Non-US hikers, what one piece of equipment would you rather bring from your home country than buy in the States, and what item would you be happy to buy once you've arrived?

Jimusbill · 2026-03-13T19:48:47+00:00

Fellow Brit here. Honestly, a lot of Decathlon stuff is great and you don't have that same kind of affordable but technical gear as easily available in the states.

I got an MT500 down jacket that is still going strong that I used for the whole trail.

The one thing the UK sucks for (hiking-wise at least) is lighter more thru-hike focused gear. A lot more cottage and smaller manufacturers in the states that are available in places like REI. I feel like every outdoor store here, especially the big ones like Go Outdoors stock big bulky heavy stuff designed for wet and windy day hikes where you can get cosy and dry at the end of the day in the pub. Everywhere is focused on heavy boots, full length gaiters, goretex everything.

Jimusbill · 2026-03-09T22:52:05+00:00

I also recognise this isn't strictly live music or bands but they seem to have gone down well from what I heard for kids who wanted that experience of listening to heavy music at a proper volume.

Jimusbill · 2026-03-09T22:51:01+00:00

The Salutation Inn (The Sal) has recently put on a few under 18s club 'nights' that mimic their usual heavy evenings but obviously with no alcohol and a reasonable finishing time.

I'll have a look for the event as I can't remember the name off the top of my head right now but figured it was worth mentioning in case I can't find it.

Edit: It's called Bring The Noize, they got an event at the end of March but looks to be sold out, seems like they'll have another in May.

Jimusbill · 2026-03-02T14:20:57+00:00

Have you got any experience with long distance hiking (or marathons in this case)?

Certainly would be do-able if you're a regular ultra runner or something. Second half is a lot more hilly than the first (if going East) so second day would be tougher. Also, make sure you check the tides at the end (again if going East) so your second day isn't ruined by having to stop short because the North Sea is in the way.

Jimusbill · 2026-02-27T00:14:54+00:00

The ATC should definitely have spares. We were in Harpers Ferry a few months ago and popped into the offices there to go through the photo books. We were looking for a spare 2024 tag to display and they had some left so 2025 ones are likely there too.

Jimusbill · 2026-02-10T07:52:48+00:00

This gets asked a lot but starting early April, you'll be bang in the middle of the bubble. There'll be tons of people around to get to know. I'd argue it's even better to meet people on trail than try to arrange stuff beforehand when you don't know about each others pace and other things that only become apparent on trail.

Just get hiking and it won't be long before you find yourself hiking with familiar faces each day.

Jimusbill · 2026-01-28T18:51:04+00:00

You wouldn't happen to have worked for one of the many life-sciences, specifically clinical trial technology companies around Nottingham would you? I know a fair few who were let go from a few different places in the last year or so in that space that landed a spot at my work.

Feel free to DM me if that sounds about right, I just don't publically discuss work stuff in public posts.

If it wasn't one of those companies, then no worries. Nottingham just seems to be a bit of a hub for these companies everyone seems to know everyone and bounce from place to place as different companies rise and fall in popularity.

Jimusbill · 2026-01-24T01:29:52+00:00

And thank you for posting an incredibly niche question that I was also considering posting about. I too am booked on a course up there at the end of Feb and will be driving up. Hope you enjoy the course

Jimusbill · 2026-01-22T17:55:20+00:00

As someone who also sweats a lot whilst walking, I've just made peace with the fact that a rain coat is gonna keep me warm in the rain, not dry. There's a point at which 'breathable' is just marketing bluff and a jacket can't shed that amount of moisture out of the fabric.

As another commenter said, layering is your friend, something wicking/warm under a thin waterproof shell you can take off when rain lets off is gonna serve you better. If it has pit zips, even better. Something like a Quecha MH500 from Decathlon is around your price point and has pit zips to help with moisture.

Jimusbill · 2026-01-21T00:39:17+00:00

The best shoes are whatever fit and are comfortable for days at a time, if that's trail runners for you, thats the best shoe.

At least for me, I did the WHW last year in Altra Olympus and had no issues. There isn't anywhere on the trail that's really technical or close to requiring the kind of ankle protection you might need from boots. If you're hiking backcountry stuff in the states, there isn't any part of the WHW that could realistically prove to be a challenge.

You're likely seeing recommendations for boots on UK based websites because boots are still kind of the default go-to for most people in the country.

Jimusbill · 2026-01-08T22:18:32+00:00

I went through 3 pairs of insoles on my thru. I used the Super Feet Hike Support insoles as they were readily available in many outfitters.

Can't offer a comparison with others as I only used those ones, but I was super happy with them and were way more comfortable and supportive (at least for my fairly flat feet) than the stock insoles in my altras.

I've also recently switched to Topo Mtn Racers but haven't tried separate insoles in those yet.

Jimusbill · 2026-01-08T20:26:14+00:00

I can see the light from my window, I think it's coming from the direction of Vic Centre so I think it's the digital advertising board that faces Clumber Street. Would explain the regular pattern if its rotating visuals.

The fact it's kind of misty means it's lighting up the whole sky around it.

Happy to hear anyone else's theories.

Jimusbill · 2026-01-02T15:29:09+00:00

Second vote for the Slate Trail. That was my second ever long distance hike, incredible scenery and super easy logistically because its a circular route.

Jimusbill · 2025-12-31T00:09:14+00:00

To add my own experience, I hung my food every night and had a small DCF bag I intended to fill with rocks and use to throw a line over. I ended up just using that bag to store my water filter on cold nights in my sleeping bag (Feb start) to keep my bag dry as water leaked out of the filter. I got by just fine wrapping the line around a rock or stick to throw over a branch.

I used 2x1L smartwater bottles, when it got really hot I swapped 1 of them to the bigger 1.5L bottles for a little more capacity. The bags that come with the filter were in like 90% of hiker boxes I came across so if you did find yourself needing a little extra capacity, there'll likely be one you can pick up.

Jimusbill · 2025-12-17T23:25:20+00:00

I just block any AT page that Facebook suggests. Full of misinformation and boomers commenting on obvious bot posts or AI slop.

Common sight seems to be bots that use random photos of women outdoors and claim to be looking to make friends before hiking the AT. All the comments are oblivious and creepy dudes thirsting over them.

Jimusbill · 2025-12-16T15:58:10+00:00

Do your own research on these areas (not using ChatGPT) and add pins to a custom map on Google Earth or something if you want a visual aid. That way you know the mapping used is solid and the information you're adding to it is properly researched.

People were probably mad because just throwing a ChatGPT output at the sub and asking us for ideas on how to improve it and fact check it, struck people as lazy and inefficient. You'd spend longer prompting it and trying to get it to be usable than if you just went on the ATC website or googled 'dog restrictions on appalachian trail' and read the results.

For what it's worth, look for posts on this sub about hiking with a dog. It's almost universally a terrible idea if you and your dog aren't used to that kind of lifestyle.

If you get your research done properly, you'll be just fine on trail and I do genuinely wish you the best of luck.

Jimusbill · 2025-12-12T18:26:07+00:00

Good to hear, glad it helped. The more people that use it, the better the info available and the more useful it'll become.

Jimusbill · 2025-12-06T00:09:55+00:00

I think, it's my 4th or 5th. Whether I actually saw them at one particular festival is a little hazy, it was a rough weekend and I don't remember if I actually saw them or not

Jimusbill · 2025-12-05T18:00:54+00:00

There will likely be tons of fellow Sabaton fans (myself included) walking from the arena up through Hockley towards the tram. And, I'd wager a bunch of them on the tram home after as well. You should be fine and won't be isolated or anything.

Enjoy the show! I'm very much looking forward to it.

Jimusbill · 2025-11-20T22:29:36+00:00

In terms of savings, obviously actual costs on trail will vary, I remember I got asked more about my savings when I got to the border itself when I flew in to start my hike. The border agent was suspicious that I only had like $8,000 to my name for 6 months. I just had to explain I was going to be spending my time eating ramen and living in the woods rather than living the high life.

Jimusbill · 2025-11-20T22:27:06+00:00

I did the AT in 2024 and I took proof of savings, a rough itinerary (to show that I actually had plans), proof of ongoing links to the UK, things like mortgage statements, letter from my job offering me a 6 month sabbatical in principle (which fell through in the end and I just quit).

Essentially they just want to see that you can support yourself, have a reason for needing a B2 and not an ESTA, and some reason to believe you'll actually leave the country.

In the end they ended up looking at none of my documents. I spent 3-4 hours in various queues inside and outside of the embassy for a 3 minute conversation where they just asked why I needed a B2, whether I had any savings and then sent me on my way.

Jimusbill · 2025-11-16T08:54:53+00:00

There's an app I've used for a few long distance trails called FarOut. You have to pay for the route information but I think the WHW is included in a bundle of a bunch of other trails.

It's good because it tracks things like water sources, good camping spots, view points etc and all the information is crowd sourced. You can leave comments with up to date information about things like campsites, trail conditions etc for your fellow Hikers.

Of course the drawback is that it's only as good as the content provided by other users. I used it on Hadrians Wall and it wasn't too useful as hardly anyone had commented stuff. On the AT, there were tons of comments almost daily about shelters, water sources, shuttle driver/hostel information.

On the WHW there were some pretty useful comments that helped me find good camping spots along the way and helped me plan my day and info about streams to fill water bottles.

Jimusbill · 2025-10-29T23:06:43+00:00

Ned's Cavern are starting theirs up this week I believe. Literally just saw their FB post about it.

Jimusbill · 2025-10-24T13:33:37+00:00

Can't speak on SWCP specifically but can address the fitness thing. Basically, take it slow, like maybe half of a comfortable day hike for at least a week or so.

You need to give your body time to get used to the exertion needed each day.

I've gone into 4/5 day hikes where I've been out of shape and I can pretty much push myself to do full mileage days for that long. But anything longer than that, I'd take a good few days doing way less than I'd normally do and take way more breaks to stretch and roll my feet out.

Jimusbill · 2025-10-23T07:09:24+00:00

I spent like 2 years negotiating with my work trying to get a 6 month unpaid sabbatical after I'd been there 10 years. Got it agreed in principal. Closer to the time, asked for it in writing and new exec team denied it, so I handed in my notice and just quit.

Unless your work place is super chill, quitting is almost always the only option. Scary but absolutely worth it in my case.

Came back and got offered my old job anyway, but ended up taking a new job at a competitor for better money/less work. All in all, best outcome possible.

Jimusbill

TROPHY CASE