On any hike there are essential items that you need for a hike and
optional items that just add convenience. Every hiker will also discover that there is a
borderline category that is determined on a personal level which consists of the things
that just make you frustrated when you find you have forgotten to put them in your pack.
In any case, it is best to make a personalized checklist that includes essential and
borderline hiking gear and a section for optional gear. This list should be kept in your
backpack in a small pocket (preferrably a zippable pocket) that is not used for anything
else. Keep your checklist in your backpack at all times, and when you pack your bag, you
can follow the list to be sure that you have the items you both want and need for the
hike.
Below is a checklist of gear and supplies to bring when hiking. The list includes
essential and optional hiking supplies and equipment. You should use this list as a
starting point to create your own personal checklist for your backpack. Use the list to
determine what is essential or optional depending on your situation and preferences.
Seasons and trail conditions will determine whether some of the
equipment is essential or optional (ie. snow hat, gloves, insulated water bottle, etc.).
Some of these items are to be worn, not packed; but having a comprehensive list of all
supplies and equipment in one place will help you to remember everything you want and
need to take with you. You will probaby never carry all of these items at the same time,
but running through this list before each hike will help assure that you are prepared for
every hike.
The simple checklist below names the items you will need for hiking.
The simple checklist should be kept in your backpack at all times and used when loading
your pack. Essential items are indicated by bold text. Optional items are displayed in
normal text, but at times some of these items may also be essential to your specific
hike. A similar checklist follows shortly after the first which gives descriptions for
each item and why they may be needed. Each item on the simple checklist has a link to the
description list so you can easily refer to each list for details or a simple list of
equipment and supplies.
|
DESCRIPTIVE Checklist of Hiking Supplies and
Equipment
Essential Items Are Indicated by Bold Text
|
| Backpack |
Ideally choose a
medium sized backpack with padding on the straps and back of pack. The ideal backpack
should have easily slidable zippers and room for all of your gear. |
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Checklist |
| Water |
Keep in mind FEMA
recommendation of one gallon per person per day |
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Checklist |
| Food - Lunch |
Simple meal in or collapsible
insulated fabric container. Meal should fit in backpack. |
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Checklist |
| Food - Snack |
Custom Trail Mix or
Other |
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Checklist |
| Food - Emergency Food |
Power Bars, Crackers,
etc |
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Checklist |
| First Aid Kit |
Always take a first aid kit when
hiking. Any first aid kit is better than no first aid kit. Ideally create your own in a
small plastic case. A hiking first aid kit should contain a minimum of the following
items: antibacterial ointment, antiseptic swabs, adhesive bandages, tweezers, gauze
rolls, gauze bandages, cloth tape, small scissors, pain reliever tablets. |
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Checklist |
| Hat |
Big Rimmed Hat or Baseball
Cap |
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Checklist |
| Sunglasses |
Choose any pair with UV
protection that fit securely and reduce glare. Protect your eyes. |
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Checklist |
| Sunscreen |
Always keep enough sunscreen in
your backpack for your whole family. Use sunscreen for hiking in ALL weather
conditions. |
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Checklist |
Folding Knife
|
Choose a folding knife with a
lockable blade. |
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See our SLP Fire Knife |
| Water Purifier Pump or Chemical Tablets |
Carry these just in case you
run out of water and have access to a natural water source. These will purify the water
enough for drinking. |
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Checklist |
| Prescription Medications |
When hiking be sure to take any
prescription medications with you. |
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Checklist |
| Compass |
A compass can help you navigate
with trail maps and aid you if you end up lost. |
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Checklist |
| Large Plastic Garbage Bags |
Keep all of your trash with you in the bag.
You may also want to keep spare clothes and other items in a sealable plastic bag to keep
them waterproof from rain or other trail water you may encounter.
If rain becomes an issue you can also use a bag to cover your pack which will prevent it
from taking on water weight.
|
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Checklist |
| Matches, a Flint, or a Lighter |
Bring a means to start a fire
if necessary. Matches, a flint, or a lighter will all do the job. Matches, however are
susceptible to moisture and must be kept dry. |
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Checklist |
| Firestarter Sticks |
These are small sticks that you
add to your kindling and small sticks to get a fire going. Firestarting sticks stay lit
long enough to get a fire burning reliably. |
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Checklist |
| Mobile Phone |
Bring a phone in case of
emergency. Although reception may not be available in all hiking locations, it is one of
the most valuable tools to make contact with someone who can bring emergency aid. If
reception is not available in one spot a short walk can frequently bring reception for a
call. |
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Checklist |
| Insect Repellant |
Always carry insect repellent
with "Deet" as an active ingredient. |
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Checklist |
| Animal Repelling Devices |
(Bear Pepper Spray, etc) Be
aware of local laws and bring appropriate defense and deterrent devices to thwart
dangerous animal attacks. |
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| Flashlight |
Pack a sturdy flashlight
(waterproof if possible). |
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Checklist |
| Lip Balm with Suncreen |
Protect lips from the sun just
as the rest of your skin. |
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Checklist |
| Emergency Whistle |
Choose a whistle that will
function without a ball inside if possible. In case of emergency, blow the whistle in
bursts of three blasts which is the international distress signal. |
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Checklist |
|
Small Foldable Shovel
|
May be needed to bury solid
human waste, or for emergency purposes. |
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Checklist |
| Toilet Paper |
If a whole roll takes up too
much space for your backpack, fold us several feet into a sealable plastic
bag |
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Checklist |
| Rain Poncho or Rain Suit |
At a minimum pack a disposable
rain poncho. Ideally pack a rain suit with a top and bottom. |
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Checklist |
|
Trail Maps
|
Find trail maps for the trail
you intend to hike whenever possible by books, internet, or from rangers. |
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Checklist |
| Camera |
I recommend always keeping a
camera handy when hiking. Be sure to protect it from water and impact. |
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Checklist |
| Insulated Water Bottle |
An insulated water bottle should
be used in any weather to keep your water cold or hot. In winter it is essential to
prevent water from freezing. |
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| Moleskin |
This helps to prevent blisters.
It keeps your boots or shoes from rubbing on your skin. Apply it when you feel a sore
spot developing. |
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| Small Towel or Bandanna |
Keep a bandanna or towel handy
to wipe your brow and for any purpose that requires drying or cleaning. |
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Checklist |
| Gloves |
Gloves with a removable liner
will give you the most options for appropriate warmth. You can wear the liner, gloves, or
both. Choose gore-tex, wool or fleece. |
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Checklist |
| Hiking Socks |
Pack light weight hiking socks to keep feet cool with wool or
some artificial fiber blend.
Medium and heavy weight hiking socks are better for cold weather and keep feet
warmer while still wicking moisture away from the skin.
|
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Checklist |
| Liner Socks |
Polypropylene or other synthetic
material to "wick" moisture away from feet to keep them dry. Avoid Cotton. |
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Checklist |
| Hiking Boots or Shoes |
For short hikes trail shoes may
be adequate. For longer hikes use a sturdy, well-fitting, hiking boot. |
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| Thermal Underwear
Bottom |
Polypropylene or other synthetic
material to "wick" moisture away from the body. Avoid cotton. |
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|
Thermal
Underwear Top
|
Polypropylene or other synthetic
material to "wick" moisture away from the body. Avoid cotton. |
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Checklist |
| Stocking Snow Cap That Covers Ears |
Wool or fleece stocking
cap. |
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| Ski Mask |
In very cold weather a ski mask
may be needed to adequately thwart the cold. Pack it and you can always put it on or
removed it as conditions dictate. |
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Checklist |
| Hiking Shorts or Pants |
Use shorts or pants with
synthetic fiber like nylon for dryness. Avoid Cotton |
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Checklist |
| Shirt |
Avoid cotton when possible
unless weather is very mild and hike is short (2 hours or less). A ploypropylene t-shirt
is best. |
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| Lightweight Coat |
Fleece or synthetic material.
Used for warmth and dryness. |
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| Rain Resistant Coat |
Gore-Tex is best. It keeps
weather out, but lets sweat escape to keep you dry. |
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| Gore-Tex Coat |
For cold and snow: keeps cold
and weather out and allows perspiration to pass through to air |
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| Spare Hiking Socks |
Changing socks at least once on
a substantial hike assures more comftable feet. |
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| Spare Liner Socks |
Changing socks at least once on
a substantial hike assures more comftable feet. |
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| Spare shirt |
It is nice to have a spare shirt
to change into if you experience moisture on the trail from sweating or other conditions.
If you wear a cotton T-Shirt on the way in plan on having a spare shirt to change into
especially in hot weather. |
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Checklist |
| Replacement Batteries for Flashlight |
Keep spare batteries for your
flashlight in case batteries fail. |
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| Water Shoes |
Shoes for crossing creeks and
streams. Any pair that will dry quickly will be sufficient. Avoid loose fitting shoes or
sandals. Keep them in a plastic bag if they get wet and bring them out to dry as soon as
it is practical. |
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Checklist |
| Hiking Poles (Trekking Poles) |
These are great for maintaining
balance on uneven trails and for taking strain of legs and knees. They look similar to
ski poles, but they can and should be used in any weather for increased stability and
reduction of fatigue. |
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| Snow Shoes |
Needed for hiking in deep snow
conditions. Snow shoes strap around your regular shoes and prevent hikers from sinking
into the snow. |
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| Avalanche Beacon (avalanche transceiver) |
Sends a signal so hikers can be
found if trapped in snow from an avalanche. |
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| Rain Poncho or Rain Suit |
At a minimum pack a disposable
rain poncho. Ideally pack a rain suit with a top and bottom. |
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Checklist |
