I am interested in all things outdoor and I love hiking. Like most people, I overpacked my backpack on my first trip. With each hike I gain more experience, acquire new skills and learn how to pack smart. You don't need everything but some things are essential.

What I have learned so far:
• cost, comfort, clime and conditions – make smart decisions
• always keep yourself warm, dry, fed and hydrated
• dress and sleep in layers
• go light and aim for a base weight of under 7 kg (15 lbs.)
• plan and pack 700-1000g (1.5-2 lbs.) of food per day
• take good care of your hiking essentials
• skills and mindset are as important as the gear in your backpack
• gear envy? let it be. Grandma Gatewood slept under a shower curtain.
• find your own comfort zone and learn to leave it behind
• try to have fun – even when you don't
• love nature and leave no trace

I like to buy used gear and enjoy making my own stuff. I try to find a good balance between robust, sustainable and lightweight. I update my gear if necessary. I don't carry all of the following pieces of gear at the same time. I mix and match according to season, trip duration, destination, weather and personal preference.

Here is my current 3-season Frankenstein's gear packing list:

All the modern necessities:

• ID card
• money
• bank card
• BahnCard
• smart phone and charger
• camera and charger
• keys

In addition to my smartphone app, I always carry a paper map. I buy a map of the hiking area or print my own.

• GPS app
• paper map

I use my small 22 liters backpack for short hikes and my 48 liters pack for multi-day hikes were I have to carry all the essentials.

• Bach Roc 22 (daypack)
• Millet Prolighter 38+10 (multi-day pack)
• 2x OneTirgis water bottle pouches
• customized Fila chest pack

A dry bag inside my backpack keeps all my gear dry while hiking in nasty weather or crossing waterways. I often use my bivvy bag as a pack liner and leave the dry bag at home.

• Outdoor Research 55l roll-top dry bag

Lots – but not too many – of leightweight and water repellent sacks to organize and protect my stuff.

I love sleeping under a tarp. I am more in tune with nature and don't feel detached from my surroundings. Depending on the weather I pitch the tarp high and airy or low to the ground. If needed I can change the set up quickly.

• DD Tarp Solo
• accessory cord
• carabiner
• aluminum tent pegs
• elephant skin – a ground sheet made by the German armed forces

There was one little thing that bothered me while tarp camping – mosquitoes! Those mother bugging stingers. A tarp paired with a mesh tent offers protection against bloodsuckers and rain. This is a lightweight set up for two people.

• Paria Sanctuary SilTarp (Hex)
• Paria Breeze Mesh Tent
• accessory cord
• carabiner
• DIY tree saver

My tunnel tent has a low profile and is very discreet. It is small but has still enough room for me, my dog and my gear. A good compromise between a roomy tent and a bivvy bag. This tent is great for solo wildcamping trips. It is easy to set up, robust and can handle all kinds of different weather conditions.

• Jack Wolfskin Gossamer tent

This tent is great for multi-day trips during summer.

• Flame's Creed Xunshang

• 10-12 lightweight aluminum or titanium tent pegs

• DIY polycro footprint

I sleep on trimmed and cut-down foam pads. I carry and layer a couple of them. They have a bigger pack size than inflatable ones. I strap one pad to the outside and use the other to stabilize the inside of my backpack. A foam pad is failsafe. I don't have to worry about punctures or a broken valve.

• Thermarest Z Lite (9 panels)
• Quechua Trek100 (mummy shaped)
• Quechua Trek200 (torso length)
• Quechua Trek200 (torso length with cutouts)

• Deuter Dreamlite 500 L

My bivvy bag ads an extra layer of protection and warmth to my sleeping bag

• Alpkit Hunka bivvy bag
• normani SleeBag

Depending on the season, destination and weather, the following are the clothes I bring and wear on my hikes.

My base layers
• buff
• sport tank top
• four pairs of cotton underwear
• one pair of merino underwear
• two pairs of thin socks
• two pairs of thick socks

My mid layers
• T-shirt
• merino wool long sleeve
• shorts
• tights

My outer layers
• base cap
• face mask
• rain jacket
• trail running shoes

My extra layers of warmth
I add these to my pack whenever colder or wetter conditions are forecast.
• merino beanie
• merino buff
• second merino wool long sleeve
• fleece jacket
• puffy jacket
• rain pants
• gloves
• leg warmers
• wool felt insoles

I sleep in a clean top and add dry socks, the beanie, a buff and warm tights in cold nights.

My Grandpa always carried a little pocket knife, and so do I.
The small customized Opinel is my favorite EDC.

I clip my tiny pocket flashlight to my base cap and use it as a headlight.

• customized Opinel No. 6
• Ledlenser P3
• two AAA batteries

I use matches and stuff a couple packs in different pockets. I bought a plastic lighter years ago but I don't want to waste it. I carry it as a back up.

• matches
• Bic lighter

• folding scissors
• dukt tape
• needle, thread and dental floss
• repair patches
• accessory cord

I own and use two different cook systems. An alcohol stove and a micro gas stove. I carry one or the other.

• DIY alcohol stove
• DIY pot stand
• DIY wind screen
• fuel bottles
• measuring cup
• matches
or
• Alpkit Kraku camping stove
• gas canister
• matches

In the morning, after a cold night in the tent, may the coffee be hot and strong in my cup.

• Toaks titanium pot
   900ml (solo) or 1350ml (for two)
• Forclaz Trek 500 bowl
• Toaks titanium short handle spoon
• Recup coffee cup
• knitted dishcloth & potholder
• biodegradable dish soap

I carry food in recycled plastic containers, use them for pre-soaking or to carry leftovers. I clean my ziploc bags and reuse them.

• recycled plastic containers
• ziploc bags

I tried a water bladder, aluminum and plastic bottles. I dislike them. My favorite bottles are made from stainless heavy metal. But I'll use Tritan plastic bottles if I have to watch my backpacking weight.

• Kleen Kanteen Reflect 800 ml
• 360° degrees 1000 ml
• 2x Quechua Tritan Bottles 800ml

• band-aids
• dressing material
• hydrogen peroxide
• painkiller
• tweezers
• tick card
• eye drops
• tampons
• gloves
• tyvek bag

This little kit helps me to stay fresh – or at least a little bit fresher – on the trail. I use bandanas as lightweight towels. One for me and one for the tent and my camp kitchen.

• bamboo toothbrush
• toothpaste tablets
• wooden comb
• hair tie
• natron / baking soda
• organic soap
• lip balm
• cotton swabs
• sunscreen & bug repellent
• mirror
• two bandanas

• pepper spray
• whistle

Last but not least – my camp toilet.

• DIY pee rag
• toilet paper
• hand sanitizer
• biodegradable and compostable waste bags

Always remember: dig. do. bury.

My mojo bag contains stuff that might be useful and I might carry on occasion.

• compass
• small camouflage tarp
• small blanket
• mosquito net
• my fire kit
• dynamo flashlight
• solar flashlight
• mini tent light

She carries most of her stuff herself.

• 2m (80") DIY leash
• dog backpack
• foldable dog bowl
• dog fleece jacket
• tick & flea comb
• DIY sleeping pad
• towel
• food bags
• poop bags

Please send me an email if you do have a question:
team ⓐ heldenstuff . red
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