Are you ready to hit the trails and go on an adventure through the wilderness? There's no better way to explore the great outdoors than trekking along an epic trail. Throughout the United States, we have our choice when it comes to hiking adventures. Whether it's a hike through one of our many National Parks, a state park, a mountain, or by the water, you need to prepare yourself with all the necessities to keep yourself comfortable and safe. That's why we have put together this Ultimate Hiking Packing List. If you're wondering what to pack for hiking, what basic hiking gear you need, or if you just need a packing list for a hiking vacation, we're here to help. Here are some essential items needed for hiking.
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The Best Hiking Backpacks
One of the most essential items needed for hiking is a good backpack. After all, you'll need some way to carry your keys, phone, wallet, water, snacks, and anything else you need depending on what type of hike you're doing. Here are some of our favorite backpacks:
Day Hiking Backpack
Going for a day hike? Well, the first item on your day hike packing list should be a day hiking backpack. They are large enough to pack things like water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, and a first aid kit. Here are a few great backpacks you can choose for a day hike:
- REI Co-op Flash 22 Pack
- MYSTERY RANCH 2-Day EDC Pack
- Cotopaxi Luzon 18L Pack
- Refugio Daypack 26L
- Black Hole Pack 25L
A day pack is also a great start for hiking gear for beginners. For those just starting out hiking, a sturdy, roomy backpack is essential.
Overnight/Backcountry Backpacking Trip
Are you planning on hiking for an extended period of time? If you need gear for more than just a day and you're planning on really getting into the wilderness and camping overnight, you'll need a backpack that can accommodate a trip like that. For your multi-day, one-week, or two-week hiking trip packing list, here are some of the best multi-day backpacks:
Some additional things to pack for hiking for more than a few days to a couple of weeks are a tent, a sleeping bag, and a portable camping stove.
Hydration Backpacks
If you're just going out on a shorter hike, let's say one that's just a few hours, a hydration backpack is great. Inside the backpack is a bladder that you fill with water and you drink it using a valve that's attached to the straps. There's also plenty of room to carry things like your keys, a few snacks, a wallet, and a first aid kit. Here are a few hydration backpacks to consider:
Hiking Snacks & Water Bottles
You can't leave home for a hiking trip without snacks. And you certainly need water to hydrate along the way. Here are some snacks and water bottle options to add to your hiking essentials list:
Hiking Snacks
Whether it's a short hike or a long trek, you'll need to keep your energy up. And some of the most important things to pack for hiking are snacks! Here are a few snacks you may want to put in your new hiking backpack:
- Apples
- Small oranges
- A banana
- Jerky
- Snack mix
- Trail mix
- Protein bars
- Honey Stinger Waffles
- Mixed nuts
Water Bottles
A good water bottle should be near the top of any hiking essentials list. Drinking water and making sure you're hydrating during a hike, no matter the time of year, is so important. Here are a few water bottles to consider:
- Hydro Flask Lightweight Trail Series
- CamelBak Chute Mag Renew Water Bottle
- YETI Rambler Vacuum Bottle with Chug Cap
- Grayl GeoPress Water Filter and Purifier Bottle
Safety Essentials: First Aid
Safety first, right? Hiking doesn't come without risk, even on the shortest and easiest of trails. What we need to do before we hit the trails is make sure we are covered when it comes to first aid. Here are some safety items you may want to carry with you:
First Aid Kit
Let's face it, things can happen. Anyone can trip, fall, scrape a knee, cut a finger, or get blisters. etc. doing the most mundane of tasks. And when you're out hiking a trail and a bit far from civilization, it's important to have a first aid kit with you in case you or someone else gets hurt. Take a look at these first aid kits:
- HART Outdoor Day Hike First-Aid Kit
- Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker Medical Kit
- Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Explorer Medical Kit
Other Safety Items
While a first aid kit is necessary, there are several additional items to add to your gear list for hiking. The following items can certainly help you in a bind or keep you safe:
GPS device to help you find your way
A power bank to keep your cell phone charged
Hiking Clothes & Boots
Good clothes and a sturdy pair of hiking boots are some of the most important items that should be on anyone's checklist for hiking. No matter how short or long your hike is, proper attire is absolutely necessary.
Cold-Weather Clothes
When you go hiking in the winter, layering is the name of the game. You have to keep warm to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Here are some clothing items to add to your winter hiking packing list:
- Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Crew Base Layer
- Soft-Shell Snow Pants
- Top Pants
- Bib Snow Pants
- Fleece Pull-Over
- Smartwool Socks
- All-Weather Jacket
Warm-Weather Clothes
Hiking in the warmer months means a whole other set of clothing. You'll want something with SPF. You'll also want layers since hikes often start out cool, and once you get moving, you warm up. And you'll want to be prepared for rain depending on where you live. Here are some ideas for your warm-weather hiking packing list.
- REI Co-Op Trailmade Amphib Shorts
- Smartwool Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks
- T-shirt
- Tank top
- Long-Sleeve UPF 50+ Shirt
- Convertible pants
- Rain jacket
- Hooded rain poncho
Hiking Boots
One of the best things you can do for your feet before your hike is to buy a good, sturdy pair of hiking boots. They protect your feet, and most are water and weather-proof. Check out these hiking boots before you head out on your next trek along the trails:
- Salomon OUTpulse Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots - Women's
- Merrell Siren 4 Thermo Demi Waterproof Boots - Women's
- Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots - Men's
- Vasque Sunsetter Hiking Boots - Men's
Summer Hiking Essentials
In addition to the warm-weather clothing you need for your summer hiking, there is a slew of other items you need for the trails. After all, the summer brings about things like insects, poison ivy, and, worst of all, ticks!
Summer Hiking Essentials
Whether you're looking to add to your day hike checklist or your hiking trip packing list, here are a few hiking accessories and essentials you'll need for the summer:
Winter Hiking Essentials
During the cold weather, there is a slew of other gear you need to bring with you to keep you safe in the ice and snow. Here are a few things to pack for hiking in winter:
Winter Hiking Essentials
Just because it's winter doesn't always mean there will be ice and snow on the trails. However, for the times there is ice and snow, here are a few items you'll need:
Balaclava to protect your face and neck from the cold
Hiking Essentials For Kids
Hiking isn't just for adults. Some of us have kids that we want to take with us on a hiking adventure. Here is a checklist for hiking with children, which requires a few essentials you may not have thought about.
Child Carrier
Do you have a toddler or baby you'd like to take on a hike? For short easy hikes, you may be able to get away with a Baby Björn, but for extended hikes, you'll need something a bit sturdier. Child carriers, like the Osprey Poco LT Child Carrier go on the back and provide a comfortable ride for the child while not putting too much strain on the adult's back. These particular child carriers also have sun shades to pull over the top of the child's head to keep the sun out of their eyes or rain off their face.
Hiking Packing List for Children
You may need to bring a few additional hiking accessories when taking the children on the trails. On top of that, you may want to get them their own backpacks, hiking shoes, and other gear, especially if members of your family are avid hikers and would like to take the kiddos along. Here is a checklist for hiking with children:
Shoes: Merrell Kids or KEEN Kids
Backpack: Osprey HydraJet 12 Hydration Pack or REI Co-op Tarn 18 Pack
Sun protection: Thinksport Kids' All Sheer Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray
Snacks: Fruit snacks, fruit leather, trail mix, Cliff Zbars
Water bottle: Owala Flip Kids Vacuum Water Bottle or CamelBak Eddy+ Kids' Renew Water Bottle
We hope that this guide helps with your own hiking trip packing lists, no matter what type of hiking you plan on doing. Are there any other essentials to add to this gear list for hiking? Let us know! And don't forget to check out our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List!
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