Hiking Packing List

  • Author: Rebecca

Finding the right clothing and gear that suits your specific needs is vital and it is important to recognise there is not one perfect kit for every adventurer. The duration of the trip, weather conditions, pack size and intensity all determine the gear you'll need out in the wild. Get out there and give it a go and record anything you needed but didn't have for next time! We recommend creating a personalised packing list that you can add to as you go and remove things you don't need. When it comes to hiking if you don't need it to survive then it's a luxury and is wasted space and weight in your pack! 

Download Sherpa's Hiking Packing List Template 

 

Hiking Backpacks 

When choosing a backpack it's important to consider the duration of the trip, weather conditions, group size and the best physical fit for you. Consider what you will be needing for the hike (eg are you taking a tent, how much food do you need etc) and whether you are sharing the load with a partner or group. Females should consider women's specific packs that are specifically designed for the female autonomy, with a shorter torso, narrower shoulder width and conical shaped hip. 

We offer 4 different packs from the Deuter range:

  • Speed Lite - Best for day hikes and work commute. 
  • Futura - Best for longer, more intense day hikes and overnight hikes.
  • Air Contact lite - Best for multi-day hikes
  • Air Contact - Best for more intense multi-day hikes and overseas travel

 

Cooking & Dinnerwear

Cooking gear can be bulky and take up a lot of wasted space in your backpack. Look out for lightweight alumnium pots, collapsible pots and dinnerware and compact cooking systems. Remeber to make sure you have enough fuel for the trip and don't pack uneccesary extra pots & pans. 

 

Toiletries

Long days in the sun and splashing through dirt, toiletires are a must for multi-day hikes. Hanging toiletry bags are great for easy acess and organisation while out in the wild. And don't forget the toilet paper! 

 

Tech & Lighting

Always be prepared to walk in the dark if necessary and remeber your backup batteries and/or powerbanks to recharge your electrics. When looking at headlamps consider the lumen output (brightness) and run time. It is also handy to have a red light funciton for reading in the dark. A GPS watch is good for tracking your hike, monitoring blood oxygen levels, altitude, stride length and much more!

 

Clothing & Footwear

Clothing and footwear is highly deopendent on the weather conditions and climate where you plan to hike. Always take emergency cold weather clothing and a rain jacket for unforseen weather events. Opt for breahtable, quick dry and odour repellent clothing. 

 

Other Hiking Gear

 

How to pack your Hiking Backpack

The centre of gravity of your backpack should be close to your body and, if possible, at shoulder height. This way, the backpack is always above the body’s own centre of gravity (COG) and it will not pull back when worn. Larger backpacks from around 30 litres are therefore packed as follows:

  • Sleeping bag, down items and other lightweight objects go into the Bottom compartment
  • Moderately heavy items such as clothing go on top on the outside
  • Heavy equipment – tent, supplies, thick jackets – are packed at upper shoulder height, as close to the back as possible.
  • Small items can be safely stowed in the lid compartment where they are quickly accessible.
  • In order to avoid problems such as snagging, larger wind-exposed areas or wetness, attach as little as possible to the outside of the backpack, and keep this as compact as possible.
  • In general, ensure an even weight distribution, especially for side pockets

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