8 essentials you need in your hiking bag
Whether you're heading into the great outdoors for a few hours or a few days, these are the essentials you need to guarantee staying safe and having the best experience.
A few summers back, one of the TimeOutdoors team was hiking in the Peak District, heading out from Edale up Grindslow Knoll and into the moorland above Kinder Scout, looking for a spot to wild camp (bivvy bags and no fire - a real #LeaveNoTrace job). It was familiar territory and everything looked set for an easy 24 hours or so.
The weather had other ideas.
After a couple of hours brewing, a summer storm blew in and fierce rain drove everybody off the hills. For us, it was a good two hour's hike back down into Edale to take shelter in the Old Nag's Head, buffetted by wind and rain along the way. Fortunately, we had packed hiking gear for a night on the hills and were prepared for the weather. Within a few minutes, we had zipped up waterproofs and fixed rain covers over our bags, keeping us and our belongings warm and dry.
While you might only be planning on hiking for a few hours rather than an overnight trip, this serves to show how quickly the weather can change in the hills and how it pays to be prepared.
No matter how long you're planning to hike for, there are some essentials that should remain in your bag as standard. It's not just to keep you safe if something goes wrong, either - making the most of your time outdoors is far easier and simpler with a few backpacking essentials in your hiking bag!
Hiking gear to pack
From the Lake District to the Norfolk Coast, whether you're out for hours or days, these are the essentials that you should have stashed in your bag.
Navigation tools
If you're old school like us, this could be a physical map - a good OS has never let anyone down. You can also pick up some fantastic digital navigation devices beyond your mobile phone with pre-downloaded routes in case you move beyond range of your phone signal. Modern fitness trackers and sports watches often come with GPS trackers and route directions, too.
The key here is to make sure that you have a couple of options, including one that won't fail you if you run out of battery or signal. While you might not be planning to go anywhere too exotic, it pays to guarantee tha you can find your way home.
Besides, an opportunity to test your navigation skills never goes amiss!
No navigation needed on a Mighty Hike
First aid kit
This shouldn't need too much explanation, should it? Essentially, you'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
We'd make sure that yours has these basics:
Blister plasters
Anti-bacterial wipes
Gauze swabs
Bandages and safety pins
Tweezers
Assorted plasters
Microporous tape
Enjoy professional support on this Poppy Trek
Headtorch
During the summer, heading out to conquer a mountain like Snowdon or Ben Nevis means that you're very unlikely to be out and about in the dark. This list of essential hiking gear is for all eventualities, though, including those that are unlikely! A headtorch is one of the most useful pieces of kit you'll ever own and is easy to stash in a bag for any eventuality.
In an emergency situation, which is essentially what we're preparing for here, the ability to see clearly in the dark while keeping your hands free is invaluable.
Our advice here is, if you are able to, spend a bit more and get a really good quality headtorch. It will last for years and the difference in how powerful the light beam is, even in fierce conditions, is impressive.
Emergency shelter
There's a few options here, none of which are heavy or will take up too much space in your bag. While we're not expecting you to carry a sleeping bag or airbed on every hike, carrying a bivvy bag is a great idea - it's essentially a waterproof body bag that you can take shelter in if you're forced to stay outdoors in poor weather or overnight. It won't be that comfy but it will keep you dry.
At the very latest, stash a foil blanket in your first aid kit in case you happen to twist an ankle while out for the day. While waiting for help, staying warm and dry is going to be an imperative, especially when you run the risk of going into shock. As with the first aid kit, you'll hopefully never use it but it pays to be prepared.
Join mountain leaders on this charity hike
Sun protection
Just as getting too cold or wet can be problematic if you're waiting for help, overheating and sun exposure while hiking in the summer can turn into a really serious issue. One of the easiest things you can do to avoid this is just to do what you've been told to since you were a kid: wear suncream.
This comes back to our original point of not being able to anticipate the weather accurately. If you're out for hours on end, even if it's cloudy when you set off, the sun could easily make an appearance by the time you reach a checkpoint. Having some suncreen stashed in your bag will, at best, help you avoid uncomfortable sunburn and, at worst, help prevent heatstroke.
Some outdoors-specific brands are the best to use as they are sweat-resistant, so shop around carefully.
Extra water
While the exact amount of water that you need to drink will vary depending on your individual circumstances, you'll need between half a litre and a litre of water per hour while out hiking trails. That will increase in hot weather and if you're tackling steep terrain, too. Having too little water can be uncomfortable and unsafe, so make sure you're packing enough.
It's also worth making sure that you have a way of sterilising water too, in case you end up needing to spend the night out in the great outdoors. Water sterilising tablets are a cheap and easy solution but we've also used tools like Lifestraw, which work really well on the move.
Hike along the South Coast with Macmillan
Extra layers
We don't care whether you're hiking in the depths of winter or the height of summer: pack a waterproof.
Our example above of heading into the Peak District in the summer only to be swamped out by a freak storm shows how quickly the weather in the UK can change all year round, so stashing a lightweight and packable waterproof jacket into your bag is always a good idea. Even if it's not raining, it could come in handy on a mountain hike if you end up hanging around at the summit, where the temperature will be several degrees lower than at the base.
Beyond, you can make your own judgement on whether you also chuck in some waterproof trousers, gloves and a hat. Just don't blame us when you return soaked and freezing cold!
Multi-tool
From the mundane, like opening food packets, to the more extreme, like cutting a length of bandage, there's a wide variety of reasons to pack a multi-tool in your hiking gear. It's also, frankly, one of the more interesting bits of kit compared to other essentials and one that you can have quite a lot of fun picking out.
As well as the basics, like a knife blade, tin opener and screwdriver, we'd recommend grabbing something with a carabiner attachment to keep it secure and a firestarter rod for the campsite, not to mention the all-important bottle opener. How else are you going to crack open those summit beers?
Discover more hiking challenges here
Hikes to take on this year
With your daypack stashed with the essentials, it's time to find somewhere epic to explore. The challenge events and charity hikes below are perfect for getting stuck into the great outdoors while joining a social team!
- Sat 9 - Sun 10 May 2026
- £20-£25
- 30% off
Mighty Hikes | Norfolk Coast
Starting in Cromer, this scenic coastal hike follows beautiful beaches and picturesque villages along the coast, combining breathtaking views with the chance to support people living with cancer.
30% off with discount code
- Hike 2
- Fri 15 - Sun 17 May 2026
- £30
- Early bird
Keswick Mountain Festival
The UK's top outdoor sports festival! Incredible entertainment, sports events, speakers, live music, activities, brand expo, bars, food, drink and much more.
Early bird on now
- 5K run 2
- 10K run
- Half marathon
- 50K ultra run
- Fell run
- + 12 more races
- Sat 30 May 2026
- £30
Lake District Running Festival | Grasmere Gallop Nordic Walking Challenge
The 10km Nordic Walk takes a scenic route through some classic Lake District Landscapes, including the shores of Grasmere and Rydal, as you propel yourself along with your poles.
- 10 km walking + 160 m ascent
- Fri 5 - Sat 6 Jun 2026
- £40-£150
Tommy Trek
A night-time trek to commemorate the anniversary of the D-Day landings in 1944, through beautiful countryside, villages, fields and woodland of Kent, with a team breakfast on the route.
- Charity challenge walk 2
- Sat 6 Jun 2026
- £20-£25
- 30% off
Mighty Hikes | Lake District
Follow the spectacular Ullswater Way through the heart of the Lake District, hiking lakeside trails and climbing Gowbarrow Fell to enjoy breathtaking views, all to support people living with cancer.
30% off with discount code
- Hike 2
- Sat 6 Jun 2026
- £20-£25
Big Hike | Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog)
Escape to nature and experience the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) National Park. You'll explore the Taff Trail, forests and beautiful canals, all whilst supporting life-saving research.
- Hike 3
- Sat 13 Jun 2026
- £20-£25
- 30% off
Mighty Hikes | South Coast
Starting in Brighton, hike the South Downs Way along dramatic cliffs and rolling countryside, passing the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head to support people living with cancer.
30% off with discount code
- Hike 2
- Sat 13 Jun 2026
- £20-£25
- 30% off
Mighty Hikes | Thames Path
Hike from Windsor along the peaceful Thames Path, following England’s most iconic river through beautiful countryside to support Macmillan’s vital work for people living with cancer.
30% off with discount code
- Hike 2
- Sat 13 - Sun 14 Jun 2026
- £20-£25
Big Hike | Peak District
Hike through magnificent woodlands, past pretty waterfalls and limestone cliffs, and take in beautiful views across the Peak District to help beat cancer step by step.
- Hike 3
- Sat 20 Jun 2026
- £20-£25
Big Hike | Jurassic Coast
Explore England's only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for the outstanding beauty of its cliffs, fossils and landforms, to help beat cancer step by step.
- Hike 3
- Sat 27 Jun 2026
- £20-£25
- 30% off
Mighty Hikes | Gower Peninsula
Explore Gower Peninsula’s rugged coastline, following cliffside paths with breathtaking views of Rhossili Bay and Worm’s Head — a spectacular Welsh hike supporting people living with cancer.
30% off with discount code
- Hike 2
- Sat 27 Jun 2026
- £20-£25
Big Hike | Lake District
Escape to nature and experience the Lake District National Park. You’ll explore majestic mountains, stunning rivers and take in the beautiful scenery, all whilst supporting life-saving research.
- Hike 3
- Sat 4 Jul 2026
- £20-£25
- 30% off
Mighty Hikes | Jurassic Coast
Hike the Jurassic Coast’s dramatic trails, passing Corfe Castle and Old Harry Rocks, and enjoy Dorset’s breathtaking coastal views while supporting people living with cancer.
30% off with discount code
- Hike 2
- Sat 11 Jul 2026
- £20-£25
Big Hike | Cotswolds
Hike through the rolling hills and picturesque villages of the Cotswolds. Walk right past Broadway Tower and take in stunning views from Dover’s Hill to help beat cancer step by step.
- Hike 3
- Sat 18 Jul 2026
- £20-£25
- 30% off
Mighty Hikes | Peak District
Starting in Bakewell, trek through rolling hills and rugged moorland in the Peak District, exploring England’s oldest National Park while supporting people living with cancer.
30% off with discount code
- Hike 2
- Sat 18 Jul 2026
- £20-£25
Big Hike | Suffolk & Essex
Escape to nature and experience the Dedham Vale National Landscape. You’ll explore rolling meadows, the River Stour and pass by Flatford Mill, all whilst supporting life-saving research.
- Hike 3
- Sun 27 Sep - Sun 4 Oct 2026
- £1,140
Camino 100 Challenge
Walk 100 miles in 5 days! Walk the Camino Trail in style and unite against breast cancer.
- 5 days walking