Hiking Trip Packing List: What to Pack for Day & Multi-Day

Planning a hike is exciting; packing for it can be a headache. The forecast shifts by the hour, your “definitely need” pile keeps growing, and you’re torn between travelling light and being properly prepared. Miss a vital item and you risk cutting the day short; carry too much and every climb feels twice as long. Whether you’re heading out for a quick loop in the Peaks or a multi-day wander through the Highlands, you want a clear, UK-ready checklist that keeps you safe, comfortable and moving well—without the dead weight.

This guide gives you exactly that: a complete hiking trip packing list for both day hikes and multi-day adventures. We’ll break down every category—packs and carry systems, clothing and layers, footwear, food and cooking, water and treatment, navigation, emergency and first aid, illumination, sun and insect protection, hygiene, tools and repair, shelter and sleep, plus optional comforts and seasonal add‑ons. In each section you’ll find what to pack, how it differs for day vs multi-day trips, and practical UK-specific tips, along with sensible weight and safety advice. Where helpful, we’ll point to tried-and-tested kit from Take a Hike UK. Let’s pack smart and get you on the trail with confidence.

1. Take a Hike UK: shop the essentials

New to kit? Take a Hike UK has the basics. Use this mini hiking trip packing list to cover safety, comfort and UK weather.

What to pack

Build from fundamentals, not fads. Start with this core kit.

• Daypack 10–20L: waterproofs, insulating layer, wicking base, broken‑in footwear + socks.
• Safety & sustenance: water/snacks; map/compass; headtorch; first‑aid; knife/tape; emergency shelter; sun/midge protection.

Day hike vs multi-day

For short days, keep it light. For multi‑day, add shelter, sleep, stove, filter and extra food.

Pro tips for the UK

Carry waterproofs year‑round. In Scottish summer, take midge repellent; download offline maps and carry paper backup.

2. Backpacks and carry systems

In your hiking trip packing list, the pack is the foundation. Get capacity and fit right so weight carries comfortably.

What to pack

Keep it simple and organised. Choose comfort first.

• Daypack 10–20L: enough for the Ten Essentials and spare layers (REI).
• 30–35L pack: for big days and winter bulk (AP).
• Drybags: keep kit dry and easy to find (AP).

Day hike vs multi-day

Match capacity to distance and weather. Shelter pushes you up a size.

• Day: 10–20L (REI).
• Long day: ~30–35L (AP).
• Overnight camping: 60–80L (STF).

Pro tips for the UK

Think British weather and quick access. Pack essentials where you can reach them.

• Colour‑code drybags: they beat flappy rain covers in wind (AP).
• Fit first: pick a pack that fits you well and leave a little spare volume (REI).

3. Clothing and layers

Layers beat logos. UK hills flip from drizzle to glare and ridge wind; choose pieces that wick, insulate and keep rain out.

What to pack

In your hiking trip packing list, use the base–mid–shell system and quick‑dry fabrics; cotton chills. Keep silhouettes slim so layers work together.

• Base: wicking top/underwear (synthetic/merino).
• Mid: fleece or light synthetic jacket.
• Shell: waterproof jacket + trousers.
• Legs/sun: quick‑dry trousers; long‑sleeve for bugs.

Day hike vs multi-day

Day: one set plus a spare base. Multi‑day: pack a dry camp set and thermals or a second midlayer.

Pro tips for the UK

Carry full waterproofs; they double as windproofs. Long trousers help with midges and scratches; stash thin hat and gloves year‑round.

6. Water, hydration and treatment

Hydration is non‑negotiable. In your hiking trip packing list, plan both carry and treatment so you can drink freely and refill safely.

What to pack

Pick a system you’ll actually drink from. Add simple treatment.

• Water carry + treatment: bottles and/or a hydration reservoir, plus a simple filter or tablets (REI/STF).

Day hike vs multi-day

Match volume to effort and heat. Don’t bank on streams.

• Day vs multi‑day: Day: ~1L per person per hour (REI). Multi‑day: carry some, plan treated refills along the route (STF/REI).

Pro tips for the UK

UK hills change fast. Make water easy to reach.

• UK hills: carry ~2L (3L on big days) and check availability; treat refills (AP/STF/REI).

7. Navigation tools

Navigation belongs on every hiking trip packing list. Even on well‑used UK paths, fog and poor signal can derail apps—carry two independent tools and the skills to use them. Get this right and you stay on track, conserve daylight, and avoid unnecessary detours.

What to pack

Keep it simple and redundant.

• Map + compass: non‑negotiable Ten Essentials; add a map case.
• Digital: phone apps (offline); optional GPS/altimeter/PLB; small power bank.

Day hike vs multi-day

Match tools to complexity and remoteness.

• Day: map + compass, phone with offline maps.
• Multi‑day/backcountry: add GPS or PLB and spare power.

Pro tips for the UK

Small habits matter in British hills.

• Waterproof your paper: use a case and keep it handy (AP).
• Leave a route plan: tell a friend; don’t rely on signal (REI/STF).

8. Emergency, first aid and survival

Slips, whiteouts and sudden rain are routine in UK hills. A tight emergency set turns drama into inconvenience. Keep it small, waterproofed and reachable, built around the Ten Essentials: treat injuries, stay warm, signal, make fire and shelter.

What to pack

• First‑aid kit: blister plasters, antiseptic wipes, pain relief, tape + personal meds (REI/STF).
• Knife/multi‑tool: plus duct tape or zip ties for fast fixes (REI/AP).
• Emergency shelter: survival bag/group shelter; blizzard bag in winter (REI/AP).
• Fire kit: lighter/matches plus firestarter/fire steel (REI/STF).
• Whistle + extra food: for signalling and contingencies (REI).

Day hike vs multi-day

• Day: compact first‑aid kit, survival bag, whistle, lighter, extra snacks.
• Multi‑day: add emergency shelter, more meds and an extra day’s food (REI/AP).

Pro tips for the UK

• Leave two itineraries: one with a friend, one under the car seat (REI).

9. Illumination and power

In your hiking trip packing list, light and power make delays uneventful. Bring a dedicated torch so navigation and emergency calls don’t end with a flat battery.

What to pack

Keep it simple and reliable. Choose hands‑free lighting.

• Headtorch + spare batteries: dedicated beam; pack extras (REI/AP).
• Power bank + cable: for phone/GPS; add tiny backup torch.

Day hike vs multi-day

Day: one headtorch and small bank. Multi‑day: extra cells or spare torch, bigger bank.

Pro tips for the UK

Don’t use your phone as a torch (AP). Cold drains cells—keep spares dry and handy.

10. Sun and insect protection

UK hills can burn and bite on the same day. In your hiking trip packing list, pack sun and midge protection you’ll actually use.

What to pack

Cover the Ten Essentials—and the midges.

• Sunscreen (SPF 30+) + SPF lip balm: apply generously.
• Sunglasses + sun hat/cap: UV protection and glare control.
• Insect repellent (midge‑effective) + head net: staple for Scottish summer.

Day hike vs multi-day

Day: small bottles and net; Multi‑day: spares and after‑bite; keep repellent in a side pocket.

Pro tips for the UK

Use even in cloud; in Scottish summer, carry repellent and head net.

11. Hygiene and personal items

Good hygiene keeps morale high and stops small issues becoming turn‑backs—pack compact, leak‑proof items and assume no loo, no bin, little privacy.

What to pack

Keep it waterproofed.

• Hand sanitiser + baby wipes (REI).
• Toilet paper + small trowel + resealable bags (STF/REI).
• Menstrual/urinary products; prescription meds (REI).
• ID, cash/card (REI).
• Phone + power bank (STF).

Day hike vs multi-day

Scale quantities to time.

• Day: pocket kit; 1 waste bag.
• Multi‑day: more wipes/paper, spare meds, extra bags.

Pro tips for the UK

Local habits matter.

• Pack out where required: know local rules (REI).
• Coverage is patchy: plan stops and carry a power bank (STF).

12. Tools and repair

Little failures—loose stitching, a torn hem, a strap starting to go—are normal on the hill. A compact tools-and-repair set keeps you moving; keep it waterproofed and somewhere you can reach without emptying your pack.

What to pack

Prioritise multi‑use items echoed by trusted hiking checklists.

• Knife or multi‑tool: general repairs.
• Small gear‑repair kit: duct tape, zip ties, etc.
• Needle & thread: fix backpack, tent or clothes.
• Mini drybag: keeps the repair kit dry and together.

Day hike vs multi-day

Day: carry a knife/multi‑tool and a minimal tape/zip‑tie kit. Multi‑day/camping: add needle & thread and extra tape for tent/pack/clothing repairs.

Pro tips for the UK

Wind and rain are constants—store repair items in a drybag and check them seasonally so tape, ties and thread still work when you need them.

13. Overnight shelter and sleep system

For overnighters, warm and dry sleep is non‑negotiable. UK nights can be damp and breezy even in summer, so build a compact, reliable setup that keeps rain out and insulation off the cold ground. Keep it simple, repairable and packed where you can deploy it fast.

What to pack

Dial in a small, proven system before you go.

• Tent or tarp: primary shelter for camp (STF).
• Sleeping bag: appropriate to season; keep it dry.
• Sleeping mat: insulation from the ground (STF).
• Liner: boosts warmth and keeps bag cleaner (WMS/Inov‑8).
• Stove + fuel + matches/fire steel: for hot food and drinks (STF).
• Headlamp: essential around camp (STF/REI).
• Emergency shelter/survival bag: backup if plans change (REI/AP).
• Needle, thread and duct tape: field repairs (STF).

Day hike vs multi-day

On day hikes, carry an emergency shelter or survival bag only (REI/AP). For multi‑day trips, add full shelter (tent/tarp), bag, mat, stove and extra food; a small group shelter doubles as a lunch haven in foul weather (AP/STF).

Pro tips for the UK

Pack sleep gear in drybags (AP). In midge season, pair shelter with repellent/head net (AP). For tent trips, a 60–80L pack helps carry sleep and cook systems (STF). In winter, consider a blizzard/survival bag as an extra safety layer (AP).

14. Comfort and optional extras

Comfort add‑ons lift morale and make breaks and photos better—without bloating your pack. Choose one or two that genuinely improve your day and stash them where you can grab them fast. If weight rises, prioritise essentials and waterproofs over nice‑to‑haves.

What to pack

• Trekking poles; drybags; lightweight sit mat; thermos + cup + spork.
• Camera/action cam or gimbal; binoculars; outdoor journal; two‑way radios.

Day hike vs multi-day

Day: one comfort + one capture tool; multi‑day: add sparingly.

Pro tips for the UK

Coverage is patchy—two‑way radios help. Aim for ≤20% body weight.

15. Seasonal add-ons for the UK

UK seasons swing fast. Add modular extras so your hiking trip packing list stays lean but covers heat, rain, midges and short days.

What to pack

Seasonal extras are small, high‑impact items. Prioritise these essentials for the conditions you expect.

• Winter: winter traction devices; long underwear; insulated layer; hat + mitts.
• Summer: sunscreen + SPF lip; sunglasses; sun hat; midge repellent + net; airy long trousers.
• Wet/muddy: gaiters; drybags for kit.

Day hike vs multi-day

Day: add only what the forecast demands. Multi‑day: take the full seasonal set.

Pro tips for the UK

Expect midges and early dusk. Small wins save big days.

• Scottish summer: carry midge repellent/head net; short winter days: pack a headtorch.

Conclusion

You’ve now got a lean, UK‑ready packing system for both quick loops and multi‑day treks. Build around the Ten Essentials, layer for changeable weather, wear broken‑in footwear, and double‑check navigation, first aid and illumination. Plan water carries and treatment, and keep your total pack to roughly ≤20% of body weight. For overnights, add tent/tarp, sleeping bag and mat, stove, and an extra day of food; for day hikes, strip back but keep the safety core.

Make it real: save this checklist, lay every item out, do a short shakedown walk, then tweak. If you’re missing pieces, you can kit up at Take a Hike UK — essentials, smart tech and activewear — with free delivery over £50 and helpful 12/6 support. Pack smart, stay safe, and enjoy the miles.