If you’re headed out on a hiking or camping adventure, you always want to ensure you have all the gear you need to be comfortable and remain safe even in an emergency.

People take adventure holidays all the time, but if this is your first, here is a list of the most important items you will need. 

Best Travel Gear For Adventure Travel

Essentials

The first thing you need to pack is your bag of essentials. This can be anything from copies of your travel documents to vape liquid, medication, or anything in between.

Since this is arguably your most important bag, it should be the one you pack first and the one you pay the most attention to. 

Make a list before you start packing, making sure that you’ve covered yourself strategically for the weather conditions, and specific environment you’ll be heading into (ie you’ll need different essentials for the desert vs the snow vs rain etc).

Pack from your list so that you don’t miss anything.

Travel Backpack

If you don’t have one, purchasing an adventure travel backpack is a must. These packs are specifically designed to not only carry everything you need but also be comfortable enough to wear for extended periods.

These bags are also often waterproof, ensuring your gear will stay safe and dry even in the worst weather. 

Portable Filtration System

Depending on where you are going, you may not have access to a lot of clean water, if any. While most water will be safe after boiling it, you should take the extra step of having a portable filtration system with you. 

These filters will ensure your water is clean and stop you from getting sick. This is particularly helpful if you are far away from a doctor or hospital. 

Lightweight Tent

Nowadays, there are a ton of different lightweight, one-person tents on the market. These tents are more than big enough to sleep most people, but they are small enough to be able to fold them and stick them in the bottom of your pack. 

If you don’t need a tent, it is still a good idea to pack a tarp of some kind, as you can use it as a ground cover or as a way to extend the entrance of a tent and create a covered patio-type area. 

MREs

Another item/items that should be a constant in your pack are MREs. An MRE, or meal ready-to-eat, is a shelf-stable meal that simply needs water to be hydrated and eaten.

They are used in the military due to their small size and long shelf life, and they often pack huge amounts of calories. 

You can use MREs for two reasons; they can be the food you eat on an adventure as they are effortless to prepare, or you can keep a few in your pack in case of an emergency.

Sleeping Gear

When it comes to sleeping gear, the most important thing should be your sleeping bag.

If you are going to be traveling in a cold climate, a zero-degree or cold-weather sleeping bag is a must. There are also multiple camping pillows you can choose from that are very small and light but provide the comfort you need. 

The Right Clothes

When you are adventure traveling, packing the right clothes is exceptionally important.

If you are traveling in the warmer months, you won’t need much more than t-shirts and shorts, but if you are traveling in colder months, you need a few extras. 

Whether you are hiking or camping, besides your regular cold-weather gear, you should pack warm underlayers that can protect you against the cold weather, as well as wick up your sweat so that your body doesn’t get cold from the inside. 

Shoes

Your shoe options aren’t that wide, but there is enough variety for everyone.

If you are hiking, you need a pair of hiking boots that offer long-lasting comfort as well as ankle protection. If the trail you are going to use is fairly easy, a good pair of walking shoes will do the trick too. 

You also want to have a pair of sandals available. You don’t want to walk in rivers in your boots or walking shoes, and you also want to air your feet while keeping them protected. 

First-Aid

A first-aid kit is also a must in any adventure backpack. While you don’t need everything under the sun, there are a few essentials that every first-aid kit should have to ensure you can find some help or relief in the event of most injuries. 

You should have a selection of band-aids and bandages, as well as a cream or gel for treating burns and bug bites. The next thing should be medication to treat headaches and stomach issues, as well as any specialized medication you may need. 

The most important thing about traveling with a first aid kit is knowing how to actually use everything you pack in it.

Backup Communication Device

Finally, you shouldn’t travel anywhere without a method of contacting authorities, friends, or family. There are hundreds of thousands of areas around the world that get zero phone signal, and a smartphone without a signal is fairly useless. 

Instead, invest in a satellite phone or, at the very least, find a way to rent or borrow one if you’re going off grid. While you may not need it, it is one of the best ones to call for help in the event of an emergency.