5 things You Need for a Micro-tour

My favorite way to spend a day off for the last few years (as long as I’m not cooking during that free time) is a short one-day trip somewhere nearby.

Exactly since the pandemic, when I was sitting alone in the forest and, so as not to lose my mind, I started walking around the area.

For some time now, however, the main destination of my micro-tours has been Hamburg, located 60 km away.

I could also choose Bremen or Hanover, but my heart is in St. Pauli, as an old German song says, popular especially in that district of Hamburg. Old enough that its author had Nazi connections.

In Germany, there is this extra bonus for fans of such trips, especially urban ones: the Deutschlandticket, which gives access to public transport across the whole Bundesrepublik.

Over more than five years, I’ve accumulated several hundred outings. And I think it’s time for some summaries and conclusions. To begin with: what to take, and what not to take.

5 pieces of equipment you need for such a trip

1. Comfortable backpack, or alternatively (but better not) a bag

As small as possible and preferably water-resistant.

A backpack is definitely better than a bag. If only because it doesn’t limit your freedom of movement in a dangerous situation. I know something about that. Even running the fuck away is easier with a backpack than with a bag.

I use a backpack-bag type “for laptops,” but fairly roomy, worn on the back.

For me, that capacity matters, because sometimes when I go to a big city, I do some shopping at the end.

2. Power bank

Today, a phone replaces a map, a watch, and a timetable. In Germany also your DT ticket.

That’s why you need a power bank with the biggest capacity and charging speed you can afford and are willing to carry all day.

When choosing one, think about how you’ll use it.

Will the phone connected to the power bank stay in your backpack or in your pocket?

If in your pocket, you’ll need a smaller one (but a longer cable — remember to buy the right one). But those are usually lower capacity and more expensive.

What is important — very fucking important — is fast charging and around 22.5 W power. (Unless by the time you read this, stronger ones are normal price already.) I checked: there are now 30-watt power banks, and those I recommend.

Number and type of ports matter too.

At the moment in Europe, USB-C is becoming the common standard for everything (glory to the European Union!), but still check what ports and cables come with the power bank.

Also worth thinking about for a moment: metal or plastic. Metal is heavier but more durable, which may matter quite a lot on a trip.

A display is now basically standard except in the cheapest models, and it is very important. It lets you control the battery level.

Because here’s another banal truth worth repeating:

Everything is impermanent. Power banks too.

The moment inevitably comes when your power bank must be thrown out and replaced.

For me, it showed itself by charging power dropping badly (you’ll notice a slower charging speed).

The output voltage dropped so much that to charge the phone, I had to switch it to airplane mode. If your ticket and map are on the phone, that’s not ideal.

Usually, though, the sign is reduced capacity. You’ll notice that after charging your phone, the power bank percentage drops much more than before. That’s why the display matters.

To extend the life of a power bank, remember above all not to leave it plugged in after it reaches full charge.

So overnight charging is out.

3. Drink

What?

Water or some unsweetened drink. And a bottle.

Best are isotonic drinks, and in the colder part of the year, a good thermos with a hot drink.

For me, that’s yerba mate with some fruit tea added.

In the warm season, I buy isotonic powder and dissolve one portion in a sports bottle.

The easiest homemade version: tap water seasoned with lemon/lime/orange/grapefruit juice and mineral-rich salt like Kłodawa or Himalayan.

In what?

Some bicycle or sports bottle, rather larger, though it depends how much you want to carry and in what. I use a 0.7-liter training bottle and a thermos of a similar size.

I strongly warn against glass bottles or containers.

Not even because of the weight.

Unless you have some armored glass that survives you eating shit on an escalator while it’s in your bag.

Not that it happened to me — knock on wood — but such things must be considered.

If you carry glass, porcelain, ceramic, and fall backwards on concrete, it can badly injure you. A shard may go into your back. So glass is a hard no for one-day trips.

An important issue connected with water is microbiological safety. In some countries, that means things like polio, but even in Europe, it’s better not to drink from standing or open flowing water sources.

You can drink it, sure. Just then, add toilet paper to your must-bring list.

Also, the safety of the bottle itself matters: wash it thoroughly and regularly disinfect it (dishwasher at 60°C / 140°F is enough for sanitation).

Of course, in the city you can buy drinks. And I strongly advise against cola or Pepsi-type drinks, which don’t really quench thirst. That’s not what they are for.

The best is mineral water.

And of course alcohol is available, and of course I know many people drink on such trips, and of course we all know it’s not ideal.

But whoever has never admired beautiful scenery while quenching thirst with a cold beer after a long march may cast the first bottle opener.

One or two beers won’t kill you. More might. So be careful.

And don’t count beer as the drink you need to carry and rely on. Nor any other alcohol. Because yes, beer is alcohol, in case someone still fucking had doubts.

4. Good shoes (and clothes)

Comfortable and above all strong, suited to different and difficult conditions.

Excellent are trekking shoes and all kinds of combat boots.

High-top shoes stabilize feet and protect against injury on rough surfaces.

Waterproof, with a good anti-slip sole and grip.

Most streetwear shoes, old school and new school hooligan style, are that kind of footwear.

Because that was their purpose before they became fashionable: to grind pavement all day in them.

Have you seen Charlie Chaplin films? Early ones. That characteristic tramp figure in oversized shoes.

That matters. For such a trip, the shoe should be loose. During the day, while walking, the foot swells and fills more. Tight shoes are torture.

Separate topic: barefoot footwear. I’m a huge fan, but haven’t used them for trips, so I don’t know how they perform long-distance. At work, where I also do many kilometers daily, they are wonderful and have made me younger by a few years.

Always good to check the weather and expect needing an extra jacket — or the opposite, needing to stuff your hoodie into the backpack (see point 1).

The style of clothing has one important safety aspect, especially in cities, especially if, like me, you enjoy wandering into dangerous districts.

I’ll write separately about safety, but it matters not to look like an easy victim.

Not necessarily so security guards and cops stare at you while dealers high-five you — but in that direction I recommend.

5. Cash and cards

Good to have both.

Especially if you wander around backwaters, shop at markets in Germany, or small falafel stalls, you may need cash.

How much? Depends.

For me, the minimum cash is 20 euro, roughly what I pay for a restaurant meal.

That’s my basic one-day trip expense. Often, because of my job and passion, it is the main point of the day.

Compared with 2019, places where I cannot pay by card are almost gone, except marketplaces (though even there, stalls may have terminals).

There are, however, more and more places where you can pay only by card. Recently, in the Mustard Manufactory on St. Pauli in Hamburg, I encountered exactly that.

Worth also having a card in your phone or watch, besides a physical card. Preferably, a different one, so if you lose the physical card and block it, you can still pay.

Especially a watch can be quicker and easier to use.

Then there is ATM availability and currency exchange if you travel abroad.

I use Revolut and paying by card in Germany is no problem, but some ATMs charge up to 5 euros, so it’s worth checking beforehand which ATMs allow free withdrawal.

Generally, free Revolut is the best and simplest option if you travel abroad.

If you open a Revolut account through this link and make 3 transactions of at least 5 euro each by May 12, I’ll get a commission for my future trips and writing about them.
Worth investing, if only to read how I got punched in the face—and how to avoid that happening to you in a rough neighborhood.
 

Bonus point, added after writing the rest, and maybe the most important

6. Tissues/toilet paper

Even if you make sure not to drink unsafe water and avoid diarrhea, on an all-day trip, chances for a number two are still high.

And even in a city, if you find a toilet (in Hamburg, that’s rather easy), there are even dedicated apps for it; don’t assume there’ll always be toilet paper.

Then the finger option remains.

Or whatever you have with you.

So two or three packs of tissues are worth carrying.

And maybe disinfecting wipes too, so in toilet situations you can disinfect not only your hands.

What not to bring

Everything that is not necessary.

Remember that on such a trip you walk all day carrying all that stuff in your backpack or bag.

In our kitchen world, the best motivation is a tip. If you enjoy my recipes and would like more, you can leave me a tip.