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.
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 