Packing List

Packing Recommendations FOR Hiking in the Alps

General considerations
The following instructions apply to the most strenuous of our trips (Haute Route and Matterhorn Circuit), although it’s certainly worth reviewing for our easier, more adaptable tours (Best of the Alps or Best of Valais), too. You'll also find informative videos adressing these topics on our Haute Route Essentials page. While we always recommend that you travel light, keep in mind that almost all of our hikes and treks are supported with luggage transfers, allowing you to bring a suitcase that will be waiting for you at our hotel most nights. The exception is on two nights of the guided Haute Route where we stay in mountain huts. So on most days you’ll be able to travel light, carrying just a daypack with snacks, camera, water, and a light jacket or fleece. Even on the nights when we stay in a mountain hut, all of our food and bedding is provided at the hut, but you may want to carry a change of clothes and personal toiletries.

In the huts we have dormitory-style accommodations with a comfortable foam pad, pillow, and plenty of blankets. Some people prefer to use their own sheet liner and purchase a lightweight silk liner that compacts to the size of your fist at travel stores. Most people choose to check a suitcase for the transatlantic flight and use their small backpack as a carry-on piece.

At the end of each day we go out to dinner either at the hotel restaurant or at a nice restaurant nearby. While it’s always casual, you’ll probably want to clean up and put on something other than the clothes and shoes you’ve been hiking in all day. A pair slacks, khakis, or even jeans may be your choice, along with a comfortable pair of shoes or even sandals.

While we make some specific recommendations below, your own personal preference, experience, and comfort—what works best for you—is ultimately the most important factor in deciding what to bring. By all means, if you have any questions, please call me. I’m a complete gear-head, and love talking about gear options and preferences. Each year I bring new items to test on the trail. Some become on-going favorites, others get tossed.

For current reviews of outdoor gear tested and proven in the Swiss Alps, visit our gear blog at www.alpengear.com

Hiking gear
Hiking Boots: We recommend that you choose your boots carefully, with proven comfort being your prime consideration. While most modern hiking shoes don’t require being “broken in” as was the case with leather boots of old, you will still want to have worn the shoe on a variety of trail surfaces and over comparable condition for 8-10 miles a day carrying a light pack, so that you know they will be comfortable on the trip. Your boots can be low-cut or mid-ankle, but should have a sturdy sole such as Vibram (my personal favorite). Alpine hiking and walking trails are usually on stable dirt surfaces with some rock, and some patches of boulder-hopping. Happy feet make happy hikers. Merrell, Asolo, Lowa, and Vasque are companies that make quality hiking boots with a variety of styles and materials.

Backpack: You should be able to get by with a small daypack in the 20-35 liter size. Even with a lighter pack I would still recommend a hip belt. In the ultralight style, Go Lite, Gregory, and Granite Gear all make packs that weigh under 2 lbs. that will carry between 10 and 20 lbs. of gear comfortably. Deuter, Vaude, Kelty, Dana Designs, Osprey, Mountainsmith, REI, Sierra Designs and Jansport all make great mid-sized packs as well. Many of these packs come with a built in waterproof pack cover, but you an also buy an inexpensive cover separately.

Raingear: I wish we could say this isn’t really needed, but good lightweight raingear (tops and bottoms) can make the difference between a miserable day and an enjoyable personal triumph. While we’ve long recommended waterproof-breathable (Gore-Tex) type raingear, some manufacturers make lightweight raingear using other fabrics. Go-Lite and Sierra Designs also make lightweight raingear that performs equally well. I see a lot of French hikers on the trail using ponchos that cover the body and backpack entirely. You may find that an inexpensive, even disposable, poncho can serve you very well. Again, personal preference.

Trekking Poles: Trekking poles have many benefits. They provide propulsion on the ascent, aid in balance and stability, and protect your knees on the descent. Though not mandatory, the vast majority of hikers on the Haute Route use trekking poles and you'll see them used on day hikes throughtout the Alps. Poles should be collapsible, so that they fit conveniently in checked luggage, since they are not allowed on board the aircraft under security regulations.

Packing List
It's a good idea to pack your clothes in a plastic bag or zip-lock bags inside your pack. I’ve also had good experience using the airtight vacuum-sealed packing bags. They allow you to compact your clothes in a small space and are reusable.

When selecting clothing think about dual-purpose clothes and about layering for warmth and keeping dry. It is better to have several layers you can take off and put on one at a time versus one heavy layer.

Other Gear:

• 1 liter water bottle or Camelback (hydration system).
• Sun glasses
• Small towel or microfiber sport towel, for use in the huts.
• Small headlamp (Handy for huts and as a trail emergency item)
• Personal toiletries, such as toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, sun screen, razor, lip balm (soap and shampoo is available at all hotels, but not at mountain huts). Most hotels have hair dryers and irons. Woolite or similar for hand washing clothes at hotels.
• Gloves
• knit hat for cold weather or headband to keep your ears warm 

Optional Items:

Group gear:
Your guide will carry the following items which are available for your use on the trail and throughout the trip:

Packing Recommendations for Day Hikes in the Swiss Alps

Outdoor Gear

Other Gear:

Optional Items:

• Camera
• Sun glasses
• Sleepwear
• Journal, reading material

Group gear:
Your guide will carry the following items which are available for your use on the trail and throughout the trip:

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