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Trekking Packing List

 
Trekking encompasses many different areas of the world, and many different weather conditions. Your outdoor adventures may range from trekking in Patagonia or Nepal, or to the darkest, deepest jungles of Africa.

While each adventure has its own unique gear requirements, the goal of this list is to provide you set of basics to get you started. Sure, you will need to modify this list for your own particular trip, but this is a good first place to start. Remember, only bring what you really will need, and adjust your gear to meet the expected climate.

In the far right hand column of this table are a listing of the reviews on this website of gear that may be appropriate for your adventure.

 
Clothing, Base Layer
Base layer, short sleeve Great for warm and hot weather by themselves, or for lounging, sleeping. Mountain Hardware Wicked Tee,
Patagonia Strider-T,
REI MTS Crew Tee
 
Base layer,
long sleeve top
Great for cool and cold weather by themselves, or with other layers, or for lounging, sleeping. Mountain Hardware Extend Base Layer Top,
Outdoor Research Secant
Base layer,
bottoms
Great for cool and cold weather, lounging, sleeping. Choose from silkweight, lightweight, midweight, or expedition, as temps dictate. Mountain Hardware Extend Base Layer Bottoms
Underwear Men/Women, avoid cotton.  
Clothing, Insulation Layer
Jacket Fleece jacket, windshirt, soft shell jacket, depending on temps and preferences. Arc'Teryx Gamma MX,
Beyond Fleece Cold Fusion,
Marmot DriClime Windshirt
Heavy Jacket If you expect to encounter below freezing temperatures, consider a down jacket in addition to a light jacket. Feathered Friends Helios,
Mountain Hardware Sub Zero
Pants Fleece pants or soft shell pants, depending on temps and preferences. Ibex Guide Lite,
Beyond Fleece Cold Play
Clothing, Shell Layer
Shell Top Waterproof or soft shell, depending on weather expectations and preferences. Soft shell jackets can often substitute for both insulating and shell layers. Arc'Teryx Gamma MX,
Beyond Fleece Cold Fusion,
Marmot Liquid Steel,
Marmot Meteor
Shell Pants Waterproof or soft shell, depending on weather expectations and preferences. Soft shell pants can often substitute for both insulating and shell layers. Ibex Guide Lite,
Marmot Liquid Steel,
Beyond Fleece Cold Play,
Patagonia Talus,
Beyond Fleece Steel
Clothing, Casual
Shirts Not really required, as you can substitute base layer tops for shirts.  
Pants Can be worn alone, with base layer, or with shell pants, as needs dictate. Ex Officio Amphi,
Ex Officio Explorer,
Mountain Hardware Pack,
Patagonia Talus
Shorts For warmer and hot temps. Ex Officio Amphi,
Mountain Hardware Canyon
Swimsuit If you plan to swim, or for use in public showers.  
Footwear
Hiking Boots Should be well broken in, waterproof, and lightweight to midweight. Montrail Torre GTX,
Esatto Custom-Made Hiking Boots,
Asolo TPS 520 GTX
Lightweight shoes, such as running shoes, trail runners, etc. Use when hiking boots aren't needed, or when hiking boots get wet or lost.  
Sandals or inexpensive flip-flops Use when fording water or using public showers. Must be waterproof. Chaco Z/1 Torreno
Outer Socks Merino/synthetic blend, lightweight to midweight. Smartwool Adventure,
SealSkinz Waterproof Socks
Liner Socks Bring only if you find liner socks helpful.  
Gaiters While not mandatory, sure can make your walking more enjoyable. Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low
Head Gear
Sun Protection Sun hat, ball cap, sun visor, or similar hat. Tilley T3 Hat
Rain Protection If heavy rain is expected, consider a waterproof hat. Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero
Cold Protection If cold weather is expected, consider a hat for head and ear protection. Consider a balaclava for colder temps. Outdoor Research Hat for All Seasons
Hand Gear
Glove Shell Many glove shells are insulated, others are non-insulated and need a liner. Consider waterproof shells if water and cold temps are expected.  
Glove Liners Use inside non-insulted gloves, or by themselves for light protection.  
Toiletries
Towels For cleaning and drying. No cotton. Consider small one for cleaning, large one for drying.  
Toilet Paper Store in plastic bag for water protection.  
Wet Wipes For cleaning, try to avoid ones that have a strong fragrance.  
Chapstick If you suffer from chapped lips.  
Ear plugs If you have to sleep in loud environment.  
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss Bring in small containers. Don't bring more than you need.  
Shaving accessories Assuming you can't get along without shaving.  
Feminine Hygiene    
Sunscreen SPF 25+ works best, especially if at altitude.  
Moisturizer If you get dry skin.  
Mirror In case you want to find out what you look like.  
Bug Repellant Deet, 25% or higher works best.  
Shelter
Tent A tent may or may not be needed on your trek, or if so, it may be provided for you. Otherwise, bring your own. Sierra Designs Ultra Flash, Hilleberg Akto, Mountain Hardware Waypoint 2
Ground Cloth To help protect your tent. Use footprint designed for your tent, or 6 mil. plastic from hardware store.  
Sleeping Gear
Sleeping Sack or Sleeping Sheet If you will be staying at hostels, mountain refuges, auberges (inns), huts, or other similar locations where you must provide your own bedding, but blankets are provided. REI Sleeping Sack
Sleeping Bag If you will be staying anywhere where bedding and blankets are not provided. Bring bag rated closest to the temps you expect. Mountain Hardware 1st Dimension +30,
Mountainsmith Vision +15,
Marmot Aiguille +0
Sleeping Pad Bring only if no mattress is supplied for you. Cascade Designs Therm-a-Rest GuideLite,
Cascade Designs Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest
Walking/Hiking Gear
Backpack Quality daypack, from about 1,500 - 3,000 cubic inches if others will be carting your luggage. If you are carrying it, you need a bag from 4,000 - 6,000 cubic inches. Bring backpack cover if you expect lots of rain. Gregory Advent Pro,
Mountainsmith Ghost,
Osprey Aether 75,
Arc'Teryx Khamsin 62,
Granite Gear Ozone
Backpack Cover If you expect any precipitation, then bring along a cover to protect your gear. Gregory Backpack Rain Cover,
Granite Gear Cloud Cover
Hydration Hydration pouch or plastic bottles for about 2 liters of water. Camelbak UnBottle,
Nalgene Lexan Bottle,
Aquamira Water Bottle & Filter,
Aquamira Water Treatment Drops
Trekking Poles If you expect lots of hiking over rough territory, or personal preference. LEKI Ultralite Ti Air Ergo
Headlamp If you expect to be hiking at night. Also useful for anytime you need a little extra light. Black Diamond Gemini
Luggage
Duffle Bag Ideally, the duffle should be waterproof and lockable. If not waterproof, line with waterproof bag. Keep these light, as you may have to carry them yourself. Gregory Long Haul Duffle
Stuff Sacks Staff sacks are a great help for organizing your gear for your backpack, duffle, or luggage. Consider waterproof stuff sacks if you expect foul weather. Outdoor Research Advanced Stuff Sack
Miscellaneous
First Aid Kit For personal needs. Keep small. Include anti-diarrhea med, motion sickness (if you are susceptible), blister pads, and anti-itch med for bug bites.  
Personal Medications Bring enough for the trip, but no more. Don't expect to be able to get refills. Bring prescription meds in original container to prove that they are yours.  
Repair Kit Include sewing kit, string, safety pins, etc.  
Pocket Knife or Multi-Tool Don't generally carry on your person.  
Money Belt or Pouch Get one big enough for money, tickets, and passport. Should be waterproof.  
Sun Glasses Don't forget hard glasses case to protect them.  
Backup Pair  Prescription Glasses Only if needed. Don't forget hard glasses case to protect them.  
Travel Clock Keep as small as possible. Put new batteries in it before leaving.  
Extra Documentation Bring extra documentation, such as your driver's license, photocopies of passport, two extra passport photos.  
Lock & Wire Cable A wire lock can be used to lock your baggage to secure location to minimize theft.  
Camera & Film Keep camera as small as possible, store in padded, waterproof case. Bring extra batteries.  
Writing Materials If you like to document your adventure, bring waterproof notepad and pen that can write anywhere.  
International Electric Adapters You can purchase a set of adapters to use in most countries when staying at hotels before or after your trek.  
Water Purification Bring water purification device or chemicals in case you don't trust the water provided to you.  
 
 






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