• Purpose of the hike: Take equipment that is suited to the type of hike you have planned.
• Weather: Weatherproof clothing is essential, in any season. Bring extra clothes as the weather requires.
• Weight of your gear: Minimize the weight of your gear. It should not exceed one third of your body weight.
• Bring practical and useful items: Bring what you always use and necessary equipment. So-called "high-tech" items are often rather useless.

• Hiking shoes: Wear boots made of soft leather with thick soles for hiking. Broad- toed boots with deep corrugated soles are suitable. Ankle boots are best for hiking in Hong Kong, for extra ankle support on steep slopes. Sports shoes are not suitable for long distance hiking. Choose a pair that fits well. Wear two pairs of socks when you try the boots on. How to maintain hiking boots Polish new boots with cream polish. Remove all dirt with a wet cloth every time after use, then protect with cream polish. DO NOT dry boots near open fire. Features of different hiking boots

• Genuine leather boot: Highly protective. Waterproof if treated. These boots can keep you warm, but they are relatively heavy.

• Suede boots: Lightweight boots that are suitable for tropical regions, but less effective for warmth and waterproofing than genuine leather boots.

• Gore-tex boots: Gore-tex is the most popular waterproof material. It is light, waterproof and air ventilating. Clothing

• Socks: Wear two pairs of socks, and bring an extra pair. Wool or cotton socks are the best.

• Underwear: Cotton underwear absorbs sweat and breathes well. It is the best material for hiking.

• Upper garment: To avoid sunburn on the arms and the back of your neck, wear a long-sleeved upper garment with collar. Garments made of artificial fabrics and nylon are unsuitable as they do not absorb sweat.

• Outer garments: Required for hiking during the cool months. Several light jerseys can retain more air for insulation than a single thicker one, and you can add or take them off as weather changes. It is better to wear two or more thin jerseys than a single chunky sweater.Wear bright coloured clothes, like red, orange or yellow. This will help rescuers locate you in an accident.

• Trousers: Wear loose-fitting long trousers. Choose cotton twill rather than denim. Denim jeans are usually too tight and take a long time to dry if you get them wet. Cotton twill trousers will keep away chilly draughts and dry quickly. They are more suitable for hiking.

• Weatherproof garment: In cold and wet weather or when there is strong wind, no thermal wear will keep you dry and warm if you are not also protected by a waterproof outdoor garment. Ideal outdoor garments should be waterproof and air ventilating. Materials like Micropor, Hipora and Gore-tex are fine. Choose an outdoor garment or hooded anorak that is long and generously cut, so you can move comfortably even with one or two garments beneath. Try to get one with a map pocket in the front.

• Hat: Broad-brim hats are practical. It will protect you from the sun.

• Extra clothing: One set of underwear, an extra thermal garment and socks. Put them in a sealed waterproof plastic bag and pack it into you backpack.

• Backpack: Backpacks with separate compartments are handy for sorting items, but remember not to over-strain the zipper. Backpacks with side pockets can hold more assorted items, while those with a rigid back frame can ensure balanced weight distribution over the entire body. The second type of packs are less tiring to carry, but you may find them clumsy on buses. The best material is nylon, which is much lighter and has better waterproof performance than canvas.

• Pick lightweight items.

• Place light items at the bottom, heavier items in the middle, and the heaviest ones on top. Arrange items in the order of use, and put items that need to be handy on the sides. Remember to keep the left and right loads balanced.

• Children's load should not be the same as adults'. A child should not carry anything that exceeds one third of his/her body weight. A teenager should not carry anything that exceeds one fourth of his/her body weight. Maximum load is 40lb.

How to look after your backpack

• Remove dirt on your backpack with water, then leave to dry in a cool dry place. Never dry backpacks made of chemical fibres with an electric heater.
• Illumination device: To be prepared for any emergency, bring a torch and matches with you even if hiking in the daytime. Spare light bulb and batteries are also good. Carry long matches in a waterproof plastic bag.

• Notebook and pencil: Pencils are most practical for they can write even when wet. A diary-size notebook is convenient.

• Map: Bring a 1:20.000 scale map for Hong Kong. Fold it up like a fan and place in a waterproof plastic bag.

• Compass: Carry a Silva compass.

• Whistle: To alert others in an accident.

• Flask: An aluminium or plastic flask that holds 0.5L to 1L. Aluminium flasks can be used for cooking in an emergency.

• Emergency food: Choose something high in calories, convenient and easy, e.g. glucose, raisins, chocolate.

• Personal drugs: Medicine for stomachache or potent drugs for specific indications.

• Personal information sheet: Containing name, home address, telephone number, blood type, name and telephone number of a family member or close relative.

• Sewing kit: Containing needles, threads, pins and spare fabric for emergency.

• One-dollar coins: To make calls in a public phone booth.

• Mobile phone: Note the coverage of your network and the time of your standby battery.

• Watch: Take one which can take getting wet from rain. What outdoor clothes to take Outdoor clothes should meet the following requirements:

• Comfortable, convenient and soft in texture.

• Allowing sweat to evaporate, so you can keep cool along the way.

• Keeping you warm when you stop to rest.

• Offering adequate protection if you meet bad weather.

  Unfortunately, no one fabric can meet all four requirements, and special purpose fabrics are expensive and hard to source. At times of cold and damp weather, a thick long-sleeved shirt and a polyester fleece or pile jacket will keep you warm. Down, Polarguard and Quallofil jackets are highly protective clothing. These lightweight jackets are best for extremely cold environments. Follow the general rules below when you choose a protective outer jacket.

Hiking Equipment Checklist