In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
Warmed up: Patagonia Micro Puff
Warm at the bottom, cold at the top! 20 degrees in the valley, only 10 degrees on the summit. Brrrrrr! The temperature drops by 1 degree every 100 metres. Freezing is annoying, so our tip: a lightweight (264 g), windproof, water-repellent jacket with a hood. The filling made from recycled material has a down structure. This warms and insulates. | Price: 250 € >> available at Bergfreunde.
In demand: Peakfinder
"And what's that one called?" Nothing could be more annoying than having beautiful mountains in front of you and no idea what they're called. The Peakfinder app can help. It recognises 850,000 mountains from Hühnerkopf to K2. It also works offline with lots of fun gimmicks. | Price: 5 € >> peakfinder.org
Illuminated: Petzl Actik Core
Have you ever stumbled through the forest at night without any light? You're practically blind - a nasty feeling. If you stay out in the dark, you need a headlamp. The Actik from Petzl (82 g) shines with 450 lumens, charges via USB, can be dimmed, switched to tactical red and is easy to handle. It also shines in pouring rain. | Price: 60 € >> available at Schuster.
Laid down: ThermaRest Neoair Xlite
This "Made in Ireland" air mattress is light (335 g), can be folded up small and provides a soft bed where the ground is hard, cold and rocky. We have been using the NeoAir for years and love the good insulation and the mini pack size. The downside of the flyweight: the mat is fragile. So handle it with care or you'll end up with holes. | Price: 190 € >> at Mountain friends available.
Unfolded: Victorinox Huntsman
"This will increase your chances of survival by 50 per cent", said survivalist pope Rüdiger Nehberg about the Swiss Army Knife. The Huntsman model has everything you need, including a saw, scissors, corkscrew and tweezers. Available in Damascus steel (photo) for €699 or cheaply in regular stainless steel for €39 >> at Amazon or Sport-Schuster available.
Inflated: Schwalbe Aerothan MTB
Hose in white! The new generation of inner tubes is made of PU - like plastic bags, washing-up sponges and car seats. Otto Bayer produced the stuff for the first time in 1937, and today it is used to make super tubes such as Schwalbe's Aerothan: lighter (88 g) than conventional butyl tubes, tougher, smaller pack size. Ideal for emergencies on mini adventures. The downside: expensive. | Price: 27,90 € >> schwalbe.com
Shouldered: Evoc Explorer Pro 30
The German backpack manufacturer scores with a taut, comfortable and well-ventilated back system. This makes this daypack a comfort wonder. Great: the ingenious details and easy handling. The "Entdecker" is also stylish and very well made - what more could you want? Weight: 1350 grams. | Price: 180 € >> at Mountain time or Maciag Offroad available.
Snuggled up: Deuter Astro
Sleeping bags from Aldi or bargains from outdoor discounters? We say: better not. Better to buy quality, preferably from fair production. We recommend the Astro Pro 400, which insulates against the cold with eco down (animal welfare tested), warms down to zero degrees (comfort range), is light (850 g), has a small pack size and many useful details: stretchy inner shell for maximum sleeping comfort, insulated footwell, contoured hood with drawstring, warm collar. | Price: 335 € >> available at Intersport
