What you pack depends on how long you will be out, the weather and where you are hiking. A shared starting point is the Ten Essentials, a list of safety-oriented items many outdoor organizations recommend. This guide covers that list, what to add for overnight trips, and how to arrange the load so it carries well.
Start With the Ten Essentials
The exact wording differs between sources, but the categories are broadly the same.
- Navigation: a map and compass, plus a phone with offline maps if you like. Carry a power bank if you rely on your phone.
- Water and water treatment: enough water for the hike and a way to treat more if there are sources on the trail. How much water you need depends on heat, effort and route, so plan conservatively.
- Food: snacks and a meal, plus some extra in case you take longer than expected.
- Sun protection: sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and sun-protective clothing.
- Light: a headlamp with spare batteries, even on day hikes that should finish before dark.
- First aid: bandages, blister care, antiseptic wipes and any personal medication.
- Fire: a lighter or waterproof matches, where fires are allowed and you know how to use them safely.
- Repair tools: a small knife or multi-tool, and tape for quick fixes.
- Emergency shelter: a space blanket, bivy or lightweight tarp.
- Extra clothing: an insulating layer and a rain or wind shell, because weather can change.
Consider adding a trash bag, toilet paper and a way to pack it out, in line with Leave No Trace principles.
Day Hike Packing List
For most day hikes the essentials above are enough, plus:
- A small pack of roughly 15 to 30 L (see hiking backpack dimensions and sizes)
- Trekking poles if you use them
- Phone and charging cable
- Insect repellent if needed
- A change of socks on longer or wetter hikes
Extra Items for Overnight and Multi-Day Trips
Backpacking adds the things you need to eat and sleep outdoors (see the full backpacking gear list).
- Shelter: tent, tarp or hammock, with stakes or suspension.
- Sleep system: a sleeping bag or quilt, and a sleeping pad.
- Cooking: stove, fuel, pot, utensil and lighter. Plan meals and take a little extra.
- Food storage: follow local rules, which might call for a bear canister, hanging a bag or a bear-resistant sack.
- Water treatment: a filter or purification tablets, plus bottles or a reservoir.
- Clothing: a spare base layer, warm hat, insulating jacket and sleeping clothes.
- Hygiene: small trowel, hand sanitizer, toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Electronics: phone, power bank, headlamp and optionally a satellite messenger for remote trips.
If you are still choosing a bag for these trips, read what to look for in a hiking backpack.
How to Organize Your Pack
How you arrange items affects balance and comfort.
- Bottom: lightweight, bulky items such as a sleeping bag.
- Middle, close to your back: the heaviest items such as food and cooking gear. This keeps the weight near your center of gravity.
- Top: items you may need during the day, like a rain jacket and extra layers.
- Hip belt and lid pockets: snacks, sunscreen, phone and a small first aid kit.
- Side pockets: water bottles.
- Outside: wet items or a sleeping pad if there is no room inside.
Packing designs differ, so adjust to what feels balanced when you wear the pack.
Pack for the Conditions
- Cold weather: more insulation and bulkier gear, often needing a larger pack.
- Rain: waterproof liners or dry bags for clothing and your sleeping bag.
- Heat: more water, electrolytes and sun protection.
- Remote areas: extra food, navigation backups and emergency communication.
Common Packing Mistakes
- Carrying too many “just in case” items and ending up with a heavy pack.
- Leaving out extra layers on a sunny morning.
- Packing heavy items too low or far from your back.
- Not testing your headlamp or stove before the trip.
- Forgetting a way to carry out trash.
Hiking and Health
Readers sometimes ask whether hiking is a good workout or whether it suits people with conditions such as high blood pressure. Hiking is a form of physical activity that many people use for exercise, but how suitable it is depends on your health and the terrain. If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking on strenuous hikes, and carry any medication you need.
What Are the Top 10 Backpacks for Hiking?
Rankings change over time and depend on your body, trip type and budget, so a fixed top 10 is not much use. A better approach is to choose by capacity and fit, then compare several models. Our guide on what to look for in a hiking backpack explains how.