There are two lists below. The first is the clothing and equipment that is the compulsory minimum for all Outdoor Life exchange students during the spring semester. Please consider your own specific needs and bring additional items if you will need them. The second list is recommended equipment (not compulsory but bring it if you can).
To complete the study, you need personal equipment that works so that you can thrive and function in various natural environments. The program is structured with a lot of teaching outdoors. Much of the teaching takes place outdoors, both during day programs and over several days, where we live in tents, shelters, in the snow or under open sky,
You will need to dress warmly and be able to quickly adjust your body temperature during activities from the first trip onward. The ‘golden rules’: dress in layers and avoid wearing cotton as underwear.
Compulsory clothing and equipment
You will need to dress warmly and be able to quickly adjust your body temperature during activities from the first trip onward. Zips at neck are good to adjusting body temperature.
Outer clothes
- Waterproof and windproof jacket with hood (Goretex or similar). The jacket should extend below the buttocks (for rain and wind protection of core body temperature)
- Windproof and waterproof trousers (we recommend trousers with pockets)
- Thick wool or windproof fleece hat/toque/beanie (it needs to cover at least your head, ears and forehead)
- Mittens and finger gloves in wool (or fleece). Bring one extra pair for a dry change. Wind-proof overmitts in addition.
- Boots for mountain trekking (for walking on rough ground and snow in the mountain and forest areas). Leather boots are better than synthetic fabrics for resisting water and snow (important in Norway!). They cost more but will last a lot longer and they are a good investment for future outdoor trips. (Good leather boots have a vibram sole and nubuck leather). Remember to bring (or buy) a leather conditioner (e.g. ‘snoseal’). Do wear your boots enough before coming to Norway so that when you arrive, they are comfortable for walking several days at a time. Think: dry, warm feet = happy people!
- Light hiking shoes or heavy sneakers (for day trips near NIH in fine weather in spring)
- If you have a duvet (down-filled) jacket or vest, bring it with you for winter trips, cold evenings and short breaks on tours
Mid-layer clothing
- A medium weight wool/fleece sweater (a collar makes it warmer)
- A pair of medium weight wool/fleece trousers
Underwear
- 2 sets of long underwear in wool or poly-thermal material
- Minimum 3 pairs of (long) socks made of wool (avoid cotton!)
- Underpants (wool, silk or synthetic - avoid cotton. Note: wool is the best option and will keep you warmer. If you can, choose it over synthetic materials or ski underwear)
- Women – bra (wool, silk or synthetic – avoid cotton)
- Scarf, neck-warmer (wool or fleece) or Buff
Sleeping
- Sleeping bag suitable for temperatures to below minus 20 degrees Celsius).
- Sleeping bag liner / inner sheet.
- Air mattress (Thermarest or similar, with a minimum r-value of 3)
- Foldable foam ground pad (15mm thick), minimum 1.80 m. long
Other
- Backpack for multi day travel (70/75 liters or more)
- Smaller backpack for daytrips (20 liters or more)
- Basic toilet articles (toilet paper, toothbrush and toothpaste, sunscreen, anti-bug spray, hand sanitzier, wet wipes, matches)
- Plate, cup, cutlery/flatware (all suitable for outdoor use) and thermos
- Compass (baseplate compass with 360 degree disk, e.g. Silva models Explorer, Polaris, Ranger or similar). Preferably mirror compass with clinometer. You will use this extensively and rely on it for travel.
- Map case (inexpensive alternative to a map case: plastic Ziploc bag) If you need to buy new, we recommend a map case with roll closure and Velcro from Ortlieb.
- Knife (to make handcrafts; hunting knife or similar)
- Headlamp (+ extra batteries). We recommend a lamp with red light mode.
- Basic first-aid kit including: athletic tape, adhesive tourniquet (compress) in individual package, blister bandages, wound dressings, antiseptic ointment, band-aids.
- Sunglasses and ski glasses/goggles
- Water bottle (Nalgene is recommended as it can be used as a hot water bottle for cold nights)
- For kayaking, canoeing and other water activities: Drybags (multiple small ones preferred over one big one. Recommended size: 5-20 liters)
- Ropes (4-6mm thickness), 5m. long
- Mountain skis (back country skis, without locking of the heels) and ski poles. We recommend skis with steel edges and the BC binding system. 75mm and Explore binding systems also work (We recommend that you have your own, so if you have, please bring. Used ones are often for sale in Oslo. Otherwise, we have a few for borrowing)
- Sturdy and warm ski boots (leather) (if you have, please bring your own, or we have some for borrowing)
- Skins and ski wax for own use.
- Footbags / overboots (if you have, please bring, or we have some for borrowing)
- Snow showel (not plastic).
- Avalanche probe
- A stove that can burn eco-friendly gasoline (and possibly gas in addition if you have a multifuel). If you have to get a new one, we recommend one from the manufacturers MSR or Primus. Also remember to get a repair kit for the stove.
Nice to have (recommended)
- Sit pad
- Gaiters
If you need to upgrade your personal equipment, try to borrow what you need. Second-hand shops in Oslo are a good source for items such as wool clothing. If you think you will use the equipment you need a lot after the Outdoor Life program, consider buying new. Watch out for sale prices in your home country and in Oslo – there are many outdoor retailers in Norway so there are often good sales on, especially at end of seasons. Use search terms ‘friluftsliv butikk Oslo’ to find webpages for retail stores.
Contact us
International office
E-mail: exchange@nih.no