The Ultimate Checklists For Outdoor Equipment Activities

The great outdoors will always be an exciting place and having the right type of outdoor equipment helps to make the experience unforgettable.

Outdoor equipment such as tents, hiking gear, climbing equipment and boating mechanisms are necessary for managing natural environments.

People who enjoy hiking across rugged terrains instead of smooth man made paths will need a good pair of hiking boots, durable clothing and a dependable backpack for transporting gear. Climbing the side of mountains is not for the faint of heart but a good climber will also need the right gear to overcome this obstacle. Items such as ropes, body harnesses and screw gates make climbing a safe experience for novices beginners and seasoned pros.

One type of natural element that appeals to people in the great outdoors is water. People like to kayak and canoe over fast moving rivers and they like to snorkel in deep waters near the shore. Both of these activities require the use of marine equipment and gear. Paddles, anchor kits, goggles, wet suits and life jackets are some of the many items that will allow people to have fun while protecting them from dangers which are inherent to marine environments.

When people venture off into the woods or take a trip into a wild terrain they sometimes decide to stay overnight. When they do they will need shelter from the elements and a place to sleep. Modern technology allows campers to take compact materials that are able to inflate into large and sturdy tents. These tents can protect people from the rain, blistering heat and freezing cold. Small, lightweight but durable sleeping bags give campers a comfortable and good night’s rest.

Mountain bikes are great modes of transportation in open and rugged hilly terrains. Having canteens, first aid supplies and ration bags is also necessary for people who plan on spending time in the great outdoors. All people will need some type of outdoor equipment whenever they go into a natural environment in order to play hard, overcome challenges and to stay safe.

A nice camping check list for outdoor equipment

Shelter

  • Tent
  • Ground cloth/tarp
  • Extra stakes
  • Shade tarp/poles/rope/stakes
  • Axe or hammer
  • Mat for tent entrance
  • Dust pan/brush

Bedding

  • Sleeping bag
  • Sheets/blankets
  • Pillow
  • Air mattress/sleeping pad/cot/tarp
  • Air pump
  • Repair kit for air mattress
  • Utility bags for storage

Cooking

  • Large water jug & water bucket
  • Coolers/ice
  • Thermos
  • Stove with fuel/propane
  • Matches/lighter
  • Charcoal/firewood/buddy burner
  • Dutch oven/tin can stove/box oven/etc
  • Campfire grill/BBQ grill
  • Fire starters/newspaper
  • Tablecloth/thumb tacks/clips
  • Plates & bowls/paper plates & bowls
  • Silverware/plastic silverware
  • Measuring cups
  • Heavy-duty aluminum foil
  • Paper towels
  • Trash bags
  • Dish soap
  • Clothes pins
  • Cooking oil/Pam spray
  • Containers for food storage
  • Potholders/oven mitts
  • Pots and frying pans with lids
  • Soap for outside of pots and pans
  • Cook utensils-spatula, knife, spoon
  • Tongs
  • Skewers/grill forks
  • Can opener/bottle opener
  • Folding table
  • Dutch oven
  • Pie irons
  • Mugs/paper cups
  • Mixing bowl
  • Cutting board
  • Ziplock bags
  • Napkins
  • Dish pan
  • Dish rags/towels
  • Scrub pad/brillo
  • Seasonings/sugar/condiments
  • Potato peeler

Clothes

  • Shoes/boots
  • Jeans/pant/belt
  • Shorts
  • T-shirts
  • Socks/extra socks
  • Hat
  • Bandana
  • Sweatshirt/jacket
  • Underwear
  • Sleep clothes
  • Rain gear
  • Swim suit/towel
  • Laundry bag

Personal

  • Shower shoes/flip flops
  • Towels/washcloth
  • Soap in plastic case/shampoo
  • Tooth brush/tooth paste
  • Deodorant
  • Comb/brush
  • Razor
  • Feminine products
  • Toilet paper
  • Shower bag or 5 gallon bucket
  • Camping shower/shower pump
  • Other personal items
  • Personal medications – take extra

Miscellaneous

  • Sunscreen/chapstick
  • Lantern with fuel/mantles
  • Extra batteries/bulbs
  • Compass/GPS
  • Bug repellant/candles
  • Whistle
  • Water filters/purification/treatment
  • Camera/battery/film/video (see photo jigsaw puzzles)
  • Books/magazines (a Kindle would be better)
  • Candles
  • Maps/directions
  • Misc. tools
  • Backpack/fanny pack
  • Fishing gear/license/bait
  • Radio
  • Musical instruments/song books
  • Camp chairs
  • Sunglasses
  • Hammock
  • First aid kit
  • Tissues
  • Saw/axe
  • Park map/guidebooks/trail maps
  • Lantern pole or hanger
  • Collapsible drying rack
  • Popcorn
  • Marshmallows, Graham crackers, Hershey bars (Smores)
  • Flashlight/batteries
  • Pocket knife
  • Plastic grocery bags
  • Binoculars
  • Rope/clothes line
  • Canteen/water bottle/coffee pot
  • Bungi cords/straps
  • Cards/games/toys/golf
  • Duct tape/electrical tape
  • Notepad/pen
  • Reservations info./confirmation
  • Cell phone/charger & 2-way radios/walkie talkies
  • Small shovel
  • Safety pins
  • Money/ID/credit card/quarters
  • Bikes/helmets
  • Travel alarm clock
  • Work gloves
  • Umbrella
  • Hand wipes
  • Drinks/snacks
  • Small sewing kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Hot chocolate/tea bags/coffee
  • Scissors
  • Watch

Also read: Best Camping Gear For Beginners in 2022 – The Complete Guide

Hiking, Kayak and Mountain Bike outdoor equipment checklists

A checklist for day-hiking

For safety, survival and basic comfort:

1. Navigation

  • Map (with protective case)
  • Compass
  • GPS (optional)

2. Sun protection

  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Sunglasses

3. Insulation

  • Jacket, vest, pants, gloves, hat (see Clothing)

4. Illumination

  • Headlamp or flashlight (plus spare)
  • Extra batteries

5. First-aid supplies

  • First-aid kit (see our First-Aid Checklist)

6. Fire

  • Matches or lighter
  • Waterproof container
  • Fire starter (for emergency survival fire)

7. Repair kit and tools

  • Knife or multi-tool
  • Kits for stove, mattress; repair/duct tape strips

8. Nutrition

  • Extra day’s supply of food

9. Hydration

  • Water bottles or hydration system
  • Water filter or other treatment system

10. Emergency shelter

  • Tent, tarp, bivy or reflective blanket

Beyond the above

  • Daypack
  • Multifunction watch with altimeter
  • Camera
  • Binoculars
  • Trekking poles
  • Insect repellent
  • Headnet
  • Toilet paper
  • Sanitation trowel
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Two-way radios
  • Cell or satellite phone
  • Energy food (bars, gels, chews, trail mix)
  • Energy beverages or drink mixes
  • Lunch
  • Utensils
  • Cups
  • Food for kids
  • [Anything else] for kids
  • Route description or guidebook
  • Interpretive field guide(s)
  • Notepad or sketchpad with pen/pencil
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Bag for collecting trash
  • Post-hike snacks, water, towel, clothing change
  • Trip itinerary left with friend + under car seat

Warm Weather Clothing Options

  • Wicking T-shirt
  • Wicking underwear
  • Quick-drying pants or shorts
  • Long-sleeve shirt (for bugs, sun)
  • Sun-shielding hat
  • Insulating fleece jacket or vest
  • Bandana or Buff

Cool Weather Clothing Options

  • Wicking long-sleeve T-shirt
  • Wicking long underwear
  • Hat, cap or headband (synthetic or wool)
  • Gloves or mittens
  • Insulating fleece jacket (or vest) and pants
  • Rain jacket (or soft shell and waterproof hat)
  • Rain pants (or soft-shell pants)

Footwear

  • Boots or shoes suited to terrain
  • Socks (synthetic or wool)
  • Gaiters
  • Sandals (for river fording, trip home)

Checklist for Kayak Outdoor equipment

  • Kayak
  • Paddle (1 per paddler), plus spare
  • Personal flotation device (1 per paddler)
  • Extra PFD
  • Spray skirt
  • Dry bags (for gear organization)
  • Spare deck bungee cords
  • Weather/VHF radio
  • Signaling devices (whistle, mirror, flares)
  • Towline/floating throw line (with throw bag)
  • Paddle leash
  • Paddle float
  • Float tubes
  • Sea anchor
  • Bailer or bilge pump
  • Sponges

Core Gear

  • Maps and charts in waterproof case
  • Compass
  • GPS
  • Matches/lighter/fire starter in waterproof container
  • Knife or multi-tool
  • Two-way radios
  • Cell phone in protective bag
  • Multifunction watch
  • Headlamp or flashlight (with extra batteries)
  • First-aid supplies (see our first-aid checklist)
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Water bottles (filled)
  • Water treatment method
  • Backup water treatment (e.g. halogens)
  • Energy food (bars, gels, trail mix)
  • Beverages or powdered drinks

Clothing

  • Dry suit or top
  • Paddling gloves or pogies
  • Neoprene footwear
  • Sandals
  • Helmet
  • Sun-shielding hat
  • Hat or cap retainer
  • Skullcap
  • Bandana or buff
  • Wool/synthetic cap or balaclava
  • Moisture-wicking T-shirt
  • Moisture-wicking underwear
  • Rashguard
  • Swimsuit
  • Shorts or convertible pants
  • Sun-shielding shirt (long sleeves) and pants
  • Spray jacket or rainwear (jacket and pants)
  • Synthetic vest or jacket (for insulation)
  • Synthetic gloves or mittens

Repair-Kit Options

  • Sealant (such as Aquaseal)
  • Bailing wire (copper, small roll)
  • Nylon cord (or bungee cords)
  • Putty
  • Replacement nuts/bolts
  • Repair/duct tape

Other Day Gear Options

  • Lunch
  • Energy food (bars, gels, trail mix)
  • Beverages or powdered drinks
  • Cooler (with ice)
  • Camera
  • Binoculars
  • Duffels (to supplement dry bags)
  • Insect repellent
  • Toilet paper and sanitation trowel
  • Permits and licenses
  • Fishing gear
  • Notebook and pen or pencil
  • Credit card; small amount of cash
  • Trip itinerary left with friend + under car seat

Checklist for Mountain Biking

The Two Essentials

  • Bike
  • Helmet

Core Gear

  • Hydration pack and/or water bottles
  • Eye protection (sunglasses or clear lenses)
  • Gloves
  • First-aid items (see our First-Aid Checklist)

Core Repair Items

  • Spare tube or tubes (and/or patch kit)
  • Compact pump
  • Tire levers
  • Cycling multi-tool (with Allen wrenches)

Clothing

  • Wicking jersey or top
  • Footwear suited to bike’s pedals
  • Padded shorts or tights
  • Cycling socks
  • Rainwear
  • Weatherproof gloves
  • Stowaway wind jacket
  • Insulation layer(s) for cool conditions
  • Buff/bandana/skullcap
  • Arm/leg warmers

Gear Options

  • Lock
  • Water bottles with cages
  • Cycling computer and/or GPS
  • Compass
  • Saddle or handlebar bag
  • Wrist altimeter
  • Headlight
  • Taillight
  • Emergency whistle

Repair-kit Options

  • Patch kit
  • Spare tire
  • Pressure gauge
  • Chain tool
  • CO2 inflator (with cartridges)
  • Replacement chain links
  • Spare spokes (minimum of 6)
  • Lubricant
  • Spoke wrench
  • Brake and derailleur cables
  • 6″ adjustable wrench
  • Assorted nuts and bolts
  • General-purpose multi-tool
  • Duct tape

Freeriding Gear

  • Full-face helmet
  • Elbow pads
  • Shin guards
  • Upper-body protection

Personal Items

  • Medical information/emergency contact card
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Insect repellent
  • Chamois cream
  • Small, quick-dry towel (for cleanups)
  • Baby wipes (for cleanups)
  • Toilet paper and/or tissue
  • Lunch/snacks
  • Performance food/gels/drinks
  • Maps
  • Guidebook or route description
  • Trailhead permit (if needed)
  • Camera
  • Cell phone
  • Cash/credit card/ID

Now, these lists serve as a guide for outdoor equipment for the mentioned activities. But when you go somewhere under an organized team of outdoor activities providers, many of these items are part of their standard equipment. So, enjoy!

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