So, I remember the first time I packed for an out of town hike in Washington, I was totally overthinking it. I had, like, 5 water bottles, a cast iron skillet (don’t ask), and zero sunscreen. That was a humbling moment. So if you’re sitting there Googling “hiking gear list” with three tabs open, I get it. This hiking gear list is here to simplify it all.
Whether you’re heading out for a mellow day hike or prepping for your first overnight adventure, we’ll walk you through exactly what you need (and what you really don’t).
What's Inside
Butte Hike with Knik Glacier Views in Alaska
Madison River Fishing Near Ennis Montana
GuideR Adventure makes it easy to travel more and worry less by searching and booking your next adventure on our simple-to-use marketplace.
Choosing the Right Pack Size for Day Trips vs. Backpacking
Your backpack is more than just a bag—it’s the lifeline for your adventure. The tricky part is finding one that’s not too big, not too small, but just right for what you’re doing.
For day hikes, you’ll usually want something in the 15–30 liter range. Big enough to stash water, snacks, a first-aid kit, rain jacket, and maybe an extra layer, but small enough that it won’t feel like you’re hauling bricks up the mountain. The goal here is simple: keep it light, keep it nimble.
For overnight or multi-day backpacking trips, you’ll be looking at 40–70 liters depending on how many nights you’re out and how much gear you like to carry. A weekend warrior might get by with a 45L pack, while a week-long trek usually calls for something closer to 65L. If you’re new to backpacking, remember this: don’t buy a huge pack just because it can fit more. A bigger pack almost always leads to, you guessed it, packing more than you actually need.
Think of your pack size as setting the boundaries for your trip. A smaller pack nudges you toward essentials; a bigger one gives you freedom, but also the responsibility of not filling it with “just-in-case” items you’ll regret lugging later.
What Gear Do You Really Need for a Hike?
Before we go deep, let’s hit the big stuff. These are often called the “10 Essentials,” and are practical, often lifesaving basics you should carry any time you hit the trail.
The 10 Essentials:
- Navigation: A paper map and compass or a GPS. Phones are great but batteries die.
- Headlamp: Even if you’re back by lunch, a delay or missed turn can happen.
- Sun Protection: Sunscreen, lip balm, hat, sunglasses.
- First Aid Kit: Basic is better than nothing. More on this below.
- Knife or Multitool: For fixing gear, food prep, or in emergencies.
- Fire: Waterproof matches, lighter, or a small firestarter.
- Shelter: An emergency bivvy, tarp, or space blanket. Not your full tent.
- Extra Food: More than you think. Energy bars are compact and reliable.
- Extra Water: Hydration bladder or bottle, plus a way to purify water.
- Extra Clothing: Layers for changing temps or surprise storms.
Want to pack less and feel more confident? Book a guided day hike where much of this is already provided.
Breathtaking Full-Day Hike in Pisgah National Forest
Day Hike Packing List vs. Overnight Backpacking Essentials
Day Hike Gear List
Here’s what you really need for a typical 2–6 hour hike:
- Daypack
- Water (at least 2L)
- Snacks (nuts, energy bars, jerky)
- Lightweight rain jacket
- Bug spray
- Trekking poles
- Phone with downloaded offline map
- The 10 Essentials (above)
Honestly? Some of our tours provide snacks, trekking poles, even water. Like this full-day guided hike in Pisgah National Forest—you just show up.
Overnight Backpacking Essentials
If you’re staying out overnight, add these to the above:
- Shelter: Backpacking tent or bivy sack
- Sleep Set-Up:
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Pillow
- Cookware:
- Lightweight stove & fuel
- Cook set (Utensils, collapsible bowl)
- Food:
- Dehydrated meals
- Toiletries:
- Trowel
- Wet wipes (environmentally friendly)
- Other:
- Headlamp (with extra batteries)
- Bear canister / bear bag (when in bear country)
Quick tip: Use the 20% rule. Your packed bag should weigh no more than 20% of your body weight. That means ~30lbs if you’re 150lbs.
While I’m not the biggest gear head, I do appreciate a lighter pack. I included a few links to my favorite items in my own backpacking set-up. Keep reading to get my list of favorite gear items (with links).
Need help sorting it all out? Let’s plan it together.
Seasonal Shifts: What to Pack for Cold or Winter Hikes
The rules change when the temperature drops. Here’s what helps you stay safe and warm without overpacking.
The 3-Layer Rule:
- Base layer: Wicks sweat off your skin (synthetic or wool)
- Insulation layer: Traps heat (fleece or down)
- Outer layer: Blocks wind and rain (shell jacket or pants)
Cold Weather Add-Ons:
- Gloves, hat, balaclava
- Microspikes or crampons for icy trails
- Emergency bivvy
- Hand & feet warmers
- Waterproof boots
Just say no to cotton. It holds moisture and chills you fast. Go with layers that breathe and dry quickly.
This is a great article from the National Park Service on Hiking Smart.
First Aid and Emergency Gear: What Goes in the Kit?
You don’t need a full trauma kit, just the basics:
- Blister pads or moleskin
- Bandages and gauze
- Quick clot
- Antiseptic wipes
- Ibuprofen or Tylenol
- Electrolyte tabs
- Tweezers
“We always carry blister patches. Tiny and mighty,” says one of our Alaska guides.
Pack Smarter, Hike Happier: Reducing Load Without Risk
Here’s the truth: every ounce counts when you’re hiking. Shave a few here, a few there, and suddenly your shoulders and knees are thanking you.
Smart Swaps:
- Swap the heavy for the light. Trade that bulky fleece for a lightweight synthetic or down jacket that compresses into a pocket. Stainless steel water bottle? Go for a hydration bladder or lightweight plastic bottle instead.
- Ditch the duplicates. Do you really need three extra shirts for a weekend trip? Probably not. One to hike in, one to sleep in, and you’re golden.
- Repackage everything. That giant sunscreen bottle? Squeeze a weekend’s worth into a travel-size container. Same with toiletries and cooking oil. Tiny containers = huge savings in space and weight. Even repackaging backpacking meals can save space and weight.
- Embrace multipurpose gear. A buff that doubles as a headband, scarf, or washcloth. Trekking poles that double as tent poles. A pot that doubles as your bowl. The more jobs one item can do, the fewer things you have to carry.
- Food hacks. Go for calorie-dense snacks like nuts, dried fruit, and energy bars instead of heavy canned items. And pre-portion meals in zip-top bags—you’ll cut down on packaging weight and trash.
Reminder: Lightweight doesn’t mean unprepared. It means strategic.
What NOT to Bring on a Hike
Let’s talk about the stuff you don’t need:
- Big Bluetooth speakers
- Perfume or scented lotions (hello, bears)
- Cotton anything
- Multiple jeans or heavy pants
- Fancy multi-course meals unless you’re hosting Top Chef: Trail Edition
Hiking should feel freeing—not like moving day.
What Most People Get Wrong About Hiking Gear
Here’s what we see a lot:
- Overpacking for “just in case” fears
- Ignoring weather and terrain specifics
- Not considering how you’ll pack out waste and garbage
- Forgetting to consider all the toiletries – no one wants to get caught with their pants down and no toilet paper or wipes!
- Copy-pasting lists from blogs without adapting – make it your own!
Gear should be about confidence, not clutter. When in doubt, ask a guide. We’re happy to help.
Our Gear Recommendations
There are so many gear brands that it can be hard to find balance quality and affordability when it comes to backpacking gear.
By no means is this an exhaustive list of my backpacking closet, but below are a few of my favorite brands and gear items.
Water Filtration:
- Sawyer – specifically a Sawyer Squeeze on a Smartwater bottle is a perfect balance of filtration and lightweight.
- Grayl 24oz GeoPress Purifier Water Bottle – I usually carry .
I usually carry 1 basic nalgene bottle, a Smartwater bottle with a Squeeze, plus/minus a Grayl (depending on the trail). That way, I can filter 1 Grayl, bump that water into the nalgene, refill the Grayl for a 2nd bottle and use the Sawyer for quick filling as needed. I tend to hike in dryer area so having extra water is important.
Packs:
Yes, I have too many packs. Below are a few of my favorites for each use case.
- Day Packs:
- Backpacking Packs:
- Osprey Eja Pro 55 Womens Ultralight Backpack (not the lightest pack, but nice balance of price and weight)
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest Thru Hiking Pack
- Gossamer Gear Murmur 36 Hyerlight Backpack
- Special Use:
- Mountaineering and climbing Packs:
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ice Pack Ice Climbing Pack 40L (comes in bigger sizes, and very versatile)
- Mountaineering and climbing Packs:
Cooking
Toiletries
- Toothbrush & Paste: Zpacks Ultralight Travel Toothbrush
- Zpacks Ultralight Trowel
- Ben’s Bug Spray
Clothing & Layers
- Patagonia – a few of my fav’s are:
- Rab – tons of awesome lightweight warm layers
- Outdoor Research – I specifically love their gloves, mittens, and soft shell layers.
Rainwear
Head, Neck, & Hands
Footwear
Altra – Lone Peak Trail runners – My favorite trail shoes & they also come in lightweight boots for the boot lovers out there.
Gaiters
- Fair Weather Gaiters: Kahtoola INSTAgaiter Ultra-Light Gaiter
- Cold Weather Gaiters: Outdoor Research Helium Gaiters
Shelter
- Gossamer Gear The Two Tent (I love a trekking pole tent for most terrains and I’ve found this one to be super durable, lightweight, and a good size for my husband and our 2 dogs).
- MSR Ground Hog Tent Stakes (super durable)
Sleep
When I’m in rocky turrain or looking for a little extra comfort, I’ll opt for the Z Lite in addition to my Uberlite pad. I’ll put the Uberlite in my sleeping bag and the Z Lite under my bag.
- Therm-A-Rest Z Lite SOL Sleeping Pad
- Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT MAX Sleeping Pad (My current set-up is the Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Uberlite pad that was discontinued, but this is a nice current option.)
Trekking Poles
I don’t always take trekking poles, but when I do these Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles are my absolute favorite. My husband got them for me for Christmas one year and I’m obsessed. I even took them on a mountaineering trip on Mount Baker and, though I for sure thought one would break, they held strong!
Quick Dry Towels
I usually carry two of the Sea To Summit Quick Dry Towels – one for washing my face and another for drying my JetBoil.
Backpack Cover
Some packs are fairly waterproof now, but in the case that you don’t want to chance it, a pack cover is an easy light-weight addition to consider. My favorite is the Zpacks Pack Cover.
Reasons I love these brands:
- Quality – I’m usually in the camp where I’ll pay more for something that I’ll get more use out of over a cheaper item that I’ll have to replace in a year or two. I have used the below brands for years, and while they don’t fall all fall on the cheap side, I’ve found their quality to hold strong wear after wear.
- Sustainability – This goes somewhat hand in hand with quality, but the brands shown below play a big part in advocating for sustainability in the outdoors. Quite simply, that matches our core values.
Note: We recommend these brands for backpacking and outdoor gear purely for their quality and reliability; we do not earn affiliate commissions and are not sponsored.
Your Adventure Simplified
We’re like Airbnb for adventure travel—but instead of spare bedrooms, you get a good time, fewer packing headaches, and local guides who know their stuff.
Whether you’re a first-time hiker or just tired of carrying 10 pounds of “just in case,” we’ll help you show up ready.
Ready to hike lighter? Book your next guided adventure and let us handle the heavy lifting.
Hiking Gear List FAQs
What is the 3 layer rule for hiking?
Wear a base, insulation, and outer layer for adaptable weather protection.
What is the 20 percent rule for backpacking?
Your pack should weigh no more than 20% of your body weight.
How to reduce hiking pack weight?
Use multi-use items, lighter materials, and reevaluate every item’s purpose.
Coastal Massachusetts Paddle Board or Kayak Tour
North of Boston Island Lighthouse Kayak Tour
Gallatin River and Yellowstone River Fly Fishing Float
Megan Shurites
Megan is Chief Adventure Officer and Founder of GuideR Adventure with extensive experience in adventure travel all over the world. Megan has been to almost all US states and 5 of 7 continents and enjoys off the beaten path experiences. She strives to empower others to collect memories with those you love and conserve our natural spaces.
Comment (0)