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12 items that ALWAYS make the gear list

I've done a lot of backpacking routes over the years and there are some items that always make the gear list. No matter where, no matter when, I don't even need to think about them. Here they are:

Gram Counter Gear Mini Firesteel - 12g

Most people use gas stoves, a firesteel is more reliable than either matches or a Piezo Igniter (which can break). The only stove I've found difficult to light with a firesteel is an alcohol stove at low temperatures.

Coghlans Mini Can Opener - 10g

On a long trek you'll need to re-supply - I carry one of these can openers just in case that's all I can get hold of.

Sea to Summit Nano Mosquito Headnet - 11g

People will tell you when the best time to go to a region is to avoid mosquitoes and midges but nature has a way of surprising you with mosquitoes at 3000m or midges in September. If you get caught without a headnet life can be very miserable.

Deejo Naked 15g Pocket Knife - 15g

You definitely need a knife, but not for very much; cutting cord, preparing food such as cheese etc. So I always take a really small and light knife.

Assorted Cable Ties - 6g

I've lost count of the number of repairs I've done with these. From tent pegging loops to rucksack straps. A decent, reusable version is the Nite Ize Gear Tie 12 inch Re-usable Rubber Twist Tie.

Backup Light - 12g

There's plenty of choice here, I used to take an Inova Microlight with me which weighs just 9g but only has an output of 6 Lumen. Nowadays I'd take a Nite Core 'Tube' at 10g and 45 Lumen. For late season outings when it gets dark early I'd upgrade to a Petzl e+lite at 26g.

Salt - 17g

I generally take the smallest bottle from the Nalgene Plastic Container Small Travel Kit and fill it with salt - this peps up bland freeze dried meals and will also be useful when you cook your own meals from scratch.

Tent Accessories - 40g

I always include two Shelter System Grip Clips with cord pre-fitted, two Lightwave Dyneema Guylines and two spare pegs. This gives me the wherewithal to add two guy lines to anywhere on the tent which is ideal if the wind is blowing from a particular direction and you want to support the tent on that side. Used on quite a few trips in poor weather.

Sunscreen - 30g

Even on a bad weather day the sun can get out and attack! I always take sunscreen wherever and whenever I'm going because there will be a time when the sun comes out and if you're walking all day there's often no shelter/protection. I protect my head and some of my face with a hat, but because I use trekking pole my hands can suffer.

Hydration Tablets - 10g

These weigh approximately 1.5g per tablet and I'd usually use around one Nuun hydration tablet per day. Adding some flavour to the water encourages me to drink and stay hydrated. A tablet a day is fine for most trips but if it's going to be hot then I take at least two.

Coglans Featherweight Mirror - 20g

On a long trip I'm going to get a shave at some point so I need this mirror. Also, I can check out how bad I look before mixing with normal people again at the end of the trip.

Sleeping Mat Repair Kit - 6g

Most mats come with a repair kit these days, if not, you can usually buy one separately and it weighs next to nothing.

This list comes to a total weight of: 189g

Others will have their own lists. A lot of people will take duct tape for example, but I've never needed it. I used to carry a needle and thread, which frankly, given that it must be all of 2-3g I probably should add back into my list.

Mark Richardson
Mark was the founder of Ultralight Outdoor Gear back in 2006 and has completed long distance backpacking routes in some of the remotest parts of the world. His favourite hikes have been Torres del Paine (full circuit), the John Muir trail and the Markha Valley trail (Ladakh, India). Although semi-retired Mark has not lost any enthusiasm for minimalist backpacking and is tackling Scotland’s Munros choosing multi-day backpacking routes over the more usual guide book excursions. Read more from Mark Richardson