Kungsleden Gear List - Everything You Need to Pack for a Thru-Trek from Abisko To Nikkaloukta
Originally posted January 4, 2021
This summer, Andrew and I headed up to the Arctic Circle to put a bigggg ole check on our bucket lists. No, we didn’t see the northern lights… (this time), but we did do a thru-trek on Sweden’s famous Kungsleden Trail. We saw wild reindeer, the most raw, jaw-dropping landscapes I’ve ever seen, and in just five days, covered roughly 106 kilometers in Swedish Lapland.
It. Was. Incredible… And incredibly difficult. And I can’t wait to do it again.
Before this, I’ve only ever gone on short day hikes, so, while the trek was difficult, it wasn’t undoable… especially as a couple of first time distance thru-trekkers. We didn’t train at all… but we had the right gear, and that honestly made all the difference.
Proper gear is absolutely vital for any backpacking/hiking adventure. It will make or break both you and your experience, and the Kungsleden is no exception.
Peak trekking season is in July when Swedes are on holiday, but you can complete this trek on the summer trail as early as May and as late as September.
We went in early August, so the weather was still pretty good… BUT if you pack accordingly and have good weather conditions, September is an even more ideal time to go. The autumn colors are peaking, and, if you’re lucky, you might catch an early glimpse of the first northern lights of the season.
If you’re planning a Kungsleden trekking adventure of your own, keep reading for my complete gear guide and packing list — Everything I brought with me for the trek (and a few things I forgot).
Ready? Let’s get packin’!
Read more: Kungsleden Trail Guide - Trekking from Abisko to Nikkaloukta in Swedish Lapland
First things first - you’ll need some solid trekking gear.
Durable Footwear
Your shoes (and socks) are easily the most important thing you need to think about for this trek.
For this trek, I wore Haglöfs Eclipse GT high rise women's hiking boots.
They were really comfortable and supportive, plus they were waterproof (which was definitely appreciated at all of the water crossings and muddy segments along the trail).
I didn’t have the chance to, but… break your shoes in before going on a long, multi-day thru-trek like this. Apparently this is like THE number one rule.
Do it!
Your feet will thank you!
Another thing your feet will thank you for are a good pair of wool socks. Don’t be stingy on this!
It’s worth it to spend a bit more for higher quality material and support to avoid blistered soles and heels.
I purchased my boots and socks from XXL.se.
Water Resistant Backpack
I almost brought my big backpacking backpack with me… which would have been a HUGE mistake. I am SO glad I splurged for a smaller hiking backpack.
I went for the Osprey Skarab 34 and absolutely love it.
It was so easy to stay organized in this bag and to keep snacks/chargers/memory cards accessible.
It also came with a rain cover which was an added plus. A rain cover is essential, so I’m glad I didn’t have to worry about purchasing one separately.
I purchased my backpack for 1,195kr (US$140) from OutNorth.se and it’s just right for me.
What makes a “good backpack” varies from person to person and depends on a number of different factors. Ideally, you should try on the pack at a store to make sure it is the right size and weight for your build and frame.
I’d recommend trying packs on for size at your local outdoors store, but purchasing online (where you’re more likely to find the same items at lower prices).
Layers and Hats
The weather changes really quickly on the trail.
While we were lucky with sun on most days, we did have one day of really soggy weather, and a couple days of really windy weather.
Depending on the time of year, the clothes you’ll need to bring will vary, but generally speaking, layers are the way to go.
I packed underwear (duh), wool socks, two sports bras, three pairs of leggings, warm sweatpants and a hoodie to sleep in, waterproof pants and a rain jacket, long sleeve dry fit shirts, a beanie, baseball cap, and a pair of shorts and a swimsuit (both of which I never used).
We experienced all types of weather, so I was glad I packed something for everything…
Well, almost everthing.
Guess what I forgot!?
GLOVES!
PRO TIP: DON’T FORGET TO PACK A PAIR OF GLOVES!
This might seem like a given… but it was actually the ONE key thing I forgot… and hiking socks were an unfortunate, only somewhat effective alternative.
Another thing I’d bring in the future is another thermal layer. I didn’t need it on this trek, but if you go later in the season when it starts snowing, you’ll definitely want that extra layer.
I fit all of my clothes into one medium sized packing cube (which doubled as a pillow at night).
Pictured: A very frozen, exhausted me wearing socks for gloves on day 3.
Waterproof and Wind Resistant Jacket
If you followed our Kungsleden adventure then chances are you recognise what has become my token yellow rain jacket, the Urberg Tarfala Jacket in Golden Glow.
Turns out Tarfala is a real glacier valley where STF has a beautifulllll mountain cabin.
We had planned to stay a night here after stopping at Kebnekaise, but unfortunately never made it because of severe changes in the weather towards the end of the trek.
It’s now at the top of my must see list for next time!
Anyway, this jacket of the same name was probably the best purchase I made last year - not just for the trek, but the whole year in general.
I’ve worn it for many rainy day outings and adventures since the trip, and it has always kept me warm and dry!
It is originally priced at 1,500kr, but I got it on OutNorth.se for only 449 (which, given the quality, is an absolute steal).
Not a fan of yellow? No worries! There are other color options available on outnorth.se, too!
Trekking Poles
They might seem unnecessary, but I promise you, your trekking poles will be your best friend by the time you’ve reached the end of the trail.
The terrain is really rocky (sometimes teeny tiny tricky rocks and other times big boulders). There are also several times where you’ll have to cross water and there won’t be a bridge.
Having trekking poles will make the trek much easier to handle and take some of the pressure off your knees and back.
It took me awhile to convince Andrew that we’d need these, so we ended up getting ours last minute from XXL Sports (but could have saved a bit by ordering these on OutNorth.se as well).
I am no expert when it comes to the different types of trekking poles and what is best for which terrain, BUT, what I do know is that, when it comes to the Kungsleden, a cheap trekking pole is much better than no trekking poles at all. They will SAVE your knees and back.
Mosquito Repellent & Headnets
These are absolutely essential - unless you want to get eaten alive by the insanely large mosquitos of Swedish Lapland. They are in fact as big as you may have heard they are… but don’t let that deter you from doing to trek - just be prepared!
We packed one bottle of mosquito repellent and a Thermacell mosquito repeller.
To be honest, I don’t know how well the Thermacell wand actually worked. It seemed to take quite awhile before it started actually deterring any mosquitos, and, even when it did, it wasn’t 100% effective.
Maybe it’s just not effective for these particular monster mosquitos… who knows. Either way, using this in combination with our own mosquito spray seemed to work fine.
Be sure to spray everywhere! They will bite through your clothes.
Another mosquito related essential that we bought at the last minute were head nets.
There were stages of the trek where the mosquitos were MASSIVE and would buzz right around our faces. The head net was nice because we didn’t have to constantly swat them away.
Overall head net verdict: very effective way to avoid swallowing mosquitos… but a bit tricky when eating snacks on the go. It’s a good thing to have and keep in your pocket just in case.
Map & Compass
This might seem like a no brainer… but a map is actually the one thing we didn’t have for this trip.
That and gloves…
We didn’t really need the map until day 3 when we were trying to go to Nallo cabin... more on that in the day by day trek guide. Long story short, we stayed on the marked path instead.
You can order maps online ahead of time, or purchase them at one of the mountain stations before beginning the trek. This was our original plan, but it didn’t exactly work out… next time we’ll definitely purchase our maps ahead of time.
If you prefer digital maps, check out AllTrails, a mobile app with offline trail maps.
It unfortunately didn’t help us along the unmarked section, but, other than that, it was a really useful tool for pacing ourselves and tracking our progress throughout the trek.
First Aid Kit & Sunscreen
These should really have been at the top of the list… along with a map.
You never know what’s going to happen along the trail. It’s best to be 100% prepared.
Bandaids, disinfectant, and ibuprofen, are a few key things I always make sure to have with me, even just on short hikes and day trips.
Put together your own first aid kit, or purchase a small kit with all the essentials already inside… then stuff it in your backpack and hope you won’t ever need to use it.
Also, I know you’ll be in the Arctic Circle, but, don’t forget to pack (and apply) your SPF!
Trust me… you still need it.
Now let’s talk camping and cooking gear.
Now that we’ve covered the trekking gear, let’s talk about what you’ll need to camp.
Keep in mind that you don’t HAVE to camp on this trek. It is possible to trek from Abisko to Nikkaloukta without ever pitching a tent.
There are more cabins along this stretch of the Kungsleden than any other section (one every 20ish km), each equipped with bunk beds, fireplaces, and kitchen spaces. If you go this route, you’ll significantly lighten your load. Due to COVID the cabins now have to be booked in advance, so this is something to keep in mind if you plan on going this route.
This wasn’t much of an issue for us or most people we met along the way, but popular spots like STF Kebnekaise were full our entire last weekend. For some people we met along the trail who didn’t have their own tents, this meant having to stay extra time at another cabin, and then covering twice the distance they had originally planned to in a single day.
We got the best of both worlds — We stayed half the time on the trail in cabins the other half camping.
Though we definitely could have packed lighter by just staying in the cabins, I enjoyed the flexibility having our own camping and cooking gear allowed us.
Another option, particularly if you are travelling from outside of Sweden, is to rent camping gear from one of the big mountain stations (Abikso or Nikkaloukta) at the beginning or end of your trek. If you’re living in Sweden and have the possibility of purchasing your own gear, I’d definitely recommend investing. Outdoor equipment is costly, but when you do a little research and buy the right gear, it’ll last you a long time.
A Quality Tent
If you want to camp you’ll need a tent, and, for this trek, it’s key to invest in something lightweight with a solid wind cover.
We used the Coleman Kobuk Valley Tent. We paid about $100 for this tent last summer at XXL.se but I’ve since seen it available for less on Amazon.
This was a great option for the Kungsleden because it’s super lightweight, sturdy, and easy to pitch.
It fits two people, is 100% waterproof and blocks out 99% of daylight.
As much as I wished we’d had one of those super see through tents that allow you to take in the view from the inside, I was pretty thankful for our complete black-out interior.
In Lapland, the sun rises early and sets extremely late in the summer. If you want to get some proper zzz’s you’ll need either a sleep mask or some sort of dark cover for your tent.
Sleeping Bags
(One for each person… this should also be a no brainer, I know…)
Why we decided to pack ONE sleeping bag for a trip to the Arctic Circle is beyond me. We definitely needed two, because once the sun goes down it gets COLD. Thankfully, we packed a couple of emergency blankets which were surprisingly warm… and also super noisy. It was a bit like sleeping in a noisy bag of crisps… so we tried our best not to move.
Next time we will definitely be investing in warmer sleeping bags… and we’ll each be packing our own.
There are loads of great options on the market, but, whatever kind of sleeping bag you go for, the sleeping bag to camper ratio should always (and I cannot stress this one enough) be 1:1.
Sleeping Mats
We used the Thermarest Z Lite sleeping mats and attached them to the outside of our packs.
They weren’t as comfortable as I’m sure an inflatable mat would be, but they were convenient and that was what we were after.
I usually folded up a few of the sections to have a bit of an elevated spot to lay my head on, and then used my packing cube of clothes as a pillow.
Was it totally comfortable?
Well, no…
…But we don’t trek out into the wilderness in search of creature comforts, now do we?
Velcro Straps & Carabiners
We picked up a couple of velcro straps and a pack of carabiners from Chlas Ohlson.
These were extremely handy for attaching our sleeping mats and sleeping bags to the outside of our packs.
We also used the carabiners to clip our water bottles to the front strap of our backpacks for easy access.
Flashlights and Headlamps
They weren’t playing around when they said our tent blocked 99% of light.
Even in the daytime, you couldn’t see a THING in there without a flashlight… so, for us, a light source was a necessity, but it’s also just a practical thing to have if you plan on spending the night outdoors.
Eco Soap, Clothes Line, & Quick Drying Towel
The eco soap and towel came in handy for cleaning our dishes and clothes… but that’s about it.
We didn’t shower for our 5 days on the trail, and unless you want to bathe in the ice cold water, a “proper shower” isn’t really an option until you reach one of the larger mountain stations.
Honestly, stinkiness is the norm… and no one cares.
Just make sure you take a shower before hopping on a train or plane back home!
Pocket Rocket, Pot/Pan, & Gas Canister(s)
Whether you decide to stay in the cabins or camp out, it’s still a good idea to bring along your own cooking gear. You never know when you’ll want (aka need) to stop for a hot meal!
Some people bring coffee makers and other accessories for a quintessential Swedish outdoor fikapaus, but we kept our cooking gear really simple. Only the essentials.
We used the MSR pocket rocket 2 (495kr from OutNorth) Primus 1L essential trek pot (395kr OutNorth) and Primus gas canister from Naturkompaniet.
These were lightweight and extremely easy to use for boiling water and cooking fast meals along the trail.
Gas canisters are available at some of the larger cabins along the trail, but you’ll be paying on-trail prices.
Bring your own to save some money!
Freeze Dried Meals + Dry Food Snacks
We brought almost all of our dry food and snacks with us from Malmö… which, I’m not gonna lie, was a bit of a pain in the beginning.
Our backpacks and any extra pocket spaces were absolutely filled to the brim… and super heavy when we started out. That being said, bringing our own food and snacks saved us a lot of money. Just like with the gas canisters, freeze dried food and other snacks are more expensive on the trail.
We packed protein bars for breakfast, about a dozen freeze dried meals which we ate for lunch and dinner, and trail mix, dried fruit (apricots are my personal favs), and nuts for snacks along the way.
This kept us more than fuelled up and was the perfect amount of food to last us five days on the trail.
The vegan chili sin carne and tiki masala freeze dried meals from OutdoorMeals were actually surprisingly tasty, but we also bought a pack of instant broccoli and cheese soups from STF Alesjaure to switch it up.
Each day our packs became lighter, and, in the end, we had just one freeze dried food pack left.
Pictured: a couple of happy, apricot eatin’ chappys.
Multi-function Utensils + Reusable Water Bottles
Our dining accessories were even more minimal than our cooking gear.
We each had a plastic water bottle, a multi-use spork/knife combo utensil, and one collapsible plastic bowl between the two of us.
For the most part, fresh water is easy to come by on the trail. Some people get by with just carrying an enamel mug and drinking water as needed, but we used 1L bottles instead.
We also packed an extra 1L pouch for water but didn’t end up using it after the first day.
If you’re concerned about water quality, you can also bring a life-straw or other water purifier, but we were assured this wasn’t necessary.
And, of course, last but certainly not least…
Camera Gear & Chargers
You already know I was loaded up with picture takin’ things.
While Andrew’s pack was filled up with our tent and most of the cooking gear, mine held just about all of the electronics. I brought my Sony a6000 with 50mm f1.8 zoom lens, Instax + extra film for polaroids, iPhone 11, and DJI drone, Sir Mavic the second.
I was able to keep all of this charged by bringing along a smorgasbord of small, portable battery packs… I think there were half a dozen.
In the grand scheme of all our clothes and gear, the camera stuff weighed a ton…
…but… leaving it at home was just not an option!
Andddd that’s it - Everything we packed for our 5-day thru-trek from Abisko to Nikkaloukta on Swedish Lapland’s Kungsleden… (plus a couple things that we forgot that I hope you’ll remember)!
What are your thru-trek essentials? Let me know in the comments below!
Other posts you may be interested in
Planning your own Kungsleden adventure?
