What must I take on the mountain?
A backpack with a capacity of up to 30 liters is completely sufficient for a day tour, advises the German Alpine Association. 4 to 5 kilos of weight are enough for a day hike. On a multi-day tour, it is even more important that we pack weight-saving, i.e. leave everything that is superfluous at home. For a multi-day tour, mountain guides recommend a rucksack with a capacity of 35 liters, we shouldn't take more than eight kilos with us. Many experts advise distributing the equipment on pack bags. The backpack should definitely have padded shoulder straps and ideally a back ventilation system. A rain cover for the backpack protects our equipment from soaking through in adverse weather.
The more weight you want to transport, the more important the carrying system becomes. On day trips, a narrow hip belt
is sufficient, which only ensures that the pack sack stays in place. The carrying systems of mountain and trekking backpacks, on the other hand, aim to transfer as much weight as possible to the hips and thus relieve the shoulders.
In order for this to work in the best possible way, the carrying system should be adjustable. So you can adjust it to your hips and your back length. The better the backpack fits, the less it will burden you. A little tip: especially on multi-day tours, it is pleasant to play with the belts and to loosen the hip belt.
is sufficient, which only ensures that the pack sack stays in place. The carrying systems of mountain and trekking backpacks, on the other hand, aim to transfer as much weight as possible to the hips and thus relieve the shoulders.
In order for this to work in the best possible way, the carrying system should be adjustable. So you can adjust it to your hips and your back length. The better the backpack fits, the less it will burden you. A little tip: especially on multi-day tours, it is pleasant to play with the belts and to loosen the hip belt.
The more compartments the backpack has, the easier it is to sort your equipment. However, this also makes the backpack a little heavier. A sleeping bag compartment as well as side pockets for drinks and maps have proven their worth in trekking backpacks. After all, nobody wants to have to look for it long on the way. Small items that need to be at hand quickly, such as sunscreen, photos and bars, can be stored in the lid compartment. Hiking backpacks often have a lot of equipment. Alpine backpacks tend to focus on weight savings and robustness. You have to decide for yourself what you prefer. Tip for backpacks without subdivision: Think about what you need when you are packing. The first aid pack can go all the way down without a guilty conscience. If everything goes according to plan, it won't be used anyway, and in an emergency you can open many backpacks from below. In addition, there are spare clothes, a change of clothes and a thermal jacket. Next is the snack (small snacks in the lid compartment) and then rainwear, hat and gloves.
For hiking there are models from daypacks to expedition rucksacks with a volume of 95 liters. So much storage space sounds tempting at first, but the flip side of the coin is that this volume has to be carried later. So always remember: Keep the backpack as small as possible. It gets full by itself. So that you know how much backpack volume you need, the best thing to do at home is to put everything you want to take with you on tour. This gives you a very good feeling for the required backpack volume.
The following backpack classes apply as a rough guide:
Daypacks 15-20 liters
For simple and short hikes where you only take the bare essentials with you: something to drink, a small snack and a light jacket.
Hiking backpacks 20-30 liters
For everything from flat to alpine, everything fits in here that you need for a day in nature. The offer in this area is huge and your perfect backpack is definitely there.
Alpine backpacks 25-40 liters
For mountain tours over several days. Here the focus is on robustness and weight.
Touring backpacks 30-45 liters
For hikes over several days. Sophisticated carrying systems ensure the highest level of comfort.
Trekking backpacks 40-95 liters
For adventures away from civilization. Tents, sleeping bags, stoves, sleeping mats, food, clothing and equipment can be found here. The carrying systems and storage options are designed accordingly.
The following backpack classes apply as a rough guide:
Daypacks 15-20 liters
For simple and short hikes where you only take the bare essentials with you: something to drink, a small snack and a light jacket.
Hiking backpacks 20-30 liters
For everything from flat to alpine, everything fits in here that you need for a day in nature. The offer in this area is huge and your perfect backpack is definitely there.
Alpine backpacks 25-40 liters
For mountain tours over several days. Here the focus is on robustness and weight.
Touring backpacks 30-45 liters
For hikes over several days. Sophisticated carrying systems ensure the highest level of comfort.
Trekking backpacks 40-95 liters
For adventures away from civilization. Tents, sleeping bags, stoves, sleeping mats, food, clothing and equipment can be found here. The carrying systems and storage options are designed accordingly.
We have this with us when we go on a day tour in the mountains:
- Change shirt
- Waterproof and windproof jacket
- Rain pants
- Hat
- light gloves
- Sports sunglasses
- 1-1,5 liters of liquid
- Snack (if there is no managed hut on the way) or snacks (muesli bars, nuts, dried fruit)
- First aid kit plus blister plaster and emergency blanket
- ID cards (ID card, membership card of the German Alpine Club), cash (you can rarely pay with an EC card in the huts) and cell phone in a zip-lock plastic bag (protects against rain)
- Multitool
- Headlamp for hiking in the dark
- Power bank for mobile phone and headlamp
Pack your backpack properly
How do I pack the touring rucksack and what should I pay attention to?