My Kit List
Ross Wilson
The Kit We Carry
The Kit We Carry: What Makes It Into the Rucksack
Throughout my wild camping and hiking career across the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, Peak District, and along the rugged east coast of Yorkshire, I’ve refined my wild camping kit list to include only gear that’s proven itself in real-world conditions. From windswept clifftops overlooking the North Sea to soggy weekends in the Peak District, every item in this comprehensive kit list has earned its place through performance, not marketing hype.
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 my Alpkit Vayper Long Sleeve Base Layer for superior moisture management, complemented by my Peter Storm Men’s Essential Long Sleeve Baselayer Top as a reliable backup. For dependable warmth, my Rab Geon Pull-On fleece delivers excellent heat retention, topped with my trusty Rab Cinder Downpour Jacket that’s weathered countless sudden downpours across British mountains.
My Mountain Equipment Ibex Mountain Pants and well-tested Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex boots have conquered challenging terrain together for years, providing the foundation for confident movement across diverse terrain. When temperatures drop significantly, my Rab Mythic Ultra Down Jacket provides exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio, doubling as extra insulation inside my sleeping bag during the coldest mountain nights.
Head Gear & Extras
Essential extremities protection completes my clothing system with my trusted Rab Baltoro Gloves, which have shielded my hands from biting mountain winds across all seasons whilst maintaining dexterity for camera operation and camp tasks. Quality headgear rounds out my weather protection, ensuring I stay comfortable and focused during extended outdoor adventures regardless of conditions. This complete gear system has never let me down, accompanying me through unpredictable weather and diverse landscapes with consistent performance.
My Wild camping Gear
My Wild Camping Set Up: Three Proven Systems
I’ve developed three reliable setups for my outdoor adventures in the UK, each built around proven gear that’s survived countless nights under the stars. My premium 4-season kit centres around my Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX sleeping mat, Rab Mythic 600 sleeping bag, and robust MSR Access 2 tent that together handle extreme English mountain conditions with confidence.
My budget-friendly 3-season setup focuses on affordability without sacrificing functionality, featuring carefully selected gear that handles spring through autumn conditions across the Lake District and Peak District whilst 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 Sleeping Wear & Cooking
Ultralight Sleep System: Down Jacket and Trouser Combo
The Rab Mythic Ultra Down Jacket and Rab Argon Pants 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 whilst providing exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio. The hydrophobic down insulation traps body heat efficiently even in damp conditions, whilst 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.
Jetboil Flash: The Ultimate Mountain Top Kitchen
The Jetboil Flash 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 whilst providing reliable hot meals regardless of conditions. Whether I’m using it alongside my Sawyer Mini Water Filter for safe hydration or powering through early morning brews before heading out with my Canon 5D Mark IV, this system has become an indispensable part of my outdoor kitchen.
Water Filtration and Hydration Strategy
The Sawyer Mini water filter paired with my CamelBak Crux Water 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 combination strikes the perfect balance between carrying enough water between refill points and minimising unnecessary weight in your pack. Together, this system allows you to confidently drink from streams, lakes, and even questionable puddles whilst maintaining proper hydration—a critical factor in outdoor safety and performance, especially during those long photography sessions with heavy kit like my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM II.
Essential Lighting
Headlamp, Torch, Flex Tail Pump & Tent Light
I always prioritise safety with my essential kit when exploring the outdoors. My reliable Fenix Hand Torch provides powerful illumination for navigating after dark and during emergencies, whilst my Petzl Tikkina headtorch keeps my hands free for night photography sessions with my Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L USM II and cooking meals in camp. 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 X 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.
Rucksack I Carry
Wild Camping Rucksack, Two Perfect Bags for differents Reasons
The Lowepro PhotoSport Backpack Pro 70L AW III is my primary choice for photography-centric excursions. Its specialised compartments and protective features make it ideal for safeguarding and efficiently accessing my camera equipment, whether that’s my Canon 5D Mark IV, the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L USM workhorse lens, or the comprehensive Lee Filters LEE100 Deluxe Kit Plus. 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 99 Litres) becomes my go-to for extended, rugged expeditions where pure load capacity and durability are paramount. When I’m packing my MSR Access 2 tent, Rab Mythic 600 sleeping bag, and Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm sleeping mat for multi-day wild camping adventures, this pack’s robust construction and modular design, enhanced by the added side pockets, allow me to carry a substantial amount of gear reliably. 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 makes it the preferred choice.
Landscape Photography
Photography Equipment
I’m an avid landscape photographer and filmmaker who utilises a versatile array of equipment to capture the natural world in its full splendour. My primary setup revolves around my Canon 5D Mark IV camera body, paired with essential lenses including my Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L USM II for sweeping landscapes and the reliable Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM II for distant subjects. My Benro Tortoise TTOR35C tripod with GX35 Ball Head provides the stability needed for those crucial low-light shots, whilst my Lee Filters LEE100 Deluxe Kit Plus allows me to manage challenging lighting conditions with professional-grade neutral density and graduated filters. The MindShift Gear Filter Hive provides professional filter storage, keeping my extensive collection organised and protected.
My filter collection extends beyond the Lee system to include PolarPro Variable ND filters, specifically the Peter McKinnon Signature Series, which offers 2-5 stop and 6-9 stop options. These variable filters offer incredible flexibility for changing light conditions, allowing me to dial in precise exposure control without swapping multiple fixed filters. The Peter McKinnon collaboration brings cinema-grade quality to outdoor photography, with excellent colour neutrality and smooth transitions across the variable range. Whether I’m shooting flowing waterfalls in bright daylight or capturing dramatic cloud movement during golden hour, this comprehensive filter system ensures I can adapt quickly to evolving conditions whilst maintaining the highest image quality standards throughout my adventures.
Drone & Vlogging Rig
For dynamic content creation, my GoPro HERO12 Black serves as my go-to blogging camera, enhanced with the GoPro Media Mod for superior audio capabilities and the GoPro Light Mod for those tent talks in low light. Extra GoPro batteries ensure I never miss a moment during long outdoor sessions. For aerial photography, I rely on my DJI Mavic 2 Pro with its professional-grade Hasselblad camera that delivers stunning imagery from above. I always pack extra drone batteries to maximise flight time when I discover breathtaking vistas, along with my drone landing pad for safe operations on any terrain. My PolarPro ND filters are essential for managing exposure in bright conditions, allowing me to capture silky-smooth water movements and dramatic skies.