Packing List

Packing List for a Swiss Rail Tour

 

For current reviews of outdoor gear tested and proven in the Swiss Alps, visit our gear blog at www.alpengear.com.

Required Gear

  • 1 daypack (or backpack for self-guided Haute Route)
  • 1 pair hiking boots or shoes
  • 1 pair trekking poles (optional)
  • 1 set raingear – tops and bottoms, or poncho
  • 1 lightweight fleece sweater or fleece vest.
  • 1 mid-weight fleece sweater or soft-shell jacket
  • 1-2 pair synthetic hiking pants or shorts.
  • 1-2 T-shirts – with wicking properties.
  • 1 pair long pants
  • 1 long sleeve shirt.
  • 2-3 pair hiking socks – Wool or wool-blend preferred
  • 1 pair extra shoes for wearing at end of day and in town (not required for self-guided Haute Route)
  • 1 hat

Other Gear:

  • 1 liter water bottle or hydration bladder
  • Sun glasses
  • Small towel or microfiber sport towel, for use in the huts
  • Headlamp
  • Personal toiletries, such as toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, sun screen, razor, lip balm (soap and shampoo is available at all hotels, but not at mountain huts). Most hotels have hair dryers and irons. Woolite or similar for hand washing clothes at hotels
  • Gloves
  • Knit hat for cold weather or headband to keep your ears warm

Optional Items:

  • Camera
  • Ear plugs for use in the mountain huts
  • Sleeping sheet for use in the mountain huts
  • Sleepwear (for shared rooms or mountain huts)
  • Lightweight gaiters
  • Lightweight warm hat
  • Lightweight gloves
  • Journal, reading material

Group gear:
On Alpenwild trips your guide will carry the following items which are available for your use on the trail and throughout the trip:

  • Smartphone
  • First aid kit (Small, and stocked primarily with anti-inflammatories, bandages, and moleskin. Also includes SAM splint, sutures, and an epi-kit)
  • Trail maps, field guides
  • Multifunction knife
  • Compass, thermometer, altimeter
  • Magnifying glass
  • SteriPEN UV water purifier and water purification tablets
  • SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger
  • Power Monkey solar-powered battery charger
  • Digital recorder
  • Toilet paper

Deuter

Backpack: A 20-35 liter size daypack should be sufficient for your needs, though we also recommend bringing a hip belt. There are some great daypacks available that weigh less than 2 pounds. Go Lite, Gregory, and Granite Gear all provide these light daypacks which can carry up to 20 pounds of gear quite easily. If you’re looking for quality mid-sized packs, you can find them from Jansport, Sierra Designs, Mountainsmith, REI, Osprey, Kelty, Dana Designs, and Deuter. You will find that a good majority of these packs include a built-in waterproof cover, but should you need to buy one, you can buy them separately for a fairly inexpensive price. In years’ past, Alpenwild’s Trip Leaders preferred Deuter packs in the Futura line which is still an excellent choice. This season, our Trip Leaders will utilize the Deuter ACT 32 pack: incredibly functional with easy access.

Lowa

Hiking Boots: It is vital to have a good pair of hiking boots. When shopping for your boots, be sure to find a pair with proven comfort. These days, the majority of modern hiking boots do not need to be “broken in.” However, you will want to have tested the shoe on different trails and terrain over a period of 8-10 days while carrying a light pack. This will be comparable to the conditions you will experience on the Haute Route and you know if your boots will be comfortable enough for your trip. Both low-cut and mid-ankle boots can be used on the Haute Route, but it is highly recommended that your boot has a sturdy sole such as Vibram. While on the Haute Route, you will encounter dirt trails with some rocks as well as areas with large boulders where some climbing and hopping may be required. Remember, if your feet are happy then you will be as well. Our favorite boot is the Lowa Renegade which is also the most popular hiking boot. You can find other great hiking boots in a wide variety from Lowa, Asolo, Vasque, and Merrell.

Black DiamondTrekking Poles: Trekking poles are great to have on a long hike. Stability, balance, propulsion, and protection are just some of the benefits of having a set of trekking poles on your hike. We do not require our hikers to have trekking poles; however, nearly all hikers on the Haute Route utilize trekking poles throughout the trip. If you bring trekking poles, be sure that they are collapsible and can fit into your checked luggage. Due to security regulations, you will not be allowed to bring your poles onto the aircraft even if they fit inside your carry-on. At Alpenwild, our Trip Leaders recommend using the Black Diamond trekking poles. Our Trip Leaders have used these poles for over 10 years and they have proven their worth. Check out a new addition to Black Diamond’s line of trekking poles, the Ultra Mountain FL.

Rain Gear: Ideally, this is an item that would not be needed. Unfortunately, weather is a factor that must be accounted for. Lightweight rain gear (both tops and bottoms) can be your best friend if Mother Nature decides to add precipitation to your journey. We always recommend Gore-Tex rain gear, but there are other great lightweight rain gear options. Go-Lite and Sierra Designs also make rain gear that performs very well. Many French hikers are seen using inexpensive ponchos that shelter the body and backpack completely. This is also a viable option; it all boils down to your own personal preference.

Clothing: When selecting clothing think about dual-purpose clothes and about layering for warmth and keeping dry. It is better to have several layers you can take off and put on one at a time versus one heavy layer.

It would be wise to use plastic or zip-lock bags when packing your clothes. Also, using vacuum-sealed packing packs will free up the amount of space you have inside your pack.