EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW…
Going or want to go on a trek (multi-day hike) and don’t know what or how to pack? Well, we’re here to help you with all you need, from what to bring to fitting your backpack.
To start you need to know that most overnight hikes would require you to carry all your gear and essentials – including food and snacks. If this doesn’t sound like your thing yet, book one of our day hikes first.
Carrying all your gear on your back sounds heavy right? Right, but packing and fitting your backpack properly will make a big difference to the ‘comfort’ of your hike.
Firstly you don’t want to take too much, secondly you don’t want to take too little. So in-between too much and too little, but what exactly does that in-between look like though? Have a look at our suggestions below to help you get there.
If you’re wondering where to start – book one of our overnight hikes, guided by one of our experienced leaders – and then collect the gear you need.
GEAR
The Backpack
- Your backpack is the most important item you’ll need and must fit comfortably
- We suggest a capacity of about 70 – 75 litres
- Get yourself a backpack rain cover. Some backpacks come with a rain cover included
- Your backpack should have some outside pockets so you can easily get to the most needed items whilst hiking
A Tent
- A two man tent will give enough space for you and your gear
- Make sure your tent is wind and waterproof
- Try get the lightest tent possible
The Sleeping Bag
- A four seasons sleeping bag with a transition rating of about -5 degrees Celsius should give you a comfortable night’s sleep all year round
- If you’re worried about the cold, pack a thermal liner as well
A Sleeping Mat
- Make sure your sleeping mat is light-weight
- A self-inflatable sleeping mat is ideal
A Camping Pillow
- If you want you can take a self-inflatable pillow for extra comfort
- There are some really light-weight pillows available that have magnetic systems which stick to your mat
A Groundsheet
- A groundsheet is optional and can provide extra insulation when the nights are cold
- Do however make sure that it is as light-weight as possible
Waterproofing
- A waterproof jack and pants are a necessity. Again go for most light-weight options
- They can also give you an extra warm layer to sleep in during those cold nights
Your Headlamp and Spare Batteries
- Essential to find your way around when having to get up in the night
- Batteries just in case
Cell Phone, Power Bank, Camera
- We always want to document our travels, so if you’re an avid photographer or just want to take snaps with your cell phone – bring these along
- Also consider the weight you’ll be able to carry. To lug your heavy camera with you, might just be too uncomfortable. Cellphones these days take great pictures too
- And don’t forget a fully charged power bank – a good idea is to tie a solar charged power bank to the outside of your backpack
Sunglasses
- Preferably with polarised lenses
Trekking / Hiking Poles
- These will certainly help on the downhill and that last day of your hike
Water Bottles / Bladder
- Pack a 1 litre bottle or 1.5 litre bladder which fits into your backpack
- You can fill these with water or game for extra electrolytes
A Dry / Waterproof Bag
- For your wet clothing and items
CLOTHING
Vert Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Make sure your boots are warn in before the time
- Try get yourself a good pair of waterproof boots
- Great tip: take some clear plastic bags to put over your socks in case your boots get wet
Hiking Socks
- Thick woollen socks
- Inner liners socks – these should do the trick
Sandals / Flip Flops
- Take a pair of light-weight waterproof sandals which can be used for the times your boots are off
A Sun Hat
- Never forget your hat – a wide brim hat is best to keep you shaded
Beanie or Balaclava
- These will come in handy for those cold days and nights
Buff / Neck Scarf
- To protect you from the sun and can double up as warmth
- There’s nothing worse than hiking when sunburnt, so definitely bring all the anti-sunburn items along
Gloves
- Pack thin fleece gloves so you can keep your hands warm at night
Gaiters
- If you’re one who gets stones and grass in your boots, try gaiters – they work like a charm
Two to Three Hiking Shirts
- For three days pack three shirts
- For two days two shirts etc, etc…
- Make sure your shirts are dry-fit for extra comfort
One to Two Pairs of Hiking Pants
- For two days one pair of hiking pants will be sufficient
- For three days you can pack two pairs
- A long pair and a short pair should be fine
- Make sure you pack light-weight quick drying items
Your Fleece Jacket
- To keep your warm if need be
A Set of Thermals (Top and Pants)
- For winter overnight hikes – these won’t take up a lot of space and are light-weight
TOILETRIES
Try and pack the least amount of toiletries because you won’t use everything you think you would.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste – small foldable
- Sunscreen – most important
- Deodorant
- Toilet paper
- A small spade or digging tool
- Your medication
- A tiny towel – Sea To Summit make great Airlite towels which are quick-drying, small and light
- Soap / Wet wipes – I prefer wet wipes because bathing in the river might not be possible at various camping spots during your hike. If there are ablution block, a small soap will do
UTENSILS
- A light-weight spoon, fork and knife – you get three in one options these days which are super light
- Stainless steel mug – for your morning coffee, to get things going
- A bowl – Sea To Summit and LifeVenture make foldable silicone bowls which are ligh-tweight and don’t take up much space
- Plastic bags – for your rubbish
Now that you have all your items ready… let’s pack your backpack
Pack bulky lighter items first
- Your sleeping will go in first at the bottom. Most backpacks will have a compartment here, so this is where it will go. Try pack your inflatable pillow and matt with the sleeping bag – otherwise tie your sleeping mat to the back of your backpack – either at the top or the bottom
- Next, your clothes. These should go above your sleeping bag
- Line your backpack with a black plastic bag, to keep your clothes dry – just in case
The heavier items must go higher up and closest to your back
- I suggest you pack your snacks (for the next day or two) and toiletries here – some backpacks have a toiletries section at the top, in which case your toiletries will go there
- Eating utensils – bowl, mug, spork (spoon, fork and knife)
- If you have a water bladder it will go here as well
- Extra plastic bags
- Groundsheet
- Sleeping bag liner
The very light items and waterproof items will go on the outer part (furtherest from your back) at the top of your backpack
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof pants
- Fleece jacket with your gloves, beanie and buff in the pockets for easy access
Your backpack should have quite a few outside pockets which you can pack with the following:
- Daily snacks
- Cell phone
- Lip ice
- Sunblock
- Tissues
- Water bottle/s
What to attach to the outside of your backpack
- Sleeping mat – of you run out of space inside
- Power bank – if needed
- Hiking poles
Once packed check that your backpack weighs no more one-quarter of your body weight. Preferably 12kg or less including the weight of your water.
Now the last part… fitting that backpack on your back
- Load the backpack according to the what goes where as explained above
- Loosen all the straps, put your arms through the straps and mount the backpack onto your back
- Now secure the hip belt around your waist making sure it sits on top of your hip bones
- Make sure that the weight is concentrated on your hips and that your shoulders don’t feel too much weight
- Then tighten the shoulder straps and you’re ready to go
We have three overnight trekking hikes on our calendar for this year:
- Lesobo – a three day, two night hike taking place from the 16th – 18th of June 2023
- Oorlogskloof – a six day, five night hike taking place in August 2023, and
- The Otter Trail – a four day, three night hike taking place from the 1st – 4th of September 2023
Look out for details coming soon…