I started hiking around 2015 but I never really thought of investing in proper hiking gear until last year. I just use the stuff and wear the clothes that I already have at home or bought the cheapest stuff and did not consider the quality of the things I was buying.

Last summer, I got into hiking more and started to research about proper gears. While I don’t consider myself an expert, I picked up and learned a few things from fellow hikers who joined me on my hike trips.

Some of them have been hiking for a long time. My favorite associate at the outdoor shop I always go to, Suzuki-san of Koujitsu Sanso (Yokosuka Branch) has been hiking for 40 years and I learn a lot of things from him about hiking in Japan. He always gives me great advice on what to wear and what to bring on my hike trips.

I’m sure I’m going to learn a lot more as I go and maybe I would update it every now and then, but for now, these are the stuff that I bring with me when hiking.

I’ll mark the ones I always bring with a ♥ mark.

For transparency, as an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission if you make a purchase through the Amazon links below at no additional cost to you. If you do decide to purchase these items, I would like to thank you because it will help me a lot in running this blog.

<DAYHIKE GEARS>

BACKPACK ♥

• Gregory Jade 28 (1380g) (Amazon link HERE)
  I’ve used different backpacks up until now and I really like my Gregory Jade28 because even if I am carrying a 10kg pack, it doesn’t feel as heavy as it should be. It has a really good back and hip support. It is designed for a feminine body shape and fit for someone with short torso like me. It also has breathable backspace. I chose this size so I don’t overpack. I managed well with it during an overnight hike to Karamatsu Dake with 9.5kg pack.
  
  It has 2 different sizes, S & M so make sure you check your size before buying. The length can be adjusted and if your size fall in the middle I guess you can go for either, but to be safe, I think it’s better to go to the store and try the bags on with 5kg weight or more to see if it fits you well and you don’t lean backwards when you wear it. (Mine is size XS/SM on tag.)

• Salomon XT20 (556g) (Amazon Link HERE)
  I use this backpack whenever I go on a quick/easy day hike. It is definitely lighter than my Gregory backpack and it hugs on your back. It looks small but it can carry a lot including poles even without the side pockets.

The only thing I wish it has is ironically, more small pockets outside because I find myself opening the main compartment quite a lot, everytime I try to take out something and sometimes you just want certain stuff to be easily accessible.

-I put some things in individual ziplocs (like battery, cables, clothes and medicine) even if i’m using a waterproof bag but you can also bring a Backpack Rain Cover or use a pack liner like Six Moons Design Pack Liner for extra protection in case it rains.

-I’m saving up for a Hyperlight Unbound 40L now. I’ve read good reviews and we’ll see how we do with that.

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HIKING SHOES ♥

HIKING SOCKS ♥

• Darn Tough Micro Crew Midweight Cushion (Amazon Link HERE)
  I cannot stress this enough- BUY A PAIR of hiking socks. I bought a few pairs so I can bring an extra with me in case mine gets wet. I used to hike with normal running socks and it’s a game changer when I switched to this one. Never had a blister ever since.

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HYDRATION BLADDER ♥

• Platypus Big Zip Evo 2L (170g) (Amazon Link HERE)
  I have a Big Zip Evo 2L and would usually put 1L-2L water depending on how long the hike will be and whether there will be stores on the trail to buy water from. It was hard at first but I like using a hydration bladder on long hikes because it’s so easy to drink from especially when you get used to drinking from it. You don’t have to set your backpack down to get your tumbler from your bag so you tend to drink little sips more throughout the hike.

I bought a cheap one before and they broke mid-hike so you really have to choose a good quality one. Test it out before going on a major hike. I have never had a problem or leaks in my bag with my Platypus, I highly recommend it!

I also saw some people freezing their hydration bladder before their hike but the problem sometimes is if it doesn’t melt in time for when you start your hike and you need to drink.

I don’t have a water filter yet so I heavily rely on stores for water when I run out.

Simple calculation of how much water to bring:

(Your weight) + (Pack weight) x 5 x (Hours of hike) = ____ml water to bring

But of course everyone has different hydration needs, it will also depend on the temperature, season, how much you usually drink etc.

For me if it’s a short hike (under 6 hours) and I know there would be places to buy water somewhere along the trail, I just bring 1L + 500ml Electrolytes + 1 Energy Jelly. If it’s more than 6 hours hike then I would bring 1.5L + 500ml Electrolytes + 1 or 2 Energy Jelly.

During summer season, I prefer to drink ice cold water so I bring an insulated tumbler with lots of ice (500ml), and a big pet bottle of water and I just transfer as the water in the tumbler runs out. Some people also freeze half of their water bladder and just add water the next day.

I suggest try everything and see whichever fits your needs better.

INSULATED TUMBLER or Water bottle (500ml)

• Thermos insulated tumbler (300g) – Amazon Link HERE
  I bring a small water bottle for electrolytes or the energy jelly or an insulated tumbler for hot tea if it’s cold. I like the one touch type so you don’t have to twist and open every time you drink.

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TREKKING POLE ♥

• LEKI Lhasa Alluminum Trekking Pole (494g/pair) (Amazon Link HERE)
  I like this one because it’s easy to adjust instead of the ones you have to twist to adjust the length.

You can choose from Flip lock, Twist locks or a Collapsible (which is more compact and light).

GLOVES ♥

I use something like this during warm season. (Amazon Link HERE)

For winter, it really depends where we’re going. Sometimes the one above or a thin liner will do, but I bring a thick one too just in case.

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HEADLAMP ♥

• PETZL Tika E093FA – (82g) (Amazon Link HERE)
  I always bring one even when I’m only doing a short hike because you never know when you’re going to need it. I like this particular one because the battery is hybrid.
  
  You can use the rechargeable PETZL CORE battery (23g) (Amazon Link HERE) or a normal AAA battery when you run out of battery charge.

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MICROFIBER TOWEL ♥

• Cool Pass Microfiber Towel – 30cm×100cm (50g) (Amazon Link HERE)
  Compact and light. Quick dry and doesn’t take much space. I like that it’s long enough that I can tie it around my neck.

RAINWEAR ♥

TOP

• Millet Tiffon Warm NX MIV03140 (438g) (Amazon link HERE)
  -a waterproof thermal shell jacket more suitable for Autumn and Winter hiking. I like the inner soft fabric because I don’t  like the feel of gore-tex direct on my skin. This one feels like a normal jacket so I can wear it with just a t-shirt inside.

I am quite happy with my rain jacket but I am also thinking of buying the Montbell Stream Parka because one of my favorite outdoor Youtuber Ryoji recommended it. It weighs 422g and I like that it has zippers on the side under the armpit so when it gets too warm, you can open the zipper and ventilate. I don’t see this much on other rain jackets in Japan.

BOTTOM

I have a Colombia rain pants and even though I always bring it with me, I have not used it at all even when hiking Mt. Fuji. I guess I’ve been lucky with the weather every time.

EXTRA T-SHIRT & SOCKS ♥

• Extra T-shirt – Sometimes I change in the summit when I’m too sweaty
• Extra hiking socks -In case mine gets wet.

*I put everything in a ziploc bag so it won’t get wet in case it rains. I also label them so I know which one is which without opening them one by one.

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MEDICINE ♥

Right now I still haven’t found a First Aid Kit Bag that I really like so I just put mine in a ziplock bag.

I bring medicines for:

• Headache
• Stomach ache
• Motion sickness
• Nasal Spray for stuffy nose

I also bring these incase of wounds:

• Bandaids
• Antiseptic
• Gauze
• Tape
• Small scissor
• Blister Bandage (Some times I put on big bandage before the hike to prevent blisters)

I also bring a CPR shield in a form of keychain and an emergency blanket.

EMERGENCY BLANKET ♥

• EcoRide World Survival Sheet (80g) –  (Amazon Link HERE)
  In case you get into an accident and you have to wait for rescue, you need this to prevent exposure. It can also keep you warm while waiting.

WIPES ♥

• Powdered Body sheets
• Feminine wipes
• Pantyliner
• Tissue (Some bathrooms don’t have tissue so I always bring pocket sized ones)

ALCOHOL SPRAY OR SHEETS ♥

• I usually just bring alcohol spray but it depends which one you prefer but if you choose wipes, don’t forget to put it in your trash bag.

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MOBILE BATTERY AND CABLES ♥

• Anker mobile charger (207g) (Amazon Link HERE)
  I like Anker products because the quality is great and they really last a long time. I still bring my old one (369g) I bought in 2017 sometimes because I can charge my phone 3-4 times with it, but whenever I go to summit for a dayhike and want to keep my pack light, I bring the lighter one. I put all these in my waterproof bag from RawLaw Mountain Works (I got the small size but they have different sizes).

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SUNSCREEN ♥

• Nature Republic Sun Stick (24g) (Amazon Link HERE)
  For face I like using this sunscreen stick because it’s easy to apply when you’re in a hurry and it’s very light.

I used to think that I don’t need sunscreen because I don’t mind getting tanned but I read somewhere that if you use sunscreen during the summer, it helps your body not overheat and prevent dehydration. This is a problem I had with summer hiking in Japan because it comes to a point where I have trouble breathing because of too much heat. I’ll definitely do better in using sunscreen this coming summer.

LIP BALM ♥

• Carmex Lip Balm (Amazon Link HERE)
  I love Carmex when hiking because it keep my lips moist for a long time even if it’s windy or cold in the mountains.

• Lip Tint (because I still want to look cute in pictures LOL)

CAP ♥

• To keep your head cool when it’s too sunny. Personally, I wear it so I don’t see how far I still have to climb…

UV SUNGLASSES ♥

(Spring/Summer/Autumn)

• Kanastal Sunglasses (Amazon Link HERE)
  I like the classic Wellington shape of this Kanastal sunglasses. It blocks 99% of harmful UV rays (UVA, UVB and UVC) but still provides clear vision.

(Winter)

Either I use my usual sunglasses or I think I might try using a ski mask next time when the wind is strong.

<Types of UV radiation>

UVA (315-400 nm): UVA rays have the longest wavelengths and are present in sunlight throughout the day, even on cloudy days. They can penetrate deeply into the skin, causing premature aging and contributing to the risk of skin cancer. 

UVB (280-315 nm): UVB rays are responsible for sunburn and can also cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer. 

UVC (100-280 nm): UVC rays are the most energetic and harmful, but are almost entirely absorbed by the Earth’s ozone layer, so they rarely reach the Earth’s surface. 

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FOOD ♥

• 1 Energy Jelly
• 1 Banana Yogurt Jelly
• 1 Spam Musubi or Onigiri
• 1 Protein bar and some snacks
• 1 Cupramen (sometimes I bring this if we can boil water at the summer and have lunch there)
• Boiled eggs

ELECTROLYTES CANDY ♥

Super effective when cramping. You can find this in supermarket, drugstores or convenience stores.

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TRASH BAG ♥

• Always bring your trash back home with you. I usually just use the plastic bag they give me at convenience stores when I buy the food I bring with me.

MONEY / 100 Coins ♥

• Most bathrooms in the mountains are maintained by donation from hikers so I usually bring 100 coins for toilets. You’ll see these donation boxes at the entrance of most bathrooms.

THERMOMETER / COMPASS / WHISTLE keychain ♥

• Sun Company Lumagage (10g) (Amazon Link HERE)
  I like taking memo of temperatures so I can remember what kind of layering of clothes I did for a certain temperature. This one has a thermometer that reads Celcius and Farenheight. It also has a built-in compass. I attached a whistle I got from somewhere with it so they’re always together in one keychain.

BEAR BELL ♥

• Zafield Bear Bell with mute function (86g) Amazon Link HERE
  People are split on their opinions about bear bells. Personally, I bring them with me all the time but only use them when we’re hiking in a trail that has a few people or when I’m alone. I like the type where it has a noise stopper so you can mute it when not in use. This one has a carabiner too so you can attach it to your bag.

I don’t have a bear spray now but I’m considering buying them in the near future.

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<OPTIONAL STUFF>

• Oxygen Supplement ♥ – Amazon Link HERE
  This one is better than the ones in the can. Highly recommended!

• Earphone (Music helps me sleep at night so I bring one whenever I have to sleep or camp somewhere)
• Post-hike clothes ♥ (Underwear, top, bottom, socks) – I don’t like taking the train or riding the car in my sweaty hiking clothes so I always bring fresh set of clothes. I put them in ziploc and label them (Day 1, Day 2 or such) so I don’t have to take them out to see what’s inside.
• Bath Towel and facial towel (if we’re going to an onsen after)
• Shoes or slippers (I usually change to my hiking boots at the trailhead)
• Extra bag that I put the stuff I won’t bring to the hike with me. I usually just leave it in the car.
• Knee supporter ♥ Amazon Link HERE
  -Lately my left knee has been hurting so I started wearing a supporter. This is very thin and light one.

• SNOWPEAK Metal mug (45g) Amazon Link HERE–  For drinking coffee at the summit (I used to bring an insulated one but you want to go light as much as possible so I bought a new one that is super light)

• Mess kit if we’re eating lunch at the summit or at least a spork.
• Pads, pantyliners and tampons ♥ -I usually don’t hike on my period because it’s painful but I bring pads just in case)
• Leech repellent spray (If going to Tanzawa Mountains in the summer) – Amazon Link HERE
• Map (Paper) I haven’t brought one yet but I’m thinking of bringing one next time.
• Helmet
• Micro spikes or crampons – for winter hiking
• Gaiter or Spats (Leg cover when the trail is rocky or with snow)- Amazon Link HERE
• Digital Luggage Scale (98g) (Amazon Link HERE) – I don’t bring this with me but I use it to check the weight of my pack before leaving my place.

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<OVERNIGHT HIKE >

Staying in a hut

• Inflatable pillow (140g) – Amazon Link HERE

Hyperlight also has a bag that turns into a pillow so it’s multi purpose. But it’s quite expensive so I haven’t bought one. Amazon Link HERE

• Change of clothes for the night + another set for the next day hike (Set of undies, socks, towel, t-shirt and top)
• Kairo (Hand and foot warmer) – Amazon Link HERE – you can also find this in any drugstore or convenience stores. There are two types, stick on (貼る) and non-stick (貼らない) so check the kanji first. These comes in handy because it can get cold in the summit.

• Warm eye mask for sleeping – Amazon Link HERE

• Earplugs – Amazon Link HERE – I like this type better because its washable and you are less likely to lose the other pair.

• Toothbrush/ Toothpaste
• Solar Lantern (Carry The Sun) (57g) – Amazon Link HERE
  I love this solar lantern because it’s so light you can hang it on top of your tent. I bought the small one but I kind of want to get the medium one for my apartment in case of blackout.

Camping

• Tent (I will write a different blog on tents because it needs to have its own page. So many things to consider and to choose from it was so overwhelming. But basically, camping tent can be bigger and heavier while the tents you bring to the summit with you SHOULD BE as light as possible. 1.5kg is already considered on a heavy side.)
• Sleeping bag – I have a bulky down sleeping bag and a sleeping bag liner (650g) Amazon Link HERE (fleece, very thin and usually used inside a sleeping bag for extra warmth).
  
  *If we’re just camping, I bring both because I don’t mind carrying the heavy down sleeping bag but for overnight hikes it will depend on the weight of my pack, if it’s under 10kg I would bring the liner but if I know I will go over 10kg I will just not bring it and suck it up sleeping in a futon at the hut.
  
  I saw some ultra light sleeping bags at Koujitsu Sanso but they’re quite expensive so I don’t know if I want to invest in it anytime soon.
• Sleeping mat – Amazon Link HERE
• Mosquito repellent spray – Amazon Link HERE

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<CLOTHES>

Layering is key! DO NOT WEAR COTTON.

Lately I invest in lightweight gear to keep my pack as easy to carry as possible so it’s easy on my knees. That’s why I’m choosing to buy clothes that are ultra light so it’s not too heavy or bulky.

BASE-LAYER

The base layer is right against you and wicks moisture away from your skin.

• Underwear / Bra – I can never go back to wearing normal sports bra after wearing these. Such a game changer especially during the summer!

MILLET Women’s DryNamic Mesh Shorts

FINETRACK Dry Layer Basic Bra Tank Top

• Hiking socks (I’ve never had a blister since switching to Darn Tough hiking socks.)
• Tshirt/ short sleeve or Long sleeve)
• Hiking tights

MID-LAYER

or Insulating layer (Retains the body heat you generate.)

• Fleece Jacket ( I don’t use one unless temperature forecast is 10C below)
• Down Jacket (Ultra Light)
• Hiking Pants

OUTER-LAYER

or Outershell (Protects you from the elements like wind and rain.)

• Rainwear
• Windbreaker

FOR EXTRA WARMTH

• Down Pants (Only for overnight hikes)
• Beanie (Only if we’re going somewhere higher than 2,000 masl or during winter hiking)

I have a separate post for clothes with pictures HERE.

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<APPS and Electronic Gears>

• iWatch for recording steps and distance etc. (I recently switched to a Samsung phone though so I’m planning to switch to a Garmin Instinct 3 or Coros Apex 2 Pro
• DJI Osmo Pocket 3 for taking videos and group pictures. (I love this camera so much because the videos I take with are so smooth because of the built-in gimbal. It’s also very compact that it’s not embarrassing to take videos. I just haven’t found the best accessory to mount it to my backpack so I can take videos of the trail freehand, this gives me a way to enjoy the trail more instead of focusing too much on taking videos.
• I use YAMAP app for navigation and recording our hike trips. I also use it for checking the weather forecast and planning our route. I also like that it saves what part of the route you took certain pictures so you can make a video later on.

Click HERE to register so you can start planning your route. It’s a little hard to use at first but you’ll get used to it. Has a little bit of English as well if your phone is in English but not completely. I think you can use the browser and translate the page to English if you can’t read Japanese. I like collecting the badges here and saving my routes so I can make a video later with the route.

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<INSURANCE>

• I’m currently enrolled in a 1 year outdoor insurance through YAMAP app.

I have a separate post about outdoor insurance in Japan HERE.

Hope my list will help you with packing. I always look at it everytime I go hiking to make sure I don’t forget anything. I learned to customize it depending on where I go, like how much water I bring. If I know I’m going somewhere I can buy water easily, I won’t bring a lot so it’s less weight for my knees or if one of the group is bringing lots of wipes already, I won’t bring mine but will bring the alcohol spray for everyone to share instead. This way, everyone shares the weight.

But do not overestimate yourself especially when you’re still starting out. I learned my lesson the heard way when I once brought 4L of water on my first major hike because the people I went with told me to. Don’t be like me! LOL Go as light as you can and bring only the essentials.

Do you have a favorite gear or recommendation? Please post it on the comment section!

EAT, SLEEP, HIKE, REPEAT =)
#MarieJournals