Autumn has arrived, and so has the time for planning your future treks in nature. Carl Hård af Segerstad, Global Event Manager, is an outdoors man to the core. On a normal day you will find him trekking at the head of one of our Classic events, or planning future outdoor adventures for our Fjällräven family. But while he knows how to spend time in the outdoors like no-one else, he’s also a great one to give advice. We couldn’t think of anyone better to tell us what to pack for a typical two night, three day trek. Below you will find a video guide where Carl explains the contents of his backpack. Read on for a detailed description and a packing list:
First off, your packing list will always vary depending on temperature and the expected weather and environmental conditions on your trek. In this instance Carl is describing a basic set up for summer, spring or autumn. As a Swedish brand, we take our local weather as standard but what we really mean for our international friends is that seasons in Sweden can vary a great deal. So this set up would work for a relatively varied climate, something between 10 to 30° Celsius, and weather conditions that can range from sunny and hot, to rainy or windy.
What should I wear while trekking?
Before actually checking out what is inside Carl’s backpack we should take a moment to consider clothing. It’s always important to keep your packing list, and clothing items, to a minimum when planning a multi-day adventure - while ensuring you have all the functionality you need to be comfortable and confident in nature. Carl’s advice is to use layers to ensure optimum comfort in varying conditions. His personal favourite base layer is the Bergtagen Thinwool LS. A merino wool base layer will feel comfortable against your skin and be able to provide the dual functionality of keeping you both warm and drying quickly when wet. As a mid-layer Carl has chosen the Keb Fleece Hoodie, to provide thermal insulation when needed. And as an outer layer he wears the Keb Eco-Shell Jacket which provides extra functionality for protection in windy or rainy conditions. Being able to add and remove layers will ensure that you can regulate your body temperature, depending on how much you are moving and the pace you set on your trek.
Additionally, Carl wears a cap - the Greenland Cap is a similar model - to protect him from the sun, and he lets us into a little secret ‘it’s also nice to bring along in case you have a bad hair day on the trail!’ On the bottom, Carl wears the Abisko Lite Shorts which have the added benefit of converting into shorts when needed, meaning you won’t need to carry an extra pair in your pack. Carl wears his well-worn leather, Hanwag trekking boots - shoes which have been with him through many adventures. Carl’s top tip for what to think about when it comes to shoes, ‘the good thing with a traditional, leather pair of trekking boots is if they are broken in well and you take care of your feet you will be so comfortable for the whole trek. You can go lighter, but this is the safe choice.’ And finally, to make sure your feet stay comfortable throughout the trek bring two pairs of socks, a thin liner and a thick pair of woollen socks. When worn together, Carl swears, this is the best way to protect your feet from blisters. So strap on your boots, pack an extra layer of socks, and plan a trek in your local outdoors to try out Carl’s suggestions yourself.
What should I carry in my backpack?
For his tent, Carl has chosen the Abisko Endurance 2 model. This is a tent suitable to sleep up to two people. Of course, this decision will also depend on whether you are trekking solo or in a small group. Combined with a sleeping bag it is key to bring along a lightweight, inflatable sleeping mat to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep. Don’t forget to pack away your sleeping bag and mat inside a waterproof bag to keep the essentials dry in case rain gets inside your pack.
The extra clothes that Carl would recommend you take with you on this kind of trek are: an extra base layer (Bergtagen ThinwoolLS), a pair of long johns and a spare set of socks. It’s also worth packing these extra clothes inside a waterproof bag. Additionally, it’s smart to carry a light insulation jacket (for example, the Bergtagen Lite Insulation Jacket) that you can put on in the evenings. A windbreaker is an optional addition to Carl’s spare clothing list, a good choice is the Abisko Midsummer Jacket. And finally, a firm favourite for Carl, is a comfortable pair of sandals to wear at the camp to ensure that your feet are in the best shape for the next day.
Keeping things organised inside your backpack is a key element of packing well for an outdoor adventure. A small gear bag should include both a first aid kit and any toiletries you may need for the trek. Another bag should hold necessary utensils for eating, a head lamp and other equipment detailed in the packing lists below. Make sure to bring at least a 1 litre water bottle, and, if the environment allows, a water filter so that you can drink from water sources found on the trail. Food and snacks also deserve their own bag - in this case Carl has freeze dried food which is weight / calorie efficient - but it’s important to bring the food that you will enjoy. Alongside food, it’s important to bring a stove, Carl carries a stove from world-renowned brand Primus, and accompanying gas canister. Another firm favourite for Carl is also to carry a water bag with him, this means when he makes camp he won’t need to keep running off to the water station or stream but instead will be able to carry a substantial amount of water to his tent in one go. Finally, Carl’s backpack of choice to carry everything he needs is the Keb 52.
This is a great starting point for a basic equipment list for a two night, three day trek during spring, summer or early autumn. But don’t forget to hone your equipment list to your own personal needs. Carl definitely has his own firm favourites, and things that could not be missed off his packing list, which he has developed throughout many years of outdoor experience. Now it’s time to share your equipment must-haves with us, it’s never a bad time to prepare for the future outdoor adventures that motivate us everyday. Nature is waiting.
