Light, lighter, lightweight pack – my trek light weekend kit list
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We all know that feeling …
… the snow in the mountains is slowly but surely receding, the touring skis are packed way in the cellar, the weather is getting warmer, and you start to feel those butterflies in your stomach when you look up at the peaks. It’s the right time of year to get the hiking boots back out and head off to spend a full weekend in the mountains again. There’s no shortage of options, whether it’s a demanding hut-to-hut trip in remote terrain or a more relaxed excursion in more gentle, alpine terrain. The important questions remain the same, wherever we’re heading: What exactly are we planning and what equipment do we need? Have you got everything? Is it all still in a decent condition? Are the huts open yet? Or is everything still in hibernation up there? To help with your springtime preparations, We’ve put together a little kit list for a weekend in the mountains.
Kit list for a 2-day hike with an overnight stay in a hut
- Rucksack (25-35 litres) with a rain cover
- Hiking boots – suitable for the terrain, e.g. the HANWAG Makra Trek GTX
- Waterproof jacket, in case the skies open
- A warm hat and gloves (very important)
- Down jacket or insulating jacket to keep you warm during breaks or at the summit
- Lightweight softshell jacket for hiking that keeps the wind out
- Sunglasses
- Hiking pants (softshell or G-1000)
- Trekking socks (wear them in a bit first)
- Spare clothes for the hut
- Hut shoes
- Headlamp
- Wash bag with all the usual essentials, including suntan cream (important)
- Camera
- DAV card (keep it in your wallet)
- Hut sleeping bag
- Trekking poles, if you want
- A large drinking bottle or thermos flask
- Food and snacks
- Map and compass/ GPS device
- Spare T-Shirt for the summit
- Spare plastic bag for rubbish
Or maybe you’re hiking in Scandinavia and planning to camp by the side of a romantic lake rather than a mountain hut? If this is the case, then there’s a few other things to think of:
- Lightweight, stable tent (it’s generally a good idea to pitch it before go, make sure that it has all the poles, guylines etc.)
- Warm sleeping bag, it’s often colder than you think outdoors at night
- Insulating sleeping mat
- Waterproof stuff sacks (help you organise your pack better and keep everything dry)
- Lightweight camping stove and pan etc.
- Long spoon
- Penknife
Remember:
A lightweight pack is a comfortable pack, but warmth and safety come first. Our advice is to keep a lightweight down jacket and a hat in your backpack, no matter how warm it is. It’s good to have them there, just in case of an emergency.
To get the most out of a hiking weekend, it’s best to carry as little weight as possible and this also applies to what you wear. This is why lightweight hiking boots are so popular. However, HANWAG recommends always hiking in stable footwear with sturdy uppers. Our recommendation for hiking weekends with a light pack: The Tatra from our Trekking collection or the BANKS from our Trek Light collection.
