Packing List for Hiking in Sweden's Nature

If you’re heading out on a longer hike in our beautiful country, there’s a lot that needs to be planned for everything to go smoothly. When you choose the right equipment, the hike becomes both much easier and more enjoyable. Use a packing list as a starting point, then adapt it to the route, forecast, and people coming with you.

The Right Tent for the Season and Terrain

The tent is without a doubt what takes up the most space and weighs the most. At the same time, the right tent is crucial for effective recovery and a comfortable experience. A tip is to compare tents on web stores that are experts in hiking equipment. One such site is Beredd, which also has a smart guide for choosing the right tent. It’s important to know which season you’ll be using the tent in, how many people it should fit, and what the maximum weight can be.

Sleeping Pads That Take Up Little Space

Never set off without a sleeping pad – you need to sleep well to recover for the next day’s hike. Choosing an inflatable pad is smart, as it takes up little space and its insulation and thickness can be chosen to suit the ground and expected temperatures. There are both self-inflating pads and ones you blow up yourself.

Synthetic or Down Sleeping Bag

The sleeping bag must also be adapted to the season. Choose a sleeping bag by its temperature rating and the expected overnight conditions, not simply a season label. In that case, a summer sleeping bag might be more appropriate. Sleeping bags can be filled with synthetic material or down. Synthetic is cheaper and handles wet environments, while down sleeping bags are perfect if you want one that packs small and weighs little.

Cooking Equipment

Being able to brew a cup of coffee and eat a warm meal adds a golden touch to the hike. A simple storm cooker with an accompanying pot doesn’t weigh much and is in most cases worth bringing. Storm cookers run on petrol, propane, alcohol, or multi-fuel, so make sure you bring enough fuel for the entire hike.

Extra Clothes and Microfiber Towel

Extra socks and a t-shirt are a must, as you’ll get sweaty and may also get wet from rain and terrain. Bringing a quick-drying towel that takes up little space also lets you cool off in streams you pass.

First Aid Kit and Insect Repellent

Accidents happen on hikes, and it’s best to be prepared. A first aid kit doesn’t take much space and should contain supplies you know how to use. Also pack insect repellent, which is needed in large parts of the country during spring, summer, and early fall.

Food, water, and navigation

Pack food for the route and allow for delays. Plan where you can obtain suitable drinking water and how you will carry or treat it. Take a map and compass you can use, download offline maps if you use a phone, and bring enough battery power. A headlamp and a small repair kit can also be useful.

Tell someone your route and expected return time before leaving. Fjällsäkerhetsrådet’s trip-planning guidance is a useful reference for mountain outings. Pack rain protection, an insulating layer, and dry clothing appropriate to the forecast. Keep sleeping gear protected from water.

Use a stove outdoors, away from the tent, and follow its instructions and local fire restrictions. Finally, try carrying the packed bag before your trip: check that the load is manageable and that frequently used items are easy to reach.