Hiking and Backpacking

Time spent outdoors is a great way to relax. It is not surprising that loads of people go hiking and trekking to unwind from their hectic and stressful everyday life. The sound of wind in the woods and foliage, creaking of old trees in the silence of the forest, the soft echo of a woodpecker pecking on wood. These are the sounds that clear your mind and silence the earworms - even Toto's Africa.

There are many types of outdoor people: some like it easy, some like it rough. We think that everyone should spend time in the wilds. Therefore, we have gathered a set of gear recommendations for different levels of hiking and backpacking. We’ll start with the easiest: day trips. After that come a bit more challenging overnight trips. In our last section, we cover our recommendations for longer hiking trips.

If you like less product-oriented stories, do check out the Tales and field tests in our articles.

Checklists

Our recommendation groups can be used as a checklist of tools and equipment for your excursion. There are many similar recommendation lists and it is good to have a look at different options and to modify the lists according to the climate and terrain requirements. We have tried to keep our lists simple and short: from footwear to clothing, carrying systems, and camping. You will find suitable subgroups under each trekking type.

Ten Essentials and other checklists

One popular and good basis for a checklist is the Ten Essentials list that was developed in the United States in the 1970s. It has seen several revisions and has been applied to different environments. This list of necessities is nowadays a concept of its own and a well-established tradition amongst hikers. In addition to our shorter lists, you may also wish to consult this list:

• Navigation: Map, compass, GPS, smartphone
• Sun protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, headgear
• Warmth: Clothing and insulation
• Illumination: Headlamp, flashlight, enough batteries
• First Aid: Bandages, First Aid Kit, Insect repellent
• Fire: Lighter, matches, tinder, waterproof container
• Repair and tools: Repair kit, knife, multitool
• Food: A days worth of extra food, lightweight
• Water: A days worth of extra water, water purification
• Shelter: Tent, tarp, bivouac sack, sleeping pad