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My essentials for all things hiking and camping.
25
items Whether you’re planning a day hike or a multi-day backcountry excursion, this list of essentials will ensure you’re well-prepared for your outdoor adventures.
Sections
6
Tent and Sleeping Gear
Hiking Bags
Footwear
Jackets and Mittens
Food and Water
Other Camping Gear
Tent and Sleeping Gear
Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and pillows
I bought my Big Agnus Tiger Wall Platinum 3 tent in 2021. I’ve backcountry camped in this tent in almost every US national park, including Alaska, and it’s proven reliable through all weather conditions. It’s incredibly lightweight, easy to set up, a...
Tiger Wall 3 Platinum Ultralight Tent
This sleeping bag is incredibly comfortable that I sometimes even prefer it over my own bedroom blanket! It’s incredibly versatile, lightweight, and has kept me warm and dry during my winter wilderness adventures. Even if it gets wet from night sweat...
The Accomplice 2-Person Sleeping Quilt
If you’re seeking the lightest and most comfortable sleeping mat for a multi-day backpacking adventure, this is the perfect choice for you. It’s incredibly easy to inflate, incredibly durable, and incredibly comfortable! I’ve had the best sleep under...
EXPED Ultra 3R Sleeping Mat
These super lightweight and comfortable pillows are perfect for a multi-day backpacking adventure. I ordered two so I can have one for my head and one to cuddle with 🥰
Air Core Pillows
While the Air Core pillows are a must-have for their lightweight, durability, and compatibility, I needed a pillow with some fluff because I’m a pillow princess. I bought the green cinch pillow, and it has made a significant difference in my sleep qu...
Compressible Pillow Cinch | Foam Camping Pillows | Therm-a-Rest
Hiking Bags
Back country camping bag and day hike bag
This is the ideal pack for a multi-day backpacking adventure. It conveniently holds all my camping gear, is incredibly comfortable, and I absolutely adore the crimson color. I anticipate using this pack for years to come.
AMG™ 75 Backpack
This company speaks for itself. I’ve been using my Osprey bag for hiking since 2020, and I’m planning to backpack and hike Europe in 2025. I absolutely love this bag, and it’s showing no signs of wear and tear despite all the sweat and weather I’ve p...
Hikelite 26 - Casual Breathable Hiking Daypack
Footwear
Boots, shoes, and socks
These hiking boots were meticulously crafted for the rugged terrain, and they deliver on their promise! If you seek the ultimate combination of comfort, durability, and style in hiking boots, look no further than the Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX. The...
Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX Boots
I had to stay with Danner’s brand for some shoes for smaller hikes and walking around cities in Europe because I loved their hiking boots so much! What I love about these shoes is that they are lightweight, comfortable, and stylish. They look great w...
Danner Trail 2650 GTX Shoes
Throw away all your cotton socks! I primarily wear these socks for hiking, but I’ve grown so fond of them that I now use them as my daily socks. Despite hiking hundreds of miles in them, they still look brand new. In contrast, other brands have torn ...
Hike Ankle Smartwool Socks
If I anticipate snowy, muddy, or rainy conditions and want to safeguard my legs, I highly recommend these socks. Despite my habit of hiking in shorts, even during winter, these socks offer the comfort and warmth necessary for snowy hikes. However, th...
REI Co-op COOLMAX EcoMade Lightweight Hiking Crew Socks
Jackets and Mittens
Down jacket, rain jacket, and mittens
I purchased the black down hoodie in 2023. It has been my lifesaver during extremely cold and windy summits in North America. It is the most comfortable jacket I have ever owned. I have even worn it for snowboarding. It is incredibly lightweight and ...
REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie - Men's
Rain, rain, go away! And with this jacket, it will! It’s stylish, comfortable, lightweight, and cheaper than your name-brand jackets. Why spend a fortune on a jacket that just wicks off the rain? This is all you need!
REI Co-op Trailmade Rain Jacket - Men's
I used gloves for years while hiking and snowboarding during the winter. There were times when I thought my fingers would freeze and could barely move them. Then, I switched to mittens, and they have become my go-to. Mittens are a game-changer becaus...
Men's Montana Ski Mitts
Food and Water
Dehydrated meals, water pouch, and water filter
As an avid hiker in the US, I’ve tried various dehydrated food brands. However, Backpackers Pantry stands out as the best I’ve encountered. It’s my go-to choice for multi-day backpack excursions, and I won’t consider any other brand. My favorites are...
Backpacker's Pantry
This 3L pack has been my go-to for quenching my thirst during epic 15-20 mile hikes with 3000+ foot elevation gains. It’s never leaked and fits snugly in my hiking bag pouch.
Gregory 3D Hydro 3L Reservoir
This might be the most crucial item to have in your hiking backpack. If you run out of water during a multi-day hiking adventure, you need to rely on your filter. Imagine getting water poisoning 15-30 miles in the backcountry. A situation like this c...
GravityWorks™ Gravity Water Filter System | Platypus
Other Camping Gear
Miscellaneous camping essentials
If not for the All Trails app, I would likely still be stranded in the woods or desert. Its downloadable map feature enables you to determine your location using satellite when you’re in a remote location, far from a cell tower. I particularly apprec...
AllTrails
Okay, so this thing is bulky and heavy, which might not be ideal if you’re someone who packs their bag to the gram. But I’ll never go hiking without it. At a full charge, it can keep my phone charged for almost 5 days, which is a comforting feeling. ...
BioLite Charge 80 PD - Portable Power Bank
REI recently introduced this product, and I purchased it in spring 2025. Initially, I was hesitant to use it due to its novelty, but I have complete confidence in its effectiveness now. I’ve had the opportunity to test it out during a national park j...
REI Co-op Traverse Modular Bear Canister
You shouldn’t need more than one 20L and one 10L compression sack.
Buy the 20L compression sack in conjunction with the sleeping bag I recommended. It will compress it down small enough to fit perfectly at the bottom of your hiking bag. I’ve seen hi...
REI Co-op Lightweight Compression Stuff Sack
I absolutely love this headlamp! It’s one of the more stylish ones available. It has two brightness settings, a strobe, and a red light. This red light feature is particularly useful because it prevents you from blinding other campers or rudely wakin...
Headlamps
Hats are a matter of personal preference, and this was my favorite hat. I love the Sahara style, and it’s lightweight and incredibly comfortable for my large head.
REI Co-op Sahara Guide Hat
A simple REI balaclava is a great choice for winter hikes and snowboarding.
REI Co-op Wind Pro Hinged Balaclava
I refuse to let cold weather deter me from exploring the beautiful world we inhabit. In fact, I’ve endured some extremely cold nights in the wilderness. Fortunately, these hand warmers have kept me warm throughout the night and have likely prevented ...
Hand Warmers