A fleece jackets is a very useful garment for hiking because it provides light-weight insulation and can be worn as a mid-layer in cold and/or rainy weather conditions or as an outer layer in dry and moderate weather conditions. Towards the end of 2016 my old fleece jacket, made of Polartec Stretch fabric, started to…
In January 2017 I decided that it was finally time for me to get a pair of proper hiking boots and I ended up purchasing a pair of Scarpa Marmolada Trek hiking boots. I tested them on the Bodenhaus-Ammererhof and Grubereck trails in the Austrian Alps and on minor hikes since then and this is…
A tank top in a sophisticated material with a built-in bra is great for low to medium impact activities like hiking, climbing and mountaineering. It can be used on its own when hiking in warm weather or under insulating layers in colder conditions. You can read more about the qualities of tank tops versus cropped…
Merino wool base layers are becoming increasingly popular among hikers, mountaineers and other outdoor enthusiasts due to the softness, great odor-control and superb temperature regulation of the fabric. For long it has been believed that all wool clothing is too warm for anything but winter use, itchy and offers inferior performance to synthetics, but this…
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…
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…
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 winter is approaching, the days are getting shorter and there are less light hours to spend outdoors. However, short days should not limit your outdoor activities. The first step towards enjoyable hiking, mountaineering or trekking in darkness is a high-quality headlamp. A headlamp illuminates the area around you while allowing you to use both…
Hiking in the rain is no fun unless you have appropriate equipment such as a waterproof jacket, waterproof boots and also waterproof pants. Waterproof equipment should not only keep you dry but also offer great freedom of movement and breathability. For the last five months I have been on my “Hiking Iceland” tour. Now in…
Not many things are as important as boots when it comes to hiking. Hiking boots should provide good grip, ankle support and comfort. There are many different types of hiking boots available but not all are suitable for every terrain. For example if you are planning to do “Via Ferrata” routes you will need hiking…
