Hiking Equipment: What Goes in Your Backpack? (With Packing List)

Heading out for a hike and wondering what actually needs to go in your backpack? Here I show you what I wear on a hike, what always ends up in my backpack – and further down you’ll find my packing checklist, for day hikes and hut tours.

Clothing for hiking

Even in summer, the mountain rule is: layering! It’s often warm in the valley, but at the summit it can be windy and really chilly. With several thin layers you can take things off on the way up and quickly put something back on at the top.

Shirt & socks

A technical shirt dries quickly and keeps you dry. For socks, proper hiking socksare worth it, so you don’t get blisters.

Trousers & jackets

Comfortable hiking trousers (or shorts on warm days) are the basis. Your backpack should always hold a light fleece or down jacket for breaks and the summit, plus a rain jacket – the weather in the mountains can change extremely quickly.

The right shoes

The most important thing of all: good hiking boots or trail shoes with a grippy sole. Personally, I usually wear a trail shoe with a good sole , because it gives me more feel underfoot. On rocky terrain and with a heavy backpack, ankle-high mountain boots give you more support. And really important: never break in new shoes on a long tour – wear them in beforehand!

Head & sun

A cap or sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are a must – the sun in the mountains is much stronger than you think. For early starts or cool days I also pack a headband and thin gloves.

What goes in the backpack?

For day hikes, a backpack of 20 to 30 litresis usually enough. Make sure it fits well and has a hip belt – that makes the weight much easier to carry.

You should always have a small first aid kit (including blister plasters) and a charged phone. On multi-day tours I also pack a power bank . For navigation I use the Alpenvereinaktiv app and Strava.

Personally, I simply like hiking with poles. And if you set off early for the sunrise or come back late, you definitely need a head torch.

Also really important: a small rubbish bag. Whatever you take up the mountain, you take back down again. The same goes for huts, by the way – you carry your rubbish back down to the valley.

An empty stomach doesn’t like to hike! Enough to drink (1.5 to 2 litres depending on the tour) and a few snacks like bars, nuts or a sandwich always belong in your backpack – even if there’s a hut along the way. You never know if it’s open.

Extras for hut tours

Most important first: always book your hut in advance! Especially in summer and at weekends, many huts are booked up quickly.

If you’re staying overnight in a hut, a few more things come along: on most Alpine Club huts a hut sleeping bag liner is mandatory. Add a small toiletry bag, a quick-drying towel, a change of clothes for the evening and a bit of cash – you can’t pay by card everywhere. Many huts provide hut slippers, but it’s best to ask beforehand.

Not a must, but a good tip: earplugs – someone in the dorm is always snoring, haha.

My tip: pack as light as possible. You’ll feel every kilo on the way up – and you usually need less than you think.

Stay safe!

Plan your tour well: check the weather forecast, be realistic about distance and elevation gain, and start early – especially in summer there are often thunderstorms in the afternoon. Tell someone where you’re going, and rather turn back once too early than take a risk. The mountain isn’t going anywhere!

I wish you lots of fun in the mountains – let me know if I’ve forgotten anything! ♥️

Love,
Anna