Everyone is different, that’s a fact… yet everyone wants to be carrying the right things.
But what are the right things?
Well, first it will depend on what kind of adventure you’re planning to go on.
Is it a simple day hike or will you be backpacking for a few days? And then you need to consider if it’s just walking around flat ground or if you will be adding altitude to your walk… after all the weight will be on your back.
I’ll try to address this based on my personal preference and, wherever possible, I’ll explain why. Also, you need to give consideration to the time of the year and gear up accordingly. Remember, don’t take unnecessary things but never skimp on safety gear, they are the most important thing and can save your life.
Given I’m only 5.5 ft, and I always struggled to carry heavy loads, I try to minimise the weight I carry around but without compromising on its performance and comfort. Therefore, I prefer to spend a little bit more and go for the lightest high quality gear, that have a good probability of not letting me down; of course I went through a lot of trial and error before I discovered what were the right items for me. Unfortunately for my wallet I am a gear nerd, from outdoor clothing to hiking and camping equipment, so I’ll be constantly revising this list and will share it with you.
Hicking
This will be a day hike, without overnight. You don’t want to carry too much with you but you still want to be prepared for any eventuality which may arise such as rain, cold, sun (remember in the mountains there’s more risk of getting sunburn even when you can’t feel it), a fall or even getting lost. Just be prepared…
- Camera – mine is a Sony alpha 7 II
- Tripod Benro Slim Carbon – lightweight and perfect for travelling and backpacking.
- Osprey Tempest 35 L women’s backpack – (men’s equivalent Osprey Talon 33 L) or simply my Osprey Tempest 20 L (women / men) if I want to travel light.
- Waterproof backpack cover Osprey Ultralight 20-35 L
- Shoes/Boots – For a fast paced day hike in the summer, where the path is not too technical like the climb of Mount Keen, I prefer to wear my trail running shoes the waterproof version of Salomon Speedcross 4 (women / men). However in winter conditions I’d go either for my Solomon Quest 4 GTX (women / men) or my Scarpa Marmolada Pro HD (women / men) boots.
- Water bladder Osprey Hidraulics 2L – it’s much easier to drink from a bladder while walking, than having to take the backpack off just to reach your water bottle every time you want a little sip. However, sometimes I do like to drink from the bottle and for that I have my Nalgene 1 L.
- Walking/Running poles Leki Micro Vario Trail Carbon (women / men) – never go anywhere without them!
- Bum pad Thermarest z seat – they’re so good you’ll never want to try anything else and they’re always sold out. You can think anything will do when you’re enjoying the outdoors, but when your muscles are tired and you’re feeling pretty miserable, it’s the little comfort of warmth and cushioning that will make everything better.
- Warm Jacket Rab Microlight Alpine winter breathable – in colder days it definitely goes in the bag as on top of the mountain it’s always chillier.
- Waterproof Jacket Rab goretex waterproof jacket (for heavy downpours)
- Walking/hiking Trousers Fjallraven Abisko trail trousers
- Waterproof trousers Montane Minimus (women / men) – packable and extremely lightweight
- Base layer Icebreaker merino top (base layer 200 or zip higher neck)
- Mid layer fleece Rab Nexus fleece jacket (women / men)
- Gloves Montane Prism – lightweight wind and waterproof packable (one of my favourite pieces of kit, perfect for running as well)
- Hat Sun/Woolly
- Buff neck warmer
- Gaiters Montane Endurance Pro Gaiter – in the summer, if I’m wearing my trail shoes I like to cover my ankles with running gaiters (Montane Via Trail Gaiter) to prevent any debris entering my shoes and hurt my feet.
- Sunglasses – mine are Oakley Radar EV Path unisex and I usually wear my Photochromic lenses for scottish weather
- Sunscreen
- Head torch Petzl Bindi 35g 200 lumens headlight (tiny, perfect for fast paced adventures when you don’t have to stay overnight)
- Sandwiches, chocolates and sweeties
- Travel coffee mug Hydro flask mine is the 354 ml version – I can’t go anywhere without my coffee fix; this one is not cheap but it definitely does the job. It not just keeps the temperature but it also doesn’t leak no matter how many times you shake and turn your backpack around.
- Dry bags Osprey lightweight compressing bags in different colours and sizes – helps to keep all your items compartmentalised and completely dry in case something spills
- OS maps 1:50 000 – I prefer the plastic lined ones as you can scribble your route on it and then erase it again; also, they’re waterproof and won’t get ruined when the weather changes.
- Trowel
- Compass Silva Expedition 4 – advised by the Braemar mountain rescue in a navigation course I took part.
- Space blanket Lifesystems – I do prefer this brand over others I’ve tried
- First Aid Kit – Lifesystems has several different ones available but this one is perfect for a day outdoors.
- Selfiestick – in case you want to take a few photos of yourself, or you can always prop your phone or camera against a rock like I’ve done it numerous times.
- ID and cash
- PHONE
Backpacking
I’m going to focus on a 2-3 day trip, carrying your food, some water, clothing, cooking and camping equipment.
- Backpack Osprey Ariel AG 55 L (men’s version Osprey Aether 55 L) – last time I could have fitted everything in my smaller bigger backpack (women’s Osprey Kyte 46 L / men’s Osprey Kestrel 48 L) however, after a long debate and several times loading up both backpacks to compare, I opted to go with my Ariel. The decision was made due to the comfort around the hips of the well cushioned Ariel waist belt and straps. Given I was going to spend a few days in the mountains, I thought my body would be eventually sore and would welcome the comfort, despite the added weight and size of this backpack. I was definitely happy with my choice after the first day. I would consider adding the Osprey Ariel 55 Daylid, which converts to a backpack and adds versatility to your trip and you can use it just for the day to climb a mountain while leaving everything else where you camped.
- Camera – mine is a Sony alpha 7 II
- Tent Msr Access 1 footprint – I have the Nordisk Lofoten 1 person and the MSR Elixir 1 tents for when I want lighter options but not as comfortable.
- Sleeping bag Rab Mythic 400 – extremely compressible and packs down to noting… and doesn’t weigh a thing. This one is the medium warmth, as there is also the 200 and the 600. Although I tend to be very cold at night, so far this one seems to be perfect for me as it’s quite versatile, as in the summer I keep it open and in the winter I add the Sea to Summit Reactor fleece liner and I’m comfortable at freezing conditions.
- Sleeping mattress Thermarest NeoAIr XLite ultralite (women / men / extra long)
- Water bladder Osprey Hidraulics 2L – it’s much easier to drink from a bladder while walking, than having to take the massive backpack off just to reach your water bottle every time you want a little sip.
- Air Pillow Exped medium size
- Towel Lifeventure Trek towel – mine is size large and it fit in my hand.
- Toiletry case Osprey Ultalight Washbag – as I like all the bits and pieces organised.
- Bum pad Thermarest z seat – they’re so good you’ll never want to try anything else and they’re always sold out. You can think anything will do when you’re enjoying the outdoors, but when your muscles are tired and you’re feeling pretty miserable, it’s the little comfort of warmth and cushioning that will make everything better.
- Walking/running poles Leki Micro Vario Trail Carbon (women / men)
- Warm Jacket Rab Microlight Alpine winter breathable or even go for my warmer one Rab , depending on the weather conditions if I’m needing it overnight.
- Waterproof Jacket Rab goretex waterproof jacket (for heavy downpours)
- Walking/hiking Trousers Fjallraven Abisko trail trousers
- Waterproof trousers Montane Minimus (women / men) – packable and extremely lightweight
- Icebreaker merino top (base layer 200 or zip higher neck)
- Mid layer fleece Rab Nexus fleece jacket (women / men)
- Gloves Montane Prism – lightweight wind and waterproof packable (one of my favourite pieces of kit, perfect for running as well)
- Walking Boots Scarpa Marmolada Pro HD (women / men) or my Solomon Quest 4 GTX (women / men)
- Gaiters Montane Endurance Pro Gaiter – in the summer, if I’m wearing my trail shoes I like to cover my ankles with running gaiters (Montane Via Trail Gaiter) to prevent any debris entering my shoes and hurt my feet.
- Socks – walking woolly ones
- Sports bra (you’re not going to be running so you won’t need a heavily restraining one)
- Pants (although I hate too much fabric usually, I do like merino wool panties for a long day outdoors)
- Sunglasses – mine are Oakley Radar EV Path unisex and I usually wear my Photochromic lenses for scottish weather
- Sunscreen – specially in the summer months, even if you don’t feel it’s that warm.
- Water filter Lifesystems personal water filter
- Camping stove Msr Windburner 1L
- Windproof lighter
- Spork – although I also like the long handled fork from Sea to Summit as it allows you to keep your hands clean if you’re eating from the dry food pouch, but it’s rarely in stock.
- Swiss army knife or anything that cuts as I find them pretty useful.
- Travel coffee mug Hydro flask mine is the 354 ml version – I can’t go anywhere without my coffee fix; this one is not cheap but it definitely does the job. It not just keeps the temperature but it also doesn’t leak no matter how many times you shake and turn your backpack around.
- Sea to Summit collapsible mug (I do like to hold a nice warm coffee in my hands when I wake up, and the travel flask would let me feel it, so I take this little extra with me)
- Food packages – after a day in the mountains, under adverse weather conditions, these food pouches will taste like aany meal at a michelin starred restaurant.
- Porridge pots – I like the Quaker ones with syrup flavour which you can get in the supermarket, and then I just add walnuts and cinnamon. Or you can get a more expensive version of it of adventure food.
- Coffee granules
- Sandwiches, chocolates and sweeties
- Sun hat/Woolly hat
- Buff neck warmer
- Osprey lightweight dry bags in different colours and sizes – helps to keep all your items compartmentalised and completely dry in case something spills
- Rucksack liner – a heavy duty plastic bag will do although i got mine from amazon
- Head torch Petzl Reactik headlight – a bit on the heavy side but amazing light power and you can regulate on your phone how long it’s battery will last, based on the intensity you want it.
- OS maps 1:50 000 – I prefer the weatherproof plastic lined ones as you can scribble your route on it and then erase it again; also, they’re waterproof and won’t get ruined when the weather changes.
- Compass Silva Expedition 4 – advised by the Braemar mountain rescue in a navigation course I took part.
- Space blanket Lifesystems – I do prefer this brand over others I’ve tried
- Hand warmers – these ones last! (10 pairs / 40 pairs)
- First Aid Kit – Lifesystems has several different ones available but this one is perfect for a day outdoors.
- Selfiestick – in case you want to take a few photos of yourself, or you can always prop your phone or camera against a rock like I’ve done it numerous times.
- Power bank – fast charging.
- Trowel
- ID and cash
- PHONE
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