One Month In Switzerland - Full Packing Guide - Hiking, Huts and Trains
I seem to have figured out packing for hiking trips and backcountry trips with ease. But long-haul overseas trips without easy access to purchase replicas of things left behind, it gets a little but more complicated.
Over the past few years I have spent several months (normally broken up into 3-5 week trips) in the European Alps, most commonly, the Swiss Alps. And without bringing backcountry camping gear (which is cumbersome and the laws surrounding camping in Switzerland are murky at best) I have opted to explore some of the Huts in the Alps. There are 153 huts belonging to the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) and many more privately owned or belonging to smaller Alpine Clubs.
I also decided to skip the car rental, traveling exclusively by public transit. This was extremely convenient but also the train stations allow for luggage storage and transport - allowing me to take only my necessities up the mountain and either returning to the same translation - or in the case of a thru hike - having my luggage meet me at my end point. If you are looking into traveling by train in Switzerland I recommend looking at the 30-day Half Fare Pass. It gives you 50% off of all public transit and it only took Mike and I two days for it to earn back its value.
You can read the blogs below from my trip in 2021 along the Haute Route - including a packing guide specifically for that nine day trip from Chamonix to Zermatt. But without the long duration (9 nights) - the below packing list is what I brought on my last two trips consisting of nights spent in huts (typically 1-3 nights at a time) with frequent refuelling and re-packing from my larger suitcase in-between. I also was able to do laundry once every 7-10 days in larger cities at public laundromats (and a few sink panty washes along the way - IYKYK).
My Luggage:
Large Suitcase or Duffel Bag (this is what I also use to pack all of my backpacking gear when going backcountry camping abroad)
20-45L Daypack (I think 30L would be my ideal but the below four are what I brought on various trips and they did the trick)
Alex Strohl x Moment 45L Ultra Light Backpack (this is amazing if you have camera gear or its chilly and you need extra layers)
Fannypack (I own the below three and use them for quick access to my phone, money, tickets etc)
Fjallraven (large) - the image on this site is incorrect. it is much larger than the medium size.
Clothing:
Rain/Wind Jacket
Patagonia Wind Breaker - this one packs down SO tiny!
Down Jacket (x2)
Warmer Patagonia - this is my all time favourite down jacket that I have ever worn.
Sweater (x2)
Long Sleeve Top (x2)
lululemon base layer top
Short Sleeve Top (I personally dont wear a lot of t-shirts and prefer long sleeve or tanks)
Tank Top (x3-4)
Hiking Pants
Leggings (x5)
Hiking Shorts (x2)
Jeans
I am terrible at casual clothing - I have been wearing jeans from Marine Layer and Anine Bing recently.
Underwear (x7)
Huha - this is a recent switch but, ladies, if oy are looking for Ana amazing athletic pantie, these are SO great.
Sports Bras (x5)
Vuori - I wear a lot of their sports bras
Glyder - this will only work if you have super small boobs. Like me.
Socks (x7)
Hiking Boots
Sandals
Running/Casual Shoes
Gloves
Ballcap
My current go-to’s are from Keep Nature Wild
Toque
Any will work - this is the one I have been using
Swimsuit
Gear:
Seat Pad
Inflatable Pillow
Sea to Summit (I use this on the plane and then also in the huts becuase I like a ver high pillow and find a lot of the pillows in Europe to be flat)
Medical Kit
Headlamp
Satellite Phone
Garmin InReach mini + subscription
Water Filter (optional)
Waterbottles
Water Bladder for longer days (but harder to clean)
Coffee Cup
Camp Stove (optional)
JetBoil Stash - research where to get threaded fuel before going
For the Huts:
Meat Sac / Sleeping bag liner - you will not want an insulated version. Most (all) of the huts offer blankets and in dorm style rooms, even beside a glacier you are TOASTY.
Pyjamas
Ear Plugs
Eye Mask
No need for slippers as the vast majority provide
Teva ReEmbers are my go-to though
Face Wipes
Ursa Major
Tripod
Camera Mount for backpack
Laptop
Power converter that I use (it includes 2 USB plugs and international converters)
Converters (note that Switzerland is not the same converter as the rest of Europe)
Power Pack
Toiletries:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Face Wash
Shampoo and Conditioner
Skincare
Face Sunscreen
Tinted Sunscreen (or this one)
Medicine
Misc:
Protein Powder
I like Vital Proteins Chocolate - and will being a smaller tub and just scoop out a little into a smaller container as needed. I found that the huts did not always offer high protein breakfasts that my body was used to - so I would just mix it with milk in the mornings.
Snacks
Nuts, protein bars, single serve packets of olives, candy… whatever will get you up the mountain!
Instant Coffee
A few dehydrated meals (for emergencies - I always pack a few)
For the Plane:
Air Fly (this connects your wireless headphones to the in flight entertainment centre)
Over the ear headphones
Sheet Mask - especially overnight flights, I will put one on when the cabin goes dark to protect my skin from the dry airplane air.
Compression Socks
*Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made - at no additional cost to you. As always, all ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Thank you for your support!
