Heading to the Highlands This Summer? Here’s What To Pack – Including a Wardrobe Essential

Australia’s blessed with stunning beaches dotted along our massive coastline – a no-brainer for whiling away summer days. But when you want to escape the heat (and the crowds), there’s nowhere quite like the high country. And while the alpine areas are popular for cold-season getaways, it has a different charm on warm days – whether you want to hike, mountain-bike, fish or even play a game of high-altitude tennis.

Although you can leave the snow jackets and ski boots at home in the summer, there’s still a fine art to packing for a warm weather trip to the mountains (where it still isn’t as hot as the beaches and cities) and keeping things manageable. From the right clothing for changing weather to rugged footwear and those extra essentials, here’s what we’d be taking on a highland adventure this summer.

In winter, it’s all about keeping the heat in – something you won’t need to worry about so much in the summer. Instead, you’ll want to strike the right balance between lightweight breathability to beat the summer heat (especially when you’re hiking or biking) and proper insulation for when the temperature starts to drop at night. Merino wool might call to mind knit thermals that keep you toasty, but they’re also ideal for trips like this: less bulky than regular knits, easier to pack, naturally odour-resistant (which everyone can appreciate after a long day) and great at regulating body temperature.

You can probably skip the leggings in summer and top for a short, but a merino wool T-shirt or long-sleeve is a great place to start, as are socks and underwear – both benefit from merino’s sturdy strength, all-day comfort and moisture-wicking properties. Pioneering New Zealand-based clothing label Icebreaker uses premium-quality merino wool (also traceable back to the source) for its performance apparel, ditching the plastics and synthetics for more natural textiles that provide both comfort and durability – whether you’re doing something active or taking life at a more leisurely pace.

If you’re hiking in the rugged high country, proper footwear is a must. With the variable weather and terrain, good footwear needs to be sturdy, and that means a hiking boot with a high ankle and stiff midsole is ideal. Good boots will also be waterproof and able to last the journey, which means not going for the cheapest synthetic option if you plan on wearing them again at any point in the future.

It’s worth mentioning trail shoes as another option – closer to a rugged runner than hiking boots. These can be lightweight and less restrictive, but tend to offer less support, so plan your itinerary first before thinking about what type of shoe to bring.

Of course, you need a good pair of socks to go with those shoes. A pair of Icebreaker’s merino mountaineer socks is odour-resistant and designed for maximum comfort, no matter how far you’re hiking or how long you’re on your feet for. The seamless toe closure also reduces bulk and prevents blisters.

When it’s hot and humid, you don’t want to be lugging around bricks on your back – but you also want to make sure you’ve got a bag that can carry everything you need, so getting the balance of pack weight and capacity right is important. For day trips and packing light, a 20-litre backpack should do the trick for carrying the basic essentials, but if you’re heading out on a days-long jaunt across the mountains, anything up to 60 litres could be handy. Whatever you opt for, look for a pack with good ventilation, easy access and plenty of pockets for all your goodies.

We’re talking summer on the mountain here – a season that brings its own challenges. While it’s always nice to pack light (especially if you’re walking or biking large distances), don’t leave home without a few basic essentials. Sunscreen is a must even when it feels cool, as is an insect repellent: mozzies and flies are out in force in these months. It’s also a good idea to bring some basic first aid to dress those inevitable scratches and bumps.

Of course, don’t forget a water bottle. If you’re exercising in the sun, you can easily drink up to a litre per hour so it’s best to plan accordingly with a good-sized bottle. Material-wise, stainless steel is a robust choice if you want to avoid plastic, with the added bonus of insulation for keeping your drinks cool.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Icebreaker.