Following are the checklists I personally use when packing for a hike. They vary by the type of hike, day hike, hike with a hut stay, backpacking, winter, and my “special bonus hiking gadget” list. This page includes some affiliate links for some items, but I am not sponsored in any way. I purchased all of these items myself and these are the products I use on all of my hikes. When you purchase via these links, I earn a commission, which helps pay for this blog. 🙂
For more details about what is on my lists and why, check out this page.
Jump to day hike list, hut stay list, backpack list, winter list, bonus list.
Day hike pack list – the base list
| Category | Item name | Item description | Link |
| Navigation | map | Map of the area | For the WMNF, I love these, https://amzn.to/4cgeT9P |
| Navigation | compass | any small, lightweight compass | https://amzn.to/3VHiBEh |
| Navigation | Garmin InReach | Satellite maps, location, and messaging | https://amzn.to/3yWUZCy |
| Element protection | bug spray or lotion | I prefer Picaridin over DEET, and treat my gear with Permethrin | https://amzn.to/3VBPwdg https://amzn.to/3VgnMtg |
| Element protection | sun block | Any sun block you prefer | I like to store my sun block in these, https://amzn.to/3Rofr5A |
| Element protection | sun glasses | ||
| Element protection | hat with brim | ||
| Element protection | bug net | https://amzn.to/4chO59d | |
| Clothing | shoes or boots | Whatever fits you best and has good grip | |
| Clothing | socks x2 | I like Darn Tough | https://amzn.to/3XmtoF1 |
| Clothing | gaiters (summer or winter) | I like Dirty Girls for summer and OR for winter | https://dirtygirlgaiters.com/ https://www.rei.com/product/852793/outdoor-research-rocky-mountain-high-gaiters-mens |
| Clothing | bottoms | ||
| Clothing | top | ||
| Clothing | outer layers | ||
| Clothing | rain poncho | Cheap rain ponchos | https://amzn.to/4eh2nZz |
| Illumination | headlamp | https://amzn.to/45p3wKG | |
First aid | bandaids | ||
| First aid | ibuprofin | ||
| First aid | ace bandage | ||
| First aid | moleskine | ||
| First aid | rubber gloves | ||
| First aid | hand sanitizer | ||
| First aid | medications | ||
| First aid | KT tape | https://amzn.to/3ySPdBO | |
| Fire | matches | ||
| Safety | portable charger | https://amzn.to/4elZExX | |
| Safety | multitool | ||
| Safety | pepper spray | ||
| Safety | whistle | Possibly one on your pack | |
| Safety | spare shoe laces | ||
| Safety | trekking poles | https://www.rei.com/product/147512/black-diamond-alpine-carbon-cork-trekking-poles-pair | |
| Safety | duct tape | ||
| Safety | tenacious tape | https://amzn.to/3KMuFNW | |
| Food | food plus extra | ||
| Food | electrolytes | Liquid IV https://amzn.to/4en3AyI Clif Bloks https://amzn.to/3XlZWz5 | |
| Water | filtration system | I use a Sawyer Squeeze, with a coupler, a CNOC bag, a Smart Water bottle, and a tube adapter | Sawyer Squeeze https://amzn.to/45qnTr2 Coupler https://amzn.to/4cdW8od CNOC https://amzn.to/3VQ5wbT One-bottle adapter https://www.one-bottle.com/ |
| Water | backup treatment | https://amzn.to/45mPDfW | |
| Shelter | emergency bivy | https://amzn.to/3KDNV0i | |
| Toilet | poop shovel | https://amzn.to/3VJcxLy | |
| Toilet | hand sanitizer | ||
| Toilet | toilet paper | ||
| Toilet | pack out bag | ||
| Toilet | rubber gloves | ||
| Toilet | kula cloth | https://www.rei.com/product/182956/kula-cloth-reusable-antimicrobial-pee-cloth | |
| Toilet | tampon or other | ||
| Other/extras | phone | ||
| Other/extras | ziploc for phone (unless yours is waterproof) | ||
| Other/extras | trash compactor bag inside pack and/or pack cover | ||
| Other/extras | butt pad | https://amzn.to/4b3fWt1 | |
| Other/extras | glasses, if you need them |
Hut stay pack list
Everything from the day hike pack list
Plus:
| cash | The huts sell snacks and other things, plus cash for tips |
| sleeping bag or liner | The huts provide a wool blanket and a vinyl-covered mattress, your own bag or liner is nice |
| pillowcase | |
| camp shoes | Comfy shoes (can be your water shoes) for walking around the hut |
| dry clothes to sleep in | |
| toothbrush | |
| toiletries | |
| ear plugs |
Backpack pack list
Everything from the day hike pack list
Plus:
| dry clothes to sleep in | ||
| camp shoes | I use my water shoes | |
| toothbrush | ||
| toiletries | ||
| ear plugs | ||
| stove | So many people recommend JetBoil, but the MSR pocket rocket is lighter and more compact | https://amzn.to/3VG59R2 |
| fuel | ||
| lighter | ||
| utensil | long handled spoon to get in those freeze-dried meal bags, I prefer polished bowl for easier cleaning | https://amzn.to/4b9SPgs |
| cup | ||
| odorproof bag | https://amzn.to/3Xmpxrv | |
| bear bag | ||
| sleep system | sleeping bag or top/bottom quilts | |
| shelter | tent or hammock with tarps, flies, stakes, etc |
Winter hike pack list
Everything from the day hike pack list
Plus:
| gloves/mittens | I bring a lighter wool pair plus a warmer waterproof pair | |
| winter hat | ||
| balaclava | ||
| microspikes | microspikes or Hillsound “trail crampons”, Yaktrax are not enough for the Whites | https://amzn.to/3KDRdAG |
| snowshoes | Snowshoes meant for mountain trekking, televator feature is amazing | https://amzn.to/3xgqCGD |
| food that won’t freeze | ||
| gear ties | Handy to strap your snowshoes to your pack | https://amzn.to/3z0Uo2I |
| extra portable charger | ||
| hand warmers | ||
| nalgene bottles | ||
| neoprene sleeve for nalgene bottles | https://amzn.to/3XnUfAG | |
| stove | ||
| sleeping bag |
Special bonus hiking gadgets list:
| Item | Why I love it | Link |
| Shoulder pocket | It attaches to the shoulder strap or hip belt of your pack, and gives you a great place to put your phone or anything else you need handy | https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/collections/accessories/products/shoulder-pocket |
| Drinking tube magnet | I love my drinking tube and water set up, this magnet attaches to your pack, holding the tube in place, but easily accessible | https://amzn.to/3KGYVKd |
| Peakfinder app | Point your phone at a mountain range and it shows you the names of the mountains | https://www.peakfinder.com/mobile/ |
| Bird call app | Listen with your phone to bird sounds, and the app will tell you what bird it is | https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/ |
| Plant identification on your phone | Take a photo with your iPhone, view the photo and click the “i”/leaf icon (if it recognizes it’s a plant) and then “Look up Plant” and the phone tells you want plant it is |
My Take 