A standard list of what you will need on a multi-day hike for most locations in the world (well... ok, except for the Amazon or Antarctic). Scroll to the bottom of the page to see additional items for specific hikes/climates.

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STANDARD ESSENTIALS

• Backpack (40 – 60 liter size)

• Waterproof pack cover

• Sleeping bag (suitable for the season)

• First aid kit (including bandaids, tweezers, blister kit, antihistamine, personal medication, painkiller, flu pills)

• Navigation (map, compass)

• Water (at LEAST 2 liters of water per person, per day) - Camelbak + a reusable water bottle

• Kitchen (knife, spork, plate/bowl, cup, small pot/pan, dish soap, trash bag)

• Matches, lighter, tinder, in a waterproof container

• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, toilet paper)

• Insect repellent & sunscreen

• Hat and sunglasses (DON'T bring the good ones)

• Flashlight, headlamp, and spare batteries

• Pocketknife

• Dry bag

• Tent/hammock (only if there are no huts available)

 

CLOTHING

• At least two sets of clothes (one for walking, one for sleeping)

• Hiking shoes (MAKE SURE they are broken in first - that means walk around in them nonstop for two weeks prior to your hike)

• Extra socks (wool) + underwear

• Shirt (wool, linen, moisture-wicking)

• Raincoat (make sure it's waterPROOF, not water repellent - GorTex is great)

• Swimsuit (even for cold hikes, it's fun to dip after a sweaty day!)

 

OPTIONAL / RECOMMENDED

• Camera

• Portable Mp3 player & earphones

• Portable speaker

• Rechargeable battery pack

• Earplugs

• Trekking poles

• Lightweight shoes for inside the huts

• Small towel

• Small daypack

• Ziploc bags for electronics

 

COLD WEATHER EXTRAS

• Wool or fleece layers for your legs and top

• Light mittens / waterproof gloves

• Overpants (thin, water and windproof pants you put over your normal pants)

• Waterproof outerwear - includes pant covers, shoe covers (if yours aren't waterproof), rain jacket

 

HOT WEATHER EXTRAS

• Extra water

• Sweatbands

• Sandals/flip flops/thongs

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WET WEATHER EXTRAS

• Gaiters for wet, boggy areas or river crossings

• Water shoes for river crossings or during a rainy season

• Waterproof outerwear - includes pant covers, shoe covers (if yours aren't waterproof), rain jacket

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FOOD

Only bring food that is lightweight, easy to cook, and high in energy. For example:

• Breakfast: cereal/porridge/oats, firm bread, honey

• Lunch: crackers, cheese, salami, jam/jelly, dried fruit

• Dinner: instant soup, pasta or rice, dried vegetables or fruit, cheese or dehydrated (freeze-dried) meals.

You'll also need water, snacks, biscuits, muesli bars, tea or coffee, powdered fruit drinks, and emergency food in case of any delays on the route.

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SPECIFIC HIKE EXTRAS

Here you will find our pack lists for the specific hikes we’ve been on – it’s what we thought we should bring, plus what we realized we should have brought later… might save you from frostbite, starvation, soggy toes, death, missing your morning coffee, or who knows what!

 

The Routeburn Track (NZ)

• Hiking clothes: good quality, waterproof hiking boots and jacket, fleece, thermals, rain pants, beanie, gloves, woolen socks + extra socks, warm hat

• Hut clothes: hut shoes, warm clothes to sleep in, down jacket, warm socks

• Accessories: walking sticks (very useful! not just for oldies)

 

The Liverpool Hut (NZ)

• Hiking clothes: good quality, waterproof hiking boots and jacket, fleece, thermals, rain pants, beanie, gloves, woolen socks + extra socks, warm hat

• Hut clothes: hut shoes, warm clothes to sleep in, down jacket, warm socks

• Accessories: definitely walking sticks, stove & fuel canister (one of the huts doesn't have a stove), emergency tarp/shelter, an emergency beacon that can be hired from the Wanaka DOC

 

Mt Solitary (AUS)

• Hiking clothes: good quality, waterproof hiking boots and jacket, fleece, thermals, rain pants, beanie, gloves, woolen socks + extra socks, warm hat

• Night clothes: light shoes, warm clothes to sleep in, down jacket, warm socks

• Accessories: walking sticks, stove & fuel canister, tent, bedroll, EXTRA water (none at site)

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