It doesn't have to be the Way of St. James: Multi-day & hut tours are also a great experience for hikers with less experience. Admittedly: You should already have a few day hikes under your belt to be able to assess your own fitness level and know what you're getting yourself into. Are you planning your first multi-day hiking tour or are you packing your rucksack for the tenth time for a hut tour? We'll give you the perfect packing list to tick off and tell you how you can save weight and what doesn't belong in your hiking rucksack.

Plan your multi-day tour & shorten your packing list

You should note the following:

• Where do you spend the night? Does every day end at the hut, do you sometimes spend the night in a tent or do you also stay in one or two inns? Where can you pitch your tent?
• Are there any restaurants, shelters or shops along the route? Where can you fill up your drinking water?
• What obstacles do you have to overcome? Are there via ferratas, rough paths, glaciers or snow on the route?
• Is it a busy hiking route or a remote region?
• What is the climate like at this time of year? Will it be very cold at night or are the temperatures moderate? Will it perhaps even be very warm during the day?

The more you know about your multi-day tour, the more relaxed the hike will be and the packing list can be shortened considerably. As you are out in nature, you should also plan for the unpredictable: sudden changes in the weather, even though the forecast shows sunshine and 20 degrees, "detours" or longer hiking times than planned and no cell phone reception will only ruin your hut tour if you are not properly prepared.

Our packing list for hut hiking & other multi-day tours

Regardless of whether you are planning a hut tour or want to be completely self-sufficient: Certain things always belong on the packing list for multi-day tours. The second part of our list contains equipment that you only need if your stage destinations are hiking huts or if you are hiking with a tent. We explain how to pack your rucksack correctly in a separate guide.

The universal packing list for multi-day tours:

• Clothing:
  •     a pair of hiking boots
  •     a pair of slippers, slippers or sandals for the evening
  •     functional shirt & shirt
  •     fleece pullover or jacket
  •     Hiking pants with zip-off function
  •     jogging pants
  •     Rain jacket & rain trousers or rain cape
  •     Jacket (depending on climate)
  •     Hiking socks & change of underwear
  •     Scarf, hat, gloves (depending on climate)
  •     Swimsuit (depending on climate)

• Equipment:
  •     Water bottle or hydration bladder
  •     Sunglasses (glacier goggles if necessary)
  •     Headlamp or flashlight
  •     bin bag
  •     pocket knife
  •     armor tape
  •     compass
  •     Toiletry bag (travel size, biodegradable soap)
  •     Microfiber towel
  •     Handkerchiefs or toilet paper
  •     Hand sanitizer gel
  •     Small tube detergent
  •     First-aid kit: (blister) plasters, sun cream, first-aid kit, painkillers, ointment, insect repellent, tick tweezers
  •     ID card, health insurance card, DAV membership card, vaccination card, EC card, cash
  •     Hiking map
  •     Cell phone, (camera)
  •     Food (depending on the tour, snacks for on the way or dinner)
  •     Magnesium tablets and electrolyte solutions

Packing list for hut tours

• Hut sleeping bag
• Earplugs & sleeping mask
• deck of cards or similar
• Sufficient cash
• charging cable

Packing list for hiking multi-day tours with tent

•     Sleeping bag (take the night-time temperature into account)
•     Tent or bivouac
•     sleeping mat
•     Gas stove & pot
•     Cutlery, plate, cup
•     Lighters (more than one)
•     Power bank for cell phone
•     Washing up liquid

Optional (depending on the route)

•     Water filter
•     GPS/SOS device
•     Climbing or glacier equipment
•     Hiking poles
•     Emergency bivouac sack

This should not end up in your rucksack on hut tours

Both beginners and seasoned multi-day hikers often make the mistake of packing too much. This means unnecessary weight on your back, but is sometimes unavoidable.

However, there are some things you can definitely leave at home:

• Alcohol and drugs: Not only can intoxication be dangerous in the great outdoors, but a hangover the next day is not a good way to start the day.
• Camping chairs: Some people swear by a foldable seat cushion for short breaks when it's cold or wet. However, camping chairs are superfluous ballast.
• Music box: No matter how tempting it may be, loud music has no place in the great outdoors. You can also listen to your favorite songs or the podcast in the evening with headphones.
• Jeans: Are work trousers ideal for a hiking tour? Wrong! Jeans and other cotton clothing soak up water, dry slowly and quickly lead to hypothermia when wet. Special functional clothing made from breathable materials such as polyester, blended fabrics or merino wool is the better choice.
• Unhealthy & perishable food: Sweets and fast food make you feel unfit and cause your blood sugar to go on a rollercoaster. They offer hardly any minerals and nutrients. Fresh but perishable foods such as milk, meat and fish, fruit and vegetables won't last longer than two days in your rucksack. Eat the perishable and heavy items first. Nuts, protein bars, crispbread and dried fruit always work.

Perfectly equipped for your hiking adventure

In addition to good planning and a well thought-out hut tour packing list, creativity is also required for multi-day hikes. Try to use everything you have with you in different situations. A large cup can also serve as a muesli bowl, special all-round soaps can be used as washing-up liquid, detergent, shower gel and shampoo all in one, the camera in your smartphone might be enough for a few great shots. Armor tape is suitable for everything anyway.

You should share your equipment with your companions. If there are five of you, not everyone needs their own compass and a fully stocked first-aid kit. Create the packing list together and make sure that everyone carries a similar amount. Alternatively, you can rotate the rucksacks if they fit more than one person. This way, everyone has a little more to carry, but can also relax from time to time. However, the heavier rucksack should not exceed the comfort weight.