There is a particular kind of British woodland walk that starts well and ends with wet feet, a flushed face and a child who has decided they are "never doing this again". The difference between a glorious muddy ramble and a miserable one is almost never the weather. It is the kit. Get the layers and the footwear right and a drizzly February path through beech woods becomes one of the best afternoons of the month.

Start with your feet, because that is where it all goes wrong

Trainers are the single most common mistake. Once a path has been churned by a few dozen walkers it turns into a trench of cold, greasy mud, and mesh uppers soak through in minutes. What you want is a waterproof walking boot or a wellington boot with a proper grippy sole.

• Walking boots are better for anything over an hour, or on roots, stones and slippery boardwalks. Look for a waterproof membrane, a deep tread and enough ankle support to stop you rolling on uneven ground.
• Wellies are unbeatable for shallow streams, deep puddles and children who cannot resist either. Choose ones with a decent lugged sole rather than smooth rubber, which slides on wet clay. Add a warm insole — wellies have no insulation.
• Socks matter as much as the boot. Wool or wool-blend socks stay warm when damp. Cotton socks hold water against the skin and are the fastest route to cold, blistered feet.
• Bring spare socks and a plastic bag in the car. Dry socks after a walk feel like a small miracle.

Layers that breathe rather than boil

Woodland walking is stop-start. You warm up quickly on a climb, then cool down fast when you pause to look at a deer or untangle a dog. The answer is three thin layers rather than one thick one, so you can shed and add as you go.

• Base layer: a synthetic or merino long-sleeve top. Avoid cotton T-shirts, which chill you once damp.
• Mid layer: a light fleece or thin insulated jacket for warmth.
• Outer layer: a waterproof shell with taped seams and a hood that stays up in wind. Breathable fabric is worth the money when you are working hard uphill in the rain.
• Legs: quick-drying walking trousers, ideally with a reinforced knee. Never jeans — they soak up water, go heavy and stay cold for hours.

In summer, swap the mid layer for a light long-sleeve shirt. It keeps brambles, nettles and midges off your arms, and it dries in minutes.

The light rucksack: what earns its place

A 15 to 20 litre rucksack is plenty for a half-day family walk, and it should sit close to your back rather than swinging about. Line it with a dry bag or a large food bag, because a leaky flask will find your spare jumper eventually.

• A flask of something hot, plus water bottles for everyone.
• Snacks with a bit of substance — oatcakes, flapjack, fruit, a few squares of chocolate.
• A paper map or a charged phone with an offline map, and a compass if you are heading somewhere unfamiliar. Woodland tracks all look alike once the light drops.
• A small first-aid kit: plasters, blister plasters, antiseptic wipes, tick tweezers.
• A torch or head torch in autumn and winter. Dusk arrives under the canopy far earlier than the forecast suggests.
• A bin bag for muddy boots and wet outer layers on the way home.

Small details that make a real difference

A hat and thin gloves weigh almost nothing and transform a cold, windy ridge walk. A neck gaiter is more useful than a scarf because it does not trail through the mud. Suncream and a cap belong in the bag from April onwards, even on grey days.

If you are walking near streams, remember that a "small paddle" rarely stays small. Cropped leggings, a rolled-up pair of trousers or a pair of quick-drying shorts are far more sensible than anything you would mind soaking.

Dressing children for mud

Children feel the cold faster than adults and are considerably less interested in staying clean. Full waterproof dungarees or an all-in-one suit over normal clothes is the simplest solution for under-sevens, paired with wellies and a warm hat. Older children do well in the same layering system as you, with a spare pair of gloves in the bag.

• Label everything, or accept that one glove will not come home.
• Give each child their own small rucksack with a snack and a whistle.
• Take a towel in the car. It will be used.

Before you set off, and once you are home

Check the forecast, but treat it as a hint rather than a promise. British woodland weather turns quickly, so assume a shower will arrive at some point and dress for that rather than for the sunny ten minutes at the start.

Afterwards, rinse mud off boots with cold water and let them dry away from a radiator, stuff them with newspaper if they are soaked, and hang your shell up to dry fully before it goes back in the cupboard. Wash socks inside out. Then put the kettle on, and start planning the next one.