Packing list: What goes in your overnight hiking bag
- Holly Hume
- Jul 7
- 5 min read
Going on overnight hikes is amazing and the feeling of carrying everything you need to survive on your back gives you limitless freedom - here's what you'll need.
We've put together a packing list for overnight hikes, with some seasonal recommendations, safety points and a few explainers.
Your pack contents can be split into several categories: your sleep system, kitchen kit, clothes, first aid/emergency supplies and toilet kit. Your gear for an overnight hike, plus food and water, should fit in a standard 60L pack.
Sleep system
Tent
Sleeping bag
Sleeping bag liner for colder months
Sleeping mat
Your sleep system is essential because it's your place to get warm, dry and recover. If there's snow or rain outside, this is your safe haven and must be kept safe at all times. It's important to waterproof your system with dry bags, or a pack liner if there's any chance at all of rain.
These heavy items will go in the bottom of your bag, as they're also the last thing you need to access in your day. Pack them first and keep any longer heavy items close to your spine, instead of on the front of the bag.
Cooking kit
Stove + fuel
Pot scrubber
Soap flakes or dish soap
Small drying cloth
Utensils AKA spoon, fork and knife
Lighter, flint or matches
Mug for hot drinks
Water bottles
Your kitchen kit is essential for first aid situations such as hypothermia or shock, where getting them a hot drink can be part of lifesaving care. It's also one of your main sources of joy after a long day! Keeping your kit clean, dry and organised is key to prevent damage - if you put your stove away wet you're just asking for rust.
A small pot scrubber (steel wool or cut off piece of scourer pad) will save you in the scenario you burn your dinner and the bottom layer becomes like cement in your stove. No one likes tasting burnt rice in their breakfast tea after all.
There's debate about utensils and I'm firmly of the mindset that you don't need a spoon AND fork, just choose one. I prefer a spork to get the best of both worlds! Your mug is for that morning coffee or evening hot Milo. A 500ml Nalgene bottle is a great choice for a mug as you can also use it for normal water storage, or as a hot water bottle. It warms the hands beautifully during those frosty winter sunrises!
Clothing
Walking clothes; shorts or long pants, a sun-safe top and hat
Thermals, top and bottom to sleep in
Raincoat
Rain pants
Spare undies
Dry pair of socks
Fleece
Down jacket
Head torch
Beanie
River crossing/camp shoes
What your pack in your clothes bag will likely depend on the season and location of your hike. In the winter, fleece and down layers are key and thermals necessary for survival. In summer, you can go slightly lighter on packing, knowing you'll be carrying more water anyway.
It massively depends on your own preferences but there are a few non-negotiables. A rain jacket is always necessary, thermals highly recommended, and having a dry pair of socks in your bag is just common sense!
A beanie is a campsite luxury for winter - keeping your head warm makes a surprising difference - and your headtorch is needed for moving around in the dark hands-free or walking to camp on those long days. River crossing or camp shoes will make your life a lot nicer when you want to relax in dry, comfy shoes after a big push. Crocs can be used as both!
Here in Australia, sun safety is top of the list so make sure you always pack a hat. We'd strongly recommend wearing a long-sleeved layer such as a sun hoody in all weather. As for pants, its personal preference for short or long, but make sure you have long ones for the evening.
Keeping your clothes dry and waterproofed in the likelihood of rain is key.
Emergency/First Aid supplies
First aid kit: Must have snake bite bandage
PLB: Personal locater beacon
Personal medications
Sun protection - sunscreen
Your first aid kit is the piece of gear you hope to never have to use. While everything else in your pack you'll use constantly and be happy about that - this is something which ideally stays in your pack and doesn't get opened all trip.
The contents of your first aid kit are key, with snake bite bandages being one of the most important in Australia. Used to treat snake and spider bites, they're vital for anyone hiking in the wilderness.
A PLB is expensive and can be hired for free from police stations and NSW parks offices. Some shops such as MacPac also rent them out for a fee. This device is essential for anyone heading out for an adventure in the wilderness where there's no phone signal. Used only in life or death situations, it will allow the emergency services to locate you via satellite.
Speaking of communications, if your phone is your lifeline in certain situations, make sure you've got a battery pack with you.
Toilet/period kit
Toilet roll
Shovel
Hand sanitiser
Period products
Period kit - see full list here
Going to the toilet might be as simple as finding the drop toilet at your campsite, or it could involve digging a hole. Taking toilet roll is ALWAYS recommended, as popular spots may run out even if there are facilities. A shovel is helpful for digging cat holes in remote areas.
As a woman, carrying a period kit will save you from some very uncomfortable situations out on trail. Our cycles might be predictable if we're lucky, but you never know when you or someone else in your crew might start their bleed early. Check out our blog post on period kits here for more information about what to include.
Extras
A simple fix it kit is another useful item to have in your pack on a hike. Broken zipper, torn jacket or snapped tent pole: all easy to fix and a pain to deal with if you can't. Carry some tent repair patches, pole repair should come with your tent, and a needle and thread will save you more times than you can imagine!
Sitting on the cold, hard and sometimes wet ground can make life miserable. Some hikers take the extra weight of a fold out chair, while others go for a small sit mat to insulate and cushion. It's down to you to weigh up added luxuries - after all, you'll be the one carrying them. A small tarp will do the trick for those keen to save pack weight.
Final word
Ultimately, it's down to you to pack your bag and if you forget anything or decide you don't need items, then you're committed to making it work with what you've got once you hit the trail. There's no last minute shop near the campsite most of the time.
Planning for the worst and hoping for the best is a great mindset to have and feeling prepared for any scenario brings a great deal of peace on an overnight hike.
Finding the balance between having the right stuff, and not weighing yourself down with a crazy heavy pack is what you will spend your entire life doing - and hopefully one day perfecting! It will come with time.
This packing list compiled by Cool Girls Club guides and is a recommendation only.
