How to pack for a hike?

In addition to the fact that for a successful hike you need to get the right backpack, it still needs to be filled with the necessary things

Earlier we have already written about how to choose the most optimal backpack. In this material, we will deal with filling it with exactly those things, without which there is simply no way in the campaign. But first, let's make a reservation that the term "hike" means a longer journey than going by car to the nearest lake in order to sit on the grass and fry kebabs. At a minimum, it provides a detour of this lake, as well as the surrounding forests and an overnight stay in a tent.

Footwear

Good shoes are one of the main keys to a successful hike

Yes, it is with the choice of shoes that you should start preparing. Good and comfortable shoes are the key to a successful hike. It's better to forget about flip-flops, heels and even casual sneakers. The hike involves hiking mainly over rough terrain and it is far from a fact that at this time the sky will not burst into a thunderstorm. It is very difficult to describe how a person feels in wet and slippery city boots on a mountain trail. It is better to avoid such a fate in advance by choosing more optimal shoes.

If the route does not provide exits to rocky areas, then training or running shoes are quite suitable for a novice tourist, but not from the unknown brands Abibas and Nike. If the route runs through rocky areas, then it is better to have full-fledged mountain boots covering the ankle on your feet. Many seasoned tourists use army—type boots or boots for hiking - universal all-weather and all-season shoes from the category of "cheap and angry". This is also a good option. But if you can still afford to buy something specialized for hiking, then it's better to buy it - your legs will be very grateful to you.

Clothes

The main tips in terms of clothing: avoid heavy, restraining movements and long-drying options. In summer, it is better to wear loose trousers instead of shorts — they will save your feet from scratches and bites. In the cold season, it is highly recommended to use thermal underwear — thanks to special materials, it effectively removes moisture and ensures heat preservation. For a winter hike, it is worth recommending good gloves and insulated jackets, but at the same time winter hiking should not be recommended to beginners at all. But you will need a raincoat in any season, so we throw it into a backpack for sure. Let's pay attention to the fact that the "popular" market raincoats made of cellophane, usually, remain on the first bushes, and therefore are not even considered as a possible option.

Another useful and pleasant thing in the campaign is a multifunctional bandage, which is commonly called the word "buff". The perfect solution to cover your head from the cold wind at the top if we go to the mountains. And even if it's not in the mountains, it still won't be superfluous. Some hide a sensitive throat behind it, others wrap it around a brush to wipe sweat from their face. But personally, I use it while sleeping in a tent. In a word, a really multifunctional thing, right into the backpack.

If you are aiming to engage in tourism seriously, then it's better right away
choose a high—quality tent - you will live in it for the duration of the hike

Tents

A tent is your home during a hike. If you are planning to engage in tourism seriously, I highly recommend looking at more expensive options instead of taking the first one you get at the nearest gas station. But if everything is not so smooth with finances, then for the first trips it is better to borrow a handkerchief from a friend, and in the meantime save up some money yourself and still buy an expensive model.

But do not immediately look at professional climbing solutions — this is already too much. The main thing is that the tent has a double awning, which is fastened with hooks with latches, and not with ties or Hook-and-loop. Taped seams are considered a symbol of quality. But the quality of accessories mainly depends on the brand and, accordingly, the price.

Sleeping bag

If your first trip is summer, then the question of a sleeping bag is definitely not the number one item on the list. In extreme cases, you can take an ordinary bedspread from home. Yes, it takes up more space, dries badly, and even shifts during sleep – but in summer all this is not so critical. As for the sleeping bag itself, it wears out very soon, which allows you to experiment with different options. To begin with, you can buy a sleeping bag-a blanket, which is also convenient to unfold and use as a picnic blanket. A cocoon sleeping bag is considered more professional equipment and it is worth choosing it after you decide which type of outdoor activity is preferable for you. If these are bike trips, then the choice will fall on light and low-volume models, but winter mountain climbing will require insulated expedition options.

Carpet

A very interesting thing. Far from the main thing in the campaign, but at the same time it is very inconvenient without it. Yes, in dry summer weather, you can do without a rug — laying out a tent on dry grass is enough to lay a blanket or a large towel to feel comfortable. But if it's raining outside and there is a rocky plane under your feet, then even an perfect branded tent and the same sleeping bag doom you to insomnia. And as a bonus in this case, you can also get a cold of the muscles or hypothermia of the body as a whole.

Therefore, it is better to stuff the mat into our backpack too. To begin with, the usual "Izhevsk" will do, so named after the location of the manufacturer's factory. If you want to save even more on weight, then it is quite possible to take an inflatable mat, why not? However, the disadvantage of such a solution is that you can sit by a burning fire on it only once.

Lantern

And of course, your backpack should have a map and a compass or GPS,
so that one fine morning you don 't find yourself somewhere unknown

A small, but very necessary thing, especially when it comes to overnight hikes. How many times I've forgotten it at home and how many times I've had to borrow it from teammates is beyond counting. At least you need to have some kind of flashlight with you: a small keychain or a manual dynamo, if there is no good headlamp. No matter how you look at it — not a step without light in the night forest. I would advise you to choose a flashlight based on how carefully you treat small things in your daily life. If sunglasses and ballpoint pens have been serving you for years, then feel free to take a high-quality and expensive one. Otherwise, it is better to look at the simpler model — it will still get lost.

Burners and tourist dishes

Personally, I think that the burners are not intended for beginners and they should not be in the backpack for the first hike. In simple summer hikes, a campfire and an improvised pot are used for cooking, often military-style. A burner with special utensils is needed in winter hikes, when climbing in high-altitude areas or traveling in places where there is no vegetation suitable for a fire. But nevertheless.

For traveling in small groups, a small gas cylinder with a collet or threaded mounting of the burner on top is quite enough. But for a large group it is more convenient to use a large volume gas cylinder with a remote burner.

As for the dishes, in our catalog you can find everything you need, regardless of weather conditions, the number of people or cooking options.

Accessories

The list of additional accessories and accessories that may be needed during the hike can be continued indefinitely. If it's cool outside or you can't live without coffee, throw a thermos of a suitable volume into your backpack. A good knife will always be useful, we additional Is a large group going on a hike? Then you may need walkie-talkies. A first aid kit is just a necessary thing, and if you don't know what should make a good first aid kit, then you can take a ready-made set. But for packing and waterproofing things, factory hermetic bags are perfect.

And there is one more thing that is not often remembered in the list of equipment, but it becomes vital at some moments. You will not be able to buy this thing in any online travel store, but it is necessary to stock up on it. It's toilet paper! Write it down in your list in big letters, because the time will come when it will become much more valuable to you than a comfortable backpack and a high-quality tent :)