Gear & Preparation
Small Stuff
The catch-all category. Some items are essential, others are controversial, and many are personal preference. This is where the hodgepodge lives.
Every backpacking kit has its big systems - shelter, sleep, water, food. But the small stuff is what fills the gaps between those systems. This page is a hodgepodge by nature - a collection of dozens of items that different hikers value differently.
Some items here are non-negotiable (headlamp, knife, repair kit). Others are highly debated (trekking poles, camp pillows, umbrellas). What works for one hiker might be unnecessary weight for another. The key is understanding what each item does and deciding if it earns its place in your pack.
We've organized this page into essential items, highly recommended gear, and optional/controversial items with pros and cons. Take what works for you and leave the rest.
Essential Items (Carry These)
These items are non-negotiable. Every hiker should carry them regardless of trip length or personal preference.
Headlamp
Getting caught in the dark without light is how people get hurt. A headlamp is essential - carry it on every trip, even day hikes. Modern LED headlamps (Black Diamond, Petzl, Nitecore) provide 50-200+ hours of light and weigh 2-4 oz.
- LED bulbs provide hours of light on minimal power
- Red light mode preserves night vision
- Adjustable beam for close work or distance
- Carry spare batteries or use USB-rechargeable models
- Essential for camp chores, night navigation, emergencies
Knife or Multi-Tool
A small knife or multi-tool handles gear repairs, first aid tasks, food prep, and countless camp jobs. Keep it sharp and accessible. A dull blade requires more force and is more dangerous than a sharp one.
- Pocket knife (2-3 oz): Victorinox Swiss Army, Benchmade, Spyderco
- Multi-tool (5-8 oz): Leatherman Wave+, Gerber Dime - adds pliers, scissors, screwdrivers
- Locking blade prevents accidental closure
- Keep it sharp - oil the blade after use
- Choose based on what tasks you actually need to do
Fire Starting Kit
Carry multiple ways to start a fire - if one fails, you have backups. Fire provides warmth, signaling, and morale in an emergency. This is essential safety gear, not optional.
- Butane lighter (0.5 oz) - easy to use with cold fingers
- Waterproof matches in sealed container - backup to lighter
- Ferrocerium rod (1-2 oz) - works wet, cold, or at altitude
- Dry tinder - cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly, or commercial tinder
- Carry at least two ignition sources
Repair Kit
Gear breaks in the backcountry. Straps tear, buckles snap, zippers jam, and fabric rips. A small repair kit handles most problems and keeps you moving without ending the trip early.
- Duct tape wrapped around trekking pole or water bottle (saves space)
- Tenacious Tape or gear-grade patches for tent/sleeping bag/pack repairs
- Safety pins and needle/thread for sewing torn fabric
- Paracord (25-50 ft) for broken guylines, bear bags, gear securing
- Spare buckles that match your pack's hardware
- Zip ties (2-3) for quick fixes
Sun Protection
Arizona's sun is intense year-round, especially at altitude. Sun protection prevents painful burns, heat illness, and long-term skin damage. This is essential, not optional.
- Sunscreen SPF 30+ (reef-safe, sweat-resistant)
- Sunglasses with UV protection (polarized reduces glare)
- Sun hat with brim (360° brim preferred over baseball cap)
- Lip balm with SPF
- Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, more often if sweating
Bathroom Kit
Hygiene matters in the backcountry - for comfort, health, and Leave No Trace. A small kit covers the essentials without adding much weight.
- Toilet paper (remove cardboard tube to save space)
- WAG bags or ziplock bags to pack out used TP (required in many areas)
- Trowel for digging cat holes - 6-8 inches deep, 200 feet from water
- Hand sanitizer - use before eating and after bathroom breaks
- Biodegradable soap (Dr. Bronner's, Campsuds) - use 200 feet from water
- Small quick-dry towel
Highly Recommended
These items aren't absolutely essential, but most experienced hikers carry them. They solve common problems and make trips more comfortable.
Power Bank
Modern electronics (phone, GPS, headlamp, satellite messenger) need power. A 10,000 mAh power bank (Anker, Nitecore, Goal Zero) charges a phone 2-3 times and weighs 7-10 oz. USB-C PD (Power Delivery) charges faster than older USB-A. Essential for multi-day trips.
Trekking Poles
Reduce knee strain on descents, improve balance on rough terrain, and help with river crossings. Carbon fiber poles (Black Diamond, Leki, Cascade Mountain) weigh 14-18 oz per pair and collapse to 24-28 inches. Some hikers swear by them, others prefer freedom of movement. Try them on a short trip before committing.
Insect Protection
Arizona's mosquitoes, gnats, and flies can make trips miserable. Permethrin-treated clothing repels ticks and mosquitoes for 6 washes. DEET (25-30%) or Picaridin (20%) repellent for exposed skin. Head net for severe bug pressure. Bug pressure varies by season and location - check recent trip reports.
Stuff Sacks & Organization
Keep your pack organized with stuff sacks for clothing, toiletries, first aid, and small items. Dry bags or pack liner keep gear dry in rain. Compression sacks reduce sleeping bag volume. Mesh pockets add organization. Some hikers prefer minimal organization, others love a place for everything.
Camp Shoes
After a long day in hiking boots or trail runners, camp shoes let your feet breathe and recover. Lightweight options: flip-flops (Hoka Ora, Teva), Crocs, or down camp booties. Weigh 6-12 oz. Some hikers just wear their hiking shoes, others love the relief of camp shoes.
Emergency Shelter
If you're forced to spend an unplanned night out, an emergency shelter prevents hypothermia. Emergency bivy sack (2-4 oz, waterproof/windproof) or space blanket (2 oz, reflects body heat). Essential for day hikers and lightweight backpackers. Weighs almost nothing and could save your life.
Optional & Controversial Items
These items are debated in the hiking community. Some hikers love them, others think they're unnecessary weight. Try them and decide for yourself. We've listed pros and cons so you can make an informed choice.
Hiking Umbrella
Provides shade in open terrain and keeps rain off your pack. Popular with thru-hikers in desert and alpine environments. Weighs 8-12 oz (Silverlight, Euroschirm).
Love it: Portable shade, keeps pack dry, lighter than rain jacket for equivalent coverage.
Hate it: Useless in wind, requires a free hand, looks dorky, doesn't work in dense forest.
Camp Pillow
Inflatable pillows (Sea to Summit, Therm-a-Rest) or stuff sack filled with clothes. Weighs 2-4 oz. Makes sleep much more comfortable.
Love it: Better sleep, neck support, worth the weight for side sleepers.
Hate it: Unnecessary weight, just use stuffed clothes, can puncture.
Camera
Dedicated camera (Sony, Fuji, Olympus) vs. phone. Weighs 8-24 oz depending on model. Better image quality than phone but adds weight and complexity.
Love it: Superior image quality, optical zoom, manual controls, rewarding hobby.
Hate it: Heavy, phones are good enough, one more thing to charge/protect.
Coffee Setup
Aeropress Go, Staresso, or single-serve pour-over. Weighs 4-12 oz plus coffee. For many hikers, morning coffee is non-negotiable.
Love it: Morning ritual, better than instant, worth the weight for coffee lovers.
Hate it: Unnecessary weight, instant coffee works, one more thing to clean.
Book or E-Reader
Paperback book (4-8 oz) or Kindle (6-7 oz) for downtime at camp. Some hikers love reading in camp, others prefer to disconnect.
Love it: Relaxation, mental break, great for rest days or rainy weather.
Hate it: Unnecessary weight, backcountry is for disconnecting, phone has books.
Journal & Pen
Small notebook (Rite in the Rain) and pen for trail notes, memories, or emergency messages. Weighs 2-3 oz.
Love it: Document trip, process experiences, leave emergency notes, lightweight.
Hate it: Unnecessary weight, phone notes work, most hikers don't use it.
Candles
Emergency light when batteries die, fire starter, morale booster at camp. Weighs 1-2 oz each.
Love it: Backup light, fire starter, camp ambiance, nearly weightless.
Hate it: Headlamp is better, fire risk in dry conditions, unnecessary.
Flashlight (vs. Headlamp)
Handheld flashlight as backup or primary light. Brighter than most headlamps, useful for signaling. Weighs 3-6 oz.
Love it: Brighter beam, no strap discomfort, can be used as backup.
Hate it: Requires a free hand, headlamp is more convenient, redundant.
Arizona-Specific Small Stuff
Arizona's desert environment creates unique needs. These items address Arizona-specific challenges like extreme heat, sun exposure, and remote terrain.
Electrolyte Supplements
Arizona heat causes massive sweat loss. Water alone isn't enough - you need electrolytes to prevent hyponatremia. Nuun tablets, Liquid IV packets, LMNT, or salt capsules. Carry 1-2 servings per hour of hiking in heat. Essential in summer, recommended year-round.
Cooling Towel
Soak in water and drape around neck for evaporative cooling. Weighs 2-3 oz and can lower body temperature several degrees. Essential for Arizona summer hiking. Re-wet frequently for continued cooling.
Snake Bite Kit (Controversial)
Arizona has rattlesnakes. Most medical professionals say snake bite kits (suction devices) don't work and waste time. Better prevention: watch where you step, don't reach into rock crevices, wear boots (not sandals). If bitten, immobilize limb and evacuate immediately. Carry anyway for peace of mind, but don't rely on it.
Gaiters
Keep sand, gravel, and debris out of shoes. Essential for desert hiking in loose soil or sand. Weigh 4-8 oz per pair. Also help with snow in winter months. Some hikers love them, others find them hot and unnecessary.
Bandana or Buff
Multi-use item: sun protection, dust filter, cooling (soak in water), sweat rag, pot holder, sling, or water pre-filter. Weighs 1-2 oz. One of the most versatile items per ounce in your pack.
Trowel vs. WAG Bags
Arizona's high desert soil is often too thin or rocky to dig cat holes. Many areas require packing out human waste in WAG bags. Check regulations for your specific area. Carry both trowel and WAG bags to be prepared. Lighter trowels (Deuce, The Tent Stakes) weigh 1-2 oz.
Small Stuff Care & Organization
Small items are easy to lose or forget. Organization and maintenance keep them ready when you need them.
- Keep small items organized in a dedicated pouch or pocket - loose items are hard to find
- Use a "small stuff" stuff sack or organizer pouch to keep everything together
- Test your headlamp before every trip - replace batteries annually even if not used
- Keep your knife or multi-tool clean and sharp - oil the blade after use
- Replenish your repair kit after each use - replace used tape, patches, and cord
- Store toiletries in a sealed bag to prevent leaks in your pack
- Check expiration dates on medications and replace as needed
- Review your small stuff list after each trip - remove items you did not use, add items you missed
- Keep power bank charged - charge it the night before every trip
- Store ferro rod and lighter in a waterproof bag - wet fire starters don't work
- Wrap duct tape around trekking poles, water bottles, or a old credit card to save space
- Keep emergency contact information in your pack and on your person (not just in your phone)
Building Your Small Stuff Kit
Not every trip requires every item. Scale your small stuff to trip length, conditions, and personal preference. Here's a framework:
Day Hike (Minimal)
- Headlamp + spare batteries
- Pocket knife
- Lighter + matches
- Sun protection
- Power bank (small)
- Emergency shelter
- Bandana
Weight: ~1-2 lbs
Weekend Trip
- Everything from day hike
- Repair kit
- Bathroom kit
- Power bank (larger)
- Camp shoes (optional)
- Stuff sacks
- Electrolytes
Weight: ~2-4 lbs
Extended / Remote
- Everything from weekend
- Trekking poles
- Full repair kit
- Camera (optional)
- Book/e-reader (optional)
- Coffee setup (optional)
- Umbrella (optional)
Weight: ~3-6 lbs
The key: Start with essentials, then add items that solve problems you actually encounter. Don't carry something "just in case" unless the consequence of not having it is serious. Every item should earn its weight.