Camping Gear tried and tested

When it comes to camping gear, there are so many options out there that it can be overwhelming to figure out what to bring..

I’ve been hiking and camping for almost a decade now, tried out a lot of different equipment and have settled on a few favorites that I think are worth investing in. Here are my top picks for camping gear:

Sleeping bag:

Mammut Women's Perform Down Bag -10C
While this is on the slightly heavier side for sleeping bags, I do love this. It keeps me warm, comes with a little pocket, the zipper is not on the side which as a side sleeper I personally really enjoy and the hood is lined with cotton, so it’s not loud and hair doesn’t get static when tossing around at night. Sleeping bags can be crazy expensive and this one is relatively affordable when on sale (which is how I purchased mine). For those who usually camp in wet environments or simply don’t want a down sleeping bag: they also make pretty much the same sleeping bag as a non-down version. Plus points for that.

Sleeping mat:

Sea to Summit - Women's Ether Light Xt Insulated Mat
So far I haven’t run into any issues with this, however I started using the Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Regular mat underneath and it’s made a big difference for me. I enjoy cowboy camping (sleeping without a tent) and this has definitely made this a lot more comfortable and made me not having to worry about pinching my sleeping mat on a rock. Update: I did purchase a Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated mat earlier this year but haven’t had the chance to try it other than putting it on my floor. I just like having lots of space when sleeping and this one is slightly wider and longer. Will keep you updated.

The Tent:

If you're a seasoned camper, you know that having a reliable and durable tent is crucial to a good night's sleep. That's why I invested in the Hilleberg Anaris tent after my previous tent, the MSR Hubba Hubba, started to fail me. While the Hubba Hubba was easy to set up and pack down, the zippers began to come apart, and the rainfly let in water, leading to a damp and uncomfortable night.

The Hilleberg Anaris, on the other hand, is a two-person tent that weighs only 1400g, with a minimum weight of 640g, making it easy to split the load with a hiking partner. The tent requires hiking poles for set up, but the benefits of its lightweight and sturdy design more than make up for this. Of course, with a price tag of around 745€, it's not a budget-friendly option, but the quality of Hilleberg's products is well-known, and you may even want to consider purchasing one second-hand as Hilleberg tents and shelters have a lifetime warranty against defects in material and craftsmanship.

I did my research on the Hilleberg brand before making my purchase, watching countless YouTube videos and consulting with friends who have owned Hilleberg tents for years. I decided on the green color, which makes me feel like I'm waking up in a forest, and the first time I used it, I was impressed. Despite strong gusts of wind, the tent remained stable, and the fabric was impressively silent. Even when it's windy outside, the Anaris has been great for light sleepers like myself.

In addition to the Hilleberg, I've also tried the Big Ages Tigerwall Bikepacking tent, which (as the name suggest) is more suited for bike camping. While it's easy to set up and aesthetically pleasing on a sunny day, I would recommend it mainly for good weather conditions. The rainfly fabric is quite loud, and camping on rocky terrain requires extra care to avoid ripping holes in the tent. However, it's the perfect tent for a calm, sunny day at the beach.

Cooking System:

After trying out numerous cooking systems I finally settled on the MSR Pocket Rocket and a 600ml Snow Peak Cup made from titanium. This combination has proven to be a reliable and efficient cooking system for my camping trips. The MSR Pocket Rocket is compact and easy to use, with a powerful flame that can quickly boil water or heat up food. The Snow Peak Cup is lightweight, durable, and the perfect size for a single serving of oat meal in the morning. It's made from titanium, so it’s easy to clean and makes it both lightweight and strong. Additionally, I always bring along a titanium fork and spoon. Together, this setup makes for a simple and effective cooking system that meets all my needs while camping.
Ahead of that I did use the JetBoil Mini Mo, which is also great but a little on the bulkier side. I unfortunately broke on me last year and I didn’t repurchase it so far.

The Backpack:

Selecting the right backpack is crucial for any outdoor adventure, and after trying out a few, I finally found the perfect one. My Fjällräven Kajka 65 W backpack was undoubtedly great with excellent support systems. However, it was also quite heavy, adding up to the weight of my camera gear and other equipment.

In search of an ultralight backpack to help reduce my base weight, I discovered Hyperlite, a brand specializing in ultralight gear. I settled on the 2400 Junction backpack, a 40l pack that is ideal for 1-3 days of hiking. The backpack's external pockets provide an additional 10l volume, perfect for carrying water, extra clothes, and snacks that I want to access quickly.

Since switching to this backpack, I have not experienced any shoulder pains due to heavy loads and it has made hiking more enjoyable. I highly recommend this backpack for anyone looking to lower their base weight while still having enough space to carry their essentials. I have a few long hikes planned for 2023, so I am upgrading to the 3400 Junction backpack, which has a 55l volume with an additional 10l volume provided by external pockets.

If I knew I was gonna hike through an area with lots of rain, having to fight my way through bushes and being able to just throw my pack on the ground I would still go for the Fjällräven one I think as the Hyperlite requires is a little more care in my opinion.

Not an essential but a really nice-to-have item is a camping pillow. I've been using one for a while now, but my friend has been raving about his Stuff Sack Pillow by Hyperlite, so I've been eyeing it all last year. It's a stuff sack with a comfy fleece material on the inside. So you pretty mich turn the sack inside out, stuff it with your down jacket and just like that you have a comfy pillow. It's a great solution for those who don't want to carry a bulky pillow around. I recently ordered one, and I can't wait for it to arrive.

Alright, so there you have it - the main basics of camping gear that have stood the test of time for me. Of course, I'll continue to update this list during camping season, add new items to it, or even write another blog post about non-essentials, clothing, food, and more.

If there's anything specific you'd like to know or have any questions about the gear, feel free to leave a comment or send me a DM via Instagram @frauki.

Just to be clear, none of these items are sponsored, and I couldn't find any affiliate links that work for all countries. But I'm confident that you'll find the best prices when you do your own research.

With that said, it's time to gear up and enjoy camping season to the fullest!

A rainy hiking day in Germany

The weather forecast was correct that day: Rain, rain and more rain. To get here you need to take a little boat. There were three other people on it who got off at the first stop to enjoy shelter and coffee.

When I reached my destination, I hesitated for a second before getting off the boat, the captain just snickering and wishing me good luck.

The first couple of minutes I thought about what I had gotten myself into this time.

But eventually I embraced the warm summer rain on my face, hair and hands, slowly finding its way into my jacket leaving me drenched through and through.

Found a tree to shelter under when the rain turned into pouring buckets and for the first time in a long time I just watched.

No people or screens, no camera or distractions.

Just me and the rain.

Finding it’s way to earth from the soft clouds, slithering in endless silver trickles down the high towering mountains, nourishing alpine wildflowers before all ending up in the overflowing of blue that the lake was that day.

Location: Königssee, Berchtesgaden Nationalpark - Southern Germany

3 Hut Hikes in Switzerland for Beginners

Today I wanna introduce you to 3 more or less easily accessible huts in the Swiss Alps. The combination of stunning views, great food and being pretty much one of the safest countries to travel to is what keeps me coming back.
Camping is forbidden in many areas, however the Swiss made sure you can still sleep tucked away in the mountains by building a variety of huts scattered across the Swiss Alps. Sheltered against all kinds of weather, hut hiking is perfect for people who want to experience the mountains, but don’t want to worry so much about bringing food and all sorts of heavy camping gear. Plus it’s just simply one of the coziest ways to stay in the mountains and has it’s own kind of charm which is really hard to resist.

Let’s start with the easiest one, perfect for absolute hut hiking newbies.

A window view onto the Matterhorn - Zermatt

The Fluhalp Hut is more of a Hotel than a hiking hut, however the views you can get from your window are simply spectacular.
From the cable car it takes around half an hour to get here on a little dirt road.
You can do plenty of day hiking in this area and it’s one of the few ways to catch a sunrise or sunset at the Stellisee.

The place itself is really nice, you have the option to book an actual room and the food is simply delicious. They were serving fresh eggs for breakfast which is rare in mountain huts.
With the cable car this gets pretty expensive pretty fast, but on the plus side you don’t have to take care of bringing a sleeping bag, food etc.
Zermatt is also known for being one of the more expensive areas in general.
All in all, I’d still go again as the area becomes very quiet and empty once the last cable car leaves.

For a more authentic hut hiking experience that’s easily accessible you can take a look at the Siedelenhütte located next to the famous Furkapass.

This hut requires a little more hiking (around 60-90mins depending on which route you choose and your fitness level, how many stops you take along the way to take in all the views) and is a starting point for plenty of climbers who scramble up the many rock formations that surround this area.

Early morning views onto the jagged peaks surrounding the huts.

There is even a little lake next to the cabin which is bright turquoise. When I went it was still frozen over, so gotta go back and check it out again once it’s thawed.
You’re required to bring a hut sleeping bag for this hut, the food was really well made and our group of 4 had a 6-person room for themselves that night. Can’t wait to go back.

Last but definitely not least my favorite hut of the trip, which also required the most amount of hiking to get to.
The Gelmerhütte is located above the Gelmersee.

The beautiful Gelmersee photographed from the Dam creating this lake in the first place.

To get here you have three options: Park your car at the cable car and hike 1000m up, take the cable car up to the lake and safe yourself roughly half the elevation, or park your car a little further away and hike 800m up. We went for the last option and despite the extra elevation, the views along the way were so strikingly beautiful, that this is the route I’d recommend.

The huts location itself is stunning and so were the views when we arrived a little later during the day. With black rock formations rising into jagged, fanglike mountains that pierced the cloudy sky that night.

Views from the Hut

Please note that if you decide to stay overnight, that all huts require you do book your stay in advance. Most of them have an online booking system or a hut telephone. If they’re booked out completely, sometimes it’s worth calling during the day to see if someone has cancelled. For more information and even more huts, it’s also worth checking out the official SAC website.

As always stay safe, leave no trace and enjoy your time out in the great outdoors. :)