Polyester is the most widely used material for sportswear. However, Merino wool is due to its multiple benefits also becoming increasingly popular for sports apparel. Therefore, many outdoor enthusiasts and athletes are in doubt which material to choose. It’s indeed hard to say which one is better because both materials have advantages and disadvantages. For…
Backpack enables you to easily carry water, food, additional clothing and other necessities. Hiking backpacks vary greatly in design, capacity, fit and features. Therefore it can be hard to decide which backpack to buy. In this guide to hiking backpacks we first explain different types of backpacks and then help you figure out your needs…
Hiking trips will take a toll on your feet and legs because you will walk long distances and often on uneven if not downright rocky terrain. Therefore, you should wear good hiking footwear which will protect your feet from injuries and enhance your performance. Because hiking footwear varies greatly in weight, design, support and cushioning,…
Hiking requires good clothing so you are comfortable on trails, no matter the weather. Many beginners are in doubt about what garments to use and how to properly layer them. Therefore, we made this hiking clothing guide where we explain the concept of layering and give you information about different garments and how to best…
A shell is the last (outer) layer of a layered clothing system and is thus worn over a base layer and a mid-layer. In warm weather the shell can also be worn directly over a base layer because insulation, which is normally provided by a mid-layer, is not required. The term “shell” is sometimes confusing…
In 2016 I conducted seven very different hiking trips in the eastern part of the Alps; two in Italy and five in neighboring Slovenia – a small Central European country with great possibilities for hiking and mountaineering. In the following I will describe some of the characteristics of alpine hiking as well as give you…
While it might be easy as cake to pack a backpack for a short hike where you carry only water and a snack, it becomes more of an art when you need to pack additional clothing, extra gear (climbing harness, helmet, via ferrata set etc.) or even sleeping equipment in case you plan to spend…
Since their introduction in the early 90’s, hydration bladders (also referred to as hydration reservoirs and hydration systems) have become increasingly popular among hikers, trekkers, mountaineers and other outdoor enthusiasts. This is mainly due to the fact that they, unlike water bottles, allow easy access to water and you have your hands free when drinking….
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…
