What to Wear Walking in Ireland (Whatever the Weather)

To walk comfortably in Ireland, dress in thin layers you can add or remove, and always carry a waterproof jacket, whatever the forecast says. Add walking boots or sturdy shoes with good grip, wool or synthetic socks (never cotton), a warm hat and gloves outside of summer, and a small rucksack for the layers you’re not wearing.

That’s the short answer. Below we explain why Irish weather calls for this approach, what to wear in each season, and a simple kit list for short walks and full hill days.

Why Irish weather needs its own approach

Ireland rarely gets extreme heat or cold, but it does get a lot of changeable, wet and windy weather. According to Met Éireann, most of the east of the country gets about 750–1,000 mm of rain a year, the west gets around 1,000–1,400 mm, and many mountain areas get more than 2,000 mm. December is usually the wettest month, while April and May tend to be the driest.

Temperatures are mild. Met Éireann notes that summer daytime highs inland are typically around 18–20°C and winter highs around 8°C. But wind makes a big difference. Prevailing winds come from the south and west, and exposed coasts and hilltops can feel several degrees colder than the valley you started in.

In practice, this means you can start a walk in sunshine and be in rain, wind and cloud an hour later, especially in the hills of Kerry, Connemara, Mayo and Donegal. The right clothing isn’t about expensive gear. It’s about being able to adapt.

The layering system, explained simply

Mountaineering Ireland advises wearing several thin layers rather than one bulky one. Each layer has a job:

1. Base layer: keep sweat off your skin

A thin top in merino wool or a synthetic fabric such as polyester or polypropylene. These move moisture away from your skin and keep you warm even when damp. Avoid cotton. Cotton T-shirts and jeans soak up sweat and rain, take ages to dry and make you cold. Mountaineering Ireland specifically warns against cotton and jeans for hillwalking.

2. Mid layer: warmth

A fleece or light insulated jacket. On most Irish walks this is the layer you’ll be taking off and putting on most often. In winter, or on high ground, carry a spare warm layer in your bag as well.

3. Outer layer: wind and rain protection

A waterproof, windproof jacket with a hood, plus waterproof overtrousers. Carry them on every walk, even if it’s sunny when you leave.

The HSE’s advice for keeping warm makes the same point in everyday terms: a few light layers keep you warmer than one heavy layer.

Choosing a waterproof jacket

A good waterproof jacket is the single most important piece of kit for walking in Ireland. A few things to look for:

• Breathable membrane. Mountaineering Ireland recommends breathable waterproofs for active walking, as non-breathable jackets leave you damp inside from sweat. Bear in mind that breathability drops when the fabric is wet or dirty, so no jacket is perfect.
• A hood that fits and can be adjusted, so it turns with your head and doesn’t blow off.
• Pit zips or vents to let heat out on climbs.
• Pockets you can reach while wearing a rucksack.
• Taped seams. Without them, water will come through the stitching.

Soft-shell jackets are great for wind and light showers, but they are not fully waterproof, so on a proper hill day carry a hard-shell waterproof too. Re-proof your jacket regularly with a wash-in or spray-on treatment to keep it working.

Waterproof overtrousers are often forgotten, but wet legs in a cold wind are miserable. Look for ones with long side zips so you can pull them on over your boots.

Footwear and socks

Irish trails are often wet, muddy and uneven, even in summer. Sport Ireland’s advice is a good rule of thumb:

• Easy walks on good paths: running shoes or trainers are usually fine.
• Moderate walks: strong walking shoes or boots.
• Strenuous and hill walks: waterproof walking boots with ankle support and a stiff sole that grips well.

Mountaineering Ireland notes that leather boots are the most popular choice for hillwalking, while fabric boots are lighter and dry faster but give less support. Try boots on in the afternoon when your feet are slightly swollen, wear the socks you’ll walk in, and break new boots in gradually on short walks before a big day.

Socks matter as much as boots. Choose wool or synthetic walking socks. If you’re prone to blisters, a thin liner sock underneath can help. Gaiters are useful in boggy or heathery ground, which you’ll find on many Irish hills.

What to wear walking in Ireland, season by season

Seasonal clothing at a glance

Spring (Mar–May)	Base layer, fleece, waterproof jacket, light hat and gloves. Often among the driest months, but still changeable.
Summer (Jun–Aug)	Light base layer, thin fleece in your bag, waterproof jacket, sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Midges and ticks in some areas.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)	As spring, plus warmer gloves and a spare layer. Shorter days, so carry a torch.
Winter (Dec–Feb)	Warm base layer, thick fleece or insulated jacket, full waterproofs, hat, gloves, buff. Wettest months and short daylight.

Spring

Spring often brings some of the driest spells of the year, along with sharp showers, cold winds and the odd hail shower. A base layer, a fleece and a waterproof will cover most days. Keep a light hat and gloves in your bag for hilltops.

Summer

Summer walking in Ireland is usually comfortable rather than hot. Even so, the HSE advises that UV levels are strongest from April to September, especially between 11am and 3pm, and that you can burn on cloudy days. Wear a hat, sunglasses and at least SPF 30 sunscreen. Lightweight walking trousers are better than shorts in long grass and bracken, as they help protect you from ticks.

Autumn

Autumn colours make it a great season for walking, but days shorten fast. Add a warmer mid layer, gloves and a head torch, and plan to finish well before dark.

Winter

Winter walking in Ireland is mostly about staying dry and warm in wind and rain, with occasional frost and snow on high ground. Wear a warm base layer, a thicker fleece or insulated jacket, full waterproofs, a hat and gloves, and carry a spare warm layer. For more on staying active through the darker months, read our guide to walking through the Irish winter.

Your kit list

Short walk (up to about 8 km, low level)

Based on Mountaineering Ireland’s advice for shorter walks:

• Sturdy shoes or light boots
• A warm layer
• Waterproof jacket
• Warm hat (or sun hat in summer) and sunscreen
• Phone (charged) and a map of the route
• Water and a snack

Hill walk or full day out

Mountaineering Ireland’s hillwalking kit list includes:

• Walking boots, wool or synthetic socks, gaiters
• Waterproof jacket and overtrousers
• Walking trousers (not jeans), base layer, fleece and a spare warm layer
• Hat and gloves
• Rucksack with a waterproof liner
• Food, water and emergency snacks
• Map and compass, and the skills to use them
• Whistle, head torch and a small first aid kit
• Survival bag or blanket
• Charged phone

It sounds like a lot, but most of it packs into a 20–30 litre daypack. If you’re building up to longer days on the hills, our 8-week training plan for a long walk will help you get your body ready as well as your kit.

Choosing a rucksack

For day walks, a 20–30 litre rucksack is plenty. It should hold your spare layers, waterproofs, food and water without being stuffed. Look for:

• A padded hip belt and chest strap, which take weight off your shoulders and stop the bag swinging on rough ground.
• A back system that fits your torso length. Try it on in the shop with some weight inside.
• A waterproof liner or dry bags. Mountaineering Ireland recommends a rucksack liner, because most rucksacks are not fully waterproof, and rain covers can blow off in strong wind. A heavy-duty bin bag works as a cheap liner.
• Side pockets for a water bottle, and a lid pocket for snacks, phone and map.

Common mistakes to avoid

Most problems on Irish walks come from a handful of simple mistakes:

• Trusting a sunny morning. Weather can change in an hour. Pack your waterproof anyway.
• Wearing cotton. A cotton hoodie or jeans that get wet will chill you quickly, especially in wind.
• New boots on a long walk. Break them in on short walks first, or you’ll pay for it in blisters.
• No spare warm layer. When you stop for lunch on a hilltop, you cool down fast. A spare fleece or light insulated jacket makes stops much more pleasant.
• Forgetting about daylight. From October to March, plan to finish well before sunset and carry a head torch.
• Relying only on your phone. Batteries drain quickly in the cold, and coverage is patchy in many mountain areas. Carry a map and keep your phone charged for emergencies.

Do you need expensive gear?

No. For low-level walks, you can start with what you have, as long as you avoid cotton and carry a basic waterproof. If you begin walking more often, spend your money in this order: a good waterproof jacket, comfortable boots that fit well, then wool or synthetic layers. Secondhand outdoor shops, end-of-season sales and walking club swaps are good ways to build a kit without spending a fortune. Look after what you buy: wash and re-proof waterproofs, clean and dry boots slowly away from direct heat, and they’ll last for years.

Ticks, sun and cold: small things that matter

• Ticks: the HSE advises covering your skin in long grass and bracken, tucking trousers into socks, using insect repellent and checking yourself, children and pets after walks. If you find a tick, remove it carefully with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick remover, close to the skin. See the HSE’s Lyme disease advice for symptoms to watch for.
• Sun: you can burn in Ireland even when it’s cloudy. Use sunscreen and a hat from spring to autumn.
• Cold: hypothermia can happen even in mild weather if you’re wet and in the wind. The HSE lists warning signs such as shivering, pale skin, slurred speech and confusion. If you or someone with you shows these signs, get them sheltered, dry and warm, and call 112 or 999 if needed.

Frequently asked questions