What to Bring: The Ultimate Multi-Day Hiking Packing List

This backpacking checklist is my tried-and-true guide to packing smart for overnight hiking trips:

Here is a packing list with the most important items to be well prepared for (almost) all eventualities:

• Medium-sized backpack (up to 40 liters gear capacity), including rain cover
• Lightweight sleeping bag
• Cash
• Water bottle/hydration reservoirs
• Knife
• Headlamp/flashlight
• First aid kit
• Garbage bag (to carry out trash)

• Hiking boots
• Rain jacket
• Rain pants
• Two pairs of socks
• Two sets of wicking underwear
• Two wicking shirts
• Insulation long-sleeve jacket (fleece, synthetic, down, merino wool)
• Trekking pants
• Hat or cap and thin gloves (liners)

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Topographic map
• Toiletry kit
• Quick-dry towel
• Snacks (e. g. fruit, energy bars)
• Cell phone (consider programming emergency numbers into your mobile phone)

Optional:

• Trekking poles
• Windproof jacket (e. g. soft shell)
• Emergency shelter/bivy
• Lightweight stuff sacks to keep everything organized
• Earplugs
• Alpinist Association Membership Card (members save on overnight stays at refuges and shelters)
• Blister treatments, tape
• Slippers
• Bandana or Buff
• Camera – to capture memories at one of Tirol’s photo-worthy locales, of mountaintop summits, of sunrise or sunset, of wildlife… :-)

Odor Resistance: Merino Wool

Use merino wool shirts and underwear because they’re light, comfortable and resist odors. Because of merino wool’s ability to effectively manage moisture, odor-causing bacteria don’t have the moist environment they need to thrive. You can wear merino wool during intense activity and over extended periods of time without having to worry about odor.