Which equipment to take on a hike is a question that arises anew before every trip. For multi-day trips, careful planning beforehand is worthwhile. Otherwise, the backpack gets packed with superfluous things, often just to fill the empty space. But a light backpack is kinder to the shoulders and makes the whole hike more relaxing.
This article contains a detailed and uncluttered hiking gear packing list for you to print, tick off and – if you like – to enter your own weights. The list can also Download as PDF.
Outdoor Gear at a Glance
The packing list is sorted by category: Clothing, Hygiene and First Aid, Other Equipment, Food, and an extra section for hut tours. As compiled, this is Base weight without provisions from 3 to 5 kilograms easily accessible. With this weight, hiking is considerably more enjoyable, especially on multi-day tours, than with backpacks weighing well over 10 kg.
The hiking equipment in this list covers classic three-season tours, from day hikes in low mountain ranges to multi-day hut-to-hut hikes in the Alps. What is not covered is winter and high-alpine touring equipment with crampons, ice axes, and avalanche gear, that's a separate chapter.
Base weight, carrying weight and gross weight
When the text above mentions 3 to 5 kilograms, it refers to your Basis weight: everything in and on the rucksack, excluding consumables such as water, food and gas. If you add in a full ration and a supply of water, you end up with Load capacity, that is, what is actually resting on one’s shoulders. That Total weight In the end, add what you are wearing on your body (shoes, trousers, shirt). For planning, the base weight is the most important, as that's the only thing you can really adjust. Water and food depend on the tour, your equipment depends on you.
Most of the weight comes from just a few large items: a rucksack, a sleeping bag (or a hut sleeping bag), a sleeping mat and, if you’re camping, your tent. Choosing wisely here saves you more weight than cutting out ten small items. On my first long-distance trip, from Munich to Venice, I lugged around a 2.5-kilo rucksack, which I’ve now swapped for a model weighing under 500 grams. You can easily shave off three to four kilos from these larger items alone, without having to go without anything. You can find out exactly how much the sleeping mat contributes to the weight and what matters when it comes to the R-value in our Buying guide for ultralight sleeping mats.
Clothing and a change of clothes
When it comes to clothing, the layering principle beats any single thick jacket: several thin layers, which you can combine depending on the weather, keep you warmer and offer more flexibility. Leave your cotton clothes at home – they soak up water and take ages to dry. Everything on the list is suitable for three seasons; in the height of summer, you can even leave out your insulated jacket and gloves, depending on the region.
| Item | Number | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hiking boots | 1 | Adapted for the tour |
| Hiking socks | 2 to 3 | A pair worn on the body |
| Lightweight, zip-off hiking trousers | 1 | Worn on the body |
| Functional T-shirt | 2 | A piece worn on the body |
| Performance long-sleeved shirt or hiking shirt | 1 | Worn on the body |
| Underwear | 3 | A piece worn on the body |
| Leggings made from technical fabric | 1 | |
| Fleece jacket or jumper | 1 | |
| Insulation jacket | 1 | Down or synthetic fibre |
| Hardshell jacket | 1 | Waterproof |
| Rain trousers | 1 | |
| Lightweight fleece hat | 1 | |
| Gloves | 1 | |
| Cap, hat or headwear | 1 |
Hygiene and first-aid kit
Your first-aid kit can be small, but it must cover the most common hiking ailments: blisters, minor cuts and grazes, and headaches. One thing that many people underestimate is ticks. In large parts of southern and central Germany (the Robert Koch Institute now identifies 185 TBE risk areas[1]) include tick tweezers and an evening check – these are essential. Wearing long, light-coloured clothing makes the ticks visible and makes it harder for them to reach the skin.
| Item | Number | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet paper | 1 | A few leaves are enough |
| Sun protection | 1 | |
| Bandages and plasters | 1 | |
| Compeed blister plasters | 1 | |
| Painkillers | 2 to 4 | For example, Ibuprofen 400 |
| Tick remover | 1 | |
| Wound disinfection | 1 | |
| Tiny sewing kit | 1 | For small repairs |
Other hiking equipment
| Item | Number | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight hiking backpack | 1 | 25 to 35 litres for day trips, more for multi-day tours |
| Rucksack liner | 1 | More reliable than a rain cover |
| Plastic water bottles | 2 | I have 1 to 1.5 litres |
| Compass | 1 | |
| Map material | 1 | Paper or offline on the smartphone |
| Tour guide | 1 | Printed or offline on the smartphone |
| Sunglasses | 1 | |
| Trekking poles | 1 pair | |
| Smartphone | 1 | |
| Cushion | 1 | |
| Emergency bivouac bag | 1 | For mountain and alpine tours, there is also a 2-person version. |
| Camera | 1 | Optional |
| Folding or pocket knives | 1 | Optional |
Additionally for hut tours or overnight stays
| Item | Number | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeping bag liner | 1 | |
| Alpenverein pass | 1 | |
| Microfibre towel | 1 | Small and light |
| Liquid soap | 1 | For example, Dr. Bronner's, very economical |
| Toothbrush | 1 | |
| Toothpaste or DentTabs | 1 | Mini-pack is enough |
| Oropax | 1 | Of particular importance in sleeping arrangements |
| Headlamp | 1 | |
| Slippers | 1 | Optional, available in most mountain huts |
Catering
What snacks and trekking food belong in your rucksack depends heavily on the type and length of the tour. This basic selection works on most tours:
| Food | Note |
|---|---|
| Nuts | Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts |
| dried fruit | Dates, figs, banana chips, raisins, apricots, mango |
| Energy bar | Ensure a good composition |
| mixed fruit and nuts | A balanced mix of nuts and dried fruit |
| snack | On day trips |
Planning water correctly
Water is the heaviest item that you have to carry yourself: one litre weighs a kilo. Exactly for this reason, it is worth planning the quantity not by guesswork, but from spring to spring. As a rule of thumb, when hiking you need around half a litre to one litre per hour, and quickly more on steep or sunny sections[2]. Instead of lugging my entire daily requirement over the first pass, I top up at mountain huts, fountains or reliable streams. Where the water comes from the stream, a lightweight filter takes away the uncertainty.
In the height of summer, this calculation changes significantly; water then becomes more important than every saved gram.[3]. How to adapt your route, clothing and breaks to extreme heat is covered in our guide Hiking in hot weather written out in detail.
What you can safely leave at home
A good packing list is worth as much as what isn't on it. These items most frequently end up unnecessarily in the backpack:
- Too much spare clothing. Nobody needs three sets of clothes for a week-long tour. With merino, you easily get by with one change and the occasional wash (see tip 03).
- The second „just in case“ jumper. Insulated jacket plus fleece are enough for three seasons. The emergency spare stays at home.
- Large toiletries bottles. Travel-sized or decanted shower gel, shampoo and toothpaste. A concentrated liquid soap can replace several products at once.
- The thick book and the complete guidebook. Often, the relevant pages of the hiking guide are enough, and you carry the rest digitally.
- „Always useful“ gadgets. Multitool with 20 functions, folding stool, oversized power bank for three days. Honestly check if you really used it on your last trip.
- Dual electronics. The smartphone replaces camera, torch and digital hiking guide all in one. Paper maps and compasses are the deliberate exception; they still work even when the battery is flat.
The most honest test comes after the trip: put aside everything you didn't touch even once while you were away. Next time, leave it behind.
Tips for packing hiking gear
Here you will find nine tips on how to pack your hiking rucksack lightly and sensibly:
Observe maximum backpack weight
An ideal lightweight hiking backpack weighs no more than 10 percent of your body weight and generally under 8 kilograms. However, the rule is: the less, the better.
Choose the rucksack last
Choose the rucksack only when the rest of your hiking gear is finalised. Only then will you know what volume is really necessary.
reduce change of clothes
Merino wool hiking apparel barely absorbs odours even after many days, still insulates well when damp and dries quickly. This means less spare clothing needs to go into the rucksack.
Plan water supplies sensibly
Always plan your water quantities from one drinking water source, inn or mountain hut to the next. That way, a lot of weight can be saved.
Don't leave packing to the last minute
Otherwise, things end up in the rucksack that don't really belong there. Calm preparation the evening before saves weight.
Use Ziploc bags for organisation
Lightweight and waterproof Ziploc bags are great for organising small items of equipment. A colour-coding system (different bags for different categories) saves time on the go.
Rucksack liner instead of rain cover
An internal rucksack liner protects your hiking gear significantly better against rain than an exterior rain cover. Otherwise, water will eventually penetrate the interior through the back panel of the rucksack over a longer period of time.
Roll clothes instead of folding
This saves space in your backpack and results in fewer creases, which can later cause pressure points.
Pack after use
Pack the equipment in your rucksack in the order you will need it on the trail. Items that you need to access frequently (snacks, map, rain jacket) belong near the top in easily accessible pockets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hiking equipment is optimal depends on Length, terrain and weather conditions the tour. In ultralight trekking, what matters most is what you leave out. This includes a lightweight backpack, breathable clothing, well-fitting shoes, enough food and water, as well as a first-aid kit and rain gear. Even in summer. The backpack, for example the Agilist or Endurist, should be ultralight, yet offer enough volume for the most essential items.
Lightweight and functional clothing protects you from the elements whilst simultaneously wicking away sweat. Particularly important are breathable and quick-drying materials. Food and water should be minimalist and tailored to the trip, with a focus on dehydrated food or high-energy snacks like nuts or chocolate. Ultimately, what matters is that every item does its job reliably on the trail while weighing as little as possible.
The right hiking gear makes hiking more pleasant and safer. A well-chosen, ultra-lightweight kit reduces the weight you have to carry, thereby lessening the strain on your body. You can cover longer distances without tiring as quickly.
Then there is the protective aspect: the right equipment equips you against sudden changes in weather and unforeseen situations. Lightweight, water-repellent jackets or tents protect against rain, while breathable clothing keeps you cool in the heat. Safety and comfort are the most important reasons why well-thought-out hiking gear pays off.
Distribute the weight evenly in the rucksack. Heavy objects should be kept close to the back, to keep the load central and stabilise the centre of gravity. You can pack lighter items higher up and further out. Make good use of every pocket by making items you need on the way (snacks, rain jacket, map) easily accessible.
Minimalist packing techniques like packing cubes or compressing clothing save space and prevent the rucksack from becoming unbalanced. This keeps the centre of gravity low and carrying comfort high.
As a rule of thumb, the total packed weight no more than about 10 to 20 percent of your body weight amount to, in ultralight trekking usually less. More important than the percentage rule, however, is your Basis weight, so everything without water and provisions. With well-thought-out equipment, 3 to 5 kilograms are easily achievable here.
Most of the weight is in a few large items: backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and shelter. Anyone who chooses lightweight options there will carry noticeably less throughout the whole trip, without sacrificing safety or comfort.
The right backpack should be lightweight, functional and tailored to the requirements of your trip. An ultralight backpack like the Agilist saves you roughly a kilo and a half compared to a classic trekking rucksack, especially when you are packing light and covering long distances.
The most important factor is Volume of the rucksack, which depends on the length and type of your trip. For a three-season trekking trip with ultra-light kit and resupply every 3 to 5 days, a rucksack with a volume of 35 to 50 litres is ideal. The Agilist offers a total volume of 54 litres, making it well-suited to longer tours and multi-day hikes.
On top of that dead weight: Ultra-light rucksacks do away with heavy frame systems and excessive padding. The Agilist 2026 weighs around 570 grams, making it a great companion for challenging hikes.
At the Fit It’s important that the rucksack fits your body. The Agilist features unisex shoulder straps and load lifters to help optimise the fit. The back length should also be right; WeitLäufer rucksacks are available in a range of back lengths.
Is that staying Material: Ultra-light rucksacks are made from abrasion-resistant yet lightweight laminates such as Ultra 200X or X-Pac. They are weatherproof and provide reliable protection even in harsh conditions. The Agilist 2026 uses Ultra 200X, whose UHMWPE fibre is 15 times stronger than steel on a weight-for-weight basis.
Ultralight hiking gear reduces the total weight you have to carry during a hike. This makes you less quickly tired and enhances the hiking experience. Lighter equipment means less strain on shoulders, knees and back. You can cover longer distances and use your energy more efficiently.
Add to that the minimalist approach: you concentrate on the essentials and leave out unnecessary items. The advantage: less weight on the body, and a mindful hiking on top.
Clean your rucksack thoroughly after every longer trip by shaking it out and, if necessary, wash by hand. Use mild cleaning products and avoid machine washing, to conserve the materials. Dry the equipment completely after washing before storing it, otherwise there is a risk of mould formation. Shoes and clothing also benefit from regular cleaning and a fresh application of waterproofing to maintain their water-repellent properties. With the right care, your hiking equipment will remain durable and functional for years.
Further articles on hiking equipment
In WeitLäufer Magazine, we delve deeper into specific topics, such as the buying guide for the ultralight sleeping mat or in the guide on Hiking in hot weather.
On BergReif you will also find many in-depth guides on individual pieces of equipment, always from the perspective of the ultralight philosophy, but also with alternatives from the traditional trekking segment:
- Walking boots review, 15 models also for ultralight hiking
- Ultralight sleeping bag review, 12 models ranging from 340 g to 1,500 g
- Ultralight sleeping mat review, 17 models from 175 g to 550 g
- Ultralight tent comparison, 12 featherlight models for 1 or 2 people
- Ultra-light down jacket, 15 insulated jackets from 145 g
- Walking poles review, folding versus telescopic, carbon versus aluminium
- Headtorches review, from the ultralight headlamp to the high-performance head torch
- Bivvy bag test, an alternative to the 1-person tent
Sources
- Robert Koch Institute, TBE risk areas in Germany (185 districts, as of 2026). rki.de
- German Alpine Club, Mountain Sports and Nutrition (Fluid Intake When Hiking). alpenverein.de
- German Alpine Club, hiking in the heat (water requirements and behaviour in extreme heat). alpenverein.de
