Choosing the Right Clothes
Wear comfortable clothes you already own and have used in training; no need to buy anything new. Check weather forecasts as it can get very hot or rainy, and plan layers accordingly. I have general article about clothing HERE
If you wish to embrace the 4daagse clothes traditions, wear blue clothes on Tuesday (day 1), pink on Wednesday (day 2), and orange or green on the final day. Some people also wear full costumes. Consider bringing 1-2 pairs of extra socks, as this can be helpful for blister prevention.
Best Footwear
In my personal opinion, hiking boots are not great option for this event. The terrain is flat and easy. Boots are heavy and not breathable and might actually cause blisters, especially on hot days. General article about shoes HERE. At the end, choose shoes that are comfortable to you, I have seen people in wooden shoes. Make sure your selected footwear is slightly larger than usual, about half to one size larger. Though minimalist shoes are popular, ensure you’re fully trained in them before the event. I personally used Altra Lone Peaks, which have a wide toe box and zero drop.
ProTip: Bring 2 pairs of shoes and alternate them each day. That way they have chance to air out the sweat or dry in case it rains one day. Additionally each pair will have different points of rubbing and this will also help your feet with recovery and blister prevention.
How To Stay Hydrated?
While there are water stations along the route during 4daagse, they may not be frequent enough, so carrying a water bottle is essential. Bring electrolytes for recovery, as they help sustain your energy across multiple days. Make sure to find one in advance that suits your stomach as electrolytes can make you nauseous, especially on empty stomach. Also test different forms like salt tablets, chewable forms or dissolvable powders. And, if possible, skip coffee to avoid dehydration and frequent bathroom breaks.
What about Nutrition?
Food isn’t provided by 4daagse organisation. But expect that sponsors and locals offer various treats. While tempting, snacking on everything can upset an unprepared stomach. During short walk through single generous village the kind locals might offer you watermelon, ice cream, gummy bears, crisps, chocolate, apple slices…. If you want to indulge in snacking this way, make sure to eat like that during your training. Alternatively consider carrying some of your own food or snacks. Or choose to stick to specific group of snacks, such as fruit. Due the kindness of strangers, it is possible to do 4daagse without bringing your own food, but I suggest to have at least small backup.
What to Carry?
Packing light can make for a more comfortable walk. Most commonly used were hip belt or backpack. My personal recommendation is to use about 6 liter hip belt. It will prevent you from overpacking and is the most comfortable.
Here are some items I suggest to bring:
- Essentials: Daily checkpoint card, Phone (with Apple Pay), bank card (if no Apple pay on phone), coins EUR, water bottle, tissues, emergency snack, and electrolytes.
- Helpful Options: Poncho, cooling towel, lightweight layers of clothing, sunscreen, public transport card (OV chip card), foot care items, spare socks, and toilet paper with plastic bag (or dog poop bag) for disposal.
- Luxury items: Power bank with charging cables, headphones for music, and wet wipes.
Ultimately, gear choice is up to you. Many walkers use hip belt with handful items. Some carry only water bottle or on the other end of spectrum, backpacks full of comforts. Just ensure you train with the gear to ensure you know your needs so you dont carry too much or not enough during de 4daagse.
Read more about 4daagse:
1 – What to know before registering
2 – How to prepare
3 – Further information about the event
5 – The event
Official website HERE
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