Equipment - necessary and recommended items for hiking & trekking

The equipment for the guided (escorted) walking holidays and for the inn to inn (self-guided) hiking vacations in Romania is different. If you are doing one of those for the first time please mention this in your booking request and we will help you pack properly for each specific trip.
Here is the list with necessary things we recommend for hiking tours:

RECOMMENDED ITEMS

FEET
• Hiking waterproof boots with suitable ankle support that have been worn-in in advance
• Light casual shoes (trainers/tennis shoes) for camping and/or for traveling
• Gaiters, in case of rain or snow
• Loose, casual trousers for trekking
• Several pairs of sports socks (avoid nylon socks - they can cause blisters and do not breathe well)
• Waterproof trousers

BODY
• Windproof, waterproof outer shell garment (breathable if possible!)
• Fleece windstopper jacket
• A selection of T-shirts, sweatshirts and long sleeved shirts, preferably not cotton
• Warm shirt, possibly fleece and/or pullover
• Tracksuit
• Underwear
• Raincoat
• Swimwear
• Nightwear

HEAD
• Hat or cap for sun protection
• Woolen hat

HANDS
• Gloves/mittens (could be useful if the weather get worse at an altitude above 2000 even during summer or during cold mornings/evenings) 

ACCESSORIES
• Waterproof rucksack (60 - 80 l) & daypack (25 - 35 l)
• Toilet kit (towels, battery shaver, toilet paper; bar of soap or tube liquid soap; toothbrush and toothpaste; pre moistened wipes; feminine products; cosmetic items; dental floss etc.)
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Sunscreen lotion and lip balm
• Water bottle
• Utility knife
• Spare laces
• Compass
• Lighter/box of matches
• Maps
• Small travel alarm clock
• Polyethylene bags (to protect delicate items from damp and dust)
• Earplugs (especially for the shared bedrooms in the huts)
• Personal basic first aid kit to include essential items (swathe; blister kit; alcohol swabs or disinfectant; antibiotic cream; mild tranquilizer/muscle relaxant; ace bandage or something for knee support; insect repellent; Aspirin or Tylenol for headaches or other pain, antihistamine, throat lozenges, prescr112ion medicines etc.)

OPTIONAL ITEMS
• Torch (head mounted preferable with extra batteries and bulb)
• Large scarf/bandana for neck
• Binocular
• Altimeter
• Photo camera (digital preferably; several photo films if not)
• Telescopic trekking/ski poles
• Sewing kit (needle, thread, pins, scissors, buttons, dental floss, safety pins etc.)
• Spare spectacles (or lens prescr112ion)
• Detergent
• Walkman
• Water purifying tablets
• Playing cards/miniature games (chess etc.)
• Reading/writing materials
• Field guides
 

And since your safety in the mountain is essential for the final satisfaction of the trekking here are some general advices for mountaineering established for your self-protection:

• Do not walk alone in the mountains!
• Always tune the tour in accordance to the weakest among you!
• An early start in the morning is highly recommended!
• The weakest among you determines the speed of walking!
• Do not underestimate the power of the sun (no matter whether it is winter or summer)!
• During thunderstorm avoid trees and summits and leave away from you all metal things!
• Avoid walking through dense fog!
• Always walk along marked trails!

If you need equipment, we recommend: http://www.sportvirus.ro/