‘What should I pack for hiking?’ is a question we women have asked ourselves since the dawn of time.
Through the years, I’ve hiked through some serious bucket list places: Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Crater Lake, just to name a few. And I’ve used all sorts of gear: the good, the bad, the overrated, and the weird.
While good hiking gear tends to be a bit pricier, it’s because it’s made with future adventures in mind, meaning you won’t have to buy new products every year, which is better for your wallet and the environment.
Here are the essentials, from poison oak and blister prevention to my favorite foldable water bottle to layer-able clothing.
Tip: You might also want to read how to pack for the beach or pack for a budget airline.
What to pack for a day of hiking:
Clothing
Tops
Long sleeves, short sleeves, let’s start at the top (pun intended). When looking for tops, avoid those that don’t have a seam on the shoulders because this can rub against your skin when wearing a backpack.
Long Sleeves
- Lightweight Jacket. This jacket has side pockets, inner pockets, and 50+ UPF protection. It’s perfect for windy beaches or layering up on the mountains.
- Long-Sleeve Base Layer. I like to buy them in sets with bottoms for convenience.
- Ultra Warm Jacket. I love this one because it’s waterproof, windproof, and has huge pockets, literally perfect for any cold hike.
T-Shirts
- Short-Sleeve Shirt with Sun Protection. For summer hiking, pack soft t-shirts made of quick-dry fabric that are breathable and can handle a little sweat.
- Layerable Tank Tops. Always pack comfortable, soft, and lightweight materials when planning to layer.
Bottoms
When caving or hiking anywhere that requires crawling on your knees or butt, always wear something you don’t mind scraping up and potentially ruining. Pack a cheaper or older pair of leggings you can live without.
- Hiking Leggings. Leggings that are high-waisted, comfy, and flattering are essential for short hikes with picturesque views (AKA, you’ll be taking kickass photos).
- Hybrid Cargo Pants. I’m obsessed with hybrid cargo pants. They have a more tailored look, tons of pockets, and are slightly thicker than hiking pants, perfect for layering on top of thermals.
- Snow Pants. Waterproof, snowproof, and insulated, perfect for winter fun like hiking, skiing, snowboarding, or mountaineering.
Hiking Shoes + Socks
When shopping for hiking shoes, consider ankle support, grip/traction, weight, and whether they’re waterproof or not.
Socks
Moisture-Proof Socks with Ankle Support. Use these for warm-weather hiking to combat sweat and help protect from ankle sprains.
Wool Socks. For cold weather, hiking, and winter sports.
Shoes
Hiking Boots. My favorite waterproof, reinforced hiking boots, perfect for mountains, glaciers, and ice!
Outdoor Essentials
When hiking, essentials like sunglasses can make or break your experience.
- Pack of Beanies. Wind protection and warmth.
- Portable Charger. For recharging phones, headphones, GPS, and other essentials. I’ve used the Basesus for years, and it’s never let me down!
- Binoculars. The best way to spot wildlife is via binoculars.
- Hand-Warmer. A must for cold hikes.
- Gloves. These are useful for crawling and keeping warm. I like them because they’re not super bulky, and you can still use your hands.
Supplements + Sunscreen
When packing for your hiking trip, painkillers and deodorant wipes might not be the first thing that comes to mind- but imagine having your beautiful desert adventure ruined by a throbbing headache.
- Pain Killers. I like to use travel packs so they don’t take up extra space and rattle around.
- Non pore-clogging Sunscreening. Hiking = sweating, so take care to pick something non-comedogenic and natural. I SWEAR by Supergoop.
- Underarm Wipes. For aluminum-free deodorant on the go.
For Poison Ivy Prevention
When I say I’ve seen, tried, and done it all when it comes to the devil’s grass, I don’t just mean cannabis. I am SUPER prone to Poison Ivy, Oak, and anything with urushiol (the plant’s reactive chemical). I almost always have to see a doctor for steroids when I get it (which happened a lot when I lived in Oregon).
Here are my go-to products:
- Poison Ivy Prevention Wipes. Use prevention wipes anytime you know you’ll be in an area known to have Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac. Did you know that you can get infected without actually touching the plant? Turpentines (put off by the plant) in the air can get you, and yes, that has happened to me 🙂
- Poison Ivy Treatment. Use this wash immediately if you’ve come into contact with urushiol. If you’re on a hike, Tecnuc is easy to rinse away with a water bottle and won’t irritate your skin further if you can’t get it all off.
For Blister Prevention
When it comes to blisters, prevention is critical. Here’s what to use to keep your feet from dying:
- Blister Prevention Tape. Make sure your feet are dry, and then use Blister Tape on your Achilles (the back of your ankle) and under the ball of your foot.
- Blister Bandages. Pack these and use them at the first signs of irritation.
- Blister Balm. Blister Balm is a protective coating to use everywhere you don’t have tape or bandages. Use this BEFORE putting on your socks.
Food and Snacks
Many national and state parks have little to no food. Don’t get caught unprepared
Snacks
- Raw Almonds or Pistachios.
- Small Oranges. Cuties or Halos
- Chopped Pickles. Little known fact, pickles are great for immediate hydration
- Lara Bars. I prefer whole food bars with no refined sugar or dairy
Portable Breakfasts
For early morning hikes, make a cup of overnight oats (so-called because you mix them and let them sit overnight) and bring it with me. Here’s a basic recipe that can be easily modified:
- 1 cup of Oats
- 1 scoop of Peanut butter or Protein Powder
- A spoonful of Almond Butter
- Banana slices
- dash of Cinnamon
Easy Lunches
- Hummus and Pretzels or baby Carrots
- Sandwiches or Wraps
- Peanut butter and Crackers or Celery
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