In the USA it was the book “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed and in Germany “Ich bin dann mal weg” by Hape Kerkeling (English title: “I’m Off Then”) that triggered the long-distance hiking boom. Men and women of all ages want to discover their own limits and experience the change of scenery at a walking pace; some seek a spiritual journey, others simply want to cast off the weight of their daily routine and find themselves. They set off on the Camino de Santiago, for example, or the Pacific Crest Trail on the U.S. Pacific coast to experience long-distance trekking with all its challenges.
Those who go backpacking for 10 days, 14 days or even longer must consider what is really essential to have on the tour. Long-distance hikers say that it’s very comfortable to take clothing that doesn’t start to smell from sweat so quickly. These specially treated T-shirts, underwear and socks can be worn longer and don’t have to be washed daily. This treatment involves a special process that prevents bacteria from spreading, which is the actual cause of unpleasant odors (the smell doesn’t come from the sweat itself, but from the bacteria breaking it down). Comprehensive wearability tests confirm the good results of the Sanitized® hygiene function “built into” functional clothing of many international brands.
