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Basic Hiking and Camping Equipment Checklist

The following is a suggested checklist of items for a walking and camping trip in a temperate climate. If you think we've missed something out and would like to suggest an item for the checklist, we'd like to hear from you - Contact Us.

Clothing and Footwear

  • Base layers - thermal vest, long johns etc.
  • Belt
  • Gloves
  • Lightweight trainers, flip-flops or sandals
  • Lightweight waterproof jacket
  • Long-sleeved shirts
  • Nightwear
  • Shorts
  • Socks
  • Spare boot laces
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun Hat
  • Swimwear
  • Travel / hiking trousers
  • T-shirts
  • Underwear
  • Walking boots
  • Warm hat
  • Waterproof overtrousers
  • Windproof jacket
  • Woollen sweater or fleece

Equipment

  • Bin bags
  • Bottle opener (most important, and should really be at the top of your checklist!!!)
  • Can opener
  • Clothes pegs
  • Cork screw (should be second after bottle opener, or first depending on personal preference!)
  • Day sack
  • Dishcloth
  • Knife, fork, spoon
  • Map and compass
  • Money belt
  • Mug
  • Pan scourer
  • Penknife
  • Plate and bowl
  • Rucksack
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping Mat / Thermarest
  • Small folding camp chair
  • Small stuff sacks
  • String (for washing line?)
  • Tent
  • Torch and spare batteries
  • Travel wash or soap flakes
  • Walking poles
  • Water bottle
  • Water purification tablets / equipment
  • Whistle
  • Wristwatch

Wash Kit

  • Foot powder
  • Hairbrush or comb
  • Insect repellent
  • Lipbalm
  • Razor and shaving foam
  • Sanitary protection
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Steel mirror
  • Sunscreen
  • Tissues
  • Toilet paper
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Towel
  • Wet wipes

Miscellaneous Items

  • Binoculars
  • Camera, spare batteries and film (or memory card)
  • Cash, travellers cheques, credit card
  • Mobile phone
  • Notebook, pen and pencil
  • Passport
  • Small repair / sewing kit
  • Travel tickets
  • Vaccination certficate

Personal First Aid Kit

  • Adhesive dressings, various sizes (plasters)
  • Blister kit
  • Disposable gloves
  • Paracetamol tablets
  • Roll bandages
  • Small pair of scissors
  • Sterile dressings, various sizes
  • Thermometer
  • Travel sickness tablets
  • Triangular bandages
  • Tweezers
  • Safety pins

 For more extreme weather conditions the following items may be required:

Cold Climate

  • Balaclava
  • Bivvy bag
  • Climbing harness
  • Crampons
  • Down or fleece zip-up jacket
  • Fleece or woollen mitts
  • Ice axe
  • Inner or liner gloves
  • Knee length gaiters
  • Outer mitts
  • Snow shoes or boots
  • Space blanket
  • Thermal underwear
  • Water and windproof jacket and overtrousers, or fibre-pile one piece suit

Hot Climate

  • Camp bed or hammock
  • Cotton liner for sleeping bag
  • Extra water bottle
  • Insect repellent bands and head net
  • Machete
  • Malaria tablets
  • Mosquito net and frame
  • Shade sheet