Equipment Advice
“Lightweight backpacking isn’t new – but ultra-light backpacking has become a phenomenon, thanks to fresh fabrics, new innovations and enlightened attitudes.”
Cameron McNeish, Editor, TGO Magazine
Whilst it's true that the only really essential pieces of specialist equipment required to join our tours are a good pair of trail running shoes and a suitable rucksack, your enjoyment and ease of movement can be greatly increased by taking advantage of some of the modern fabrics and innovations in equipment design.
Gone are the days when ultra-light travel meant chopping your toothbrush in half and cutting the labels out of your underwear. Modern equipment design, together with a change in attitudes towards multi-day running journeys, means that runners are now able to travel light and run free.
While our tours are not fastpacking in the purest sense the attached article gives a feel for the freedom and exhilaration to be found from multi-day trail running. The article has been provided with the kind permission of Trail Runner magazine. Also attached are our 5 Top Tips for Running with a Rucksack.
A Fastpacking Education & Running with a rucksack.
Below is our suggestion as to what you should carry on a Wide Open Trails tour. The list is not exhaustive and open to interpretation. We would appreciate your own comments and ideas for making multi-day trail running ultra-light. To share your ideas with us please use our Contact form.
In all of the accommodation used on our advertised tours there are facilities for washing clothes after running (drying facilities might be more variable). Please bear this in mind when packing.
| Equipment for running | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item(s) | Suggested quantity | Item(s) | Suggested quantitiy |
| Rucksack | 1 | Sun hat | 1 |
| Dry bag / rucksack liner | 1 | Sun glasses | 1 pair |
| Trail running shoes | 1 pair | Sun cream | Your choice |
| Wicking running socks | 1 pair | Warm hat (seasonal) | 1 |
| Running tights or track pants | 1 pair | Lightweight thermal gloves (seasonal) | 1 pair |
| Running shorts | 1 pair | Drink bottle or camel pack | Your choice |
| Technical baselayer (longsleeved) | 1 | Trekking / walking poles (optional) | 1 pair |
| Technical tee shirt | 2 | Compact digital camera | 1 |
| Waterproof breathable shell jacket and pants | 1 of each | ||
| Equipment for post run and evening | |||
| Lightweight cotton pants | 1 pair | Lightweight headtorch | 1 |
| Fleece jacket | 1 | Swiss army knife (optional) | 1 |
| Warm thick socks | 1 pair | Basic first aid / blister kit | 1 |
| Lightweight shoes or sandals | 1 pair | Toiletries Lightweight, small towel |
Your choice 1 |
| Group safety equipment carried by tour leaders | |||
| Group first aid kit | 1 | Maps and tour descriptions | Selected |
| Broad spectrum antibiotics | 3 courses | Compass and GPS | 1 of each |
| Emergency group shelter (5 person) | 2 | Satellite phone | 1 |
| Additional equipment for Canadian Rockies and Himalaya Foothills tours | |||
| Sleeping bag | 1 | Lightweight down jacket | 1 |
| Water purification | Your choice | Warm fleece gloves | 1 pair |
“You can be surprisingly comfortable with surprisingly little. And it’s liberating to have everything you need right on your back. The goal in fastpacking is to carry a load with which you are able to run the flats and downhills, and power hike the uphills. The lighter your pack, the more fun you’ll have – even if you have to leave the espresso maker at home.”
Michael Benge, Trail Runner magazine, June 2008
Rucksack
Look for a rucksack volume of about 25 to 30 litres with a padded waist belt and chest strap. Avoid traditional multi-day rucksacks with heavy frames and too many bells and whistles. And remember the old adage that no matter what size rucksack you bring, you’ll end up filling it. Minimal frame (usually a light, flexible frame sheet or padding, enough to provide some form) adventure-racing-type rucksacks are a good option. They are light and usually equipped with hydration bladders and accessible pockets for stashing snacks, offer adequate support and fit the body closely for running.
Trail Running Shoes
Specialist trail running shoes have come a long way in recent years. We all have different running styles and support requirements, and these days there is sure to be a trail shoe to suit every runner. Comfort, fit, stability, and sole traction are arguably the most important shoe attributes. Perhaps the biggest recent innovations involve lacing systems. Many shoes now offer quick-and-easy pull-cord or twist-knob designs, and there are integrated gusseted tongues, internal lacing “harnesses” and covered laces. Of equal importance to comfort, fit, stability, and sole traction is avoiding the schoolboy error of running long distances in new shoes. Ensue your trail running shoes are worn in (but not worn out) before starting a multi-day tour.
Headtorch
These days there are many to choose from. Things to look for are: LED bulbs, adjustable, close fitting and comfortable head band, and compact battery pack. If possible, get an idea of the battery burn time before buying – this varies enormously and weight saved by carrying an ultra-light torch can be quickly cancelled out by the number of spare batteries you need to pack.
Basic First Aid / Blister Kit
This is worthwhile light insurance, but go minimalist. There are some very ultra-light first aid kits which contain all the basic essentials. Our suggestion is to remove anything you don’t think you’ll need and then add supplementary blister patches.
Toiletries
Unless you relish wiping with leaves and grass, toilet paper is a worthwhile, lightweight luxury. Baby wipes are even more luxurious. However, with either option it’s also important to pack sealable bags to transport all paper waste off the trail. Also bring toothbrush and paste, soap, and any personal medications. Newcomers to fastpacking often get tempted to carrying too many other “accessories” which quickly add pounds.
Sleeping Bag
For spring, summer and autumn tours a 25 to 45 degree bag (2 or 3 seasons) will suffice. Sleeping bags in this performance range will typically weigh around 2½ pounds. While we all know that down performs hopelessly when wet, its light weight and compactability make it the insulation of choice. Use the smallest waterproof stuff sack you can get your sleeping bag into. You are able to significantly increase the warmth of your bag by sleeping in your clothes, including a light wool or fleece beanie hat.
Water Purification
Although drinking straight from mountain streams might be tempting in many areas this is not to be recommended. Giardia, or worse, is no fun at all. For economy, simplicity and light weight it’s hard to beat tincture of iodine, Aqua Mira drops or Potable Aqua tablets. The only drawback is that you have to wait at least 20 minutes after treatment before drinking. Another option is a sterilizer which zaps the bad stuff using UV rays, usually weighing only a few ounces. Hand-pump water purifiers do the trick, but are heavier and more time consuming.