Hiking is a great way to escape everyday life and reconnect with nature. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned trail walker, every outing needs proper preparation. The duration, distance, elevation gain, technical difficulty and weather conditions all help guide your choice of essential hiking gear. Here's everything you need to plan for.
The hiking backpack
Hiking backpacks are essential for hitting the trails. Choosing the right one involves several key factors. The bag must be both lightweight and built-to-last, suited to your body shape, and allow you to organise all your gear. For extra protection, don't forget to pack a rain cover.
The choice of backpack capacity depends mainly on the duration and type of hiking. If you're just starting out, we recommend beginning with short, accessible routes, as the distance of a hiking route for beginners is generally shorter than for experienced walkers. This directly affects the volume of your bag — a 15 to 20 litre model, for example, will be sufficient for a day out.
- Under 10 litres: short walk or trail outing
- Between 15 and 20 litres: day hiking
- Between 30 and 40 litres: two-day hiking trip with a night in a refuge
- Between 50 and 70 litres: multi-day hiking in self-sufficient mode
- Over 70 litres: long treks and expeditions
Essential hiking clothing
Whether you're hiking in summer or winter, your clothing must follow the three-layer system. It lets you pack what you need while being ready for all weather conditions — particularly useful in the mountains where conditions can change fast. As for footwear, the height of the ankle support depends on the terrain, conditions and the weight of your backpack.
- Hiking T-shirts
- Fleece jackets or hiking down jackets
- Waterproof jackets or windbreakers
- Hiking trousers or hiking shorts
- Thermal base layers
- Hiking socks
- Hiking shoes
- Light sandals or flip-flops
- Gloves
- Beanie
- Neck gaiter
Sun protection
The sun can be particularly intense when hiking, especially in the mountains. Don't forget to protect yourself even when it's not visible or you can't feel it. This will help reduce the risk of sunburn or heatstroke.
- Sunscreen high SPF (50+)
- Sunglasses category 3 or 4
- Lip balm
- Cap or hat
Food and hydration
When hiking, food and hydration are essential. Your body needs around 3,000 to 3,500 kcal of energy per day and 2 to 3 litres of water to avoid dehydration. When packing your hiking bag, we recommend prioritising foods that are nutritious, compact and lightweight. For water management, make sure you have a filtration or purification system — it's indispensable for a multi-day self-sufficient hiking trip.
- Energy snacks: dried fruit, cereal bars, nuts, chocolate
- Light meals: freeze-dried dishes, instant soups, sandwiches
- Camp stove
- Gas canister
- Cooking pot, cutlery and cup
- Water bottle or hydration bladder
- Water filtration or purification system
Bivvy gear
If you're planning a multi-day self-sufficient hiking trip, bivvy gear is essential. Again, keeping things lightweight and robust is key, as you need to carry all your equipment while staying protected from the cold, wind and other night-time conditions. For the sleeping bag, we recommend choosing a compact model with a comfort temperature rating suited to the conditions.
- Tent or tarp
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping bag liner
- Sleeping mat or foam pad
Essential navigation gear for hiking
Navigation gear helps you find your way in the outdoors. While many apps and electronic devices are now available, we recommend always carrying a map and compass. They're always useful if you lose signal or your battery dies. If you've just started hiking, make sure you learn how to use the gear before heading out.
- IGN topographic map
- Compass
- Altimeter
- GPS
- Personal locator beacon for remote areas
First aid
Another essential item for hiking is the first aid kit. While it may not be needed on every outing, it becomes vital in the event of an injury. Make sure it's stocked with everything you need to clean and dress a wound, prevent insect bites and regulate your body temperature in an emergency.
- Assorted plasters: standard, blister, adhesive sutures
- Sterile dressings
- Elastic bandage
- Plasters or adhesive tape
- Antiseptic
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Needle
- Painkillers
- Antihistamines
- Anti-diarrhoeal medication
- Hand sanitiser gel or solution
- Mosquito repellent
- Aspivenin
- Emergency blanket
- Whistle
- List of emergency numbers
The accessories that make the difference
On top of all the basic hiking gear, some accessories are really useful on the trails. Hiking poles, for example, help reduce fatigue and improve balance, a head torch is compact and always handy when the light fades, and a rubbish bag is essential for carrying your waste back out.
- Hiking poles
- Head torch
- Swiss army knife
- Lighter or matches
- Rubbish bag
- Biodegradable soap and small towel
- Cord or carabiners
- Tissues and toilet paper
- Phone with power bank
- Camera
- Binoculars
- ID document
- Cash
Choosing the right essential hiking gear is key to making the most of your time outdoors. Whether you're heading out for a few hours or several days in the mountains, every piece of equipment must play its part in terms of comfort, safety and self-sufficiency. For a successful experience, adapt your backpack and its contents to the type of hiking you're doing. And don't forget to respect the environment by taking all your waste with you. Happy trails!
Photo credits: Delphine Daniélou
