Recommended Equipment For Backpacking & Hiking
The following checklists are items we would recommend each person have with them on a backpacking or hiking adventure. Some of these items are not essential to your survival, however, our philosophy is: It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
Backpacking & Hiking Equipment Checklist
| High carbon fixed-blade knife (full tang) | |
| Multi-tool / lock-blade knife | |
| Personal survival kit *** | |
| First aid kit / medications | |
| Canteen with water / water bottles with water | |
| Collapsible water container (1 or 2 gallon) | |
| Clear plastic drinking tube (3') | |
| 2 candy or nutrition bars | |
| Disposable butane lighter (brightly colored, non-opaque, adjustable flame, non childproof) | |
| Magnesium block fire starter with hacksaw blade striker | |
| Heavy duty space blanket (brightly colored) | |
| Regular Space Blanket (bronze and silver sided type) | |
| 100' 550lb. test parachute cord (white for summer, olive for winter) | |
| Colored surveyors tape (3'-4') | |
| Flashlight and lanyard with 2AA batteries (brightly colored) | |
| 2AA batteries with date of purchase | |
| Cell phone | |
| 7.5 minute topographical map | |
| Compass | |
| wool or synthetic stocking cap (brightly colored) | |
| cotton bandana (brightly colored) | |
| 4 Heavy-duty freezer bags (2 gallon, 2 quart) | |
| 2 55-gallon barrel liners or 3 large capacity leaf bags (store rolled up in gallon freezer bag) | |
| Backpack / Waistpack | |
| Wrist watch / pocket watch | |
| GPS / extra batteries | |
| Folding saw / camp saw | |
| Binoculars | |
| Rain gear | |
| Extra clothing | |
| Extra socks | |
| Sweatshirt / jacket | |
| Hat | |
| Sunscreen / lip balm | |
| Sunglasses | |
| Hiking stick / poles | |
| Toilet paper | |
| Insect repellent | |
| Money / ID | |
| Camera / film | |
| Notepad / pen | |
Personal Survival Kit
Note: The following considerations may be advantages to building your own survival kit versus purchasing one.
1. You can ensure survival kit items will meet your personal needs.
2. Because you have built the kit, you will be familiar with the contents and know how to use them.
3. You can replace individual worn-out parts or used items without having to replace the entire kit.
| 1 | Whistle (pea-less, brightly colored, plastic) |
| 1 | Signal mirror (sightable, 3x5 glass with brightly colored duct tape reinforced pouch) |
| 1 | Lock-blade knife |
| 1 | Button compass |
| 1 | Lens magnifier (credit card sized in brightly colored sheath) |
| 1 | Matchsafe containing paraffin-coated, strike-anywhere matches |
| 1 | Wire saw |
| 1 | LED micro light |
| 1 | Razor blade (single edge) |
| 5 | X-ACTO scalpel blades (#10) |
| 1 | Tweezers |
| 2 | Adhesive bandage strips |
| 6 | Cotton balls saturated with petroleum jelly |
| 1 | Dental floss roll |
| 3 | Fish hooks - baitholder (size 6) |
| 3 | Fish hooks - salmon egg (size 8) |
| 3 | Split-shot weights (size BB) |
| 2 | Snap swivels (size 14) |
| 2 | Barrel swivels (size 8) |
| 50' | Fishing line |
| 1 | Can opener (GI P-38) |
| 1 | Water purification tablets in waterproof bottle |
| 1 | Condom (non-lubricated) |
| 6' | Duct tape |
| 6' | Utility wire (stainless steel) |
| 50' | Nylon thread |
| 2 | Velcro straps |
| 4 | Plastic cable ties / zip ties |
| 2 | Split-rings (size 7) |
| 2 | Sewing needles |
| 4 | Safety pins (2 medium, 2 small) |
| 3' | Heavy duty aluminum foil |
| 1 | Pencil |
| 3 | Waterproof paper (sheets) |
| 1 | Knife sharpener |
| 1 | Instructions/survival guide |
| 1 | Contents list |
| 1 | Plastic vial (small) |
| 1 | Waterproof pouch (pocket size) |
Home-made Survival Kit Example:
Retail Survival Kit Example (well-thought out kit):
Adventure® Medical Kits POCKET SURVIVAL PAK™ was developed by Equipped To Survive™ founder and editor Doug Ritter. Contents listing can be found here at Equipped.org.
Brand / Product Recommendations:
Note: I have created a webpage with links to web sites of most items that I personally use and would recommend. I will not officially endorse and am receiving no monies from any of these companies. The links are simply there for you to decide for yourselves.