What if I told you there were ten pieces of gear that you should bring with you on every single day hike, backpacking trip, or even camping trip? That having these ten items is crucial to having a safe trip?
Allow me to introduce you to the ten essentials for hiking and camping!
Before stepping onto a hiking trail or setting up your campsite, it’s important to ensure you have the ten essentials with you. Why? Having these essential gear items loaded into your backpack will help you conquer everything from hypothermia and dehydration to injury and disorientation. You’ll be able to see in the dark, fuel your body, fix your gear, protect yourself from hypothermia, heal your injury, and much more!
In this guide, I’m going to share info on the ten essentials for hiking and camping, including what they are, why they are necessary, and examples of specific items that you can buy.
The 10 Essentials For Hikers and Campers
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1. Food
First and foremost, food! Of course, this is essential. We all need food to survive. But how much food do you actually need on a hike?
The answer is, it varies. The type and amount of food you take will vary depending on the type and length of trip you’ll be on, and also your specific body type.
So while I can’t tell you exactly how much food to bring, a good rule of thumb is to bring more than you think you’ll need.
If you’re going on a multi-day backpacking trip, bring an extra day’s worth of food. If you’re going on a day hike, bring more fuel than you think you’ll need for the entire day.
For day hikes, trail mixes are my go-to snack: a yummy, satisfying concoction of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, M&M’s, etc. I like sugary candies like Nerd Clusters and Honey Stingers for uphill sections, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or tuna wraps for lunch.
For multi-day backpacking trips, I will usually bring similar snacks and lunches that I bring on my day hikes. For dinners, I like to bring homemade dehydrated meals. Or, if I want to make things super simple for myself, I’ll just grab a pre-made dehydrated meal. Peak Refuel meals are my favorite.
2. Water
Our bodies need water even more than food. You can survive weeks without eating, but only mere days without water. Staying hydrated is crucial to your survival, especially when you’re exerting a high amount of energy.
An average hiker climbing at an average pace in average terrain should consume about half a liter of water per hour. That amount will vary depending on your body type, the terrain, your pace, and the weather, but make sure to sip on water throughout the entire duration of your hike. (Yes, even when it’s cold outside!)
Carrying more than a liter of water can get pretty heavy, so that’s where water filters come in handy. If you don’t want to carry a large amount of water or you find yourself in a situation where you need more water, you will want a filter to purify any water source that you can find on the trail.
If you’re hiking in the summer or hiking in the desert, you’ll want to replenish your electrolytes as well. This is because you lose electrolytes as your body sweats, and overhydration leads to dangerously low electrolyte levels.
LMNT and Liquid IV are both great electrolytes!
Also, if you’re like me and you crave cold water on a hot hike, you’ll want to read this guide. I’ve got some great ways to keep water cold when you’re hiking!
3. Shelter
If you are backpacking, shelter is a no-brainer. You will need some sort of covering, like a tent or hammock.
But even if you are just day hiking, shelter is necessary. Say you find yourself unexpectedly lost in the dark and you need to spend the night in the woods; you’ll want a way to keep warm and protected.
Even if you don’t spend the night in the woods, having that extra layer of warmth could save you from the harsh elements of an inclement storm or unexpected cold front.
I carry an emergency blanket on day hikes, but you can also opt for a bivy sack, lightweight tarp, or simply a large plastic bag. Anything that will keep the elements off your body and keep you warm and dry.
4. Layers
Carrying layers is crucial for every hiking and camping trip. Since Mother Nature has a mind of her own, it’s possible you’ll get caught in a pop-up thunderstorm or in a rapid change in temperature at some point. You’ll need to be prepared for whatever she throws at you!
To ensure that you are prepared for a variety of conditions, bring the three layers: base (wicking) layer, mid (insulating) layer, and outer (waterproof/windproof) layer.
Depending on the weather and terrain, you might need extra layers like a heavy coat, hat, gloves, etc.
Also, having an extra dry pair of clothes and socks, especially for backpacking trips, is always nice to have.
Always pay close attention to the weather. While it could change, at least you’ll have an idea of what to expect and what to pack.
5. First Aid
Not to scare you, but a variety of things can happen to you on the trails and at camp. You could get a cut or a blister, you could get bitten or stung, you could have an allergic reaction, or you could sprain your ankle. You get the idea.
To be prepared for those injuries and illnesses, it’s important to carry a first aid kit in your backpack. There are many pre-packed kits that you can buy online, but my suggestion would be to only take what you need. Those pre-packed kits are often bulky and filled with a lot of unnecessary and “extra” items.
I personally bought this waterproof medical kit and then tailored the contents to my specific needs. I bring bandages, blister pads, tweezers, a tick key, wipes, ibuprofen, and Pepto. With this kit, I can treat cuts, blisters, headaches, and stomach aches, pull out splinters and ticks, and more.
Your kit may look different, and that’s okay. Tailor it to your specific needs!
6. Knife
A knife has multiple uses on the trails and at camp. They come in handy for things like food prep, gear repair, and first aid.
Some 10 Essentials lists include “repair tools” underneath the knife category. I would highly recommend carrying repair kits for any tents or air pads you may have in your pack, and small pieces of duct tape for simple, temporary repairs.
If your hiking boot suddenly falls apart, a hole is punctured into your tent wall, or your sleeping pad begins to leak, you’ll want to have these repair tools in your pack!
7. Fire
While many national parks and forests don’t allow campfires, especially during certain times of year, campfires can save your life in the event of an emergency. Lighting a fire can help you send a smoke signal and/or stay warm on a super cold night.
But even in non-emergency situations, campfires are nice to have. You can cook food, warm up, or enjoy a s’more!
Carry a lighter and matches in your backpack to help you start a fire!
PRO TIP: For multi-day backpacking trips, I carry a stove with me. That way, in case campfires aren’t allowed, I still have a way to cook my food. (Stoves are more efficient, too!)
Want to learn how to safely start and build a fire? Read my Campfire Safety guide!
8. Navigation
For your best chance at staying on the trail, you should pay attention to your surroundings, watch for trail markers, and carry these three navigation tools:
- Compass – helps you orient yourself, know which direction you’re heading
- Waterproof paper map – used in conjunction with a compass to find your way
- GPS – combines a compass and a map by telling you where you are and where you’re headed
Since electronics can fail, it’s important to carry all three. Don’t just rely on your phone or GPS.
In terms of which electronics I use for navigation, I download offline maps to my phone using the GaiaGPS app and carry a Garmin inReach Mini for satellite communication and emergencies.
If you’re more of a beginner, you could also use AllTrails instead of GaiaGPS. While not always as accurate, AllTrails does allow you to download specific trail maps offline. Plus, you have access to trail reports and photos from hikers who’ve recently hiked the trail.
Use my code alexysabroad30 to get 30% off an AllTrails+ membership!
Finally, I’d recommend carrying a portable power bank. This will allow you to recharge your phone and other electronic devices at any time!
9. Light
Most day hikers probably don’t think to carry a headlamp in their pack because they think they will never need it. If you’re hiking during the daylight hours, why would you need one?
Well, if you underestimate the amount of time it will take you to complete the trail, you may find yourself losing daylight.
Or, if you find yourself lost in the woods and are forced to navigate the wilderness in the dark, you may become extra disoriented with no light source.
Carry a headlamp with some spare batteries (or a power bank to recharge the battery) so you won’t have to ever worry about navigating trails in the dark.
Headlamps and solar lanterns are also super useful for backpacking and camping. You can find your way through the dark to use the bathroom, keep an eye out for wildlife, or see inside your tent and around your campsite.
Curious about hiking in the dark? Read my Night Hiking Tips to learn more about it!
10. Sun Protection
Did you know you can get sunburnt even in the winter? And UV rays intensify the higher you travel in elevation? Sun exposure isn’t just dangerous in zero-shade, above-tree-line hikes.
No matter what conditions you’re hiking in, sun protection is important.
Wear long sleeves and long pants, even when the weather is warm, to protect your skin – there are light, summer UPF clothing specifically designed for warm weather!
Slather sunscreen on your body, and wear sunglasses and a sun hat to prevent exposure.
New to Hiking? Start Here!
I’ve got many guides on the blog that will help get you outside and onto the trails!
- Hiking for Beginners: 5 Easy Steps to Start Hiking
- Trail Etiquette 101: Basic Rules of Hiking
- 5 Tips For Hiking in the Rain
- How to Practice the Leave No Trace Principles
- What to Wear Hiking in the Summer (As a Woman)
- Is Hiking Safe? 9 Simple Ways to Stay Safe on the Trail
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Excellent info and very informative!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Mary
Hi Mary! I’m so glad this was helpful!