Ever peeked into someone else’s backpack and thought: “Wait, you carry THAT?”
That’s the magic of hiking culture — no two hikers pack the same, and there’s always something unexpected, clever, or totally unnecessary hiding in someone’s side pocket. From ultra-minimalists with 6-pound base weights to weekend warriors with full-size cutting boards, what we carry says a lot about how we hike.
Now it’s time to share yours.
🏕 Trail Essentials vs Trail Oddities
Sure, we all pack the basics:
Water filter
First aid kit
Extra socks
Headlamp
Shelter and food
But what about the wild cards? We’ve seen:
A French press
A full-sized plush mascot
A ukulele
Instant mashed potatoes and sriracha
A roll of duct tape around a water bottle
A tiny trail library (yes, actual books!)
And somehow… it all works.
🧠 What’s the One Thing You’ll Never Hike Without?
That one weird-but-essential item you always carry:
A rock from your first summit
Coffee beans and hand grinder
Microspikes even in summer (just in case)
A secret stash of gummy bears
A pack towel that’s now more sentimental than useful
Everyone’s got a “can’t hike without it” item. What’s yours?
🔍 Let’s Compare Packs: Ultralight, Comfortable, or Chaos?
Let’s be honest:
Some hikers pack like engineers
Others pack like goblins
And some of us just throw things in and hope for the best
This is your chance to:
Show off your loadout
Get feedback on what to ditch
Inspire others to rethink what they carry
📸 Post Your Pack Loadout
Start a thread, drop a photo, or list out your gear setup. Tell us:
Trip type (dayhike, overnight, thru-hike)
Pack brand and capacity
What worked, what didn’t
The one thing you carried but never used
Your favorite “luxury” item
👉 Use theReviews orBackpacks tag — we’ll feature the best posts in our newsletter!
🤔 What’s In Their Pack Might Be Missing from Yours
One of the best ways to improve your gear setup is to see what others are carrying — and more importantly, why. It’s not about copying — it’s about discovering new ideas, hacks, and perspectives.
Your next favorite item might be hiding in someone else’s hip belt pouch.
🥾 Join the Conversation
The next great gear tip, trail recipe, or comfort trick might come from a post just like this.
Start your own “What’s In My Pack” thread — or join one that’s already buzzing.
HikingGear.Forum is where good conversations start — and even better gear setups follow.