List nr. 2: Trek with sleeping outside and cooking, from spring to autumn

The best is to choose a backpack with a smaller capacity to motivate yourself not to take unnecessary things. But be careful that after packing all the equipment, you need to have enough space left in the backpack for food and water. Of course, if you have the opportunity to buy groceries every other day during the trek, you need much less space than if you donn't have the opportunity to buy groceries for two weeks, for example. If you bring a lot of supplies with you, it is good to check in advance what is the maximum load capacity of the backpack you want to use.

My choice: Gossamer Gear Kumo 36 L, 525 g

More durable alternative: Gossamer Gear Gorilla 40 L, 660 g (+ hipbelt)

Bigger and more durable alternative: Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 L, 700 g (+ hipbelt)

To keep your sleeping bag, clothes and electronics dry in any weather, it's a good idea to use a waterproof liner which fills your backpack. You can also sort things into smaller waterproof bags. It's safer than a raincoat that can slide or even be torn down by the wind. On the other hand, raincoat also protect equipment on the outside of your backpack and in outer pockets. It is safest to use both, a waterproof liner and a raincoat, because during heavy and persistent rains only a raincoat is not enough. I use a simple transparent bag with a double closure for small electronics, money and a mobile phone.

My choice: Waterproof pack liner, 90 g and aLoksak waterproof sack (it can also be used as a wallet), 6 g

Alternative: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Bag, from 30 g

Alternative: Backpack raincover

It is good to pack all hygiene products in a transparent resealable bag so that they are together and easy to find in the backpack and so that if a bottle is opened, its contents do not spill into the backpack.

It's good to have your things organized in your backpack, so that it doesn't take long to find them. For example, I put clothes and food in mesh sacks. If I don't have a large waterproof pack liner in my backpack, I use smaller waterproof bags, that keeps everything dry and organized. You can also fold the clothes together using the bundle wrapping method, or if you have leggings to sleep in, you can stuff the rest of your clothes in pants.

My choice: Cocoon Mesh Stuff Sacks

Practical alternative for clothes, that can also be used as a pillow: Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Compression Cube, from 46 g

You can choose a sleeping bag with a filling made of synthetic materials or down feathers. Those who pack lightly usually reach for the down one. Down is significantly lighter than synthetics in relation to thermal comfort. Quality Down "puffs up" more than synthetics, which creates a layer of air insulation. The larger the volume of the down, the greater the so-called fullness, which is measured in units of cuin (cubic inches). The more cuin, the warmer it will be in your sleeping bag with the same weight of filling.

My choice: Cumulus X-Lite 300, 465 g

Cheaper alternative: Cumulus Lite Line 300, 600 g

Summer alternative: Cumulus Magic 125 Zip, 270 g

Some people like to sleep just under the sky and in the case of rain they build a light shelter without a floor, others are happiest in a tent. Everyone has their reasons for preferring one over the other. The most reasonable is to rely on your own experience and especially to reflect the weather you may encounter along the way, and how you yourself are able to deal with it. Personally, I think that on most treks, a tarp is a fully adequate and significantly lighter choice than a tent if you know how set it up well. But some people feel safer or more comfortable in the tent. One thing is important - you should be able to build what you take with you even after dark.

My choice: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Tarp Poncho, 184 g

Alternative tent for one person: NEMO Hornet OSMO 1P, 1025 g

Alternative tent for two people: Gossamer Gear The Two, 995 g

Lightweight sleeping pads are basically of two types - you can choose between inflatable and foam. The advantage of inflatables is higher comfort and less storage space, while foam are more durable. The lightest inflatables are even lighter than the lightest foam. For a trek, when you sleep in a tent or you know in advance that there will be enough nice places to sleep, inflatable pad is a fairly clear choice. But if you are used to punk bivouacing, looking for a place to sleep often after dark or sleeping all over the pangas, you will appreciate the foam one, which can be quickly unpacked and packed again, and which will not get damaged by the thorns. Personally, I'm usually more of the punk type, and I prefer the inflatable only on snow, but I couldn't resist trying the lightest inflatable pad in the world.

My choice: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Uberlite, 240 g

Warmer alternative: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT, od 340 g

Foam alternative: Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite, od 380 g

Tent pegs also come in hande for putting up a tarp. Not that it's not possible without them, but they significantly expand your building options, and, they add more stability and wind resistance compared to sharpened sticks. After all, if you are going to the harsher weather with a tent, maybe the pegs that were delivered with your tent in one package are not nearly as good as your tent. If you want to save a bit of weight, you can combine different types of pegs - for the main fixing of the tent, take the reliable and a little heavier ones, plus add a few light ones.

My choice of main pegs: 4 x MSR Mini Ground Hog Stake, 10 g

My choice of lighter pegs (also suitable when traveling by plane): 4 x Swiss piranha plastic pegs, from 3 g

Waterproof bag, which protects your sleeping bag from moisture, will be appreciated especially by those who like to camp without a tent. At the same time, your sleeping bag is protected against dirt and wind, so it helps increase thermal comfort. It should be made of a breathable membrane, otherwise you will sweat a lot and get wet, even if not a sigle drop falls from the sky.

My choice: High Point Super Light 2.0 Cover, 230 g

Cheaper alternative if you are not going to use it that often: Montbell Tyvek Sleeping Bag Cover, 156 g

It can come in handy not only for building a shelter, but also as a protective pad under an inflatable mat or tent. It will also make sleeping under the sky more pleasant.

I recommend: Gossamer Gear Polycryo

If you don't want to blow moisture into your inflatable mat or if you don't want to waste time with inflating and instead start preparing dinner straight away, a small pump or bag adapted for inflating mats is a good decision.

I recommend: Flextail Tiny pump 2X

An important parameter of the membrane is not only the water resistance, but also the breathability so that you do not sweat too much in the jacket. The advantage is if the jacket has ventilation in the armpit, a removable hood, under which the helmet can fit, tightening in the neck area, on the sleeves and bottom hem, or pockets located above the fastened hipbelt. Three-layer membranes are more durable than less-layered, but usually also heavier.

My choice: Montbell Storm Cruiser Jacket women's, 240 g

Men's: Montbell Storm Cruiser Jacket men's, 277 g

Lighter, less durable alternative: Montane Minimus Lite Jacket women's, 191 g

Men's: Montane Minimus Lite Jacket men's, 213 g

It saves weight for shorts, and instead of changing clothes, you just zip or unzip your pants. They should be made of durable and quick-drying material, comfortable, and when they also have a water-resistant DWR and good big pockets, it is ideal.

My choice: The North Face W Exploration Convertible Pant, 312 g

Men's: The North Face W Exploration Convertible Pant, 390 g

Excellent material are various types of fleece from Polartec. The Power Grid or Alpha Direct, for example, offer a great ratio between weight and insulation, and the Classic Micro stand is also a good choice. Comfortable sweatshirts are also made of merino wool, but they are heavier and dry slowly. The zippered sweatshirt will be a bit heavier, but will help the thermoregulation better. A turtleneck jacket can replace a scarf / shawl. In colder weather, it is more efficient to wear two sweatshirts or a sweatshirt and a jacket than to wear one thick sweater.

My choice: Montane Protium Lite Pull-on women's, 161 g

Men's: Montane Protium Lite Pull-on men's, 193 g

Second jacket for women: The North Face W 100 Glacier Full Zip women's, 260 g

Second jacket for men: The North Face M 100 Glacier Full Zip men's, 300 g

It is good for sleeping and as a base layer in cold weather. It should be made of a material that takes moisture away from the body. Excellent is merino wool, which is warm considering its weight, is naturally antibacterial and resists odor for a long time. The vast majority of people feel comfortable in it.

Women's: Icebreaker 175 Everyday LS Crewe Women's, 141 g

Icebreaker Oasis Leggings Black Women's, 160 g

Men's: Icebreaker Oasis LS Crewe Men's, 213 g

Icebreaker Oasis Leggings Black Men's, 172 g

One merino wool t-shirt is enough for me. It resists odors for a long time, so it is not necessary to wash it so often, and at the same time it insulates well even when it is wet. In the summer, when it is warm, I wash it regularly in rivers or streams, and when wet I wear it - it dries quickly, and at the same time it cools down pleasantly for a while. Of course, you can take more of them with you. If I go on a long trek, I take a needle and thread with me, because the merino can't last under a backpack for a long time, and here and there I have a hole in it. Nevertheless, the merino pays off for me, compared to synthetic T-shirts, which don't feel so comfortable on my body, smell earlier and don't insulate well when wet.

My choice: Icebreaker Tech Lite III SS Tee women's, 107 g

Men's: Icebreaker Tech Lite III SS Tee men's, 137 g

Good trekking socks can eliminate the number of blisters and prevent mold on the feet. If you are going on a summer trek, don't let them fool just because they are thick - merino trekking socks will wick sweat away from your feet (they absorb more moisture) than thin ones, especially if you are walking in heavy shoes. If you have running shoes without a membrane, which are very breathable, even thin ones should be enough for high temperatures.

Women's: Darn Tough Women's 1/4 Lightweight with cushion, 64 g

Men's: Darn Tough Men's 1/4 Lightweight with cushion, 72 g

Light alternative women's: Icebreaker Run+ Micro Ultralight Cushion Women's, 25 g

Light alternative men's: Icebreaker Run+ Micro Ultralight Cushion Men's, 27 g

The underwear that you wear directly on the body should be as comfortable as possible. Therefore, it should not strangle anywhere, it should not retain moisture and a big advantage is when it dries quickly. From autumn to spring I carry more pieces with me, but during the summer, when the clothes dry quickly, I only need two pieces, which I wash every day. On a shorter trek, it is enough to wash with clean water without detergents, if you have underwear made of merino wool, which has natural antibacterial properties.

Mychoice: Icebreaker Siren Bikini, 24 g

Icebreaker Sprite Racerback Bra, 63 g

Men's: Icebreaker Anatomica Boxers, 53 g

They are suitable especially for running shoes without a membrane in case of long rains and cold days. How long your foot stays dry in them is mainly determined by the terrain in which you move in the rain - if you walk in them on a paved road, you can keep your feet dry even after a day of walking. They work even when walking thrrough a stream (even without shoes!), but in wet grass or wet snow they soak significantly faster (this is due to the high pressure on the membrane). But even when the socks get wet, they retain a pleasant warmth - they are also windproof.

My choice: Bridgedale Storm Sock LW Ankle, 90 g

Membrane trousers are great for bad weather, when it rains all day and it's cold. Membranes without lining are generally not suitable for wearing directly on the body, because sweat and grease from the skin significantly impairs their functionality, in addition, you would quickly sweat as hell. That's why I wear leggings under waterproof pants if possible. Waterproof trousers should definitely have zippers on the pants so that they can be put on over shoes, or they can also serve as ventilation.

I recommend: Montane Minimus Pants, 141 g

They are best for the weather, when it is warm, so that you would sweat in leggings and waterproof pants, but at the same time it rains for a day or more and the wind blows, so it would be cold in soaked pants or shorts. Windproof trousers get wet quickly, but then they tend to stick to the legs, which retains a thin layer of water near the body, which you can quickly warm up with body heat. At the same time, wind has no power over them, so you can maintain thermal comfort more easily. Mine dry so fast that after the rain I don't have to lug around with wet, water-soaked pants. They often dry even before the rain stops (in light rain they dry under the influence of body heat and wind). At the same time, in cold weather, I use them as another layer over the leggings when I go to sleep - a thin layer of heated air is created between the leggings and windproof pants, so I feel warmer (but if it's not cold, you could sweat in them). Due to their low weight, this is a lot of profit for a few extra grams.

I recommend: Montbell Dynamo Wind Pants, 77 g

When I climb a mountain or a ridge, I usually sweat, and there is wind blowing at the top. Water and wind can quickly dissipate heat from the body, so especially in these situations, a tiny windproof jacket, which fits in my pocket, is priceless. Similarly, I can also use a waterproof jacket, but it is too big to carry it with me if I just go for a walk and also I want to save the waterproof jacket for worse weather, so that the membrane stays functional for as long as possible. In addition, it is especially important for men that the wind jacket is much more breathable than a membrane jacket and is thus better in a situation when you sweat a lot and a cold wind blows at the same time. In colder weather, the wind jacket also helps me to stay warm, and in combination with a sweatshirt, there is a big difference.

I recommend: Montbell EX Light Wind Jacket Women's, 40 g

Men's: Montbell EX Light Wind Jacket Men's, 47 g

From autumn to spring, it is indispensable for me in the mountains. It is also good for colder evenings in summer, when, for example, I travel with friends and I know that we will often sit and gossip somewhere outside. When I go alone, I usually leave it at home, because during the day I warm up by walking, and in the evening or in the morning I can use a down sleeping bag while cooking and unpacking. In cold rainy weather, I wear a waterproof jacket over a down jacket, and in freezing temperatures I use it instead of a sweatshirt under a winter jacket. When it get really cold at night it is also good as an extra insulating layer in your sleeping bag.

Women's: MontBell Superior Down Parka women's, 225 g

Men's: MontBell Superior Down Parka Men's, 252 g

If you are also the type of a person who sets off on a trek pretty chubby, and then you lose weight radically in a few weeks, you may appreciate a belt. And when you do carry a belt, at least multifunctional, with a hidden pocket on the inside.

I recommend: Pacsafe Cashsafe, 70 g

A hat or baseball cap can be used against both the sun and the rain, but not everyone wears it. A warm hat is especially good if your clothes does not have a comfortable hood suitable for colder weather. You can use the multifunctional scarf on the neck if you do not have a turtleneck, over the ears against the wind or even on the head against the sun, if it is not very warm.

Against sun and rain: High Point Rain Hat, 42 g

Alternative: Cap

Against cold: Icebreaker Pocket Hat, 39 g

Multi-purpose alternative: Flexi chute

I recommend: Montane Prism glove women's, 59 g

Men's: Montane Prism glove men's, 59 g

Cheap and light, for short-time emergency use: Poncho, 43 g

Durable ultralight poncho: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Tarp Poncho, 184 g

The most commonly used trekking shoes are of two kinds - cross-country running shoes and heavy hiking boots. After many disappointments with membrane shoes, one day I decided to try membrane-free leather shoes, and after an excellent experience with them, I fundamentally reject the membrane in a trekking shoe. Membrane shoes need a long time to dry and are significantly worse in taking moisture away, while in terms of long-term use, their water resistance is not significantly better than with classic leather shoes. Recently, there is a big trend to wear running shoes without a membrane for treks, because they are significantly lighter and more breathable than hiking boots. I can definitely recommend this option, especially for summer treks in light or medium terrain (in case of rain, you can put on membrane socks). If difficult passages await you in the mountains, where an accident can easily occur, I would definitely prefer the hiking shoes. One practical example: you're crossing a snow field so you don't see what's under the snow - suddenly your foot sinks deep into the snow, into a hole between the rocks below. Best, you just cause abrasions to your ankles, worse, you break your ankle. When choosing shoes, it is simply always good to think in advance about the terrain that awaits you, and not to follow new trends blindly and at any cost. There is no point in rejecting hiking shoes.

On the long trek, you can appreciate another pair of ight shoes (e.g. barefoot sandals Huarache), which will serve perfectly during rest time, so that your feet can relax from the mountains, or for crossing rivers.

You can put a foldable toothbrush anywhere you like, because the bristles are hidden in the handle of the toothbrush. In addition, the foldable toothbrush takes up less space in the hygiene bag than the classic one.

My choice: GUM Travel, 19 g

You can put the toothpaste into a small container depending on how long you are going to spend on a trek. Even better is a concentrated toothpaste. You only need to apply a little bit of it on the toothbrush.

My choice: Ajona Stomaticum 25 ml, 43 g

You can do without a towel on the trek, if you don't mind drying yourself using a T-shirt, for example. If you are a hitch-hiker in the Galaxy, then I do not need to explain anything about the towel to you. Otherwise, a towel can also be used, for example, as a headdress, ear-scarf, neck scarf, to dry a tarp or tent, you can wrap it around the part of your body you are cold on in a sleeping bag, sit on it, become a toreador with it. The best is when it is a compact quick-drying towel with antibacterial treatment.

I recommend: Sea to Summit AIRlite towel, 53 g

You can use universal concentrated soap to wash yourself, instead of shampoo, to wash your clothes, to wash food (e.g. vegetables after dumpster diving…). Because it is concentrated, you only need to use a little of it, so it either lasts a long time or you can pour it into a small bottle. .

I recommend: Lifeventure All-Purpose Soap, od 130 g

A small bottle for liquids that you do not need to have in a large bottle is a practical thing. If not for shampoo, then for plum spirit.

I recommend: GSI Soft-sided Travel Paks, 39 g

Alternative: Bottles of different volumes, weight from 7 g

Spray bottle: Spray bottle 20 ml, 9 g

Pump bottle: Pump bottle 15 ml, 14 g

One small thing that you can use for several years, which will make you comfortable for many days, will save you time and money buying standard women's hygiene products and, in besides a piece of silicone, will produce zero waste. You no longer have to carry the unwanted waste in your backpack on a several-day trek until you finally hit the trash can. You only need a little bit of clean water to wash your menstrual cup, and when your red period is over, you simply boil the cup. Gentlemen will, please, keep all funny remarks to themselves. ;)

We never needed toilet shovels for treks, so why carry them now? Yes, it is one of the trends, but trends are not always bad. And in the case of toilet shovels, this is certainly true. Especially if you are going somewhere where, in addition to you, hundreds or thousands of other tourists are going in the season. It may sometimes happen to you that you find a beautiful place to sleep and then you find out that there is no space to set up a tent for the excrements. If you want to save some grams in a backpack fand still have a shovel, choose one that can also be used as a tent peg (or a peg that can be used as a shovel).

My choice: MSR Blizzard Tent Stake, 27 g

Even if you are of the opinion that people are allowed to stink on a trek, it does not mean that you could not use deodorant. Potassium Alum deodorant can also be used as a gadget in a first aid kit, because its application helps with burns, disinfects minor injuries, removes swelling after insect bites, stops minor bleeding and can also be used to sanitize your hands. Just add a little bit of water and it's ready to use. You can cut just a short piece for the way.

My choice: Purity Vision Deocrystal, 80 g

If you are not hairless, you will definitely appreciate a comb on a trek. And if you have a thick mane and want to avoid screed dreadlocks, you can use a foldable brush.

Small nail scissors or clippers can be useful especially if you are planning a longer trek. Experienced adventurers can cut their nails with a knife.

Mini scissors

You can neatly stack all your cooking equipment into your pot or you can also use it to transport food instead of a food box, or to take water from wells.

My choice: Keith Mug 900 ml, 127 g

Smart alternative: GSI Halulite Minimalist II, 180 g

Smart alternative for two: GSI Halulite Microdualist II, 505 g

Light stoves include mainly gas and alcohol stoves. Alcohol can be solid, which is more suitable for heating water than for cooking food, or liquid alcohol, which you buy easily in most pharmacies. In addition, it is a good disinfectant in case of injury. A lightweight liquid alcohol stove can be easily made, for example, from a beer can. Gas cookers have the advantage that thefire can be regulated and they are faster. Cooking more complex meals in larger quantities or for more people is definitely more comfortable with them.

My choice: DIY alcohol stove

Alternative gas stove: Robens Fire Midge Titanium, 45 g

Alternative solid fuel stove: Esbit pocket stove, 84 g

Knife is quite an essential tool for anyone who wonders for a long time in nature, especially if you need to improvise for any reason. For a classic trek, a small foldable knife is usually enough, a large hunting jackknife is more of an ornament for bushcrafters.

My choice: Deejo knife, od 27 g

Alternative: Antonini Old Bear Total Black knife, 31 g

The practical cutlery is spork - a combination of a spoon and a fork. In recent years, it has gained popularity among hikers, but some people prefer a good spoon. I prefer a foldable spork that fits in the pot.

My choice: Esbit Titanium Spork, 17 g

Cheaper alternative with a plastic knife: Sea to Summit Delta Spork, 19 g