The 10 Essentials for Backpacking

If you Google “10 essentials” and “hiking,” the lists you find will vary. Most of the discrepancies are due to the way the items are categorized. The lists also differ between day hiking and overnight backpacking.

I firmly believe that certain hiking conditions require items that are not on the standard 10 Essentials lists. For example, trekking poles and crampons are essential on icy trails.

Below is my list of 10 Essentials for backpacking, categorized in the way that I think makes the most sense. Remember, some hiking conditions may require items not on this list.

Navigation and means of emergency communication

Always carry a paper map and compass and know how to use them, even if you have an electronic navigation device. Laminate your map or keep it in a Ziploc bag so it doesn’t get soaked.

A personal locator beacon (PLB), satellite messenger, or hiking GPS with personal location capability should be considered essential. Realistically, many hikers can’t afford the high cost of such a device and its monthly subscription. One solution is to use the iPhone 14 or a later iPhone model. Although I haven’t tried one, Apple claims they can connect directly to satellites to provide PLB functions.

At least carry a mobile phone, preferably with an auxiliary battery and cable. In an emergency, you might be able to connect to a cell tower if you are lucky. You’re more likely to succeed on a mountaintop. Keep your phone in airplane and low-power modes with low screen brightness.

You can use a phone app such as Google Maps to download maps ahead of time and use them for offline navigation where there is no cell service. However, these phone apps won’t provide the safety features of a PLB or satellite messenger.

The following phone apps are affordable and allow you to download maps of popular hiking trails for offline navigation:

Gaia GPS (for ios, android)
AllTrails (for ios, android)
ViewRanger Skyline (for ios, android)
Backcountry Navigator (for Android)
Motion X GPS (for ios)

If you are bushwacking, I recommend fluorescent orange trail marking ribbon. If you get lost, you can use it to mark your path and backtrack if necessary.

I also recommend a whistle and signal mirror in case you get lost or injured.

Illumination

Carry a headlamp or flashlight even if you don’t plan to hike in the dark. A two-hour day hike can unexpectedly turn into a night hike if you make a wrong turn on the trail.

Many hikers underestimate their hiking time. Many are delayed because they become fatigued, develop a blister, twist their ankle, explore a side trail, pick berries, or linger on a mountaintop with a panoramic view. I have seen hikers stumbling blindly down a dangerous mountain trail in the dark because they couldn’t tear themselves away from a stunning summit view before sunset. I once shared my headlamp with hikers because I feared they would get lost in the dark.

A headlamp is best as it leaves your hands free. Carry extra batteries as a backup.

Sun Protection

Sun protection is essential, even on cloudy days, regardless of temperature. Some people mistakenly assume that sunscreen is less important on cold days, but temperature is irrelevant.

Sun protection is especially important at high elevations, where UV levels are high. Protection is also important when hiking on snow cover or along lakes, as these increase UV levels significantly.

Sunscreen is essential for all hikes. It should be unscented so as not to attract bears. Badger 50 Sunscreen is unscented and comes in a backpack-friendly container.

A wide-brimmed sun hat is also highly recommended. It is essential if you are bald.

I recommend a long-sleeved shirt and long pants, even on hot days. You can wear a light, moisture-wicking, long-sleeved sun shirt and thin, breathable synthetic hiking pants. Pants and long-sleeved shirts also protect you from poison ivy, nettles, and mosquitoes. You can treat them with Permethrin to protect against ticks.

Sunglasses may not always be essential, but they are highly recommended. They are absolutely essential for hiking on snow cover or along lakes. Snow blindness is no joke. I have experienced it after skiing for a day without sunglasses. I spent the entire next day lying in my hotel room in pain, unable to see, and it took several days to recover completely. If that had happened to me in the backcountry, I would have been helpless.

First aid supplies

You can buy a commercial pre-made first aid kit, but you might already have some supplies at home. You can pack them in a large, thick Ziplock freezer bag.

I consider the following items to be essential:

Antiseptic wipes
Antibacterial ointment
Assorted adhesive bandages
Gauze pads
Medical adhesive tape
Hydrogel pads for burns
Moleskin
Blister bandages (aka blister pads or blister cushions)
Ibuprofen
Elastic bandage (ACE, etc.)
Tweezers
Hand sanitizer
Soap
Ankle brace
Antihistamine for allergic reactions if applicable
Epi-pen if applicable

Shelter (and sleep system if backpacking)

In the deep backcountry, it’s wise to carry a shelter even if you are only doing a day hike. You never know when you might encounter a sudden storm or become lost, sick, or injured. If a tent is too heavy for a day hike, carry nylon cord and a light tarp that has grommets. An emergency bivy like the SOL Emergency Bivy is also lightweight and inexpensive. At least carry a reflective mylar space blanket.

If you are backpacking overnight, it goes without saying that you need an appropriate shelter, a sleeping bag with an appropriate temperature rating, and a sleeping pad with an appropriate R-value.

If you are taking a short hike from your backpacking base camp, bring your shelter, sleep system, water, food, first-aid kit, and other necessary survival supplies in case of an emergency.

Knife (or multi-tool) and gear repair kit

Knife or multi-tool
Gear Aid Tenacious Tape or duct tape
Tent pole splint (aka repair sleeve)
Nylon cord (paracord)
Repair kit for inflatable sleeping pad
Sewing repair kit

Water and water-treatment system

A common word-of-mouth rule among backpackers is to carry 1 liter of water for every 5 miles or 2 hours of hiking.

On a mountain climb, I once had to share my water with a dehydrated hiker who wasn’t carrying any of her own. After I had struggled to carry my water up a steep, 3,300-foot climb, I had to say goodbye to half of it and ration the rest. I was not pleased.

Never assume that water is safe to drink untreated. Even the most pristine streams flowing directly from mountain snowmelts may be contaminated with giardia from animal feces.

Before you leave for your hike, research where water sources are located on the trail. Make sure they haven’t dried up if they are seasonal. Research whether the water is safe to drink. Even remote public lands can be contaminated with toxic substances from past petroleum extraction, mining operations, or chemical spills. Water treatment systems such as filters don’t remove such substances.

Firestarter

I’m including this item because it’s on most 10 Essentials lists, but I’m not sure how useful it is in practice.

If you become lost for days in the deep backcountry, fire would be useful for sending SOS smoke signals, sterilizing water, drying clothes, and cooking critters for food. However, fire is not a reliable means of staying warm–that’s the job of your clothes, shelter, and sleep system. Often, no dry firewood is available, and it’s hard to build a fire in pouring rain. As for SOS signals, a whistle and signal mirror could serve this purpose but aren’t included on most 10-essentials lists.

Some 10 Essentials lists include a backpacking stove in this category. It is certainly smart to carry one as a backup water-treatment system in case your primary system fails.

Adequate clothing and footwear

This is one of the most important items on the list, but I won’t go into detail here since the appropriate clothing and footwear depends on the weather and terrain.

Food (and animal-proof storage if needed)

Carry 2,500 to 4,500 calories per person per day of lightweight, compact, and non-perishable food. Bring a little extra in case of emergency.

Doing an effective bear-hang for your food is difficult, time-consuming, and not always possible. A better option is a bear canister. Some national parks require them.

Even if there are no bears, you will need to protect your food from rodents to prevent a potential deadly hantavirus infection. If you store your food in your expensive tent, rodents may chew holes in it. They can also chew through thick plastic containers. A rodent hang is easier than a bear hang.