I’ve been trekking for decades, and I’m starting to wonder if the industry hype around so-called “essential gear” is really justified. Everywhere I look, people are loading up on every piece of high-tech gadgetry and specialized equipment, yet I’m convinced that much of it is more marketing than practical necessity.
So here’s my question: what are the absolute essentials you actually pack for a trekking trip? I’m not interested in a laundry list of trendy items that end up gathering dust in your pack. Instead, I’d like to hear from those who have truly learned the art of lightweight, practical trekking.
Are there any items on the current must-have lists that you think are overrated or even entirely redundant? And what time-tested gear have you sworn by over the years that newer hikers might be overlooking?
Let’s cut through the noise—what’s really necessary for getting out there, and what can be safely left behind?