#Trek-Iceland*: my Ultimate gear Guide

The Salewa Alp Trainer 35+3 is one of those stoic packs that feels ridiculously good. It’s the rare kind of gear that, after my deep winter hike in Iceland January 2022, I immediately thought: “I should probably get another one, just in case.”

From any distance, the design looks professional, striking in a way that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together even when you’re fumbling for snacks in the rain. Up close, everything screams durability. The stitching isn’t your average lightweight-outdoor fluff. We’re talking heavy-duty seams you’d expect on sandbags or those GoRuck exercise beasts built to hold 80 pounds without flinching. The loops, the pull cords, every contact point feels like it was designed to endure both weather and the short patience of someone like me when a strap doesn’t cooperate.

Salewa says it’s about 1.3 kilos. I don’t care. I lift it, it’s light. That’s the whole metric.

And here’s the thing: all my winter stories (except a couple of old ones) were with this pack. That says something.

See, I’ve got a Spec-Ops Karrimor pack that I’ve literally seen thrown out of Hercules airplanes and dragged off mountains. It’s tough, even built with rope for pulling people out of trouble. But the one flaw? Its back panel. All padding, no airflow. The thing presses into your jacket and kills every ounce of ventilation. Which, when you’re climbing in layers, is misery.

The Salewa fixes that. Its Dry Back system is hands-down the best I’ve ever used. Sturdy, breathable, and spacious. Combine it with my Excape jacket and everything just works together, like proper symbiosis. Or synergy, if you’re Jack Donaghy.

The Alp Trainer isn’t just big, it’s smart. Side zips give you access to separate pockets without digging into the main compartment, perfect for all the “just in case” gear you don’t really need but can’t leave behind. The mesh pockets are strong, though a little short. I’ve had my wool cap perched precariously in there, threatening to blow out like an aisle seat passenger getting squished by the big guy in the middle. It’s not a flaw, really, more a reminder that packing is always logistics. Every hike is a chance to refine what goes where. And my rule stands: take less. I like to keep my pack about 60–70% empty. It might look full, but nine times out of ten it’s just a wool sweater taking up more room than it deserves.

One more thing: check the rain cover. It stows in the bottom of the pack, and it needs to be bright and easy to find. Walking in Iceland, I’ve been out in storms where you can’t see 15 meters in front of you,  snow, fog, sleet or anything really. In those moments, a high-vis cover isn’t just about keeping your gear dry; it’s about being noticed. And considering most of what I do out there isn’t particularly smart or wise, a splash of bright color might be the difference between blending into the landscape and being spotted by search and rescue. 

The waist belt and sternum strap? Smooth operators. Even with my Salewa super mitts (more on those in another story), I can fiddle them open and closed without inventing new curse words. My only caveat: if I cinch the chest strap too tight, it messes with my jacket. But that’s because the jacket itself is basically year-2150 technology that doesn’t play nice with anything else.

As for the top flap, the famous “+3 liters” in the spec sheet, that’s my personal command center. Nightcore headlamp, gloves, sometimes nothing but empty space. Flip it open and inside you’ll usually find earplugs for the airplane, an emergency blanket and light, maybe a Cliff Bar (pecan). It’s the little drawer of optionals that makes life simpler.

This isn’t a pack that makes you a better hiker. It just quietly forgives you when you’re a dumb one.

Verdict: The Alp Trainer 35+3 doesn’t just carry your gear; it carries your hikes. It’s tough enough to take abuse, smart enough to stay breathable, and light enough to disappear when you’re focused on the trail. If durability and viability had a baby, it would look a lot like this pack.