To become a proficient survivalist, you must practice and there’s no better way to put your survival skills to use than backpacking and hiking treks into the wilderness.  Even for a simple day hike, you will require supplies, tools, and sustenance for the trip.  Below is a complete list of backpacking supplies you should take (or consider taking) on your hiking trip.

Note that the list of backpacking supplies differs in many ways from the supplies required in a survival kit or bugout bag which tend to allow for much greater quantities and weights of supplies.  Compare the list of survival supplies to this list of backpacking supplies and pick and choose between the two to create the ultimate supply list.

Day hike

For a day hike, consider taking the following supplies in your backpack.

1. Compass and/or portable GPS
2. Map
3. Food
4. Water
5. Water bottle
6. First aid kit
7. Fire starting kit: butane lighter, cotton balls, trioxane tablets, fire starter, waterproof matches
8. Sunglasses
9. Sunscreen
10. Extra layers of clothing
11. Flashlight or headlamp
12. Extra batteries
13. Shovel
14. Rope and cord
15. Whistle
16. Signal mirror

Multi-day hike or backpacking trip

For hikes longer than a day, consider take the following supplies.

Clothing

1. Quick-drying nylon pants or shorts
2. Short-sleeve T-Shirts
3. Long-sleeve T-Shirts
4. Fleece or wool pants
5. Fleece or wool top
6. Fleece or wool vest
7. Long wicking underwear
8. Underwear

Outerwear

1. Poncho or other rain gear
2. Wide-brim hat
3. Stocking cap
4. Fleece gloves
5. Glove liners
6. Bandanna

Footwear

1. Wool or synthetic socks
2. Synthetic or silk sock liners
3. Hiking boots
4. Extra shoe laces
5. Sandals (for camp and fording waterways)

Camping gear

1. Backpack
2. Pack cover
3. Tent and rainfly
4. Tarp or reflective blanket
5. Ground cloth (tent footprint)
6. Sleeping bag
7. Compression sacks
8. Sleeping pad
9. Stuff sacks for clothes, food, etc.
10. Stove and fuel
11. Cooking utensils (pots, pans, forks, spoon, knife)
12. Drinking cup
13. Plastic garbage bags
14. Freezer bags
15. Biodegradable soap
16. Scrub brush
17. Water filter and purification tablets

Personal items

1. Toilet paper
2. Trowel or shovel
3. Toothbrush and toothpaste
4. Small bath towel
5. Brush or comb
6. Lip balm
7. Insect repellent
8. Head net
9. Whistle
10. Signal mirror
11. Pocketknife and multitool
12. Treking polies or staff
13. Parachute cord (100 feet)
14. Watch
15. Repair kits, spare parts (tents, cooking utensils, clothing)
16. Duct tape (or duct tape strips)
17. Bear canister

Other

1. Field guide
2. Journal and pen
3. Books
4. Solar chargers
5. Camera (and extra battery)
6. Binoculars
7. Playing cards or other games
8. Fishing tackle (and license)
9. Large fixed-blade knife
10. Saw