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Best walked-up grouse shooting kit: seven proven essentials
Seven pieces of walked-up grouse shooting kit chosen for reliability and low weight on the hill, from a hand-made cartridge belt to custom-moulded earplugs. Picked on editorial judgement rather than a comparative test, and aimed at anyone facing long days on rough moorland ground
Walking-up puts you on the hill for hours at a time, which is why the kit has to be light and has to work. Credit: Sarah Farnsworth
Walked-up grouse shooting strips away pretence. You’re on the hill with your gun, your dog and whatever kit you’ve chosen to carry. Everything else is a distant second, which means reliability matters more than anything – there’s no time for failures when you’re miles from base.
Weight counts, too. Every ounce adds up across rough, unforgiving terrain and long days that are mentally and physically draining. The seven products that follow have been chosen because they do what they’re supposed to do, quietly and without fuss. They won’t make you a better shot, but they’ll help ensure that when the moment comes, you’re ready.
They were selected on editorial judgement and manufacturer specification rather than a head-to-head comparative test, and they are not directly comparable with one another: a choke, a cartridge belt and a pair of earplugs solve different problems on the same day out. All prices are RRP at the time of publication and may since have changed.
What should you look for in walked-up grouse kit?
Reliability first, then weight. Walking-up puts you a long way from the vehicle for hours at a time, so anything that jams, chafes, fogs or falls apart has to be carried home broken. Look for materials that are proven rather than novel – bridle hide, cotton canvas and natural rubber, stainless steel, wool tweed – and for fastenings that can be worked with cold, wet hands.
After that it is a question of what you can do without. Cartridges, hearing protection and eye protection are not optional on the hill. A slip that dries out properly and a waistcoat that lets you swing freely will make the difference between a comfortable day and a long one.
Carrying your cartridges and your gun
The two pieces of kit that spend the entire day on you or over your shoulder, and the two most likely to be noticed if they are wrong.
Double row cartridge belt
Crafted from the finest bridle hide with a solid brass buckle, this UK-made belt holds 50 cartridges in timeless style. The ingenious old-fashioned fastening method tucks excess leather inside, eliminating uncomfortable bulges against your jacket. Available across five bore sizes, it’s built for comfort and durability – ideal when walking through tough terrain.
Rosedale canvas shotgun slip
Crafted from 100% cotton canvas laminated with natural rubber for complete waterproofing, this slip combines a traditional flap-and-buckle design with a practical zip for effortless drying. Vegetable-tanned bridle-leather straps, solid brass buckles and hand-sewn muzzle blocking ensure durability. A padded fleece lining and leather shoulder sling complete this essential slip for 30in to 32in barrels.
Chokes and cartridges for grouse over the hill
Grouse are taken fast and often close, and the load and constriction you choose are the two variables you can still change on the morning of the shoot.
Long 12-bore extended choke
Precision-engineered from aerospace-grade stainless steel, this extended thin-wall choke measures 8.02cm, weighs just 18g, and features field-tested constriction dimensions matched to 18.5mm bore specifications. The elongated 1.01cm tapered section optimises shot column transition for superior pattern density. The hand-changeable knurled design eliminates tool dependency. CNC-manufactured in England.
Professional Game cartridges
The Professional Game is a masterpiece of Anglo-Italian creation offering a traditional British design with Italian power performance in the field. This 2½in (65mm) cartridge offers a smooth recoil performance load that a shooter can have confidence in across a wide range of quarry. Ideal for any traditional shooter, this cartridge is available in 28g and 30g No 5, No 6 and No 7 shot. Blueshot non-lead cartridges will be available this year in a 25g load.
Protecting your hearing and your eyes on the hill
Neither of these is a comfort item. Hearing damage does not come back, and a day of glare and wind on an exposed moor is hard work for the eyes long before anything gets shot at.
ProFlex passive custom-made earplugs
Custom-moulded passive earplugs delivering precision fit and unbeatable comfort. Engineered for future upgradeability – retrofit the digital electronic module whenever you choose, spreading investment costs. Fully customisable colours and branding options allow personalised aesthetic appeal. An intelligent, scalable hearing protection solution designed for evolving shooter requirements.
Carmel sunglasses
Matte black frames with brown polarised lenses deliver Class 1 optical precision and UV400 protection. The lightweight TR90 nylon construction with non-slip temples ensures secure, all-day comfort. Full wrap-around design blocks glare, wind and harmful rays. Impact-resistant, shatterproof lenses safeguard vision. Complete with carry pouch, cleaning cloth, hard case and polarised test card.
What to wear over your shirt on a walked-up day
Walking-up is warm work even in poor weather, and a waistcoat gives you pockets and a windproof front without tying up your arms.
Combrook men’s tweed waistcoat
Engineered for the shooting field, this 100% wool tweed waistcoat combines classic aesthetics with practical functionality. The water-repellent outer and soft suede shoulder patches ensure durability and style. Spacious gusseted pockets and an internal pocket offer secure storage. Unhindered movement and the contrast-lined design provide comfort and elegance over any jumper.
Frequently asked questions
What kit do you need for walked-up grouse shooting?
A gun and cartridges, a way of carrying both, hearing protection, eye protection and clothing you can walk and swing in. Because you are miles from base for hours at a time, everything has to be reliable and as light as you can make it: a cartridge belt or bag, a slip for the gun, earplugs, glasses and a waistcoat or jacket that does not restrict your movement.
How many cartridges should you carry walked-up?
A traditional double row cartridge belt of the sort shown here holds 50, which is a sensible working load for a walked-up day and avoids carrying more weight than you need over rough ground. Fine Shooting Accessories makes its belt in five bore sizes.
What shot size should you use for grouse?
Shooting Star’s Professional Game load is offered in 28g and 30g in No 5, No 6 and No 7 shot, which covers the usual range for grouse and other traditional game quarry. It is a 2½in (65mm) cartridge with a smooth recoil, and the maker says a non-lead Blueshot version will follow this year in a 25g load.
Do you need hearing protection for walked-up grouse shooting?
Yes. Custom-moulded plugs such as the CENS ProFlex are made to the shape of your own ear, so they seal properly and stay comfortable across a long day. The ProFlex is passive but can be retrofitted with a digital electronic module later, which spreads the cost if you want electronic protection eventually.
Are shooting glasses worth wearing on the moor?
They are, for glare and wind as much as for safety. Evolution’s Carmel offers Class 1 optical precision, UV400 protection and impact-resistant, shatterproof lenses in a full wrap-around frame, which blocks the side wind that makes eyes stream on an exposed hill.
How much does walked-up grouse kit cost?
The seven items here run from £29.95 for the Evolution Carmel sunglasses to £412 per 1,000 for Shooting Star’s Professional Game cartridges, with the Teague choke at £63, the CENS earplugs from £99, the Alan Paine waistcoat at £219.95, the Croots slip at £264 and the Fine Shooting Accessories belt from £295. All figures are RRP at the time of publication.
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