Tourist equipment guide. THE BEST TRAVEL EQUIPMENT THAT YOU NEED FOR TRAVEL TO THE NORTH. (Update June 2019)

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Tourist gear

You should prepare your tourist equipment before you travel to the North. Despite the fact that there are no difficult routes, the weather and climate will make you regret it if you do not prepare properly.

Tourist equipment is different in summer and in winter. You will not stay in camping in the wintertime. And you prefer to spend the night in comfortable rooms in the hut. It’s reasonable. 

See also: Landscape Photography Workshops

Summer gear

In summer, your trip will be in a hiking style. You will want to see more. You will walk more. In Lofoten, camping is free. And this makes it possible to travel with a tent.

Do not waste money on expensive hotels. Use a tent. It’s really an adventure. You will be surprised how free camping is developed in Norway.

The law in Norway allows you to do camping anywhere if you do not disturb the locals. This is the difference between Norway and other European countries, where traveling with a tent can be a problem. Here – not a problem.

Of course, going on a trip with a tent, you will need camping equipment. In this article, I will give my tips.

The Layering System 

The best way to protect yourself is to wear three separate layers. The base layer, mid-layer, and shell layer. It’s The Layering System. The weather changes often, but you will always be protected.

And you can always take off or put on one of the layers. This is the main principle of hiking.

How does it work?

The base layer removes sweat from the body the middle layer keeps heat and continues to remove moisture from the body the shell layer is waterproof and wind stop.

Base Layer

This is the layer that is closest to the skin. It is an important role in the thermodynamics of your body. The clothing of this layer must by high quality, remove sweat and quickly dries.

Despite the fact that we like to wear clothing from cotton in this situation it not work. The best choice is a synthetic, tight-fitting body t-shirt. It will take away sweat during activity and quickly dry on the rest stop.

This is a very important aspect. Despite the fact that it can be cold in such clothes, believe me, you will not catch a cold and not get sick.

Mid Layer

This layer will keep you warm. The best choice for the Lofoten Islands will be a regular fleece jacket. You can also wear synthetic jackets, similar to the base layer.

The middle layer is what you would wear for a walk in the park in autumn.

Shell layer

It’s all a little more complicated. The Shell layer must perform two functions. Protected from the rain and protected from the wind.

I take three layers even in clear weather.

Once I was on top and I did not bring shell layer. The wind is really strong and cold. I was very cold.

Your shell layer protects you well from the wind. Put on Waterproof Rain Jacket only.

I advise, do not stint and to get a shell layer of Gore-TEX or similar.

The shell layer should be loose, so get two sizes larger than you’d normally get.

More information about Layering System you can find on the Wikipedia site

Hiking boots

Good hiking boots are very important — especially as getting this wrong can result in injury!

If you do not have or have a little hiking experience, then your legs and muscles are probably not prepared for walks on rolling stones and sharp edges. Sneakers or similar shoes are not suitable for use during the hike.

Therefore, if you are planning to go for a walk in the mountains for the first time choose strong and heavy shoes. They will reliably protect against foot injuries.

On Lofoten often there are raw parts of the route, swamps, puddles, wet moss. If your shoes get wet it’s no good for hiking.

I always choose shoes with a Gore-Tex membrane. My feet do not sweat and are in comfort.

Never save many on Hiking Boots!

Be sure to take one more pair of shoes for camping.

All the time walking in heavy hiking boots is very hard and uncomfortable.

5 tips How to choose hiking boots

1. Weight. The heavier the shoe, the faster your feet will get tired.
2. Waterproofness. It is absurd to buy to get wet shoes for a hike. Membrane “Gore-Tex” perfectly copes and your feet “breathe”.
3. Protection. Steep climbs and descents, many stones make the probability to dislocate the leg. I try not to risk and buy shoes with high support feet.
4. Durable outsole. The toes protection is mandatory. The shoe must have a sole of hard rubber. Shoes should not slip.

Trousers

It’s so good if you have trousers for a mountain hike. They are very durable, they dry quickly.

Put in your backpack thermal underwear for windy and cold weather.

Fjallraven is the best choice for me. 

But if you want something more budget pay attention to The North Face 

Socks

Socks are an important element. Socks should be specially made for hikes. They will protect you and your walk will be comfortable. You can not use everyday socks made of cotton with trekking boots.

Socks will be durable if they are specially sewn, they will not rub your feet and will drain moisture.

Trekking Poles

The acquisition of trekking poles made a revolution in my mind. I never thought that their use made my walk in the mountains so easy.

My back, my legs scream for trekking poles – THANKS! Feel free to use it. It’s really cool when the back and legs are not tired. 

You should use only multi-section trekking poles in mountain walks. You will need trekking poles of different sizes during rising to the top and back. The size of the poles must be adjusted.

Choose light trekking poles.

1. Black Diamond Trail Sport 3 Trekking Poles are durable poles at an economical price.
2. Black Diamond Distance Carbon Flz Trekking Poles  are a premium pole for fully adjustable. Lightweight 100% carbon fiber construction.
3. Foxelli Trekking Poles MOVE FASTER & FURTHER WITH LESS EFFORT. Perfect 4 Season kit for this price!

Hats

I’m not ready to vouch for whether you need a hat or not. But my wife did not take off her cap for two weeks of our joint trip to Lofoten.

However, bandana or baseball cap will definitely be helpful. 

Gloves

Near the water and on the mountain peaks it is always very windy and cold. 

Once I did not take the gloves. And my shooting turned into torture. My fingers are frozen. You should have gloves even in the summer.

We have gloves for women too.

Sunglasses and Sunscreen

Be sure to bring your sunglasses and sunscreen or lotion.

in good weather, in summer, it is windy and the sun shines during the day and it is very easy to get a sunburn. Especially for people with sensitive skin.

Camping Gear

Tent

The lighter your tent is the better.

The disadvantage is that the lighter the tent is the more expensive. If you do not plan to do walks in the mountains with a tent, then the first place is its space and comfort. But do not forget that it is very difficult to set up a tent on a strong wind.

If you plan to go to two or three-person, then 4-Person tent is a good pick.

Choosing a tent, keep in mind that in addition, you must fit inside with your gear and backpack. I always use a 2 sleep tent for solo travel.

The general rule is 14 to 24 square feet of space for a single person and 26 to 35 square feet for a two person.

Protect your tent. Be sure to buy a footprint.

Let’s look at some of the best tents. 

MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent

MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person 3-season, 2-person backpacking tent. The best pick for base camp and multi-day hiking. Manufacturer’s 3-year limited warranty.

Product Dimensions: 84 x 50 x 39 inches ; 3.44 pounds 

The North Face Wawona 4 Tent

Spacious, four-person, car-camping tent. I use this tent if traveling by car. Of course, this tent is not for hiking.

ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 4-Person Tent

The 4-Person Tent has strong and lightweight aluminum poles 7000 series. It’s a great choice for any backpacking trip. ALPS Mountaineering Lynx is on our best sellers and must-have for your next adventure.

Base Size: 7’6 x 8’6

Center Height: 52″

Total Weight: 8 lbs. 10 oz.

Minimum Weight: 7 lbs. 15 oz.

Marmot Crane Creek 2-Person Backpacking and Camping Tent

The 2-Person Tent is lightweight tent ideal for backpacking or camping and has dual overhead vestibules and full-coverage weatherproof

Floor dimensions: 50″ x 88″

Interior height: 43″

Trail weight: 4 lbs.13 oz.

Pack weight: 5 lbs., 5 oz. F

Floor space: 32 sq. ft.

ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Tent

This free-standing, aluminum two-pole design is a breeze to set up for 1 person. Great budget choice.

Base Size: 2’8 x 7’6

Center Height: 36″

Total Weight: 4 lbs. 4 oz.

Minimum Weight: 3 lbs. 8 oz.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL Backpacking Tent

The ultralight tent has features a high volume pole architecture that creates steep walls and roomier living space. Award-Winner comfort. This tent is guaranteed against manufacturing or material defect

Trail weight: 2 lb 12 oz;

Packed weight: 3 lb 1 oz;

Packed size: 4 x 19.5 in;

Head height: 40 in;

Floor Area: 29 sq ft

Coleman Dome Tent

Absolute bestseller family camping. Economical and very comfortable awning for the whole family.

Black Diamond Firstlight 2 Person Tent

Weight: 1445 g (3lb 3oz)

Perhaps this is all you need to know about the tent of this legendary brand.

Backpack

Ask yourself. A backpack will be the only bag in which you will carry your gear? The duration of hiking?

If the hiking backpack is a single bag, then you will have to fit all your equipment there. But it is not convenient for short trips because of its size and weight.

Day hiking pack

For one-day walks, a backpack 20-30L is suitable.

For men

Osprey Packs Talon 22 Backpack

VOLUME: 22 L

WEIGHT: 1 lb 12.6 oz

Osprey Talon 22 is the perfect day hike pack. This is the best pick.

Deuter Speed Lite 20 Athletic Daypack

VOLUME: 20 L

WEIGHT: 1 lb 1 oz

Comfortable backpack for 1-day hiking.

Gregory Mountain Products Men’s Inertia 30 Liter Day Hiking Backpack

VOLUME: 30 L

WEIGHT: 1.72 oz

Roomy backpack for day hiking

For women’s

Deuter Speed Lite 22 SL

VOLUME: 22 L

WEIGHT: 1 lb 9 oz

Ventilated Back Panel, side Compression Straps (to compress the pack load for better balance) and Lightweight and Tear-Resistant Outer Material.

Osprey Packs Axis Backpack

VOLUME: 20 L

WEIGHT: 1 lb 37 oz

No matter what your daily schedule looks like the Osprey Axis is there to help you every step along the way.

Multi-day backpack

On Lofoten, there are no pedestrian routes longer than 2-3 days. You can use a backpack 60-85l 

Osprey Packs Aether AG 70 Men’s Backpacking Backpack

Aether AG 70 Size XL for thru-hikes and alpine expeditions is a pack that can carry heavy loads for up to a week or more.

Osprey Packs Aether AG 85 Men’s Backpacking Backpack

The Osprey® Aether AG 85 is the perfect pack for any adventure and the addition. High-tech backpack for a week hiking. My choice.

Deuter Aircontact 75+10

Great backpack for hiking. I used a 75l backpack for one-week hiking.

If you are planning photo shooting, then, except for tourist gear and food, you need to put all your photo equipment there.

Today, f-stop specializes in solving this problem and they make the best outfit for photographers.

Put your equipment in an F-stop bag. This bag is very well placed in the backpack and it is easy to pull out of it. Place the bag with the photo equipment on the top of the backpack. If the weight of the equipment is large, then it is better to put the bag down the backpack. The weight of your backpack will be balanced.

Trail Seats

This will be the most useful equipment in your journey. I’m sure.

Sleeping bag

Do not trust the temperature characteristics of sleeping bags. I have three sleeping bags at different temperatures.

My warmest sleeping bag is designed for 0 ºC (32 ºF) comfort and -15 ºC (5 ºF) extreme.

Believe me, I always use it on Lofoten in the summertime. And I was not hot never once. 

3 tips how to choose a sleeping bag

1. Size. The sleeping bag must be free for movement. But do not be too big. You will be cold to sleep in an overly large sleeping bag.
2. Temperature rating. How to choose a sleeping bag and keep warm? Each sleeping bag is designed for a certain temperature. Choose 10 degrees warmer than the coldest temperature during your journey. For example. Minimum night temperatures are 5 ºC (41 ºF). You should buy a sleeping bag with a temperature of “comfort” -5 ºC (23 ºF).
3. Down or synthetics? I prefer synthetic materials. The best sleeping bags are of natural down. But down is hygroscopic. If your sleeping bag gets wet, then it will be very difficult to dry it.  They have shortcomings. But I’m most worried about keeping the sleeping bag warm if I get on a trip where the rains are every day.

The North Face Cat’s Meow Sleeping Bag

Nylon

LOWER RATING: 22 F

WEIGHT: 3 lbs

Sleeping Pad

There are three types of sleeping pad an air pad, a self-inflating pad and a closed-cell foam pad.
Air pads are manually inflated and they are comfortable but not very durable.
Self-inflating pads made of open-cell foam insulation and air for cushioning. They are comfy and pack small and all that you need do is open the valve and the air fills automatically.
Closed-cell foam pads are the most durable and cheap but they are bulky.

I prefer self-inflating pads because they have lightweight and small.

Camping Stove

I use a gas canister camping stove only. It’s easy, lightweight and ecological. My gear is clean always and no smell of gasoline. I like camping fire but not to cooking. 

The only inconvenience is the inability to take a gas canister. I buy it in the nearest store or gas station.

1-Person camping stoves

Jetboil – This outstanding solution if you get to the solo trip.

 
MSR WindBurner Stove System

Group camping stoves

For 2-3 people will need more dishes and other camping stoves.

Kovea Spider Stove

The best backpacking cookware sets

The Lofoten Islands are my main photographic topic. If you want to find out the best points of view on Lofoten Islands and extend your personal knowledge about the taking photos on Lofoten – you should read my book “Lofoten Islands Travel and Photo Guide”.

LOFOTEN ISLANDS: Photo and Travel Guide Yes, I want to read it