Wondering what to pack for a hiking trip? Use this guide below!
For a girl who normally overfills a massive suitcase with impractical flowy dresses and straw hats, packing for a multi-day hike is a whole new ballgame.
Knowing I am going to be carrying every single thing I pack on my back for the proceeding days means I’ve had to learn to pack practically, not just aesthetically.
In order to save you the packing flurry I generally go into pre-hike, here’s my list of things that I normally pack on a hiking trip…
HIKING PACKING LIST
Base Layers
Let’s start with base layers. When hiking, you want to wear moisture-wicking materials such as polyester, nylon or merino wool as these materials move sweat off the skin and dry off quickly. Whatever you do, don’t wear cotton- cotton holds onto water, meaning you will feel constantly sweaty if it’s hot, or cold and damp if it rains. For fall hikes, I generally will wear leggings and a tank top, then layer up with long sleeves which I can take off if it gets warm.
Hiking Boots
A good pair of hiking boots are absolutely essential for big hikes. I have a pair of Merrell Moab Hiking Boots which always serve me well- they are comfortable, sturdy and waterproof. If you buy new hiking boots before a hike, I would recommend breaking in the boots before you go- otherwise, you could get stuck with painful blisters for days!
Hiking Socks
I would also recommend packing a generous amount of proper quick-dry hiking socks. These kind of socks can be expensive, but it’s honestly worth investing. The last hike I did, I made the dire mistake of not packing enough socks and I regretted every moment of it!
Warm Jacket
Given how quickly the weather can change on a hike, a warm jacket/ jumper is absolutely essential- no matter the season. If the weather is on the warmer side a polyester fleece should do the trick, or if it’s on the colder side go for a puffer jacket.
Waterproof Clothing
In order to be prepared for all weather conditions, I would highly recommend packing a good-quality, lightweight waterproof jacket AND pants. Even if it doesn’t end up raining, it is better to be safe than sorry! Gortex is one of the best materials you can go for as it is wind and waterproof whilst still being light and breathable.
Casual Outfit
After hiking all day in sweaty outdoor gear, there is no better feeling than changing into clean, casual clothes at the end of the day! Backcountry offer a great range of casual apparel and accessories that are perfect for these in-between moments the adventures- especially their current fall lifestyle range (pictured above)!
Backpack
When choosing a hiking backpack, the most important thing is finding one that is comfortable and supportive on your back. I have cycled through a few different brands of backpacks in the past and have found my Osprey Backpack to be my favourite by far. It is well-designed, well-made and super comfortable to wear. The capacity of backpack you go for obviously depends on how long you are hiking for/ how much gear you need to carry, however I would go for a slightly higher capacity as you can always compact the bag down.
Waterproof bag cover/ dry bag
I would recommend packing a waterproof cover for the outside of the backpack and a dry bag or waterproof pack liner for the inside of the backpack in case it rains. I personally pack all my stuff inside packing cubes then put the cubes inside the dry bag in my pack, which ensures everything stays organized and dry.
Extras
Here is a list of all the other bits and pieces that I normally pack for a hike:
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Beanie & Gloves
- Quick-dry towel
- Earplugs and eye mask
- Camera
- Portable battery charger
- Power adapter
- Spare slip-on shoes
- Hydro-flask water bottle
- Toiletries
- Headphones
- First-aid kit
- Sleeping bag
- Headtorch
Hopefully, this guide helps you know what to pack for a hiking trip!
For more packing lists, read these next:
- The Ultimate Snowboarding Packing List
- Minimalist Packing List for Females
- Winter Packing Tips: A Guide
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