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It's easy to think that hiking starts in a store: with the right boots, a new backpack, and a tent that can handle it all. But for many, the hunt for equipment becomes a way to postpone the hike itself. You want to feel prepared, but wait until you have everything in place.
You don't have to solve the whole equipment issue before you go out. Start with what you have, close to home, and let experience show you what is actually needed. Hiking can start with a few hours on a trail and a cup of coffee by a lake.
Equipment is a tool – not a prerequisite
Gear obsession can start with a reasonable question: “What do I need to go hiking?” But the question easily grows into: “What’s the best tent, what backpack should I get, and what shoes do seasoned hikers use?” Suddenly, a simple afternoon hike feels like a project that requires a complete equipment list.
It's a backwards way to start. The newest gear makes little difference if the plan is to walk a few hours on a familiar trail close to home. For a first trip, the clothes and shoes you already have will suffice, provided they are comfortable and suitable for the weather and terrain. Pack water, something to eat, and an extra layer. A regular backpack will work fine.
Good equipment is a tool, not a prerequisite. And more gear doesn't automatically make the trip better. It's the time out, the company, the place, and the feeling of actually getting away that builds the experience.
HikingStore's previous articles go into more depth about packing and weight. "7 Mistakes You're Making With Your Lightweight Gear" reminds you not to focus on the grams. "Ultralight Hiking Gear in Practice" shows why the best choice isn't always the lightest. Here we start at a different end: with the hike, not the shopping list.
Build the hike in four steps
Step 1: Start with a short trip close to home
Choose a distance of about 5–8 kilometers on a marked trail, in a nature reserve, a sports area or along a lake. It is long enough to feel like an excursion, but easy to shorten if your legs or the weather dictates otherwise. For the first time, it is wise to choose a route that feels a little too short rather than too ambitious.
Wear comfortable, well-worn shoes or hiking boots that are suitable for the terrain. Dress in layers and avoid cotton next to your body if you are at risk of getting sweaty or wet; damp cotton clothes dry slowly and can feel cold. Pack water, snacks, an extra layer, and bandages or tape for chafing. Bring a map or a reliable navigation solution and make sure someone knows where you plan to go. Everything will fit in a regular backpack.
The Swedish Outdoor Promotion Agency's quick guide for beginners gives more advice on planning a short trip and testing equipment. You can also use the STF's packing list for a day trip as inspiration. It is written for a mountain environment, so adapt the content to your own trip.
Step 2: Make it a habit
Next time you don't have to walk any further. Walk the same route again, try a new trail nearby, or decide on a nice place to stop: a lake, a viewpoint, or a bench in the forest.
A thermos, a packed lunch and a place to sit can be the whole package. Take a break without trying to maximize the distance. When you return to nature, you get to know the area and notice what you appreciate: the peace, the movement, the company or maybe just the coffee outdoors.
It's the routine itself, not the equipment, that builds interest. If you notice that your backpack is rubbing or your shoes aren't working, you've gained concrete knowledge for the next step. You don't have to guess from product descriptions.
Step 3: Try a multi-day hike with accommodation in a cabin
When day hikes feel comfortable, a cabin hike can be a good next step. Choose a trail with overnight accommodations, such as STF mountain cabins or mountain stations. This allows you to experience several days on the trail without carrying a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and kitchen the whole way.
This does not mean that the packing will be insignificant. You still need clothing for weather changes, food and water, and equipment for safety and navigation. STF states about 10–14 kilos as a guideline for the total pack weight when hiking between mountain huts. See their packing list for multi-day mountain hiking and check what applies to your particular route. The service and access to cooking at the huts varies.
Another option is to start from a mountain station and do day trips from there. You will get comfortable accommodation and at some stations you may find a restaurant or equipment rental. Read about the station and book accommodation in advance; don't count on there being a place when you arrive.
Cabin hiking is a rational way to try multi-day hiking. You get to experience daily distances, weather and recovery without having to buy a whole tent system first.
Step 4: Try tent hiking before you invest
If you want to try carrying everything yourself, you can borrow equipment from friends or family, rent, buy used or share equipment with someone else. STF states that equipment can be rented at many of their mountain stations. There is also rental from, for example, Naturkompaniet and sometimes from local outdoor shops and organizations. Check availability and conditions in advance.
Start with a short overnight stay where it’s easy to break off or get back. Test the equipment at home first: set up the tent, make sure you understand the kitchen, and try packing your backpack. Then consider whether you like the setup itself – carrying food and sleeping gear, setting up camp, and packing again the next morning.
Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats and kitchens are often the largest parts of a tent hiking system. They don't have to be purchased at the same time. Once you know what you value and what limits you, you can prioritize. If you eventually want to compare options, HikingStore's pages on tents , sleeping bags , sleeping mats , kitchens and backpacks are available. They are useful when planning such a trip, but are not needed for steps one to three. Our packing list for summer hiking in the mountains can also help when you start planning an overnight trip.
How to avoid gadget traps
- Buy when you know what you need. A piece of equipment should solve a real problem or fit a setup you actually want to do.
- Weigh what you already have. It gives a better picture of the packing than guessing – and can show that what works is already at home.
- Borrow or rent before you invest. Especially before tent hiking, a trial trip can show whether you want to continue with that type of hiking.
- Distinguish between local environment and demanding tours. A short tour on a marked trail does not require the same performance as a long mountain tour with an overnight stay.
- Write down what you actually use. After the trip, you can note what worked, what you missed, and what you didn't touch. This will be a better basis for any potential purchases than a trend or recommendation from someone with different needs.
You can read about specific trails and budget packing in our guide to the Sörmlandsleden trail and the article on budget packing for a weekend trip in the mountains . They help with planning for specific trips; the point here is that you don't have to wait for the right gear to discover if hiking is right for you.
Start with what's close by
You don't need the latest and greatest to start hiking. You just need a place near you, some time, and a cup of coffee.
The best gear for your first trip is often the one you already have. Later, if you want to go further or sleep outside, you can grow into the next step at your own pace. Let the need come from experience and choose gear that works reliably when the weather changes.