As the title says, I’m looking for gear recommendations and a general packing list for longer hikes. I have some experience with moderate distance hikes (<10 miles), but I’m new to hiking gear, as I’ve mostly just used a water bottle and trail mix. My goal is to start with longer trips and eventually work up to multi-day hikes. I mostly hike in the northeast. Any suggestions would be great. Apologies if this post isn’t quite right for this sub.
There isn’t much difference in my pack whether I do a 10km hike or a 30km hike, other than more food and water.
Look up the 10 essentials and follow that. The Ultimate Hikers Gear Guide by Andrew Skurka is a great book if you’re new to hiking.
Denim said:
Look up the 10 essentials and follow that. The Ultimate Hikers Gear Guide by Andrew Skurka is a great book if you’re new to hiking.
I’ll give it a read, thanks!
I carry my Anker charger every time I go out. It’s especially useful if I’m out all day doing 20 or 30 miles.
The region you hike will determine a lot about the gear you need. There are many ultralight and minimal gear lists on social media, but I caution against jumping straight into that. For example, if you’re using a hammock or a non-freestanding shelter, you should get a lot of practice setting it up before your first trip, or make your first trip an easy one to try out your gear. Here are some key categories to research:
Shelter & Sleep
Pack & Accessories
Worn Clothes
Packed Clothes
Cooking & Water Filtering
First Aid & Safety
Miscellaneous Gear
I’d recommend focusing on comfort, weight, and durability. For multi-day hikes, a well-fitting backpack is crucial. Try the Gregory Baltoro 65 or Arc’teryx Bora AR. For sleep, go with a lightweight sleeping bag. For food, a stove like the MSR Reactor and freeze-dried meals are easy to pack. Don’t skimp on a good rain jacket and trekking poles.