Planning and Research
Preparing for a hike is as much about planning as it is about adventure. Ensuring you have the right information and tools before you start will set the stage for a safe and enjoyable journey.
Getting There
✓ AirFare
If your hiking destination is far from home, book flights well in advance to secure the best prices. Compare airlines for baggage allowances, especially if you need to bring outdoor gear.
✓ Accommodation
Consider staying near the trailhead the night before your hike. This allows you to rest properly and avoid rushing in the morning.
✓ Transportation
Research public transportation options that connect to the trailhead or consider renting a car for added flexibility. If parking is limited at the trailhead, arrive early.
✓ Camp Permit
Many popular trails require permits to limit environmental impact. Check the regulations for your trail and apply well in advance, as permits can sell out quickly.
Understand the Trail
✓ Trail Conditions – Check for trail closures and snow coverage.
High Winds – you may need to bring extra pegs and paracord.
Snow Coverage – a shovel may come in handy
✓ Terrain
Understand the terrain you are crossing over, contours and where to be extra careful, approximate your realistic pace and for a better idea of your total time on trail. Knowing this is key to avoid overpacking or underpacking. I recommend downloading AllTrails.
✓ Detailed Weather Forecasts
Monitor updates closer to your hike to adjust gear or plans accordingly.
Cold Weather Considerations – affects how much layering you’ll prepare
Heat – affects how much water to bring/source
Wind conditions – you may need extra stakes and guy[?] lines
✓ Backup Exit Plans
Know alternative routes or emergency exit points in case plans change. Mark the exit points on your physical map.
✓ Water Sources
Often, carrying enough water to last you on a multiday hike is impractical, as we need to consume (2L per day). Map out potential fresh water sources where you can fill your water bladder along the way.
✓ Native Animals & Vegetation
Understanding native animals and fauna to be careful of – poisonous/venomous, insects, where to stow your food.
Safety & Survival Considerations
whether you’re planning a day hike or a 3-10 day multi hike, anything can happen, you lose your bearings, and you may find yourself detached from your friends or any sign of other humans.
<paragraph> – whether it’s a day hike or multiday hike, it pays great dividends to be prepared for scenarios where you need to depend on yourself. Even if you have a GPS to call for help, it can sometimes take a day or two for rescue.
Communication
✓ Emergency Contact Plan
Write down important contacts and emergency procedures, your medical conditions (if applicable) sealed in a waterproof bag.
✓ Inform
Letting a responsible person back home know your plan.
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- Your Hiking Plan – approximately when and where you will likely finish.
- Check-ins – how often you will check-in via your GPS system/smartphone.
- Margins – margin of time before they should call for help if they don’t hear from you.
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✓ GPS
A satellite communicator to keep you connected for areas with little to zero coverage.
✓ Subscription
Subscribe to Garmin InReach’s $40 monthly plan – for medivac & search/rescue cover. This is arguably as important as carrying a GPS itself.
If you aren’t covered, a helivac team easily easily cost in the tens of thousands of dollars, dwindling the $40 plan that can be unsubscribed after the hike. Understandably and for good reasons, hikers often hesitate to use the emergency button but often until the situation becomes much worse.
Knowing what you’re covered for gives provides great peace of mind, helps ground your decision making process, especially in scenarios where emotional factors are in play.
✓ Offline Map
Download an offline map to your Phone – AllTrails. Chances are your phone may not have data connection is remote trails.
✓ Printed Map
Backup navigation as part of your survival kit.
Packing – what to pack on a hike?
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Backpack
✓ Bag
Depending on your size, I tend to go by <insert body weight to pack weight ratio>
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- A day hike, you can use a Day Pack
- For 2-3 day – I recommend a 40L, 50L
- For extended trips such as <insert famous remote trail>,
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✓ Packliner
✓ Water Bottle Pouch
Shelter
✓ Tent
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✓ Tent Footprint
A groundsheet for extra protection and longevity of your tent, particularly if you’re on rough terrain.
✓ Trekking Poles (optional)
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✓ Extra Stakes
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✓ Paracord
Multi-purpose; extra lines during windy conditions, creating a clothesline to securing gear, to using as an emergency kindle for fire.
Sleep System
✓ Sleeping bags/quilts
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✓ Sleeping Pad – inflatable
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✓ Pillow – inflatable
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✓ Emergency Bivy Sack
In case your sleeping bag gets wet or for extra warmth.
Hydration
As you may already know, we can typiaclly survive up to 2-4 weeks without food, but only 3 days without water. Therefore having enough water on-hand and a backup system to replenish and purify safe drinking is (more important than food weight)
Plan to drink consistently; dehydration impacts energy and safety.
✓ Water Bottle (1L)
Quick and easy access on the move.
✓ Gravity Water Filter (1L)
Gravity fed to your water bladder. The bag itself can store 1L of to-be-filtered water. There are many other water filtration systems and options, including in-built filter bottles, UV water purifier, . Read here to learn more.
✓ Water Bladder (2-3L)
Storing safe to drink water.
✓ Water Filter Straw (optional)
Lightweight backup, allowing you to safely drink straight from the water source.
✓ Additional Water Treatment
Pack iodine tablets or a UV water purifier as a lightweight backup. Water filters are well designed and, are reliable in most conditions. Iodine tablets or a UV water purifier are a great lightweight back incase your main water filter fails.
✓ Electrolyte Tablets
To replenish lost salts and minerals. Not essential but you’ll absolutely feel better and one of the little things that enhance the overall hiking experience.
“Safety”
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✓ Cell Phone
✓ GPS – Garmin InReach
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- Altimeter – inbuilt (your phone and smartwatch may also have this function). Helpful for determining elevation and location in mountainous terrain
✓ Headlamp
Whether you’re planning multi-day hikes or a day hike that can potentially extend into the night, a reliable headlamp is an essential and safety equipment for every hiker. Even if you’re weight saving by ditching a lantern or hand torch, some key reasons to have a quality headlamp includes:
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- Emergency Signalling – nearly all headlamps have an SOS mode to help signal distress, which can be turn on for many hours.
- Trail & Camp Lighting – without lighting it is extremely difficult to navigate or do anything after sunset, especially during nights without the moon.
- Red Eye – this feature allows your eyes to quickly adjust to objects beyond the reach of the headlamp. It also avoids the potential to briefly blind other campers.
- Luxury item – Luminates wherever you look. Comfortable around your head –
- Touchless On/Off toggle – a great feature for when your fingers are dirty or preoccupied.
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I personally love this headlamp as it’s a good balance between lumens, battery life, durability, price and build quality.
We’ve compiled a list of the best headlamps overall, which you can learn more about here.
✓ Small Knife
multipurpose <list purposes>
✓ Whistle
Hung on your backpack shoulder strap.
If you’ve fallen into a confined space, or find yourself needing immediately attention, an accessible whistle can save your life.
✓ First Aid
Bandages
Tourniquet – for snake bites
Stomach pain meds – hardly takes up space, but can truly save you from stomach pain.
Muscle Heat Rub – small tube
First Aid guide – easy reference and simple steps to follow in emergencies scenarios.
✓ Medications (if applicable)
Bring more than the number of days planned, especially if your medication is (cannot skip)
✓ Survival Kit
Lightweight, backup system for unplanned circumstances. May seem like a list, but it’s light, get it done, throw it in your bag and so you can enjoy your hike with a greater peace of mind.
✓ Firestarter
✓ Heat Blanket
✓ Compass
✓ Printed Trail Map & Pen
✓ Duct Tape or Repair Kit: For fixing gear like sleeping pads, backpacks, or tents.
Chainsaw
✓ Bear Country (if applicable):
✓ Bear Spray: Essential for hiking in bear country, often a requirement for access in regulated trails. Easy to use, point & spray, and generally an effective deterrent. Have it easily and quickly accessible on your backpack strap while on the move, in case you startle an assuming bear. Ensure it is within reach at all times while on the move and at camp.
✓ Food Storage Solutions: Bear canisters or bags to hang food if required in your hiking area.
Kitchen & Camp Ground
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✓ Fuel –
✓ Stove – cooking and you can eat straight out of this.
✓ Spork/Spoon –
✓ Bin Bag – to stow and bring away your rubbish. minimize environmental impact. (recommend hanging bin bag on backpack)
✓ Spice Kit (optional) – Compact spice containers to enhance meals.
✓ Vacuum-Insulated Bottle (optional): Keeps drinks hot/cold, particularly useful in extreme climates.
Optional Luxuries
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✓ Lightweight Camp Chair: For extra comfort during breaks or at camp.
✓ Small Notebook & Pen: To jot down thoughts, journal, or map notes.
✓ Small Packable Towel: Useful for wiping off sweat or drying after a stream crossing.
✓ Cards or Compact Games: For entertainment at camp.
Meal Prep:
Test and plan meals to ensure calorie needs are met (approx. 2,500–4,000 calories/day for active hikers).
✓ Snacks: Quick, high-energy fuel for long hikes. Placed in an easily accessible compartment of your backpack. Here are some ideas:
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- nuts,
- dried fruit,
- jerky – they are expensive but are light and jam packed with protein and essential energies. You can make your own jerkies (see here – link to dehydrator affiliate page)
- energy Bars/Gels
✓ Breakfast Ideas
✓ Lunches Ideas
✓ Dinner Ideas
Personal Care
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✓ Insect Repellent –
✓ Sunscreen –
✓ Lip Balm with SPF – Protects against chapped lips and sunburn.
✓ Toothbrush –
✓ Toothpaste –
✓ Toilet Paper (biodegradable) –
✓ Mini-shovel (trowel) –
✓ Wet Wipes – biodegradable wipes for quick cleaning
Mosquito Net (optional luxury) – head net
Wearables
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✓ Sun Hat
✓ Sunglasses
For overall comfort and prevents snow blindness, a temporary eye pain and discomfort after exposure to too much ultraviolet (UV) light.
✓ Shirt
Just be sure to slap sunscreen on those arms.
✓ Sun Hoodie / Long shirt
If you are like me and truly unpassionate of the sticky sunscreen feel, a sun hoodie is the best substitute for sun protection for most of the upper body. Breathable material, quick dry, stretchy
✓ Shorts – unless it’s sub-zero temperatures, shorts are preferred by most hikers for its cooling and breathability while moving. Quick dry, rip-stop and stretchy materials are among factors to consider.
✓ Pants / Leggings – made of breathable materials, they are great at keeping your muscles warm and within ideal operating temperatures. They also provide basic protection layers against abrasions from fauna and terrain.
✓ Socks
Quick dry, breathable.
Water proof socks are available for wet conditions.
Water Crossings – some hikers prefer to strap an extra pair of slippers (thongs in Australia) outside their backpacks.
✓ Hiking Shoes
The average hiker can typically range between 30,000 – 60,000 steps a day. Hiking shoes make the majority of contact between you and the trail, so it’s important to choose the correct footwear.
Although terrain conditions and snow should be carefully considered, trail runners are arguably the most suitable shoes overall for most hiking trails. Although lacking the ankle protection of hiking boots, trail runners offers the advantages of speed, lightweight, breathability, bounciness and grippy treads for every single step.
✓ Traction Cleats and Crampons (Optional)
Winter & Cold Weathers
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✓ Shell / Raincoat –
✓ Puffy Down Jacket –
✓ Skins
Additional insulation layers.
✓ Hand Warmers –
✓ Sleep Pants –
✓ Down Booties –
✓ Backup socks
I like to pack at least a 2-3 pairs.
Other Luxuries
The list below are already included above, but for reference and planning,
✓ Headphones – hi
✓ Smartwatch –
✓ Power Block
✓ Additional Power Block (20,000mAh) – most smartphone batteries are around 5000mAh.
✓ Cable – 1x USB C to Phone
✓ Cable – 1x USB-C to Smartwatch
✓ Cable – 1x USB to mini USB Headlight
✓ Mosquito Net – seasonal luxury item that can make a big difference.
✓ Lightweight Camp Chair
For extra comfort during breaks or at camp. Some hikers swear by this as it greatly increases comfort after hours on the feet.
✓ Small Notebook & Pen
To jot down thoughts, journal, or map notes.
✓ Small Packable Towel
Useful for wiping off sweat or drying after a stream crossing.
✓ Cards or Compact Games
For entertainment at camp with friends and hikers.
Other Considerations
Fitness & Preparation:
If you’re up to challenge yourself on a longer hike, particularly if you’ve had an extended break or it’s your personal record distance, it’s important to gauge your fitness as generally it’s very difficult to carry another hiker out from a deep trail, so you are relying on yourself to make it through.
Test Gear:
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- Practice packing and using your gear before the hike, especially if it’s new.
- Setup your tent at home.
- Check for damages in your sleep system, weather proof gear such as the backpackliner.
Training Hikes:
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- Build endurance and test carrying your pack weight before the trip.
- Mindfulness of your steps goes a long way, and becomes muscle memory keeping your balanced with the extra weight and avoiding ankle sprains.
- Condition your joints against sprains through targeted exercises. Supplements such as fish oil can make a difference (consult your doctor).
Pace Planning:
Know your average pace to estimate time and distance realistically.
Group Dynamics
Hiking Roles:
Assign roles like navigator, first-aid lead, or food organizer if in a group.
Pacing and Rest Stops:
Ensure everyone’s needs are balanced and accounted for.
Post-Hike
Recovery Food:
Plan to have a stash of snacks or a hearty meal ready post-hike.
Backup Clothes:
Clean clothes to change into after the trip.
Conclusion
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, arcu mollis mollis lectus. Nam ac eu, nam placerat elit ut maecenas pulvinar tortor, elit posuere. Fames nisi quisque. Dolor placerat vestibulum massa natoque aenean omnis, facilisi pulvinar cursus Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, arcu mollis mollis lectus.
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Please leave a comment on how you would personally adjust your setup or if you feel there’s anything missed out!
** note **
* every linked product embedded inside the paragraphs have potential for it’s on blog page to elaborate.
- Click Here to View it in your Backpack, compare the weight
- Keeping Warm in Winter
Excerpt (to be placed into ‘excerpt’)
While ultralight backpacking has its tradeoffs, beginners should not aim to sacrifice weight, particularly for safety considerations. Preparing for a hiking trip is about balancing preparedness, comfort, and keeping it light, ensuring you enjoy the journey and make it home safely.
Exploring Essential and Optional Gears
Creating a functional and comprehensive gear checklist is key. We will explore a list of essential items ensure safety and survival, while optional luxuries enhance comfort and enjoyment. The best adventure experience is finding your personal balance between Essential and Optional gears.
