my trusty headgear and gloves have protected me from biting mountain winds across all seasons. This gear has never let me down, accompanying me through unpredictable weather and diverse landscapes with consistent performance. Want to learn more about the equipment I’ve thoroughly tested on my adventures? Just click any image for detailed articles about my trail-proven essentials!
Top Half
Bottom Half
Head Gear & Extras
My Wild camping Gear
My Wild Camping Set up
I’ve developed three reliable setups for my outdoor adventures in the UK:
My premium 4-season kit includes a high-R-value mat, sub-zero sleeping bag, and snow-proof reinforced tent that together handle extreme Scottish Highland conditions with confidence.
My budget-friendly 3-season setup focuses on affordability without sacrificing functionality, featuring low-cost gear that handles spring through autumn conditions across the Lake District and Peak District while keeping expenses to a minimum.
For woodland escapes in places like the New Forest or Kielder, my hammock configuration with sleeping bag and tarp delivers the perfect balance of comfort and connection to nature.
Click the images below for in-depth articles about each setup and the gear that makes them work!
Wild Camping Gear Sleeping & Cooking
Wild Camping Extras
The down trouser and down coat combination represents the pinnacle of ultralight insulation for backcountry adventures. When paired together, they create a complete sleep system that eliminates the need for a heavy sleeping bag while providing exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio. The hydrophobic down insulation traps body heat efficiently even in damp conditions, while the ultralight shell fabric resists moisture and wind. After a long day of hiking, simply slip into these plush layers inside your pack liner or bivy, and you’ll enjoy surprising comfort despite the minimal weight penalty in your pack.
The Jetboil cooking system stands as an engineering marvel for wilderness meal preparation. Its remarkable fuel efficiency brings water to a rolling boil in under two minutes, making it ideal for rehydrating freeze-dried meals and brewing morning coffee with minimal fuel consumption. The integrated heat exchanger and insulated cozy ensure maximum heat transfer and retention, allowing you to conserve precious fuel on extended trips. This compact, all-in-one system nests together elegantly, taking up minimal space in your pack while providing reliable hot meals regardless of conditions.
The Sawyer Mini water filter paired with a 2-liter hydration bladder forms the backbone of your backcountry hydration strategy. This tiny filter removes 99.99% of bacteria and protozoa from questionable water sources, easily threading onto your bladder to provide clean drinking water throughout the day. The 2-liter capacity strikes the perfect balance between carrying enough water between refill points and minimizing unnecessary weight. Together, this system allows you to confidently drink from streams, lakes, and even questionable puddles while maintaining proper hydration—a critical factor in outdoor safety and performance.
Essential Lighting
Essential Lighting For Wild Camping
I always prioritize safety with my essential kit when exploring the outdoors. My reliable Fenix hand torch provides powerful illumination for navigating after dark and during emergencies, while my Petzl Tikkina headtorch keeps my hands free for night photography and cooking meals. My comprehensive first aid kit contains carefully selected supplies for treating everything from minor cuts to more serious injuries, giving me peace of mind when adventuring far from help. These three critical items, along with my FlexTail Gear pump that doubles as a sleeping mat inflator and tent light, remain constant companions in my pack, ensuring I’m prepared for unexpected situations and can safely enjoy my time in nature regardless of conditions or location.
Click images below for my review and personal thoughts.
Rucksack I Carry
Wild Camping Rucksack, Two Perfect Bags for differents Reasons
The Lowepro PhotoSport Backpack Pro 70L AW IV is my primary choice for photography-centric excursions. Its specialized compartments and protective features make it ideal for safeguarding and efficiently accessing my camera equipment. Whether it’s a day trip capturing landscapes or a multi-day trek focused on wildlife photography, the Lowepro bag ensures my gear is secure and readily available, while also offering reasonable comfort for carrying essential hiking supplies alongside my camera.
Conversely, the Karrimor SF Sabre 75 (modified to 90L) becomes my go-to for extended, rugged expeditions where pure load capacity and durability are paramount. Its robust construction and modular design, enhanced by the added side pockets, allow me to carry a substantial amount of gear for multi-day hikes or demanding outdoor activities. When the focus shifts from photography to general backpacking, camping, or challenging treks requiring a large volume of equipment, the Karrimor SF’s ability to handle heavy, bulky loads reliably makes it the preferred choice.
Click images below for my full review of them. Stay tuned for my full, detailed reviews of each bag, where I’ll delve deeper into their features, performance, and suitability for various outdoor adventures.
Landscape Photography
Photography Equipment
I’m an avid landscape photographer and filmmaker who utilizes a versatile array of equipment to capture the natural world in its full splendor. My primary setup includes the GoPro HERO12 Black, which serves as my go-to blogging camera for dynamic shots, supplemented by extra batteries to ensure I never miss a moment during long outdoor sessions. I’ve enhanced my audio capabilities with the Media Mod and added the Light Mod for those tent talks in low light. For aerial photography, I rely on my Mavic 2 Pro with its professional-grade Hasselblad camera that delivers stunning 4K imagery from above. I always pack extra drone batteries to maximize flight time when I discover breathtaking vistas. My PolarPro ND filters are essential for managing exposure in bright conditions, allowing me to capture silky-smooth water movements and dramatic skies. The intelligent flight battery with its LED indicators helps me monitor power levels precisely, while my remote controller offers extended range to explore remote landscapes. I never forget my landing pad, which provides safe takeoff and landing options regardless of terrain, whether I’m shooting in rocky mountains, sandy beaches, or lush forests. Click images below to see my portfolio of breathtaking landscape photographs and films that showcase the capabilities of this professional-grade equipment in action. Click links below for a more in-depth look at the equipment I use.
Landscape Photography Equipment
Vlogging Rig
Drone
Action Camera
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