After nearly a decade of hiking, this list has our favorite gear from the must haves to the extra conveniences. It has everything you’ll need for incredible sunrise hikes to rainy days and everything in between.

If you’re new to hiking, focus on acquiring the ten essential and emergency items first, then work your way to upgrading boots, clothing, and day packs to make your hikes more comfortable. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have the latest clothing or gear either — we’ve seen experienced mountaineers backpack 20 miles in jeans and sandals because that’s what they like. Use and wear what works for you!

If you’re an experienced hiker, we’re sure there is gear on this list that you haven’t heard of or have always been curious about. Let our trials over the years guide your gear choices.

Know what you’re looking for? Click a link below to skip to a section.

Sunrise and sunset hikes

Hiking essentials

Hiking day pack

We love our Dueter day packs. They are so comfortable, large enough to fit anything you could need to carry for a hike, and have a built-in rain cover that is so easy to use.

Trekking poles

If you’ll be hiking up and down steep hills, trekking poles are a must. They’ll help disperse your weight, help to keep you from getting knee injuries and help you stay steady in variable terrain. We always have our poles on us!

Clothing

Footwear

Hiking boots

You’re going to want waterproof boots — ones that can handle walking through shallow streams, stepping in puddles, hiking in the rain, and even on snow.
Unless you’re purchasing traditional leather boots, you shouldn’t have to “break in” your boots for them to feel great. Of course, you should wear them for a couple shorter hikes to figure out if they are right for you and how tying them will work best (check out this article on ways to tie boots to minimize hot points), but they should generally feel great from the get go.

Wool hiking socks

A good pair of hiking socks will prevent blisters!

Lightweight gaiters

Meghann loves these because they help keep pine needles out of your boots! She wears them year-round, although they aren’t water resistant and do get wet in snow.

Clothing

Moisture-wicking T-shirt

Moisture-wicking pants or shorts

Mid layers

We always pack layers that are easily taken on and off and don’t take up much space in our bags. They’re great for keeping warm on cooler days, sunrise hikes, or when you stop for a break.

Underwear

Choose wool undergarmets for an odor-resistant and temperature-regulating fabric. Choose longer briefs to help prevent chafing.

Sports bra

Outerwear

Rain jacket

When hiking in the Pacific Northwest, it’s wise to always pack a raincoat (also known as a hard shell) no matter the season. They work as great windbreakers on summits during the summer and, of course, help to keep you dry in planned or surprise showers.
Look for raincoats with pit zips — arm pit zippers or vents — to help moderate your temperature.
No raincoat is completely waterproof, so don’t get caught up in the lingo. Purchase a water resistant/waterproof coat from a reputable brand and you should be good!
Pro tip: Do not wash your waterproof gear like other laundry. Use this two-step Nikwax detergent instead and your gear will last much longer.

Ten essentials

These items are necessities and could be responsible for saving your life. Don’t skimp here!

Emergency shelter

Emergency bivys are surprisingly cheap, effective, light, and hardly take up space.
We have the blanket style because we like their versatility (they come in a sleeping bag style as well). They can be used to create shelter, used as a blanket, or ground cover.
We’re carrying three in our emergency kit. Two to be used as blankets and one to be used as an emergency bivy.

Firestarter

Multitool

First aid kit

This size of kit is for one to two people for one to four-day outings.

Headlamps

Remember to bring backup batteries.

Compass and map

Whistle

Signaling mirror

Ponchos

Repair tape

Water filter or water treatment tablets

Garmin Mini inReach

When we got serious about backpacking, we invested in this personal locator beacon. It gives us peace of mind with the ability to set waypoints, text others when there is no cell service, and use the S.O.S button for emergencies.
There is a monthly subscription fee.

KN-95 masks

We recommend slipping a few of these in your bag throughout wildfire season.

Other supplies

Duct tape/tenacious tape

Insect repellent

Sunscreen

Lip balm

Body Glide

Prevents chaffing

Bathroom supplies

You’re responsible for disposing of waste properly, and rules can differ based on the environment or the amount of traffic a trail gets.
When allowed, dig a cat hole 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 steps away from water sources for solid waste. Always pack out toilet paper. When cat holes aren’t allowed, use wag bags instead.

Toilet paper or a Kula Cloth

Gallon Ziploc bags for garbage

Wag bags

These are needed for when digging cat holes for waste is not allowed.

Trowel

Pee funnel

This is a game-changer for the women/trans/non-binary folk!! It allows you to go pee standing up. Since you only have to unzip and point the direction you want to let things flow, it’s so much more private than pulling down your pants and squatting.

Hand sanitizer

Food and water

We tend to pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches along with plenty of snacks like these:

Clif bars
Lara Bars (gluten-free)
Luna Bars (gluten-free)
Trail mix (gluten-free)
Archer’s Jerky (gluten-free)
Dried fruit, like mango, apricots, or apple chips (gluten-free)
Bolt Energy Chews (gluten-free)

Water bladders/water bottle

On average, it’s suggested to pack one liter of water for every two hours you’ll be hiking, but we tend to err on the side of caution and pack a bit more, especially on hot days.
We love the Hydrapak water bladders linked above. Since we always have water handy, it helps keep our water breaks quick and we end up staying more hydrated.
We’ve tried various brands of water bladders, and these ones are the easiest to clean since they flip inside out.

Seasonal gear:

Hot weather

Long sleeve quick dry sun shirts

Sunscreen

Sunglasses

Sun hats

Salt pills

You always need to replace salts and electrolytes you sweat out, and this is especially hard to do just by eating snacks and drinking water alone on hot days, so we supplement with these salt pills.

Buff

These are nice to have if it’s dusty.

Trekking sandals

Great for water crossings and swimming!

Quick-dry towel

One large towel dries both of us off.

Rain and snow

Packable puffy coat

Base layer tops

Base layer bottoms

Rain pants

Rain pants are great if you’ll be hiking in the rain all day or in a downpour, but not usually necessary.

Warm hats

When a hat would be too warm, Meghann opts for a headband.

Gloves

Baseball caps

Baseball caps help keep the rain off your face!
Check out this blog for more tips on hiking in the rain.

Buff

Buffs help keep you warm in colder seasons.

Gaiters

These help keep snow out of your boots.

Heavyweight wool hiking socks

Microspikes

Spikes are great for walking on hard-packed snow and ice. They work like miniature crampons and keep you from slipping.

Snowshoes

Choose the length of snowshoes that will accommodate your weight, including pack weight.
These snowshoes have sharp, jagged edges that allow you to walk on slopes without slipping. Cheaper, plastic snowshoes have slippery tubes on their edges instead – avoid these!
These snowshoes have heel lifts on the back to make walking up hills a breeze.

Mosquitos and ticks

Pre-treat clothing with permethrin.

Insect repellent

Bug bands

These are stretchy rubber bracelts and they work well. Wear them around your wrists and socks and you’ll notice mosquitos keeping their distance. Unfortunately, they are a one-time-use item, and the citronella smell wears off after a few hours.

Bug stickers

These work okay. We found them to be most useful when put on the underside of our sun hats to keep bugs off our faces and necks when the bugs weren’t bad enough to warrant wearing a bug net, but still annoying.

Mesh head net

These work best with sun hats

Long pants

The best way to avoid ticks is to wear long pants, stay on trails, and avoid brushing up against brush.

Sunrise and sunset hikes

Along with any seasonal gear and the ten essentials, you’ll want extra layers for any sunrise or sunset hike. Temperatures drop quickly after the sun sets, and mornings can take a long time to warm up. These are the items we always ensure we have on hand for these hikes:

Packable puffy coat

Mid layers

Warm hats or headbands

Gloves

Headlamp

Remember to bring backup batteries.

Hot drink

If we’re feeling fancy, we’ll bring hot coco to help us stay warm.
Use a Thermos to transport hot liquid or warm up water with a Jetboil.
- Don’t forget to bring along lightweight mugs.
We aren’t coffee drinkers but Meghann’s parents love this French Press Jetboil accessory.