Gear List - Backpacking - Hiker to HikerHiker to Hiker

Gear List – Backpacking

On a backpack trip, you will need the same gear, whether you’re out overnight or for a week. You’ll need more food, if you’re out longer.

Backpack: Internal frame or external frame
Raincover: For the backpack
Shock cord: To keep the raincover in place, in case of wind
Tent
Rope: Has many uses
Sleeping bag: Look at both weight and warmth
Sleeping pad
Stove and fuel: For a short trip, a butane/propane stove is a pleasure to use
Cookpot with cover
Eating bowl: Stay away from metal bowls
Mug/cup: Stay away from metal.
Spoon and fork: Cheap disposable stuff will not last the trip
Pocket knife
Water treatment: Either a water filter or iodine tablets
Water bottles
Ziploc baggies: To carry out all garbage
Food
Matches: The item we are most likely to forget
Stuff sack: To keep the food in
Flashlight: A headlamp is very convenient
Small towel
Toiletries: The minimum
First aid kit
Trowel: To bury human waste
Sandals: For the evening
Extra clothes: One set of underwear, shirt and socks is usually enough
Warm fleece hiking sweater or jacket
Rain pants
Rain jacket
Long sleeve shirt
Sunglasses
Sun hat
Wool or fleece hat and gloves

Food and snacks
Insect repellent
Sunscreen
Tissues
Personal first aid kit
Small flashlight
Plastic bag for trash
Map (and know how to use it)
Compass (and know how to use it)

How to dress:

Shorts and a short-sleeve T-shirt as the bottom layer.
Hiking boots that are well broken-in and that go over the ankles
Good hiking socks (not sports socks).
Sunhat with a wide brim
Bandanna which you need to keep handy
Hiking poles

Questions, comments, additions to the list? Send to danny [at] hikertohiker [dot] com