Hiking and Trek: Getting Equipped for Adventure

Trekking or Hiking: What's the difference for your gear?

Before you fill your basket, let's identify your needs. At Winter-Expert, we distinguish between two practices:

• Hiking: You're heading out for the day. Your aim is to keep it light. You need flexible shoes, a small bag (20-30L), and breathable clothing. You'll return to a warm bed at night.
• Trekking: This is a long-distance adventure (GR20, Tour du Mont-Blanc, Nepal). You’re out for several days, often being self-sufficient. Here, durability and wild camping management are crucial. Your gear needs to withstand abrasion, bad weather, and allow you to sleep and eat anywhere.

1. Shoes: Your only contact with the ground

This is your number one investment. A blister can ruin a dream trip.
Low Tops: For easy trails and walkers looking for freedom (Fast Hiking).
Mid Tops: The ideal compromise between ankle protection and lightness.
High Tops: Essential if you’re carrying a heavy bag (>10kg) or navigating rough terrain (scree) to lock your ankle and prevent twisting.

Pro tip: Never forget that your socks are just as important as your shoes. Choose Merino wool to avoid chafing and smells.

2. Rucksack: Carrying without suffering

The choice of size is straightforward:
20L - 30L: Day hiking.
40L - 50L: Trekking with nights in a hut (you carry your gear + bag for food).
60L and up: Trekking in complete autonomy (you carry the tent, sleeping bag, and food).

For heavy bags, make sure 70% of the weight rests on your hips with a wide, padded hip belt. Your shoulders should only be used to stabilise the load!

3. Clothing: Climate management

In the mountains, the weather can change in 10 minutes. Forget cotton that dries poorly. Follow the 3-layer rule:

• Layer 1 (Breathability): Technical t-shirt or Merino to wick away sweat.
• Layer 2 (Warmth): Fleece or micro-down jacket to insulate against the cold (in the evening or at altitude).
• Layer 3 (Protection): Waterproof jacket (Hardshell) or rain poncho to shield against wind and water.

4. Bivouacking: The "Thousand-Star" hotel

If you’re sleeping outdoors, weight is your enemy. At Winter-Expert, we select the best ultra-light (UL) gear:

• The Tent: Look for a self-standing model under 2kg for two people.
• The Sleeping Gear: The sleeping bag + mattress combo is essential. A warm sleeping bag is useless if you sleep directly on cold ground. Check the "R-Value" of the mattress (its thermal insulation).
• The Cooking Gear: Compact gas stove (like PocketRocket or Jetboil), titanium pot and freeze-dried meals to optimise calories per gram carried.

5. Hydration and Navigation

Water is the fuel for the walker. During a trek, you can't always carry 4 litres of water. Equip yourself with a water filter or purification tablets to safely drink from streams.
Finally, never head out blindly. Even with a GPS or a smart watch, an IGN map and compass (and knowing how to use them!) are the only tools that never run out of battery.