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.

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Download printable version of this checklist

One-Person-Hiking-List

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.