What to pack for hiking
What to pack for hiking
If you’ll be doing some hiking on your trip to Shikoku, you’ll need some specific clothing and gear. What you wear and carry will depend somewhat on the season, but since we don’t take you to any extreme places, most of the things are applicable year round. Fortunately, everything on the list is normal walking gear. Nothing exotic is required. So, here’s what we recommend to bring.
For outdoor
Weather in the mountains can be very changeable. Temperatures can go from hot to cold and back again in an hour, especially in spring and autumn. Consequently, layering is important.
- Hiking shoes or boots, trainers or sports sandals
- Gaiters (optional)
- Hiking socks (bring enough so that you can change at midday)
- Long-sleeved undershirt
- Flannel shirt
- Light windbreaker
- Waterproof/sunproof hat with a string
- Knitted beanie
- Supportive leggings (worn under shorts or long trousers)
- Shorts (with side pockets)
- Long trousers (with side pockets)
- Fleece jacket (optional – I don’t use one)
- Gloves (optional)
- Sunglasses
- Waterproof jacket and trousers (essential year round!)
If you’re prone to chafing between the legs, anti-chafing oil or Lycra shorts are good to have.
While ‘proper’ hiking footwear might be considered wise, I prefer to hike in Keen sandals when it’s warmer. I’ll happily do 20 km or more in the mountains in sandals. There are downsides, but it’s better than having hot feet.
Summer
- Swimwear
- Rashguard (optional)
- Sports sandals with heel straps
General gear
- Rucksack (waterproof or with a plastic garbage bag to put your stuff in)
- Hiking poles
- Small coffee flask (fill it up at a convenience store)
- Water bottle (or just buy a 2 litre bottle of water from a convenience store and reuse it)
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent (optional)
- Neck towel and small hand towel
- Bite Away insect bite cure (optional)
- A packable shopping bag for when purchasing a picnic lunch
Electronics
Being able use Google maps and Google Translate on the go makes life so much easier. Consequently, we strongly recommend having a smartphone with some means of connecting to the internet.
- Sim card or portable WiFi
- Smartphone with Ride With GPS installed
- Camera with a waterproof bag
- Socket adapter (Type A) if you come from a country with a different type
Evening
- Comfortable shoes
If you like to scrub up, then you can bring evening wear. But Shikoku is quite a casual place and what you wear for hiking will generally do for going out to dinner too.
Have we forgotten anything? Let us know at [email protected]
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