What to pack for a hiking trip

First time hiking? Hiking can be an outstanding experience or a real horror show depending on your level of planning and preparation. And your first experience lives on with you. I vividly remembered my first hiking expedition to Machu Picchu in Peru in 2017, and it was nothing short of a nightmare. 

Don’t let a poorly loaded backpack put a damper on your next adventure in the backcountry. Learn how to pack it the right way with efficiency, convenience, and comfort in mind.Daniel Nelson, 2018

I remember reading up on how to prepare for a hike, and all sorts of quotes popped up on the internet, nothing related to my horrific experience like Daniel Nelson. I had failed miserably on my first go at hiking, but the good news, there is always a second chance to make better preparations. I have grown a warmth to backpacking ever since and returned to Peru in 2019 on the Inca Trail. One of the best redemption stories.

Knowing what a particular trail requires will give you an impression of how and what to pack in preparation for the hike. Different hikes require different hiking gear. For instance, some trails have low temperatures, which may require you to carry an extra shirt or scarf to keep warm, whereas others are pretty hot that shorts would best fit the scenario. 

The unwritten rule of a light backpack must remain on the front page of your priorities as you pack a bag. Heavy gear is insensitive to your back and will cost you an invaluable experience. If you plan a beach walk, sure, throw in a couple of surfboards, and no one will blame you. However, there has to be meticulous planning on packing the bag for a hike, as you will be carrying the backpack for miles. 

To help you avoid frustration in preparations for your trip, I have organized a list of three considerations to help best you pack accordingly.

  1. Research about the trail;

There is a matter most experts don’t rally as soundly as possible; make research on the trail before you up and leave to hike. Some questions must be answered as you prepare for a hiking trip, but you risk frustration on what could have been a vacation without the necessary research. It is always essential to know the route (at least in theory). What is the elevation, distance, landscape, weather of the area during your planned visit, whether there are public bathrooms on the route, number of trekkers per go (this is important especially if you have reservations on large or small crowds)? On a hike, all these questions have to be answered before stuffing a bag. The research will save you space in the backpack. In addition, you should read about the personal experiences of past hikers on the given trail and see what they went through during their hike.

  1. Consider the ten essentials

These are food, water, navigation, fire, first aid, sun protection, insulation, shelter, lighting, and tools. If your backpack can cover all the ten, then hiking will be a wonderful experience. There is a proper breakdown of each item here. I consider myself a pretty experienced hiker today because of the standard list of must-haves, the 10 essentials, which is the commandment for all hikers in the backcountry. Regardless of the hike, you have got lined up, a mile-long stroll along the oceanfront pathways of Acadia National Park, or a spirited multi-day swath of the Appalachian Trail. Experts urge bringing many of the same items; extra food and water, the right studded shoes, a first aid kit.

 

  1. What are your hiking abilities

There are so many body-numbing trails that may gnash your experience and make you doubt hiking as a form of recreation. Read about the course before making up your mind; some routes, such as Maroon Bells Hikes, are as short as 1.5miles, whereas others, like the American Discovery Trail, stretch from coast to coast. This line of thinking will give you deep insight into what you need in the backpack and boost your chances of having a wonderful time. 

  • What do you need to pack on a hike?

As mentioned earlier, your preparations for a hike will vary per hike. However, there are few basics to maintain in every hiker’s backpack to grow the hobby.

  • Hiking boots or sneakers; 

Trail running shoes, hiking boots, or sneakers, depending on the trip, will go a long way to ensure you enjoy the experience. New shoes are highly unacceptable, according to Carol Christensen, REI Outdoor Programs coordinator. It is also worth noting that the stated shoes should be light and comfortable enough to ease the activity.

  • Travel Buff

According to Will Elliott of Paragon Guides in Vail, Colorado, the travel buff can be worn 16 ways as a neck gaiter/bandana/sun guard/scarf. It comes in handy, especially when going to a hot and humid trail.

  • Socks

Good socks are a Hail Mary on any hike. Socks, especially wool and synthetic, keep your feet dry, fresh despite sweat as well as blister-free. Cotton socks are a wrong choice because they retain moisture, leading to foul odor and blistering of feet caused by rubbing.

  • A solid backpack

A backpack holds all the hike’s requirements making it essential regardless of the trail in question. Choose a bag with vast compartments to help you solidly arrange your necessities. It must be light in weight even though it can be considerable. Choose a backpack according to how long you plan to hike. A 16 to 24-liter load should be enough for a day’s hike, but bags range up to 70 liters for longer trails.

  • Bug repellent

The wild can be brutal, and having a repellent in your backpack will come a long way to ensure that you enjoy your trip. Mosquitoes, roaches, and other insects may derail your experience if you don’t carry a repellent.

  • Disposable bags, toilet paper, and sanitizers

When nature calls, be ready to answer, especially if your trip lasts longer than a day. Some trails have public restrooms, while others require you to keep your matter until proper disposal is provided along the route.



  • Foods

For short tracks, sandwiches and other snacks can be considered, but longer ones require you to detail a food plan. Foods rich in calories such as nuts and granola bars (up to 150 calories per ounce of weight) should be considered, according to Wesley Trimble, the program outreach and communications manager for the American Hiking Society.

  • Water

 A water bottle should help you keep hydrated on your hike. How much water you need on your trip depends on many factors, both physiological and outside temperature.

  • First Aid kit

It is constantly essential to plan for the unexpected. For example, a first aid kit might save your life while in the wild. However, a lot can go wrong when exploring the wild therefore make sure you are ready if such an unfortunate circumstance ever happens on your trip.

Hiking is a beautiful experience, especially if done in groups, be it, family or friends. Endeavor to move with companions. Companions provide the best experience of the thrill of survival in the wild and ensure your safety.

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