Tim’s Multi-Day Hiking Gear List 2019
I use a range of gear for all my multi day hikes from two days in length all the way up to multi-week trips (including my 2018 1005 km Bibbulmun Track thru hike). The equipment listed in this article is what I used during 2019 which has served me well but I always do some minor tweaking depending on the destination, weather and time of the year. I also swap out gear if I’m travelling with my wife Gill where we need the two person version of something.
In compiling this list I focused on gear that is readily available on the Australian market. I want to know that if I do need a replacement, I can walk into a local store and pick it up or have it delivered in a matter of days. I usually like to carry the lightest weight gear I can afford and justify. However there are a number of items where I have deliberately NOT chosen the lightest option, instead making my choice based on other considerations such as comfort or function.
This is the second year of publishing this list – the changes I have made represent a bit of an evolution rather than a revolution. Many pieces of gear have remained on my list from 2018 and were never in danger of being removed having become firm favourites. Some of the gear that has changed even surprised me and while I have further lightened my load in some cases, I have gone for heavier options in others.
I have included some brief reasons for choosing each piece of equipment and a link to a written review where available that provides much more detail. I use the term ‘system’ for most of the item headings as the products often combine to work together.
Please note that this list is based on my particular needs and circumstances. The items of the list may or may not suit your personal needs however I hope that it will provide you with a basis for developing your own gear kit. You can download a PDF version of this list here.
PDF Version of my current gear list
The following link is a downloadable version of my 2019 multi-day solo hiking gear list. I will do a full update of this list on an annual basis (last updated 10 December 2019).
Tim’s Multiday Hiking Gear Checklist 2019
List last updated 23 December 2019
Pack System
Pack:Osprey Atmos AG 50L
In this case I have replaced the Osprey Exos 48 Pack that I have been using for the past three years with a heavier option.
Why I chose this pack:
- I love having hip pockets
- On extended hikes I lose upper body mass and I find that this pack continues to retain its comfort and doesn’t dig into my shoulders
- I’m a big fan of the trampoline style suspension frame that provides airflow across the back and stops me from getting a sweaty back (mostly) even in periods of high heat
- I can fit all my equipment for an extended hike including eight days of food into this pack and it will comfortable carry up to 21 kg in weight if necessary even though I rarely ever carry that much
Pack Liner: Sea to Summit 90 Litre Ultra-Sil Pack Liner
Why I chose this pack liner:
- As a blogger I carry a fair amount of electronics so I need to ensure this sensitive expensive equipment stays dry
- In addition, I don’t want my clothing or sleeping bag to get wet
- I used to use the 70 litre dry bag but switched to the 90 litre size as it can go on the outside of the pack if necessary which occasionally happens at night time when I need to protect everything from that fine red central Australian dust
Pack Liner: Sea to Summit 13 Litre Ultra-Sil Dry Sack
Why I chose this dry sack:
- For the same reasons I use a pack liner with my pack, this small dry sack becomes the liner for my Pack Brain
Pack Liner: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Pack Cover 50-70Litre Pack Cover (medium)
Why I chose this pack cover:
- Provides additional protection for gear inside the pack
- I use this in conjunction with the pack liners and dry sacks. This is definitely overkill but even in the wettest of conditions I have never had wet equipment
Shelter System
Shelter: Nemo Hornet 2 Person Tent
Why I chose this tent:
- This tent weighs just under 1 kg including pegs and poles which makes it one of the lightest double skin tents on the market and lighter than many one person tents
- It also takes up very little space in your pack
- The two person option means I can keep all my gear inside with me with only a 100 gram weight penalty over the one person version
Tent Pegs: MSR Carbon Core Tent Peg
Why I chose these tent pegs:
- These tent pegs weigh less than 6 grams each and are excellent in very rocky or hard soils
- I will always carry at least two of these stakes unless I’m hiking in sandy soils or snow
Tent Pegs:MSR Groundhog Tent Stakes
Why I chose these tent pegs:
- The MSR Groundhog is one of the worlds best known tent stakes for good reason. Sometimes you just want a tent peg that grips in and holds and the MSR Groundhog is just that tent peg
- Over the past 12 months I have added two of these tent stakes to my kit to provide versatility
Hydration System
Hydration Bladder: Osprey Hydraulics 3 Litre Bladder
Why I chose this bladder:
- When I use a bladder I drink more water than I would when using a bottle
- I may not always fill up a 3 litre bladder but on days where I walk 20-40+ km, when its hot, or when I know water may be hard to find, I definitely use this amount of water and often much more
- I use this particular bladder mainly due to the magnetic chest clip that keeps the drinking nozzle in place which makes it easy to access
Water filter: Katadyn BeFree 600ml Filter Bottle
Why I chose this filter bottle:
- I prefer to filter my water and this filter bottle is fast and easy to use
- It’s lightweight
- It can act as an additional small water bottle
Sleep System
Sleeping bag: Sea to Summit Micro 2 Sleeping Bag
Why I chose this sleeping bag:
- This sleeping bag remains my current sleeping bag of choice in all but the coldest conditions
- When I combine this bag with a thermal sleeping bag liner I am comfortable down to -5° celcius
- It’s very compact when in the compression sack
- Very lightweight
- Folds out to form a flat quilt
Please note that this bag has now gone out of production 🙁
Sleeping bag liner: Sea to Summit Silk Liner
Why I chose this sleeping bag liner:
- Keeps the sleeping bag clean which helps to extend the bag life
- Can be used as a sleeping bag when its really hot
Pillow: Exped Zip Pack-Large – See Layering System
Why I chose this pack:
- I don’t carry a dedicated pillow but instead I use this packing cell stuffed with my spare clothes to perform the same function
- I find it comfortable and it doesn’t add any weight to the pack
- Water resistant
Sleeping Mat: Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite
Why I chose this sleeping mat:
- I’m a side sleeper so I need a sleeping mat with lots of cushioning
- This mat folds down to a tiny package and weighs very little
Cooking System
Stove: Jetboil Zip
Why I chose this stove:
- I don’t cook on the trail but instead boil water for rehydrating food and for two hot drinks a day so I want a compact efficient unit
- I can use this stove during most total fire bans when liquid fuel stoves are usually banned
- This is Jetboil’s smallest stove currently on the Australian market and works well even if there is two of us
Stove Fuel: Jetboil 100g canister
Why I chose this fuel:
- Ever since I started using Jetboil stoves I have used their fuel as well if it’s available
- It’s the smallest Jetboil canister available
- In rehydrating a commercial meal each day for dinner and two hot drinks a day, as a solo hiker I can comfortably get 12 days of use out of a single 100g canister
Spoon: GSI Essential Long Handled Spoon
Why I chose this spoon:
- I’m a big fan of long handled spoons as I find short handled implements to be messy and uncomfortable to use with my large hands
- The rubberised head on this spoon is so comfortable to eat with
Mug: Sea to Summit X-Mug
Why I chose this mug:
- The X-Mug folds down flat
- Weighs very little
- Holds a good sized drink
Stove bag: Osprey 6 litre Stuff Sack
Why I chose this stuff sack:
- Keeps the stove bits and pieces all in one place and protected from the environment
Knife: Deejo Tattoo Naked Topography Knife
Why I chose this knife:
- I mainly use a knife to cut cheese and other food
- I have been known to occasionally use it to whittle (to create tinder or even a pair chop sticks when I couldn’t find my spoon)
- This extremely lightweight knife is a joy to use as well as being a work of art
Fire Starter: Light My Fire FireSteel 2.0 Army
Why I chose this:
- Easy to use particularly in wet and windy conditions
- Will last most hikers for years
Food container: Empty 500g Peanut Butter Jar
Why I chose this:
- Kraft/Bega brand jars use a heavier grade of plastic than other brands and are almost bullet proof
- I use this jar to rehydrate foods such as Overnight Oates or dips
Footwear
Footwear: Merrell Moab FST 2 Men’s Shoe
Why I chose this:
- They fit my widish feet very well
- I can get around 1200 km wear out of a single pair
- Easy to find worldwide
- Great cushioning
Shoe Inserts: Superfeet Blue
Why I chose this:
- Most stock shoe inserts don’t provide much foot support
- I usually swap out the stock inserts and use the Blue Superfeet inserts on most (not all) of my shoes
- I get around 350 km of life out of them and my feet are much happier for using them particularly on big trips where I can travel 25-40+ km per day, after day with a loaded pack
Socks: Wilderness Wear Merino Multi Sport 3.0 Sock
Why I chose this:
- Just the right level of cushioning and warmth
- Firm fit that doesn’t move around
- Durable and comfortable
- Easy to source and good price
Gaiters: Altra Trail Gaiters
Why I chose this:
- Unless I’m worried about snakes, I use a lightweight lycra gaiter to keep debris out of my shoes as well as providing a bit of tick proofing
- These gaiters are easy to purchase online in a range of sizes
Layering System
Underpants: Exofficio Give-N-Go Sports Mesh 6″ Boxer Brief Mens
Why I chose this:
- They fit well due to the well designed panelling and don’t chafe. What more can you ask for?
- I have yet to come across any other brand that is a comfortable
Pants: Kuhl Radikl Men’s Pants
Why I chose this:
- Durable
- They stretch when/where needed
- I love the leg ‘pouches’
- Comfortable
- They come in longer leg lengths for taller people
Long johns: Wilderness Wear Light Merino 170 Leggings
Why I chose this:
- These form two functions for me
- As an under layer in extremely cold weather (around -5° Celcius or worse)
- As part of my town clothing on rest days when I’m washing my outer clothes (yes, I wear shorts over them when in public!)
Shorts: Men’s UA Sportstyle Cotton Graphic Shorts
Why I chose this:
- These shorts are one of the few pairs that are easy to find and that don’t have built in inserts
- I wear these over the top of my long johns when in town or if I get saturated on the trail and need to let my clothing dry
- I carry these on trips where I’m taking a break in a town to wash my outer clothes
Lightweight Long Sleeved Top: Wilderness Wear Cumulo Merino Long Sleeved Tee Top
Why I chose this:
- These days, I wear long sleeved tops on all hikes longer than a few hours
- This lightweight merino top is well made, soft and comfortable
- It has extra length in the torso
Midweight Long Sleeved Top: Wilderness Wear MerinoFusion 190 Long Sleeved Zip Top
Why I chose this:
- This is the second layer I wear when I’m washing my outer clothes or when it gets really cold
- Like the lighter weight versions, this top is soft and comfortable to wear
Puffer Jacket: The North Face Men’s ThermoBall Hoodie
Why I chose this:
- I wanted a synthetic jacket to cope with expected wet conditions over a long period
- This one fits me really well
- The hood on this jacket was new for me and something I have come to love
Rain Jacket: Marmot PreCip Nano Jacket
Why I chose this:
- This is a bulletproof jacket that has kept me dry for the last three years through some very heavy rain storms
Rain Pants: Rainbird STOWaway Unisex Waterproof Overpants
Why I chose this:
- My main reason for using these rain pants is that the leg zips are nice and long which means I don’t have to take my footwear off to put on rain pants
Buff: Buff Original
Why I chose this:
- I always carry at least one buff on every trip
- Buffs are so versatile performing many functions not least is keeping my bald head out of the elements
Hat: Sunday Afternoons Sun Guide Cap
Why I chose this:
- My hat choice for most of the year and for when I know it is going to be wet
- The rear sun cape is longer than most similar caps on the market providing protection from sunburn on the neck
Why I chose this:
- One of the ‘hacks’ in my hiking kit that is now firmly entrenched
- This clip holds my rain jacket hood to my hat when it is raining and windy
- It also creates a porch that keeps most water away from my face
- It’s well worth the few extra grams of weight
Gloves: Icebreaker Unisex Quantum Gloves
Why I chose this:
- I usually avoid heavy gloves unless it is absolutely necessary so I find these lightweight merino gloves work well to keep me warm and still provide the ability to feel
- I only carry gloves when the temperature is expected to be around 0° Celcius
Clothing pack: Exped Zip Pack-Large
Why I chose this:
- This lightweight dry bag keeps all my clothing dry and in one spot
- I can tell by the colour in low light which bag is which
- My clothing bag also doubles as my pillow
Safety/Navigation Equipment
Compass: Suunto A-30 Compass
Why I chose this:
- A simple no nonsense compass that performs all the basics
Emergency Beacon / GPS: Garmin InReach Explorer+
Why I chose this device:
- This bit of technology has taken pride of place in my hiking kit for so many reasons and has now replaced my Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and GPS
- The two way communication option is a huge bonus on remote solo trips providing my family with the ability to track how I’m going in real time and to communicate with me even when there is no phone signal
Miscellaneous Equipment
Sunglasses: Maui Jim ‘Sand’ Sunglasses
Why I chose this:
- They fit my face extremely well and with the curve in the lenses there is no discernible gap to let in unwanted light
- I tend to update my sunglasses every few years and have been very happy with this pair but unfortunately this model of sunglasses is now out of production
Trekking Poles: Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking Poles 130cm
Why I chose this:
- My knees hate going down steep hills so I have been a pole user for a number of years
- On flat or uphill ground I find they increase my speed
- These poles are very lightweight and fold down to almost nothing when travelling
Head Light: Black Diamond Revolt Headlamp
Why I chose this:
- Comes with rechargeable batteries as standard
- The latest version is waterproof
- Great all-round headlamp
Reading Glasses: SOOLALA Lightweight Compact Reading Glasses
Why I chose this glasses:
- Not much choice here as I struggle to read with any accuracy without glasses
- I opt for a cheap pair in a small protective case on my hikes and leave my expensive pair at home
- I’m lucky I can do this but its not an option for everyone
Charging cables:
- USB-C to Lightening cable for iPhone/iPad
- Mini USB for GPS, Camera, iPhone battery case, battery pack
- Fitbit charging cable
Charging Adaptor: Cygnett Dual USB Wall Charger
Why I chose this:
- Compact, lightweight and robust
- Allows me to charge two devices at once
Powerbank: Cygnett 10,000mAh USB-C Power Bank
Why I chose this:
- I carry an iPad so need a USB-C power bank as opposed to a standard power bank for a fast charge
- This one’s compact, has a protective soft feel outer shell, and lasts me for around seven days which is usually enough to get me to another powerpoint
Wallet: Scrubba Weightless Wallet
Why I chose this:
- Credit card security (RFID) is something I always carry to prevent credit card skimming
- This wallet is also ultra lightweight at 7 grams
Clothing pack: Exped Zip Pack-XS
Why I chose this:
- The smallest size in the range carries all my little bits and pieces including all those little accessories that are otherwise hard to locate when you need them
Camera: Sony RX100 Compact Camera
Why I chose this camera:
- This compact camera fits in my pants pocket making it easy to get at
- The 1″ sensor provides high quality images for a non SLR camera
Memory Cards: SanDisk Extreme Pro 16GB Memory Cards
Why I chose this:
- I use memory cards for both my digital voice recorder and my camera
- I prefer 16GB cards rather than a single large card as it provides me with a degree of flexibility
- I also prefer to use high speed cards which makes transferring sound/image files onto my computer much faster
Phone: iPhone 8
Why I chose this:
- Personal preference here I know but I’m an Apple guy across all my tech
- It’s easy to use and relatively secure
Phone Case: Mophie Battery Case
Why I chose this:
- Due to the amount of social media / blogging I do, a phone case that is also a battery made sense
- With this case I get 2.5-3 days of phone life which also reduces the size of the power bank I need to carry
- It also provides extra protection for my phone when I’m out bush
Toiletries
Toothbrush:
Why I chose this:
- You have to clean your teeth but its OK to be a minimalist
- Use a short handled toothbrush if you can find one (try the airlines on overseas flights) or cut the handle down on a longer brush to reduce the size and with that a tiny bit of weight
Toothpaste: Lush Toothy Tabs
Why I chose this:
- I hate the taste of toothpaste
- This lightweight alternative is a great option
- You can carry just the right amount for your trip
Floss: 50 metres
Why I chose this:
- Oral hygiene, particularly on longer hikes is just as important as it is at home
Toilet Trowel: GSI Cathole Trowel
Why I chose this:
- This lightweight trowel will dig through hard rocky soil better than lighter metal options
- Always bury your waste!
Toilet paper: 10 sheets per day
Why I chose this:
- I never rely of toilet paper being provided
- You may need it away from provided facilities, or if the on trail facilities have run out
- My daily supply goes into a ziplock bag so it remains dry
Hand Sanitiser: Hand Sanitiser 60 ml
Why I chose this:
- The biggest cause of digestive distress on hikes is due poor sanitation
- You wash your hands with soap and water at home, and you should clean your hands on a hike as well
- Hand sanitiser is a convenient option for hiking
Towel: Escape Microfibre Towel
Why I chose this:
- Ultralight towel option
- Takes up almost no space in your pack
Nail Clippers
Why I chose this:
- Keeping your toe nails trimmed to the correct length is important to minimise blisters
- Not really necessary on a short hike but very important on longer multi-day hikes when toenail growth becomes an issue
Storage Pack: Exped Zip Pack-Small (also holds first aid supplies)
Why I chose this:
- The small size is lightweight and reasonably waterproof
- Colour coded so I can tell by sight in minimal light which packing cell I am after
First Aid Equipment
In over 40 years of hiking I have never had a serious accident or needed to treat one. In most cases what I am dealing with is blisters, splinters or ticks. Having said that, I still carry basic first aid equipment just in case. My first aid supplies go into the same packing cell as my toiletry gear.
Splinter Pick
Why I chose this:
- Sometimes you get splinters so I will always carry a decent splinter pick
Tweezers
Why I chose this:
- Can be used for splinters as well as removing ticks
- Don’t stint on the quality here as most cheap tweezers just won’t pick out the small stuff as they don’t have the stiffness and/or fineness at the tip
Compression bandage X 2
Why I chose this:
- For immobilising limbs in the case of snake bite or physical injury
Triangular bandage X 1
Why I chose this:
- Just in case!
- I have never had to use this in real life but its a versatile piece of safety gear
Crepe bandage X 1
Why I chose this:
- Another part of my first aid kit
- It is suitable for use as a dressing retention, stemming bleeding and providing light compression
Safety Pins X 5
Why I chose this:
- Always handy to have and not just for first aid use
- Ever split your pants or broken a strap?
Pain Killers: Nurofen X 6
Why I chose this:
- The only time I use Nurofen is when I’m hiking
- In addition to dealing with the rare headache it also aids with inflammation that can arise from doing extra long days
- I don’t use Nurofen that often and only when absolutely necessary
Go: Laxatives
Why I chose this:
- I’ll always carry a few tablets just in case
Stop: Imodium
Why I chose this:
- Also just in case
- There is nothing worse than having diarrhoea on a hike!
Foot Taping
I know from personal experience when I do multiple days of 25+ km I will develop hotspots on the balls of my feet which have the potential to ruin my hike. I now tape my feet, mainly the front sections, for the first week or two and this fixes my issue. It also allows me to do big distances day in day out with no pain or discomfort. My taping system consists of the following:
Foot taping 1: Fixomull
Why I chose this:
- Non allergenic and easy to remove when you need
- Provides the base layer for my strapping system
Foot taping 2: 38mm strapping tape
Why I chose this:
- Provides the main protection and goes over the Fixomull
Foot taping 3: 20-25mm strapping tape
Why I chose this:
- The final layer to hold everything in place
Band-Aids: Miscellaneous waterproof X 15
Why I chose this:
- I use Band-Aids on nearly every extended trip, mainly for my toes at the start of the trip while the skin is hardening up
Wash cloth: Chux
Why I chose this:
- Cheap, lightweight and very easy to rinse out
- A good lightweight option for cleaning yourself
- Just cut it down to size before you leave home!
Tea Tree Oil
Why I chose this:
- Part of my wash kit
- Helps remove much (not all) of the smell built up on multi-day hikes
Swap Outs
I carry most of the equipment above year round but there are some pieces that I change over (swap out) depending on the weather, physical conditions of the hike, or the numbers of hikers. The following equipment is what I will carry as the conditions dictate.
Tent Pegs: MSR Blizzard Sand Stake Tent Peg
Why I chose this:
- If the soil is very sandy or soft or I am using timber tent platforms I will replace my MSR Carbon Core Tent Peg and carry at least two of these pegs
- They work great with most tent platforms, slipping in between the gaps in the timber as well as with soft soils where other pegs fail to get a grip
Cold Weather Buff: Buff Merino Wool
Why I chose this:
- If conditions are going to be cold I will carry a wool buff as well as my lighter weight version to keep my follicle-ly challenged head warm
Insect protection: Sea to Summit Head Net
Why I chose this:
- Sometimes the flies just drive you mad
- This net keeps them off your head and out of your mouth!
- Mosquito proofing at night
Lip Balm
Why I chose this:
- For those conditions where cracked or sunburnt lips is a potential issue
Gaiters: Sea to Summit Quagmire Gaiters
Why I chose this:
- I usually don’t worry about wearing heavy gaiters but when I’m going into a snake infested area I up the leg protection with a serious gaiter
Summertime Hat: Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat
Why I chose this:
- My hat of choice for warm-hot dry weather where sun protection is critical
- Use the chin strap and this hat is windproof
- I love this hat!
Ipad Protection: Scrubba Air Sleeve
Why I chose this:
- Not your usual bit of equipment, the Scrubba air sleeves are designed to protect iPads, tablets and laptops
- They also double as an inflatable pillow
- If I’m in full blogging mode then this forms part of my standard kit. I used to be anti inflatable pillow but don’t have to be asked twice to use this
Lightweight Pack: Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack
Why I chose this:
- When travelling on an extended overseas/interstate trip I will use this as my carry on luggage
- During extended hikes, I will sometimes send this back home by mail and other times I will keep it with me depending on what I will be doing
Two person tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 2 Platinum Tent
- For when there is two of us
- This tent is the perfect compromise for a couple that wants space and minimal weight
Sleeping bag liner: Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor Extreme
Why I chose this sleeping bag liner:
- If I’m going into sub zero temperatures and need extra warmth then this is my liner of choice
- Can be used as a sleeping bag when its hot
Powerbank: Cygnett 27,000mAh USB-C Powerbank
Why I chose this:
- When I’m doing big trips in remote areas I need extra battery power and this unit will last me for two weeks based on my requirements for podcasting and blogging
- This is not a lightweight unit but what for it does it packs a punch
Tarp: Sea to Summit Escapist Tarp
Why I chose this:
- I use this particularly when I’m hiking in the Australian Alps above the tree line where the UV is extreme and some additional shade is essential
- Lightweight
PDF Version of my current gear list
The following link is a downloadable version of my 2019 multi-day solo hiking gear list. I will do a full update of this list on an annual basis (last updated 23 December 2019).
Tim’s Multiday Hiking Gear Checklist 2019