33 Essential Overnight Hiking Items You Should Pack [Checklist]

The question that’s on every beginner hiker’s mind … what the heck should I pack on my first overnight hike?

Keep reading to find out which overnight hiking essentials you’ll need to pack, the things you won’t need, plus the items that’ll make your experience memorable in a good way. Get some basic facts on how to select your gear and discover which items are worth splurging on.

The most important thing to remember is that the more you practice, the more of an expert you’ll become. You’ll never know it all when you first start out, no matter how much research you do. The best way to gain confidence, learn your preferences, and get better at overnight hiking is to just get out there.

If you read to the end of the article, you’ll see the 33-Item Checklist – download it and get packing for your next adventure!

Before we dive in, let’s answer some FAQs

To get you started, read the common questions that beginner hikers usually ask, and get the answers you need to be more confident on your first overnight hike.

What is overnight hiking?

Contrary to what the name might suggest, overnight hiking does not entail walking at night time, that would be ridiculous! Overnight hiking, also known as backpacking, is simply hiking over multiple days, camping on the trail, and carrying all your gear on your back.

How do you train for an overnight hike?

Most people will say that the best way to train for an overnight hike is to practice day-hiking with your backpack fully loaded. While this is a great way to make sure your backpack and shoes are the right fit and to break in your gear, the best way to train for an overnight hike is to train at the gym.

Lifting heavy weights and working on your cardio is the best way to get fitter and stronger. This will give you the best chance at being physically ready to hit the trail. Once you have good foundational strength, you can tackle just about any hike. All the other trail skills can be learnt as you go.

Where should I sleep when hiking?

There are lots of options for sleeping when you’re overnight hiking, but the most popular is a tent. In hotter and drier climates, camping in a hammock, under a mosquito net, or ‘cowboy camping’ may be options too.

Cowboy camping is the simplest (and most lightweight) form of camping, where you just sleep on your mat on the ground – this is usually done with no shelter or mosquito net.

What should I take on an overnight hike in Australia?

Australia is a huge country with lots of different regions and climates – from alpine to sandy deserts. Your gear list will vary slightly in different areas, but the list below is pretty standard for Australian overnight hiking (not including alpine/snow conditions – this will require more specific gear).

The first items on the list are considered part of the ‘Big 3’ – tent, sleep system, and backpack. These are the heaviest items that you will carry on an overnight hike, and many hikers choose these very carefully.

Most overnight hiking gear you buy in Australia will be a trade-off between weight and cost. The lighter it is, the more expensive it will usually be. So, start modest and cheap and work your way up in quality and price as you get more into overnight hiking.

1. Tent

For most Australian overnight hiking, you’ll need a tent with a rain cover and a fly. The one mistake I made with my first hiking tent was buying one that didn’t have a separate internal fly. This means that I can’t get enough ventilation when the tent’s zipped up, but if I unzip it for air then it’s open to the bugs – not a good time when you’re in Australia!

Make sure you find one that has a completely removable rain cover. Most beginners will also enjoy the ease and convenience of a free-standing tent, meaning you can set it up without pegs or the need to tie off to anything. This will come in handy on wooden sleeping platforms or on really hard ground.

2. Sleeping Pad

There are three main options when it comes to sleeping pads:

Inflatable (air)
Self-inflating (air and foam)
Egg-carton (foam only)

Each of these options offers something different, and what you select will be a matter of personal choice. For years I had a Sea to Summit self-inflating mat, and although it has been a durable, comfortable and reliable mat, being a side sleeper I have always found it way too hard. I recently changed to a Sea to Summit insulated air mat and I love it because I can adjust the amount of air in it to make it harder or softer. It also gets me a bit higher off the ground, meaning it’s a little bit warmer too.

Egg-carton foam mats are preferred by many lightweight hikers and offer durable and cheap comfort. You never have to worry about holes or leaks, and you can use the mat during the day to sit on too. I have recently invested in a foam mat to go underneath my air mat – it adds more warmth and comfort to my sleep system. You can grab the Mountain Designs Hikelite Mat from Anaconda for under $50.

When it comes to purchasing a sleeping mat, the best thing you can do is try them all at shops and do lots of research. Get to know what all the insulation ratings mean and figure out what level of padding you prefer.

3. Sleeping bag & liner

Your sleeping bag is a vital piece of equipment that will impact how well you recover from a long day of hiking. If you’re cold at night, you won’t sleep well, and your body will suffer the next day – which is why picking the right sleeping bag is important.

There are two main options when it comes to sleeping bags:

Down
Synthetic

The difference is that down is typically warmer for less weight, compresses more easily into a smaller package, but will not keep you warm if it gets wet. Synthetic sleeping bags are more durable, work even if wet, but tend to be bulkier and heavier than down sleeping bags with the same temperature rating. That being said, synthetic sleeping bags are becoming lighter and warmer, and some now even offer a similar warmth to weight ratio as down sleeping bags.

I am a very cold sleeper, so even in WA’s relatively ‘mild’ climate I still get cold on the shoulder seasons (late Autumn and early Spring). I currently use the Black Wolf Hiker 500 down sleeping bag (Comfort Temperature Rating: -1.7°C). It wasn’t cheap but it is great quality and so far it hasn’t suffered any punctures or rips. It’s on the lower limit of what I consider warm, and it’s definitely not warm enough for me for winter camping. I also use a Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor Extreme sleeping bag liner, which gives me a little bit more warmth on those cold Autumn and Spring nights.

4. Water + bottles & water bladder

Although water seems like an obvious item for an overnight hike, the way you carry it is more of an art than you’d think.

How do you carry water for an overnight hike?

Carrying a range of water containers is the best way to carry water for an overnight hike. I like to use a water bladder for drinking out of during the day, but I also carry additional bottles to use at camp. Drinking out of a water bladder during the day means you don’t have to stop to have a drink or take off your pack every time you need some water. Having your water easily accessible means you’ll be more inclined to drink – and thus stay hydrated – throughout the day.

However, trying to use water out of your bladder for cooking is a terrible idea, and a great way to spill and waste your precious water! Camelbak have the best quality water bladders available in Australia out of all the ones I’ve tried – they’re the most expensive for a reason. They don’t leak, are easy to fill, and are hard to spill when you’re putting the lid on.

I also like to carry 2 or 3 lightweight, 1L plastic bottles that I can use at camp. Reusable bottles are best but disposable bottles will work too. A wide-lid bottle is easy to fill up from tanks or streams, easy to pour into meals and for tea, and handy to keep by your bed at night. It’s also necessary to have multiple bottles so that you can easily purify your new water without contaminating your existing drinking supply.

Stainless steel bottles are great insulators, but I find that they’re way too heavy for overnight hiking.

How much water do I need for a 20 km hike?

Everyone’s water consumption requirements are different, but at a bare minimum I would recommend 3 litres of water per day for drinking on a mild day (in the mid 20’s). You will use an additional 1 litre at camp for cooking (dinner, breakfast), cups of tea/coffee, and frugal dish-washing.

If you’re an above-average water consumer, you’ll go through much more than 3 litres per day. I typically drink 1 litre of water when I wake up in the morning, and about 2 to 3 litres throughout the day. I’ll then use about 500mL to 1 litre at camp. When it’s above 25°C I’ll drink much more.

The amount of water you have to carry with you on an overnight hike will also depend on how much water is available at camp or along the trail. Most trail campsites in Australia have a rainwater tank, but these vary in reliability depending on the season, recent rainfall, and how busy the trail is. Make sure you check on fresh water availability at the campsite you plan to stay at before you go.

Don’t forget that for overnight hiking there’s always a trade-off with the gear you carry. The more water you carry, the more tired you will get (because water is heavy), and the more water you will need to drink! Over the years I’ve found that water supply is a very fine balance, and it’s unlikely that you’re going to get it right every time. If you’re ever unsure, the best rule of thumb is to always take more not less.

5. Stove & fuel

There are lots of lightweight hiking stoves available on the market, and like most hiking gear, what you choose depends on personal preference. A big factor in choosing a stove system is what you plan to cook – if you’re cooking food from scratch, you’ll need more fuel and a suitable pot or pan to cook on. If you’re simply rehydrating backpacking meals, then all you’ll need to do is boil water.

I use a Jetboil and find it to be exceptionally convenient, durable, and reliable. For a 3-day trip solo, I only take a small (100g) fuel canister, because I don’t cook from scratch on the trail. You can also get bigger fuel canisters for longer trips.

There are other awesome, much smaller, lightweight stoves that are very durable and a lot cheaper than a Jetboil. A stove that many people swear by is the 360 Degrees Furno Stove for just $50 at Anaconda. This is also a great option if you want to do some real cooking as you can put any pot or pan on top.

6. Emergency location device

Many hikers travel with an emergency location device that they can use in a life-threatening situation. They offer peace of mind when you’re in remote locations with no phone reception and could save your life if the worst happens. The best place to stow it is on the outside of your pack – clip it somewhere that’s easy to access in an emergency. There’s no point in having a life-saving device if you can’t find it in the emergency!

There are two main options to consider for lightweight hiking – a personal locator beacon (PLB), or a Garmin inReach device. A personal locator beacon gives off a satellite signal once deployed and triggers an emergency response. An InReach device offers the same emergency response capability when triggered, but it also allows you to send pre-programmed check-in messages to your emergency contacts.

I have the GME PLB which I purchased from Anaconda, and thankfully have never needed to use it. The battery lasts 3 to 4 years, and you should test it every year or so. The regular price is $395, but Anaconda often have sales so you can get one for much less. It’s a small price to pay for something that could save your life.

7. Long-handled spork

The key here is long-handled. A long-handled plastic spork is the ultimate hiking gadget, turning two (sometimes 3) utensils into one lightweight unit that can reach all the way to the bottom of your Jetboil or dehydrated food bag. It’s extremely unlikely that you’ll need a separate fork and knife – unless you’re planning to cook up a steak in your Jetboil.

Don’t be tricked into bringing along normal cutlery from the kitchen – it’ll be way too heavy. Using disposable bamboo cutlery is also no good because it’ll break quickly, hold bacteria because it can’t be washed, and you’ll end up carrying it out in your rubbish bag anyway.

You can get these from almost any outdoor gear shop.

8. Food (dehydrated meals, lunches & snacks)

The best food is always homemade food, and it’s no different for overnight hiking. Normal food contains a lot of water, adding significantly to the weight of your pack. Not only this, but most meals and ingredients will need to be refrigerated prior to use. That’s why hikers like to carry dehydrated meals for overnight trips.

You could make your own hiking meals and dehydrate them yourself, or simply purchase dehydrated hiking meals from the shop. A word of warning though – not all dehydrated meals are created equal. Many of them are pumped with agents that help in the dehydration and rehydration process, which are perfectly safe, but I have always found that they mess with my stomach. There’s nothing worse than desperately needing a toilet when you’re in the middle of the wilderness!

Because making my own dehydrated meals is too time consuming, I have searched high and low for good backpacking meals. I recently found a company that makes completely natural and delicious dehydrated meals – they’re a Tasmanian company called Strive. They make dehydrated meals with absolutely no added ingredients and they even have gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian options.

Don’t forget about breakfast and lunch too, you’re guaranteed to be hungry all day after lots of high-energy hiking.

9. Tea/coffee/treats & mug

You’ll always regret not bringing some yummy treats to enjoy after a long and exhausting day of hiking. My favourite tea and a piece of chocolate are my must-have camp items that I will never go without now. Overnight hikes are not the time to ‘be good’, limit your calories, or start a fad diet.

A large lightweight (enamel or plastic) mug is another essential item – it’s perfect for tea and coffee but it can also double as a bowl for your meals.

10. Emergency drugs

The must-have emergency drugs that I always keep on hand have got me out of many a pinch. Sometimes I have a headache after a long day in the sun, sometimes I’m dehydrated when I get to camp even though I’ve had lots of water throughout the day. For these reasons, I always carry Hydralyte, paracetamol, ibuprofen, and Gastrostop in case of emergencies.

If you do carry some form of dehydration tablets or powder, make sure to avoid the ones with lots of sugar and salt in (like Gatorade or Powerade). These are unlikely to rehydrate you adequately, will spike your blood sugar and can cause kidney problems if over-consumed.

11. Mini first-aid kit

Make up your own mini first aid kit by putting your items in a small packing cell or dry bag. My first aid kit includes Betadine/disinfectant for blisters, tweezers, bandaids, tape for toes/feet, and bandages.

12. Rain jacket

Whether you carry a full Goretex rain jacket or just a plastic poncho depends on your budget and the climate you’re hiking in. If you’re purchasing a rain jacket, keep in mind that water repellent and waterproof are two very different things.

If there’s going to be more than a light drizzle, you’ll quickly know the difference between a cheap rain jacket and a good quality rain jacket. Goretex is a top of the range, high quality waterproof fabric where the waterproofing comes from the weave of the fabric, not what it’s coated in. There are also other brands of waterproof fabric that have the same function. If you’re in the market, look on the label for a 10,000mm waterproof rating or higher. Anything that says ‘windbreaker’ is unlikely to be more than just water repellent. If there is no ‘mm’ waterproof rating on the label, then it’s unlikely the item is truly waterproof.

My old faithful Kathmandu Goretex jacket still does the job for me – it’s lightweight, has lots of pockets, as has a nice lining. The only downside is that my bum gets wet when it rains because the jacket isn’t long enough – the water drips down from the bottom of my pack straight to my bum. I would always recommend a long-length jacket, or at least one that completely covers your backside.

13. Hiking clothes

You’ll really only need to carry 1 (maximum 2) sets of clothes to hike in during the day. This might include:

2 x T-shirts
1 thermal top
1 insulating mid-layer
1 insulating jacket
1 pair of pants or shorts (depending on the weather)

Try your best not to overpack – it’s better to be smelly than to carry way more clothes than you’ll actually wear.

14. Camp clothes

You should also carry a separate set of clothes for sleeping in at night. This will ensure that your sleeping bag stays clean, that you always have dry clothes to sleep in, and that you’ll be warm enough at night. I usually carry a long sleeve merino or short sleeve t-shirt, and some comfortable leggings to sleep in. I also make sure to keep a dedicated pair of sleeping socks.

I always carry a beanie no matter the season, it has been a saviour on many unexpectedly cold nights on the trail.

My Kathmandu merino light-layer thermal hoodie is my #1 favourite item and has been for years – I’m about to wear it to death! Merino is a delicate fabric, so make sure you wash it with special detergent and hand wash only (not the machine ‘hand-wash’ cycle, real life hand washing). Any really thin thermals will wear out quickly, so try to opt for something slightly thicker. Merino is great because you can wear it for days and it won’t smell, but synthetic fabrics are typically more durable and quicker-drying.

15. Hat, sunscreen, long sleeve clothing

If there’s going to be fair weather and clear skies, make sure you pack the gear you need to be protected from the sun.

16. Fly net

A fly net might seem like a luxury item, but it will save you from flies during the day and mosquitos during dinner. Plus, you can even wear it when you’re sleeping to avoid getting attacked by the mosquitos that get into your tent at night.

17. Bug repellent

Nothing ever works quite like Bushman’s, but there are lots of natural bug repellents out there too. Some people say to rub sandalwood oil on your skin, others say you should stop eating bananas. I’ll leave the choice in your capable hands!

18. Socks & Underwear

I yearn for clean socks more than underwear when I’m overnight hiking. Plenty of people say you should just have 2 pairs of socks – 1 for day and 1 for night – but I don’t think that’s enough.

If you can afford the weight, carry at least 1 or 2 spare day socks. You and your feet will thank me later. Given that your feet are doing the heavy lifting all day, it makes sense that you’ll want to look after them. Wearing wet (and sweaty) socks repeatedly over many days can cause friction, hot spots, and blisters. Having a clean, or at least dry, pair of socks to put on in the morning will make all the difference on your hike.

If you’re on a longer hike, wash your socks at camp as often as possible, but make sure to always leave one pair dry for wearing. Quick dry, hike-specific synthetic fabrics are the best, and even though they’re expensive, it’s worth the investment. Cotton retains moisture and takes a long time to dry, meaning cotton makes for a terrible hiking sock.

19. Sponge & environmentally safe soap

I’m a minimalist when it comes to camp washing-up. I usually end up pouring some fresh water into my Jetboil to clean it, rub off the food with my fingers, then drink the water so I don’t waste it. However, if you aren’t used to the grunge-life yet, you might consider bringing a tiny sponge and some biodegradable soap.

I have a little bottle of Sea to Summit Biodegradable Wilderness Wash that I’ve owned for at least 8 years – like I said, minimalist! The great thing about this product is that you can use it for kitchen dishes, hand washing, and clothes washing. It’s somewhat environmentally friendly, but you should never wash directly in natural water sources – always get fresh water using a container/bucket, and empty the dirty water at least 100 metres away from a water source.

It’s a good idea to practice good hygiene even when you’re on the trail, so regular hand washing or sanitising is a must in order to stay healthy out there.

20. Lighter or matches or flint

Being able to light a fire on the trail is not only a great way to boost morale, it could also save your life if you need to cook or stay warm. Flint is the most reliable way to start a fire as it’s unaffected if it gets wet. However, lighting a fire with flint requires practice. The most beginner-friendly way to carry fire with you is either matches or a cigarette/kitchen lighter. I usually carry a small cigarette lighter, and always have flint as a backup. I also sometimes throw in one or two small natural briquettes which can help get a slightly damp fire going (you can get these from Bunnings or the supermarket).

21. Earplugs

These are an easily-forgotten saviour for overnight hiking! Block out the sounds of late camp arrivers, noisy snoring, cicadas, and scratching animals. I’m less inclined to wear earplugs when I’m camping solo because I like to be aware of my surroundings. However, when safety is less of a consideration (like when I’m camping with a buddy), I usually sleep like a log with my earplugs in.

22. Water purification tablets

The one and only water purification item I always carry are Aquatabs, and you can find them at just about every Chemist. Water filters seem to be a rare piece of equipment for hiking in Western Australia, because most of our water is either salty (ie the ocean), stagnant, or non-existent!

When I get water from rainwater tanks at camps, I almost always pop in an Aquatab to ensure I don’t get sick drinking the water. You never know what might be crawling around in the tank, how long the water has sat there, or what might have fallen in.

23. Small pocket knife

I nearly left this off the list as a ‘don’t bother’ item, but a pocket knife can be very useful. They’re great for doing things like opening packets, cutting tape for your feet, making gear repairs, or creating wood shavings for fire…however, I personally stopped brining mine because I never use it. Most places I go there are other campers who offer me theirs if I’m struggling to open a packet, and I’ve never been in a situation where a pocket knife could have saved me.

If you do carry one, consider starting small and as light as possible. If you find that you use it a lot, then you can upgrade according to your needs.

24. Good hiking boots & arch support insoles

The right shoes can make the difference between an incredible hike and an awful hike. The most important thing when it comes to hiking shoes is making sure that whatever you wear is well worn-in. This means that they can’t look brand new, and that you’ve road tested them for a good few months before you take them on a long hike.

One of the main technical considerations with hiking shoes is whether to choose waterproof or not. Lots of long-distance hikers prefer simple trail runners, because when they inevitably get wet then at least they dry quickly and don’t weigh a tonne. But for most beginner hikers, a waterproof pair of hiking shoes or boots will be just the thing.

Again, with waterproofing, Goretex or equivalent is the most reliable, and you’ll find that many other materials just won’t do the job. The other consideration to make is how much support you like. I prefer a mid/high boot because it offers ankle support and tends to be a bit more sturdy on uneven terrain. I also recommend replacing the footbed of the boot/shoe with a pair of good quality, arch support insoles. This will prevent your feet from rolling around inside your shoes and causing blisters and other issues.

Trial & Error

Trial and error is the key to selecting the right hiking shoe for you. There’s no way to know what you really prefer until you’ve tested a few options out with a heavy bag, through pouring rain, or through deep puddles. This is a long process and has taken me a few years to figure out what works best for me.

When you do finally find the ones…the ones that fit your feet perfectly and are super comfortable, you will wear them out and go back for them every time you need a new pair. For me, those brands are The North Face and Hoka, who both make great lightweight, waterproof mid-hiking boots.

25. Hiking poles

This could be considered a controversial hiking essential, as people either love them or don’t! I’ve hiked with poles, and without them, and can say that they are super helpful on sandy and hilly terrain. They allow you to gain a little more stability when you’re going over uneven ground or up and down steep hills.

Hiking poles function by allow you to transfer some of the impact and weight from your legs through your arms and shoulders to the ground. This is a great way to get your whole body into it, improve your posture, and give your legs and knees a break. Like any hiking gear, there are hundreds of options at different price points. For beginners, the cheapest will do the job. Most hiking poles are already pretty lightweight, but the more you spend the lighter they get.

26. A microfiber / lightweight towel

This is one of my secret weapons for overnight hiking. A lightweight towel can have so many functions. I always keep mine in the top of my pack for easy access and use it as a sit-pad during the day, to dry off my dishes at camp, to dry down condensation in my tent or on my gear, and to dry myself if I’m swimming or wet from the rain. It really is an all-purpose item that weighs hardly anything.

27. Trowel & toilet paper

It goes without saying that you will inevitably need to go to the toilet while you’re overnight hiking. Although there’s usually a long-drop toilet at campsites, there won’t be any facilities in between.

I carry the Deuce Ultralight Backpacking Trowel which I got from Wild Earth. Although this an expensive item (especially for something so small), it is essential. Always make sure to bury your business at least 15-20cm deep, and make sure you’re at least 60 metres from natural water sources (like a lake, river, stream or the ocean). It’s best to take your used toilet paper with you rather than burying it, as it’s unlikely to break down in a hole in the ground. For this, carry a small black plastic bag that’s clearly labelled, and throw it out when you get back to civilisation.

28. Rubbish bags & spare zip lock bags

Another easily forgotten but incredibly useful item are rubbish bags. Before you go, look at all the food you’ve packed and try to remove any extra or unnecessary packaging – ie a cardboard insert over your tuna tin. As much as you try to reduce the waste you produce, it’s inevitable that you will create some – and it’s important to dispose of it responsibly. Zip lock bags can be useful to store used sanitary items and toilet paper until you can find a bin.

29. Headlamp & spare batteries

A must-have camp item is light. If you don’t have a light your night will end very quickly and you will struggle to set up camp, cook your food, and make your way to the loo in the middle of the night. I always carry a headlamp with spare batteries and test it before I go.

30. Basic toiletries

The amount of toiletries you bring will depend on the length of your trip and your personal preferences. The items I can’t go without are a toothbrush & toothpaste, deodorant, SPF face sunscreen, and a little bit of face moisturiser in a tiny sample bottle. The more you bring, the heavier your bag will be. Although you may be worried about your appearance on the trail, I can promise you that nobody else will be.

31. Buff/neck gaiter

While this is more of a luxury item, I personally love the versatility of a neck gaiter. It can provide a little extra warmth for your head or neck if it’s chilly, it can be a headband to keep your hair off your face on a windy day, it can tuck under your hat and shade your neck on a sunny day, or it can be a sweatband. It can also provide a tiny bit more warmth if you’re desperate on a cold night.

32. Camp shoes

Another luxury item that many people would consider essential are camp shoes. I typically just carry my lightweight Crocs thongs, which are incredibly comfortable to slip on after 8 hours or more in my boots. They’re also perfect for quick toilet trips in the middle of the night.

Some people like to have sandals such as Tevas or Chacos as their camp shoes, because they can also serve as a backup hiking shoe if something happens to your boots or if you get bad blisters. They can also be useful to wear for water crossings, rock hopping and swimming.

Teva is an incredibly popular brand that’s next on my list to try out.

33. Backpack

As one of the ‘Big 3’ overnight hiking items, a backpack to put all your gear in is absolutely essential. Picking the right pack can be quite a challenge, but as a general rule you should aim for the following:

Fully loaded it should weight less than 15-20% of your body weight
The hip belt should fit snugly around your waist
It should not put pressure on your shoulders – if it does then it’s not adjusted correctly
50L to 65L is a good size for most 1 to 7 night hikes

You’ll have to go to lots of shops and try on lots of bags to find a good fit for you, and sometimes it comes down to luck when picking a bag. You never really know what it’ll be like on the trail until you take it on the trail.

After some trial and error, you’ll probably find a brand whose packs just fit. For me, it was the North Face. Lots of women I meet on the trails swear by Osprey. The pack I have at the moment is The North Face Terra 65. I find that the capacity is just slightly too large, and the design of the bag means the extra space is at the bottom and sits close to my butt. This means that when the gear in my pack settles after an hour or so of walking, the centre of weight shifts and can get a bit uncomfortable. Otherwise, the hip belt and shoulder straps are incredibly comfortable and don’t rub anywhere on me.

You can browse Osprey backpacking packs here.

The hardest part about overnight hiking is slowly learning what you do and don’t use…and packing way too many things on your first try!

What size backpack do I need?

The size of backpack that you need for overnight hiking depends on three things: personal preference, your budget, and your willingness to minimise. Generally, a 50L pack is perfect for a 3 day hike, but you might consider anything up to 65L for a longer hike. I definitely wouldn’t use anything smaller than 50L for any overnight hike.

If you’re willing to cut down on the amount of gear you pack, then you’ll get away with a smaller pack even on longer trips. But sometimes you just need to the extra room and can’t possibly take more gear out without ending up being hungry! Plus, who has the money to have a different capacity bag ready for every single situation?

The smaller you go the less options you have for overpacking, which I find to be a great advantage. You can always clip your foam sleeping pad, cups, and other bulky items to the outside of your pack if you run out of space.

Bonus Overnight Hiking Items:

Below are some overnight hiking items that could be your saviour – after learning the hard way a few times, I will never go backpacking without them.

Waterproof Pack liner

Even if you’re not expecting rain, soaked gear can quickly end your hike. A great way to ensure your gear will always stay dry is to use a pack liner. This is essentially a large plastic bag that goes inside your pack. You could buy a purpose-made roll-top pack liner, or if you want to save money you could use a heavy duty plastic bag to line the inside of your pack. This is a great insurance policy against unexpected rain, especially if you don’t have a rain cover for your pack.

Smaller dry bags

Not only are smaller dry bags great for keeping your gear dry, I also find them to be an easy way to keep my gear organised. It means I can still keep items handy in the top easy-access compartments without worrying about them getting wet.

Items you won’t use

When I first started overnight hiking I read lots of guides and articles that I trusted at face value. I didn’t question a lot of the items on those lists, and didn’t want to exclude any recommended item in case I might need it.

For years I packed useless items thinking I’d need them, but I never did. Items I thought I’d use but never did include:

A pen or pencil
Spare tea (I didn’t like the tea at home, so why the heck would I suddenly like it on the trail?)
Paper trail-guide book
Bowl
A tiny mirror (It didn’t take me long to realise that vanity is a waste of energy on the trail!)

If you’re planning to bring a battery pack to charge your phone, then why would you also carry a paper-copy trail guide when both items can do the same thing? Consider downloading offline maps and saving trail guides as e-books instead.

I have also never used a bowl when overnight hiking – I always end up eating straight out of my dehydrated food bag or my Jetboil. The only time I’d consider bringing a bowl is if I were cooking for two people and they also needed something to eat out of. A large enough mug can also serve the same purpose as a bowl.