It's no secret that hiking and going on multi-day treks is one of our main loves in travel. We've gone hiking on all continents, from the top of Tanzania to the jungles of Colombia, and over the years we've become quite adept at packing efficiently and effectively for treks of all lengths and weather conditions. Our goal in figuring out the best hiking essentials and gear is to be prepared for changing weather, but to still pack light so we're not carrying a lot of weight.

After receiving numerous emails, queries and comments asking about how we prepare and pack for these multi-day and day hikes, we decided to assemble our hiking essentials checklist with our favorite gear and advice for hikes, long and short.

By way of background, during the first six years of our journey we carried all that we needed in our backpacks so as to be prepared for just about any kind of climate or activity, from beach to glacier. In retrospect, we made some silly decisions in those early days. As a result, we carried a few bits of gear we never used.

But through experience and experimentation and after about a dozen multi-day treks in all types of weather and altitudes, we got smarter and more effective in our packing for hikes. This isn't only regarding what hiking gear to carry with us, but also when it made sense to rent gear locally for the duration of the trek or even to buy the gear on the ground.

And we figured out how to do all this while on a budget.

What is the difference between trekking and hiking?
Good question. While this article does a good job breaking it down, for our purposes here we're using the two words somewhat interchangeably to represent going out and walking in nature for a period of time. This is different from mountaineering that usually involves specialized climbing gear and technical skills and backpacking that usually involves camping gear.

Note: The following advice applies mainly to multi-day hikes where your sleeping and eating arrangements are taken care of already (think guest houses, lodges, tea houses, home stays, yurts or even with a trekking agency that takes care of carrying your tent and food). If you are camping on your own, then you'll need to add food, camping, and cooking gear to everything below.

Update: This article was originally published in June, 2014 and updated last in May 2022 with additional gear and tips that we've learned from additional day hikes and multi-day hikes we've done during that time (e.g., Alay Mountains in Kyrgyzstan, 10-day Huayhuash Trek in Peru, a winter trek in Bhutan, hiking in Cyprus). We've added a section on winter trekking gear, a note on sustainability when thinking about hiking gear, and an updated Ultimate Hiking Essentials Checklist.

This article is long and covers a lot of different topics and types of hiking gear. Use the Table of Contents below to find the information and section that best suits what you're looking for and your needs. If the hiking gear that we originally bought and use is no longer available, we will find and recommend the closest current option.

Hiking Gear Myths: Don't Make The Same Mistakes as Us

We've made a lot of mistakes with hiking gear and packing for hikes over the years. Here are some of the trekking packing myths that we've discovered along the way.

1. You must purchase the latest and greatest hiking gear.

It's true that some trekking clothing technology is especially useful for lightness, wind-resistance, waterproofing and wicking (GoreTex, fleece, Polartec, etc., come to mind). However, we suggest focusing on the hiking gear essentials: clothing that is comfortable, breathable, light, easily layered.

You're not climbing to the peak of Mount Everest here. (If you are, that's for a different article altogether). For a little perspective, watching locals breeze by you in flip-flops might make all your fancy hiking gear seem a little unnecessary.

There's no need to overspend. Go for good quality so you can use it for a long time, but resist the shiny bleeding-edge hiking gear toys. I know it's hard. Outdoor stores are dangerous shopping vortexes for us, too.

2. You need to bring EVERYTHING with you.

For almost every multi-day hike we've undertaken, there's been ample opportunity to rent or buy gear to supplement our regular hiking gear kit. For example, it's just not practical for us to carry around bulky sleeping bags in our backpacks when we only need them a tiny fraction of the time during a trip.

Do your research and find out what is available on the ground and at what cost. Ask the tour company you're going with or reach out to other independent travelers who've experienced the same hike. When you land on the ground, shop around for the best price to rent or potentially even buy something used or new.

Before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, we'd traveled through Bali, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Jordan and Thailand — all with the same gear in our backpacks throughout.

So it was more than worth the $65 I spent in Moshi, Tanzania to rent a sleeping bag, waterproof pants, waterproof jacket, walking stick, gaiters and more to get me to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Dan even rented hiking shoes for $15 which offered a little more ankle support and stability than the ones he'd been wearing.

When we departed for our safari just after the Kilimanjaro trek I could just drop all that stuff off at the trekking gear shop and continue with my regular light backpack.

3. Real treks require camping.

This is all subjective. It's true that camping and carrying all your own gear may give you a greater sense of independence and accomplishment and allow you to dive deeper into nature. However, we take issue with the assertion that camping equals a better hiking experience.

In fact, some of our most memorable hikes (e.g., Annapurna Circuit, Markha Valley Trek, Svaneti, Peaks of the Balkans, Kalaw to Inle Lake in Burma, etc.) have been memorable precisely because of the local culture and human interaction dimensions surrounding our sleeping and food arrangements with local families.

It's the combined experience of nature and people (and the human nature that responds to the surrounding environment) that we find truly soul nourishing.

READ MORE: 13 Best Offbeat Treks That You’re Not Considering…But Should

Packing for Your Hike: Hiking Essentials Principles

When it comes to packing for a hike in an efficient way so that you have maximum flexibility with minimum weight, we follow the following hiking essentials gear and packing principles and philosophy. This has come together over the last fifteen years with all the different treks we have done all over the world.

1. Hiking clothing: it's all about the layers.

This is true in all types of travel, long-term and short, but especially for hiking into high altitudes. Temperatures can change very drastically during the course of a day. I always prefer to have an extra layer in my bag than to go cold or wet.

Even if the days are warm at low altitude, nights may still be chilly. On summit days you'll often need to pile on everything you have to get to the top, only to peel it off layer by layer as you descend.

2. Hiking clothing for overnights: carry separate rest and sleeping clothes.

I learned this from the folks at Erratic Rock in Puerto Natales near Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.

They called the yucky, stinky clothes you'll find yourself wearing every day until the very end your “hiking uniform.” In light of this — and even if you are going minimalist — try to include an extra set of night clothes to change into at the end of the day to relax and sleep in. These clothes will be dry (quite important if you've hit snow or rain that day), comfortable and relatively clean (in comparison).

I usually pack an extra t-shirt, pajama pants and socks. I'll further layer other clothes on top to stay warm at night. Regardless, the layer closest to my skin is dry and relatively fresh.

Oh, the little joys while on the trail.

This technique also gives your wet and stinky clothes a chance to dry and air out overnight. The next morning you can slip back into your hiking clothes — yes, your uniform — and you'll be ready to go for another day on the trails.

3. Never skimp on sun protection.

As you advance higher in elevation, the sun becomes scary strong. So even if you tan beautifully on the beach without any sunscreen, be sure to pack ample and strong sunscreen once you head into the mountains. Carry a hat that will protect your face from the sun (think rollable foldable sun hat or baseball cap — we don't need to look pretty while trekking).

Hiking with sunburn — face, neck, or hands — is miserable. And if your sunburn is bad enough, you'll almost feel flu-like. Not good for peak performance.

Also be sure to have sunglasses with quality lenses that protect your eyes. Otherwise, they too will become burned and sore.

Choosing a Hiking Backpack

You’ll be carrying all your stuff on your back up and down mountain passes so the size, fit and comfort of your hiking backpack is super important. Aim to carry a hiking backpack that is big enough to hold the essentials (e.g., water, jacket, rain gear, sunscreen, etc.), yet not too big that it will weigh you down.

The size of your hiking backpack will depend on the number of days of your hike is, your sleeping and eating arrangements, and temperatures. No matter what, don't forget to bring a rain cover to protect your backpack in storms.

In the early days of our travelers we often repurposed our laptop backpacks or rented backpacks from trekking agencies. This usually did the trick, but they did not always fit use entirely and thus were not very kind to our back and shoulders.

We've since invested in proper hiking backpacks and haven't looked back. Our only regret is that we wish we had done this earlier to save ourselves some of that early discomfort.

Here are the hiking backpacks we're now using and can recommend for comfort, weight, size and convenient features.

Recommended women's hiking backpack

I really do love my Deuter ACT Trail Pro SL hiking backpack (32-liters) and take it with me every chance that I have. It's very light with all sorts of great functionality like a built-in rain cover, water bladder compatibility, wide waist belt for stability, and more. The SL means that it's designed for women's bodies and I don't know how much of a difference that makes, but I find that it does fit my back and body quite well.

Even after walking almost 1,000 km / 600 miles with it on my back during the Camino de Santiago, I still found it comfortable and had no issues with it. I've used this hiking backpacks both on multi-day hiking trips as well as on day hikes when I wanted to carry several layers of jackets and rain gear, a water bladder and other hiking essentials. Although it is a bit big for a traditional day pack, I still find it comfortable and light enough to serve this purpose.

Deuter no longer makes this backpack in 32 liters, but you can still find it or similar Deuter SL hiking backpacks in other sizes. Buy on Amazon (28-Liter) | Buy on REI (22-Liter) | Buy on Backcountry.com (34-Liter)

Recommended men's hiking backpack for multi-day hikes

The Osprey Exos hiking backpack comes in several sizes, so the Large version is well-suited for tall people (like Dan). Light, comfortable, and durable. This was the first hiking backpack that Dan used that didn't leave him with a sore back and shoulders at the end of the day.

The only complaint about this backpack is the walking stick holder as it's a little janky, but that's a small thing compared to comfort and all the other great features of this Osprey hiking backpack. Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI (48-liter) | Buy on Backcountry

Recommended men's hiking daypack

As you know from above, Dan is a big fan of Osprey packs as they are adjustable and fit his back and torso well. So when he was looking for a smaller size daypack he stuck with Osprey and chose the Osprey Packs Stratos 24. This 24-liter size is great for day hikes or as a daypack on multi-day treks (e.g., when most of your hiking gear is carried by mules). Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI | Buy on Backcountry.com

Hiking Clothes for Men and Women

Below is an overview of the hiking clothes we each carry for a 5-10 day hike. If you are going on a shorter trek then you can cut back, but if your hike is longer you can still carry the same amount of clothes or even less (e.g., we carried a similar amount for our 40-day Camino de Santiago walk).

For longer hikes and treks you'll just need to “recycle” your hiking clothing more or find a way to wash them along the way. By recycle, I mean turn things inside-out, air them out, wash them. Whatever the best mechanism you have available to give it longer life and whatever your tolerance level might be. The most important thing is not whether you stink (there's a good chance you just might), but that you are dry and comfortable.

My approach is to carry and maintain separate hiking and sleeping (or relaxing at night) clothes so that you always have something clean(ish) to change into at night (see above for more details on this).

To be on the safe side to protect against things getting wet, put your sleeping clothes and whatever else you aren't wearing at the time in Ziploc or another kind of plastic bag.

Hiking Clothing: Base Layers and Mid-Layers

Hiking pants (one pair): We're both been using Clothing Arts Travel Pants (men's hiking pants and women's hiking pants) for over ten years on all of our day hikes and multi-day treks. These hiking pants are not only are sturdy (we've put them through a lot and they still look great), but they are also quick-dry and avoid stains and odors.

We find the additional secure zipper and buttoned pockets useful on treks for keeping phones, money, tissues and other things handy. (Note: This is especially relevant for women as many women's trekking pants hardly have any pockets of any size.)

Thermal underwear (top/bottom): I love my silk long johns as they are warm, comfy and take up almost no room at all. Also good is Uniqlo's Heat Tech collection of thin, but warm, layers of leggings and tops. Dan is still keen on his Patagonia zipper top and bottoms that he's been using for over 20 years.

2-3 short-sleeved t-shirts: Preferably quick-dry or regular cotton for comfort and versatility. We often use our running shirts on hikes as they are light and wick away sweat well. Plus, the bright colors of the shirts allow us to easily find each other when we're hiking at different speeds.

1 long-sleeved pullover or zipped shirt: When you need another light layer to go over your t-shirt for cold or sun protection. I've been enjoying a light zipped top for women and Dan's been using a half-zip pullover.

Pajama/sleeping pants: I find that cotton leggings or yoga pants work quite well.

Hiking Socks and Underwear

Underwear: However many pairs that you're comfortable with carrying. Underwear is light and doesn't take up much space so you have some flexibility here. Here are recommended men's boxer shorts and women's underwear.

3 pairs of socks: I love SmartWool hiking socks. Not only are they comfortable, but my first pairs lasted me almost seven years of very heavy usage. If you prefer a thinner sock check out their ultra-light line. Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry

Hiking Outerwear: Jackets and Waterproof Gear

I always prefer to have the option to remove layers than to not have enough to put on when I'm beginning to chill as I head over a mountain pass or through a storm.

Waterproof Shell Jacket and Pants

For jackets, we each usually bring a light fleece jacket, thin windbreaker and some sort of outer waterproof or water resistant jacket.

Waterproof Jacket: For our recent trek in Peru I upgraded to a NorthFace Climatech technology waterproof jacket and I love it. It not only provided protection against the rain and cold, but the jacket material is very breathable so it didn't feel like a sauna inside. Highly recommended. Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry

Waterproof Pants: We used to borrow or rent waterproof pants from a local trekking agency, but most recently we picked up a pair of light pull-on biking waterproof/water resistant pants. They fold up into a small bag so they barely take up any room or weight in your backpack, but keep you quite dry when the clouds open up.

Waterproof Poncho: If we really think we're going to be facing a lot of bad weather we'll also pack a waterproof poncho that goes over our hiking backpacks for extra protection. It can get steamy under the poncho, but it's worth it for that additional layer to keep you and your gear dry.

Light Down or Puffy Jackets

We've also started carrying a light down jacket that can be stuffed into a tiny cinch bag. It hardly takes up any room or weight in the backpack, but can provide warmth and comfort at night when temperatures drop. Dan loves his seamless ultra-light down jacket from Uniqlo. I carry a down jacket similar to this that packs up small and light.

Hiking Shoes and Other Footwear

Shoes may be the most important thing you bring with you so if you invest in one thing in advance, invest in a solid comfortable pair of hiking shoes. And break them in. Your shoes can literally make or break a trip.

Hiking Shoes or Boots

If you have a particular trek or hike in mind, ask in advance whether you need mid- or high support hiking shoes for ankle support as this may influence your purchasing decision. We don't find ourselves often needing high support boots. However, if your ankles are weak or susceptible to turns and sprains, more support is better than less.

We both recently shifted to wearing Oboz Sawtooth hiking boots. The insoles and support for your feet are really good, and the shoes are sturdy and can stand up to some tough terrain. In addition, Oboz plants a tree for every pair of shoes sold so you can feel good that your purchase is going towards reforestation and environmental projects.

Men's Obuz Sawtooth Hiking Shoes: Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry

Women's Obuz Sawtooth Hiking Shoes: Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry

Flip flops or river shoes

At the end of a long day of walking you may want to take off your hiking shoes and give your feet a rest. But you'll still need something on your feet to go to and from the outhouse or nearest bush. That's where flip flops or river shoes worn with socks (yes, ignore the fashion police) are perfect.

Outside of these situations, you may find river shoes either useful for crossing or fording rivers. Depending on the bottom surface of the river and the depth, we've also just managed in bare feet, but river shoes protect your feet from stray rocks and make the crossing more comfortable.

Women's Teva River Shoes: Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI | Buy on Backcountry

Men's Teva River Shoes: Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI | Buy on Backcountry

Other Hiking Gear Essentials

Sleeping and Drying Off Gear

Sleeping Bag Liner: Arguably non-essential, but nice to have. Whether staying in home stays with provided bedding or sleeping in a rented sleeping bag, you sometimes wonder when the last time anything was properly laundered. And you may also wonder about bed bugs and other critters. That's where a sleep sack with a pillow wrap comes in to provide a clean layer between you and everything else. Our preference is for a silk liner as it is very light, but keeps you quite warm and dries quickly. Buy on REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry

Note: We do not usually carry a sleeping bag with us as we prefer to rent one locally if we need one. This saves us a lot of room in our luggage.

Quick-Drying Travel Towel: Always good to start and end your day by washing your hands and face. Don’t expect hot showers on treks, nor running water of any kind. But on a few occasions we've been able to get a couple of bucket baths that were really, really nice. Buy on REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry

Silicone earplugs: A good night's sleep on the trekking trail is supremely important for your condition. And although you may be sleeping in the middle of nowhere, there are still noises from roosters, howler monkeys, birds, lions, and not least other trekkers that will all conspire to keep you up. That's where earplugs come to the rescue and help shut it all down to silence.

Trekking Poles and Walking Sticks

Walking stick: Highly recommended on most treks, especially for steep downhill sections. Two walking sticks or one, you ask? We'll usually share one walking stick set of two so each of us uses one stick. However, using two walking sticks will provide you with more stability. This set of reasonably priced travel-friendly walking sticks fold up easily for luggage and assemble quickly when on the trail.

If you don't bring a walking stick with you, then keep your eye out for a tree branch or limb that can be carved for the purpose. We've done that plenty of times as well.

Sharp Knife and Lights

Leatherman: A multi-tool device with a knife, bottle opener, screwdriver, and more comes in quite handy when on the trail. We use ours all the time for cutting cheese, vegetables, bread or other food items for picnic stops. Note: remember to take it out of your carry-on bag when you fly!

Headlamp: Lights the way and keeps your hands free. If you're staying with families in guest houses or home stays, you may find they are without electricity at night or in the bathroom/outhouse, a most unfortunate place to trip in the dark. If you're camping, headlamps are of course absolutely essential.

Water and Filtration

Reusable water bottle: We each carry a reusable liter water bottle on us and refill along the way with purified or clean water. We also usually carry CamelBak water bladder in the backpack as well as we find we drink more water this way as it's easy to access and you can easily hydrate while walking.

Even if your trek has bottled water to sell, resist the urge to buy it. Plastic bottle waste is an enormous problem at elevation and in villages around the world. If you get tired of the taste of regular water, consider adding some electrolytes to it.

Water Purification: Some treks will provide you with clean, boiled water as part of the service (e.g., Kilimanjaro, Markha Valley). Sometimes there will be a program of UV (ultraviolet) purified or pass-filter cleaned water services in villages where you can refill your bottle with clean water for a small fee. Hop on it, maybe even pay a little extra. It's worth it to you, the village, and the environment.

On other treks it's up to you to somehow purify or clean the water you source from mountain streams or village taps. We suggest carrying either a water bottle that has its own purifier, a SteriPEN or sterilization drops/tablets. We've found this 2-part water sterilization drop system to be good and doesn't make the water taste too much like chemicals.

The SteriPEN uses ultraviolet (UV) light and technology to purify the water which does not affect the taste so it still might taste funky even if it's clean. The sterilization drops may make the water taste a little funny, but it won't make you sick.

Sun Protection

Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses: Bring the highest SPF sunscreen you can find and wear a hat at all times. The sun's rays are exceptionally powerful at altitude and you'll find yourself especially exposed when there isn't a cloud in the sky.

Moisturizing skin cream and lip balm (with SPF): Creams and moisturizers may sound extraneous, but they can make a difference. Many mountain treks involve high desert where you will not only be exposed to lots of sun, but also arid conditions.

Your skin and lips will dry and crack to discomfort if you don't keep them moist. Treat them nicely: moisturize! And be sure to carry only a tiny lightweight container, not the original 32 oz. tube!

Personal Hygiene Items and Toiletries

Hand sanitizer gel and soap: One of the best ways to avoid becoming ill: wash your hands thoroughly and often. If you feel a little obsessive compulsive with the hand cleaning, that’s a good thing.

Toilet paper / tissue packets: One roll, used sparingly. Better to be self-sufficient here. No explanation needed. I often also keep a pack of tissues in my pocket as well for such emergencies.

First Aid Kit and Medicines

Basic first aid gear we recommend packing: Band-Aids, aspirin/Tylenol, rehydration/ electrolyte packets, anti-flu powder (a packet that dissolves in water that breaks fevers may work better than a pill if someone has been throwing up),

Foot care: Address any hot spots or blisters the moment you begin to feel them as they can get painful really quickly. Our go-to gear for preventing and treating blisters include duct tape (magic in preventing and managing blisters) and Compeed (magic when you already have blisters).

Medicines: You may be miles or days away from any doctor so be sure to have some basic medicines with you in case you (or others) fall ill. On our treks, we've picked up sinus infections and helped others who have picked up the wrong kind of gut bacteria. Having some basic medicines with us like Amoxicillin (or other basic antibiotic) has allowed us to deal with medical issues immediately and to keep going.

For a full list of travel medicines and how to use them, check out these travel health tips.

Note: You can easily stock up on medicines at pharmacies in many countries. Basic medicines such as the ones listed here and in the article above will likely not be very expensive and will often not require a prescription.

Other Useful Hiking Bags

Dry sack: You never know when it's going to rain or snow, so prepare for the worst — particularly if you have gear that must remain dry. We carry a dry sack with us in order to protect our gear against freak storms or inadvertent submersions while fording rivers. Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry.com

Camera Bag: If you're carrying a separate camera and multiple lenses consider packing a separate camera bag to protect your gear and to allow you easy access to it.

Recently, we switched to a mirrorless Fuji camera and lenses. One of the main reasons for this was that they are smaller in size and weight, meaning I could carry a smaller camera bag on treks. I really like the ThinkTank Sling Camera Bag which fits a camera body and two lenses. Its shoulder strap is useful for urban settings while the waist strap makes it comfortable for hiking as it sits right on my hips. I can still wear a backpack or daypack that rests on top of it.

Hiking Snacks and Food

Snacks: Even if your meals are provided to you on a trek, it’s sometimes nice to have a little something to nibble on between stops. We usually bring a small stash combination of Snickers bars, granola/power bars, a jar of peanut butter and crackers. You'll want a little bit of both salty and sweet foods.

Electronic Gear and Chargers

Batteries, memory cards: It's usually better to assume that you won't find electricity along your trekking route. If you do, consider it gravy. Be sure to ask your trekking guide or agency, or other route-experienced travelers (either in forums or once you are on the ground). Ask them all once, then again for good measure. Bring extra memory cards for your camera so you have ample space to snap away or record video.

This means you should try to bring extra batteries for your camera, headlamp, and anything else that's battery-powered. If you're carrying your smartphone with you consider bringing a solar powered power bank and putting your phone on Airplane Mode to preserve battery life. We also use a battery case for our iPhone as this will usually provide 2x of the phone's regular battery life. And, it protects the phone if it is dropped accidentally.

If there's electricity along your trek and you'd like to recharge, by all means bring rechargers. We do. But it's just something else to pack — and something you must prioritize when the final bag stuff begins just prior to setting off.

READ MORE: Ladakh Trekking: A Beginner’s Guide

Winter Hiking Gear

We recently did our first proper winter trek — The Druk Path in Bhutan — and needed to gear up specifically for those conditions. This included temperatures going down to -10 C /14 F at night (and it felt even colder than that), potential snowfalls and walking on snow and ice.

However, daytime temperatures were quite pleasant and warm (15 C / 65 F) when the sun was out. So, we had to be prepared for all types of temperatures and conditions.

Winter Sleeping Bag

If you are doing a winter trek it is very important that you bring a warm sleeping bag so that you are not uncomfortable in your tent at night. We highly recommend buying or renting a sleeping bag that is COMFORT rated to -10 C/15 F (or even more). Even if you don't trek during the winter some places still get very cold at night and in the early morning. It's better to take off layers or unzip the bag than to not be warm enough. Trust us, being cold in your tent sucks.

We always prefer to rent our sleeping bags locally, but for our recent winter trek in Bhutan that wasn't an option so we had to bring our own. We purchased this Mammut Nordic OTI winter sleeping bag, which was warm enough, synthetic (vs. down, which requires more care) and came at a great price. However, it's a bit bulky and took up quite a bit of space in our luggage. (Here's a similar Marmot winter sleeping bag that is comfort-rated to 0F)

Another good sleeping bag option would be one of the down sleeping bags offered by Hyke & Byke (e.g., this sleeping bag goes down to 0 degrees F) as they are very reasonably priced for down and the quality of the bags. Here are some other winter sleeping bags offered at REI.

Winter Hiking Clothing and Gear

We didn't really change our clothing packing strategy or items listed above based on having lots of different clothing layers. Instead, we just added more — and heavier — layers together at one time for the early hours of the morning and in the evening after the sun set when temperatures were the coldest. Then, as we started walking and the day warmed up we'd take the layers off bit by bit.

This mean that our day backpacks always had several layers of clothing inside, including rain gear (jacket and pants), fleece and other light jackets, and a down jacket.

Here are a few other pieces of winter hiking gear we'd recommend, especially if you know there will be snow and ice on the trail.

Shoe gaiters: We picked up a knock-off North Face pair of gaiters in Paro, Bhutan before our trek to protect our shoes from getting wet from the snow on the trails. We were very thankful to have them, especially on day 3 when we woke up to a snow storm. Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon

Crampons or Traction Cleats: If you're doing the winter trek and have fears of slipping on the ice, carrying a pair of lightweight traction cleats can provide peace of mind. Buy on Amazon | Buy at REI

Waterproof gloves: The only thing worse than cold hands are wet, cold hands. It's important to have waterproof gloves (or mittens) if you think you'll be trekking during a snowfall or rain. Buy on Amazon | Buy at REI

Hand or toe warmers: If your hands and feet get cold easily consider bringing a pack of adhesive hand and/or toe warmers. One of the women in our group in Bhutan had bad circulation and she used these adhesive warmers daily in her shoes and gloves. They were a lifesaver and really helped keep her warm and comfortable. Buy on Amazon | Buy at REI

Winter sleeping clothes: Even if it's cold in the tent I'll change into separate sleeping clothes as it feels cleaner and better to me. For winter conditions this meant heavier base layers, including a long-sleeve Uniqlo HeatTech shirt and warm leggings (or fleece-lined running tights worked really well). Then, I added to that a fleece jacket, socks, hat, and scarf to stay warm during the night.

Buying Sustainable Hiking Gear and Clothing

If you are concerned about sustainability here are a few considerations and things to think about regarding buying sustainable hiking gear and clothing:

• The most sustainable option is the one you already own. If you can reuse or repurpose a piece of clothing, backpack or other piece of hiking gear that is already in your closet, this is usually what is most sustainable as you don't need to purchase anything new. We realize this may not be particularly fun or sexy, but it is practical and also good for your budget.
• Buy second-hand hiking clothing and gear. There are more and more options available for purchasing high quality second-hand or “barely used” clothing and hiking gear, whether through 2nd hand or consignment shops or in online marketplaces. This is another great way to shop sustainably as you are reusing something (and perhaps preventing it from going in a landfill) vs. buying new (that takes a lot of resources).
• Buy from brands focused on sustainability and fair wages: If you can't meet your hiking essentials needs through the suggestions above, then purchase your hiking clothing and gear from brands that are grounded in sustainability in terms of sourcing, materials used, fair wages, packaging and more. Do research on your favorite brand's website to see how specifically they are tackling sustainability in their operations and products. For example, Patagonia has been a leader in sustainable practices and materials for decades. Not only that, but their products do tend to last a long time (Dan using his Patagonia long underwear for 20+ years is proof of that) and they also have a strong repair policy. Another brand whose clothing we like that is focused on sustainability is Prana. These are just two of many outdoor gear brands who are making good products that also focus on minimizing their negative impacts (e.g., environmental) and maximizing their positive ones (e.g., socio-economic). If you can't find the information you want on a brand's website then contact them directly and ask your questions. Any company truly focused on sustainability would be proud to respond with transparent answers.

The Ultimate Hiking Essentials Checklist – PDF Download

To help you pack and prepare for your next hike with all the right gear, we've created a simple one-page downloadable hiking packing checklist.

I know from experience when I haven't used this list that I have accidentally forgotten to pack a scarf, hat or river shoes. I really missed these items when I was out on the trail, but by that point it was too late. Now we're more careful to review that we have everything we need before going to the airport.

How to use this ultimate hiking essentials checklist:

• Print out a copy or save a version to your phone (that's what we do now).
• As you're preparing for your hike or trek, review the list to see if you have everything you need already. If not, the linked items on the list go to recommended gear that you can purchase online or look for in a shop.
• When you are ready to pack for your hike or trek, put all your trekking gear on the floor and go through the list one by one. Double check that everything is there before placing it your suitcase or backpack.

What did we miss? What are your go-to items and essential gear for hiking?

The post How to Pack For A Hike: The Ultimate Hiking Essentials Checklist appeared first on Uncornered Market.

After over thirteen years of traveling around the world to over 100 countries we've learned a few things about travel gear – what works well and what really doesn't and gets left behind. If you're looking to buy travel gifts for a traveler in your life (or perhaps for yourself), look no further.

This Best Gifts Guide 2020 Edition has you covered for eco-conscious gifts, practical gear for hiking and outdoor adventures and even travel-inspired gifts to support local artists and communities.

2020 Update: Travel is still not safe or responsible for many of us right now, and for the foreseeable future, given the pandemic and different travel restrictions. So, we've updated this year’s guide with gifts that can also be used for local travel or trips close to home (e.g., we've been using them on local bike rides and hikes in Berlin), as well as on grand adventures across the world. We've also highlighted some gifts from local artists and communities that might remind you of previous trips, as well as inspire you for future trips, all while supporting local businesses and creators.

Note: Some of these links are affiliate links. Some are not. If you click through on an affiliate link, we'll get a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting us in sharing stories from around the world!

Update: This post was originally published on November 30, 2016 and updated on December 13, 2020.

Eco-Conscious Gifts

Here are a few practical gift and gear ideas for eco-conscious and sustainable travelers who want to reduce their environmental footprint when they travel. Many of these gifts speak to trying to eliminate single-use plastic and other waste as much as possible.

During the lockdown in 2020 (that will continue for some time 2021) we've combined several of these items — e.g., reusable cutlery, water bottle, reusable cup — to create a sort of “picnic set” that we always keep in our day pack for when we go for a bike ride or long walk at home. They are all light and small items so we don't really notice the weight or bulk, and it means that we are always ready for an impromptu picnic or take out snack, meal or drink along the way while trying to minimize the plastic waste. So, consider gifting a zero-waste picnic kit by grouping some of the items below together.

Insulated Water Bottle (aka, light thermos)

We were gifted a couple of these half liter / 17 oz insulated water bottles a couple of years ago and find them incredibly useful, especially now in 2020, as they work as a sleek thermos to keep your tea, coffee or spiced wine warm. Now that it's winter, we fill them with hot tea and take them with us for walks outside with friends so that we can stay warm while we enjoy a socially distant and safe meeting. The water bottles have a sleek design so you can fit them easily into a purse or day pack. And, it really does keep hot liquids steaming for hours.

Refillable Water Bottle

We highly recommend traveling with a refillable water bottle to reduce plastic bottle waste when you travel, whether you're headed into the mountains or walking across cities. I like this style of CamelBak water bottle as I can attach it easily to a pack or strap with a carabiner (we recommend a carabiner with a simple lock) to secure it. Once you start using a refillable water bottle it becomes second nature to always have one with you.

If you are going to be traveling to a place that doesn't have easy access to filtered and drinkable water then consider getting this Grayl Ultralight water bottle that has a filter built right into it so that it automatically purifies and cleans the water.

Reusable Coffee Cup

It was a road trip in the United States a few years ago that made us realize how much trash we generated from coffee cups when we travel. We love these reusable coffee cups as they are made from bamboo and are colorful, light and easy to carry with you. They fit easily in a purse or small day pack. Not to mention, you won't have to worry about a disposable paper coffee cup leaking on you again. Some cafes even offer a discount these days if you bring your own coffee cup with you.

Reusable Cutlery

We added a set of reusable travel cutlery to our standard travel gear a few years ago as we try to reduce the amount of plastic utensils we use when we travel (and at home). We like this wheat straw kit one because it is super light to carry and has a plastic case to keep everything together (we put a rubber band around the case). It's small enough to throw into your purse or small day pack so you can always have it with you in case you get take-out food when on a walk or picnic. We found that the case comes in quite handy for when you have take-out sushi and you want a container to mix your wasabi with soy sauce. Add a reusable straw to make your kit complete!

Bee's Wrap (to avoid plastic wrap)

This reusable beeswax covered wrap is a new addition to our kitchen and picnic kit. It allows you to wrap sandwiches or leftovers or other items without the need for single-use plastic wrap. It's quite versatile and cleans quite well, too.

Refillable Shampoo and Toiletry Travel Bottles

Skip the small plastic toiletry bottles at hotels and bring your own favorite shampoos, creams and other toiletries in these nifty refillable travel bottles. Your hair and skin will be thankful, and it will avoid all that plastic bottle waste. They are TSA-approved, meaning that you can take them on board with you in your carry on luggage anywhere in the world.

Travel Gifts for Outdoor Adventurers

These gift ideas are for the outdoor adventurer who enjoys immersing him or herself into nature with long hikes or treks, but wants to be comfortable and have versatile gear. We've been using the items recommended below for years and have taken them on some pretty serious hikes and multi-day treks. In addition, we've been using much of this hiking and outdoor gear in 2020 at home as we've used this time to explore more of Berlin's green spaces — its forests, lakes, rivers and canals — by bicycle (over 1,000 miles) and foot.

Clothing Arts Travel Pants

We've been wearing Clothing Arts travel pants for over eight years on different hikes and multi-day treks. We've really put them to the test — Camino de Santiago in Spain (960km/600 miles), Peaks of the Balkans trek (200km), gorilla trekking in Uganda, Alay Mountains treks Kyrgyzstan, and many more outdoor adventures. They still are in good shape even after all of this use and when you are on a multi-day trek you don't need to worry about them showing dirt or holding smells. We really like all the pockets and zippers available that keep our valuables (e.g., smartphone, wallet, passport, keys) safe and secure whether we're on a mountain trail, bike ride or a city street.

Hiking Backpacks

We upgraded our trekking backpacks to walk the Camino de Santiago (960 km/600 miles) several years ago and the only regret was that we didn't do it earlier. Having a high quality and light hiking backpack makes such a difference to your comfort and enjoyment — whether you are going on a multi-day trek or taking a day hike around a nearby lake.

Travel-Friendly Collapsible Walking Sticks

We highly recommended taking walking sticks on most hikes, especially when you know you'll have steep downhill sections. We also find that walking sticks are good for any type of long-distance walking to keep balance and pace. We found this set of travel-friendly collapsible walking sticks that are light, easy to pack, and quick to put together when you're on the trail. Quite reasonably priced, too.

Smartwool Hiking Socks

I've tried all different kind of hiking socks, including some inexpensive knock-offs, and Smartwool hiking socks are by far my favorite. I give a lot of credit to these socks for the fact that I did not get any blisters when walking six hundred miles along the Camino de Santiago. They not only provide good support and cushion, but the wool blend keeps you warm when it's cold and also is somehow rather light and breathable when it's warm. They may seem like expensive socks at first, but they are worth it as they will last years even with extensive use and wear and tear.

Leatherman Multi-Tool

With a set of pliers, several knives, multiple types of screwdrivers and a bottle opener, our Leatherman Multi-Tool has gotten us out of many situations — e.g., fixing windshield wipers and lights on a car in the middle of the night in Kyrgyzstan, trying to replace a broken bicycle chain in Berlin, etc. It is also essential for picnics and make-shift eating on the road (you know, when you have a ripe avocado on a bus in Uganda that you want to eat). Pair this with a spork or camping silverware and you'll really be all set for picnics. Note: Be sure not to leave this in your carry-on bag if you are flying. We've learned this lesson the hard way.

Sports Mask for Outdoor Activities

Although the great outdoors offers an opportunity to escape the crowds, there are times when you might find yourself close to other people on the trail or in shared spaces like restaurants or bathrooms where you should wear a face mask. This is where the comfortable, easy-to-breathe Under Armour sports mask comes in handy as you can still enjoy outdoor activities and hiking with it on.

REI Gift Certificate

If you're not sure what to get the outdoor traveler or hiker in your life, a gift certificate for REI or Amazon is a great idea. This will allow freedom to choose what he or she needs for the next adventure…whether it's going to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro or going on safari in Botswana or discovering new trails in a nearby park. The possibilities are endless…

Holiday Gifts that Support Local Creators and Communities

Although it's always been important to buy local and support small businesses, it's even more so this year in order to help them survive and replace some of the income that would have come from having visitors or regular operations. The following are gift ideas that have a connection to travel and exploration. Perhaps they are from or about a place you've been already or they represent a place you've always been interested in and want to visit. Note: We are friends with or have worked with the following creators or organizations, so we think they are pretty great and hope you do, too.

Stunning Fine Art Prints that Support Local Causes

There's nothing like a beautiful travel or nature photograph on your wall to inspire you to explore and respect this big, beautiful, diverse world of ours. And, when you know that the money for this photograph actually supports local NGOs and community organizations connected to the destination in the photograph then it's like a double gift. That is what our friend and incredible photographer, Kirsten Alana, has created with Raising for Change where photographers and artists have come together to sell their art while the proceeds go to trusted community, environmental, social justice and other NGOs. This is a great gift idea all year round, not just for the holidays.

Planeterra's Project Shop to Support Local Community Organizations

We've worked with the Planeterra Foundation for over eight years and have visited around 15 of their project partners around the world, from Brazil to Madagascar. These are local community organizations and social enterprises who are often working with and supporting marginalized communities and addressing difficult socio-economic and environmental challenges. Many of these organizations have been left without a source of income for most of 2020 as tourism stopped completely for most of them which is why Planeterra has been fundraising for them throughout the year with the COVID-19 Fund. Some of the local organizations that create handicrafts or other unique products — like Nyamirambo Women's Center that we visited in Kigali, Rwanda or Essencia Andina that we visited in Peru — have created online shops so you can still purchase their beautiful, handmade products and support the local work of the organization.

The post Best Gifts for Travelers (or Anyone, Really): 2020 Edition appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Our Camino Essentials Packing List is all based on our own experience of walking almost 1,000 km / 600 miles along the Camino de Santiago. We share specific recommendations on Camino essentials like backpacks, clothing, shoes, foot care, and more. The goal: carry what you need to be comfortable and protect against changing weather, but don't feel like you need to take everything with you on the Camino de Santiago.

Preparing for the Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago in Spain. A beautiful walk of 600 miles/960 km across northern Spain, a memorable journey — one that comes up in conversation over and over again, even years later. Lessons learned, a stack of stories from our six weeks of walking along the Camino del Norte and Camino Primitivo, a metaphor for life.

The greatest bit of preparation you can do to influence your comfort on that journey — so that you can focus on what's around you rather than the weight of your backpack — is to know what essentials to pack for the Camino, and why.

Based on our experience walking the Camino de Santiago — an exceptional one that combined the Caminos del Norte, Primitivo and Frances and Finisterre — we were 95% happy with the packing and gear choices we'd made and learned the other 5% in lessons. In this Camino de Santiago essentials packing guide for men, women and couples, you get the 100% so you can benefit from all our experience.

Just to get this question out of the way: If you are wondering whether to walk the Camino de Santiago, no matter what distance, the short answer: yes, you should.

We’ll cover other planning factors for the Camino de Santiago — choosing a route, when to walk, accommodation options, how to eat amazingly well and cheap, and more — in a series of other articles. Before that, however, one of the essential lessons of the Camino lands when you realize how little gear you need to pack and carry.

Update: This article was originally published on 28 June, 2017 and updated on 20 June 2020 with a downloadable Ultimate Camino Packing List for Women and Men and other gear updates.

This article is long and covers a lot of different topics and types of Camino essentials and gear. Use the Table of Contents above to find the information and section that best suit what you're looking for and your Camino packing needs. If the Camino gear that we originally bought and used is no longer available, we will find and recommend the closest current option.

What You Need for the Camino: Packing Perspective and Philosophy

Having done it ourselves, we realize that researching the Camino de Santiago can be delightful and overwhelming at all at the same time, especially when it comes to how to pack for it. This results in Camino-onset packing and planning paralysis.

There are endless forums and websites dedicated to the topic of planning and packing for the Camino, including an underlying machismo competition for the “right” way to do it.

So, we'll stay away from absolutes here. Below is a snapshot of our packing approach based on our personal experience walking the Camino de Santiago for a total of 960km, about 100km more than we had originally expected.

The beauty of our Camino packing approach, however, was it really didn’t matter how many kilometers or days we walked. We were prepared for just about anything — any weather, distance or length of walking.

Our Camino Packing Philosophy

Pack whatever gear you need to pack. Try to err on the side of “less is more,” but don’t let anyone make you feel bad about your choices.

Sure, you'll make some mistakes — maybe you miss something essential or you overpack. It's not the end of the world, nor your Camino. You'll figure out the right balance in the end.

Desired Weight of Your Camino Backpack

There's endless discussion and competition on what's the “right” weight of a backpack for the Camino. Again, do what makes sense for you and fits your body's needs. For us, we found that carrying around 7-8 kilos/15-18 pounds was a good weight for each of us.

Having a quality backpack that is properly fitted to your body (see below for recommendations) will help tremendously in distributing this weight so you don't have aching shoulders, back or hips.

Keep in mind: pilgrims have been walking the Camino for over 1,200 years without the fancy gear or technology we have today. Think of it this way: anything above the bare essentials of shoes, clothes, walking stick, water, and food is kind of a bonus.

Choosing a Camino de Santiago Route

Many people think that there is ONE Camino de Santiago — one route — and don't realize that there are actually twelve official Caminos. One reason for this misunderstanding is that most people (around 85%) who walk the Camino choose the Camino Francés, but there are many other routes that we'd suggest you look into.

If you're curious about all the different ways to reach Santiago de Compostela, here's a map with all the official Camino routes. (Note: there are endless discussions on the advantages and disadvantages of each route, but we will leave that discussion to the next Camino article.)

For our Camino de Santiago journey, we combined three different Caminos: Camino del Norte from Irun to Oviedo, then the Camino Primitivo from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela and finally the Camino Finisterre to the coast, with an additional walk to Muxia.

We met up with family along the way so about half of the journey was just the two of us, while the other half we were a group of five together with Dan's sister, niece and nephew.

In total, our Camino came in at 960km/600 miles and took around six weeks, including a handful of planned (and unplanned) rest and “exploring Basque food” days (definitely recommend extra days in San Sebastian and Bilbao just to eat Basque food!!). If you're looking for an experience that is filled with stunning coastal and mountain landscapes that will also challenge you physically, then consider this combination of Camino de Santiago routes.

Camino Essentials and Packing Basics

Our journey began mid-April and ended late May so we had to be prepared for unpredictable and potentially rainy weather, especially along the northern coast. The packing approach below should work for whichever Camino route you choose and can be adjusted up or down in terms of layers depending upon the season.

Three Principles for Clothing: Layers, Thin, and Light

As with any walk, hike or trek, layers are key to keeping dry and moderating temperature. Especially if you plan to walk the Camino de Santiago in spring or autumn, you'll want to be prepared for temperature swings and precipitation. If you are walking the Camino in the summer, adjust your packing accordingly as it might be rather warm.

Always look to collapse and roll what you pack, whenever possible. Our clothing might even sound like a lot, but everything we brought usually doubled as something else, could be layered in the cold, and could be compressed. And not everything needs to cost a fortune. (Consider the type of workers gloves Dan carried.)

Especially if you pack cold weather items like a hat, gloves and fleece pullover, think thin and light. Same even goes for warm weather gear. The goal: minimize volume, maximize space. Minimize weight, maximize joy.

Don’t carry camping gear with you on the Camino de Santiago

All different Camino de Santiago routes are set up so that you have affordable accommodation options within reasonable distances so that you don’t need to camp. We did come across a few pilgrims walking the Camino who carried camping gear for emergencies, but we would advise against it.

In fact, one guy we spoke to had only used it once in the four weeks prior to when we met him. If you do insist on bringing camping gear to give yourself additional sleeping options or to save money on accommodation, we suggest you carry a hammock tent. We met one Danish guy who said this was light and worked well for him the few times he used it.

Know you have luggage transport options

If you prefer not to carry everything on your back during the day, there are luggage transport services available along each Camino de Santiago that will pick up your bag in the morning from the albergue and transport it to the next town where you plan to stay. Often, the accommodation where you are staying can provide you with contact information for this or you'll find advertisements posted at albergues along the way.

The cost varies depending upon which Camino route you are walking and how remote you might be, but it usually varies between €3-€10/bag per day.

Remember: you can always buy things in Spain

If you have doubts about whether you really need it, leave it behind with the knowledge that you can most likely buy it in Spain if you do decide you can’t live without it.

There are enough bigger towns and cities that you walk through that would have whatever you need. This goes for clothing, shoes, socks, medical gear, toiletries, and other accessories. Also, if something isn’t working for you or is falling apart then replace it.

We even met someone who bought a whole new backpack along the Camino because the one he borrowed from his girlfriend started falling apart.

Clothing strategy for the Camino: walking and resting clothes

Think of your clothing essentials strategy in two components: a walking “uniform” and resting or sleeping “uniform.”

You only need one or two items in each category. This will make you realize how little you really need to bring in the clothing department. More on how this works in practice below.

Focus on the feet. Ankles and knees, too.

Your Camino packing strategy should absolutely take into consideration the threat of blisters, sore feet, and weak ankles. These are real threats to your enjoyment.

From the very first moment you feel a hot spot, pain or discomfort in your feet during the walk, stop and address the issue. This is not the time to soldier on. Instead, it's time to adjust and address the underlying problem in your feet — be it rubbing, cramping, moisture or all of the above.

Adjust your socks, change them if necessary and use Compeed, duct tape and other methods. If you don't, there's a good chance your feet will take revenge on you and erupt in blisters. Particularly on days where you'll walk a lot of asphalt roads, you should be especially careful. Our packing strategy below addresses this.

If you are certain to have unstable ankles or knees, bring a brace to offer extra support. You can also buy ankle braces and knee braces in pharmacies along the Camino. The moment you begin to feel something, put on the ankle brace and wear it regularly. There is no shame, only foresight. After Dan twisted his ankle a couple of weeks into our Camino, an ankle brace was essential to recovery and comfort.

Doing laundry along the Camino de Santiago

No one is expecting you to smell like daisies or have perfectly pressed clothes along the Camino de Santiago. We did proper laundry (i.e., with a washing machine and dryer) about once every 5-7 days, and then hand-washed in the sink the rest of the time.

A lot of accommodation, especially the municipal and private albergues, do have washing machines and areas where you can wash clothes in a sink and hang them to dry on a line (or over the side of your bed frame). If something doesn’t dry overnight, then tie it to the outside of your backpack to let the early morning sun and breeze do its magic.

Choosing a Backpack for the Camino

If you don’t already have a hiking backpack that you love, take the time to research and test out backpacks before you walk the Camino de Santiago. The fit of the backpack can really make or break you on the trail. Think: blisters on hips, shoulder pain, back pain, etc.

Go to REI (or a similar outdoor store) and try on as many backpacks as you can that are of the size you want (more on that below). Ask the store staff to properly fit the backpack to your back, straps and all. This is especially important if you are tall as not all backpacks are geared towards long backs like yours.

There is no “right” size of backpack to take on the Camino as there are so many factors to consider irrespective of size, including how the pack fits your back. However, as a general rule we’d advise getting something in the 28-40 liter range. Remember: you don’t have to fill all the space even if you do buy a bigger backpack.

What to look for in a Camino backpack:

• Easy-to-get-to-from-the-outside top compartment (otherwise known as the “brain”) so that it’s easy to get access to sunscreen, Leatherman, utensils, tissues, snacks, etc.
• Side/bottom compartments to for easy access to ponchos or other rain gear.
• Convenient walking stick holder.
• Comfortable, wide waist strap.
• Backpack cover included. This not only ensures it’s the right size, but it’s usually connected at the bottom in an easy-to-store place.
• Outside zipper that allows you to easily get to something at the bottom of the pack.
• Place to hold a water bladder or water bottle.

We spent time going to several stores, asking for advice, and trying on multiple backpacks. We highly recommend you do the same. After all of this testing we were really happy with the backpack choices we made.

Recommended Women's Camino Backpack

Deuter ACT Trail Pro 32 SL Backpack: I could not be happier with this backpack. The shoulder and waist strap were specifically designed for women, which worked really well for my build.

The actual bag itself is quite light with all sorts of functionality like a built-in rain cover, water bladder compatibility, wide waist belt for stability, several external compartments for storing rain and other gear, outer zippers that made it easy to get into the brain and main section, walking pole holder, and more.

I was tempted to get the smaller 28-liter backpack as a way to force me to pack super light. However, a person at an outdoor store convinced me to go for the bigger size (32 liters) because the smaller backpack didn’t have the wide waist strap and if I wanted to use the backpack for another trek when I’d need additional warm-weather gear I’d appreciate the extra space. In the end, his advice was spot on as I really appreciated the support of the wide waist strap and I enjoyed having a little extra space to fit in foodstuffs and snacks.

Unfortunately, Deuter doesn't seem to make the 32-liter version of this style of backpack anymore, but they still have other sizes. Buy on REI (22-Liter) | Buy on Amazon (28-Liter) | Buy on Backcountry (34-Liter)

Recommended Men's Camino Backpack

Osprey Packs Exos 38L Backpack: At first Dan wanted a backpack in the 30-32L range, but the smallest size available in the Large frame size made for tall people was 38 liters.

After trying on dozens of packs, Dan realized how much better it feels to carry a backpack that is properly sized to your back. Moral of the story: go for the backpack that fits your back and shoulders best irrespective of the size. Remember, you don’t need to fill it up all the way.

This backpack is light, comfortable, and durable. However, there were a couple of things that could use improvement like the trekking pole storage, outside zipper to the brain was not the most convenient, it could have used more outside compartments, and it could have included a cover. But, in terms of comfort and size this is a great backpack. Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI (48-liter) | Buy on Backcountry.com (38-liter)

Camino Packing Accessories

We found the regular-sized packing cubes that we usually use on our trips a bit bulky for the dimensions of our backpack. Instead, we used a combination of:

• Hoboroll Compression Stuff Sack: Dan found the divided sections for the basics – socks, underwear, shirts, etc. — really useful for organizing and finding clothes. Then, you can compress it all to take up less space in your pack and put a plastic bag around it to keep it dry.
• Ziploc Bags (gallon-sized): Simple, low tech and cheap. I used a ziploc bag for my extra day clothes and a separate one for my night clothes. Not only did they keep things protected and dry in case of rain, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much air compressed out when “zipping” them. Also useful for carrying toiletries in case something leaks. Bring extra in case holes emerge.
• Half packing cube: I did use a half packing cube (wrapped in a plastic bag) to organize cold weather and other items that I knew I wouldn't be using daily.
• Mesh laundry bag: Good airy separator and weighs almost nothing.

Camino Clothing Essentials for Women and Men

Remember, you don’t need to get the latest and greatest gear. People have been walking the Camino for hundreds of years before Gore-tex or the newest technologies were invented. Go for what’s comfortable and light.

Note: Our Camino went from mid-April to the end of May so it was still cool in the mornings and evenings, and often had a chance of showers. We often would start the day with several layers on top and then peel them off as the day progressed. If you are walking in the prime time of summer, you probably will need fewer layers and will be more focused on trying to stay cool.

Women's Camino de Santiago Clothing Essentials and Packing List

As mentioned in our Camino essentials and basic principles above, we divided our clothing into daytime (“walking uniform”) and nighttime (“resting uniform”) so that they would stay separate from each other and clean.

Clothes for Walking During the Day (aka, “Walking Uniform”)

The idea of a “walking uniform” is that you don't have to think in the morning about what to wear: it's always the same. Here is my packing list of Camino essential clothing for walking during the day.

Clothes for Evening and Sleeping (aka, “Resting Uniform”)

The idea with the resting uniform is that these clothes are soft, comfortable and easy to relax in after a long day of walking. They are also relatively clean-smelling and clean in comparison to the walking uniform clothes you've been in all day so they are nice to get into after a hot shower.

Camino Outerwear: Jackets and Waterproof Gear

Your outwear strategy for the Camino might change based on the time of year you walk the Camino and expected cold weather, rain or wind. However, we always appreciate having outwear options with to protect against rain and cold than not.

Even if you think you won't need waterproof gear based on the time of year, considering carrying it anyway as you never know what the weather gods will deliver.

What I brought with me that I didn’t use:

I had received these recommendations on other Camino packing lists and brought them with me, but I didn't end up using them once.

• Sarong: I had read somewhere that this could double as a skirt, blanket, picnic cover, etc. But, I never needed it for any of those purposes.
• Simple knit skirt to go over the leggings. Call me uncouth, but I just found it more comfortable and easier to walk around in just the leggings.

What I wish I had brought with me on the Camino de Santiago:

Another pair of light trousers to wear in the evenings as I would have been more comfortable (and warmer) walking around villages and towns at night. There were times when my leggings didn't stand up well to the cold.

Men's Camino de Santiago Clothing Packing List

Clothes for Walking During the Day (aka, “Walking Uniform”)

• 1 pair trekking pants: Dan wore these trekking pants 95% of the time on the Camino. Pockets also very useful for smartphone, wallet, maps, etc.
• 2 short-sleeved quick dry shirts
• 1 long-sleeved quick dry shirt: This functioned as a warm outer layer, in place of a fleece.
• 1 pair of shorts: Alternatively, take a pair of ultra lightweight zip-off trekking pants. These will double as a backup pair of pants and your shorts when needed.
• 2 pairs hiking socks: His favorites were compression socks he bought at an outdoor store in Bilbao.
• Sock liners : Prevents rubbing and provides additional cushion. Super thin low-cut running socks do the trick.
• 3 pairs quick-dry underwear: These boxer-briefs from REI are perfect.

Clothes for Evening and Sleeping (aka, Resting “Uniform”)

• 1 long-sleeved button down travel shirt
• Light travel pants: To walk around town at night.
• Pajama/Karate pants: For sleeping.
• Base layer bottoms: Just in case it gets cold. This Patagonia Capilene bottom layer has lasted him over ten years.
• T-shirt: Cotton or 50/50 blend, comfortable for sleeping.
• 1 pair of socks

Outerwear:

• Fleece pullover: For when it cools down at night.
• Water resistant rain jacket in a bag: For when the rain isn't quite strong enough to pull out the big poncho.
• Waterproof poncho: Be sure to get a poncho that covers your backpack and most of legs, too.
• Waterproof pants: Simple, thin waterproof cycling pants will do.
• Gloves: Thin, lightweight gardening/hardware gloves were fine.
• Ski hat: In case it gets cold.
• Collapsible/rollable sun hat and sunglasses: Protects your face and eyes from that strong sun.

What I brought with me that I didn’t use:

A North Face thin winter shell jacket that was only used a handful of times. I could have easily done without it and enjoyed the extra space or weight.

Camino de Santiago Shoes

Every foot is different, meaning that there is no one “right” type of hiking shoe for walking the Camino. We met people who raved about their shoe choices on the opposite side of the spectrum, from heavy ankle-support hiking boots to sandals. Even if you are using hiking shoes that are well worn in, be prepared that you may experience blisters like never before in your life…as happened to Dan.

We each carried a pair of hiking shoes that we used during the day and then river sandals that we used at night to give our feet a break.

Recommended Women's Shoes for the Camino

Hiking Shoes: Usually I usually hike with low hiking shoes, but for the Camino I ended up taking this pair of light hiking boots with moderate ankle support. I was really happy with these shoes and my feet seemed to suffer the least in our group. Note: I currently use these Oboz light hiking shoes and really like them as well.

Teva river sandals: To walk around town at night when you want to give your feet a break from hiking boots. Also handy for communal bathrooms and showers at albergues.

Recommended Men's Shoes for the Camino

Vasque Low Hiking Shoes: Dan has owned several pairs of these hiking shoes and have walked hundreds of miles in them without any problem. However, on the Camino his feet and ankles exploded in blisters about a week into the walk, something that has never happened before. This is not entirely the fault of the shoes, of course, but he might choose better ankle support next time. Note: Dan switched over to Oboz low hiking shoes since then and finds them light, but with lots of support.

Teva river sandals: In addition to using these Tevas to walk around town at night and albergue bathrooms, these sandals came in handy when his feet were covered in blisters and needed a break from enclosed shoes on the trail.

Waterproofing Your Hiking Shoes

We did several rounds of waterproofing on our hiking shoes at home before starting the Camino using NikWax footwear waterproofing. Fortunately, we didn't need to test this much along the way. You can do this to help make your backpack more water repellent.

Sleeping Gear for the Camino

We stayed in a combination of municipal and private Albergues (shared dormitories), plus we also used pensions, hotels and agritourismos (more on your accommodation options along the Camino in another article). If you plan to stay in an albergue or hostel with dorm rooms, be sure you have the following with you.

Silicone Earplugs

The snoring you'll hear on the Camino will blow your mind. You'll wonder how the person is alive the coming morning, only to find out they had a terrific night's sleep, are out the door before 6AM and everyone else in the place is miserably sleep-deprived.

Can we strenuously suggest silicone earplugs? Recently, we switched to these silicone earplugs for the Camino de Santiago and have never looked back.

Whether you are sleeping in a crowded albergue or in a hotel on a loud city street, these earplugs create some peace in the midst of a dormitory snorefest or urban noise storm. A good night's sleep is so worth the tiny expense and effort of carrying earplugs.

Eye Mask

A lightweight eye mask can also be essential, not so much for the morning light (that will help get you going), but the for the errant headlamp accidentally zeroed in on your forehead by your bunkmate.

Sleep Sack

Most albergues will give you either a regular sheet or a sort of thin, gauze “sheet” to put over the mattress and pillow as a sort of sanitation layer. If it’s cold, many places will also provide blankets.

The simple, lightweight sleep sack serves as your sheet and keeps a clean layer between you and the mattress and you and the blanket (as it’s unclear when many were last cleaned). Definitely worth its weight.

Quick-Dry Towel

For use in albergue bathrooms as towels are typically not provided. It's typical to shower at night, so your towel will air-dry overnight. If it remains damp in the morning, tie it to the outside of your backpack to dry in the sunshine or breeze. Go for either a medium or large quick-dry towel.

Sleeping bag: to take or not to take?

We didn’t carry a sleeping bag, and didn’t regret this decision as we felt sufficiently warm at night with our sleep sacks combined with blankets and/or other layers. We did see others with sleeping bags who were also happy with their decision.

If you are going to walk the Camino in the early spring or late fall then you may want to bring a lightweight sleeping bag with you for warmth.

Sleeping mat: to take or not to take?

We did not take a sleeping mat and never needed one. We’ve been told, however, that it can be a useful thing to bring with you if you are walking the Camino Francés during high season and there’s a chance you may need to sleep on the floor at busy albergues.

Camino Essential Toiletries

As we were two people walking together we were able to divide up the following toiletries into two backpacks, but the list unfortunately stays the same if you are only one person.

Staying Healthy Along the Camino de Santiago

Even if you have taken long treks before, like we had, you may find your body — especially your feet — doing things that they've never done before. This is perfectly normal. Feet explode in blisters, ankles twist, bones ache.

If you find yourself in one of these situations, get thee to a pharmacy immediately. This is not the time to “push through the pain” or be cheap with creams and treatments.

Pharmacies and pharmacists in Spain are wonderful. I don’t know if that’s everywhere in the country, but we found it to be true along the Camino. The pharmacists are almost like doctors in their knowledge and approach to recommending treatments and products.

They are so used to seeing every kind of foot and ankle ailment that they seem to know exactly what you need the moment you enter. Many speak some English, so don’t despair if you don’t speak much Spanish.

READ MORE: Travel Health Tips from 10+ Years Traveling the World

Suggested Camino Medical Kit and Foot Care

Health Tip: A glass of Lemon Water in the Morning and Night. Get in the habit of drinking each morning when you first wake up and in the evening after dinner a big glass (or bottle) of water with a half a lemon squeezed into it. This simple concoction helps hydrate, aids digestion, and just feels cleansing for the body. It's easy to pick up lemons along the way at grocery stores or markets. You can thank us later.

Other Camino de Santiago Essential Gear

Other items that we recommend carrying with you to make life along the Camino and in albergues a little more enjoyable. You'll notice that a lot of this is connected to food — to make picnics or have impromptu meals along the way –as eating well is important to us.

• Walking Stick (travel friendly): We found one walking stick or pole each to be enough (vs. two sticks each). Good for going up or down steep hills. Also essential in taking weight off blistered feed or turned ankles while walking. When we didn't need the poles we packed them up and hung them on the backpacks.
• Backpack rain cover: If your backpack doesn't have a rain cover already attached to it (like my Deuter backpack), be sure to buy one that fits the size of your bag.
• Refillable Water Bottle: Always try to have a liter or more of water with you along the Camino since sometimes there can be long stretches between clean water sources. Alternatively, you can carry a water bladder that tucks into the back of your backpack. Or both, like I did.
• Headlamp: Necessary for navigating albergue dorm rooms and bathrooms at night when lights are turned out. One set of high quality batteries can probably last the entire Camino.
• Leatherman: Or, another similar multi-tool that has a knife and bottle opener. We used ours all the time for cutting cheese, sausage, vegetables, fruit or cakes for picnics.
• Camping Silverware: We carried two sets of camping silverware, but a spork would also probably work just as well.
• Travel corkscrew: Yes, you can see where our priorities lie.
• Clothesline: Light and easy to carry, but we found ourselves only using this once as most albergues had drying racks or clotheslines. Or, we would hang clothing over the side of our bed frame to dry overnight.
• Carabiners: We each carried a couple of these Carabiners with a screw lock and found them useful for securing items to the outside of the backpack (e.g., water bottle, bag, etc.).
• Ziploc and plastic bags: Used to cover clothes and other items inside the backpack in case of leakage or rain.
• Small notebook and pen: Sometimes it's nice to physically write down your thoughts, feelings or experiences. A small moleskin type notebook and pen fit well in the top section of the backpack, making it easy to find when the inspiration struck.

Snacks and Food

If you've been reading our blog you'll know that food is important part of our travels. And the Camino was no exception; we ate extremely well (more on that in a separate Camino food article).

We made deliberate decisions as to when to take a long lunch in a restaurant, usually with a budget-priced 3-course menu del dia (daily menu), and when to carry food with us for a quick lunch picnic.

Walking 15-30km each day means you will need to keep yourself well-fueled, especially in the protein department. We tried to keep on us at all times some sort of nuts (almonds were our favorite), granola bars, or fruit.

Additionally, we would often stop in at local shops to pick up cheese, salami, smoked meats or other local specialties to serve either as snacks or picnic food along the way.

The joy of olive oil along the Camino: It may sound crazy to carry a small plastic bottle of olive oil with you on the Camino, but we can attest that the additional flavor and eating enjoyment from it is worth the weight. Olive oil makes boring picnic jamon and cheese sandwiches come to life, not to mention the simple joy of fresh greens (aka, salad in a bag) drenched in quality olive oil after several meat and carb-heavy meals. So worth the additional weight.

Electronic Gear and Wifi on the Camino

DSLR Camera: To Take or Not to Take on the Camino?

We chose not to take our standard DSLR camera and lenses kit with us on the Camino due to weight and bulk. Instead, we used the cameras on our iPhones for all our photography. There were a few times that we missed not having the big camera, but this was outweighed greatly by the freedom to not have to carry all that heavy gear.

However, we saw many people along the Camino with DSLR and other cameras who were happy with their decision. So, it really depends on how important it is to you to have higher-than-smartphone-quality photos from your journey.

Recommended Electronic Gear

• Smartphone battery case: This is good for iPhone protection against unintended drops (that always seem to happen no matter how careful we try to be) and essential in extending or even doubling battery life, which may become an issue in full dorms with limited electrical outlets.
• Multi-plug and adapter: Competition can sometimes be fierce for plugs at albergues. If you have several devises consider bringing a small European multi-plug and adaptor with you, or perhaps one with a USB charger.

Wifi and Mobile Data Along the Camino

One of the joys of the Camino is to disconnect. However, if you want to — or need to — stay connected, never fear. Many of the albergues and accommodation, as well as cafes and restaurants, offer free wifi.

Additionally, if you have an unlocked smartphone you can pick up a SIM card (bring your passport to register it) and buy an inexpensive data package. We used Orange, but there's also Vodafone and other companies with similar options. Coverage was pretty good throughout most of our journey.

Camino Guide Apps, Maps, and Other Useful Resources

Camino Apps

There are quite a few apps available for each of the Camino routes. We used Wise Pilgrim apps for the Camino del Norte, Primitivo and Finisterre (you can download these for iPhone or Android here). What we liked about the app was the live GPS mapping functionality where you could where you were in that moment in relation to the official Camino route (mobile data required for this).

Although the Camino is well marked, there were quite a few times when this functionality came in useful to find the route when we got turned around. Also useful in this app were the services and accommodation listings per village or town. This information wasn't always correct, but for the most part it was pretty good for planning where there would be eating or sleeping options along the way.

If you prefer a paper guidebook to an app, Wise Pilgrim has publishing a series of Camino guidebooks. We’ve also heard good things about the Eroski Camino app, but a bit of Spanish language knowledge is needed for that.

We also used the Booking.com app and its “what's near me now” function frequently, especially mid to late afternoon, to see what accommodation was available in nearby villages or towns. The instant booking option provided us a sense of security as it guaranteed us a bed no matter what time we would arrive that night.

Mapping apps

If you have mobile data you can always use Google maps for the basics. However, we found that Pocket Earth maps not only allowed us to use maps offline, but they had more trails marked.

Additionally, the maps would show where you could find basic services in villages and towns — e.g., pharmacy, bank, grocery store, restaurant, cafe, etc. Although not always 100% accurate, we found this very useful when planning out a day to see where we should stop during the day for food, coffee, ATM machine, or pharmacy.

Other Camino Planning Resources

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the Camino websites and forums. We used Gronze (in Spanish, but you can use a translation app or extension) for research and then downloaded information in PDFs so we could refer to it on our phone along the way. For example, it breaks the Camino del Norte into recommended stages (etapas) with accommodation options in different locations, route description, and maps.

We also used a printout of the free Camino Primitivo and Finesterre guide by Liz Brandt. Especially good for cafe, cake and food recommendations.

Ultimate Camino Packing Checklist: PDF Download

To help you pack and prepare for your next Camino, no matter which route you take or how long it is, we've created a simple one-page downloadable Camino de Santiago packing checklist for women and men. This checklist has both standard items that are applicable to anyone, as well as specific backpack, clothing and gear recommendations for women and men. Great for if you are walking a Camino as a couple or on your own.

How to use this Ultimate Camino Packing Checklist

• Look at the checklist online to take stock of what you already own. If you are missing something, click on the linked item to see our specific recommendation (Disclosure: most of these are affiliate links to purchase these items on REI or Amazon).
• Print out a copy and do a test packing. Review the checklist to see if you have everything you need already. If not, do some strategic shopping to be sure you have everything you need.
• When you are ready to actually pack for the Camino, put your backpack and all your gear on the floor next to each other. Go through the checklist one by one to be sure everything is there before you begin packing.
• Then, pack your backpack. It may take several tries to get the right configuration. Don't try to overstuff. And remember, heavier things are best at the bottom of the backpack.

The post How To Pack for the Camino de Santiago: Camino Essentials and Packing Lists appeared first on Uncornered Market.

We know, we know. We should do more video. We should be doing more with this storytelling medium.

But here’s the thing: creating videos can be a really time consuming. It’s not just capturing the footage or being comfortable on camera — that’s usually the easiest part. Instead, it’s what to do with ALL that footage and how to assemble it in a way that doesn’t leave you tearing your hair out and staring at your laptop cursing at complicated video editing software for hours on end. In fact, we actually have gigabytes of video footage on our external hard drives that remains in that “one day it would be cool to make a video with this” category.

Skip Ahead to What Interests You Most:

• Background
• Berlin by Bike: A Video
• Our Review of the TomTom Bandit Video Camera

If you take a look at our YouTube channel you’ll see that we used to do videos a lot in the early days. That was when we had a super simple Windows movie editor and Dan was a champ at churning out short, fun videos from our time in Southeast and Central Asia.

So why do we not do more video now? A confluence of reasons:

1) Bulky gear: We already carry a lot of equipment and photo gear with us on our travels, so the thought of adding more gear to the pile is not particularly enticing.

2) Ease of Shooting: If it’s difficult or time-consuming to set up a camera for the shoot, the less likely we actually think to take it with us and use it.

3) Too much footage and an inefficient way to select and tag best clips: Sadly, most of the video footage we’ve shot, whether on a DSLR, pocket camera or iPhone is just sitting on an external hard drive.

4) Too long to edit: While we don’t need perfection, we do want a video to look good and be fun. And we want to be able to produce it pretty quickly. Otherwise, the video just won’t get made…or will take months to do so when the excitement of the moment has passed.

Some of you might be thinking that perhaps we are a bit finicky and high maintenance. Perhaps. But, I bet we aren’t alone, particularly in the category of travelers don’t post more videos or share more video footage real time from their travels with friends and family.

So when TomTom contacted us to take a look at its new action camera, the Bandit, and explained why it was designed the way it was — to not only take great video footage, but to make it easy and fast for people to create and share videos right from their smartphone — we were curious. We’ve spent the last couple of weeks testing it to see not only the quality of the footage, but also how it addresses some of the issues above. Our goal: that more of the video footage we take might actually see the light of day instead of collecting digital dust on a hard drive.

Before the details of our review, a video we created with the TomTom Bandit.

Berlin By Bike, A Video

As some of you know, we love exploring Berlin on bicycle. To us, it’s an essential approach to experiencing the city. Why? Cycling helps conquer the sheer size (Berlin is over 345 square miles / 895 square kilometers!) and diversity of the city. On any given day riding around Berlin on bicycle you might feel as though you’ve traveled to several cities, for each neighborhood (kiez in Berlin-speak) exhibits a different feel from the other, particularly because of its post-war history as a divided city. Add to that huge swathes of parks, lakes, rivers, forests – and more bridges than Venice. Not to mention, there are reminders of Berlin’s history everywhere, from World War II to the Berlin Wall. Cycling Berlin is at turns refreshing and sobering, for it helps lay bare the city's endless cycle of creation, destruction and rebirth.

To share a little bit of why we love exploring Berlin by bicycle we attached the TomTom Bandit to one of our bicycles for the day and rode out to some of our favorite spots in the city — some well known, some not so well known. Here’s a glimpse of what we saw.

Note: No laptop was used in the making of this video. We captured all the footage with the TomTom Bandit action camera, and performed the review and editing using and an iPhone 6, and the TomTom Bandit and iMovie apps. More details on this below.

So, how did the TomTom Bandit hold up against our four objectives listed above?

Review of the TomTom Bandit Action Camera

Gear: Size and Functionality

In the size and weight category, the Bandit does pretty well. The actual device is small, light and fits easily in a coat pocket. Since it’s easy to transfer video files from the camera to your smartphone by syncing the two devices and using the app, you don’t need to carry any additional cords.

As we mounted the Bandit on our bicycles where we knew we’d be in a lot of wind we always kept the tiny deadcat wind muff (the funny thing that looks like a little gray beard) on the camera for all of the shooting we did. As we reviewed the footage, we were impressed how the setup reduced wind noise.

In terms of price, the TomTom Bandit is in a similar range as its main competitor, the GoPro Hero4, with the Basic Pack selling at $399 and the Premium Pack (including accessories like the waterproof lens, bike mount, 360-degree pitch mount, remote control, etc.) selling at $499.

Battery Stick

One thing that surprised us, in a good way, was that there was no need for an additional battery charger as the battery pulls out from the camera unit and plugs directly into a USB port (works well with the Belkin multi-plug surge protector that we carry with us).

A note on battery life: The battery is supposed to last for about three hours of continual shooting (at 1080p30), but if you’re syncing the camera with your phone a lot as we did — either for the viewfinder, editing or transferring files — then this will drain the battery faster. Bring a Mophie or similar USB battery pack with you so that you can recharge if you need it on the road.

Swivel Feature

This is a feature I grew to appreciate more and more, especially when I shot footage from the bicycle mount. Essentially, the camera rotates or swivels from side to side atop its own mount. This meant that I could easily straighten out the horizon in my shot just by twist-rotating the camera from side to side until I found the proper angle instead of having to adjust anything on the bicycle mount itself.

GoPro Adapters

The folks at TomTom are pretty smart here. They understand that the number of GoPro mounts and gadgets on the market is obviously vast. So, instead of creating a ton of proprietary mount kit pieces (although the Premium Pack includes a bike mount and 360-pitch mount), they provide a GoPro adapter with camera's standard kit. This means you can use the Bandit with any GoPro mount or accessory – as we did.

For those interested: we used this mount kit, one that proved a great buy.

Waterproof to 50 meters

The camera is water resistant (splash proof) out of the box so you don't have to worry about freak storm when you're out shooting. However, if you wish to make it waterproof (e.g, to take it diving), you can buy the inexpensive TomTom Bandit Waterproof Lens Cover that will allow you to take it up to a depth of 50 meters. Sadly, we did not have an opportunity to test this as scuba diving options in Berlin in November are rather limited.

Ease of Shooting: Using the App as Viewfinder and Control

To begin, there is some setup needed to download the TomTom Bandit app to your smartphone and sync it with the camera (via the camera’s Wi-Fi signal). The app serves as your viewfinder and camera control, as well as your editor later on.

At first it was a bit odd to use my iPhone as the camera’s viewfinder. This means looking down at my phone in one hand to see what the camera was seeing and adjusting the camera in the other until I got the angle I wanted. Then I could control all the settings from the iPhone via the app — take a single photo, adjust film speed and style (e.g., regular, time-lapse, slow), start shooting/stop shooting, etc. — so I never had to mess with touching the camera and possibly botching a shot I had carefully set up.

Once I got the hang of this I actually kind of liked this feature as seeing on my iPhone what the camera was shooting helped me think a bit more like a director in terms of angle, horizon, and composition. Another bonus I found: the TomTom Bandit is unobtrusive. When you control everything from your smartphone instead of touching the camera people often don’t realize you are filming. As a result, their behavior is more natural and laid back.

A few notes on using the TomTom Bandit app during filming: We did have some instances where the viewfinder in the app froze. Usually, the camera was still taking footage (indicated by two red dots blinking on the front and back of the camera) so I would restart the app, the viewfinder would reset, then pick up from where it was before.

Unsurprisingly, using the app a lot does drain your smartphone battery quickly. So I would often set up the shot that I wanted in the app, press “record” and then turn off my phone if it wasn’t necessary for me to live-view the rest of the footage I wanted to take. Of course, this also allowed me to focus better on steering my bicycle 🙂

Reviewing footage

The TomTom Bandit and its corresponding app were designed to help with the common problem of “too much footage paralysis.” It does this by making it easy to tag “highlights” — essentially short clips — that are collected in a special section of the app so you can easily find them, select the best ones and use them later in your final video compilation.

Highlights are collected in three ways:

Camera Sensors

Built into the camera are sensors that track speed, G-force, altitude and rotation. When you are filming the sensors will automatically mark when there is a dramatic increase and designate this as a highlight (usually 6 seconds). You’ll see these markers when you review the footage later in the app. Then, you can decide if you want to use these highlights for creating the final video.

I’m really looking forward to taking the camera with my on my next hang-gliding outing or windsurfing lessons and seeing what highlights emerge from the sensors.

Manually Highlighting During Filming

If you know something great is about to happen, you can manually highlight the film segment by pressing the red star button at the back of the camera, the highlight button in the viewfinder on the app, or the center of the remote control wristband. This will usually take a 6-10 second clip that you can review later in the highlights section of the app.

Manually Highlighting During Editing

When you review the footage on the app you can manually tag or highlight segments of footage by pressing the star in the top right when the phone is in landscape mode. This will usually take a 10-second clip.

At the end of reviewing video footage you should have a selection of short clips — some taken via the camera’s sensors and some highlighted manually — in the highlights section of the app. Then comes the editing.

Editing Ease and Speed

One of the selling points of this camera is that you can quickly make a video through the “Create a Story” section of the app by combining several “highlights” together. There are a couple of ways you can do this:

Shake to Create

The super quick and easy way to do this is to literally shake your phone back and forth while in the TomTom Bandit app. The app will select highlights from a decided period of time (e.g., that day, that month, etc.) and merge and transition them into one video. You can keep re-shaking your smartphone to see different combinations until you find the one you like best. (Check out this fun video that shows how even adventurous mountain goats can make videos with this shake feature.)

While this is a cool function and think it would work great in high-adrenaline circumstances (e.g., snowboarding, skydiving, etc.), we didn’t use this for the video above because we wanted more control in selecting and sequencing our highlights.

Create a Video with Selected Highlights

This is the option that we used for the scenes of Berlin in the video above. We went through all the highlights and selected around 10 of them. Then we went over to the “Create a Story” section and adjusted the sequence. If you like, you can add music (from your phone’s music library/iTunes) and then export a fun, short video.

Our Approach: TomTom Bandit App + iMovie App

In the end, we used a hybrid approach in our Berlin by Bike video where we created a clip of highlights from bicycle adventures using the TomTom Bandit app, downloaded it to the iPhone, and then edited it with the iMovie app. Then, we added the intro slide, the video of us talking, titles, music (part of the iMovie selection), and a closing slide. And voilà, that’s what you see above!

Why did we choose this hybrid approach? We wanted to add titles and captions so viewers would have context for the places in Berlin they were seeing. Additionally, we wanted to include our entire introduction that ended up longer than a 10-second highlight.

So while it took more time than if I had just used the TomTom Bandit app I was still quite pleased that I could create a video with all this functionality using ONLY my iPhone. Psychologically, not having to use the laptop somehow makes video creation seem more accessible.

Final Thoughts on the TomTom Bandit Action Camera

We had a lot of fun playing around with the TomTom Bandit action camera these last weeks. Not only is the footage high quality, bit it's size and functionality makes it extremely versatile and easy to use in so many different circumstances. Most importantly, the selling point for us compared to other action cameras on the market is that it is designed to help you find the best clips as “highlights” and create videos quickly. That means you can enjoy sharing them immediately instead of letting the footage collect digital dust until “some day when you have time.”

We certainly won’t promise you new videos every day (and do realize that you probably don’t want to see us all the time, either). However, testing the TomTom Bandit the last few weeks and finding a way to tag and organize clips has helped make the video production process less daunting and more enjoyable for us. This means that we can focus our energy instead on the fun bit of filming in inspiring contexts and locations – and challenge ourselves to do more with this storytelling medium.

Get started with your own adventure in video creation by clicking on one of the links below:

Buy the TomTom Bandit Action Camera

Buy the TomTom Bandit Premium Pack

The post Berlin by Bike [VIDEO]: A Review of the TomTom Bandit appeared first on Uncornered Market.

When all your clothes need to fit into a couple of packing cubes, every item seems precious. Multi-purposed too, like a Swiss Army knife. Easily layered, sink-washed to dry overnight or even in hours, and good-looking when it needs to be. Sturdy enough to hold up through chicken bus rides and mountain summits, yet professional enough to give presentations and wear to business meetings.

Not asking much, are we?

We demand a lot from our travel gear. We wear it, we beat it up, we often wear it out. It’s through this lens that we evaluate some ExOfficio clothes through two distinctly different experiences: a presentation to an audience that included a famous political satirist and a search for tigers in the mangrove forests of Bangladesh.

ExOfficio: Good enough for P.J. O’Rourke?

Seconds before launching into a presentation at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) about our experiences in the Caucasus and Central Asia, the Chief of Staff whispered in my ear: “By the way, that guy straight ahead is P.J. O’Rourke. He’s watching your presentation.”

Finding out that a famous political satirist is in the audience just minutes before giving a presentation is a great way to kick start the nerves. But for all our anxieties, our appearance and our clothes were not among them. They fit our role: adventure travelers, storytellers, professionals.

A slideshow rolled behind us as we shared stores of traveling independently across the former Soviet Union: hospitality in Georgia, living with a host family in Armenia, traversing Caspian Sea by boat, curiosity in Turkmenistan, small world experiences in Kyrgyzstan, almost dying crossing the land border between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and the stunning beauty of the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan.

Every now and then during our presentation, we’d look out to O’Rourke scribbling notes. We wondered: “Is he getting fodder for his next article? Perhaps something to poke fun at?”

As we finished, we were quickly surrounded in visits and questions. O'Rourke slipped out of the room; we never did have a chance to ask him about those notes. If in his next bit of published work you find reference to CouchSurfing with KGB agents, getting lost in the Tian Shan mountains, or having to abide a slideshow dished by some well-dressed wide-eyed scrappy travelers, please let us know.

Audrey's Outfit: Women's Nio Amphi Pants and Women's Savvy Athena Long-Sleeve Shirt
Dan's Outfit: Men's Bugsaway Ziwa Convertible Pant and Men's Bugsaway Baja Long Sleeve Shirt

ExOfficio: Tough Enough for Bangladesh?

The real test of any travel clothes is how they hold up on the road. So how did our ExOfficio duds hold up while backpacking for more than five weeks across Bangladesh?

It was the beginning of the hot season in Bangladesh. On the street, in buses, on bicycle rickshaws and in steamy hotel rooms – we were regularly covered in sweat and lathered in filth within minutes. And since we had left a backpack behind at our friend’s house to lighten our load for public transport, we carried even fewer clothes than usual.

Virtually every night involved a brief laundry ritual, a hope of rescuing our clothes and keeping pace with the accumulation of dirt, sweat and smell from the day. Hand wash pants, shirts, underwear. Hang it all up. And every morning begin anew with freshly cleaned duds, only to devastate our clothes once we hit the streets again. Resurrect them that evening, begin the process anew.

There we were in the Sundarbans, the tiger-dotted tidal mangrove forests in southern Bangladesh on a 3-day live-aboard boat tour of the area. Days often featured forest walks and tromps in the mud. Invariably, our clothes were caked in mud.

At the end of the day, I'd strip down, determined to keep pace with my filthy clothes.

I stood at a line of sinks at the back of the boat soaking and scrubbing my ExOfficio pants (trousers, if you like) with a bar of laundry soap. One of the other passengers, a well-traveled passenger from North America asked, “Do you wash your clothes like that every day?”

“Only when I need to. It's really not so bad.”

To wash your clothes in the sink and have them air dry in hours – that’s a luxury when you’re on the road adventuring, collecting grime and focusing on the matter at hand: travel, not laundry. It also always helps to look decent, respectful.

In just a couple of hours, my pants, shirt, underwear and socks will be ready again, fresh for another tiger search.

—-

After a year of wearing ExOfficio through: TBEX New York, presentations and a photo shoot in Prague, 10th Anniversary trip to Tuscany, Bavarian wine harvest, Wadi Rum, Petra and Zikra Initiative visit in Jordan, tracking tigers and visiting schools in Bangladesh, climbing Mt. Batur volcano in Bali, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and The Serengeti in Tanzania.

Still going, still look good. Hard to beat that.

Audrey’s Gear: ExOfficio Travel Clothes for Women

• Women's Nio Amphi Pants: I love these pants. They are comfortable, light, have good zipped pockets, wick moisture well (sweat, too) and they dry very quickly. I wear them all the time. For presentations and professional meetings, they look great paired with a nice top (see below).
• Women's Savvy Athena Long Sleeve Shirt (White): Another piece of clothing I enjoy and wear a lot. It's comfortable and tough enough for walks in the hot sun; it handles heat and sweat well. I love it paired with the pants above or with jeans for a presentation or special dinner out. Also, it was easy to hand wash and it dries really quickly.
• Women's Dryflylite™ Long-Sleeve Cover (Hoodie): The Dryflylite material for this top is very thin, but it provides just enough warmth to cut a chill in the air. It's light enough to wear when it’s hot outside and you want to cover your arms (e.g., for sun protection or to dress conservatively).
• Women's Dryflylite Long Sleeve Shirt: Comfortable, surprisingly good in hot climates as it dries quickly. Useful for layering when it gets cold. Sleeves are a little too short for my arms, so I always wear them rolled up.
• <Women's Vent'R Capri Pant: The first pair of capri pants I’ve ever owned. I was skeptical at first, but they were perfect for European summer and year-round in Thailand.
• Nio Amphi Shorts (old style): I wore these at the beach and they were comfortable and flexible. But because I tend to dress rather conservatively when we travel, I found these to be a bit too short for my personal taste. I've noticed that the new ExOfficio shorts are a bit longer, which is better for travel clothes.
• ExOfficio Underwear: My relationship with ExOfficio underwear got off to a rocky start. When I first picked up a few pairs in 2006, I found the bikini undies bulky and bunchy. I got rid of them. But, in recent years the design has changed and I do really like the new models for comfort as well as the fact that they dry quicker than other undies I own. I'm currently using: Women's Give-N-Go String Bikini, Women's Give-N-Go Lacy Thong and Women's Give-N-Go Lacy Low Rise Bikini. Don't know how they did it, but the Give-N-Go Lacy line is proof that travel underwear can be sexy. Hard combination to pull off.
• Women's Give-N-Go Shelf Bra Camisole: Great to sleep in when it's hot, warm enough to wear as a layering option.

Note: I found that ExOfficio women's clothes run large. I don’t consider myself particularly petite, yet I often wear ExOfficio XS or size 4. Especially if you are ordering online, take note. You may want to go to a shop first to find your correct size.

Dan's Gear: ExOfficio Travel Clothes for Men

• Men's Bugsaway Ziwa Convertible Pant: When I first looked at them, I thought “kinda thin.” If anything, that feature has been an aid to comfort. They are comfortable, they look great, are simple to wash and lightning fast to dry. My only beef (clothing engineers, this is a request), the pockets. This pair features one zip pocket on the left, another velcro pocket on the right. I’d love to see something more secure than the velcro and an added hidden inner zip pocket in the left pocket for keys, money, valuables. Having said that, I’ve carried scads of gear — especially in the zip pocket — without any problems.
• Men's Bugsaway Baja Long Sleeve Shirt: If I need to look especially decent or professional for a presentation or a meeting, this is the shirt. It's also useful for repelling mosquitos because it features a mosquito repellent embedded in the fabric (lasts for a couple dozen washes, apparently).
• Men's Hid'n Away Short-Sleeve Shirt: Funny, when I received this shirt, I didn't think much of it. But I began wearing it and received endless compliments on its appearance. Looks good and washes and dries quickly.
• Men's Reef Runner Lite Long Sleeve Shirt (Blue) : If the Bugsaway pants don't have enough pockets, this shirt certainly does. It's like a lightweight photojournalist vest merged with an outback shirt. No matter how much dirt I throw at it, it always seems to look good. Lightning fast to dry, too.
• Men's Nio Amphi Short (Long): I've trudged through mud and water, rivers and swimming pools with these. They have sort of an indestructible quality to them. Good pockets, too.
• Men's Give-N-Go Boxer: I don’t need any other underwear on the road. Perfectly comfortable, easy-to-wash, quick drying. Sturdy. Doesn’t seem to wear out, but it does occasionally vanish while at the laundry service. An occasion for tears.
• Bugsaway Purdom Hiker Sock: If there's any place on my body that needs protection from bugs, it's my feet. Comfy socks that help repel mosquitos (and odor, too) is genius. (Like the pants and shirt above, the mosquito repellent is embedded in the fabric.) For having traveled so much, my feet are in exceptionally good condition. I credit that to wearing socks like these.

ExOfficio Underwear Giveaway

We have two pairs of men’s and two pairs of women’s ExOfficio underwear to give away to some lucky winners.

Like our Facebook Page and leave a comment below answering the following question before 25 September, 2011.

Where in the world would you most like to be with a pair of ExOfficio underwear? Dream big, be creative.

We'll choose four winners (two women, two men) at random. Available only for shipment to addresses in the U.S.A.

The post ExOfficio Travel Clothes: From Backpacking to Business appeared first on Uncornered Market.

From the dollar store to the health food store, we go old school for a moment and highlight some simple, non-gadgety stuff in our backpacks that we’ve come to know, rely on, and in some cases — love.

10 Favorite Low Tech Travel Gear Items

1. Dry Sack

When you’re off trekking, kayaking, horseback riding or zodiacing around Antarctica, there is always the risk that Mother Nature decides to dump buckets on you. Here is where the simple yet mighty dry sack comes to the rescue. Relatively lightweight and inexpensive peace of mind.

Use it as your camera bag for the day (we usually put a towel or sarong at the bottom as a shock absorber). Or pack your electrical gear inside and then throw it into your day pack.

We acquired our dry sack after several tour companies in Thailand promised to lend us one to protect our camera gear. Instead, they offered the equivalent of a sandwich bag. In response, we bought a 5-liter dry sack in Thailand in 2006 for about $5, tested it in the shower to be certain of its effectiveness and we've used it constantly ever since.

Cost: $5-$15

2) Hard Drive Tupperware

Quite possibly the gear of the year winner. Why? With the proliferation of external hard drives in our equipment backpacks and two external hard drive failures earlier in the year, we figured some more protection couldn't hurt.

Enter the Snap-Top Container (i.e., the Tupperware for a new millennium) as a cheap and easy way to further protect your external hard drives from the wear and tear of constant movement, surface shocks and moisture.

The day of cheap solid state drives is coming. But until then, Tupperware.

We keep each external hard drive in its own cloth carrying case. Throw in some bubble wrap on the bottom and a couple silica gel packets to keep things dry. (We’ve heard rice also works in a pinch, but that could get messy.)

You can fit a couple of drives in each container. Again, we're not talking guarantees here, but peace of mind.

Our only wish: that we'd thought of this earlier.

Cost: $1-$3

3) Carabiners

We don't mean the mountaineer-grade carabiner used to summit Everest. Instead, we're talking about the ones that are engraved “NOT FOR CLIMBING.” We use them to keep stuff attached to us for easy access: water bottles, GPS data loggers, hand-held camera bags.

For additional security, find a carabiner with a lock at the end. Perfect for attaching phones and handheld camera cases to your belt loop to prevent petty theft. We found ours on the streets of Ciudad del Este in Paraguay, but you can find them at just about every outdoor store.

Cost: $1-$10

4) Earplugs

We’ve sung the praises of ear plugs before, but it’s always worth mentioning again as a good night’s sleep is golden for staying healthy — and happy.
But not all earplugs are created equal. This is where Howard Leight earplugs stand above the rest. Soft, pliable, durable, comfortable. They really work in keeping out motorbike, rooster, screaming hostel mates, snoring, throat clearings, morning constitutions and other hard-to-ignore noises. (I'm embarrassed to admit that one pair literally lasted more than two years. All you have to do is wash them.)

Pair them with a soft, comfortable eye mask from your favorite airline of choice and you’ve created your happy bubble of quiet and darkness.

Cost: $15 for 200 if you're a juggler or $7 for 20.

5) Tea Tree Oil

One of nature’s miracle extracts. Rub tea tree oil on bites and cuts. It naturally soothes, cleanses and dries out whatever is ailing you. A small amount goes a long way. Dan swears that he was able to run his first marathon injured because of a dose of tea tree ointment applied to his knee.

And tea tree oil smells kind of nice, too. Or, at least that what I’m telling myself as I bathe my legs and arms in it to dry out all the mosquito bites I've picked up during the close of monsoon season here in the Gulf of Thailand.

You can find tea tree oil in pharmacies or in health food stores. Be sure to get the medicinal strength stuff.

Cost: $8-15 (depends on size & strength)

6) Sarong

One of the keys to packing light (we are forever working on this) is to find items that serve multiple purposes. The sarong is the Swiss Army Knife in cloth form. It knows a versatility that goes beyond a lie on the beach. We bought ours six years ago during our first visit to Thailand. Still have them.

Use it as a blanket when your sleep sack isn’t quite warm enough. Use it as an extra layer of protection between you and that train or hostel sheet that has never been washed. Use it as a bath towel. Or a shock absorber in your bag. Or when all your clothes are at the laundromat, make a fashion statement and turn it into a lungi, skirt or dress.

Cost: $5-$10

7) Packing Cubes

In my world of chaos, packing cubes are genius. They enable us to know where things are; their colors cue us to grab the bag we need (for me, the pharmacy is in the striped half-cube, dry sack and winter gear in the green one, clothes in black, undies in blue). When packing, it takes a few minutes to get the cubes into the backpack in the right order and I’m good to go.

Cubes also help me to keep possessions to a minimum by providing a guide. All my clothes need to fit into one regular-sized cube. Medical stuff fits into a ½ cube, same with undies. So, the cubes help me to perform a routine check as to whether I’m accumulating too much stuff on the road and whether I need to clean house, er backpack.

Cost: $8-$15

8. Dental Floss

Why dental floss? Never underestimate the value of dental hygiene. Take a look at this: flossing regularly has been proven to prolong lifespan. Not to mention, all the fluoridated water your teeth has become used to at home: forget about it on the road.

Author's confession: This began as Dan's obsession, but after being married to him for 10 years I've drunk the dental floss kool aid as well.

Not all dental floss is created equal, however. Woven floss with paste or powder is by far the best. Its one of the items we pick up on visits to the U.S. since we haven't been able to find it elsewhere. Actually, it's becoming more difficult to find in the U.S. these days. We have friends who understand this obsession; together we've formed a sort of support group, giving out leads on where the next supply can be found.

I think MacGyver even used floss to extricate himself from a few sticky situations.

Cost: $18/6 packs (I'm sure you can find single packs if you're not addicts like us.)

9. Windbreaker in a Bag

We're often asked how we manage to dress when we go mountain trekking or when we're faced with cold weather. For me, my windbreaker is an important part of the “layer, layer, layer” equation.

When we climbed Annapurna Circuit and went up to 18,000 feet, I wore no special mountain gear. My windbreaker plus six other layers kept me warm. The coldest place we've been so far — the Pamir Highway in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan — saw us outfitted with layers of donated clothes, plus a windbreaker on top.

Although my windbreaker (Dan has a similar one) is relatively thin, it provides a warm and water resistant (no, not waterproof, I'm afraid) layer. And mine bundles up into a tiny bag, hangs from a belt loop and barely takes up any space.

Cost: $12-$20

10. Underwater Camera Bag

OK, so this is about as high-tech as this list is going to get. Forget those ridiculous disposable underwater cameras. When we visited the Galapagos Islands, we stocked up on them, thinking we'd be all Jacques Cousteau. What a joke. We were more like Steve Zissou. The pictures were blurry, there was no zoom and video wasn't an option.

During that week, we watched with envy as one of our boat-mates recorded video and high quality images with her handheld camera protected by what looked like a fancy ziplock bag. It was actually something made by a company called DicaPac.

As you'll see from this video, we've got one of our own now. We haven't yet tested it out on snorkeling trips, but expect more fun underwater pics from us. (And no, you can't take it scuba diving unless you want to give your camera the bends. That's what professional underwater camera housings are for.)

Cost: $20-$25. Check this chart to determine which size to purchase for your camera.

—–
By no means is this a definitive list. Just a few items that we find ourselves recommending often. Someone suggested we share it. So we did.

What’s your favorite low-tech gear for home or travel?

The post Our Low Tech Travel Gear of the Year appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Why are you carrying a dead body with you around the world?

— A fellow traveler attempting to carry one of our backpacks.

If you've run into us on this trip, you may have noticed something of a contradiction: we appear heavily laden even though we exhibit a knack for wearing the same clothes almost every day.

“What's with that?” you might ask.

If our bags aren’t stuffed with spiffy duds for nights out on the back beach, then what on earth are we carrying?

Our Equipment Landscape: A Snapshot

Check out the photo below and you’ll see that we literally carry an office-meets-production studio on our backs. This equipment enables us to capture our experiences and share them with our readers.

The table below attempts to organize our equipment into functional areas: photography, audio/video, computing/storage/networking, and everything else. We've added links to Amazon in case you're in the market for some new electronic toys. If you purchase something through our website with this link, the price will stay the same to you and we get a percentage as a commission.

Note: The links below may reflect a newer model than the one we own.

Digital Nomad Gear and Technology

Do You Really Use All This Gear?

Frighteningly enough, yes. While we use certain pieces of equipment (e.g., cameras and laptops) more than others, everything has its purpose.

“Laptops…as in plural??” Most people gasp when they find out we're traveling with one. Our embarrassment runs so deep that we don’t often have the courage to share that we are actually carrying two.

We had hoped to travel with one, but we found it unworkable given the volume of content that we aimed to produce and the division of duties that we negotiated with one another. Additionally, working and traveling with your spouse day in and day out carries its own set of challenges – battling over the same laptop was not something we wished to add to the fire.

Does it make sense to travel this way?

For most people, the answer is obviously “No,” but it really depends on your travel objectives. Certainly there are people who travel with laptops, not only to connect with the office and friends back home but also to write and to manage their photos and/or videos on the road.

The obvious drawback to carrying so much stuff is physical strain. It’s no fun schlepping 50 pounds from bus to guest house (Though it does help keep us in shape and allows us guilt-free second helpings of things like Penang curry.)

Emotional stress is also a factor. Our equipment obviously has value. These are also the tools through which we attempt to make our travel financially sustainable. Finally, our laptops and external hard drives store our memories from this trip. [We do have an elaborate backup plan, including regular shipments of backup DVDs to the U.S. CrashPlan cloud backup.]

We continually consider potential theft and loss scenarios and we take steps to prevent them. For example, we must constantly make judgment calls regarding whether or not it's safer to keep our bags locked up in a room or to take them with us. We haven't had to turn down any experiences yet because of our equipment, but when we take shaky boats or head into the hills, our belongings (i.e., which pieces we take with us and which pieces we leave behind) are a major consideration.

Although we are making our equipment list public on this website, we don't advertise our portable production studio when we're on the road. Our Crumpler backpacks carry the majority of what you see above. Crumpler's brightly colored designs resemble regular day-packs and manage to playfully conceal the complexity that lurks inside.

Why do it?

We've provided ample reasons why you should consider not traveling with a lot of equipment. So why do we do it?

In addition to subjecting ourselves to independent long-term travel for the sake of the experience, we had hoped to challenge ourselves creatively and professionally along the way.

We have chosen to do this by becoming proficient in producing stories, well-documented photo essays and semi-produced video and audio pieces as we travel. Despite the occasional aches and pains and the not-so-occasional desire to launch our laptops across the room in frustration, we do not regret our decision.

The post Our Office-less Office appeared first on Uncornered Market.