The most important question: What is absolutely necessary to take along on the trip? In this guide you will learn which outdoor equipment is indispensable and should be on your checklist.
You will learn the Must-haves for your outdoor adventure by means of different overnight accommodations and multi-day tours. It makes a big difference whether you sleep in a hostel or in your own tent during a multi-day hike.
You learn the individual items of the packing list and receive a packing list so that nothing is missing on your hike.
In addition, you get in this blog post the best Tips & Tricks for your adventure. So you are prepared for all eventualities. Are you ready?
An important note right at the beginning: If you have to carry everything yourself, it doesn't make any difference if you are on the road for 3 or 7 days. You'll see, your backpack will fill up pretty quickly and hiking is half the fun if you feel like a pack mule.
All products at a glance: Must-haves for hiking
The Big 4
The goal of ultralight backpacking and bike backpacking is to make the Reduce the weight of the equipment, without sacrificing comfort and safety.
You can usually reduce the weight of your equipment the most, if you focus on the four heaviest items of your equipment, the so-called Big 4.
These include:
- Backpack
- Tent, Tarp and hammock
- Sleeping bag
- Camping mat
Backpack
Use a lightweight and waterproof Hiking backpack. In addition, the material of the backpack should be tearproof be. There are many cheap, lighter backpacks, but they wear out quickly with friction and open up especially at the seams.
At Backpack you should not saveas it will cover all youroutdoor equipment and should sit comfortably and painlessly on your body.
Tent, Tarp and Hammock
If you spend the night outside and prefer the lightest outdoor equipment, you should use aTarp or a hammock use. Meanwhile, there are ultra-light hammocks. In combination with a tarp, they are often even lighter than a tent.
A Tarp you can get from Spring until autumn and if you are hardened, even in winter. You will clearly feel the advantages of a tarp over a tent: it takes up much less space and weighs about a third of a tent.
Clothing
On our ultralight packing list is only what you really need. You can of course increase the number of pieces and adapt to your individual needs. But it is often the case that we take too much with us. Since our blog post is designed for ultra light equipment, it should really only be minimal and the most necessary be:
Especially if you can only take very little with you, it makes sense to think about the luggage in advance:
- Which material?
- How much does it weigh?
- How does it feel during constant use?
- How long does it take to dry?
Underwear
Here it makes sense, Underwear and Merino clothing to wear. The pelvic floor area and thighs are not normally well ventilated. In the area a lot of sweat accumulates and there is a lot of friction. Merino wool perfectly absorbs moisture without immediately smell.
Synthetic fibers have a smooth surface, which is better for bacteria to adhere to, which is why they are more quickly smell.
The worn Underwear from wool can be worn in the evening washed by hand be washed by hand in the evening, while the Clean used for sleeping is used. If your underwear does not dry overnight, you can attach it to your backpack while walking.
In an emergency, simply turn your underpants inside out. If that's not enough, you can pack a third pair of underwear to be on the safe side.
Quantity: 2 x Merino underwear (three if necessary).
Sports bra
Two sports bras are enough also here as a rule completely sufficient. Merino wool or other skin-friendly fabrics like 100 % cotton are in contrast to synthetics optimal for the skin. If you are exposed to friction in combination with sweat every day, your chest and décolleté will thank you.
Quantity: 2 x
Leggings, long woolen underpants
It is not wrong to wear primarily in higher altitudes in spring and autumn along underpants with you. You can also use them as a substitute for sweatpants at the hut and for sleeping.
Quantity: 1 x
T-shirt
With the T-Shirt you can keep it like with the underwear. One you wear during the day and the clean one you use for sleeping. If necessary you wash you wash theMerino shirt by hand from.
Why merino wool and not synthetics?Synthetics start to smell unpleasant very quickly. If you sweat a lot and are out for several days, the smell does not get better. A big advantage of merino wool is the self-cleaning function.
Merino wool is also much more comfortable to wear. Synthetics 'stick' to the skin. Merino cools when it's warm and warms when it's cool.
If you want to know more about the positive properties of merino wool, read our blog post: Merino wool - the high-tech fiber from nature..
Quantity: 2 x
Hiking pants
One quick drying pants you will find in the Softshell pants. She is light and protects you from
- Sun,
- Cold
- and wetness.
This light, loose hiking pants you can roll up. Thus, you also save the shorts. An alternative would be the zip pants.
Quantity: 1 x
Hardshell jacket (rain jacket)
One Hardshell jacket you should almost always have with you. It serves you as Rain and wind protection. Additionally you can use it as Seat pad for wet floor use. In areas where it is very hot and humid, however, you can safely do without a hardshell jacket.
Even if it should rain, it still remains warm. A rain hat is sufficient to keep your head dry. In humid and hot regions would be a long shirt or shirt better suited to additionally protect your skin from the protect your skin from the sun.
Quantity: 1 x
Down jacket
Thin down jackets Are lightweight and do not take up much space. When you wear them in the night not for sleep must wear, they can also as a pillow can be used as a pillow.
Especially in the evening it is usually cool in the mountains. Combined with a long wool shirt or merino sweater, you get an even warmer combo.
Quantity: 1 x
Merino longsleeve
One thin long-sleeved shirt protects you from the cold and, if necessary, from the sun. In the mountains or at altitude is the Sun very strong. At a certain point, sunscreen no longer helps and you get a sunburn.
With odor can be aMerino shirt very easy wash out with water. Since we want to keep the weight as low as possible, a piece of long sleeve shirt is quite enough.
Quantity: 1 x
Thicker fleece jacket or merino jacket
At Eveningwhen it is cooler becomes, a Down jacket is often no longer enough. If you spend the night outdoors, you will freeze with your 'normal' down jacket. Therefore combines down jackets either with a thicker fleece jacket, with amerino jacket or a Primaloft jacket.
Since you have limited space, it's pointless to bring a down jacket that would take up a quarter or even half of your backpack. There is a difference if you are in the mountains or riding a bike and staying in a guesthouse. In the mountains it is highly recommended to have warm clothes with you.
Quantity: 1 x (in the mountains and cold seasons).
Sun or rain hat
Basically, sunny days are extremely positive! However, if the sun in the mountains bangs from the sky, it can also be unpleasant sometimes, with Sunburn and in the worst case sunstroke become Against this helps best a good Sun hat with UV protection. I use a comfortable hat that I can use as a sun hat and rain hat.
Woolen hat
Whether you use a warm headgear depends very much on the weather conditions and the area. In higher altitudes and in the north you should have it with you in any case. In autumn it is quite cold again at night.
Actually, you need them almost always, except in midsummer, when the sun is beating down on your head and you wish to have a cozyMerino cap to wear. A thin merino cap also fits under a climbing helmet, if it should be fresher.
Buffer (scarf)
The advantage of aBuffer is that he as Scarf and as a headband can be used. It does not take much space and can also be worn under the helmet.
Sunglasses
Also the eyes should protected from direct UV radiation should be protected from direct UV radiation. This applies predominantly when hiking, because here you can expect increased sunlight and additional reflection, which can cause long-term damage to the eye.
Snow reflects up to 95 percent of the lightThat's why sunglasses should never be missing on a winter tour.
Socks
Here you should alsoMerino wool socks fall back on. The absorbent fiber binds moisture and wicks it away from the skin. This keeps your skin dry for a long time.
It develops no feeling of wetness as with socks made of cotton, synthetics or normal sheep's wool. Thanks to the great properties of merino wool are enough two pairs of socks for a tour of several days completely enough. If it should then smell unpleasant, you can simply wash them out with water and a little soap.
Quantity: 2 pair
Gloves
Few think about Gloves. But you will need them sooner than you might imagine. Hands are unprotected compared to other parts of the body. Therefore it is recommendednot only for Winter-, but also on Mountain tours always have a pair of gloves with you.
Because just in the mountains it can lead to sudden temperature drops can occur. For via ferrata climbers belong appropriate gloves gloves are a must for via ferrata climbers anyway. They offer Protection from wiresthat protrude from the steel cable and prevent blisters on the hands.
Depending on the area of use is recommended in the mountains even at high temperatures to carry Gloves with light insulation. Especially on tours in high alpine regions, altitude ranges are easily reached in which the temperature is markedly below the summer level in the valley.
Meanwhile, there are light and at the same time warm gloves with which you can even operate your smartphone without taking them off.
Hiking boots
Hiking: Half shoes or real hiking boots. This depends on the one hand on the individual needs and on the other hand on the hiking area. If you cross glaciersyour Hiking boots crampon proof be
Jogging shoes or low shoes are usually not. The disadvantage of low shoes is that the feet tire faster. The ankle has to work more because it is not protected.
Flip flop or sandals
So that the feet some variety have and can also breathe through, you should have a take a second pair of shoes. Especially for hygienic reasons are Flip-flops practical, because you can still use them for showering.
Equipment
Have you always used hiking poles? Then take them with you on your multi-day tour. The lightest hiking poles are made of carbon and can be folded.
If you would like to read up on the subject and whether it makes sense for you,foldable hiking poles to use, you can read in our blog post,Attach hiking poles to your backpack " 4 ways, read all about it.
Headlamp (flashlight)
Not only those who spend the night outdoors or in a tent should have a Headlamp should have a headlamp with them. It can happen that you are hit by the surprised by the darkness because the route was wrongly estimated. If you don't want to take one with you, you can also use your smartphone.
Ultralight gas stove, lighter or igniter
If you spend the night outside and have agas stove with you, one of the most basic points is that the cooking system is easy to use to use. So the Outdoor cooking a breeze and you get your cup of coffee quickly.
The second point is of course the Weight. A lighter Gas stove has a weight of about 200 - 400 grams inclusive small cup or a pot in which to boil the water. On the market there are countless outdoor igniter.
If you want to learn survival skills, you can also take a fire steel*. It is small and fits in every pocket. Please practice beforehand! There is nothing against an old conventional lighter or igniter.
* What is fire steel?
Fire steel or fire iron is made of a high-carbon steel and is a component of the striking lighter. It is used to quickly and easily ignite sparks to make fire.
Tip: To be able to cook even in the rain, it is recommended to use a Windbreak for the gas stove with you.
Titanium cutlery
We give on our packing list explicitlyTitanium cutlery because it is very robust and at the same time incredible light is. Titanium is hard and at the same time has a low density. These advantages make titanium cutlery clearly the winner over other products.
It is a material you can rely on. High quality plastic might be an alternative. But plastic still can't match the hardness and durability of titanium, and secondly, it's, well, plastic. For the sake of the environment, we should do without it as far as possible.
Water bottle
The water bottle should also be made of an environmentally friendly, lightweight and robust material. Here we also recommend titanium or aStainless steel water bottle.
Stainless steel is a lot cheaper than titaniumbut by far not as robust as titanium. For everyday use, glass is great for a multi-day trip and in the outdoors, however, glass is too heavy and it can be dangerous if glass breaks.
Water filter
Outdoor water filter make it possible, dirt particles, suspended solids and pathogens (such as viruses and bacteria) from the water successfully. filter out.
There are different filter systems. Which one you need depends on your destination. For example, the activated carbon filter, which is also available as an attachment, removes heavy metals as well as organic compounds from the water.
There are the following water filters:
- Compact mechanical filters(bacteria, protozoa)
- Pump filters (bacteria, protozoa)
- Pump filter against viruses (bacteria, protozoa, viruses)
- Electroadsorption (bacteria, protozoa, viruses)
- Boiling off (bacteria, protozoa, viruses)
- UV light (bacteria, protozoa, viruses)
- Chemical agents (bacteria, protozoa, viruses)
- Flow-through filters (bacteria, protozoa)
- As an attachment: activated carbon filter
In our latitudes, a simple mechanical water filter is usually sufficient. But if you want to filter viruses, you need a special pump filter against viruses.
Expert Tip: Be sure to drink water from springs that flow directly from the mountain. In dry areas like the Pyrenees, there are many dead animal carcasses that can contaminate the water. However, this is often not seen.
Knife or pocket knife
A Knife is a universal tool and can be used for many purposes. It is suitable
- for repairs,
- to make fire
- and to split wood.
If you are in a prolonged emergency, a knife may be necessary for survival.
Bivouac (rescue blanket)
A bivy sack provides in adverse weather for Wind and rain protection and prevents the sleeping bag from becoming damp and losing thermal performance in rain and / or dew.
Who with tent or tarp on the road should have an emergency bivouac with them. Meanwhile there are very small and light Emergency blankets.
Hygiene
Microfiber towel
For our ultralight equipment checklist areMicrofiber towels particularly suitable because they
- dry quickly,
- antibacterial,
- small,
- and lightweight
- and also have good moisture absorption.
Toothbrush
If you want to save space, use a children's toothbrush or cut the toothbrush in half.
Toothpaste or tooth tabs
Toothpaste tablets are often used in trekking videos. However, please remember: They are individually packaged and produce unnecessary waste. In addition, the tooth tabs must be chewed. This makes brushing your teeth a bigger act right away.
There's really nothing to be said against good old toothpaste. They are now available in mini formats. Another good alternative is Tooth powder: practical in a small jar and quickly stowed for on the go.
Sunscreen
Skin areas that are exposed to the sun should be treated with Sunscreen with sunscreen. In the mountains the sun is usually even more intense. Use a high protection factor. Long, thin shirts can also provide relief, if cream no longer helps and the sun is already burning on the skin.
Degradable soap for hair, body, clothing and dishwashing detergent.
Use a biodegradable soapfor example theAleppo soap which is also called dishwashing detergent and as a detergent for clothing can be used.
If you have outdoor clothing made of merino wool, it is usually enough to wash it with water to rinse out the aggressive body salts.
First-aid kit
Tape (kinesiotape, physio tape or muscle tape)
A Tape is a kind of highly elastic plaster made of fabric. It is used not only for injuries or inflammation of muscles, ligaments or joints. as stabilization, without limiting mobility. Tape is versatile in use.
Instead of lugging around countless band-aids and dressings, you can use Tape for the following:
- For blisters instead of lugging around extra blister plasters.
- For emergency repairs to the tarp, tent or clothing such as down jacket.
Tape is excellent for patching tears. Mats, on the other hand, should always include their own patching equipment. - For open (superficial) wounds.
Antiseptic
To prevent wounds from becoming infected in the first place, it is important to use an wound infection with you. It can also be used for burst blisters and other open areas can be used.
If it is possible not to glue the place, so it can heal better and faster. You should clean it regularly and then treat it again with antiseptic.
Tiger Balm: What is it?
Tiger Balm is a natural painkiller. Tiger balm is known primarily for the fact that it is helps with sore muscles and neck and shoulder tension is used. For us it is interesting because it is so versatile that it can easily replace 5 creams.
We have attributed this fact to its natural ingredients thanks to its natural ingredients. Tiger Balm contains Camphor, which has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. has. They can relieve pain caused by muscle tension.
Also Menthol contained, which against itching due to a sting can be used. In combination with camphor menthol unfolds its decongestant propertieswhich are also useful for cleaning the bronchial tubes.
To improve the effect of the ointment also contains the following components:
- Mint oil (analgesic effect)
- Cajeput oil (decongestant effect)
- Eucalyptus oil (anti-inflammatory effect)
- Cinnamon tree oil (invigorating effect)
Expert Tip: Tiger balm should not come into contact with mucous membranes.
Additional equipment: Electric stuff
Cell phone, + charger
A phone makes sense on the one hand to communicate with other group members (to locate each other and to find lost people) and on the other hand to be able to alert the mountain rescue or the emergency service in case of an emergency.
If you don't want to take a camera with you, you can use your smartphone to take photos. Those who only want to use it for safety reasons leave it switched off so that it still has enough battery and can be used in an emergency. Another practical feature is the flashlight function.
The entire packing list as a table at a glance: Packing list hiking: What do I need for the hiking vacation?
Tick in the bracket (✔️) means it doesn't necessarily have to be on your vacation packing list. It depends on: Season and travel area
|
A Hiking with Tent/Tarp |
B Hiking with Overnight stay |
|
| Backpack | ✔️ | ✔️ |
|
Sleeping bag/ Hut sleeping bag |
✔️ | ✔️ in the mountain hut |
| Camping mat | ✔️ | |
| Tent/Tarb | ✔️ | |
| Underwear | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Sports bra | ✔️ | ✔️ |
|
Leggings or Long wool underpants |
✔️ | ✔️ |
| T-shirt | (✔️) | (✔️) In the mountain hut |
| Hiking pants | ✔️ | ✔️ |
|
Hardshell jacket (rain jacket) |
✔️ | ✔️ |
| Down jacket | ✔️ | (✔️) |
| Merino longsleeve | ✔️ | ✔️ |
|
Thicker fleece jacket / Merino jacket |
✔️ | ✔️ |
|
Sun or Rain hat |
✔️ | ✔️ |
| Scarf | (✔️) | (✔️) |
| Woolen hat | (✔️) | (✔️) |
| Sunglasses | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Socks | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Gloves | (✔️) | (✔️) |
| Hiking boots | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Flip flop | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Foldable hiking poles | (✔️) | (✔️) |
|
Headlamp (flashlight) |
✔️ | |
|
Ultralight gas stove, Lighter or igniter |
✔️ | |
| Titanium cutlery | ✔️ | |
| Water bottle | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Water filter | (✔️) | |
|
Knife or Pocket knife |
✔️ | |
| Bivouac | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Microfiber towel | ✔️ | (✔️) |
| Toothbrush | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Toothpaste o. Toothpaste o.Tooth powder | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Sunscreen | ✔️ | ✔️ |
|
Degradable soap resp. Aleppo soap for Hair, body, clothing and detergent |
✔️ | (✔️) |
| Tape | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Antiseptic | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Tiger balm | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Cell phone + charger | ✔️ | ✔️ |
These outdoor hacks will become your new life hacks: tips & tricks for your adventure to make your hike even easier
Tape
Wrap precautionary one piece of tape around your hiking poles. If you don't use a walker, wrap it around your toothbrush, lip balm or tent pegs. If you are traveling by bike, you can attach it to your to your handlebars.
Any round part where it can be easily removed is suitable. This saves you weight and space and you can still enjoy the benefits of a tape in an emergency.
Dog waste bag
Yes, you read that right, dog poop bags are under our trekking hacks. It can be very inconvenient when your shoes don't dry out. Often, constant precipitation makes it impossible to dry shoes. Or else, you have to cross streams or rivers.
In an emergency you can dog waste bags over your socks. The shoes will not be dry, but your feet! Dog bags are extremely light and tear-resistant. In addition, they are available in appropriate dispensers almost everywhere free of charge.
Why are dry feet important?
The wetter the shoes are, the betterbacteria can grow in this environmentthrive and excessive sweatcause.
Leather instead of plastic shoes: Leather is inexcellent compared to plasticsweat-absorbing.
Use only merino or cotton socks: Thin merino wool socks beat allsynthetic socks tenfold.
The same principle applies here as withsynthetic shoes. In addition, you canMerino socks (in contrast to syntheticsocks) for days.
Packing method: The art of packing properly
When you pack your pack your backpackit is important to know the heavy things close to yourback to your back. This makes walking a lot easier. Heavier items placed on the outside of the backpack will pull back and down. This makes you more likely to sway and lose your balance.
Don't let shoes or heavier items dangle around the outside of your backpack. Your backpack will feel much heavier than it actually is.
Wear long, thin clothing
When choosing your clothing for a multi-day tour, opt for Clothesthat have a UV protection offer. Merino wool for example, has a natural UV protection. The merino fiber absorbs part of the UV radiation and keeps it away from the skin.
For comparison: A classic white shirt made of cotton has a UPF* of 10. Even synthetic fiber shirts do not achieve such a high UPF value as merino shirts, if, then often only with the help of chemical UV blockers.
AtMerino wool clothing the UPF between 30 and 50 level.
- For example, a UPF value of 40 means that more than 97.5% of the rays are retained.
- The UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) indicates how much ultraviolet radiation (UV) a fabric blocks.
Share equipment
If you are traveling with another person, also share the equipment. A gas stove, for example, is quite sufficient.
Weather
Inform yourself shortly before your trip, how the weather will be. Maybe you need less rainwear than you thought.
Keep it simple!
While a month-long trip through Central Africa sounds epic (and it is), it doesn't mean you have to embark on a major escapade to get your money's worth.
Long weekend trips can often be quite enough to satisfy your cravings. Adventure is often closer and easier to achieve than you might think.
The best adventures are often right on our own doorstep. Have fun!
Conclusion
Every longer hike requires good preparation. Only if you have the right equipment like a tent or tarp, a sleeping bag, good clothes, food and an emergency kit with you, you can enjoy your tour to the fullest.
In our packing list you will find everything you really need for a carefree time in nature. Even if the list may seem quite extensive at first glance, be sure: You will need all these things sooner or later.
Here, too, the guiding principle always applies: Prevention is better than cure. In this sense, we wish you great tours, exciting adventures and unforgettable experiences.
FAQ
Where is the best place to store my outdoor equipment?
If you often want to go on multi-day hiking tours, you should store your equipment as close at hand as possible. Nothing is more tedious than searching the whole house for your equipment. Make sure you have a dry and well-ventilated area in your home. In a damp basement, sleeping mats, sleeping bags and the like can quickly become musty.
Also on the road on your rest you should choose a suitable place for your outdoor equipment. In bad weather, a tarp serves as an ideal storage place to protect your equipment from moisture.
How do I care for my outdoor equipment?
In order to enjoy your outdoor equipment for a long time, you should take care of it regularly. For example, make sure to air out your sleeping bag well. If possible, you should not pack it in a damp state. The same applies to your tent.
You want to wash your merino clothing or your sleeping bag after intensive use? No problem. You can find more information in our blog posts „Washing merino wool: 4 tips for gentle cleaning" and "Washing a down sleeping bag: Tips & Step-by-Step Guide“.
What does a complete outdoor equipment cost?
Of course, this question cannot be answered in a general way. It all depends on your needs. If you value quality and durability, you'll quickly spend several hundred euros. If you opt for cheaper equipment, the price is naturally more attractive at first glance.
However, keep in mind that cheap goods are often much more expensive in the long run. It makes a difference whether you can use your equipment for years or have to buy new equipment every year?