West Highland Way Kit List - Packing Tips

Hi, Welcome to my channel.
I thought I would document what I packed for my West Highland Way hike.
These types of videos I have found useful in the past with helping me dial in my gear and save some pack weight.
So hopefully someone finds some useful information within this video.
If you have any questions then please post a comment and I will do my best to help.
Sorry for audio levels all over the place at beginning and end, still learning how to use editing software!
Cheers

[@macewindupage]

This is the best backpack load out video I've ever seen. No nonsense, clear and impressive in terms of the result. Thank you.

[@robhindle8735]

One of the best kit load outs I’ve watched, great video and very helpful for those of use considering the WHW.

[@benry007]

Really informative thanks. I dont think I'll manage to get my pack that light but helped show me areas I could cut weight. Looking to do the WHW in a few weeks.

[@darrencurtisuk]

The easiest part of cutting weight is packing less stuff. Trial and error! Hope you enjoy the WHW🙏😎🤞

[@acnud]

I have just watched all of your WHW videos and find them very informative. I'm hoping to do it this year in April but I'm flexible if the weather looks bad. Thanks for sharing 👍.

[@darrencurtisuk]

You're welcome, all the best!

[@trytheoutdoors]

Super video. Love your approach. Thank you. Subscribed.

[@adrianstrand1120]

Excellent tips here especially the groundsheet/sit mat, I’ll have to get one of these.

[@darrencurtisuk]

Glad you found it useful, thank you

[@BackpackerScience]

Great kit 😊👍 love the ul pack. Use a similar kit Littel different but a lot of key components are the same 😊 a lot of ul stuff works for a lot of people good. Makes me feel good about my gear choices ha ha

[@lilyjohnson2506]

This is super, thank you! We're hiking the WHW in may, and I've wondered what others inc in their pack!

[@darrencurtisuk]

Thanks Lily. I'm sure you will love the WHW

[@dannypettigrew5738]

Brilliant thanks for sharing mate 👍🏻👍🏻

[@darrencurtisuk]

Cheers buddy

[@tamtierney8572]

Great vid thanks 🙏

[@kennymcnicol2824]

Thanks mate very interesting good tips doing it in September

[@darrencurtisuk]

Enjoy buddy, its a cracking trail 👌

[@Path2Peak]

Great vid thanks for sharing, just took delivery of my atompack last week.

[@darrencurtisuk]

Cheers, you'll love it!

[@richardharrison5622]

Very, very similar set up to what I took and must agree on the tent size, worth that big more weight for the comfort it provides if tent bound , I took my lanshan for the same reason 👍 Great , well put together video

[@darrencurtisuk]

Cheers. Which Lanshan model do you have?

[@richardharrison5622]

@@darrencurtisuk it's just the standard 2P , comes in around 1200g with stakes which isn't super light but it's very practical and spacious, it worked well for my on the whw and also the Yorkshire Wolds Way.

[@johnrodgers2018]

nice one , thanks

[@spectacularscotland]

Great video. Hope you do another trek in Scotland soon 👍

[@darrencurtisuk]

Cape Wrath is on my radar in next year or two!

[@arduinomistakes8879]

7:48. Consider sail tape from marine store - lighter, stronger and more durable than duct tape.

[@Adam_Outdoors]

Love kit list vids. Pretty close to my kit although I'll be using the Zpacks Hexamid, ZPacks Sub-Nero and BeFree filter.

[@darrencurtisuk]

Zpacks look amazing tbh. I'd like to get one of them filters

[@Adam_Outdoors]

@@darrencurtisuk I've always used Sawyer in the past but eventually the flow rate on the mini and squeeze got on my tits. The BeFree has a MUCH better flow rate and is easier to clean instead of having to backflush like the Sawyer. I bought the MSR trailshot and the Befree but not tried either out in field yet. I previously had and sold my Hexamid tarp and Arc Blast packs due to important bills. I always knw I would get athe Hexamid again though as loved it. Decidd to size down pack this time though and went for the 30L sub-Nero. Just currently waiting for tarp and pack to arrive before I can get out again. Should be her by end of July. Itching to get out and WHW should be my first thruhike :)

[@leeh3535]

@@darrencurtisuk High Darren love your work my man really helpful and great viewing other than wild camp more on WHW which you mentioned would you have route planned any differently? Looking to use your plan over 5 days? [e-mail]

[@darrencurtisuk]

@@leeh3535 For a 5 day itinerary it was a safe choice & ideal where I pitched up. I'm not sure without wild camping more how I could change it. Many thanks

[@thaemes]

Thanks for sharing, which months do you recommend this type of loadout for?

[@bigearsbridge4732]

Many thanks for sharing, I was wondering what the light hoody was. Planning to weigh my gear this week but geez, I don't think it'll be this light. Then again planning for October. Did you use the Sawyer much, a lot of vids say a filters not needed?

[@darrencurtisuk]

I only needed to use the filter a couple of times. If it's fast flowing you shouldn't need to use it, but just offers a bit of reassurance. Plenty of time to scrutinise your gear set up then. Will be Midge free by then also!

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

@@darrencurtisuk it’s a commonly held myth that fast flowing streams will be clean. There could still be that dead sheep just uphill. Several of my friends have come a cropper this way :)

[@evesouthwood7633]

I just ordered a custom Atom 40+ pack which I'll be taking on the WHW! Great video! 5.2kg is an excellent base weight. Can I ask please - what did you decant the Smidge into?

[@darrencurtisuk]

Nice one, great pack.. You will love it. The smidge was in a plastic mini perfume atomizer, poss 10ml. From ebay 👍

[@trytheoutdoors]

Hi Darren Going thru many of your videos and picking up some great tips. Thanks. 2 questions if I may: 1. Have you switched from the Durston 2person mid x to the 1 person mid x? If so, why? I have the 1P and was thinking of upgrading to the 2P :) 2. Which 'little green tent' did you end up using on the C2C...and why? Kind rgds Imran

[@darrencurtisuk]

I ordered both the 1p & 2p by mistake lol. If I was you I'd wait until he releases the 2p DCF version which will go on sale in the Spring, sign up to his website for notification. The little green tent is the Trekkertent Stealth 1. Made in Scotland by a chap named Marc. It's growing on me. Only weighs 570g!

[@m34tba11]

I have that same tent, but have yet to use it in a good soaking rain, and reality is it spends more time in my pack than pitched when I am walking. [I tend to cowboy camp when the stars are out and there is no rain in the forecast]. I see you have an x-mid 2P as well that you did a review on, but how did your 1P do for you on the Way (I also use the MSR MiniGroundhogs)? Headed to Scotland this Sept to finally tick this one off the list!

[@darrencurtisuk]

The 1p was perfect, so much so I am taking it to Scotland again to attempt the Cape Wrath Trail. Have fun in September

[@charlesm2357]

Great series, really enjoyed it. How did you download the trail on to maps me? if you don't mind me asking.

[@darrencurtisuk]

Thanks! OK so I'll try to explain... MapsMe is odd in that it doesn't load GPX files which trails will usually be downloaded in, they need to be KML. So the file needs to be converted to KML format. I use an app called 'Tracklia' to convert the file. Simply upload the GPX file to Tracklia. Then share the route and it gives you the option to convert to KML. Then when you go into MapsMe press on the Star icon at the bottom and it will automatically add it to the app. It's a bit fiddly but once you get the hang of it it does work. Maps.Me is essential for me. Once you have the trail and the area downloaded you can use it in flight mode (GPS on) Can navigate Route plot All points of interest show up once zoomed in enough Bookmark anything of interest like shops etc Hope that helps

[@WyeExplorer]

Good load out. I go fairly light but pinch more grams. The decathlon gear is good value. Mark

[@darrencurtisuk]

Thanks. Yes I love Decathlon gear. They are close to offering a full ultralight set up

[@WyeExplorer]

@@darrencurtisuk A pleasure. I've been browsing their website tonight.

[@darrencurtisuk]

@@WyeExplorer Their Trail running gear crosses over well for hiking

[@WyeExplorer]

@@darrencurtisuk I'm sure they do. I'll be taking a look.

[@marccoulson6555]

Where did you get the socks from mate? (The ones with the toes)

[@thomasmoore9182]

Hey, great video, where did you get the NyloFlum bag from? I'm struggling to get them.

[@darrencurtisuk]

Got mine on ebay about a year ago www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NYLOFUME-BAG-The-perfect-backpack-liner-Waterproof-Odor-resistant-Light-/273173265429?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

[@Path2Peak]

@@darrencurtisuk atompacks and treadlite gear both sell them as well.

[@marccoulson6555]

Outdoor Gear Essentials also sell them, I got two from there

[@benhaswell5298]

Hi what brand and model of quilt did you use? Thanks planning on doing the Ridgeway in 3 days in august could do with bringing the pack weight down a little more if possible

[@darrencurtisuk]

Cumulus is the brand. From Poland I think. The 350 model I use for cold camps. The 150 model is my summer quilt.

[@thetommiegods]

Really informative video my pack weight was -17kg for WHW so I got pack weight envy 😀

[@darrencurtisuk]

Crikey, well done for managing that! Thanks for feedback

[@Darkened_Sol]

I found the BRS mini stove on Ali Express for £6.50 delivered. Amazon has it for about £18. Both look exactly the same. Any concerns with the cheaper one on Ali do you reckon? It's basically a gas valve though isn't it?

[@darrencurtisuk]

Loads of fakes about, avoid that cheaper one! Even the legit ones have quality control issues. I'd only suggest using it to quickly boil water

[@alexchan163]

Where did u get mini trowel from. Which brand was it. Thanks

[@darrencurtisuk]

It is a cheap copy of the 'deuce' trowel. Possibly got it from Ebay

[@shuggiemcg1]

Cant beleive how light your pack was can you throw a list up off what you had please

[@bigearsbridge4732]

Considering the new X-Mid 2 pro, I would be interested to hear your opinion. The one V2 is now out of stoock...

[@darrencurtisuk]

Well you need to consider its a pre sale for delivery when.... ? Think I've heard June - Aug mentioned. I have my own doubts how suitable a single skin tent is for UK use, if you have prior experience with that and dealing with condensation then it would be a great purchase. It is the Zpacks Duplex killer... When it's available! I can't justify the cost, must resist!!

[@bigearsbridge4732]

I can't justify the cost either and generally I would avoid single skinned like the plaque. Okay well if the 'one' was fine for you I think i'll hang out for the 1 v2, no chance i'll have it for the Great Glen in April...but eventually will be good

[@darrencurtisuk]

Keep your eyes peeled on eBay, Facebook & the Trek-Lite forum for people flogging theirs.

[@Darkened_Sol]

Hi Darren, what about a tent? Where did you camp or stay?

[@darrencurtisuk]

Yes I carried a tent, the X-mid 1p. I just turned up at campsites, didn't book. Plenty of places to wild camp along the way

[@Darkened_Sol]

@@darrencurtisuk Of course, I had to watch that part again. It's a bit early in the morning for me 😁

[@rabmcnair4488]

Any chance you could provide links to your gear in the description. Thanks.

[@darrencurtisuk]

Good idea, is there anything in particular I can help you with right now?

[@rabmcnair4488]

@@darrencurtisuk Was looking for links for some items in particular: synthetic down jacket waterproof jacket jogging trousers gloves sunglasses ground sheet pad Thanks p.s. loved the video and have subscribed to channel and will check some more of your videos when I get time.

[@Th3R0n]

Can you tell me a bit more about the foam pad? What is it called? Where can I get this from?

[@darrencurtisuk]

If you are based in the UK then AtomPacks sell a version of it, they call it something like 'the thinny' I got mine from ebay 3mm evazote 2mx1m

[@Th3R0n]

I think I found it on the ultralight outdoor gear link.

[@Th3R0n]

@@darrencurtisuk amazing, thanks Darren :-)

[@darrencurtisuk]

@@Th3R0n No problem, its a really handy bit of kit

[@harrywarren3482]

what is the name of the decathlon walking trousers?

[@darrencurtisuk]

www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-regular-fit-breathable-essential-fitness-bottoms/_/R-p-312019 Domyos, about £15

[@harrywarren3482]

@@darrencurtisuk thank you that's very helpful.