Wild Blue Trekking: What to Pack in Your Backpack! (EN)

Deciding how to pack your backpack is always a difficult choice.
Limestone, vegetation and temperature are the three main elements to consider when organizing the best gear for the Selvaggio Blu trek.
This post is designed to help you with this challenging task: you won't find a list of everything you need to bring with you. Here is an analysis of this rugged territory and the needs it imposes, based on the experience of the guides of the company Explorando Supramonte, who walk the trails of the East Coast of Sardinia every day, leading expert hikers and trekking enthusiasts along the Selvaggio Blu.
Here are their valuable tips.

Backpack
Walking all day on rough trails, climbing, rappelling... choosing the right backpack is essential. In addition to a good fit, we recommend that the backpack has practical features such as compartments for a rope and easy access to hydration systems.

For capacity, we usually recommend a 35/40 liter backpack. We typically use the INSTINCT backpacks, which are available in 30+5 or 40+5 liters, and the Ultimate backpack, which is 35+5 liters.

Clothing
Long, sturdy trousers are strongly recommended if you don't want to scratch your legs from day one: Juniper, Mastic and Mediterranean Smilax are constantly around the Selvaggio Blu trail and sometimes, when the trail is not clear, you may have to walk through bushes with their sharp branches and thorns.

We recommend the ELGON PANTS, unisex trousers, resistant but comfortable, thanks to an excellent two-way stretch.

For very hot weather, a pair of shorts is also recommended: the GARIWERD SHORTS are the perfect compromise between lightness and technicality, equipped with numerous quick-access pockets.

Since the east coast of Sardinia is in the shade after midday, on windy days, a windbreaker is absolutely necessary, especially when abseiling.
Our favorite Ferrino product in this case is the URAL JACKET, a lightweight and non-bulky softshell. Keep it with you in case the temperatures drop or the wind picks up.
If you decide to start the Selvaggio Blu trek in early spring or autumn, additional warmer clothing may be useful, especially in the evening when temperatures drop.
KLUANE by Ferrino is a great multi-season hoodie for this purpose.

The whole island, but this area of Sardinia in particular, has a very stable climate and the sun shines almost all year round. However, do not forget a waterproof jacket which can be very important in case of bad weather.
We always carry with us the KUNENE JACKET, waterproof up to 20,000 mm, ultra-light and non-bulky.

Shoes
After a gentle start, around Pedra Longa, in the middle of the Mediterranean scrub, on mainly dirt terrain, conditions change rapidly. The higher you go, the rougher the limestone rock becomes; the further you go, the rougher the vegetation becomes. In some stages, you walk for kilometers on limestone floors: flat, engraved surface, sometimes with blades of rock, treacherous and requiring constant concentration. For this particular aspect, it is absolutely necessary to wear very resistant shoes, sturdy but light, better if high for excellent support. A Vibram rubber sole would be perfect, offering good grip for the short climbs of the Selvaggio Blu trek.

For the night
Your tent should be lightweight, to protect you from moisture and mosquitoes, rather than cold. We often choose the 2-person FEATHER TENT.
Since temperatures are usually high, a lightweight sleeping bag, such as the LIGHTEC 500 from Ferrino, is suitable.
A sleeping pad is essential, as you will often be sleeping on stony ground. Ferrino's SUPERLITE sleeping pad has proven to be excellent for a good night's sleep, even on stony beaches.