Packing List: Backcountry Hiking Trip

If you’re going off on a backpacking hiking adventure and know that you will be carrying ALL of your stuff, minimalism is the way to go.

That doesn’t mean you can’t bring what you like to wear, and that you’ll need to eat food you don’t like – you just need to keep in mind that every small “extra” or non-essential thing will add weight on your back.

To help you get started, here is what I bring on my backcountry hiking trips– you can probably rent most of this stuff if you don’t own it. I know Mountain Equipment Co-op (Canada) and REI (US) rent out some gear for short term use. If you’re going with an organized tour, sometimes they will worry about all the food and cooking, as well as potentially carry some of your gear, or other times you have the option of staying in huts (therefore, no tent needed). Below is the full list of what is packed based on having to carry the full load – you can remove items based on your trip needs.

This list is based on 6 days and our preferences. A lot of hikers we know just eat ramen noodles every night for dinner to save on weight but we like a substantial meal at the end of the day with enough nutrients and calories to power us through. As always, adjust to your liking!

Gear

• 1 lightweight tent (ours is good for 2 people and weighs less than 5 pounds: the Eureka Midori 2)
• 1 small-medium dry bag per person (put all clothing, bedding and anything to stay dry in here). Mine is from Mountain Warehouse.
• 1 Sleeping Pad per person (note: does not need to be the self-inflating one but they are usually the most compact)
• 1 sleeping bag (I have the Marmot Nanowave 35 as I am a cold sleeper)
• 1 empty pillowcase – at the site, stuff this with your clothes so you have something cushy to sleep on
• 1 Compass
• 1 whistle
• Map of your route (keep this in a Ziploc bag to waterproof it or purchase a map case)
• 1 headlight
• Lighters/Matches
• 1 quick dry towel
• Hiking sticks (optional)
• Duct tape (save space and roll some around a lighter)
• 1 Swiss army knife (optional)
• 1 roll of Toilet paper (keep in a double Ziploc bag

Miscellaneous

• Printouts of your ID’s (drivers license, health card)
• Travel sized board games (we’re big into backgammon) – optional
• 2-3 Extra batteries  for your gear
• 1 Book/Reading Materials
• 1 Camera + extra charged batteries
• 1 Backpacking bag (60-70L: Mine is the Gregory J63)
• 1 Waterproof watch (Get something cheap! Just to set alarms if needed)
• 14-16 Sandwich sized Ziploc bags
• 4-6 large ziploc bags
• Earplugs and eyemask

Clothing

• 1 hat
• 1 sunglasses
• 1 multipurpose headband (I like Buff)
• 2-3 t-shirts – workout material is best since it’s quick dry if it gets wet (I also save one entirely for night time so it’s never sweaty)
• 1 long sleeve shirt – workout material is best since it’s quick dry if it gets wet
• 1 bathing suit (also duo’s as underwear/sports bra as needed)
• 2 underwear (quick dry, athletic fabric)
• 1 hiking pants
• 1 long underwear
• 1 warm sweater or fleece (weather dependent)
• 1 rain jacket
• 1 rain pant (optional)
• 1 packable jacket (weather dependent/optional – mine is from Uniqlo)
• 2 wool socks (I usually reserve one pair for just nights)
• 1 winter hat (weather dependent)
• 1 pair of thin gloves (weather dependent)
• 1 pair of hiking boots (mine are the Merrell Mid Chameleon Shift Traveler in black)
• 1 pair of Tevas or slip-on camping sandals/flip flops

Toiletries

• 1 Glasses + Glasses case
• 1-2 pairs of Contacts
• Mini mirror (solely just for putting in my contacts!)
• 1 Sunscreen
• 1 Bug spray (deep woods)
• 1 lip balm with sunscreen
• 1 small bottle of camp soap (I like campsuds)
• 1 Hand sanitizer
• Feminine products if needed (in a Ziploc bag)
• 1 toothbrush and toothpaste (in Ziploc bags)

Med Kit

• Any prescribed medication
• 1 pill bottle filled with: advil, pepto bismal, Imodium, gravol, benadryl
• Moleskine and bandaids
• 1 bottle of polysporin
• 1 tweezers
• 1 sewing kit
• Alcohol pads
• Water purification tablets

Cooking

• 1 camping stove + gas
• 1 set of cutlery (buy some cheap at the dollar store)
• 1 plastic bowl
• 1 water bottle (I like Nalgene with the loop top) and/or 1 water bladder
• 1 travel coffee cup (optional)
• Camp soap (you can use the camp suds you have in your toiletry kit or make a mini bottle)
• 1 Sponge
• 1 small and light pot with lid (try to find one without a handle).
  • We tried the x-pot foldable one this year and loved it.  It packs super small and weighs almost nothing – just don’t use it over a campfire.
  • 1 Pot/Pan handle (if yours doesn’t have a foldable/removable one)
• Gardening gloves – we use these as our oven mitts

Menu planning

Check out some of my top meal choices and tips.

Have a recommendation for my list based on your favourite travel essentials? Let me know!

Packing list: Multi-City Adventures

Backpacking while jumping from City to City? Staying in hostels? Here’s a packing list!

Clothing

• 5 pairs of underwear
• 3-4 pairs of socks (remember: merino wool doesn’t make your feet smell!)
• 1 bathing suit
• 1 sports bra
• 1 nude bra
  • Try to bring one that you can wear strapless or have the option of multi strapped

• 1 Hat + Winter hat if cold weather
• 1 Rain jacket – optional
  • You can buy a poncho there if it’s bad weather if you want to reduce space

• 1 Jacket – optional
  • Try and find a packable one that can be made super small when packing. Mine is from uniqlo.

• 1 scarf/pashmina
  • You can use this also as a pillow/blanket or to cover your shoulders at religious places

• 1 pair of jeans
• 1 pair of leggings/active pants
• 1 pair of jean shorts/nicer shorts
• 1 pair of active shorts/sleep shorts
• 1 long sleeve
• 1 skirt/dress
  • You may need to cover your knees at some religious sites or want to go somewhere “fancier” one day

• 3-4 t-shirts/tanks
• 1 casual sweater
• 1 micro-fleece zipup/warm sweater or sweatshirt

Shoes

• 1 pair of running shoes/walking shoes
  • If you plan on hiking a lot, bring a pair of worn in hiking boots instead. DO NOT bring brand new shoes on the trip (or you’ll be dealing with killer blisters). My hiking boots are the black versions of these.
• 1 pair of Shower/Beach sandals
  • If you have nice “fancier” ones that you can wear in the city, you can have these be multi-purpose
• 1 pair of comfortable flats (optional)

Toiletries

• 1 Hairbrush/mirror combo
• 1 Mini Shampoo
• 1 Mini Conditioner
• 1 face wash
• 1 face moisturizer
• 1 body wash
• 1 razor
• 1 toothbrush and toothpaste
• 1 bag of mini makeup
  • Think cosmetic samples: mini mascara, eyeliner, lip balm with colour, cover up

• Extra hair elastics/clips
• 1 sunscreen
• 1 bug spray – optional
• 1 bottle of hand sanitizer
• 1 Glasses case
• 1 Contacts + extras (+ extra solution)
• 1 Sunglasses
• 1 pack of wet wipes
  • For the times you really need a shower while on a long flight or overnight train

Med Kit

• Any prescribed medication
• 1 pill bottle filled with: advil, pepto bismal, Imodium, gravol, benadryl
• Moleskine and bandaids
• 1 bottle of polysporin
• 1 tweezers
• 1 sewing kit

Miscellaneous

• 1 Backpack (mine is an older version of this 40L)
• 1 set of Packing Cubes 
• 1 eye mask and earplugs
  • I will NEVER go on a trip without these. I’m a super light sleeper and hostels sounds like a jungle when you sleep like me.

• 1 Sleep sheet
  • I prefer silk since it’s bed bug protective

• 1 small Sleeping bag – Optional
  • Only needed if your hostel does not provide bedding. Most major ones do so I rarely bring this unless camping

• 1 empty pillowcase
  • Takes up very little space and can be used as a laundry bag or as a pillow when stuffed with clothes.

• 1 Quick dry towel
• 1 flashlight (for use in hostel)
  • I prefer a headlight so I can be hands free

• 1 mini packet of duct tape (or a couple of strips)
  • It fixes everything. Shoes, bags, blisters…

• 1 mini packet of Kleenex
  • In a lot of countries, you pay to use the washroom. And sometimes, they don’t have toilet paper. Keep some Kleenex with you at all times

• 1 book
  • You just need one. Hostels are great book exchangers.

• 1 camera + camera charger/batteries + extra memory cards
• 1 phone (unlocked for global use) + phone charger
• 1 travel adapter for outlets
• 1 foldable “city” bag
  • You can also bring a tote bag but this way, you have something for day use while travelling

• 1-2 small combo locks
  • One for your bag while in transit, one to use in hostels in the lockers

• 1 water bottle
• 1 pair of small, cheap headphones
• 1 music device – optional
• 1 small notepad and pen
• 1 watch
  • BRING A CHEAP ONE! Mine was $10 at Wal Mart

• 5-6 ziploc bags
  • They may not have a purpose before you go, but they’re always a good thing to have on hand. Whether for packed sandwiches from the free hostel breakfast so you can have a cheap lunch or to pack wet toiletries/clothing in your bag

• Printout of your schedule/itinerary/travel information
• Photocopies of your documents
  • Photocopy your passport, license, health insurance info etc – if your wallet gets stolen, it’s easier to get things replaced if you have a copy of the backup with the relevant numbers and information. Leave a copy at home with friends/family as well