GR20 | EQUIPMENT

Written By Giudi

We strongly advise to carefully plan your equipment list for hiking the GR20. A too heavy and bulky backpack would drastically increase your effort during the steep climbs and descents along the trail, and could hinder your balance along the technical sections.

Here you can find a list of the equipment we brought with us for hiking the GR20.

A few additional notes:

  • DON’T TAKE THIS GEAR LIST AS THE ONE AND ONLY WAY TO GO!
    Buy the gear that fits your personal needs, preferences and budget. We too are still inside an endless learning phase regarding equipment. Every experience will teach you something and you’ll realize what’s best for you once you hit the trail.

  • We are not sponsored by any of the below listed companies.

Backpack

ULA Circuit

ULA Backpack Cover

Maximal capacity = 68L

Shoes

Lowa Mauria Evo GTX Boots

For hiking the GR20, we advise to wear mountain boots, for a good friction on the rocks and a better ankle support on the technical alpine terrain. However, we also saw many people wearing trail runners. The choice of shoes therefore depends on what you are comfortable with when hiking in the mountains.

We also advise to bring shoes to wear in the evening, in order to rest the feet. Some suggestions could be flip flops, Crocs or hiking sandals.

Shelter and Sleeping System

Tent: Zpacks Duplex

Tent Stakes: Zpacks 6.5" Red Tough Titanium Tent Stakes

Trekking poles: Black Diamond Alpine FLZ

Sleeping pad: Thermarest NeoAir XLite

Sleeping Bag: Western Mountaineering Versalite

We are in love with the Zpacks Duplex tent, as it allowed to reduce the weight of our backpacks drastically. This is in fact one of the lightest tents on the market. However, it is not a free-standing tent, and we have to admit that it was sometimes hard to properly pitch on the very rocky terrain of the GR20.

The sleeping bag was definitely too warm for the temperatures we had on the trail. However, we thought that a warm and fluffy bag could always come in handy during a storm on the mountains, so it came with us on this adventure.

The trekking poles are essential for us to pitch the tent. However, we strongly recommend to bring them with you on the GR20, as their help will greatly reduce the effort and the weight on your knees on the steeper climbs and descends.

Cooking System

Cooking pot: Toaks Titanium 750ml Pot

Spork: Snow Peak Titanium Spork

Stove: MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Stove

Fuel: Optimus Gas 230 g

Water Filter: Sawyer Micro Squeeze Filter

Water Bladder: Cnoc Outdoors Vecto 2L Bladder

The fuel and the stove were not really necessary, since there is an equipped shared kitchen at all the refuges along the trail, but we wanted to be independent and avoid queueing for simply cooking dinner.

We never used the water filter on the GR20, since we always started hiking in the morning with plenty of water for the whole stage, collected at the clean source of the refuges. However, we recommend to always use it in case you choose to collect water from a river along the trail.

Electronics

Power Bank: Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 PD

Power Port: Anker PowerPort PD 2

Head Lamp: Petzl TIKKA

GPS Device: Garmin Inreach Explorer+

Camera: Sony Alpha 6400

Most of the refuges provide a shared plug for charging electronics. However, since there is not always the possibility to charge your devices, we recommend to bring a power bank as a battery backup.

This trekking leads hikers high up into the mountains, where cell phone signal is very scarse and often not present. For this reason, we strongly recommend to carry a GPS device, such as a Garmin Inreach. This device also has a SOS button, which can be pushed for calling rescue in dangerous situations. Moreover, it allows to share your location with friends and family, so that they don’t have to worry all the time.

First Aid and Toiletries

My first aid kit usually comprises bandages, tape, plasters, disinfectant, needles with thread and wadding, which I mainly use to cure blisters. Additionally, I always bring with me ibuprofene pills, a gel for muscle aches, insect repellent and cream for skin rashes or insect bites, along with some general pills for fever, nausea or stomach problems.

In my toiletry bag I usually pack soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, cotton swabs, contact lenses liquid and box, a brush, sunscreen, toilet paper, tissues and wet wipes.

Accessories

Fanny Pack: Waymark Fanny Pack

Trash Bags: Zip Lock Bags

Waterproof Compression Bag for sleeping bag: Ortlieb Dry Bag PS10 Valve 22L

Waterproof Bag for electronics: Zpacks Large Rectangle Dry Bag

Bag for clothes: Eagle Creek Pack-It M

Bag for food: Zpacks Large Food Bag

Fuel: Optimus Gas 230 g

Towel: PackTowl Towel

Map: GR20 map

Book: Cicerone Guide Book

Luxury Items

Sitting Pad: Thermarest Z Seat

I WISH I DIDN’T PACK

E-Book Reader: Kindle

Giudi
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