Equipment

Zwielichtpfad Equipment Overview Gear Loadout

We explain what gear you need, when, and why. Remember: even the best equipment is useless if you don’t know how to use it!

Choosing and Organizing Your Outdoor Gear

You don’t need a lot of gear to enjoy nature, but some items make life outdoors easier, while others are essential. For example, never leave home without a knife and a water container.

Basic Gear

A few items are mandatory when heading into the wilderness. Start with a backpack to carry your essentials. The size doesn’t matter much at first. To stay dry overnight, you’ll need a bivy or tent; we have a separate guide for that.

Basic Packing List:

  • Backpack (size depends on trip length)
  • Quick-dry, durable pants (no jeans)
  • Good shoes and socks
  • Knife (non-folding, full-tang recommended)
  • BIC lighter (robust and long-lasting)
  • Firesteel (practice makes perfect) https://amzn.to/4rmv9hT
  • Tampon (can be used as tinder)
  • 5–10 meters paracord https://amzn.to/48iprov
  • Water bottle (ideally heat-safe) https://amzn.to/3MbbZeR
  • Water purification tablets https://amzn.to/48xmTnX
  • Rain protection (rain poncho and rain pants at minimum)
  • Fleece sweater (two recommended: thin + thicker)
  • Waterproof dry bag with spare socks, underwear, and T-shirt
  • Aluminum / Stainless Steel cup and/or cooking set
  • Small first aid kit including painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and charcoal tablets https://amzn.to/3XjAw3O
  • Tweezers for ticks and splinters https://amzn.to/48lyC7U
  • Hygiene kit (at least a toothbrush)
  • Headlamp + spare batteries https://amzn.to/3XXLrjL
  • Bivy or tent

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Rain Protection

Zwielichtpfad Rain Protection Gear

Never underestimate the dangers of rain. Wet clothing can make you lose heat 25 times faster than dry clothing, potentially leading to hypothermia. A rain poncho or quality rain jacket is essential, along with rain pants and proper footwear. Waterproof bags for spare clothing are highly recommended.

Nice to Have

Some items aren’t essential but make outdoor life more comfortable or even life-saving in emergencies:

Specialized Gear: Canoeing

For water trips, prioritize waterproof containers since your gear could end up in the water if the canoe capsizes. Minimize loose items, carry sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), a spare paddle, and a sponge to remove water. Watch out for swans, particularly protective families, and consider using a small water pistol or mud container as a harmless deterrent.

Specialed Gear: Winter Camping

Cold-weather trips demand a well-balanced gear setup focused on warmth, comfort, and safety. In this video, I break down my complete winter overnighter loadout and explain every item I carry for a one-night stay outdoors in freezing conditions. From my sleep system and layered clothing to cooking gear, hydration, and emergency essentials, this is a realistic, field-tested setup I actually use — no overpacking, no unnecessary extras. If you’re planning winter camping, bushcraft, or off-grid trips, this breakdown offers practical ideas for building a reliable cold-weather system.

Specialized Gear: Mountains

Mountain hikes present unique challenges and are not for beginners. Weather can change in minutes, especially in places like New Zealand. Bring full weather protection: gloves, hat, poncho, rain pants, and a scarf, shemagh, or balaclava. A tarp can protect against wind, snow, and rain.

High-quality boots are essential to protect your ankles on rocky terrain. Hiking poles help stabilize your body, especially when carrying over 5 kg of gear. Adjust pole length when walking along slopes to avoid accidents.

Specialized Gear: High North

Winter trips in the far north require careful planning. When temperatures drop below -20 °C, proper cold protection is mandatory. Clothing should follow the layering system: functional base layer, wool or merino, fleece, and a windproof jacket (ideally a pullover style). Jackets with fur-lined hoods protect the face from cold wind.

For snow travel, use cross-country skis or snowshoes.

Cold Weather Essentials:

  • Wool hat covering ears
  • Balaclava or equivalent face protection
  • Scarf
  • Thin gloves + insulated gloves
  • Thermal underwear
  • Insulated pants or snow pants
  • Wool/merino shirt + fleece top
  • Thin socks + thick socks
  • Insulated boots or snow/ski boots

Additional Equipment:

  • Snowshoes
  • Hiking poles
  • Gaiters
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunblock
  • Emergency heat pads
  • Headlamp + spare lamp and batteries
  • Glow sticks
  • Vaseline, fat, or moisturizer

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this page may be Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and future explorations.