BACKPACK
1. Gregory Stout 60L – Great Price and features – Different sizes available
2. Osprey Exos 58 – Lightweight option
*approx. 50-60 liters, padded hip-belt, with rainproof cover that fits over entire pack
SLEEPING BAG
1. Kelty Cosmic 20°F Down – Best bag on a budget
2. Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 20°F – Good Synthetic Choice
*comfort zone 0°C and less
SLEEPING BAG LINER
1. Sea to Summit Expander Travel Liner – poly-cotton
2. Tough Outdoors Sleeping Bag Liner – 100% Poly
*Simple & Lightweight – only needed in the mountain huts – Tauernhof will provide if needed
SLEEPING MAT
1. Klymit Static V – Best budget pad with NO insulation – Insulated versions available
2. Big Agnus Insulated AXL Air – Best Bang for your buck
*There are many great lightweight inflatable pads – Sea to Summit, Therm-a-rest, Nemo
HEAD TORCH
1. Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp – Best overall pick
2. Petzl Tikkina 250 Headlamp – Good budget option
*Small & lightweight is best – rechargeable options are also available
POCKET KNIFE
1. Gerber Paraframe Mini – Simple single blade knife
2. Swiss Army EvoGrip S18 – Has everything you might need on the trail
*Don’t bring a huge knife with a sheath – only something simple that fits in your pocket
CUP, BOWL, SPOON
1. OliCamp Space Saver Mug – Best budget item that Fits over a Nalgene bottle
2. GSI Outdoors Infinity Mug – Plastic mug
1. MSR Folding Spork – Best Lightweight option
2. TOAKS Titanium Ultralight Spork – Quality titanium at a good price
*only a large cup and spork is needed – don’t bring an entire cooking set
WATER BOTTLE
1. NALGENE 1L – Best and most common water bottle
2. CamelBak 1L – Sippy with straw
*Lots of options out there
ADDITIONAL GEAR
• Sunglasses (100% UV rating recommended) and sunscreen (factor 30 or higher)
• Band-Aids, moleskin or second skin (compeed)
• Toothbrush, small toothpaste, small shower gel, personal toiletries
• Hand Sanitizer (small bottle around 100ml)
• Light microfiber towel
• Any required personal medication
• Camera is recommended (NOTE: mobile phones are NOT permitted while on tours and can’t be used as a camera)
• English Bible (small, translation – not paraphrase), small notebook
*Think small and light
MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS
*No hiking boots!: Proper footwear is your most important piece of safety gear while in the mountains. Quality Mountain Boots will reduce the likelihood of slips, trips, and falls. Your boots must have strong ankle support, a ¾ shank, VibramTM or equivalent soles, and compatible with Semi-Automatic crampons. If you don’t have the required boots we strongly recommend buying them at the beginning of Upward Bound in Austria. We will take you to a local shop and help you buy the right boots.
CLOTHING FOR TOURS
• RAIN JACKET: Marmot PreCip Rain Jacket – There are many low cost options that are good
• WARM SOFTSHELL JACKET: North Face Full Zip Jacket – Think merino wool or fleece
• LIGHTWEIGHT INSULATED JACKET: North Face Thermoball – Down would be best
• PANTS: Columbia Convertible Pant – Convertible synthetic pants/shorts are a good choice
• T-SHIRT:
Under Armour Tech Shirt – Synthetic lightweight shirt
• SOCKS:
SmartWool Light Hiker – Hiking Socks 2 Pair
• HAT & GLOVES: Icebreaker Beanie and Head Gloves – Wind Proof & Warm – Simple is better
• SHORTS: These can double as your swim trunks
• SYNTHETIC BASE LAYER: top and bottom
• CAP: for sun protection
• HUT SLIPPERS: Small packing volume – Optional
• RUNNING SHOES- Lightweight
• SWIMWEAR – These can double as your shorts
• UNDERWEAR
*NO COTTON: Think Lightweight Layers.
