Do you ever wonder what to pack for a multi-day hiking trip? Trust me, you aren’t alone. It’s one of the biggest struggles you can face when you’re just getting into backpacking.
Thoughts like “What if I forget something important?” or “I don’t want to pack too much!” are probably racing through your mind.
Take a deep breath, sit back and read our comprehensive packing guide to get you started.
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HOW TO USE THIS HIKING PACKING LIST
Before we jump into the world of packing for hiking, I want to give you a quick run down on how to get the most out of this list. Next to each item you will see a few categories, let me explain what they mean.
PURPOSE: What is used for, a quick insight on why you might need that piece of gear.
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: We know that when you’re just starting out it can be tough to know what you really need and what can be left at home. We did our best to weed out the essentials and have wrote yes to each item we believe you truly need. Keep in mind, this will vary from the type of trip you are planning.
PRICE RANGE: It’s good to get an idea of how much each item will cost so you can budget accordingly.
LOOK FOR: Some quick tips on how to choose your gear.
OUR PICK: Our choice based on the value and quality of the product.
LEARN MORE: A full article on how to choose that particular piece of gear.
BEST MODELS: An article about the top gear of the year.
1. BACKPACKS & BAGS
60 – 80L BACKPACK
PURPOSE: Carry All The Gear You Need To Survive On The Trail
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $150 – $400
LOOK FOR: Comfort When Carrying Heavy Loads & A Good Fit
OUR MEN’S PICK: Osprey Aether 70
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Osprey Ariel 65
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking Backpacks of the Year >>
DAYPACK
PURPOSE: Carry Essentials For Side Hikes
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Depends On Your Plans
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $240
LOOK FOR: Lots Of Pockets & Lightweight
OUR PICK: Osprey Daylite Pack
BEST MODELS: Best Day Hiking Backpacks of the Year >>
PACK COVER
PURPOSE: Keep Your Gear Dry During Wet Weather
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Depends If There Is A Chance Of Rain
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $50
LOOK FOR: Durable Material & Fits Your Pack Size
OUR PICK: Osprey Ultralight Rain Cover
BEST MODELS: Best Backpack Rain Covers of the Year >>
PACKING CUBES
PURPOSE: Organize Your Clothes So They Are Easy To Find
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $5 – $60 (Depending on size & set)
LOOK FOR: Various Colors To Quickly Determine What Is Inside
OUR PICK: Eagle Creek Pack It Original Set
DRY BAG
PURPOSE: To Keep Electronics Dry
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Depends On Your Needs
PRICE RANGE: $15 – $60
LOOK FOR: Seam Seals & Roll Top Closure
OUR PICK: Sea To Summit Lightweight Dry Sack 20L
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2. SLEEPING GEAR
TENT
PURPOSE: Provides Shelter From Cold & Rain
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $150 – $850
LOOK FOR: Good Construction & Lightweight
OUR PICK: MSR Hubba Hubba
BEST MODELS: Best Backpacking Tents Of The Year >>
CAMPING HAMMOCK
PURPOSE: Provides Shelter, Alternative To Tent
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $100 – $300
LOOK FOR: Good Construction & Lightweight
OUR PICK: Hennessy Expedition Hammock
BEST MODELS: Best Camping Hammocks Of The Year >>
TENT FOOTPRINT
PURPOSE: Protects Bottom Of Tent From Damage
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
ALTERNATIVE: Tarp
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $60
LOOK FOR: Fits Your Tent Model
OUR PICK: Depends On Your Tent
SLEEPING BAG
PURPOSE: Keep you warm at night
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $100 – $600
LOOK FOR: Sufficient Temperature Rating & Small Pack size
OUR PICK: Mountain Hardwear HyperLamina Flame 20 Sleeping Bag
BEST MODELS: Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags Of The Year >>
SLEEPING BAG LINER
PURPOSE: Keep Your Sleeping Bag Clean & Extra Warmth
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $80
LOOK FOR: Comfortable Material
OUR PICK: Sea to Summit Silk Liner
BEST MODELS: Best Sleeping Bag Liners of the Year >>
SLEEPING PAD
PURPOSE: Provide Warmth and Cushioning
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $40 – $400
LOOK FOR: Cushioning, Warmth & Small Packsize
OUR PICK: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm
BEST MODELS: Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads Of The Year >>
COMPRESSIBLE PILLOW
PURPOSE: Support Your Neck While Sleeping
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $10 – $40
LOOK FOR: Small Pack Size & Comfortable
OUR PICK: Therm-A-Rest Compression Pillow
3. NAVIGATION TOOLS
MAP & TRAIL GUIDES
PURPOSE: Find The Way & Give Useful Information
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $3 – $20
LOOK FOR: Easy To Read, Compact, Accurate
OUR PICK: Depends On Which Trail You Plan To Do
MAP CASE
PURPOSE: Keeps Your map Protected From The Elements
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Depends If You Plan To Hike In The Rain
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $50
LOOK FOR: Waterproof Welded Seams
OUR PICK: Osprey Ultralight Map Case
COMPASS
PURPOSE: Navigation
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $13 – $200
LOOK FOR: Liquid-Filled Capsule For Stable Operation
OUR PICK: Suunto M-3 D Leader
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking Compasses of the Year >>
GPS DEVICE
PURPOSE: Navigation
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $200 – $800
LOOK FOR: Easy To Use & Long Battery Life
OUR PICK: Garmin eTrex 30x
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking GPS Devices of the Year >>
ALTIMETER WATCH
PURPOSE: Navigation & See Current And Upcoming Weather
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $200 – $800
LOOK FOR: Ease of Use
OUR PICK: Suunto Core Watch
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking Watches of the Year >>
4. COOKING UTENSILS
BACKPACKING STOVE
PURPOSE: Cook Camp Meals and Make Hot Drinks
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $30 – $250
LOOK FOR: Lightweight & Reliable
OUR PICK: MSR Reactor System
BEST MODELS: Best Backpacking Stoves Of The Year >>
FUEL
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Power Camp Stove
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $10 – $30
LOOK FOR: Depends on your stove model (consult manual)
MATCHES OR LIGHTER
PURPOSE: Light The Stove & Make Camp Fires ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes CONSIDERATIONS: Always bring a spare lighter or matches. If they aren’t waterproof, be sure to pack them in a container.
COOKWARE SET
PURPOSE: Cook Camp Meals
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $200
LOOK FOR: Type of Material (Depending on your needs)
OUR PICK: MSR Quick 2 Pot Set
LEARN MORE: Best Backpacking Cookware Sets of the Year >>
DINNERWARE
PURPOSE: Eating Camp Meals
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $5 – $200 (depending on set)
LOOK FOR: Sufficient For Group & Lightweight
OUR PICK: GSI Infinity Table Set
UTENSILS
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes (unless you only plan to eat sandwiches)
PRICE RANGE: $3 – $20
LOOK FOR: Lightweight & Durable
OUR PICK: GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Set
DISH WASHING KIT
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes PRICE RANGE: $5 – $20 DISH SOAP: Campsuds Biodegradable Soap SOAP CONTAINER: GoToob Bottle SPONGE: Campsuds Biodegradable Soap
PURPOSE: Wash Dishes Up After Cooking
COFFEE MAKER
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Warm Up When Getting To Camp
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $9 – $55
LOOK FOR: Light & Compact
OUR PICK: GSI Outdoors Javadrip Coffee Maker
5. FOOD & DRINK
MEALS
PURPOSE: Refueling After A Long Day On The Trail
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $1 – $10 per meal per person
LOOK FOR: Sufficient Calories To Recover From Hiking
OUR PICK: Mountain House Freeze Dried Food
BEST MODELS: Best Freeze Dried Food Packages of the Year >>
SNACKS
PURPOSE: Quick Energy Between Meals
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $1- $5
LOOK FOR: Energy Bars, Fruit & Nuts
WATER BLADDER OR BOTTLES
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PURPOSE: Carry Water While Hiking
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $1 – $10
LOOK FOR: Holds Sufficient Amount Of Water & Easy To Drink From
OUR PICK: CamelBak Antidote Reservoir
WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM
PURPOSE: Create Safe Drinking Water ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes PRICE RANGE: $40 – $10 LOOK FOR: Lightweight, Effective, Easy To Use OUR PICK: SteriPEN Ultra Water Purifier BEST MODELS: Best Water Purifiers of the Year >>
6. CLOTHING GEAR FOR WARM WEATHER
WICKING T-SHIRT
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $15 – $80
LOOK FOR: Comfort, Fit, Quick-dry Fabric (Wool or Synthetic)
OUR MEN’S PICK: Icebreaker Oasis T-Shirt
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Icebreaker Tech-Lite Shirt
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking Shirts of the Year >>
QUICK DRY PANTS OR SHORTS
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $100
LOOK FOR: Lightweight, Comfortable, Quick Dry-Fabric
OUR MEN’S PICK: Columbia Silver Ridge
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Prana Tess Shorts
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking Shorts of the Year >>
WICKING UNDERWEAR
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ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $10 – $50
LOOK FOR: Comfort & Quick-Dry Fabric
OUR MEN’S PICK: ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Patagonia Active Hipster
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking Underwear of the Year >>
7. CLOTHING GEAR FOR COLD WEATHER
Pack the same 3 items as warm weather gear plus these items below:
WICKING BASE LAYER
PURPOSE: To Keep Your Upper Body Warm & Dry
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $30 – $120
LOOK FOR: Warmth, Breathability & Quick-Dry Fabric
OUR MEN’S PICK: Arc’teryx Phase AR Baselayer
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Arc’teryx Phase SV Baselayer
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking Base Layers of the Year >>
WICKING LEGGINGS
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Amazon
PURPOSE: To Keep Your Lower Body Warm & Dry
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $100
LOOK FOR: Comfort, Breathability, Quick-Dry Material
OUR MEN’S PICK: Icebreaker Oasis Leggings
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Icebreaker Oasis Leggings
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking Long Johns of the Year >>
FLEECE
PURPOSE: Keep Warm While Resting And In Evening
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $40 – $200
LOOK FOR: Comfort, Warmth, Fit
OUR MEN’S PICK: Arc’teryx Fortrez Hoody
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Arc’teryx Fortrez Hoody
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking Fleeces of the Year >>
BEANIE OR BALACLAVA
PURPOSE: Keep Head Warm While Hiking & Resting
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $10 – $30
LOOK FOR: Comfort, Warmth & Fit
OUR PICK: Icebreaker Pocket Beanie
GLOVES
PURPOSE: Keep Hands Warm & Dry
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $5 – $40
LOOK FOR: Comfort & Warmth
OUR MEN’S PICK: Outdoor Research Versaliner Gloves
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Outdoor Research Versaliner Gloves
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking Gloves of the Year >>
8. RAIN GEAR
WATERPROOF RAIN JACKET
PURPOSE: Keep Your Upper Body Dry
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $100 – $400
LOOK FOR: Seam Seals, Waterproof-Breathable Liner
OUR MEN’S PICK: Outdoor Research Foray Jacket
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Outdoor Research Foray Jacket
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking Rain Jackets Of The Year >>
WATERPROOF RAIN PANTS
PURPOSE: Keep Your Lower Body Dry
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $100 – $400
LOOK FOR: Seam Seals, Waterproof-Breathable Liner
OUR PICK: Outdoor Research Helium Pants
OUR PICK: Outdoor Research Aspire Pants
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking Rain Pants of the Year >>
WATERPROOF GLOVES
PURPOSE: Keep Your Hands Dry In Wet Weather
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $30 – $100
LOOK FOR: Comfort, Waterproof Waterial
OUR MEN’S PICK: Outdoor Research Arete Gloves
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Outdoor Research Arete Gloves
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking Gloves of the Year >>
9. FOOTWEAR
HIKING BOOTS OR SHOES
PURPOSE: Support Your Feet & Ankles While Carrying Heavy Loads
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $100 – $400
LOOK FOR: Comfort, Support & Grippy Sole
OUR MEN’S PICK: Salomon X Ultra Mid Boots
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Salomon X Ultra Boots
BEST SHOE MODELS: Best Hiking Shoes of the Year >>
BEST BOOT MODELS: Best Hiking Boots of the Year >>
SANDALS
PURPOSE: Protect Feet While Hiking
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Optional, Good For Warm Weather And Camp
PRICE RANGE: $50 – $120
LOOK FOR: Comfort, Fit, Grippy Sole
OUR MEN’S PICK: Teva Terra Fi-Lite
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Teva Tirra Sandals
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking Sandals of the Year >>
GAITERS
PURPOSE: Keep Rocks & Dirt Out Of Shoes
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $30 – $100
LOOK FOR: Comfortable, Breathable, Waterproof (For Wet Conditions)
OUR MEN’S PICK: Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking Gaiters of the Year >>
SOCKS
PURPOSE: Cushioning While Hiking
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $10 – $30
LOOK FOR: Cushioning, Appropriate Cut For Your Shoes
OUR MEN’S PICK: Darn Tough Vermont Socks
OUR WOMEN’S PICK: Darn Tough Vermont Socks
BEST MODELS: Best Hiking Socks of the Year >>
10. PERSONAL ITEMS & ACCESSORIES
11. SAFETY EQUIPMENT
READ MORE
For more of our top hiking & backpacking gear recommendations, check out these popular articles:
I’m a fan of the Light my Fire, http://www.rei.com/product/810628/light-my-fire-firesteel-scout-20-fire-starter, flint because it is fairly low tech and works whatever the conditions to light a stove.
I always carry one as a back-up, just in case the lighters get wet. But I find it’s ok to light a stove, but very hard work to start a fire with. Do you have any tips?
Have a look into char-cloth and tinder bundles. Also, remember the three things fire needs. Heat, Fuel, Oxygen. I carry a high-carbon steel knife which can be struck with flint (the stone) or quarts to produce a spark. Patience and determination are your most valuable assets when conjuring fire. Best of luck.
Nice easy to follow rundown. The only other items you might want to consider are a needle, dental floss and safety pins / (ABC) watch / pencil.
All great suggestions David! I’ll take them into consideration for the next post update. Let me know if you think of anything else.
Neat and very complete article Amanda, the only thing I can think of to add (we don’t have one, but met lots of people carrying one) is a SPOT Connect for safety issues.
Carrying a SPOT Connect is a great idea. Thanks for sharing Bicycle Junkies!
I’m trying to download this list but it won’t let me. Can you send it to my email andy.fizzle.7@gmail.com?
Sorry about that.
You should have received an email now asking for confirmation. Once you activate it, you will receive another email with a link to the page where you can download all the packing lists 🙂
IMHO opinion you have left out 2 things I never enter the bush without:
1)A good realistic knife (not the Rambo Zombie killer) more Swiss army style.
2) Super glue in the mini tube size. (first aid for cuts and blisters as well as repairs.
3) Duct tape, and ditto the floss, safety pins, and needle mentioned above (I lied about 2 things missing)
Hi Johan, Thanks for the suggestions! I’ll consider them for the next update. Let me know if you think of anything else.
Absolutely LOVE that Osprey Rucksack! I’ve taken it on several months worth of wilderness backpacking and it still looks like new!
I love them too! They really do hold up and do the job.
Hello. This is a great list and I also agree with the extras mentioned in the comments. I was wondering if you would send me a link to the download as it is not working on this page.
Thanks,
This list has been very helpful. Amazing how we forget the smallest but very crucial necessities/ Regards.
Happy to hear you found the list useful Aaron! Is there any else you would add?
A bit of duct tape, can be wound around a water bottle for instance, can be extremely useful for many scenarios.
A bit of rope/paracord can come in handy when you least expect it too.
Great tips Erik, thanks for sharing 🙂
Very useful list, I´m doing the Arctic Circle Trail next year…luckily I have a good mentor who´s done it a couple of times.
Lists are great but research is essential, eg for places like Greenland where gas for stoves isn´t available and you can´t carry it there so you have to use mutli-fuel or solid fuel stoves.
Also back country hiking a decent knife is essential, Swiss Army knives are great but you can´t batton sticks with them.
Mora, Hele are real good.
Also with compasses people need to know how to use them properly and know if they have to deal with magnetic declination.