When it comes to outdoor activities, hiking has one of the lowest barriers to entry out there. It’s almost free (minus the transportation cost to get to the trail), doesn’t require much know-how and is accessible to a wide range of body types and fitness levels. If you were really hard core about keeping it simple, you could skip the hiking packing list and simply head to the nearest trailhead barefoot and empty-handed—although we don’t recommend that.
Like other outdoor pursuits, hiking contains its own universe of gear and accessories: enough to satisfy the most minimal trekkers all the way to the most maximalist adventurers. If you want to get into hiking this summer and don’t know where to start, or you just need a quick refresher on the essentials, we’ve got you covered with a complete hiking packing list.
Hiking Packing List, At A Glance:
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Best Hiking Apparel
Depending on the hikes you’ll be taking and the terrain you’ll be exploring, you’ll want to invest in hiking apparel that’s breathable, moisture-wicking, quick-drying, UPF-protective and (depending on conditions) wind and water resistant. Below are a few of our editor’s favorite layers, boots and more.
- Our Pick: Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody
- Our Pick: Outdoor Research Ferrosi Crux Pants
- Our Pick: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew
- Our Pick: Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Mid
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An Ultra-Soft Performance Shirt
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A comfortable t-shirt that can stand up to sweat, sun and movement is a key piece of gear to have on hand for long days on the trail. Vuori’s Strato Tech Tee is buttery soft and features UPF 30 protection, four-way stretch and sweat-wicking properties, making it both functional and ready for adventure. Plus, with a modern athletic fit, it’s versatile enough to keep on for whatever you have planned once your hike is done. Choose from black, white or a range of heather colorways.
- Our Pick: Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX
Hiking Fleece
Hiking Shell
Additional Items: Hiking in intermittent weather or definitive downpours? Then you’ll need a rain jacket—but make sure you don’t grab just any slicker from the rack. A hiking rain jacket should repel water, dump moisture and steam and be packable. If you’re an outdoor sandal aficionado, make sure to pick a pair that is quick-drying and has a grippy outsole.
Best Hiking Equipment
Whether it’s an hour-long jaunt on your backyard trail or an all-day mission into new territory, it’s always wise to pack equipment that will ensure your hike is safe and uneventful. We recommend a comfortable and breathable daypack and easy-to-maneuver trekking poles. You’ll also want some sort of navigational aid, whether that’s a handheld GPS or even a paper map.
Daypack
- Our Pick: Osprey Daylite
- Our Pick: Black Diamond Pursuit FLZ Poles
Garmin Fenix 7
Garmin’s tech-infused Fenix 7 GPS watch features, among other things, 18 days of battery life, suggested daily workouts, 16 gigabytes of internal memory and a whole host of internal sensors to track your every activity. Like a smartphone on your wrist, it bridges the gap between getting lost in nature and keeping tabs on your body and where you are in the world.
- Our Pick: Garmin GPSMAP 67i
- Our Pick: VSSL Essentials Ready Kit
Hydration Vest
Additional Items: Digital maps are certainly light—they weigh no more than the device that stores them—but there’s something to having a paper map with you (especially if you’re prone to forgetting to charge your devices). Make sure your map is up to date and that you know how to read it. Otherwise, it’s just a pretty picture.
Best Hiking Accessories
No activity is complete without a few accessories, and hiking is no exception. Whether it’s a lightweight water bottle, the perfect pair of sunglasses or sunscreen that won’t sting when it gets in your eyes, the best hiking accessories take any hike from so-so to “can’t wait to do it again.”
- Our Pick: Nalgene Sustain Tritan
Headlamp
- Our Pick: Black Diamond Spot 400
Sunski Treeline Polarized Sunglasses
Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta has sported a pair of Sunski’s Treeline sunglasses for over two years, and after traveling the world with these do-it-all shades, they show little sign of wear. Small rubber pads on the nose and temples keep them in place as you move and groove on the trail, while removable side shields protect your peripheral vision. Made with recycled plastics, they’re as easy on the planet as they are on, well, your eyes.
Additional Items: For gear nerds, part of the joy of outdoor recreation is finding the coolest and most underrated gear to take along for the journey. When it comes to hiking accessories we’d write home about, it would be remiss not to mention a few of our favorites: a pair of lightweight gloves is a must for cooler climates; a sun protection hat is always a good idea; and if you keep the volume at a respectable level, a portable speaker usually guarantees a good time.
Additional Hiking Tips
While hiking is pretty straightforward as far as activities go (one foot in front of the other, and so on...) there are some tips and tricks we’d like to share to make your experience the best it can be.
- Designate one daypack to be your hiking pack, and keep it stocked with the essential items you’ll need on your hike, that you may not remember to take with you. These could include a first-aid kit, an extra pair of sunglasses, a compass and other non-daily items that are essential for a trek.
- Consider making a hiking checklist that you check before heading out to the trail. Did you bring your water bottle? How about a communication device? Even if you’ve hiked thousands of miles, a simple list ensures you won’t forget the odds and ends.
- Even if you’re heading out on a trail you’ve hiked dozens of times, always let someone know when you’re heading out on a hike. Include the time you’re leaving, and drop a pin at your starting point. Peace of mind is priceless, and checking in only takes a few extra minutes.
- Pack snacks that won’t spoil in high temperatures, and always pack a little more than you think you’ll need. It’s better to be over-prepared than under.
- While everyone’s physiology, and by extension water intake level, is personal, a good rule of thumb for how much water you’ll want to bring on a hike is one liter for every five miles you hike. If you’re bringing your dog, make sure you have a bowl and water for Fido, as well, and set them up with a dog backpack of their very own if they can manage the load.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Part of Forbes Vetted’s mission is making sure our readers receive the most up-to-date, useful and relevant information when searching for gear. Making sure you’re prepared for and safe on hikes is paramount to us. In the effort to provide the most enriching information available, we’ve spent a combined thousands of hours testing hiking apparel, footwear, equipment and more. Our team has tested hundreds of shoes, pants, hats and other essentials to bring you what we consider best in class.
- Forbes Vetted contributor Hayley Helms has spent over ten years writing and editing for outdoor, lifestyle, wellness and travel publications, and has hiked all over the United States—and internationally, as well. She’s tested more hiking shoes than she can count.
- Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta consulted on and edited this story, lending his expertise and insight to the product recommendations and tips. He has hiked and backpacked a combined thousands of miles across North America, Central America and Europe for over two decades.
- This story is regularly updated for freshness and accuracy. It was first published in June 2024 and is regularly revised for clarity and accuracy.