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Always pack rain gear.
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Avoid wearing jeans or cotton clothing.
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Always carry a little compass with you.
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Always be prepared for the worst weather.
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Familiarize yourself with the tent design and set-up.
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Obtain necessary permits and reserve campsites in advance.
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Know the area’s weather patterns and accommodate for time of year.
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Most hostels will require that you have a sleeping bag or a sheet of some sort.
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Know what you can carry and how long you can carry it without straining yourself.
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The pack shouldn’t weigh more than 25 percent of your weight, so take only what you need.
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It’s a good idea to take a Swiss knife, it’s a little toolbox, can use it for almost anything.
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Wear polypropylene, wool or other breathable materials that wick moisture away and dry quickly.
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When hiking keep your toenails well trimmed. The force on them while hiking is hard on the toes.
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Eat a Hearty Breakfast: You’ll need plenty of high-energy foods because you burn more calories in the cold.
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Study a map or guide to know where you’ll be hiking and estimate the time it will take to arrive at your destination.
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If you’re lucky enough to be eating at a restaurant that has paper napkins, ask for a few more and take them with you
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Dress appropriately in layers and be prepared for changing conditions, temperature changes at higher altitudes, and evenings.
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Sew or iron on some Velcro to the pockets of your swimming shorts. Your loose change, keys etc. will stay safe to stop pickpockets.
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When traveling without much space for a pillow, take an empty wine cask bladder and blow it up to use as a pillow, or lower back support.
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Instead of using locks to protect articles being stolen from your bag, use a keychain ring -it makes it much harder to break into your bag.
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When buying a backpack avoid the bells and whistles. In particular avoid zips as they damage easily and are hard to mend, while on the move.
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The silver bags inside wine boxes (mysteriously called ‘bladders’)make good inflatable pillows, and can also store about four litres of water.
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If you ever notice people handing out tissue papers on the streets grab those tissue packs when you can, you’ll need them for the public toilets.
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Always travel with a ball of tough string. It can be used for all sorts of things: clothes lines, backpack repairs and tying your shoes to the outside of your backpack.
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A small length of polar fleece fabric may be just a remnant piece of around 1m it can be used as a rug/blanket a shawl, pillow and for extra warmth inside a sleeping bag.
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A piece of string is invaluable. In emergencies you can use it as a shoelace, belt, hair tie, to attach things to your pack, to connect your wallet to your clothing, or as a clothesline.
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Duct tape will repair just about anything. Fix a leaky rain jacket, torn tent or air mattress. Put in your first aid kit wrapped around a container of matches or whatever you are bringing.
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When trekking or traveling in cold climates, if you have an aluminum water bottle, try filling it with hot water. It makes for a very comforting hot water bottle to keep your toes toasty at night.
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Guys tip - use swimming trunks as underpants, and wash them out daily with hand soap, they will dry overnight…no need to carry around your “smellies”. 2 pairs of swimming trunks should last forever
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When hitch-hiking in Europe always check (at the exit of petrol station) back side of road signs - there are plenty of hints and tips for fellow hikers - where to find free food, where to get a key for a shower for free etc.
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For security - if you are standing in a crowded place with a backpack on, ie at traffic lights, or city center then gently move your shoulders and pack from side to side while you stand. You can then feel if anyone is touching your backpack.
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Take along some large zip-lock plastic bags. These can be used to store wet clothes, dirty sandals or anything that needs to be separated from everything else in your pack. They are very cheap, take up no room and become invaluable on any trip
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When packing your clothes, fold them in half and then roll them up until they look like batons. Then tie the same category of clothing together with thick rubber bands. This is the most efficient way to organize your clothes and takes up the least space
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The multipurpose use of a heavy-duty garbage bag! Can be used: to keep your gear dry in your pack, or you can put it over your pack and make two slits for the straps, as an extra bag, an emergency poncho or a ‘ground sheet’ in gritty, muddy or wet conditions.
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Be sure to pack a small bottle of pure lavender oil in your toiletries bag. On long haul flights dab a few drops on your temples for a calming effect or on a pillow for a restful sleep. You can even sprinkle a few drops in your hiking boots to alleviate foot odor.
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Use safety pins (nappy pins) as a simple and inexpensive way to secure your gear. By looping the pin through the zipper and then attaching it to the backpack it becomes secured. It makes it very fiddly for a would-be thief to open a compartment and slip their hands in, by which time you would have noticed (hopefully).
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