by Angela V Hiking as a family is one of our favourite things to do. We go hiking often to enjoy the fresh air with our two boys, and to discover new beautiful places together. Summer time is approaching and families everywhere are preparing to spend time outdoors as well, planning family hikes to enjoy what nature has to offer.
To help you prepare and get ready to explore we have put together a Hiking Essentials checklist with some items you will need for safety, survival and basic comfort. What would you add to our list?
Hiking Essentials Checklist
- Water Bottles: Pack water bottles for everyone going hiking, I always pack enough water for the four of us, including full bottles for the boys.
- Map/GPS/Compass: Always carry a paper map of the area you are exploring, even if you think you are familiar with the area. We use our phone’s compass and GPS, but it is recommended to have an actual compass with you in case your phone runs out of charge.
- Sunscreen: Your skin will need protection from the sun so make sure to pack your sunscreen and reapply during your hike as necessary.
- Anti-Itch Lotion or Cream: Don’t let bug bites, sunburn, small cuts or scrapes ruin your hikes. We carry Gold Bond anti-itch cream with us and use it whenever we are dealing with any minor skin irritation while we are out hiking. We also keep a bottle of Gold Bond anti-itch lotion at home for after our hikes as it offers fast acting pain and itch relief and it is great when dealing with sunburns.
- Small Flashlight with Batteries: My husband and I both carry small flashlights to have in case of emergency. We always hike during the day, but you must be prepared.
- Small First-Aid Kit: I have a small First-Aid Kit I carry with me when going on hikes. I’ve had to use band-aids in the past when one of the boys fell and scraped his knees and having the essentials made me feel prepared.
- Matches or Lighter: We don’t smoke, but we always carry a lighter in our backpacks to use if needed. Having a way to start a fire is important in case of emergency.
- Extra day’s supply of food: Bring more or less food depending on how long you are hiking for, but always bring more food than you think you would need. I often pack extra snack bars, bags with nuts and fruits and other filling snacks.
- Pocket Knife or Multi-tool: I have a small Swiss Army knife that I carry in my hiking backpack. Again, it is better to be prepared than you be caught with nothing in an emergency.
- Reflective Blankets: I ordered a couple of reflective blankets from Amazon, and they come in a small package that’s perfect to throw in your bag and forget about it. The blankets will be handy if you end up looking for shelter in unexpected circumstances.
“GOLD BOND® Medicated Anti-Itch Lotion gives you fast acting pain and itching relief associated with sunburn, rashes, minor skin irritations and more. 3 itch relief medicinal ingredients are combined with Aloe, Vitamins E and B5 to soothe dry skin. The perfect skin protectant you need.”
Disclosure: This is a partnered post with Gold Bond. However, all opinions and views on this post are 100% my own.
13 Comments on “Hiking Essentials Checklist #AdventuresAreGold”
Thanks for the tips!
If you can grab it, I would suggest picking up a mini survival kit (it contains things like a fishing line, waterproof matches, etc.) and is the size of a small first aid kit. Its also a good idea to take a sat phone (depending on where you are going).
This is such a great list! I’ll have to come back to this next time I plan a hike!
A very useful and thoughtful list. I could have done with some of the anti itch lotion this evening. I took my grandson to his baseball practise and tons and tons of bugs. I hear there should have been some bug spray in his bag but that has mysteriously disappeared. 🙂
what a great and helpful list! we don’t do a lot of hiking but hoping to get some in this summer so this is a great list to reference to
Great check list. I haven’t been hiking in a long time.
I didn’t even know you could buy reflective blankets. Great to know!
A satellite phone would also be a good idea if you have one lying around since there is often no reception when hiking in the wilderness.
I need to get the anti itch cream for our hikes! Great product!
Thanks for sharing this list. Hiking is a great way to bond. Definitely love this brand of sunscreen.
I remember getting lost with friends in a forested area on a hill side once. No mobile phones back in those days. It wasn’t in the wilderness and the pathways were paved but we just couldn’t find the way out. We walked for hours, luckily we got out just as evening twilight began.
My hubby loves to camp and hike so he is a pretty experienced packer. I, however, would have to reference a checklist like this, so thanks for sharing it!
This is s good check list. I could really use this to look over before I go back out camping. I feel like we Always are missing something so reviewing this could be really good. Thank you!! Especially the reflective blankets that’s something I never thought of.