This is our gear list for the Scandinavian stage of our multi-year world expedition. We are following the E1 European long distance path for this section. The first half goes through the remote alpine Scandinavian mountain range dividing Sweden and Norway.

Gear is highly individual and on long-distance hikes, the choices are even more crucial since you will depend on it for such a long time. Different terrain and seasons also dictate what we pack of course. The northern part of Scandinavia is mostly alpine and our choices reflect this. Most notably we choose to walk in boots. While for more urban stretches, later on, we will switch to trail runners since they are a bit lighter and more flexible in less technical terrain. We chose Lundhags leather shell boots for a number of reasons. We love the benefits of a waterproof boot without a sensitive membrane to wear out or a padded lining that takes a long time to dry. Another benefit is that you can actually re-sole and mend these boots for a number of seasons and for years of service.

We love sustainable gear that you care for and mend instead of just throw away. You create a relationship to the gear and the maker that is not only good for the budget, but also for the environment. Another reason we love to support brands with a clear vision for sustainability and the environment.

We are also huge merino wool fans! It is a phenomenal natural material that not only keeps you cool in summer but also warm when it is cold, even when wet, so it is very comfortable in all seasons. An added bonus is that it will not smell as bad as synthetic materials either when you sweat or live in it for extended periods. We choose merino for all our thermal base layers, some mid-layers, t-shirts, and socks.

Most importantly to note is that we will just use the gear we already have when we start this expedition. Most of it has already seen many, many miles of trail and the plan is to simply wear it out and replace it as we go. A few pieces of gear that will serve their last mission on this stage is Karma’s reinforcement clothes, for example. Veterans from the Kungsleden thru-hike in 2016, and shelved for a few years, it will be used and retired after this season in favor for some newer lighter gear from Norrøna and Rab.

We are not ultra-light hikers. We carry a *base weight of around 9 kg each for this mission. We like to strike a good balance between safety and weight, and we choose gear that we trust and feel that we can depend on for a long time.

*Base weight =weight of the backpack not including food, water, fuel and what we are wearing.

Karma’s base weight: 9 kg.

brandsize/infograms
backpack: Osprey Aura AG 6562L1900g
rain cover: Osprey UltralightL90g
waterproof pack bags: Sea to Summit/ Ospreymiscmisc
compression dry sack: Sea to Summit UltraSil eVent (sleeping bag)S90g
SLEEPING
inflatable mat: Therm-a-Rest Neoair XThermL max652g
(summer) sleeping bag: Western Mountaineering Alpinlite (-7C)mummy (wide)880g
(winter) sleeping bag: Marmot Lithiummummy1176g
pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight 60g
COOKING
spork (titanium)20g
Wildo vikkåsa (folding cup)0.6L46g
WATER
Platypus Hoser bladder 3L120g
TOOLS & MISC
trekking poles: Black Diamond Trail Pro 490g
multi-tool: Leatherman Style CS41g
Therm-a-Rest Z-seat42g
headlamp: Petzl Bindi (200ln)35g
accessories
toiletries
valuables
TECHNOLOGIES
iPhone 8148g
Lifeproof (waterproof case)42g
Lexar lightning jumpdrive C25i 128gb10g
APPS
Gaia GPSnavigation
DayOne Journaljournalling
iMoviemovie editing
Spotifymusic/podcasts
Social media
Weather/tidal apps
Messengercalling/messaging home
CLOTHES
> Walking
(1) Leather bootsLundhags Jaure mid LT 2
(2) SalomonSalomonQuest Prime GTX
(3) SalomonRobson Mid GTX
Sports braKari Traa Driva
Merino t-shirtIcebreaker
Windbreaker/midlayer Patagonia Houdini Air102g
ShortsCraft
Windproof tightsKari Traa
Merino socksIcebreaker (x2)
Merino liner socksSmartwool (x2)
> Reinforcement
Weatherproof jacketNorrøna Trollveggen (Gore-Tex)
Weatherproof PantsMarmot PreCip
Merino hoodieNorrøna
Puffy jacketRab Microlight Alpine
> Sleeping/ camp
Merino thermal sweaterKari Traa Ulla half-zip
Merino thermal pantsKari Traa Ulla
Merino boxersPeak Performance
Merino tank topSmartwool
Merino socksDarn Tough
> Accessories
BuffSPF 50 (half)
Sun visorCraft
Merino beanie Arc'teryx
GlovesThe North Face
Weatherproof shell gloveOutdoor Research
Alpine gaitersRab Latok (eVent)

 

Scott’s base weight: 9 kg.

brandsize/infograms
backpack: Osprey Atmos AG 6565L2190g
rain cover: Osprey UltralightL90g
waterproof pack bags: Sea to Summit/ Ospreymiscmisc
compression dry sack: Sea to Summit UltraSil eVent (sleeping bag)S90g
SLEEPING
inflatable mat: Therm-a-Rest Neoair XThermL max652g
(summer)sleeping bag: Western Mountaineering TerraLite (-4C)semi-rectangular820g
(winter)sleeping bag: Marmot Lithiummummy1176g
pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight 60g
COOKING
spork (titanium)20g
Wildo vikkåsa (folding cup)0.6L46g
CoffeeBrew coffee filterSea to Summit
WATER
Platypus Hoser bladder 3L120g
Stainless bottleKleen Kanteen
TOOLS & MISC
trekking poles: Black Diamond Trail Pro 490g
knife: Leatherman Skeletool KB37g
Therm-a-Rest Z-seat42g
headlamp: Petzl Bindi (200ln)35g
accessories
toiletries
valuables
TECHNOLOGIES
iPhone 8148g
Lifeproof (waterproof case)42g
Lexar lightning jumpdrive C25i 128gb10g
APPS
Gaia GPSnavigation
iOverlanderroute planning
Couchsurfing logistics
Spotifymusic/podcasts
Social media
Weather/tidal apps
Messengercalling/messaging home
CLOTHES
> Walking
(1) Leather bootsLundhags Jaure mid LT 2
(2) SalomonSalomonQuest Prime GTX
(3) SalomonRobson mid GTX
Merino t-shirt Icebreaker
Windbreaker/mid layer Patagonia Houdini Air116g
ShortsNike running (Dri Fit)
Windproof tightsCraft
Merino socksSmartwool (x2)
Merino liner socksSmartwool (x2)
> Reinforcement
Weatherproof jacketNorrøna Falketind (Gore-Tex)
Weatherproof pantsMarmot PreCip
Puffy jacketOutdoor Research Pertex Quantum (down)
> Sleeping/ camp
Merino thermal t-shirtAclima
Merino thermal pantsSmartwool
Merino boxersIcebreaker
SocksCoolmax
> Accessories
Merino buffBuff
BeaniePatagonia
Sun cap/ hatArcteryx
GlovesThe North Face
Weatherproof shell gloveOutdoor Research

 

brandsize/infograms
SLEEPING
(summer) tent: Hilleberg Rogen2-pers, 3 season2100g
(winter) tent: Hilleberg Allak22-pers, all season3300g
COOKING
MSR Whisperlite Universal Combomulti fuel cooker276g
MSR fuel bottle591 ml134g
MSR Ceramic Solo Pot1.3 L210g
WATER
Sawyer Squeeze filter77g
Evernew/Sawyer (filter water sacks)2L42g
TOOLS & MISC
First aid kit
The Deuce of Spadespotty trowel17g
TECHNOLOGIES
Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1emergency beacon116g
Anker PowerCore 13000 mAh240g
Anker Dual USB Solar Charger15W354g

 

More on the logistics and planning of this stage here.