When hiking, even for the day, the package is of decisive importance!
To make sure you don't forget anything while walking light, here are our suggestions for essentials to slip into your backpack.
Remember: the heaviest objects, such as food and drink, should be placed in the central part of the bag so that they adhere the most to the back.
And everything you want to have close at hand is stored in the upper part and in the head of the bag.
On the way.
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The perfect backpack for the day
This recycled nylon backpack is both technical and comfortable.
The little details do the rest.
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The bigger your backpack, the heavier it will be… Because you will fill it!
It is therefore essential to adjust the size of the bag to your program: for a day trip, a volume of 20 to 25 liters is sufficient.
The emblematic Tempest 20L model from the Osprey brand, made of recycled nylon, is known for its comfort and technicality and is as light as it is robust.
The carrying system and the possible adjustments of the back, the waist belt and the shoulder straps ensure good weight distribution and thus the stability and freedom of movement sought.
The Powermesh pocket on the front makes it easy to slip wet clothing into it, for example, the small zipped pockets on each side of the waistband give quick access to your phone or cereal bars.
Finally, the systems
Backpack Tempest (women's version) Talon (men's version) Osprey 20 L. – Price: €140
The bottle that makes water drinkable
This water bottle, developed as part of a humanitarian program, is also available for outdoor activities.
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Life Straw's filtration technology transforms micro-biologically contaminated water into drinkable liquid.
Developed primarily in developing countries with its humanitarian program Give Back, it is also offered for outdoor activities.
This water bottle equipped with its filter therefore allows hikers to drink water from torrents, lakes, rivers… and even muddy puddles without any risk.
Gourd 1 Liter GO Life Straw - Price : 56,95€
The rechargeable headlamp
This barely 100 gram lamp can be recharged in various ways.
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Ideal in case of late return or cave visit on the way!
It weighs only 100 grams, is water resistant and has powerful brightness with multiple beam options.
The Black Diamond 500-R headlamp is mostly rechargeable and without a removable battery.
With its micro-USB charging port, it can easily be recharged from a wall socket but also from a car, a portable power source or even a solar panel.
Note that in terms of environmental impact, it is better to recycle a Lithium-ion battery like the one in this lamp after several years of use, than to regularly dispose of batteries.
500 R Black Diamond headlamp. Price: 65€
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The multi-function knife, with integrated tick remover
A whistle or a tick puller are added to the already complete range.
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The Savoyard brand of Opinel knives offers a tailor-made model for nature getaways.
In addition to its efficient and robust blade, the Numéro 12 Explore has a whistle to signal itself… and a tick puller.
The latter is a safe and effective tool for quickly removing ticks that attach themselves to humans and pets.
Opinel N°12 Explore Tick Tire. Price: €39.90
The insulated box for eating hot or cold
This model retains the original temperature and avoids any flavor transfer.
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This fully airtight double-walled container keeps food at its original temperature and prevents condensation for several hours.
There's nothing like a good hot soup on reaching the summit or, on the contrary, a very fresh tomato salad to enjoy during the sunny picnic break.
The stainless steel prevents any transfer of flavor and the wide opening makes it very practical to dip your fork directly into it!
Food Jar Hydro Flask – 591ml. Price: 44.95€
The application to prepare well and get your bearings
Whympr adds functionalities and tools to prepare your “hiking” at altitude.
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Mobile app launched on the "blinds" in 2017 from Chamonix, Whympr is already a reference in the mountain environment.
It is reliable, precise, and combines many features and tools.
These allow, upstream, to better prepare the exit via various proposed routes embellished with up-to-date information, very useful tools such as weather forecasts, BERA (Avalanche Risk Estimate Bulletins), inclinations of slopes etc… And, also once there, to orient oneself precisely and to locate the peaks, glaciers and passes thanks to the detailed 3D or IGN topographic map.
Whympr. Free application on its basic format, with paid services. Price Whympr Premium: 3 months €19.99 - 1 year €29.99;
Read alsoSavoie-mont Blanc: our ten most beautiful hikes at altitude
The beacon to be tracked remotely
A mini size (115 x 70 x 12 mm for 88 g) which makes it essential for your hikes.
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This beacon incorporates in its tiny dimensions (115 x 70 x 12 mm for 88gr) a new real-time geo-security and tracking technology making it possible to track and locate someone very precisely in the mountains, including in non-access areas. covered by telephone networks!
Your mountain escapes can thus be monitored remotely by your loved ones and, in the event of an accident, you can alert them simply by pressing the SOS button.
Once notified, the emergency services are able to locate the K-IP beacon very precisely and very quickly.
Autonomous 24 hours in activity and more than a month on standby, this concentrate of technology is protected from water jets, detectable even 6 m under the snow, and resistant to temperatures from -20°C to +60°C.
K-IP beacon. Price: €349 (for the beacon and 2-year subscription with access to services).
The basic first aid kit
This very well thought-out kit brings together the essentials.
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To treat small scratches, cuts and other hazards of outings in the great outdoors, this small first aid kit developed by Decathlon's specialized trekking and hiking teams is very practical.
The essentials are gathered with about fifteen dressings of different sizes, a strip of crepe, disinfectant wipes, compresses, suture strips, a pair of scissors, gloves and soap.
We will simply add the survival blanket to insulate and protect ourselves from the cold in the event of immobilization.
Forclaz-Decathlon hiking first aid kit. Price: €13 + Forclaz survival cover: €3.
The perfect layer of heat
This "padded sweater" uses a 100% recycled nylon coating.
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Light as a feather.
The natural insulation of goose down guarantees both a real supply of warmth, great lightness and great compressibility.
Ideal for outings in cool weather or breaks at the top, this original "down jacket" can be stored in its small chest pocket.
The American brand Patagonia, deeply committed to protecting the planet, uses here a 100% recycled nylon coating, made from fishing nets.
Alpine Downlab Patagonia. Price: 250€
Read alsoHiking in the Alps at Grand-Saint-Bernard, the other Napoleon route
Packable rain jacket
This jacket is guaranteed PFC-free.
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Essential piece to have in your bag: the waterproof jacket.
This one is signed Picture, a French brand committed to eco-design.
The Abstral is therefore waterproof and breathable, made of polyester of which 46% is recycled and provided with a water-repellent treatment guaranteed without PFCs (perfluorocarbons: these famous polluting substances which are also carcinogenic and endocrine disruptors).
On the technical side: the seams are fully taped, the fabric is stretchy and the hood is elastic.
Practical side: this jacket rolls up in its own pocket.
Picture Abstral waterproof jacket. Price: 160€
Bonus: the hammock for a nap in weightlessness
This hypercompressible model weighs only 228 g and can withstand up to 150 kg of load.
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This object has the power to suspend time and instantly plunge the bodies and minds that sway there, on vacation.
Created by a Frenchman in Bali, Ticket To The Moon manufactures hammocks that are practical, compact and comfortable.
In terms of materials, the crumpled nylon textile used is labeled and of high quality, the stainless steel hooks and the aluminum carabiners make it very easy to fix the hammock around a tree.
The Lightest model can withstand up to 150kg, weighs only 228gr and is super-compressible: once stored in its bag, it fits in your hand.
The Lightest Hammock from Ticket To The Moon – Price: €69.95