In addition to this day’s hiking pack list, hiker’s should leave detailed plans with someone they trust who is not going on the hike. This detailed plan should include the intended route, the potential back-up or alternate route options, contingency plans, entrance and exit times. Having all of this information will aid search and rescue crews if the hiker(s) are not back by the planned times. It is crucial to check back in with this point of contact post hike so that they do not contact the authorities unnecessarily.

History

The concept of the 10 essentials for a day hiking packing list originated in the 1930s with The Mountaineers, a Seattle-based outdoor organization. The Mountaineers published a list of essential items that hikers should carry with them to ensure their safety and preparedness while exploring the wilderness. Over the years, the list has evolved and been refined based on advancements in outdoor gear and technology.

The original list of essentials included items such as a map, compass, sunglasses, extra clothing, headlamp, first aid kit, fire starter, matches, knife, and extra food. These items were deemed essential for hikers to have in case of emergencies or unexpected situations while out on the trails.

As outdoor recreation became more popular and accessible to a wider audience, the concept of the 10 essentials gained traction and became widely adopted by outdoor enthusiasts and organizations around the world. The list serves as a guideline for hikers to ensure they are adequately prepared for any situation that may arise while hiking in the Wilderness.

Today, the 10 essentials for day hiking continue to be a fundamental part of outdoor education and safety practices, emphasizing the importance of being prepared and self-sufficient while enjoying the great outdoors.

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My interest in backpacking doesn’t come from the prospect of sleeping under canopied forests or beneath towering canyon walls. Nor does it stem from the allure of total solitude or the promise of starry skies. What drew me in was the idea that I could be strong and capable enough to carry everything I needed to survive on my own back.  

However, backpacking can quickly turn from a dream into a nightmare if not done correctly. To make the most out of your backpacking trip, it’s important to familiarize yourself with your supplies and understand how to prepare and pack your gear.  

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Choosing the right pair of hiking boots is one of the most critical gear purchases you’ll make, whether for everyday adventures or extended backpacking trips. To make matters harder, the perfect pair of hiking boots for one person might be the entirely wrong pair for another hiker. There’s nothing worse than a great hiking outing ruined by a pair of boots that are too tight, too loose, or ill-matched for your outdoor activity.

The good news is that you can choose between a few options to ensure you purchase the perfect shoe — and we’ll help guide you through how to choose hiking boots. 

It can be overwhelming to select the right hiking shoe. Trust me, I’ve been there and done it wrong. The purchased my first pair of hiking boots by considering the price and how they looked, which led to blisters and squished toes after I spent an entire summer suffering with them in Colorado’s West Elk Mountains. It’ll take some trial and error to find a comfortable pair in the store, but hopefully, we can clear up any confusion you have beforehand to get you looking at the right boots from the start.

In this post, we’ll help you choose hiking boots by selecting the right style for your planned outdoor activities and the right material for your needs. Plus, we include a few tips about trying them on in the store to make sure they fit correctly. 

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On my first “backpacking trip”, my dad took me to Timothy Lake in Oregon. I was a young kid — maybe five or six. We hiked barely a mile into a campsite by a lake — all my little legs could handle. I wore a small, external frame pack that my brother used before me; my dad probably hauled in his cast iron. My main memory from the trip was when my childhood dog wore my little backpack to carry his food. Somewhere along the trail, he lost the pack — an inevitability of a dog carrying human gear. We spent the trip making s’mores and playing in the water. 

After that trip, I didn’t go backpacking again until college. But in the backpacking world, a lot had changed since the ‘90s. New trail systems, shiny, high-tech gear. Entering the outdoor community for the first time on my own, I had absolutely no idea how to start backpacking.

When you’re planning a backpacking trip, there’s so much to consider. What gear do you need? Where should you hike? How far should you hike? When you’re just getting started, it can all feel incredibly overwhelming. 

But it’s okay to take it slowly. Rent, borrow, or find used gear. Learn from friends, from books, from guides. Over time, it will all come together. And trust me — the feeling you get from being in the backcountry, with everything you need on your back and beautiful views and experiences at every turn? It’s 100% worth it. 

So how do you embark on your first backpacking trip? This guide will help you break down how to start backpacking, including what gear to bring, what to eat, and where to hike. 

Why Backpacking?

The payoffs of backpacking are huge. Spending days (or even weeks) in the backcountry connects you to the natural world. You can experience many health benefits, create strong relationships, and develop personal confidence.

One thing I love the most is the feeling of self-sufficiency when you’re carrying everything you need on your back. Through this process, I’ve learned that you don’t need anything more than what you have. Life becomes very simple; it’s just you, the trail, and the views.

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Many new hikers wonder what to wear hiking — and it can be a confusing topic. I’ve spent years fine-tuning my layering system for hiking. After making about every mistake there is to make, I have plenty of knowledge to share from firsthand experience. Some gnarly sunburns taught me that covering your body in sun-protective clothing even when it’s hot does work. A few nights spent shivering in my car on my post-hike drive home helped me learn that extra layers are well worth their weight. It takes a bit of trial and error to find the perfect layering system for you, but hopefully, we can clear up some confusion and help get you started. This guide lays out what to wear hiking for beginners: from what you should look for when buying gear to when to wear each item. 

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Budget Shopping Considerations

If you’re looking for clothing at brand-name box stores like REI, you can easily spend $500 or more on a basic clothing system. However, there are also cheaper ways to outfit yourself. While clothing from retailers like Target or Amazon may not last as long or perform as well, they’re often much cheaper. So, big retailers are great places to look if you’re on a budget. Even better, you can find high-quality outdoor clothing for very cheap at secondhand gear stores, consignment shops, and through online resellers.

When you’re buying hiking clothes, I recommend picking a couple of items to splurge on (one top and one bottom) while saving on the rest. For example, for a winter day hike, you could pair quality merino wool base layers with a hoodie you already have and an affordable down jacket. Then, once you decide you want to set out on longer hikes into more remote terrain, you can gradually start to purchase more gear. You don’t need every single piece of hiking gear to get started; whether you buy new hiking clothing or grab some from the closet, we hope to see you out on the trail! 

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Winter hiking gets a bad rap. Sure, dropping temperatures and falling snow might like a bad time to hit the trail. But with some preparation and cold-weather experience, you can discover the joy and serenity of winter hiking.

In the winter, your favorite hiking trails are transformed: snow crunches and squeaks underfoot with each step, a light dusting of fresh powder covers tree branches, and animal tracks abound along the trail. You’ll have to learn the art of layering, how to use snowshoes or microspikes, and how to fuel your body in the cold weather. But you’ll also be rewarded with fewer crowds and solitude you can’t find in the warmer months.

Hiking is a four-season sport. And while different regions have different characteristics of winter hiking trails, the same general guidelines apply. So, it’s important to know how to winter hike. Read our winter hiking tips below so you can have a safe and comfortable trip into these chilly, snowy landscapes.

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what Makes Winter Hiking Different?

Winter conditions (like snow, ice, and cold temperatures) impact what you’re able to hike in the winter compared to other seasons. For a safe and enjoyable hike, you’ll need to consider your layering system to stay warm, traction devices to tackle snowy or icy terrain, and plenty of snacks and water to stay satiated, warm, and hydrated.

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Backpacking is the ultimate outdoor activity; you get the opportunity to focus on your surroundings and enjoy a reprieve from everyday life. If you pack simply, you’ll get the chance to explore the outdoors with just the essentials. You might be wondering: what’s considered essential? Well, that depends on the length, duration, and location of your trip. But because backpacking requires you to carry everything on your back, it’s important to strike the balance between packing light and bringing the gear you’ll need.

Whether you’re a novice or a pro, deciding what to pack on your backpacking trip can feel like a daunting task. To help eliminate some of the guesswork, our blog team has compiled expert advice from our Wildland guides for a complete packing list (including our product recommendations). Hopefully, this backpacking packing list will get you prepared to hit the trail for your next adventure.

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