When hiking, it is your legs which do the majority of the work. Therefore high-quality hiking pants are highly appreciated among hikers, trekkers and mountaineers as they offer some basic protection against the surroundings (rocks, vegetation) and weather (wind, rain, sun radiation etc.). Hiking pants should also provide great freedom of movement so that you…
Mid-layer is an important part of a layered clothing system because it provides insulation and thus keeps your warm in cold conditions. The term “mid-layer” is often confusing to those who are new to hiking because it can apply to various garments. Fleece jackets, woollen sweaters, down jackets and jackets with synthetic insulation are all…
Layered clothing system is the norm when it comes to hiking, mountaineering and similar activities. Wearing multiple layers enables you to add or shed layers according to the conditions like changes in temperature, precipitation, wind and your activity level. The base layer is probably the most important part of the layered clothing system because it…
When it comes to short hiking trips, a daypack is one of the most useful pieces of hiking gear as it allows you to easily and comfortably carry additional clothing, water, food and accessories. Many hikers use relatively big backpacks (+ 40l) also for short trips, but this is not efficient as these backpacks do…
Via ferratas (“iron trails”) are steep and exposed trails running up and along abrupt hills and mountain sides, where the risk of a fatal fall is minimized by having a steel cable run along the trail – to which you can attach yourself with a via ferrata set. In addition to that via ferrata trails…
Base layers made of Merino wool are very popular among hikers, mountaineers and other outdoor enthusiasts as they offer superb temperature regulation, breathability, odor-control, UV protection and moisture-wicking properties. Unlike regular wool, Merino wool is really soft and pleasant to the touch and thus doesn’t cause any itching or other discomfort. Many hikers face a…
As a warm-up for my “Hiking the Alps” tour, I decided to do the Gradiska Tura route, which is an interesting and dynamic via ferrata trail in western Slovenia. Slovenia is a small Central European country which is bordered by Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary, and it is here that you…
Iceland is a beautiful country with many unique and interesting landscapes, which makes it a gem for hikers of all kinds whether they prefer the toughest hills or more recreational trails around the country. However, Iceland is expensive – even compared to the States or other Scandinavian countries and not least when it comes to…
Himmelbjerget is an around 148 meters high mountain in Jutland in Denmark. In December 2015 I concluded my “Hiking Iceland” tour and then stayed in Denmark for some time. Denmark is quite flat and therefore I was skeptic that I could find a tempting mountain to climb over there. However, after doing some research on the internet…
In 2014-2015 I lived in Iceland for about a year and while being there I executed nine very different hiking trips. Being accustomed to hiking in the Alps, I noticed that the Icelandic mountains differ from the Alps in many ways. In order to help you stay safe and comfortable while hiking in this northern…
