Packing list for hiking: what’s important
- Hiking shoes or hiking boots
- Shorts / long trousers / zip-pants
- Functional t-shirt
- Fleece jacket/fleece vest
- Hardshell/rain jacket
- Baselayers
- Hiking socks
- Hiking shirt for changing
- Rain pants
- Sun hat or headband
- Eyewear
- Beanie and gloves (depending on the season)
- Adjustable trekking poles
- Daypack 20 litres (bigger / smaller depending on equipment)
- Rain cover for backpack
Speciality hiking gear
- GPS navigation device
- Binoculars
- Multisport watch
- Headlamp
- Gaiters – depending on season and route
- Glacier eyewear for hikes at higher altitudes
Provisions for hiking
- Water bottle or hydration system with at least 1.5 litres
- Snack or food supplies in a suitable lunch box
- Energy bars and other meals according to personal requirements
Health & first aid
- First-aid kit
- Band-aids, especially for blisters
- Tape
- Sunscreen
- Lip protection
- Tissues
Basics / General Gear
- Map
- Compass
- Fully-charged mobile phone
- Photography equipment
- Passport/insurance card
- Cash
- Pocket knife
- Matches / lighter
The right equipment for hiking
Whether you’re planning a short leisurely hike or a long exhausting all-day hike, the appropriate equipment is necessary to have on hand, as the weather in the mountains can change rapidly. This packing list assists in adding the most important things for a day of hiking. It is always wise to have sufficient reserves (for example, fleece sweater, extra shirt, change of clothes…) in your backpack while still considering the weight factor. Proper planning starts with the correct purchasing of selected hiking equipment and attire; for example, a thin Polartec® fleece jumper is lighter than an ordinary cotton sweater. It offers more warmth, more outstanding breathability and dries quickly. Also, merino wool clothing is ideal for hiking, as it absorbs large amounts of moisture, feels dry on the skin and, even in a wet state, keeps the body warm – something one quickly learns to appreciate when the wind is blowing. A gale at the summit! Aside from the weight factor, backpacks need to fit correctly. Many hiking backpack manufacturers offer ladies’ models adapted to the female anatomy.
Happy feet
Without a doubt, THE most important pieces of equipment when preparing for a hike are hiking shoes. These should be preferably well broken in before you start; otherwise, the fun of the walk is quickly lost to blisters and chaffed feet. Whether one opts for light hiking shoes to the ankle or for heavier, more supportive mountain boots all depends on personal preference and, in particular, on how and where the shoes will be worn. Light hiking shoes will usually suffice for an easy hike on well-paved trails. However, the higher one chooses to climb in the mountains, the more support feet need for the ascent, and hiking boots, in this case, need to give the assurance of good hold. Bulkier mountain boots are more stable, can often be combined with crampons and offer the best grip in rocky terrain or snow. However, they are usually not quite as comfortable on longer journeys with their rather stiff sole. Before purchasing hiking boots, it is wise to know where the shoes will be taking you and what sort of terrain you will be covering.
This packing list for hiking is intended to assist you in which equipment and clothing layers may prove helpful in a day’s hike. Additional gear or provisions may be necessary depending on the selected trek and distance covered. And vice versa! A few of the items mentioned above may be left at home if you plan only a leisurely short hike. The trick here is finding the compromise as to what you would like to pack in your backpack (are these items essential?) and what is best left behind. A good rule of thumb is:
“As much as is required and as little as possible.”