For the Pennine Way you need a waterproof-first packing list built around a 35 to 45 litre pack, waterproof footwear with gaiters, a taped hardshell, reliable navigation tools and a dry-bagged sleep system. With inn-to-inn lodging the base weight stays around 6 to 8 kg, but full waterproofing is non-negotiable on this 431 km bog-crossing trail.
How heavy should your Pennine Way pack be?
The Pennine Way passes through villages with B&Bs and pubs, so most walkers go inn-to-inn and keep base weight around 6 to 8 kg. A 35 to 45 litre pack is ideal; the Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35 suits inn walkers, while those wild-camping the remote Cheviot section need a larger load like the Osprey Atmos AG 50 to fit a tent, bag and stove. Whatever you choose, line it with a dry bag because rain is a near-daily certainty.
What waterproof gear is essential?
The Pennine Way is defined by water underfoot and overhead, so waterproofing is the priority over weight saving. Pack:
- A taped-seam hardshell jacket and waterproof overtrousers
- Waterproof boots or quick-draining trail runners
- Knee-high gaiters for the peat bogs across Kinder Scout and Bleaklow
- A waterproof pack liner plus dry bags for your sleep kit and electronics
- Spare dry socks sealed in a bag
Wet feet are the leading cause of blisters and misery here, so prioritising effective waterproofing pays off across all 16 to 19 days.
What navigation kit do you need?
The northern moors are featureless, and low cloud can erase visibility within minutes. Carry a 1:25,000 OS map of each section, a compass you can actually use, and a GPS device or phone with offline maps as backup. The Pennine Way is waymarked but signs are sparse on the high moor, and the Cheviot section in particular punishes navigation errors. A power bank of at least 10,000 mAh keeps your GPS alive across multi-day stretches between charging points.
What clothing layers work best?
England's summer is mild but changeable, swinging from 20 C sun to wind-driven rain in an afternoon. Build a flexible layer system: two wicking base layers, a midweight fleece, a light insulated jacket for breaks and evenings, plus a warm hat and gloves even in summer for the exposed tops. Quick-drying synthetic or merino is far better than cotton, which stays wet for hours. Pack convertible trousers and shorts so you can adapt as the weather turns.
What about footwear and foot care?
Footwear is the most personal Pennine Way decision. Waterproof boots keep bog water out but get heavy when finally soaked; many ultralight walkers prefer breathable trail runners that drain and dry fast, accepting wet feet as inevitable. Either way, break footwear in beforehand and carry a thorough blister kit, including zinc-oxide tape and second-skin dressings. Trekking poles help enormously on the slippery, uneven peat and save your knees on the descents off Pen-y-ghent and Cross Fell.
What else should be in the pack?
Round out the kit with a first-aid kit, headtorch, sun cream and sunglasses (the moor offers no shade), 1.5 to 2 litres of water capacity with a means to treat it, and high-energy snacks for the long gaps between villages. Carry some cash, as remote pubs and B&Bs are not always card-friendly. A lightweight summit or town pack such as the Zpacks Bagger Ultra 25L is handy for evenings off-trail. Check the forecast on the Met Office and trail conditions via National Trails before each 2026 leg.
| Category | Priority item |
|---|---|
| Waterproofing | Hardshell + gaiters + liner |
| Navigation | OS map, compass, GPS |
| Footwear | Drainable or waterproof |
| Foot care | Blister kit + spare socks |
If you would rather a route with less bog, compare your kit against what the drier Coast to Coast Walk demands. Build your full checklist on HikeLoad before setting off in 2026.
How do you pack for wild camping the remote north?
While most walkers go inn-to-inn, the lonely northern section through the Cheviots tempts some into wild camping, which transforms the packing list. You add a freestanding or trekking-pole tent, a sleeping bag rated to around 0 to 5 C for British summer nights, an insulated sleeping pad and a lightweight stove with fuel and a pot. That pushes base weight from the inn-walker's 6 to 8 kg up toward 10 to 12 kg, and demands a larger pack; a 50 to 60 litre load such as the Osprey Atmos AG 50 swallows the extra kit while keeping it stable on boggy ground. Wild camping is tolerated on the high open moorland away from habitation if you pitch late, leave at dawn and follow leave-no-trace principles, but it is not a legal right across most of England, so camp discreetly and carry out everything.
Water sources are frequent on the moors but often peat-stained and potentially contaminated by livestock, so carry a filter or purification tablets and a means to collect from shallow streams. A roll-top dry bag for your sleeping bag is non-negotiable given the near-daily rain.
What food and fuel should you carry?
Resupply governs how much food you carry on the Pennine Way. The southern half passes pubs and shops often enough that you rarely need more than a day's food, but the northern stretch from Middleton-in-Teesdale to Kirk Yetholm has long gaps where you must carry two to three days of supplies. Aim for energy-dense, no-fuss food: around 600 to 800 g per day delivering 3,000 to 4,000 kcal, weighted toward carbohydrates and fats. Pubs along the route serve hearty evening meals, so inn walkers mainly need trail snacks, while wild campers need full breakfasts and dinners. Pack a refillable bottle and grab a hot meal in villages like Hawes and Malham where you can. Keep snacks in hip-belt pockets for grazing on the move, and carry a small reserve of high-calorie food in case bad weather forces an unplanned extra night out. A daypack such as the Salomon ADV Skin 20 works well for inn-to-inn food carrying, while wild campers fold a Zpacks Bagger Ultra 25L into their pack for village resupply runs. Track your daily food weight and calories in HikeLoad to dial in the right load for 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need waterproof boots for the Pennine Way?
Either waterproof boots or quick-draining trail runners work, but waterproofing somewhere in your system is essential. Boots with gaiters keep bog water out best, while trail runners drain faster once soaked. Whatever you pick, carry spare dry socks sealed in a bag.
How big a backpack do you need for the Pennine Way?
A 35 to 45 litre pack suits inn-to-inn walkers, keeping base weight around 6 to 8 kg. Wild campers tackling the remote Cheviot section need a 50 to 60 litre pack to fit a tent, sleeping bag and stove.
Do you need a map and compass on the Pennine Way?
Yes. The high moorland sections across Kinder Scout, Bleaklow and the Cheviots are featureless and prone to sudden low cloud. Carry a 1:25,000 OS map and compass alongside a GPS or phone with offline maps, since waymarking is sparse on the tops.
What is the most important item on the Pennine Way?
Reliable waterproofing, including a taped hardshell, a pack liner and gaiters. The trail crosses deep peat bog that stays wet even in summer, and keeping your feet, kit and sleep system dry is the difference between a comfortable walk and a miserable one.