Bushcraft in Wet Weather: Staying Comfortable in UK Rain

Rain in the UK isn’t unusual — sometimes it feels like it just settles in for weeks.

It’s easy to stay indoors when the weather turns, but learning to manage wet conditions is one of the most useful outdoor skills you can build. Dry, sunny woodland is enjoyable. Wet woodland teaches you what really works.

This is what I’ve found makes the biggest difference.

Accept You’ll Get Damp

The goal isn’t staying perfectly dry.

The goal is staying functional, warm, and comfortable enough to think clearly.

That mindset shift changes everything. Once you stop fighting the weather and start managing it, your decisions improve.

Start With Your Feet

Wet feet destroy morale quickly.

A solid pair of waterproof boots buys you time in steady rain, but they’re only part of the system.

What really helps:

  • Spare socks

  • A small micro towel

  • Letting your feet air when you stop

Changing into dry socks at the right time can completely reset your comfort level.

Manage Your Upper Body Properly

In heavy rain I use:

  • A waterproofed smock

  • Waterproof trousers

  • A poncho when needed

A poncho works well in woodland because it covers more surface area and offers better ventilation than some jackets. It also helps protect your rucksack from direct rain.

Reproofing gear regularly makes a noticeable difference. Wet conditions highlight poor maintenance quickly.

Get a Tarp Up Early

If it’s consistently raining, I don’t wait.

A simple 10×10 tarp creates:

  • A dry working space

  • Shelter for cooking

  • A place to sort gear

  • Protection while setting up camp

I also carry a small ground tarp so I’m not placing equipment directly onto soaked woodland floor.

If staying longer, a hammock system with an integrated tarp makes life easier. The Skynest (from Travelbird) setup is useful because it combines sleep and cover in one structure.

Creating a dry zone changes everything psychologically.

Protect the Inside of Your Pack

Water doesn’t just fall from above — it creeps in everywhere.

I use:

  • A rucksack cover

  • Internal dry bags

  • Separate wet and dry storage

Wet insulation or sleeping gear becomes a real problem. Prevention is always easier than recovery.

Fire in the Rain – Practical Over Heroic

Starting a fire in steady rain isn’t about proving anything.

It’s about preparation.

What matters:

  • Keep your fire kit waterproofed

  • Carry dependable tinder

  • Work under tarp cover

  • Prepare more kindling than you think you need

If conditions are poor, I’ll happily use a stove instead of battling soaked wood. A simple meths stove is reliable and reduces frustration.

Forest Fundamentals fire kits are solid because they focus on dependable ignition rather than gimmicks. In wet conditions, reliability matters more than anything else.

https://forestfundamentals.com/?ref=prepper_in_the_woods

Small Comfort Items That Matter

These aren’t dramatic, but they help:

  • Micro towel

  • Spare socks

  • Sit mat

  • Dry gloves

  • Organised cordage

  • A hot drink early

Comfort isn’t weakness. It’s what keeps you thinking clearly.

Final Thoughts

Rain exposes weak systems quickly.

It shows:

  • What leaks

  • What’s unnecessary

  • What genuinely earns its place

You don’t need extreme survival scenarios to learn. Consistent wet woodland in the UK is more than enough to test your setup.

If you can stay functional and comfortable in steady rain, you’re building real outdoor capability.

Most of the gear I use follows the same thinking outlined in my Woods Gear Kit page.