What to bring on a hike: a list of essential things for camping and hiking

1. Basic principles of collecting things for a hike
2. Tourist equipment
3. Hiking clothes
4. Hygiene and useful little things
5. Dishes and food
6. Hiking first aid kit
7. Several important points
8. Things to know (Q&A)

Hiking and wilderness recreation is becoming more and more popular. Manufacturers offer a huge selection of quality and functional products for safe travel at any time of the year. If you decide to try this type of vacation, we offer our recommendations for collecting things.

Basic principles of collecting things for a hike

To make hiking a joy, the things you take with you need to be functional, lightweight and durable. It is better to think through everything to the smallest detail in advance than later in a hurry to forget something important or, conversely, to take something absolutely inconvenient or unnecessary.

Make a list of common items in advance and distribute them evenly among all group members. Thus, you do not have to carry unnecessary things on the hike, for example, a second bowler hat, an ax and other things. The first aid kit can also be equipped with one for all.

Think over who will sleep where, so that it is not crowded, and not take extra tents. Study the route, decide where you will replenish water supplies, how you will cook food. If the area where you plan to go is scarce for wood, it is better to take a gas burner and a sufficient supply of fuel for it.

Backpack

If you can save money on some kind of tourist equipment, we do not recommend doing it on a backpack. You will wear a backpack most of the time, if it is uncomfortable or tears at the most inopportune moment, you will not get any pleasure from the hike.

It is better to choose an accessory of a well-known brand, it is more functional and will last longer. Choose a model with a tight touring back and wide shoulder straps. Everything should be adjusted so as to reduce the load on the back, transferring the bulk of the weight to the hips. For the safety of the backpack and its contents, we recommend using a special water-repellent cover.

For a 2-3 day hike, a medium sized backpack with a volume of 40-60 liters is quite suitable. When collecting things, put everything that is needed only for the night on the bottom, the heaviest items - closer to the back. Next, put food, dishes, various little things and a raincoat. Put everything that you may need while moving (knife, water, snacks, napkins) in your pockets.

Tourist equipment

In order not to get lost in unfamiliar places, take a navigator with you. If the hike involves an overnight stay, you cannot do without a tent. Don't skimp on its size. It is better to take a three-person tent for two, so there will be enough space for a comfortable sleep and placing things inside in case of rain. When choosing a tent model, remember that you will have to carry any excess weight during the hike. Forget about large tarpaulin models, the tent should be lightweight, with a water resistance index of at least 3000 PU.

Instead of various blankets and bedspreads, it is better to take an individual sleeping bag, it takes up less space. You will also need a travel mat that goes under your sleeping bag, so you will not freeze even in the cold season. Do not take various folding chairs and tables with you on a hike, all this is extra weight. Take better polyurethane seats, they are lightweight and do not take up space.

Just in case, we recommend taking also a strong rope and carabiners. If you are hiking, consider a telescopic trekking pole as it is very energy saving when climbing. Be sure to take a flashlight, the best option is a headlamp or a handheld solar-powered flashlight.

Hiking clothes

Wear comfortable clothes when hiking. It is better that it was specialized clothing for tourism, it is light, comfortable, does not park, protects the body well in all weather conditions. Even for a summer trip, take things that will cover your entire body, otherwise grasses, bushes and trees will scratch your hands and feet. Do not forget about a raincoat, it is preferable to take a special camping one, which will cover the backpack, and can be used as an awning.

You should definitely take thermal underwear, warm clothes, a windbreaker and a spare set of clothes, which will come in handy if you get wet or get pretty dirty. Several pairs of socks and underwear must be taken, a hat is required. We also recommend treating your hiking gear with mosquito, tick and spider repellents. This will save you a lot of trouble. Choose shoes that are comfortable and waterproof. For longer hikes than 2-3 days, bring extra sneakers.

Hygiene and useful little things

To save space and weight, take all hygiene products in mini-packages. Buy shampoo and shower gel in disposable sachets or pour from a large home jar into a mini container.

Be sure to take:

• hand cream;
• moisturizing face cream, just not in a glass jar;
• a multifunctional balm that is suitable for softening lips and rough spots on the skin;
• wet wipes;
• personal hygiene products (for women);
• toothpaste and brush, hairbrush for girls;
• towel;
• antiseptic for hands;
• lumpy soap in a soap dish;
• toilet paper, cotton pads / sticks.

Do not forget about the little things useful on the trip: a needle and thread, mini scissors, a nail file, a notebook with a pen, tape, superglue, sunglasses. Just in case, take a couple of candles, all of a sudden all the lights go down, and there will be no opportunity to buy batteries or charge the accumulators.

Dishes and food

It is better to take all kitchen utensils metal, they will definitely not break. If you plan to travel longer than 1 day, forget about disposable dishes, they are inconvenient to eat in nature, especially hot ones. And you don't need extra inorganic waste. Take one ax, a sapper's shovel, a saucepan or light pot, a scoop, a cutting board, a silicone pot holder for hot food, and a can opener per group.

For cooking, you can also use the combi system with a pot screwed onto the burner. For yourself personally, take one deep bowl, a non-breaking thermo mug, a spoon, and a folding knife. Compact transformer devices are very good for a hike, for example, a spoon-fork-opener in one device. Each member of the group should have matches and a lighter.

For food, buy non-perishable items such as potatoes, pasta, cereals, canned food, jerky, snacks, and energy snack bars. Frozen meat or fish can be taken with the expectation of only the first day, packing it in a thermo-bag. Don't forget tea / coffee, sugar, salt, spices, onions. Calculate the number of meals in advance so as not to get too much and not to stay hungry.

Hiking first aid kit

A first aid kit on a hike may not be useful, or even save a life. To properly assemble a first aid kit, you need to assess all possible risks based on the conditions in which you find yourself. For a wild hike in the woods or mountains, you will need a complete first aid kit:

• A set of bandages and plasters of various sizes for dressing wounds.
• Disinfectant (peroxide, antiseptic spray).
• Antiallergic local remedy. The best option is an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone ointment, which is a first aid for insect bites and contact with poisonous plants.
• Oral antihistamine (optimally loratadine or cetirizine).
• Activated carbon (with the calculation of 1 g per kg of weight in acute toxic poisoning).
• Antipyretic and pain reliever (paracetamol or ibuprofen).
• Antiseptic eye drops.
• Several pieces of special cooling bags - in the summer it is almost impossible to find cold in the forest to apply to the injury site.
• Tweezers - very useful for pulling out a splinter or tick.
• Elastic bandage.
• A burn agent (such as panthenol spray).
• If there is a chance of being bitten by a snakeor spiders, it is desirable to have an anti-allergic agent for intramuscular injection (dexamethasone or epinephrine).
• In sunny seasons, be sure to bring sunscreen.

If the hike involves moving around more or less crowded places where an ambulance can reach you within half an hour, it is enough to put an anesthetic, antiseptic, sorbent, antibacterial ointment, antiallergic agent, a set of bandages and plasters in the first-aid kit.

Several important points

Spare batteries or rechargeable batteries must be taken for all electronic devices. Also, a power bank will not hurt to recharge the phone or navigator.

Waterproof cases are very useful for storing your phone, money and documents in case of rain, need to cross streams or rivers.

Things to know (Q&A)