Yes - we understand that you want to travel light. Because the nature of our tours are active, it is definitely in your best interests to bring outdoor-wear appropriate for the destination and the time of year.
A good pair of walking shoes is a must, regardless of which tour you join. Preferably with ankle support. We don't recommend you bring a brand-new pair of hiking boots that have never been worn because you'll probably end up with terrible blisters. If you can wear them in, in advance, that would be ideal. If you don't have the time to do this, choose the sturdiest walking shoes you have. Trainers will probably do the job but aren't the best. Still - if Converse, Crocs or flip-flops are your only other option, definitely go the trainers.
Our advice is to plan ahead. Get the hiking boots and wear them in over a couple of weeks before the tour. Having dry feet on a walk through the Yorkshire Dales or a Tasmanian rainforest is a luxury you will come to appreciate! Leather or Gore Tex? The agony of choice. Leather takes longer to break in but provides a greater degree of waterproofing. Gore Tex is lightweight, on the other hand, so better for arid conditions.
Certain destinations call for rain jackets and waterproof trousers. Good quality ones can be purchased from trade / workwear style shops for reasonable prices without having to hand over exorbitant sums of cash for designer brands in camping and outdoor adventure shops. Plus - if you don't mind rocking the Hi-Vis it's going to make you easier to spot in a thick Yorkshire fog, in a deep Yorkshire bog when you stray from the path!
The destinations are not planned to take place during winter months but there are places such as the mountains of western Tasmania where you can experience cold conditions any time of the year (including snow fall!) We don't recommend chunky-knit style sweaters, though. It's all about the layers. A decent merino wool thermal top is often sufficient underneath other layers to provide you with the insulation you need and is lightweight. Polyester thermals are okay but not as good - they 'wick' your sweat to their surface which then evaporates and leaves your top smelling 'fragrant'.
Knee length gaiters are something we often recommend. In Tasmania and Yorkshire, for example, there is a significant amount of mud which you don't really want ending up inside your boots. Furthermore, Tasmania has a significant amount of snakes which you don't really want biting your lower legs!
Walking poles are another recommendation. Not everybody is comfortable with walking poles - it's an image thing with some people. They don't want to be that person with the poles. Having said that, it has been proven that poles significantly reduce the load on your legs. They also are great for pointing at stuff and fending off Tasmanian snakes.
We always recommend researching destinations before you visit them. If unsure of what to bring, flick us an email and we can advise you.
At some point you may be asked to do some washing up but seriously... You won't need to bring the kitchen sink.
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