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CLOTHES AND GEAR
This information you are about to read, see it as a general guide, which can give you an idea of your gear for the trip. I'm no expert, this is only my thoughts and what I learned doing research. You should take into account specialist requirements for specialist activities, extreme climates, high altitude, trekking over snow & ice etc. A great idea is to talk to the guides or travel agency at the place where you are trekking, nobody knows better than them.
Clothing
My thought is "Better to be warm than
It’s not always easy to know what to wear or bring when you are out in the nature. If we start with your clothes, I think your clothing layers should consist of several different types of fabrics. Remember that cotton absorbs and retains water and therefore it will not keep you warm if it gets wet. Also it can be difficult to dry. The Layering SystemThe layering system means that you use a combination of the above fabrics and garments worn in layers. Why? The purpose of a layering system is to add or remove the layers of insulation to match the weather conditions and your activity level, maintaining a comfortable body temperature without excess sweating which leads to heat loss. Throughout the day you can add or remove layers as conditions change. Especially if its a winter trek with nice weather. Then you’ll get worm when you move, but as soon as you rest you have to put on more clothes. The inner layer keeps you dry and comfortable. The middle layer provides some insulation and protection. The outer layer provides insulation. The shell layer protects you from wind and rain. A waterproof rain jacket is essential. The head layer is to reduce heat loss. The feet layer is two layers. You should wear a lightweight synthetic liner sock against your foot which helps draw moisture away from your foot. The second layer is a wool/nylon sock. Since wool doesn't absorb water it passes the moisture outwards keeping your feet dryer. If your feet stay wet they get wrinkled, become easily damaged and are prone to infection and blisters. Look after your feet and they will look after you.Cold Weather Clothing
What to wear is very personal. See this as a guide.
Head:Wool/Pile Hat (should cover your ears)Brimmed hat (for sun protection) Upper Body:Mid-weight Synthetic Long Undershirt - polypropylene, or other hydrophobic wicking fabricExpedition-weight Synthetic Long Undershirt - polypropylene, or other hydrophobic wicking fabric or Wool Heavy-weight Pile Jacket /Wool Sweater. Wind Jacket - nylon (can be same as rain jacket if waterproof/breathable - must fit over insulating layers) Winter Jacket - synthetic or down filled (recommended if going to high altitudes, above the snow line or winter climates) Hands:I think its good to have two layers on your hands. One pair of gloves and one pair of mittens. If its extremly cold then 3 layers may be better. In the Swedish military they have those white skin gloves, which I think are really warm.Synthetic/Wool Glove liners Synthetic/Wool Mittens Lower Body:Underwear as needed.Mid-weight Synthetic long underwear bottoms - polypropylene, or other hydrophobic wicking fabric Expedition-weight Synthetic long underwear bottoms - polypropylene, or other hydrophobic wicking fabric Mid-weight Pile/Wool Pants. Feet:
1 pair of running shoes, sneakers, or sandals: The extra shoes are nice to change into after a hike.Use them around the campsite and when doing water activities. 2-3 pairs of light synthetic/polypropylene liner socks: Wearing liner socks underneath woollen socks helps to prevent chafing since the friction is between the two pairs of socks, not between the boots and your feet. 2-3 pairs of medium weight woollen hiking socks: Wool keeps your feet warm even when wet and gives good cushioning. The higher the wool content of the socks the better Gaiters (Optional) Prevents small rocks from getting into your shoes while hiking. Rain Gear:Waterproof Rain Jacket - waterproof/breathable fabricWaterproof Rain Pants or Rain Chaps - waterproof/breathable fabric
Warm Weather Clothing
When trekking in warmer climates your layering needs may be greatly reduced, but remember that in many areas such as the desert the days are hot but the nights are cold. Most importent is to bring things to protect you from the sun. Head:Wool/Pile Hat (Optional but nice to have during cold nights.)Brimmed hat (for sun protection) Upper Body:T-shirts - as neededCotton Work Shirt - long sleeved Lightweight Synthetic Long Undershirt - polypropylene, or other hydrophobic wicking fabric Lightweight Pile Jacket /Woollen Sweater Wind Jacket - nylon or waterproof/breathable to fit over insulating layers. Lower Body:Underwear as needed.1-2 pairs of loose fitting shorts Lightweight Synthetic/Woollen long underwear bottoms - polypropylene, or other hydrophobic wicking fabric. 1 pair long pants, loose fitting, light-coloured cotton Swim suit Feet:1 pair of mid-weight hiking boots: Boots should extend above the ankle and be leather/fabric with lug soles for traction. It is best if the boots are waterproof, have been treated with a waterproofing compound before the trip, or if the boots have a Goretex liner. Boots should fit comfortably with two pairs of socks( a light liner sock and a heavy woollen sock).1 pair of running shoes, sneakers, or sandals: For around campsite wear and/or water activities. 2-3 pairs of light synthetic/polypropylene liner socks: 2-3 pairs of medium weight woollen hiking socks: Gaiters (Optional) Rain Gear:Waterproof Rain Jacket - coated nylon or waterproof/breathable fabric - Poncho Waterproof Rain Pants or Rain Chaps - coated nylon or waterproof/breathable fabric Camp EquipmentYou may be travelling from hut to hut or tea house to tea house but it is a sure bet that you will need to carry equipment of some kind for your comfort, safety and well being. TentsI'm about to buy a new tent. This is the information I found looking.
You will obviously wish to keep the load that you carry to a minimum, as with a heavy load you will find the going tougher. The heaviest item that you will carry is likely to be the tent, therefore if you wish to lighten the load it makes sense to take the lightest tent available to you. Modern tents can come as light as 2 - 3 kg for a two man tent. This means 1 - 2 kg per person if sharing the same tent and of course the added weight of the load. Modern tent designs with shock corded flexible alloy poles allow spacious and highly stable shelter in the most arduous conditions. Things to look for when choosing a tent.Size.Must be able to hold the number of persons using it, allow enough room to sit up and some extra space for movement. Construction. Modern dome type tents seem to be the most popular and are easily erected. You need at least one porch for storage and cooking. Two porches are better as you can store gear at one end and cook at the other, or both. Two entrances instead of the usual one are also a good idea, especially in bad weather as this enables you to enter and exit from the sheltered side. A tent with a separate fly and ground sheet that allows you to erect the fly sheet first or on its own, is ideal for getting quickly out of the elements and under shelter. Mosquito net covered ventilation and openings are important for keeping out the mosquitoes and other biting insects. Make sure that you have sufficient stakes and guyline rope ( take some spares). Whichever tent you intend using, ensure that it is of good quality and that you know how to erect it easily and quickly. A few trial runs are a good idea. Sleeping BagsEven if you are not intending to camp out in a tent on the trek, a sleeping bag is useful and gives you greater flexibility and more choice when it comes to sleeping arrangements. Locals may offer you a place on the floor but do not have enough yak blankets to go around, you can bed down in huts, under tarpaulin or even in the open.
A big hint is that you may need a warm sleeping bag even during the summer. Cause even if the days are warm and nice, during the night it can get freezing. Trust me, I learned the hard way when I was doing my roadtrip in USA.
Sleeping bags come in many shapes and sizes but a few things to look for when choosing one for the trek are. Rating. Most sleeping bag manufacturers rate their bags according to seasons and temperature. You must make sure that your choice of bag is rated for the lowest temperature that you are going to experience. Each person’s sensitivity to cold is different but you should get a good idea from the manufacturers specifications. Believe me when I say it is better to be warm than cold.
Design.
Filling The sleeping bag I bought before going to Africa is huge but oh so very warm. It takes a lot of space but it isn't very heavy. A good nights sleep is extremly importent, so don’t hessitate to put some money on a useful bag.
StuffsackA stuffsack or compression sack lets you reduce the room taken up by your sleeping bag by tightening the webbing straps around the sack to compress the bag.MatsWhen I did my climb at Mt Kebnekaise I did one mistake. I didn’t buy a new mat, instead I brought my old thin mat, thinking my sleeping bag will keep me worm. However all the cold air is coming from underneath, so I spend most of the night freezing. A mat is a must for insulation between the ground and your bag. I must emphasise that there is a significant heat loss through the ground without an insulated mat.Closed cell foam mats are light, waterproof and bulky but roll up and usually can be attached to the bottom of your pack for carrying. Inflatable mats are light, waterproof and can be deflated and folded down to a pretty small size. Of course you have to blow them up to use them and they can get punctures. ( take a repair kit.) StovesThe type of fuel available at your destination will govern the type of stove that you can take with you. This is because you cannot carry fuel on aircraft and will have to purchase on arrival. One way around this is to use a multifuel stove which will burn any liquid fuel.UtensilsAs a minimum, you will need 2 nesting pots with lids and removable handles (they boil quicker with lids on), 1 spoon, 1 mug and 2 x 1 litre water bottles.Other essentials:
Survival Kit Compass Maps Paracord 2 bandannas: scarves 1 flashlight, (1 head torch) Fresh alkaline batteries (alkaline batteries last longer) or rechargeables (if you will have access to an electricity supply to charge them). Candles Waterproof matches/lighter 1 small towel 1 toilet kit: Just the essentials, biodegradable soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, comb, sunscreen, lip balm. Girls, skip the makeup and perfume. Even if the guide is cute, looking natural and less to carry is the only way! 1 pocket knife, 1 multitool Heavy plastic garbage bags Sunglasses Camera and spare films if you want to take photographs.
Back pack
A back pack is another thing that is extremly importent.
Modern internal frame backpacks are reasonably waterproof and robust. They are adjustable to fit all body dimensions and balance the weight well for the load. The bag I bought is a Lundhags V 12. This bag is made for extended expeditions or mountain trips where a durable, stable load carrier is required. It has removable V-cut aluminium staves in the back with a transverse stabilising aluminium stave on top. It’s such a difference from my old bag. It has a lot of good things. Infinitely variable backlength with VAV-System. (Vario Adjustable V-cut System) Solid hip belt. Back with open mesh for good ventilation and comfort. Extendible lid with big snowlock closure for extra volume. Side release buckles both at the back and at the front for easy removal of the lid. Compression strap with quick release bucket under lid. Two pockets on lid, one for water bag. It has big U-shaped entries to both upper and lower compartment. Removable rain cover is fastened in a pocket at the bottom, that I love! But the best part is the removable side pockets, which can be put together to a belt pack. There is also a removable front pocket which can be used as a small daypack. Belt pack and daypack can actually be put together to one unit. Another great thing is the fixed pockets with bellows on the hip belt that can easily be reached while hiking.
Packing a BackpackFirst of all lay all your equipment out and take a long hard look. Do you need all that? Reduce the load before you start if you can by leaving at home anything you can do without.The general rule for the distribution of weight within your pack is to pack the heaviest items closest to your centre of gravity at the top section of the pack nearest to your back. Water and fuel bottles can use side pockets and small frequently used items kept in easily accessible compartments etc. As a general rule you should aim to carry no more than one third of your body weight.
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1 pair of mid-weight hiking boots: Boots should
extend above the ankle and be leather/fabric with
lug soles for traction. It is best if the boots are waterproof, treated
with a waterproofing compound before
the trip, or if the boots have a Goretex liner. Boots should
fit comfortably with two pairs of socks( a light liner sock and a heavy woollen sock). I have “Meindl’s Island Lady” and I think they are the best. I bought them just before going down to Africa, and I didn’t have the time to hike much in them before trekking up Kilimanjaro. But I didn’t get any blisters and they were so comfortable. Have hiked in both winter and summer climate with them without any problems. I warmly recommend them!!
This is the place where you will carry all your gear, food and clothes, so it has to be as comfortable as possible. In many cultures they carry their things on the head, but in Sweden and most of the western world we carry it on our back. Which method that is the best, is to my knowledge, still not solved, but here I will only take up bags that are used to carry on the back. 
A well padded hip belt adjusted properly will transfer over half the weight from your back and shoulders and let your legs do the work. This is the most efficient way to carry a load.