... a maximum of 10 kg of luggage is ideal!
The greatest weight savings can of course be achieved on long-distance hiking by staying in guesthouses, bed & breakfasts or hotels and therefore being able to do without a tent, stove, sleeping mat, etc. At the same time, however, the question arises whether you really want to turn up in the hotel or restaurant in the evening wearing hiking clothes ...
In our experience, the following packing list does justice to the sporty demands during the day, but also offers various combination options suitable for restaurants. And - at least without water - gets about 10 kg of luggage:
Our top tips
- Magnesium tablets: one tablet every evening prevents sore muscles the next day!
- Detergent for hand washing
- Packing cubes: Perfect order in your backpack!
- GPS app with downloaded maps and route information: see tips under GPS smartphone apps & Co
- Charging cable for the smartphone and possibly a power bank as a spare battery
- blister
- Pocket knife (Attention: do not carry in hand luggage)
Outdoor / daytime
- Backpack with rain protection
- Hiking boots (high shaft - prevents twisting)
- For hikes with many vertical meters: telescopic poles (note: not allowed in hand luggage when traveling by air)
- 2 Merino hiking shirts
- 1-2 hiking pants (with removable legs)
- 2 pairs of hiking socks
- Quick-drying microfiber underwear, sports bra
- Sunglasses and headgear if necessary
- Sun protection cream + lipstick with UV protection
- Outdoor fleece jacket (can also be used in the evening in the cold)
- Thin rain jacket (leave at home if the weather forecast is stable)
- Depending on the hiking destination: swimming trunks / bikini and possibly microfiber travel towel
Indoor / evening
Less is more! It is best to plan several shifts that can be combined with one another. In colder regions or in winter, a quilted jacket is also recommended (low weight, easy to compress).
For Him
- 1 pair of light shoes and / or 1 pair of sandals
- 1 light jeans or trousers
- 1 pair of shorts
- 3 t-shirts
- Instead of a sweater: use of the outdoor fleece jacket is possible
- nightwear
- Toiletry bags and personal medication
For Her
- 1 pair of light shoes and / or 1 pair of sandals
- 2 dresses + leggings / tights
- 1 light cardigan + additional use of the outdoor fleece jacket possible
- 1 light pants
- 2 t-shirts
- nightwear
- Toiletry bags and personal medication
By the way, we have put together information and experience on the right backpack here: Which backpack is the right one?
22 November 2017
Hello.
Great site. Very helpful tips.
You can also make a backpack recommendation for him and her
pronounce.
Kind regards
26 November 2017
Good Morning!
Good suggestion, thanks for that! It took a few days, but I have one now separate backpack article written.
Best regards and good luck with your backpack purchase!
Frank
18. February 2021
Just getting into hiking. Starting off with short hikes and progressing to the longer ones. Great tips. Thank you very much!