Hiking Packing List: The Essentials and Beyond
The Essentials:
(for safety, survival and basic comfort)
1. Navigation
2. Sun protection
3. Insulation
- Jacket, vest, pants, gloves, hat (see Clothing)
4. Illumination
- flashlight/headlamp
- extra batteries
5. First-aid supplies
- First aid kit
- toilet kit (leave no trace)
- whistle
6. Fire
- matches/lighter
- waterproof container
- magnesium fire starter/birch bark (for emergencies)
7. Repair kit and tools
- Knife or multi-tool
- duct tape (rolled around pen)
8. Nutrition
- Calorie/nutrient dense foods
9. Hydration
- Water bottles or hydrations system (e.g. camelbak pack)
- water filter/treatment tablets
Beyond the Essentials
Some are necessary and others are nice extras depending on your ability/comfort/needs- Daypack
- camera
- trail guide
- trekking poles
- binoculars
- insect repellent (spring/summer)
- altimeter
- watch
- carabiners
- cell phone/two way radio
- Gaiters (mud or snow conditions)
- garbage bags
- waterproof pack cover
- bungee cord
- rope/twine
- shoes for the car ride home! :)
Warm weather clothing options
- Wicking short-sleeved shirt
- Wicking underwear
- Quick-drying pants or shorts
- Long-sleeve shirt (for bugs, sun)
- Sun-shielding hat
- midweight layer
- Insulating fleece jacket or vest
- Bandana or buff
Cool weather clothing options
- Wicking long-sleeve shirt
- Wicking long underwear
- Hat, cap or headband (synthetic or wool)
- Gloves or mittens
- Insulating fleece jacket (or vest) and pants
- balaclava
- Rain jacket (or soft shell and waterproof hat)
- Rain pants (or soft-shell pants)
- midweight layer
Footwear
- boots/shoes suited to terrain
- socks- synthetic or wool
- Snowshoes
- Microspikes
- Crampons
