Hej, Hello Everyone!
I think everyone is dreaming and imagining what it would be like traveling in Europe. Seeing the canals in Venice, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the tulip fields of the Netherlands. I mean, I sure do, but even though planning all these traveling sites are fun and exciting we still need to consider what we need to bring with us on our journeys. I’ve happened to make several packing mistakes during my hiking trips so I thought I might share some tips and tricks that have helped when going out into the mountains.
Now packing might sound like a breeze, just bring your old backpack from school, stuff it with an extra set of underwear and a T-shirt and call it a day. You could do that but your trip will most likely be a complete nightmare. Now on the other hand you shouldn’t go out and buy all the expensive things on Amazon and overthink it, that will just end up with an over budget, Heavy and most likely unnecessary traveling pack.
In this “guide” I will share what type of gear I will be bringing with me on my journey as well as some other options that work just as well.
I will begin with something completely different that might be overlooked besides the pack. What should I wear when backpacking? Now this is a question that’s highly dependent on where you’re going to travel but I’ve tried to compile a list made for most of the European countries during the summer months.
1. Shoes
This one seems like an obvious one to begin with but it might also be the most important part of the outfit you start with.
I would personally suggest searching for a good set of hiking boots, they’re usually rigid enough so you won’t put unnecessary amounts of stress on your ankles especially if you haven’t trained enough beforehand. If you’re unsure how to prepare yourself before going, I will be coming out with a guide on that later.
I personally use a pair of Meindl boots. These are on the more expensive side of boots with a price tag of nearly 400$ which is usually way too much money for a set of shoes you're realistically only going to use a few times a year.
There are tons of more affordable shoes out there if you’re looking for something that won’t break the bank, but I don’t recommend choosing the cheapest options out there but rather to make sure the shoes are a good fit for your foot in particular. A company who makes other great boots and hiking equipment is Revolutionrace, they have budget friendly, quality items for the backpacker that’s looking for a nice set of boots for their trip.
The Phantom Trail hiking boots are medium high neck boots which are light and durable (I am not sponsored by them I just think they make great products)
They come in different colors to suit your preferences and with a price tag of
around 200€ (or 219$) they’re not on the cheapest side but still cheaper then other high end brands like Meindl or Lundhags.
2. Trousers
This one might seem like another obvious one and it’s fairly straightforward too. But even here I got a few tips to help you on the way. When it comes to my packing list I will bring myself a pair of Fjällräven zip-off trousers that work both as a set of full sleeve trousers but can be made into shorts by just zipping off the lower portion of the pants. I find this great when traveling during the summer months to help disperse some heat especially when going to warmer places such as Italy, France or even Croatia. These pants are easily the best trousers I’ve ever owned and they’re water resistant making them a good choice when traveling. These are also a more expensive pair of outerwear coming in at around 300€ which again is way too expensive for a set of trousers only used a few times a year.
I would much rather recommend a pair of Revolutionrace trousers and with a Zip-off function like the Fjällräven pair for less then half the amount of most other alternatives. I actually own a set of these too and they’re just as good as the Fjällräven and in the future I’m likely going to buy Revolutionrace with the lesser price.
Link: https://www.revolutionrace.com/men/pants/zip-off-pants/rvrc-gp-pro-zip-off-pants-men?Color=2686
3. Jacket
Alright this is a strange one for me, I personally don’t use jackets that much when hiking but when you’re out traveling for longer periods it might be wise to bring one. During the summer I would personally recommend bringing a soft shell or some other windproof jacket with you. This is simply to avoid getting cold if it happens to be windy outside.
I’m currently have a revolutionrace jacket, which does not sell anymore so no clue about the price. But I’ve been looking around at different kinds and for me it’s looking to be a Salomon Bonatti soft shell jacket. This jacket is mainly marketed to be a workout jacket but it protects you from winds and lighter rain making it perfect for summer weathers. This jacket is lightweight and light in the wallet rocking in at just 100$ making it a great fit for those who want to save a little extra.
4. Backpack
Probably the thing most people would start with when starting to look around for gear to bring, the backpack comes to mind. Now I don't have any specific tips here on models but I do have a size tip. 45L hiking bag is a perfect size to be able to fit a few sets of extra clothing aswell as space for some souvenirs. One thing to think about is to pack light, you don't wanna carry around more then you need to and if you have planned smart and try to utilize ammenities at hostels to the max you'll be able to have clean clothes throughout your whole trip. Another thing to consider is to bring a smaller backpack where you can fit an extra shirt, a waterbottle and a jacket incase it gets windy. This is optional but it can be nice having a smaller bag you can carry around while checking out the town/city you're staying at, instead of carrying around your whole pack. Preferably this samller backpack should be able to be strapped onto your regular pack to make it easier to travel with at trains.
Really look around for a good backpack for you that you can carry for a longer amounts of time without getting back pains. You should be able to fit around 3 sets of underwear, socks and t-shirts. A hoodie, sweatpants to be cozy and maybe a pair of woolsocks.
5. Miscellaneous
Now we're at the home stretch and this is everything to bring with you besides the "big things" this will be more of a list of things that I find will be great to bring.
Waterbottle
Carbine hooks
Electricaltape
Small containers with laundry detergent and fabric softner
Thermos
Spork and food container
These are especially good when out for longer then 2 weeks and I would personally bring atleast 2 waterbottles, one larger to carry more water and a smaller one that's easier to bring in the small backpack. Carbine hooks are great if you've got a waterbottle that can be fitted and fastend on the outside of the packpack to save capacity inside the pack. Electrical tape is just a regular bringer for me, you never know when it can come in handy. Laundry supplies is always nice to bring so you're able to wash your clothes, nobody wants to walk around with dirty clothes. Thermos and food container with spork if you will have access to a kitchen at the places your staying. Making food that will last over night can be good to bring if you're catching some early trains and not feeling like buying "fastfood" from the train or stations you're transfering at.
This concludes my packing guide for backpacking and hopefully this was helpful for the adventurous folks. Stay tuned for this weeks country and places to see around the cities I'm planning to visit. Next week a guide to prepare yourself for backpacking and things to look out for before the trip.
Andreas, Over and out.
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