Simply Hike: A UK Online Shop for Walking Boots, Outdoor Clothing and Camping Gear
There are two types of British weather forecast.
The first says it will rain.
The second says it probably won’t rain, which is generally when you should become particularly suspicious.
For walkers, campers and outdoor enthusiasts, having the right equipment therefore matters rather more than simply looking suitably adventurous in photographs.
That is where Simply Hike comes in.
Simply Hike is a specialist British outdoor retailer selling walking boots, hiking clothing, waterproof jackets, tents, camping equipment, sleeping bags, rucksacks and skiwear. The business launched in 2006 and has spent two decades building its range around hiking, camping and outdoor pursuits.
Its current brand directory includes familiar outdoor names such as The North Face, Salomon, Jack Wolfskin, Merrell, Montane, Vango, Trangia, Outwell and Helly Hansen, alongside numerous other footwear, clothing and equipment manufacturers.
So, if your idea of UK online shopping involves waterproof trousers, walking boots and a tent rather than sofas and perfume, Simply Hike is one UK online shop worth investigating.
👉 Visit Simply Hike and browse walking boots, outdoor clothing, tents and camping gear
What Is Simply Hike?
Simply Hike launched in 2006 and says it rapidly established itself within the hiking, walking and camping market. In 2017, it expanded into skiwear for women, men and children, broadening the business from a hiking specialist into a more general outdoor retailer.
The company previously operated a physical store in Reading, but that shop has now closed. Simply Hike says it is currently based in rural Lincolnshire, close to the Lincolnshire Wolds, with customer advice provided online and by telephone.
That specialist background is useful because outdoor equipment can become surprisingly technical.
You begin by thinking:
“I need a coat.”
Then you discover:
waterproof ratings,
breathability,
insulation,
shell construction,
layering,
and an alarming number of zips whose functions you are now expected to understand.
Welcome to hiking.
What Does Simply Hike Sell?
The current store covers several major outdoor categories, including:
- Men’s and women’s outdoor clothing
- Walking boots and trail shoes
- Sandals and wellington boots
- Tents
- Sleeping bags and camping mats
- Camping furniture
- Cooking equipment
- Outdoor lighting
- Rucksacks
- Men’s, women’s and children’s skiwear
- Ski goggles and helmets
- Ski accessories
Its footwear department alone includes walking boots, trail shoes, sandals, wellies, socks, gaiters, insoles and shoe-care products.
This makes Simply Hike useful whether you’re planning a serious hill walk or simply attempting to survive a weekend campsite where the phrase “light showers” has proved wildly optimistic.
Walking Boots at Simply Hike
Walking footwear is one of the store’s most natural strengths.
Simply Hike currently sells dedicated men’s and women’s walking boots, alongside trail shoes, outdoor sandals and wellington boots.
Walking Boots or Walking Shoes?
The right answer depends on where you’re going.
Traditional walking boots can provide greater ankle coverage and are often chosen for rougher ground, long-distance hiking and carrying heavier packs. Simply Hike’s own walking-footwear guidance highlights boots for hiking, scrambling and rough terrain.
Trail or walking shoes can feel lighter and more flexible, making them attractive for less demanding paths or walkers who simply prefer lower footwear.
Neither option is automatically superior.
A Sunday woodland walk and a wet mountain hike are asking rather different questions of your feet.
Break New Boots In
Simply Hike’s hiking guidance recommends breaking new walking boots in before attempting a lengthy walk.
This remains excellent advice.
A 15-mile hike is a poor environment in which to discover that your left boot and left heel have declared war on one another.
Wear new footwear on shorter walks first.
Your feet will appreciate the diplomatic effort.
Waterproof Jackets and Outdoor Clothing
Simply Hike’s current clothing range includes waterproof jackets, insulated jackets, down jackets, fleeces, base layers, trousers, waterproof trousers, hats and gloves.
Why Layering Matters
Rather than relying on one enormous coat for every condition, outdoor clothing often works best as a system.
A typical setup might involve:
a moisture-managing base layer,
a fleece or insulating middle layer,
and a waterproof outer shell.
This gives you more control as weather and activity levels change.
Cold?
Add a layer.
Too warm?
Remove one.
Sudden horizontal rain?
Welcome to Britain. Put the shell back on.
Waterproof Does Not Always Mean the Same Thing
When comparing waterproof jackets online, look beyond the word waterproof.
Useful factors can include:
- Waterproof construction
- Breathability
- Hood design
- Sealed seams
- Ventilation
- Pocket layout
- Intended activity
A jacket designed for casual rainy walks may not be the one you want for exposed mountain conditions.
Read the technical specification rather than relying entirely on how convincingly windswept the model looks.
Outdoor Brands at Simply Hike
Brand choice is one of the retailer’s strongest attractions.
The current Simply Hike directory includes names such as:
Adidas Terrex, Columbia, Didriksons, Garmont, Gregory, Helly Hansen, Inov-8, Jack Wolfskin, Keen, Merrell, Montane, Mountain Hardwear, Outwell, Salewa, Salomon, The North Face, Trangia and Vango.
Why Shop Through a Multi-Brand Outdoor Retailer?
Because it makes comparison easier.
You can compare different manufacturers according to:
fit,
features,
weight,
price,
and intended use
without visiting a separate website for every brand.
That is one of the main advantages of specialist UK online shopping.
The internet can accommodate far more boots than your local shop has shelves.
Tents for Camping and Backpacking
Camping is another substantial part of the store.
Simply Hike currently divides tents into categories including:
- 2-person tents
- 3-person tents
- 4-person tents
- 5-person tents
- 6-person tents
- 8-person tents
- Backpacking tents
- Family tents
- Mountain tents
- Touring tents
- Hammocks and tree tents
It also carries footprints, carpets, pegs and related accessories.
Which Tent Size Should You Buy?
Tent capacity deserves slightly sceptical interpretation.
A “four-person tent” may technically accommodate four sleeping humans.
Whether those four humans would still be speaking to one another after a rainy week is another matter.
For car camping and family holidays, extra living and storage space can be extremely valuable.
Backpackers have the opposite problem.
Every extra gram eventually ends up on your back.
So the ideal tent depends enormously on how you intend to travel.
Sleeping Bags and Camping Mats
Simply Hike’s current sleeping category includes 2-season, 3-season and 4-season sleeping bags, plus double bags, children’s bags, lightweight options, air beds, mats, pillows and pumps.
👉 Visit Simply Hike and browse walking boots, outdoor clothing, tents and camping gear
What Do Sleeping-Bag Seasons Mean?
Season ratings broadly indicate the conditions for which a sleeping bag is intended.
A lightweight summer bag is very different from something designed around much colder camping.
But seasonal labels should only be the starting point.
When comparing bags, also check the manufacturer’s temperature information and think about:
where you’re camping,
what time of year,
whether you sleep warm or cold,
and what insulating mat you’ll use underneath.
Because discovering at 2:14am that you bought the optimistic sleeping bag is a memorable educational experience.
Camping Cooking Equipment
Simply Hike also stocks outdoor equipment from cooking brands such as Trangia, alongside broader camping manufacturers including Vango and Outwell.
Camping cooking equipment can range from compact backpacking stoves to larger family-campsite setups.
Backpacking or Campsite Cooking?
Backpacking equipment prioritises:
low weight,
small packed size,
and efficiency.
Family camping allows considerably more luxury.
Pots.
Tables.
Proper mugs.
Perhaps even a frying pan that resembles one from an actual kitchen.
Both are camping.
Only one requires you to consider whether a toothbrush handle could reasonably be shortened to save four grams.
Rucksacks and Outdoor Packs
Rucksacks are another core part of outdoor equipment.
Simply Hike currently sells rucksacks as part of its main hiking range, with brands such as Gregory represented in its directory.
Choosing a Rucksack
Useful factors include:
- Capacity
- Back length
- Harness adjustment
- Hip belt
- Weight
- Hydration compatibility
- Rain protection
- Pocket layout
A small daypack may be perfect for a few hours outdoors.
A longer trek involving sleeping equipment, food and spare clothing requires something considerably more substantial.
Do not simply buy the largest backpack available.
You will fill it.
Human nature appears incapable of leaving unused bag space alone.
Skiwear at Simply Hike
Simply Hike expanded into skiwear in 2017, and the current website maintains separate ranges for men, women and children alongside ski bags, goggles, helmets and accessories.
That makes the retailer relevant outside the traditional UK walking season.
What Should You Look for in Ski Clothing?
Ski clothing needs to balance:
weather protection,
warmth,
mobility,
and breathability.
Layering again matters.
A ski jacket is only part of the system.
Base layers, gloves, appropriate trousers, socks and eye protection all contribute to comfort.
And if you’re a beginner, remember one final piece of technical advice:
snow is cold when you sit in it.
You may discover this repeatedly.
Simply Hike Advice and Guides
One of the more useful features of the store is its library of outdoor advice.
Simply Hike says customer guidance is available by phone, while the website includes blogs and guide videos.
Existing guides cover subjects such as:
- Choosing walking boots
- What to wear hiking
- Camping equipment
- Product reviews
- Outdoor advice
Why Specialist Advice Helps
Outdoor equipment involves lots of trade-offs.
A very lightweight product may sacrifice durability.
A heavily insulated jacket may be too warm during strenuous activity.
A highly supportive boot may feel unnecessary on easy trails.
There is rarely one perfect piece of equipment.
The correct question is usually:
perfect for what?
Simply Hike Review: Our Impressions from Research
Here comes the important disclaimer.
This is not a hands-on Simply Hike review.
We haven’t personally ordered walking boots, pitched one of its tents or tested the current delivery service ourselves.
So we aren’t going to invent a five-star verdict.
What we can assess is:
- Company history
- Current product range
- Brand selection
- Customer support
- Delivery
- Returns
- Independent customer feedback
And there are both positives and cautions worth noting.
The Product Range Is Broad
The strongest part of Simply Hike is its outdoor focus.
Walking footwear, clothing, tents, sleeping equipment and skiwear all sit naturally together, while a long list of established brands gives shoppers plenty to compare.
👉 Visit Simply Hike and browse walking boots, outdoor clothing, tents and camping gear
Twenty Years in the Market Provides Useful Context
Simply Hike launched in 2006, so it has a lengthy history as an outdoor retailer.
The physical Reading store has closed, however, and the business now operates online from Lincolnshire.
That distinction is worth knowing if you remember the retailer from its earlier high-street presence.
What Do Simply Hike Customers Say?
This is an area where the current picture deserves careful explanation.
At the time checked, Simply Hike’s Trustpilot page contained 1,889 reviews, of which 90% were historically five-star. However, the current overall TrustScore was only 2.1/5 (“Poor”), and just four reviews had been posted within the preceding 12 months.
That unusual combination suggests the large historic review base does not necessarily represent the company’s recent customer experience.
The current Trustpilot page also says Simply Hike replies to negative reviews and typically responds within 24 hours.
For that reason, I would recommend reading the newest reviews specifically rather than relying on either the historic five-star percentage or the headline TrustScore alone.
This is exactly why review-style research should include context rather than simply writing:
“Customers love them!”
when the current evidence is more complicated.
Simply Hike UK Delivery
Simply Hike currently offers free tracked standard delivery on UK-mainland orders over £15. Orders below £15 currently cost £2.95 to deliver. Standard delivery is quoted at around 2–5 working days.
The retailer says it normally aims to dispatch standard orders placed before 3pm Monday to Friday on the same day, although delays can occur during busy periods or poor weather.
At the time of checking, its usual Next Working Day option was marked currently unavailable, while a Saturday service was listed at £15 for qualifying mainland addresses.
Always check the live delivery page before ordering, particularly because temporary operational notices can affect dispatch.
Simply Hike Returns
Simply Hike’s current returns page states that products can be returned for any reason within 14 days from the date of dispatch, provided they are unused, in as-new condition and retain their packaging and labels. Customers normally pay return postage for unwanted goods.
The retailer says refunds are usually processed within about a week after the return is received, although customers should allow up to 14 days during busier periods.
Trying on Walking Boots
Be particularly careful with footwear.
Try boots indoors on a clean surface.
Wear the type of walking socks you intend to use.
Check heel movement and toe space.
Do not test them with a six-mile muddy walk before deciding whether you’d like to return them.
Once your new boots have acquired half the Peak District, the phrase “as-new condition” becomes difficult to defend.
Who Might Enjoy Shopping at Simply Hike?
Simply Hike could be particularly useful if you’re looking for:
- Walking boots UK
- Hiking clothes
- Waterproof jackets
- Trail shoes
- Camping equipment
- Tents
- Sleeping bags
- Rucksacks
- Skiwear
- Outdoor brands
- Hiking gear online
- A specialist UK online outdoor shop
It is particularly worth browsing if you prefer comparing several well-known outdoor brands in one place rather than visiting individual manufacturer websites.
Simply Hike and UK Online Shopping for Outdoor Gear
Outdoor equipment is extremely well suited to UK online shopping.
Specifications matter.
Sizes matter.
Weight matters.
Features matter.
And comparison is much easier when you can open several products side by side rather than walking repeatedly between displays.
Simply Hike combines that ecommerce convenience with a specialist history dating back to 2006, established brand ranges and educational outdoor content.
The main thing is to shop intelligently.
Compare specifications.
Check sizing.
Read the current delivery information.
And, given the mixed recent review picture, look at recent customer experiences before committing to a particularly expensive order.
Is Simply Hike Worth a Look?
Based on our research, Simply Hike is certainly worth browsing if you’re comparing walking, camping or ski equipment — particularly because of its broad brand selection and specialist outdoor catalogue.
We cannot personally give Simply Hike a five-star rating because we have not ordered from the current business ourselves.
There are several positives:
Simply Hike has operated since 2006.
Its current range covers walking footwear, outdoor clothing, camping and skiwear.
It stocks established names including Salomon, Merrell, Montane, Jack Wolfskin, The North Face, Vango and Trangia.
Standard mainland UK delivery is currently free above £15.
However, the recent independent-review picture is mixed, and the current Trustpilot score is notably weaker than the site’s large historic body of positive feedback.
So this is one retailer where comparing products and checking the latest service feedback is sensible.
Ready to Explore Simply Hike?
Perhaps your walking boots have finally reached the point where water enters more quickly than your feet do.
Maybe you’re planning your first camping trip.
Perhaps a proper waterproof jacket has become unavoidable.
Or maybe somebody suggested a “gentle Sunday hike” and you have subsequently discovered their definition of gentle involves 900 metres of ascent.
Preparation helps.
👉 Visit Simply Hike and browse walking boots, outdoor clothing, tents and camping gear
Compare the brands.
Check the fit.
Read the specifications.
Look at current delivery information and recent customer feedback.
Then get outside.
Because excellent hiking equipment cannot guarantee sunshine.
But in Britain, planning for the opposite is usually a sensible beginning.