What to carry with you?
We’ll bring it to you straight away: an universal packing list for a hut hike does not exist. It all depends on how long you will be on the way and in what terrain you will be hiking. A first important advice is: ‘take less than you think you need to take’. You really don’t need 4 pairs of socks, a clean t-shirts per day and 5 pairs of undies. 1 spare of all your clothes is enough. In all huts you can rinse out your clothes and in most huts there will be a drying room.
What do we find absolutely essential?
- 1 pair of semi-high shoes of very good quality (e.g. Meindl, Lowa, Hanwag), category B or B/C. And don’t just buy good ones for yourself, but also for the children.
- A high quality backpack with wide shoulder straps, a proper waistband and proper adjustability. For adults 40-60 liters, for children 25-40 liters.
- A lightweight rain cover for every backpack.
- A camelbak (a water bag with a hose) or a big lightweight water bottle per person.
- Telephone + charger.
- 2 pairs of high quality hiking socks per person (f.i. Falke).
- 1 pair of slippers/crocs per person.
- Earplugs (snore protection).
- Lightweight rain clothing (coat and pants), preferably with a zip or Velcro at the legs so you can easily put it on over your bulky shoes.
- A liner or lightweight sleeping bag and pillowcase.
- Sunscreen that doesn’t sting your eyes.
- Lightweight hat, polar buff or other protection for your head.
- (Medicine) bag with painkillers, (blister) patches, good nail clippers, tweezers and a spare set of shoelaces.
- Foldable hiking poles of good quality (f.i. Leki). Hiking poles are essential. No, these are not only for the elderly. Get over your embarrassment, because good hiking poles are make hiking with a backpack a lot more safe and comfortable. Both ascending and descending is significantly easier with hiking poles.
