What to actually pack for a weekend trek

A weekend trek is short enough that the instinct to pack "just in case" does more harm than good — every extra kilogram is a kilogram you carry uphill for two days, and most of what people bring "just in case" never leaves the bag.

What earns a place in the bag

• Broken-in trekking shoes with ankle support — the single item most worth spending on.
• One warm layer more than you think you need for camp, not the trail — temperatures at altitude drop fast after sunset.
• A headtorch, not a phone flashlight — you need both hands free after dark.
• A refillable bottle and, if the host doesn't provide it, a basic water purification method.
• A dry bag or liner for anything that can't get wet — documents, a power bank, a spare layer.

What most first-timers overpack

A full change of clothes for every day is the most common overpack — one trekking outfit that you wear (and wash if there's a stream) plus one dry set for camp covers a weekend. Cotton is the other habit worth breaking: it holds sweat and rain and stays cold and wet, where a synthetic or wool layer dries fast and stays warm even damp.

Read the listing before you buy anything

What's actually needed changes with season, altitude and what the host provides — some trips include gear like ropes, harnesses or tents, some don't. The inclusions and requirements on the specific listing you book are the real packing list; this is the shortlist to check them against.