Packing for your outdoor trip

Deciding what type of outdoor gear you need can be a hard task to take up. The most important rule is to take on your trip only essential items, which are truly necessary. You can travel more quickly and cover greater distances with a lightweight backpack. Of course, the equipment you need to carry will vary according to the type of outdoor trip, you planned (hiking, rafting, combitour). Here is a sample-packing list to help you remember what things you might bring with you on your adventure.

Required Gear check list:

• Backpack
• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping mat
• Sitting mat
• Kitchen set, knife
• Water bottle
• Flashlight
• Personal gear
• First aid kit
• Matches
• Dry sacks
• Documents, money
• Clothes
• Footwear
• Electronics (mobile phone, camera, watch, Powerbank charger)
• Trekking poles
• Notepad and pen

Outdoor Gear Recommendations

Backpack

The backpack is the most important item of equipment. For long hiking trips there are two main designs: internal frame backpack, which depends on support from metal or plastic stays incorporated into the pack and the external frame backpack, which consists of metal bars to which the bag attaches. The recommended size of your backpack for 3-7 days hiking trip is: for men – min. 75 liters (4600 cubic inches); for women – min. 50 liters (3100 cubic inches).

Tent

Hiking in Carpathians, the best option will be three-season tent. What to look for in a tent: quality: good waterproof flysheet coverage and tent floor, two or more poles for stability in wind; size and weight: look for the lightest tent available, that meets your size requirements such as number of people and equipment. It’s a plus, when the tent has vestibule areas for gear storage. Winter camping tents have thicker walls, they are more durable and designed to shed snow and to protect hikers from the strong wind.

Sleeping bag

The proper sleeping bag can help you to sleep comfortable. The best option for Carpathians region is three-season sleeping bag with the temperature of comfort +5 – -5°C (45 – 22°F). It will keep you warm in different weather conditions. For winter hiking you will need warmer sleeping bag with down or feather filling. Temperature rating must be -10 to -20*C.

Sleeping mat

An air or foam mat will not only help you to sleep more comfortable on hard or uneven ground, but will also provide insulation, preventing body heat from being lost through contact with the ground. It also acts as a barrier between your body and moisture that may have seeped inside your tent.

Kitchen set. Water bottle. Knife

Your kitchen set should contain: a spoon, a bowl and a cup, preferably heatproof, lightweight and robust. Choose heatproof plastic or metal. More expensive, but extremely durable and light is titanium material. Insulated cup will keep your drink hot in cold weather.
Carrying water during hiking trip is usually not a problem – you need only a lightweight water bottle (1L or 30oz will be enough). You can use plastic or aluminum bottles. More expensive but comfortable is hydration pack, that has a tube, which allows you to take a sip of water while the move. For cold weather travelling, it’s good to take thermos.
A good knife is only useful if it is sharp. Which one is better, normal (hunting or army) knife or multifunction tool? Many hikers prefer the second one. Usually, multipurpose pocket knife includes: blade, can opener, corkscrew, scissors etc. Around camp your knife handles many chores, from slicing cheese to cutting small pieces of wood for fire.

Flashlight

Flashlight is helpful on a hike and at a campsite when it’s dark. The best design for hiker is a headlamp that frees up your hands and allows you to direct your light where you need it. Always remember to take spare batteries for your flashlight.

Personal gear

Personal kit contents will vary and depend on your personal needs, the basic are: toothpaste and toothbrush, toilet paper, soap, small comb, face/hand cream, hygienic wipes, sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent, contacts/glasses, women: feminine hygienic products.

First aid kit

During hiking trip your safety is number one, that’s why proper completed First aid kit is essential to have with. Kit contents:

• bandage (gauze);
• medicine tape;
• rubbing alcohol for disinfection;
• moleskin (for blisters);
• cotton balls;
• scissors;
• pain killers;
• antibiotic;
• cold tablets;
• stomach medicine;
• personal prescription drugs.

Clothing & Footwear

Jacket

More hikers prefer lightweight waterproof and wind resistance jacket. Very good if it has adjustable hood. Breathable fabric like Gore-Tex will be the best choice for hiker. This fabric keeps rain out and allows water to vapor from sweat to escape. For winter travelling take with you additional warm jacket that will keep you warm during the cold evening.

Rain cover (poncho)

For extremely wet weather you’ll need a rain cover with a hood. The best option is poncho that covers both hiker and his backpack.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses will protect your eyes from the bright sun. Make sure to have your glasses with you not only in summer, but in winter as well.

Hat

A baseball hat is great for keeping the sun off. Better if it’s synthetic than cotton. Get with you wool or fleece hat also to wear at cold night by the campsite. For winter hiking you’ll need warmer hats or balaclava, which protect your head and face from cold weather.

Pullover

You will need pullover for cold weather or when resting in a camp. Choose insulating fabrics such as fleece or wool. Always make sure to have one, as even in summer it might be chilly at night. It’s a plus to have spare light pullover too to hike in during cold weather. For winter hiking you must have couple of pullovers.

T-Shirt

For your hiking trip you’ll need at least 2 T-shirts. Better synthetic, that wick away moisture and dry more quickly than cotton.

Pants

The best for hiking are lightweight nylon or polypropylene pants. They are comfortable and dry faster. Very useful are convertible pants with legs that zip off and convert into shorts, saves you from carrying a pair of both. Avoid jeans or any cotton pants – they dry longer and are very heavy and uncomfortable when get wet. You can take also an additional pair of fleece pants for camp site or to sleep in. In winter you’ll need warmer pants (something like pants for snowboarding) or just use two layers: polypropylene long underwear and nylon hiking pants on top.

Gaiters

For extra protection gaiters cover your boots and keep moisture and snow away from your feet. Better when they are made of waterproof and breathable material. A bag zip makes gaiters easy to get on and off. In winter this is essential item.

Shorts

When travelling in summer season make sure to have your shorts with you.

Underwear

If you have an option between synthetic and cotton fabric of your underwear, chose first one – it dries faster and keeps you warmer.

Shoes

Hiking footwear ranges from lightweight trekking sandals to fully fledged mountaineering boots. The best option for Carpathians are lightweight or middleweight boots. Choose waterproof leather or Gore-Tex. Hiking boots will support your ankles; they are very flexible and comfortable. Some people prefer to hike light, choosing lightweight trekking shoes or sneakers. It always good to take with you additional pair of sandals or sneakers for use on the camp site. Be sure that your boots are well broken in before your hiking trip will start.

Socks

Socks are an important part of your footwear system. Socks made from wool and polypropylene are smooth against the skin and are comfortable to wear if you have blisters. Thick wool socks will keep you warm in cold weather. Take with you at least 2 pairs of lightweight synthetic socks and 2 pairs of wool socks.

Gloves

For hiking you usually don’t need gloves but in a camp during cold and windy weather it’s good to have a pair of fleece or wool gloves. In winter it’s good to use two layers: fleece gloves and waterproof gloves on the top. And do not forget extra pair for camping.

 The group equipment below is provided:

• Group tarp;
• Cook stove and fuel canisters;
• Ax for firewood;
• Cooking gear.

If you do not have some of those items, there is no reason to cancel your trip! Please contact us if you have any questions about items on this list or you need to rent some equipment. We are always ready to help you with that and make your trip comfortable and safe!