Hut-to-hut hiking sits in a sweet spot between a day walk and full wild camping. You cover serious distance, sleep in proper beds (mostly), and you do not have to carry a tent. The catch is that you still need to carry enough to keep you comfortable across multiple days in changing mountain conditions.
We have done several hut-to-hut routes in the UK and one in the Alps, and the packing approach is broadly the same every time.
The principle: halve it, then halve again
Every hut-to-hut packer has a story about the thing they carried the whole way and never touched. The principle is simple: lay out everything you think you need, remove half of it, then look at what is left and cut again. You will still probably have enough.
Aim for a baseweight (pack weight without food and water) of under 8kg for a UK hut route and under 10kg for something more committing abroad. Your back will thank you by day three.
The non-negotiables
Waterproof jacket and trousers. No debate. UK mountains are wet and you will be out in it for hours. Merino wool base layers, they pack small, do not smell after two days of wear, and work in a wide temperature range. Hiking boots that are already broken in. Blisters on day one of a five-day route are miserable.
A lightweight sleeping bag liner. Most huts provide blankets but a liner adds warmth, keeps the bedding clean, and feels more personal. Earplugs. Hut dormitories contain snorers.
What to skip
Full-size toiletries. Deodorant wipes are your friend. A full change of clothes for every day. You do not need it. Two sets of hiking clothes, one on you and one drying, is enough. A heavy camera if your phone shoots well. The weight trade-off is rarely worth it on a long route.
Food and water
Most UK hut routes have water available at each stop. Carry enough for the day and refill. A filter like a Sawyer Squeeze means you can top up from streams if needed without worry. For food, a good lunch from the previous hut or a packed lunch from home at the start, plus trail snacks to keep you moving between stops.
UK routes worth considering
The Pennine Way has Mountain Rescue posts and village pubs for overnight stops along much of its length. The West Highland Way in Scotland has bunkhouses and small hotels along the route. The Cape Wrath Trail is more committing but has a handful of bothies. Any of these work well as a first hut-to-hut experience in the UK.