So after doing a couple of hiking trips with friends and borrowing or renting equipment every time I go, I figured it was time to buy some of my own. So here’s my wish list that my fairy godmother or fairy godfather will soon buy for me. Well, a girl can hope can’t she? 😉
Okay, so maybe I’ll just take on a few more freelance writing clients and once I’ve paid the bills, I’ll have enough saved over to buy these. But till then, you can read through my hiking gear list and tell me what you love or give me suggestions on something better.
Hiking Gear I want
50 to 80 Litres main backpack
The backpack I own right now is nameless. I got it really cheap in Sri Lanka 4 years ago, and you can see from the inner lining peeling off why it needs replacing. So time for a new one soon. My guide friends say smaller is better, but you know me, always packing extra stuff that I don’t need. So I’ve set my sights on some 45 to 70-liter backpacking gear, no matter the trip length.
Apart from being a cool purple in color, this Osprey Pack Women’s Renn 50 Backpack has an internal hydration sleeve and a ventilated back panel made of mesh. Dual compression straps allow for size adjustments and zippered hip belt pockets keep my stuff safe. It also has straps to hook on a sleeping bag.
With a lovely pine and granite color, this Deuter AirContact Lite 65+10 Hiking Backpack is abrasion and water resistant; while the Air Contact ventilation back system moves air and moisture away from the body.
20 to 30 Litre small backpack or daypack
The pack for regular use; the one that will keep all the documents, camera, phones, and of course stuff to munch on.
Much like the men’s Osprey Talon 11 daypacks, this Osprey Tempest 20 pack is water resistant, and has a lid lock for bike helmets and hip belt pockets. It features a biostretch harness that’s good for stability and an Airscape backpanel to keep us cool even on warm days.
The reason I put this HikePro 20 Litre Backpack on my wish list, it’s a lovely combination of two colors. Okay, I’m talking a lot about colors. But the best bit about this backpack is that it sort of has built-in rain protection. The water-resistant nylon material can stand the rain for up to an hour. No need to carry a separate pack cover. 🙂
A happy-looking backpack, this North Face Women’s Jester Backpack is 22 liters, water resistant, and can be used for hiking and as a regular daypack for work, college, or picnics.
Hidden Traveler’s pouch
Really handy for keeping cash and cards safe and close to you. I still use a well-worn and simple cross-body sling pouch that my sis bought from South Africa many years ago. I’ve heard good things about the RFID blocking neck pouches and waist belts though. So they’re on my wish list too.
Pack Cover
Pack covers are particularly useful when it rains they say. And the Osprey High Visibility Rain Cover also makes sure you’re not difficult to find.
Though I found a couple of backpacks that have them built-in and hidden in the bottom, which may or may not be a better option. Save on cash, save on space. Perfect! I’ve been eyeing them for quite some time now.
Packing Cubes
Now really, I don’t see the logic in these. Packing cubes for travel just seem to take up a lot more space. But everyone seems to swear by them. ‘Just pack it for each day’ they say. Okay, fine. I’ll try them one of these days. I mean, why can’t I just use some ordinary zip lock bags?
Update, a few years later, I use these packing cubes for longer trips, just not the short ones. If you are pro-packing-cubes and want them, here are a few options.
Dry Bag
These supposedly keep your electronics and hiking supplies dry. Since we’re not into extreme sports yet, we still do it the cheap Indian way and use two layers of plastic zip loc bags or food bags. What about you? If you disagree with me, these Floating Waterproof Dry Bags by Marchway may be more your style. They look perfect for kayaking, camping, and hiking.
Camping Gear
Tents
Haha! I’m probably never going to own one. I’ve only always gone camping with my friends who have their own gear every trip. So you can’t really fault me considering I go hiking once in a blue moon. And I don’t mind sleeping under the stars either. The only thing that I don’t like about hiking is the creepy crawlies. Yeah, they’re crunchy and fun to eat, but I don’t like ‘em live ones. But anyways, if I did buy a tent, it would be one of these.
This Citron Green colored Mountainsmith Morrison 2 Person 3 Season Tent has 2 doors and 2 fly ventilation windows. No worrying about stale air. 😉 And the 36 ft² (3.34 m²) floor space is ample room for 2 adults.
The Coleman Cabin Tent is pretty cool too. It’s super easy to set up and can supposedly withstand winds of up to 60 mph (96 km). That’s Force 10. Will have to try it out one day.
Sleeping Bag
My aunt used to have a really snug green sleeping bag from the UK that then passed on to us and we held on to it for years. Probably time for a new one, eh? Remind me to get one with a good temperature rating and something that can be rolled up as small as possible.
This Mountain Hardware flame sleeping bag has extra insulation for warmth. And the full-length zippers allow two hotbed bags to be zipped together, as long as you purchase one sleeping bag with a left zip and one sleeping bag with a right zip. Need I say more?
PS. This arrangement is also perfect when you have two people who like different temperatures. Let one sleep a few degrees cooler than the other, but still snuggle together. 😉
Sleeping Bag Liner
Even though they restricted movement, I liked the sleeping bag liners that we snuggled in at the igloo camp in Manali before watching how they built the igloos the next day. And I spotted some silk sleeping bag liners online. I’m adding these Sea to Summit bag liners to my ‘want one day list’.
Sleeping Pads
Used sleeping pads that were provided for us on the trek to Manali that I went on years ago. If I ever become a regular trekker or start living out of a bag, I’ll buy these too. 🙂
Inflatable Pillows
Here’s one thing I don’t need. 🙂 Why, you ask? Because I don’t use pillows, ever. To each his own!
A pocket blanket
Stumbled across this awesomeness while randomly browsing through Amazon. This 55″ x 60″ Montem Pocket Blanket literally fits into your pocket which makes it so easy to carry anywhere. It’d be great to just leave it in my purse for impromptu picnics in the park too. 😉 And the best part is, it’s water-resistant and puncture resistant. So no worrying about soiling clothes. And I could take it to the beach, park, camping, hiking, or literally anywhere.
Other Gear That’s Cool
Map Case
Okay, I know. I haven’t hiked enough to need one of these. But isn’t this Osprey Map Wrap cool? It keeps your map in perfect condition no matter the weather.
Compass
A compass is always helpful since I turn out to be directionless in the forest. Watcha’ laughing at? Okay, maybe you’re right. I really need GPS instead. 😉
Water Bottles
Easy to carry water bottles or some water purifying bottles for longer trips. Need me one of those cool-looking Camelbak Long Neck Water Bladders or reservoirs if you’re not too fond of the word bladder.
Cooking Utensils
What about plates and pots? Nope, we can’t pack sandwiches and crisps for all the days; although I do carry plenty of those. We need some lightweight plates and pans. But I’ll rely on my friends who hike regularly to carry those camping utensils since we always go as a group, and I’m usually in charge of the snacks for everyone. 😉
Clothes
Quick dry clothes for warm weather and long-sleeved tops for cooler weather. Waterproof pants and jackets for the rain and snow, fleece tops to stay warm. Well, I have some of these, but there are newer ones I want now. And don’t forget the gloves and beanies.
Shoes
Slip-ons don’t work for me. I don’t know why. Shoes don’t quite often either. Oft times I end up on my behind because my shoes just can’t get enough grip. 🙂 The best thing I love about my Wyre Valley pair from the UK is that they’re waterproof. I tried finding another pair from the same brand online but couldn’t. I guess it’s Quechua or Salomon next? I hope my fairy godfather heard that. 😉
Walking Poles
For balance, grip and to steady your step while walking. They really help a lot, especially when there’s no boyfriend to hold on to for dear life. Kidding. Maybe not. 😛 Check out these ultra-strong hiking poles by Montem or the proven Trailbuddy trekking poles.
There’s loads of other stuff that you need on a hiking trip. But I’ve got most of that for now. For example, hand sanitizer. Can’t waste water washing your hands, unless you’re near a stream. Sanitizer proves useful sometimes.
Or mosquito repellent. Mosquitoes love me, so I don’t leave home without it.
Toiletries, toilet rolls, and tissue paper, towels, dried soap or vinegar to throw in the smelly used clothes, notebooks, and pens, sunglasses.
And ear plugs. Nope, there’s no noise in the wild, but ear plugs help keep the mosquitoes out of your ears. 😉
I think my list is done. Now, where’s my fairy godmother or godfather?
I’m an East Indian foodie and travel blogger from Bombay, India. I’ve travelled across parts of Europe and Asia, and love writing about my experiences with people and cultures. And naturally, I love food, wine, and travel, and have an endless bucket list of places to go to, and experiences I must blog about.
I also love baking and experimenting with food, with a little help from my family. If you must know, my favorite things are nice rainy days, the smell of cakes in the oven, playing in the snow, glasses of wine, and dark chocolate.
More info about me here!
The Tent, utilities pouch & pocket blanket is on my wish list too. My fairy God mother’s in the
mirror btw :p