what will my child need for the west highland way?

depending on the length of your itinerary & the age of your child the amount of things you'll need to take will vary.  younger children may get colder than older children so they may need warmer options & more spares.  a rough idea of what you may need is;

clothing

• base layers
• mid layers
• outer layers
• socks & underwear
• pyjamas
• footwear
• hat, gloves & buff

gear

• child carrier
• hiking poles
• water bottle

camping

• sleeping bag
• sleeping mat
• sleeping liner
• pillow

for more in depth gear lists, you can view my full breakdown of our west highland way gear list here, or our affric kintail way gear list here, or view my wild camping with kids gear checklist here

how do you avoid over packing & staying lightweight with a young child in tow?

this section is assuming you're carrying all your gear & not using baggage transfers.

staying as lightweight as possible & not overpacking is crucial to a successful long distance hike.  keeping your bag weight down & to essentials only will reduce any physical strain & fatigue on your body, which should allow your hike to be more comfortable & efficient.  hiking at a young child's pace while having an over packed, heavy backpack will soon take it's toll & reduce enjoyment levels.

make a detailed packing list

packing lists allow you to bring all the essential clothing & gear without forgetting anything or accidentally overpacking.  taking time beforehand to write a packing list & adding to it as you remember will take away any last minute stress packing & help your organisation.

weigh your gear

if you're carrying for both you & your child, you want to have your backpack as light as possible to reduce any strain on your body.  ideally between 20-25% of your bodyweight is the weight you want to aim for, however, when you're carrying for a child too you will go over this unless you have invested in very lightweight & compact gear.  if your child is old enough & used to carrying some gear, try putting lighter items into their bag to share some load.

minimise toys & entertainment

if you must take something for your child, bring small & lightweight items that can double as a comfort item, like a teddy.  nature is an incredible source of entertainment & your child will likely entertain themselves playing here instead.

plan for laundry

planning to wash your clothes along the route will allow you to pack fewer items & reduce your pack weight.  most facilities have an option to purchase washing liquid so you don't need to pack it.

pack layering clothing

having quick drying, moisture wicking clothing that can be layered will allow your body to regulate it's temperature better & minimise the need for heavy, bulky items to be packed.

limit footwear

avoid bringing multiple pairs of shoes as these are bulky & heavy, instead opt for one pair of broken in, comfortable shoes you're used to wearing.  if you must have a second pair, opt for comfortable sandals for end of day wearing.

repack & remove

after you're all packed go through your backpack & remove everything.  check every item is really needed or if there's a lighter, smaller or different alternative to bring instead.  be brutal with this, 'just in case' items are usually never needed.

key packing tips

weight distribution

evenly distributed weight in your backpack is important as it will prevent strain on your back & shoulders.  it will also help steady your balance & maintain stability on uneven or tricky terrains.

• lightest items, like your sleeping bag & mats, go at the bottom of your bag
• heavier items, like your tent or cooking gear, should go in the middle as close to the back of your backpack
• most used items, like waterproofs or food, should go towards the top of the bag for easy access
• everything else can be slotted in gaps to fill out the bag

accessibility

keeping your most used items within easy reach in your bag as it saves time & effort, reducing the amount of stops to unpack you take.  this is especially useful with young child who will want snacks & water more often.

• keep snacks & other quick access items, like your phone, in the hip pockets
• use the bag brain for items like suncream, sun hats, first aid & small child carriers

weather preparedness

scotland is infamous for it's unpredictable weather & all 4 seasons in a day should be expected.  expecting this & being prepared for the various conditions allows you to keep both you & your child dry, warm, comfortable & safe.

• use a layering system that works for you.  a base layer, mid layer & outer layer
• have good quality, tested waterproofs with you for you & your child.  keep these in an easy accessible place like the bag brain for quick, unexpected weather changes
• bring hats, gloves & extra socks to stay warm.  hand warmers also pack small & can come in handy for children who get colder quickly
• pack your bag using dry bags to ensure everything stays dry & protected in case your rain cover fails

lightweight packing

keep your backpack weight as manageable as possible by reducing the amount of unneeded gear packed.  this will decrease the chances of injury & fatigue.

• plan meal & food stops to avoid carrying excess food & weight.  use water taps, waterfalls or streams to fill water bottles & lessen the need to carry large amounts of water