The Ten Essentials for Hiking: What you Really Need (And What I Actually Pack)
What are the 10 Essentials for Hiking?
Imagine this: you’re lost, it’s getting dark, and your only survival tools are half a granola bar and your dead phone.
Okay, maybe that’s dramatic… but if you hike long enough, something will go sideways.
That’s why hikers have the Ten Essentials.
So what are the Ten Essentials, and do you really need them?
Short answer: yes-ish.
The Mountaineers, a group of mountain-loving Seattle folks from way back in the 1930s, came up with the list to answer two questions:
1. Can you avoid or handle an emergency?
2. Could you survive a night outside if something goes sideways?
If your hike is short, sunny, and goes exactly as planned, you’ll probably never need most of these. But if it doesn’t, you’ll wish you had at least some of this stuff.
The Ten Essentials are your lifeline. Pack these ten things on every hike, and you’ll be prepared for anything.
Navigation
You should never head into the backcountry without having at least some idea of where you are going and how to get back.
Many people rely on their phones as their sole source of navigation these days. With all the apps and downloadable maps, such as Gaia GPS, that can be great.
Just make sure if this is your sole navigation source you have some way to charge your device. I’m not talking about just your charging cord. You can’t plug that thing into a tree if you get lost and your phone dies.
Bring a battery pack when venturing to an unfamiliar location. GPS and cold weather both suck the life out of your battery.
I personally still love a good paper map. Make sure you know the basics of how to actually read it though. I’ve definitely gotten lost more than once because I thought I was following the map... but wasn’t. The kids have never let me hear the end of it.
Trail Tip: Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. This way if something does happen, there will be a rescue party out looking for you. Just be sure you remember to let them know you returned safely. People don’t like it when they think you’re lost because you didn’t bother to tell them you made it home safely.
Takeaway/Action: Always carry a paper map and compass, even if you use a phone GPS. Bring a charged battery pack and tell someone your plan and expected return time.
2. Sun Protection
Even on a cloudy day, the sun can still get you. Wearing clothing with UPF protection, as well as sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen will protect your skin from the harsh UV rays. If you don’t have UPF protected clothing that’s okay. Just wear what you have and remember the sunscreen.
I’m rarely caught in the backcountry without a hat these days. And I always have on long UPF protected pants. I also can’t see two inches past my nose without my photochromic glasses. They do double duty, vision and sun protection.
Your skin is the biggest organ in your body. Make sure you keep it safe.
Takeaway/Action: Wear a hat, sunglasses, UPF clothing (if you’ve got it), and sunscreen on every hike. Even on cloudy days.
3. Insulation
The weather can change on a dime. You never want to be caught in the rain or cold unprotected. Make sure you always pack your raincoat. You know the weatherman can’t be trusted.
Even if it’s warm when you leave, you always want to have a warmer layer in your pack.
What if you spent too long on your lunch break relaxing by the river? The next thing you know, you’re racing the sun back to the trailhead.
It can get real cold real fast as the sun goes down. That warm layer is looking pretty good right about now.
Takeaway/Action: Pack a raincoat and an insulating layer, even if it’s warm when you leave. Layering = comfort + safety.
4. Illumination
You don’t plan to stay out past dark… until you do.
Maybe you lost track of time taking photos of a waterfall. Maybe your 175 lb dog decided she was done hiking and needed a long nap. Perhaps your kid had a meltdown in the middle of the trail and was just not taking another step.
Either way: bring something to light your way.
Headlamps are my preference because they are lightweight and hands free, but a flashlight gets the job done just as well.
Takeaway/Action: Bring a headlamp or flashlight on every hike and check the batteries before you go. Just because either worked last time doesn’t mean it will work this time. And what if this time is when you actually need it?
5. First-Aid Supplies
This is another one you may not think you need, but you are in the wilderness. Anything can happen. A basic first aid kit with band aids, vitamin I (ibuprofen), and something to remove ticks at the very least is always helpful.
Moleskin is great for blisters, but bandaids will work in a pinch.
We also started carrying leukotape. Aka, magic sticky stuff that helps with knee pain when applied properly. 10/10 would recommend. knees just aren’t what they used to be.
You can start with a ready made first aid kit. Just pick up a small one at your local outdoor store. As you become more experienced, you will learn what you actually need and can tailor it from there.
Takeaway/Action: Carry a basic kit: bandages, blister care, ibuprofen, and a tick remover. Add anything you know you might personally need like medications.
6. Fire
Again just in case you get in a life or death situation it’s good to have some way to start a fire. It can keep you warm, cook your food, or possibly signal help.
I tend to carry a few matches in a waterproof case. Why? Because, honestly, I cannot start a fire with flint if my life depended on it (which is kind of the point). If you’re better at playing mountain MacGyver, carry flint.
Trail Tip: Be careful with just a lighter. High altitude and moisture can cause them to malfunction. We have had issues igniting our camp stove in certain conditions. Luckily we had some dry matches.
Takeaway/Action: Carry waterproof matches, a lighter, or flint (if you know how to use it), plus a fire starter if you might need to stay warm or signal for help. Even in an emergency situations practice safe fire practices. Make sure you know local fire regulations. In many places, open fires are not allowed.
7. Repair Kit and Tools
We carry the most basic repair kit. Duct tape wrapped around our trekking poles. We have fixed oh so many things with this simple tool from holes in tents (thank you dog nails) to crumbling frog togs where the entire butt was nothing but duct tape.
Kept with our first aid kit, we also carry a safety pin or two, needle and thread, and a tent pole repair sleeve. You know that weird little tube that comes with most tents? That thing has a purpose. If the pole breaks, its there as a temporary fix until you can get into town and replace it.
Takeaway/Action: Bring duct tape, a safety pin, needle and thread or other quick fixes for tents, gear, or trekking poles.
8. Nutrition
I have never seen a child so hungry until they walk 15 feet down a trail after they ate the Happy Meal you got them just to get them on trail without having a meltdown in the first place.
We eventually switched the special hiking treat to after the hike, not before, to help with motivation on trail.
Even if you aren’t hiking with kiddos, it’s always a good idea to have an extra snack or two. Typically it won’t weigh much, and you will be happy you have it in case of an emergency.
Heck, if you don’t have an emergency you have a treat for the ride home. Congratulations, you made it! Here’s a yummy snack! Win-win.
You may be thinking, “What kind of snacks should I bring?” and, “How many?”
Well that depends on your preferences, hike length, and individual needs. You want to prioritize protein, carbs, and healthy fats. We love things like jerky and energy bars.
Stay away from things high in sugar. They give you a quick boost, but burn out fast, leading to fatigue and decreased endurance. I do love a candy bar every now and then though.
Takeaway/Action: Pack extra snacks and energy food. Even short hikes can leave you hungry or low on energy in an emergency.
9. Hydration
You can never have enough water on trail. Whether you carry a bottle or a bladder, you have to have water.
We typically carry a water filter as well unless we know it’s a very short day hike and we won’t need more water for the day.
I can’t tell you how many times we have drank through our water on a 12 mile day hike and were so happy we had the means to get more.
And the water filter weighs less than carrying extra water. Of course you have to know there is water available on the trail to filter. Otherwise just carry the extra load and leave the filter at home.
Just a reminder, you should be consuming around a half liter of water per hour when hiking. This will depend, of course, on the temperature and individual factors such as sweat rate, overall weight, and overall health.
Takeaway/Action: Carry enough water for your hike, about a half liter per hour, and a backup plan (filter or purification tablets) if refilling along the trail.
10. Emergency Shelter
For most day hikes one of those emergency blankets that are small enough to fit in your pocket will work just fine. It weighs almost nothing. One of those lives in our day packs.
When venturing out on unfamiliar trails in the winter with kiddos and pups in tow, we have been known to bring a tent, a sleeping pad, and a sleeping bag with us. We may not be super comfortable in an emergency crammed into one two person tent… but at least we won’t be fully exposed to the elements.
If we were to go out on a winter day hike without the whole crew in tow, we would only carry the emergency blanket and a tarp in case of trouble though.
Takeaway/Action: Bring an emergency blanket at minimum; for longer or colder hikes, consider a tent, tarp, or sleeping gear as needed.
A Few Extra (Completely Optional, But Totally Worth It) Items
In my personal opinion…
Trowel
You never know when nature will call. Be prepared to dig a cat hole. Tent stakes and sticks don’t cut it.
Toilet paper and/or Kula cloth
When nature does call, it’s nice to not have to wipe with more nature.
Gallon ziplock bag
I carry this for trash. Typically on trail we pack out more than we pack in. We always find trash left behind by others. The ziplock is a nice sealable container for all that garbage.
Camp chair
This is my creature comfort that I never backpack without anymore. I get it if you don’t want to carry the weight, but for this lazy hiker, my chair is a must have and oh so worth the 1 lb. I don’t want to sit my princess butt on the ground or a log after a long day of hiking. When I get to camp I will have a comfy place to relax.
Hand Sanitizer
Rinse in the water and sanitize with some hand sanitizer. I’m never in the mood to get Giardia out there.
Takeaway/Action: Items like a trowel, ziplock bag for trash, toilet paper, a lightweight camp chair, and hand sanitizer can improve comfort but aren’t essential for survival.
Final Thoughts
I have heard stories of very experienced hikers who have gotten into trouble because they thought they didn’t need to carry the 10 essentials.
You never know what might happen out there or how the weather might change for the worst. It’s best to be prepared. Most of these things don’t weigh much anyway.
That said, everyone has their own quirks and “must-haves” in a pack. What about you? Any weird, wonderful, or absolutely non-negotiable items that didn’t make the list?
Drop them in the comments. I love hearing what other hikers swear by.
Especially if it’s ridiculous. (Looking at you, full-size pillow people.) The trail’s serious business, sure, but it’s also supposed to be fun. Pack smart, hike happy, and don’t forget the snacks.
Quick Reference: Your 10 Essentials Checklist
Navigation: Paper map and compass, and/or phone and battery pack; tell someone your plan
Sun Protection: Hat, sunglasses, UPF clothing, sunscreen
Insulation: Raincoat and warm layer
Illumination: Headlamp or flashlight with fresh batteries
First-Aid: Bandages, blister care, ibuprofen, tick remover
Fire: Waterproof matches or lighter and fire starter
Repair Kit & Tools: Duct tape, safety pins, needle and thread
Nutrition: Extra snacks/energy food
Hydration: Enough water and filter/purification plan if it’s a longer hike and you have access to water
Emergency Shelter: Emergency blanket or tent and sleeping gear if needed
Optional Extras: Trowel, ziplock bag for trash, toilet paper, camp chair, hand sanitizer