Hiking Gear List
Here you will find a list of some of the gear I use for walking cross country or day hikes. a bit less then when I go on alpine expeditions..
Camera and lenses
Hello there! thank you for stopping by my site. In here you will find a collection of expeditions from all over the globe. I try to keep all the pictures, videos and blogs under one roof. Please feel free to explore the site at your own pace. Feed back is always welcome.
Head
I'm a hat kind of guy, let's face it, you look better than sporting a baseball cap, and it offers better sun protection. The buff is a new addition to my kit, and I love it, so many uses. Whether in cold or hot days it is an excellent tool to protect your face from the elements.
Finally, sunglasses are a must if you are going to spend days on end out and about. I like Oakley. They look good, and the lenses are interchangeable. I love polarized glasses, I highly recommend them, they make the sky pop and cut down on glare.
Torso
They say take care of your torso, and your extremities will take care of themselves. I like the North Face down jacket. It is incredibly lightweight and suitable for temperatures down into the low 50s. It became my pillow when my inflatable one sprung a leak, and I had to get rid of it. A fleece jacket will increase the warmth in case of the temperature drops into the 30s.
As for shirts, you can't go wrong with Columbia PFG. They are designed for fishermen, meaning they are great for protection from the sun, they breathe and dry extremely quickly.
Legs
When it comes to underwear, you can't go wrong with ExOfficio. They are fast drying and breathable with an antimicrobial treatment that reduces odor in the fabric.
Their slogan is "17 countries. Six weeks. One pair of award-winning underwear. Ok, maybe two."
When it comes to pants, I find removable legs to turn them into shorts to be a great feature. Don't forget a good belt as you will lose weight on the trails.
Feet
The most controversial subject, boots vs. shoes, I've been on both sides of the debate. I feel like boots are great for rough mountainous terrain where ankle support is imperative. Shoes, on the other hand, are great for flat trails or roads. A good pair of soles or inserts is an excellent addition for support and comfort. Merino wool fast drying socks are a plus.
For an in depth video of my shoes click here.
Rain Gear
I've always been a rain jacket and waterproof shell pants, but I decided to give ponchos a chance to cover the camera from the rain and not have to put it away in the bag. A pair of Waterproof socks worked wonders on those rainy days on the via Francigena.
DexShell Ultralite Bamboo Waterproof Socks
Accessories
Compression sacks are the secret sauce for getting the volume down and fitting all your puffy clothes in a small space. I also use them to compartmentalize my clothes into separate groups.
The Vipertek flashlight works great for those early morning walks when the sun has not yet come out. A huge plus is the built-in electric stun gun. Great to scare off aggressive animals. The one downside is the fact that it only works with 110v outlets, you will need a travel power converter in Europe.
Finally, a Swiss army knife is essential for picnics and opening bottles of wine.