The Essential Hiking Packing List for Beginners

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Planning your first hiking trip? This essential hiking packing list for beginners covers everything you’ll need to feel comfortable on the trails and have a great time.

I recently did my first long-distance hike in the Dolomites and absolutely loved it!

I had done some hikes in Switzerland before but nothing like this. We spent 4 days hiking part of the San Vili Pathway in Trentino, in Northern Italy, with the mighty Dolomites as a backdrop.

It was a marvelous experience, both physically and mentally.

 

Read more:

• 21 Best Wellness Walks & Hikes in Europe
• 8 of the Best Hikes in Switzerland for Beginners

 

But I must say the success of a hiking trip largely depends on having the right equipment.

When you’re hiking in the mountains weather can be unpredictable, and there’s nothing fun about feeling wet and cold, or having blisters on your feet because you’re wearing the wrong kind of shoes.

That’s why it’s really, really important to choose the right hiking gear before you leave home.

Hiking with the right apparel means you’ll be more comfortable, relaxed, and safe, and will have a much more rewarding experience.

So without further ado, here’s the best hiking equipment list for beginners to help you pack like a pro.

 

Essential hiking packing list for beginners

This hiking gear list is suitable for inn-based multi-day hiking trips, during which you’ll be sleeping in hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, or mountain huts.

If you’re planning to camp, you’ll need to carry on additional equipment not mentioned here, like a tent and a sleeping bag.

Another thing you should keep in mind is the season. This list is appropriate for spring and summer, which is when most people choose to hike.

If you’re hiking in winter, you’ll, of course, need warmer clothes and winter gear, like a pair of gloves and a wool hat.

Anyway, regardless of your accommodation and time of the year, always pack light!

Remember you’ll probably have to carry everything with you in your backpack while you hike, sometimes the whole day. Hence, keep everything to a minimum.

Depending on where you’re traveling to, another option is to transfer some of your luggage between accommodations through a local travel company.

Some organized hiking tours also include luggage transfers, so check with your tour operator before your trip. This was actually the case for me while hiking the Dolomites and it definitely made things much easier.

Nevertheless, you’ll still have to carry your daypack with you for all the hikes, so make sure to keep it light or you’ll end up regretting it.

 

Hiking backpack

The first thing you need to choose is the right hiking backpack for you.

Your backpack needs to be comfortable, lightweight and waterproof.

It has to be big enough to pack all your clothes and gear, but not too heavy since you’re going to carry it for long hours.

If you’re planning only day hikes or using a luggage transfer service between accommodations, a 20 liters hiking daypack will be enough for you.

If you’re carrying everything yourself, you’ll need a bigger hiking backpack, with around 40 or 50 liters of capacity.

Best hiking daypacks for beginners:

• Quechua NH500 20L – I bought this Quechua daypack for my Dolomites hiking trip and was very happy with it. It’s comfortable and affordable, with ventilated back and straps and a rain cover. It also has a lot of pockets, space on the side for my water bottle, and even a laptop compartment (which I didn’t use).
• Deuter Speed Lite 20 – Another great daypack option: ultralight, comfortable and very durable.
• Osprey Tempest 20 – Osprey has some of the best hiking backpacks on the market. If you’re willing to invest a bit more, this is an excellent daypack for women.
• Osprey Talon 22 – An excellent daypack for men.

Best hiking backpacks for beginners:

• Teton Sports Scout 3400 – A very good and affordable 55-liter hiking backpack for men and women.
• Osprey Tempest 40 – Another excellent hiking backpack for women from Osprey.
• Osprey Stratos 50 – Considered one of the best overall hiking backpacks for men.

 

Hiking shoes or boots

Hiking shoes or boots are one of the most, if not the most, important item on this list.

I highly recommend not saving money on your hiking footwear!

A good pair of hiking shoes or boots can be the difference between a painful experience and an amazing one.

Now, should you wear hiking shoes or boots?

Simply put, hiking shoes are ideal for spring or summer, smooth terrain, and a light backpack.

For more intense hikes, rocky terrain, challenging weather conditions, or if you’re carrying a lot of weight, you’ll want to wear hiking boots to protect your ankles.

Best hiking shoes for beginners:

• Merrell Crosslander Vent – I swear by my Merrell Crosslander Vent hiking shoes: they’re sturdy but super comfortable for long distances, vented and have a good grip. They also have it for men.
• Merrell Moab 2 Vent – Another excellent hiking shoes from Merrell for both men and women.
• Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX – Salomon is known for its high-quality hiking footwear like these lightweight hiking shoes available for men and women.

Best hiking boots for beginners:

• Merrell Moab 2 Mid WP – You can’t go wrong with these waterproof hiking boots for men and women from Merrell.
• Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX – One of the best overall hiking boots for both men and women.

 

Hiking poles

If you’re planning to carry a lot of weight and especially if your itinerary includes steep climbs and descents, I definitely recommend having a pair of hiking poles in your backpack that you can easily grab if you need to.

Another reason why I like trekking poles is that my hands tend to swell when I hike long distances and they help me keep my hands up and work out my arms as well.

It does take some practice to hike with poles, but once you get into the rhythm, they’ll become your new best friends.

 

Hiking clothes

Here are some hiking essentials you’ll need to pack:

• 2 pairs of hiking pants – If you’re a beginner going on a short hiking trip, you can wear any sports pants you already have in your closet and are comfortable with. I’ve hiked in my Onzie yoga leggings and was fine. However, if you’re going on a long-distance hike (4 days or more), I highly recommend wearing technical pants, which dry faster and protect you against skin infections, mosquitos, and even hypothermia in case you get wet.
• 1 pair of shorts – I like these ones from The North Face for warmer days.
• 2 or 3 t-shirts, depending on the length of your trip.
• 1 tank top for warmer weather.
• 1 lightweight fleece jacket that you should take in your backpack for colder days or evenings.
• 1 lightweight wind and rainproof jacket – I like this one from Marmot. Make sure to always bring it along in your backpack in case it rains.
• Sports bras – Very important for the ladies.
• Socks – Comfortable hiking socks are a must for a multi-day hiking trip.
• Underwear

 

Photo gear

If you’re going on a hiking trip, chances are you’ll want to take some pictures of the scenery and your accomplishments.

Your photo gear will, of course, depend on your photography skill level and preferences, but make sure you have at least a good smartphone camera to catch that special moment.

Here’s the camera gear I always take with me on my travels and swear by:

• Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm lens – I absolutely love my Sony a6000 camera. Besides taking great pictures even with the kit lens, it’s also small and light, which makes it perfect for travel.
• Samsung Galaxy S10+ – I’ve recently upgraded my smartphone to the Samsung Galaxy S10+ and I’m amazed by its camera. It has not one, not two, but three lenses: a wide-angle, a super wide-angle, and a telephoto lens. And on the front, there’s also a second camera (for selfies) with two lenses.
• Spare battery – I always travel with a spare battery for my camera as I take a lot of photos and one battery is usually not enough for a day.

 

Travel accessories

Besides your hiking clothes and gear, here are some travel accessories you’ll need to include in your hiking packing list:

• Reusable water bottle – Avoid unnecessary plastic consumption with a reusable water bottle. I love my Chilly’s bottle: it keeps my water cold even on very hot days (tried and tested!) and it’s super cute.
• Sunglasses – Mandatory to protect your eyes from the sun (or the snow in winter). I usually hike with my everyday Ray-Bans but you can choose to wear sports sunglasses if you prefer.
• Bikini or swimsuit – I love PrAna swimwear for active women and men.
• Travel towel
• Sunscreen – don’t forget to always apply sunscreen before going hiking.
• A hat to protect you from the sun.
• Toiletries – Make sure to choose travel-size zero waste shampoo and toiletries.
• Snacks – Pack some healthy snacks for when you get hungry on the trails between meals.
• Medications – Painkillers and any other medication you need.
• Basic First-Aid Kit – You should at the very least pack some antiseptic wipes, bandages, and blister plasters.
• Packing cubes – Packing cubes are a game-changer when it comes to keeping your backpack organized. If you’ve never used them before, check out this guide on packing cubes to learn to pack like a pro.

 

Non-hiking clothes

If you have some extra space or if you’re using a luggage transfer service, make sure to also pack some non-hiking clothes, shoes, and accessories for evenings and/or nights out.

• 1 non-hiking outfit – Depending on where you’re going, you’ll want to pack at least 1 non-hiking outfit for dinner around town.
• 1 pair of flip-flops or sandals – Give your feet a break at the end of the day with a pair of comfortable flip-flops or sandals. I love my Birkenstock Gizeh for extra comfort and an effortless look, day or night.
• 1 small handbag – After carrying a heavy backpack all day, you’ll want to wear something small and elegant for the evening.
• Pajamas

 

So there you go! This essential hiking packing list for beginners covers all your needs in and out of the trails to help you pack like a pro for your next hiking adventure.

 

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More travel tips

Travel Insurance

SafetyWing – Travel insurance is very important and you should never leave home without it! I use and recommend SafetyWing travel medical insurance for travelers, remote workers, and nomads.

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Cheap flights

Looking for the best airfare deals? Skyscanner is my favorite travel search engine for finding cheap flights around the world. They also offer price tracking and alerts to help you secure the best deals.

 

Accommodation

When it comes to accommodation, Booking.com is the best site out there. From hotels to apartments, resorts, villas, B&B, and guest houses, it offers the best prices for accommodation all over the world. I book the majority of my stays through them.

 

Yoga Retreats

Looking for a yoga retreat near home or in an exotic destination? BookYogaRetreats offers the best yoga retreats, holidays, and courses around the world for all budgets and levels of experience.

 

Tours

GetYourGuide is my favorite platform for local tours, unique experiences, and skip-the-line tickets to attractions all around the world.

Klook is another great resource for tours and activities, especially if you’re looking for things to do in Asia.

 

Car Rentals

Rentalcars.com is a car rental search engine that compares the biggest brands in car hire and allows you to find the cheapest deals all around the world.

 

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Did I forget anything? What’s on your hiking gear list? Share in the comments section below!

 

Read more:

• A Relaxing Dolomites itinerary: Hiking and Wellness in Trentino, Italy
• 10 Great Things to Do in the Dolomites in Summer

 

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