Going hiking usually means a lot of luggage and outdoor equipment. There are many questions to answer before you start to pack your bag, for example:

1. how long time you’ll be away?
2. what will the weather be like (will it rain, be very cold…)?
3. will you stay in huts or are you camping outside?
4. what previous knowledges and experiences do you and your friends have from outdoor life and how challenging will this trip be?
5. Any medical aspects/physical difficulties to have in mind?

Shelter, sleep and carry

One rule is to carry light and only bring stuff you really need. A maximum of 3 kilos for shelter (tent), sleep (sleeping bag and mattress) and carry (backpack) are recommended. If you’re planning to set a basecamp and do day trips, a smaller backpack is unbeatable. With my personal equipment this ”3-kilo-rule” is very limited for me, but gives me an idea how I should think when I need to/consider to update my outdoor equipment. Every extra piece of gram you add on to your luggage means extra kilos on your feet, knee and so on.

Your luggage with tent, backpack and sleeping equipment shouldn’t weigh more than 3 kilos in total.

A comfortable and hard wearing backpack that doesn’t way to much are preferred.

”Going hiking is like preparing for a longterm backpacker trip. You need to consider every piece of luggage, meaning what to bring and what to leave at home. But remember to always have safety in mind as rule number one”.

Linnea Nilsson-Waara