Hiking Vacation: 4 Pro Packing Tips

You’ve determined the destination, you purchased your plane tickets, and you are eagerly counting down the days until you take your hiking vacation—a vacation fully or mostly dedicated to exploring a wilderness area (such as a National Park). With just a few days to go, it’s time to start thinking about the most tedious part of preparing for a trip: packing. Instead of cramming in as many tops, jeans, shorts, skirts, as you can fit you need to be more strategic when it comes to packing for a hiking vacation. This type of trip requires compromises between keeping weight down and making sure you bring everything you need. Depending on where you will be going and the time of year, some of these items on this list may not apply, and there will inevitably be additional items you’ll want to bring along. However, here are 4 general tips for packing for a 7-day hiking vacation.

Pack the Right Clothes

You want to be as comfortable as possible when you are hiking and your clothing can largely determine this. Even if you will be traveling to a tropical destination for a rainforest hike, these clothing items could enhance your hiking experience (you never know when an unexpected rainstorm may occur):

4 Moisture-wicking undershirts
4 Long-sleeve shirts
4 T-shirts
3 pairs of pants (suitable weight for current weather, 1 pair wind/moisture resistant)
1 pair of shorts (breathable, stretchable, sweat-wicking)
8 Pairs of Underwear
8 pairs of hiking socks
Hiking boots
Sandals or comfortable slip-on shoes (to wear when not hiking)
Waterproof windbreaker
Poncho/raingear (useful when exposed to damp conditions)
Swimsuit (waterfall/water hikes)
Gaiters
Women Only: 4 Good sports bras
Fleece jacket
Gaiters
Hat, waterproof gloves, beanie

Pack the Right Food

Save yourself time, effort, and the hassle of having to find a local grocery store at your destination and pack your snacks needed for hiking beforehand. You likely won’t fill up on your breakfast in the morning and will need plenty of energy for long days of hiking. Fuel your body with the right food. Some easily transportable food choices include:

Oatmeal
Trail Mix
Protein Bars (Quest Nutrition Bars are my energy bar of choice and packed with protein)
Almonds
Freeze-dried meats
Dried Fruit
Bagels
Apples/Bananas

*Note: If you will be traveling out of country for your hiking trip, some of these items may be prohibited. Check before packing.

Pack Hiking Gear

As much fun as it is to explore your local trails without having to worry about a lot of equipment, more is gear is usually necessary when traveling. During the planning phase of your hiking vacation you likely mapped out which trails you are going to hit. Remember to keep in mind distance and elevation to determine exactly how much water, food, and supplies you will need. Some of these supplies may include:

Trekking poles
Backpack capable of holding plenty of water
Headlamp or flashlight
Batteries
GPS, compass, maps
Tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat (if you will be backpacking)

Pack Safety Supplies

A walk in the wilderness has its own inherent risks. While these risks are usually worth the reward and hiking is often an enjoyable and safe experience, it is best to be prepared. The old adage, “It’s better to be safe than sorry” is entirely true when it comes to exploring the backcountry. To ensure you are properly prepared for unforeseen incidents, the following safety supplies are recommended:

Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Toothbrush
Painkillers such as Aspririn or Ibuprofen
ID card
Survival blanket
Insurance card
First aid kit
Women only: Tampons or pads
A whistle

Pack For Memories

The memories you make on your vacation will last you for a lifetime. However, you can look back and enjoy these experiences on a regular basis by packing the right equipment with you. Packing your phone may not be enough to capture all of your good times. Here are a few other items that will enhance your experience:

Journal and pen
Stamps for postcards
Camera
GoPro
Spare memory card
Spare battery

General Hiking Vacation Tips

Now that you have all of your essentials packed and ready to go, here are a few tips for the months and weeks leading up to your trip.

Three Months Out

Decide when and where you are going
Book airfare ( Kayak is my preferred airline booking website)
Research hotels
- Insiders Tip: I use TripAdvisor to look up potential hotel options to read reputable reviews from other travelers who have stayed there before. This has saved me from plenty of headaches I’ve experienced in the past when booking travel at places I’d never visited before.
Determine which hikes you will take
Check permit regulations
Order guidebooks