Essential Hiking Gear Checklist (With Checkboxes)

Essential Hiking Gear Checklist (With Checkboxes)

August 15, 2025

Use this hiking gear checklist whenever you need to go out on a multi-day hike. Each item is marked with a checkbox so that it's easier to see which items you've already packed. This list is split up into several different categories, as well as essential/optional items.

General Hiking Gear

Backpack

Waterproof Dry sacks | pack liner | backpack rain cover

Optional

Fanny Pack | Bum Bag | Waist Pack

Trekking Poles

Shelter

Tent, hammock, or tarp

Sleeping pad (inflatable, foam, or both)

Sleeping bag

Optional

Sleeping bag liner

Inflatable pillow

Clothing and Footwear

Underwear (2x if hiking for 2+ days)

T-shirt (2x if hiking for 2+ days)

2x Pairs of merino wool socks

Shorts

Long hiking pants

Sun shirt

Synthetic fleece (or alpaca/merino sweater)

Rain Jacket (or a rain coat/poncho)

Sun cap

Sunglasses

Trail running shoes | hiking shoes | hiking boots | snow boots

Optional

Base layer top

Base layer bottoms

Down jacket (or synthetic insulation jacket)

Beanie

Thin gloves

Snow gloves

Rain pants

Bandana | buff | neck gaiter

Down booties | synthetic insulation slippers

Camp shoes

Gaiters

Head net for mosquitoes

Electronics

Power bank (and also the correct cables)

SOS emergency device

Headlamp

Optional

Electronic air pump

Electronic thermometer

Camera gear (DSLR/Action camera + spare batteries + ND filter + tripod + microfiber cloths + extra lenses + extra SD cards + camera bags)

Food and Water

Water containers (3 liters in total)

Snacks

Breakfast

Dinner

Extra food (for unplanned emergencies)

Optional

Water filter | Water treatment pills

Extra Ziploc bags

Coffee | Tea

Bear canister

Cooking Gear

Camping stove

Camping gas

Lighter | matches

Spork

Pot

Small towel

Optional

Sponge | net (to scrub the pot)

Small moka pot (to make espresso)

First Aid Kit

Emergency blanket

Bandages | Leukotape

Gauze

Gauze pads

Wound disinfectant wipes

Something for an upset stomach

Pain Killers

Any prescription medicine you might need

Antihistamine (if allergic)

Several packets of electrolytes

Optional

Tick-removal tool

Hygene

Sunscreen

Lip balm

Hand sanitizer

Toilet paper

Trowel

Toothbrush

Toothpaste | toothpaste tablets

Menstrual products

Optional

Marine-friendly soap

Deodorant

Wet wipes

Insect repellant

Other Accessories

Pocket knife (preferably with scissors and tweezers)

Gear repair glue/patches, duct tape, toothfloss (to use as thread), needle

Wallet and keys

Optional

Bear spray

Reusable zipties (to attach things to your backpack, like recently washed clothing)

Camping chair | sit pad

Crampons (if hiking in winter)

Navigating

Phone with offline maps in a Ziploc bag

Backup navigating: Another phone with offline maps in a Ziploc bag, or paper maps and a compass

Optional

GPS watch

GPS navigating device

Guidebook

Things to Do Before You Set Off

Check the weather forecast
Charge all batteries and electronics
Get offline maps
Update your friend/contact about your planned itinerary
Get any permits if needed

Make sure to bookmark this page for any future trips!