Packing list for a multi-day hut-to-hut tour

03.10.2024

Lifehacks, Tips & Tricks

It’s time to hike! This year, we have a special tip for all mountain fans: How about a multi-day hut-to-hut tour?

Of course, the details are all up to you: How long, how difficult, which huts? No matter what kind of tour you go for, we have the perfect packing list for you – and the perfect hiking outfit!

I pack my backpack and in it I put …

But let’s start at the beginning! After all, the backpack is just as important as its contents. For a multi-day tour (three to six days), we recommend a hiking backpack with a volume of 28 to 30 litres.

It’s a good idea to place heavy items at the bottom of your backpack. This results in a kind of leverage effect that straightens your upper body. A hip belt gives you additional lumbar support.

Our tip: Keep important items like your ID, spare clothes and snacks ready at hand. The same applies to the rain cover of your backpack, which you can pull across your bag to protect the contents from sudden showers.

Talking about contents: Read on to find out about the “must-packs” for a multi-day hut-to-hut tour …

Hiking clothes – the basics

hiking boots and breathable sports socks
functional underwear
hiking trousers
a functional shirt
a warm, space-saving jacket, for instance PrimalLoft® or Polartec® Alpha®
a waterproof functional jacket (rain jacket)

Change of clothes: Whether it’s due to sweat, rain or because you had to wash them: When your hiking clothes are wet, you need a change of clothes. It’s particularly important to change out of your first layer. You can dry your wet outdoor clothing over night at the hut or attach it to the outside of your backpack while hiking.

Outdoor clothing – some extras

a warm sweater, for instance made of fleece
water-repellent functional trousers
a water-repellent functional jacket or windcheater
arm warmers and leg warmers
a cap or headband
sunglasses
a warm hat and gloves

Accessories

Useful hiking and safety equipment

trekking poles
in case of snow: crampons and gaiters
a first-aid kit
blister pads and tape
sunscreen
an outdoor knife and lighter
small trash bags
a headlamp
a fully charged mobile phone and a power bank for recharging
a sports watch with GPS
your ID or passport (alternatively, a photo of it on your phone or a paper copy)
your health insurance card
cash (because many mountain huts don’t accept cards)
maps (printed maps or digital maps stored offline)

For spending the night at a hut

a sleeping bag liner
hut slippers
comfortable nightwear
a travel towel
basic toiletries
earplugs for sleeping

Our tip:

Contact the mountain hut in advance to find out if they provide towels, bed sheets etc. The less you need to bring, the better!

The best snacks for hiking

Packing food for your hike is also part of your tour planning. Focus on snacks you can eat on the go – a warm meal will be provided at the hut. As for which snacks to pack: We recommend food that’s low in sugars and fats as well long-chain carbohydrates and high-quality vegetable proteins, for instance:

cereal bars or energy bars
fruit bars (ideally with 100 % fruit and no added sugar)
hydrogels (energy packs)
nuts
dried fruit
bananas
pumpernickel or wholemeal bread with vegetable spread and low-fat turkey ham
bread with jam
magnesium
plenty of water, depending on the number of open mountain huts and springs along the way

Things you should not pack in your hiking backpack:

perishables that need to be stored in a cool place
raw fruit and vegetables, because they are difficult to digest
heavy packaging materials such as glass

Our tip: Eat before you get hungry and drink before you get thirsty! Otherwise, you risk sudden fatigue and hitting the wall (get to the article with the link below!)
With our packing list, you’re ready for your next hut-to-hut tour. For high-quality hiking clothes made in Austria look no further than Martini Sportswear and our brand-new summer trends for 2021 …

Hitting the wall