A Hiking list for a one night stay in a hut in summer
I’ve now done my fair share of hiking so below is a gear packing list that I pulled together for my mountain wedding guests. I decided to have a slightly different wedding and had it in a Department of Conservation Hut in the mountains. and as there were a few friends that were new to hiking I created this list for them.
This hiking list was created for a 3-4 hour summer hike, staying one night in the Pinnacles hut in the Coromandel, New Zealand, which is not a high altitude hike. This list is in no way a definitive list but is a guideline to what you should take and what I like to take with me. I will look to create other gear lists for different types of hikes as I generally take different gear depending on the season, location and altitude.
1 - Sturdy walking shoes
You will need good sports shoes, trail shoes or hiking boots.
I prefer my Lowa hiking boots but other friends prefer sports shoes or trail shoes, so wear what you feel comfortable in. If you do buy new hiking boots make sure you wear them in before the hike. Leather boots will also need to be worn in first. If you are going to buy new boots make sure you pick carefully and get the right size there is nothing worse than being sold too-small boots. A good guide is that hiking boots are generally a size larger than your casual day to day shoes. This gives room for movement and potential feet swelling.
2 - Hiking Pack
Proper hiking pack or large backpack with comfortable straps.
A few friends just use a normal backpack with compression bags to squash down their sleeping bag, however, I love my super comfortable Osprey hiking packs. I own three different sized hiking bags ranging from 40L to 65L. For an overnight trip in summer when staying in a hut my 40L pack generally holds everything I need, but often I take my biggest pack as it is more comfortable with the weight.
3 - Hiking clothes
Top / t-shirt / singlet
Don't wear cotton as it gets heavy when wet and doesn't dry quickly etc. Pick a top with a material such as merino or a gym top that wicks and draws the moisture away from you. If you're not used to hiking with a bag then consider a t-shirt just in case the bag rubs on your shoulders.
Shorts / leggings
Depending on the weather I will wear gym leggings or shorts and will wear the same clothes hiking in and out.
Warm top
If it's windy you will want this when you stop along the track.
Socks
Some people like to wear two pairs of socks as they believe it helps to stop blisters but I prefer one pair of woolly socks.
Underwear
Synthetic or merino. Ideally not cotton.
4 - Rain Jacket
Waterproof lightweight rain jacket
I will be taking North Face Venture 2 jacket that is nice and lightweight. If it was hiking in colder climates I would be taking my more heavy-duty Rab Latok Alpine Jacket.
5 - Sleeping bag
Summer weight (⅔ seasons)
It gets quite warm in the hut at night in summer so try to have a lightweight sleeping bag, which will also be lighter to carry. To maximize space in my bag I put my sleeping bag in a compression bag so it squishes down. I will be bringing my lighter weight Kathmandu Pathfinder sleeping bag, which I will be hot but will do the job.
6 - Clothing for the hut
Top/t-shirt/singlet
Bring one or two options - ideally not cotton just in case you want to wear them hiking but up to you. The important thing here is to ensure you have dry clothes that you can get changed into.
Pants or leggings
Preferably not jeans as they are heavy to carry and even heavier if they get wet - so choose something comfortable and ideally lightweight.
Warm top and/or Jacket
You might want a couple of layers that you can put on top of each other if you feel cold. I will bring my lightweight puffer jacket and fleece.
Underwear
Don’t forget clean underwear.
Sleeping clothes
Many people will just wear their hut clothes to help reduce the number of items you bring and the weight of your pack.
7 - To eat with
Bring a plate/bowl
I generally just bring a wide picnic or camping bowl.
Mug
We will be giving everyone a special wedding mug that you can bring on the day.
Fork/knife/spoon or spork
I normally just make do with a spork and a sharp knife for food preparation.
8 - Toilet paper
It is always good practice to take a roll of toilet paper just in case they run out.
9 - Drink bottle and/or camel pack
I take both as I'm scared my camel pack might burst. I will take approx 2 Litres to drink while hiking up or more if it’s really hot.
10 - First aid kit
Make sure you bring at least a basic first aid with painkillers, plasters, blister stuff, strapping tape, etc.
11. Personal items
Make sure you bring your medications, toothbrush, and toothpaste, deodorant, etc. Please wear deodorant as I don't want to sleep next to an extra smelly person.
12 - Sun hat and sunglasses
I know many of you don’t like to wear sun hats but if you’re hiking for hours in the sun it is needed.
13 - Warm hat
Woolen or fleece
It may be summer but sometimes it's nice to have a warm hat if it gets windy. If you are going to be in exposed spots on the track you might also like a balaclava - I have a nice Mons Royale one.
14 - Pack liner
proper dry bag pack liner or a rubbish bag.
It sucks if the stuff in your pack gets wet - it could be from rain, slipping into a stream or even your camel pack bursting. You might think you don’t need any of these but I can only warn you that you’re better off safe than sorry.
15 - Rubbish bag
To carry any rubbish that you need to carry back out. When hiking in New Zealand and many places overseas as well the rule is - pack it in, pack it out.
16 - Torch
Ideally a headtorch
You will want this when going to the bathroom at night. A head torch is more practical and even better if you have a red light so you don’t blind everyone when you get up in the night to go to the toilet.
Other things you might want to bring/pack
Shoes for the hut
I would normally take sandals, jandals or lightweight sneakers. I did once decide to save on weight for a four-day hike and since then I will never forget them - just trust me it makes you feel a lot more comfortable having a spare pair of shoes.
2. Lightweight long sleeve top for hiking
I have an Arcteryx long sleeve synthetic top that I wear if it is a bit windy while hiking. This is way better than a fleece top as it breathes well.
3. Gloves
You may want gloves if you decide to hike to an exposed windy spot. For our mountain wedding, you had the option of climbing to the top of the pinnacles and in windy weather, you really appreciate having them while climbing the ladders. I’ve also found that if it’s raining and cold and you use hiking poles, you will appreciate having gloves to keep your fingers warm.
4. Waterproof trousers
If it's really windy or wet these are great to have. I used to think that I wouldn’t get cold if my legs got wet but I was proven wrong a few years back. This was the same four-day hike that I opted to not have a spare pair of shoes as well. I’ve also found having the waterproof trousers are great if there are a lot of sandflies as if you have tasty blood aggressive sandflies will get through your leggings but they haven’t yet got through my waterproof trousers.
5. Walking poles
These are helpful for hiking downhill as they really save your knees - since I started using them I’ve never looked back and I won’t hike without them. I’ve also saved myself from spraining an ankle when tripping with a heavy pack more times then I can count. If you don’t want to buy super expensive ones you can find some cheap poles at shops like the Warehouse. I personally love my Leki hiking poles. They are probably the one piece of hiking gear that I’ve paid full price for but have never regretted purchasing.
6. Earplugs
Just in case there are snorers - OK let’s be honest, there WILL be snorers so trust me and just bring them.
7. Power bank
This is hiking and New Zealand DOC huts don’t have power points (or WiFi) like some overseas huts. Bring a power bank to charge your phone and any other gadgets that you’ve decided to carry with you.
8. Microfibre towel, gym sweat towel or wet wipes
If you don't want a freezing cold shower then wet wipes are a good alternative. Otherwise, bring a light microfibre towel or a gym sweat towel for washing your face.
9. Cable ties
I always pack these as they are great for broken shoelaces, packs and more.
10. Sunscreen
Getting sunburnt while hiking isn't fun so bring some sunscreen. It’s also good for stopping windburn.
11. Mosquito/bug spray
Feel free to not bring any so they have a target other than me.
12. Electrolyte tablets
We add Nunn tablets from Torpedo 7 into our water to drink while walking. I get quite dehydrated without it.
13. Hikers wool
I stuff alpaca wool into my boots, which helps to stop blisters and my feet hurting. You can get hikers wool in most outdoor shops.
14. Magnesium tablets/powder
I always take magnesium powder to drink after a hike as it helps my muscles recover - not necessary but it helps me a lot.
If you have any questions about gear or what to buy, and where from, I am generally across all of the local outdoor shop sales and can recommend a few options across different brands from Arcteryx, Rab, Mons Royale, Osprey, Lowa and more. So just sing out and I will see what I can help you with.