19 Hiking Emergency Kit Items to Pack on Your Outdoor Adventures

By Sara Coughlin

The start of the fall hiking season might find you browsing AllTrails or breaking in new hiking boots—but hopefully, you'll also spend some time assembling a hiking emergency kit. And by that, we don't necessarily mean a true kit that fits tidily in the front pocket of your backpack (although if you're that good of a packer, we commend you). The full breadth of items you may need in an outdoor emergency can run the gamut from, say, ibuprofen and tweezers to bivy sacks and GPS communicators. In the name of staying safe on the trail, we've taken a closer look at what type of hiking gear you should think about packing.

As SELF has previously reported, the hiking and conservation non-profit the Mountaineers originated the concept of the "10 Essentials", or the 10 key items hikers should bring on their outdoor adventures. These items are intended to come in handy when the unexpected, if not an outright emergency, arises. You can think of them as a starter survival kit in one tidy list. They'll help you find your way if you get lost, repair your belongings, get your campsite in working order, keep you fed and warm, and ensure you have somewhere to sleep through the night. Here are the 10 Essentials to remember:

Outdoor experts and trusted resources (including the National Park Service, or NPS, which has its own expanded version of the 10 Essentials) agree that this list is an excellent packing reference for outdoor enthusiasts of all experience levels. Recalling the 10 Essentials while getting ready for a day hike or camping trip can mean remembering to bring something you'd otherwise forget. But even the Mountaineers note that it isn't an exhaustive list—your personal gear checklist will likely vary somewhat.

While the items listed above are considered safety essentials, you may need to add a few more pieces of gear to your own outdoor survival kit, depending on your itinerary. For example, you might want to supplement your basic first aid kit with medical supplies for breaks, sprains, and allergic reactions. If you're taking a longer trip, like a multi-day backpacking trip, it's all the more important to have a backup sleeping setup at the ready. Biking trips will call for traveling on the lighter side and packing efficiently, so you might be on the lookout for more packable versions of the items you'd bring on a hiking trip. And car campers should plan for vehicular difficulties with equipment that'll keep their car up and running.

Whatever you have planned for the fall season, it's never a bad idea to go out into nature feeling prepared—even if you don't end up needing everything you packed. With that in mind, we've highlighted some of the very best pieces of gear you may want to include in a hiking emergency kit of your own.

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Backpackers swear by this simple water filter for quick and easy hydration (water is safe and ready to drink as soon as it passes through the filter—no wait time required). It weighs only three ounces, so it won't add much weight to your pack if you're trekking long distances.

Illumination is essential to staying safe—or just finding the granola bar at the bottom of your pack, for that matter—and a headlamp is a particularly wonderful lighting option for its portability. This Petzl model comes recommended by backpackers for its lightweight and adjustable strap, which can fit a wide range of head sizes and hairstyles.

As enjoyable as it is to get back to nature on a peaceful, solo hike, you should always have a means of communication and navigation with you. A high-quality satellite messenger, like the SELF Outdoor Award-winning Garmin InReach Mini, provides both in one compact package. Unlike a cell phone, it allows you to send an SOS signal and reach for help when you're out of service range.

You can make sure your electronics stay charged with this reliably powerful battery bank, which comes highly recommended by seasoned campers. Its USB-C port charges faster than USB alternatives, and it can fully load a standard phone's battery five times.

As one of the topmost recommended wilderness first aid kits, this medical kit comes furnished with a bevy of medical supplies, including moleskin for blisters, EMT shears, tick-removing forceps, adhesive bandages with butterfly closures, antiseptic wipes, and allergy and pain meds.

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This kit has a similar range of first aid essentials, but at a lower weight (8 ounces, to be exact) and in a water-sealed container. You can find triple antibiotic ointment, medical tape, oral antihistamines, gauze pads, and sting relief wipes, in addition to basic Band-Aid style bandages for standard scrapes.

If you want to be prepared when hiking through bear country, bring a deterrent like this bear spray along with the rest of your supplies. It has a 30-foot range and can help stop a charging bear, plus it comes with an inert spray so you can practice using it before hitting the trail.

Although it's more a preventive measure than an emergency item, bug repellent, specifically one that can keep all kinds of pesky insects away, is indispensable on outdoor outings. These wipes contain DEET, which experts describe as "a true repellent" for mosquitoes, biting flies, gnats, and even ticks.

By Kayla Blanton

By Amy Marturana Winderl, C.P.T.

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Whether you're hiking, backpacking, or car camping, it's never a bad idea to pack a versatile multi-tool device like this expert-recommended Leatherman. It has a knife, pliers, emergency whistle, fire starter, saw, and 14 other highly useful tools.

If car camping is on the docket, avoid the headache and risks of dealing with a dead battery with this portable jumper starter.

Hikers who prioritize skin care say they like Alba Botanica sunscreens. You can apply this high-quality sunscreen while your skin is still wet, making it easy to get adequate sun protection.

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When it comes to packing extra layers, we like this rain jacket from Outdoor Research for its durability and ultralight weight. It packs down into its own chest pocket and weighs less than six ounces.

Available in sizes XS to XXL.

As far as emergency shelters go, it doesn't get much simpler or more packable than a bivy. This top-rated option from Black Diamond is waterproof and easy to set up, and it comfortably fits a regular sleeping bag.

Like a bivy, an emergency blanket can help you get warm and comfortable in a pinch. This one is large enough for two people and has garnered over 300 five-star ratings on Backcountry.

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While any lightweight water bottle is a welcome companion on a hike, we like this Nalgene for its wide mouth, impact resistance, and heat resistance (so you can use it as a makeshift hot water bottle to keep your hands—or even sleeping bag—warm).

From small cuts in your clothing or hydration bladder to a separated boot sole, sudden mishaps find rapid remedies with a simple roll of duct tape.

Yet another option for on-the-go first aid, this canister's contents were curated by wilderness medicine experts, so you can trust their quality. In addition to medical supplies like antiseptic, safety pins, burn cream, and disposable thermometers, it also comes with a compass and a light.

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When time is of the essence, you want your food to be filling, nourishing, and efficient—and we can't think of a better or tastier solution than these squeezable nut butter packets, which won the 2022 SELF Outdoor Award for best trail snack.

Never leave the house without an extra pair of dry socks. These wildly popular Darn Tough socks are great for hiking, with just enough cushion and moisture- and odor-wicking Merino wool blend.

Available in sizes S to L.

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.