Hiking Essentials Checklist
Hit The Trail With Everything You Need & Nothing More
Hiking is one of our favorite outdoor activities because it is simple and straightforward, requiring little to no up-front gear investment. A hike can be as short as 15 minutes or as long as a full day, so you can choose based on your ability level or just your physical needs on a particular afternoon.
If you already have a pair of shoes or boots with decent tread, that’s just about all you need to be able to go for a hike. Once you get really into it and start hiking two or three times a week or embarking on all-day peak-bagging adventures over the weekend, some more gear (and skills) will come into play.
When you start looking through this checklist, see what you can find at home before making big purchases. Choose your upgrades based on comfort and safety. For example, if you don’t have a rain jacket, get one—it’s an essential safety item for day hiking. If you don’t have a satellite communicator, don’t worry about it yet. Just hike where you are comfortable or where you still have cell service and save those larger purchases for your more ambitious hiking future.
Ready to lace up and hit the trail? Let’s go.
This hiking essentials checklist is broken into these sections. Click links to jump to the different sections. Download the printable PDF list here.
Hiking Clothes
Your hiking clothes will be the outfit you wear all day long. We recommend snag- and UV-resistant garb.
□ Long-sleeve shirt with UV protection
Wearing a long-sleeve shirt like the Backcountry Tahoe Sun Hoodie will keep you cool while also protecting you from the sun and snaggy bushes. If it’s hot out, a cool and stretchy bra top could be the ticket. Just don’t forget to apply sunscreen to those shoulders every 80-90 minutes.
□ Sun hat
Wear a hat with a brim to keep the sun off your face and out of your eyes.
□ Hiking or trail running shoes
Find a lightweight and quick-drying shoe that fits you well. We prefer non-waterproof trailrunners for 3-season hiking. If you hike in cold weather, waterproof footwear might make sense. If your ankles have rolled in the past or if you’re hauling an 18-pack to the peak, maybe a mid- or full-height boot with ankle support could be in order.
□ Socks
Socks with a wool & synthetic blend are ideal for managing moisture when hiking all day. If you bring two pairs, you can swap them at lunch after your feet have gotten wet from stream crossings.
□ Lightweight hiking pants
We often choose light and breathable pants to protect our legs from sun and bushwhacking.
□ Underwear
You’ll know best which underwear will keep you comfortable all day long.
□ Debris gaiters
Debris gaiters will keep rocks out of your shoes and burrs out of your socks so you don’t have to pause frequently to pick them out
□ Sunglasses
Protect your eyes from UV rays as you hike all day long.
□ UV neck gaiter
If your hiking shirt has a hood you may not need a UV neck gaiter, but if you want to protect your face and especially lips from the sun without reapplying sunscreen frequently, a UV neck gaiter could be for you.
□ Trekking poles
Trekking poles can help you move faster while also providing balance for stream crossings. Some folks also use them as selfie sticks.
□ Shorts
If the weather is warm, wearing zip-offs or throwing in a pair of shorts could make hot hiking days more comfortable.
Clothes For Cool Or Wet Weather
These layers will supplement your clothing if you encounter rain or choose to take a snack break at the top of a breezy summit.
□ Rain Jacket If you plan to be out for more than an hour or so, a rain jacket is essential for safety. When the sky unexpectedly opens up, it will help you stay dry and warm.
□ Insulation layer such as down puffy jacket
If your clothes get damp from sweat when hiking, you’ll want a warm layer to slip into during breaks.
□ Active midlayer such as fleece
For all-day hikes in uncertain conditions, a fleece or synthetic midlayer could be a good idea for keeping you warm even when you’re working up a sweat. It’s also a great option under a rain jacket.
□ Rain Pants
Hiking in the PNW? Rain pants might be for you.
□ Warm gloves
Ever get to the summit only to find your hands are numb? We sometimes bring warm gloves dayhiking to return feeling to our digits.
□ Insulating hat/beanie
If it’s cold out and your fleece layer doesn’t have a hood, you’ll probably want to bring a beanie on day hikes.
Backpack
□ Backpack
How long is your typical day hike? You’ll want a backpack large enough to accommodate all your water, food, layers, and other day hiking gear. We choose smaller (20-30L) packs for short afternoon hikes and larger (30-45L) packs for all-day adventures.
Your backpack should be comfortable. If possible, visit one of our Backcountry Retail Stores so you can try several different daypacks before deciding on one that’s perfect for you.
Many backpacks come with hydration bladders, making it easier to remain hydrated while on the move. On shorter outings, many people like to wear smaller hydration packs, some of which were made for running and are comfortable when scrambling.
□ Pack cover
Some packs come with pack covers for protecting your gear in the rain. If you don’t expect weather, you could leave this behind.
□ Dry Bag
Backpacks are seldom fully waterproof, so we recommend packing critical items like electronics and down jackets in a small drybag if you expect wet weather on your outing.
Water Storage & Treatment
□ Water Storage Containers
Some packs come with internal water reservoirs while others have side pockets for bottles. Bring as much capacity as you’ll need to hike from water source to water source throughout the day.
□ Water Filter
If you plan on being out for an entire day, a water filter could be a good idea. It will purify all water you gather when hiking to stave off giardia and other water-borne illnesses.
Repair, First Aid, Emergency
□ First Aid Kit
For longer dayhikes, we like to carry a first aid kit complete with band aids, gauze, antiseptic wipes, antibacterial ointment, painkillers, tweezers, insect sting treatment, medical tape, emergency blanket, and more.
□ Knife/multitool
From spreading chevre on crackers to cutting out moleskin to treat a blister, a knife has nearly infinite uses.
□ Cash & Credit Cards
We've yet to encounter that dreamed-about margarita stand at the top of the mountain, but it could happen.
□ Sticky patches, extra zipper sliders, needle & thread
Even the best gear can face mishaps. Prepare to fix it yourself with a little repair kit.
□ Satellite Messenger
While these are great for emergencies, we don’t recommend relying on them completely. Make sure your hiking skills and knowledge are your first line of defense against the uncertainty of the trail.
□ Fire Starter
A fire starter can make it easier to start a potentially life-saving fire in wet conditions.
□ Physical Maps
Physical maps don’t use batteries and therefore can’t die on you.
□ Calibrated Compass
Learn how to calibrate a compass and use it in conjunction with your physical map.
□ GPS Device
A dedicated GPS device is becoming less common due to the fact that phones can be used in the same fashion.
□ GPS Apps Loaded To Phone
CalTopo, Gaia, OnX, and other GPS apps are great for both trip planning and navigation. Make sure you have enough battery to power your phone throughout the duration of your trip and bring a physical map in case you drop your phone in a river.
Personal Care
□ Sunscreen
When hiking, you could be in the sun for 8–12 hours at a time. And remember, high elevation sun can be stronger.
□ Toilet Paper or Wet Wipes
Leave No Trace says to pack out all garbage. This includes toilet paper and wet wipes. Double bag these hazardous waste items and stow them in an external pocket.
□ Lip Balm
Protect your lips from sun, wind, and cold with a moisturizing SPF lip balm.
□ Insect repellant & head net
Most bug protection will come from wearing long sleeves and long pants, but bring along some extra protection if it’s time for the hatch.
□ Menstrual Products
A menstrual cup or disc is a great choice if you don't want to pack out maxi pads or tampons. Just be sure to bring biodegradable soap and hand sanitizer. If you're new to reusable menstrual products, we recommend a trial run or two before testing them on the trail.
Electronics
□ Headlamp
Unless backpacking through northern Alaska in June when the sun never fully sets, you’ll want a headlamp.
□ Phone
Hiking without a smartphone is not only possible but also fun. Fully unplug for an hour or a whole day and observe what the respite does to your brain!
Sustenance
□ Lunch & snacks
Bring more lunch and snacks than you think you’ll need in case you just have to hike around the next bend. Don’t forget to bring along electrolytes and energy bars, too!
Miscellaneous
All of these items are optional but could boost your hiking enjoyment.
□ Notebook + Pen Or Pencil
□ Camera
□ Binoculars
Gear For Dogs
□ Food
□ Collar, ID Tags, Leash
□ Insulated and/or waterproof jacket
□ Backpack
□ Ultralight food/water bowl
Anything Else
Is there anything we didn’t mention in this list that you just have to have? Bring it along!
Getting Ready to Go Hiking
Do you know the 7 Leave No Trace Principles? If you’re new to backpacking, brush up on these easy principles to minimize your impact, preserve our outdoor spaces for generations to come, and stay safe while you’re at it.
Where To Go Hiking
Public Lands
Most hiking trips will take place on public land. This includes both state and federal lands. The agencies managing public land include National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Forest Services (USFS). You can find information on backpacking directly through the agencies’ websites. If you live in an urban area, look for hiking opportunities in large public parks.
Helpful Links
- 7 Leave No Trace Principles
- National Park Service
- Bureau of Land Management
- Fish And Wildlife Service
- Forest Service
- Fleece Jacket Guide
- How To Choose An Insulated Jacket
FAQ
Q: What are the hiking essentials?
- Backpack
- Food
- Layers
- Water containers
- First aid kit and safety/emergency gear
- Personal hygiene items
- & more (see above)
Q: What are the pros of hiking?
A: Hiking is activity that you can tailor to your particular ability level and/or available time. Only have 30 minutes before the sun sets? Go hike. Want to cover 15 miles over the course of a day? You can do that too. Hiking also requires very little up-front gear investment, so most people with just a decent pair of shoes can do it.
Q: What are the cons of hiking?
A: For people without a vehicle, it can be difficult to get to a trailhead.
Q: Is hiking hard?
A: Hiking can be challenging, especially if you don’t get a whole lot of movement in your daily life. Don’t fret though, you can always start small. Even a 15-minute hike can be fun and is a good starting point. Up your distance incrementally to prevent injury.
Q: Is hiking fun?
A: Absolutely. Hiking gives you an opportunity to get some exercise outside and observe the natural world in the process. In a goal-driven world, it could be a little jarring at first to engage in an activity defined by simply walking away from a car and then back to it, but it’s precisely this lack of a goal that makes hiking so much fun. Hiking represents a vast departure from the busy and goal-driven aspects of our lives. Give it a try.
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