Hiking Camping Checklist
Hiking, and carrying all of your equipment with you is very different from camping where you drive a car to the camp site. The emphasis of the hiking camping checklist is on keeping the weight down, but still taking all you need to camp, eat and travel.
So this checklist doesn’t include all of the luxuries you might take with you otherwise, such as air-beds, camp chairs and pillows. The majority of this should fit into your rucksack with just the tent and sleeping mat strapped to the outside.
If the weather is likely to be bad, make sure you have a cover for your rucksack. It is also a good idea to pack you clothes inside plastic bags in your rucksack, so if it leaks your clothes will remain dry.
Hiking Camping Checklist
Packing | Cooking / Cleaning | |
Backpack | Water Bottle | |
Bags – Tent bag, plastic bags, etc. | Stove | |
Fuel for stove | ||
Shelter | Mug, Bowl, Plate | |
Tent | Knife, fork, spoon, teaspoon | |
Check you have tent pegs | Ligthweight pan set (Trangia) | |
Cooking oil | ||
Bedding | Sharp knife | |
Sleeping bag | Can opener/bottle opener | |
Sleeping mat | Paper towels | |
Rubbish bags | ||
Lighting – Check batteries! | Washing up liquid | |
Torch | Ziplock bags | |
Spare batteries | Dish Cloth | |
Lantern (lightweight) | Tea Towel | |
Lighter (as in cigarette) | Seasoning | |
Matches (preferably water proof) | Tea / Coffee / sugar / milk | |
Food * | ||
Clothes | Thermos? | |
Shoes/boots | ||
Trousers | Medical | |
Shorts | First Aid Kit | |
T-shirts | Insect Repellent – Spray | |
Socks/extra socks | Suntan Lotion | |
Hat/scarf/gloves | Pocket Tissues | |
Sweatshirt/jacket/fleece | Anti Bacterial lotion | |
Underwear | Hand wipes | |
Sleep clothes | ||
Rain gear | Miscellaneous | |
Gaiters | Maps/directions | |
Whistle | ||
Cleaning and Personal Items | Swiss army knife / multitool | |
Toilet Paper (essential) | Compass | |
Soap | GPS | |
Flannel | Sunglasses | |
Shampoo | Binoculars | |
Toothpaste and toothbrush | Camera | |
Towel | Rope/clothes line | |
Deoderant | Notepad/pen | |
Sunscreen/chapstick | Phone/charger/extra battery | |
Money/ID/credit card/change | ||
Small sewing kit | ||
Scissors | ||
Watch |
Here are a few tips to minimize the weight you’re carrying:
- If you can’t sleep without a pillow, just take a pillowcase and stuff it with spare clothes.
- Transfer all liquids into smaller bottles e.g. Shampoo, washing up liquid, sun cream, cooking oil, milk etc.
- Just take a few paper towels, not the full roll.
- Take 2 torches instead of a torch and lantern. The second torch can be hung from tent ceiling like a lantern.
- Use microfibre towels and flannels.
* What food to take depends on how long you’re going for and where you are staying. We can’t cover every option in this list.

Camping CheckLists for 1 Person

Family Camping CheckList

Glamping Checklist

Festival Camping Checklist

Camping CheckLists for Hiking

Wilderness Camping Checklist
