MOUNTAIN WEAR, SHOES AND BACKPACK

The proper mountain gear

Footwear

Can I go on a trip with my usual running shoes? No, you cannot. Our trips take place among dirt roads, screes, mule tracks, alpine meadows, and rugged terrains. Therefore, shoes play a key role to ensure your safety.

There are many types of hiking shoes. Each of them is for any kind of activity and terrain. All good hiking shoes have in common a non-slip sole, which ensures proper grip and foot support.

High or low hiking shoes? We usually recommend wearing low shoes on beaten trails, dirt roads and easy-medium challenging meadows. The lighter your shoes are, the less energy you will spend. High hiking boots are better suited to challenging trails, steep slopes, rocky and rough terrains, as it has more grip and protects your ankles.

Fitwell is our favourite hiking shoes brand. This Made in Italy company has been on the market for forty years. Their shoes are the result of the continuous exchange between the outdoor experts’ feedback and the know-how of this company. Performances and quality melt together, giving rise to an exclusive product.

Mountain wear

What should I wear? There are many variables affecting the choice of your mountain wear during a stunning trip. Weather in the mountains changes suddenly. Therefore, mountain clothes play a key role in keeping a constant body temperature. Dressing in layers allows you to face your trip, keeping in your backpack light technical garments. You should always keep a technical jersey, a fleece jacket or a waterproof wind-stopper jacket and a light down jacket, which keeps you warm and dry during the trip. Hiking trousers, both cotton or technical fabric, are usually long or short. Shorts are used during warm days. However, we recommend not to use them on the trails where you could get abrasions or wounds, like forests, rocks, and screes. Long trousers should be light and performing, without restricting your movements. They should ensure safety, due to their windproof and waterproof features.

There are many kinds of hiking socks. Their main feature is the reinforcement on the most sensitive parts of your feet, avoiding bad blisters, which could badly affect your hike. The visor hat plays an important role during warm and sunny days, preventing a sunstroke and protecting your face skin and your eyes from the sun rays and sweating. During winter, it protects your head and ears from the cold and wind. Wearing sunglasses is highly important as they protect your eyes from UVA sun rays and light reverberation. Particular attention should be paid especially to children during trips.

Backpack

A backpack is the best travel mate of a hiker. There are many types of backpacks and choosing the right one depends on the activity you are going to be involved in: a walk or a daily/multiple days trip.

If you are planning a walk, you should take a light but spacious backpack. The best backpack for a daily trip should have a 20/30 litre capacity. It should be comfortable and have side reinforcements, a sweat resistant back membrane, padded shoulder straps and a belt for your chest and waist. Side pockets are particularly useful to keep all that you need to have on hand. The best backpack for a multiple day trip is similar to the previous one, but with a 30/40 litre capacity.

What do I put in my backpack? Water, a map, a compass, sun cream, a change of clothes, rainproof trousers, first aid kit, mineral salts, and a backpack cover. It is also highly important always to keep a copy of your ID or passport. You should always keep your smartphone to map the area and to track your position, but you should also keep a power bank to make your battery last longer. Remember to download the 112 Where are U app before going on a trip.

We recommend not to exceed in loading your backpack with unnecessary items.