I am interested in all things outdoor and I love hiking. Like most people, I overpacked my pack when I first started backpacking.

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, climate 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 7kg (15 lbs.)
• plan and pack 700-1000g (1.5-2 lbs.) of food per day
• pack calorie-dense foods (hiking burns roughly 400kcal per hour)
• 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.
• make use of what you have
• find your own comfort zone and learn to leave it behind
• try to have fun – even when you don't
• respect nature and Leave No Trace

I buy used gear and enjoy making my own stuff. I try to find a good balance between robust, sustainable, lightweight and budget-friendly. 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 backpacking checklist:

I use my small 22 liters backpack for short hikes and my 45 liters pack for multi-day hikes were I have to carry all the essentials.

• Bach Roc 22 (daypack)
• Fjällräven Friluft 45 (multi-day pack)
• DIY 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.

This is my most minimalist shelter. 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
• elephant skin – a ground sheet made by the German armed forces

There were a couple of little things that bothered me while tarp camping – mosquitoes and ticks! Those bugging biters. A tarp paired with a mesh tent offers protection against bloodsuckers and rain. This is a lightweight set up that can be split between two people.

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

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 a bit too heavy for me and my normal backpacking trips. But because it is fast to pitch, sturdy and reliable, it is great for solo wild camping trips where my shelter has to withstand all kinds of bad weather.

• Jack Wolfskin Gossamer tent

A lightweight tent for multi-day backpacking trips. I changed the guy lines and made my own tent poles. It can be set up with a trekking pole.

• 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 or 12 panels)
• Quechua Trek100 (mummy shaped)
• Quechua Trek200 (torso length)

• Deuter Dreamlite 500 L (summer)
• The North Face Lynx Eco (3 season; modified)
• Therm-a-Rest Juno Blanket (for me and my dog)

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

• Alpkit Hunka bivvy bag

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

base layers
• sport tank top
• three pairs of underwear (synthetic & merino)
• two pairs of thin hiking socks
• one pair of thick waterproof socks

mid layers
• buff (synthetic or merino)
• T-shirt
• merino wool sweater or fleece
• windbreaker or puffy jacket
• shorts
• tights

outer layers
• base cap
• rain jacket
• trail running shoes (Xero Zero)

sleep layers
• merino wool longsleeve
• wool socks
• tights

extra layers of warmth
I add or swap these layers whenever colder or wetter conditions are forecast.
• merino beanie
• leg warmers
• Salewa Texel pants
• rain pants
• gloves
• wool felt insoles

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

• DIY alcohol stove
• DIY pot stand
• DIY wind screen
• fuel bottle
• measuring cup
• matches

• Alpkit Kraku camping stove
• gas canister
• matches

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

If I feel a little bit more bushcrafty I carry

• my fire kit

In the morning, after a cold night in the tent, I want a hot and strong coffee.

• heldenstuff enamel mug (day hike)
• ultralight Recup coffee cup (multi-day hike)
• Toaks titanium pot
   900ml (solo) or 1350ml (for two)
• Forclaz Trek 500 bowl
• olive wood spoon
• knitted dishcloth & potholder
• biodegradable dish soap

I carry food in recycled plastic containers, use them for pre-soaking or to carry leftovers. I reuse my bread plastic bags for all kinds of stuff.

• plastic containers
• bread plastic bags

I tried a water bladder, aluminum and plastic bottles. I dislike them. My favorite bottles are made from stainless heavy metal. But I will 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

I usually get my water from the tap. If I can't find pure drinking water, I filter water from other sources.

• Origin Outdoors water filter
• Katadyn Micropur Forte MF tablets

• ID card and a copy of my passport
• health insurance card
• bank card
• BahnCard
• smart phone and charger
• RoHS power bank
• camera and charger
• money
• 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
• compass

I never liked hiking poles, but after breaking my big toe and having to rely on a support for walking for months, I really appreciate my trekking pole. Great for crossing waterways too. One is all I need.

• Forclaz MT100

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

• customized Opinel No. 6
• Ledlenser P3
• DIY headband flashlight holder
• two AAA batteries

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

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

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

• pepper spray
• whistle
• personal alarm

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.

• kids bamboo toothbrush
• toothpaste tablets
• wooden comb
• natron / baking soda
• organic soap
• lip balm
• cotton swabs
• sunscreen
• bug repellent
• tiny plastic mirror
• two bandanas

• 2m (80") DIY leash
• dog harness
• foldable dog bowl (silicone baking cup)
• tick & flea comb
• DIY sleeping pad
• towel
• food bags
• poop bags

Last but not least – my camp toilet.

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

Always remember: dig, do & bury.

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