Winter packlist

Elise’s Winter Pack List 2025
Elise’s Winter Pack List
Making the most of the cooler months with a fresh adventure? Good gear means a good time, and every gram saved is energy for the journey ahead. This pack list covers everything you’ll need for an overnight hike in temperate, changeable weather down to -5°C.
Making the most of the cooler months with a fresh adventure? Good gear means a good time, and every gram saved is energy for the journey ahead. This pack list covers everything you’ll need for an overnight hike in temperate, changeable weather down to -5°C.
CLICK HERE to view the full spreadsheet of my packing list — complete with links to every product I use. Feel free to make a copy and build your own!
CLICK HERE to view the full spreadsheet of my packing list — complete with links to every product I use. Feel free to make a copy and build your own!
🧳 Clothing
Layering is your best friend. You want to stay warm without overheating, and dry no matter the conditions.
- Base layers (top & bottom) – Merino wool or moisture-wicking synthetic
- Lightweight fleece or jacket – Mid-layer warmth
- Waterproof jacket – Windproof, breathable shell
- Rain pants – For full-body rain protection
- Insulated jacket – Synthetic or down, for cold nights/mornings
- Hiking pants – Lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying
- T-shirts (1–2) – Merino wool or technical fabric
- Shorts – Lightweight and comfy for warm spells
- Beanie & gloves – Essential for chilly conditions
- Sun hat – Wide-brimmed for full sun protection
- Socks (1–2 pairs) – Merino or synthetic (avoid cotton)
- Extra socks – Spare pair for wet or cold conditions
- Buff or neck gaiter – Versatile protection from wind, dust, or sun
🥾 Footwear
- Trail running shoes or hiking boots – Choose what suits the terrain; waterproof if possible
- Camp shoes or sandals – Lightweight slip-ons for around camp
🏕️ Camping Gear
- Hiking Pack – Fitted to your size.
- Tent – Lightweight and packable
- Ground sheet or footprint – Extra protection for your tent floor
- Tent poles & pegs – Don't forget the essentials
- Sleeping bag – Rated to at least -5°C; down or synthetic
- Sleeping mat – Inflatable or closed-cell foam
- Sleeping Bag liner - Provides an extra layer of warmth.
- Pillow – Inflatable or stuff-sack style
- Seat pad – Small luxury for camp comfort
- Lightweight stove – Gas or multi-fuel, plus fuel
- Cookware – Compact pot, mug, and spork
- Knife – For food prep and camp tasks
- Cup – Because camp coffees are non-negotiable
- Food – Dehydrated meals, energy bars, trail mix, snacks
- Water filter or tablets – Safe hydration is key
- Water bladder(s) – Lightweight water storage
- Bottle hanging system – Optional for gravity filtering
- Headlamp – Plus spare batteries
- Ignitor – Backup for lighting your stove
- Pot scrubber – Helps with cleanup
- Multi-tool – Small and practical
📍Navigation & Tools
Stay safe, stay oriented.
- AllTrails app (downloaded maps) – Always have offline access
- Power bank – For recharging devices
- Charging cables – Don’t forget them!
- Whistle – For emergencies
- Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) – Especially for remote hikes
🧼 Personal Items
- Sunscreen & lip balm – SPF 30+ (yes, even in winter)
- Insect repellent – Sandflies can still be nasty
- Toiletries – Toothbrush, biodegradable soap, wet wipes
- Trowel – For digging a toilet hole (Leave No Trace!)
- First aid kit – Include blister care, antiseptic, and pain relief
- Medications – Prescriptions or antihistamines
- Towel – Quick-dry microfiber
- Camera or smartphone – For the views you’ll want to remember
🛋️ Extras (but worth it)
- Sunglasses – UV protection, especially in snowy or reflective conditions
- Trekking poles – Game changers on steep, uneven, or slippery terrain
- Dry bags or stuff sacks – Keep your gear (especially electronics) safe and dry
- Stuff sacks or packing cubes – Help organise and compress clothing/gear
- Voile strap – Multipurpose for gear compression or fixing kit
- Rubbish bag – Leave No Trace essential
✨ Final tip:
Do a test pack the night before and walk around with your gear — even just around the house. You’ll quickly notice if something’s missing, or if you’ve overpacked. And always leave your trip plan with someone at home.
🧳 Clothing
Layering is your best friend. You want to stay warm without overheating, and dry no matter the conditions.
- Base layers (top & bottom) – Merino wool or moisture-wicking synthetic
- Lightweight fleece or jacket – Mid-layer warmth
- Waterproof jacket – Windproof, breathable shell
- Rain pants – For full-body rain protection
- Insulated jacket – Synthetic or down, for cold nights/mornings
- Hiking pants – Lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying
- T-shirts (1–2) – Merino wool or technical fabric
- Shorts – Lightweight and comfy for warm spells
- Beanie & gloves – Essential for chilly conditions
- Sun hat – Wide-brimmed for full sun protection
- Socks (1–2 pairs) – Merino or synthetic (avoid cotton)
- Extra socks – Spare pair for wet or cold conditions
- Buff or neck gaiter – Versatile protection from wind, dust, or sun
🥾 Footwear
- Trail running shoes or hiking boots – Choose what suits the terrain; waterproof if possible
- Camp shoes or sandals – Lightweight slip-ons for around camp
🏕️ Camping Gear
- Tent – Lightweight and packable
- Ground sheet or footprint – Extra protection for your tent floor
- Tent poles & pegs – Don't forget the essentials
- Sleeping bag – Rated to at least -5°C; down or synthetic
- Sleeping mat – Inflatable or closed-cell foam
- Sleeping Bag liner - Provides an extra layer of warmth.
- Pillow – Inflatable or stuff-sack style
- Seat pad – Small luxury for camp comfort
- Lightweight stove – Gas or multi-fuel, plus fuel
- Cookware – Compact pot, mug, and spork
- Knife – For food prep and camp tasks
- Cup – Because camp coffees are non-negotiable
- Food – Dehydrated meals, energy bars, trail mix, snacks
- Water filter or tablets – Safe hydration is key
- Water bladder(s) – Lightweight water storage
- Bottle hanging system – Optional for gravity filtering
- Headlamp – Plus spare batteries
- Ignitor – Backup for lighting your stove
- Pot scrubber – Helps with cleanup
- Multi-tool – Small and practical
📍Navigation & Tools
Stay safe, stay oriented.
- AllTrails app (downloaded maps) – Always have offline access
- Power bank – For recharging devices
- Charging cables – Don’t forget them!
- Whistle – For emergencies
- Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) – Especially for remote hikes
🧼 Personal Items
- Sunscreen & lip balm – SPF 30+ (yes, even in winter)
- Insect repellent – Sandflies can still be nasty
- Toiletries – Toothbrush, biodegradable soap, wet wipes
- Trowel – For digging a toilet hole (Leave No Trace!)
- Pee cloth – Lightweight reusable hygiene option
- Bidet attachment – Optional ultralight alternative to TP
- Deodorant – Optional but refreshing
- First aid kit – Include blister care, antiseptic, and pain relief
- Medications – Prescriptions or antihistamines
- Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) – Especially for remote hikes
- Towel – Quick-dry microfiber
- Camera or smartphone – For the views you’ll want to remember
🛋️ Extras (but worth it)
- Sunglasses – UV protection, especially in snowy or reflective conditions
- Trekking poles – Game changers on steep, uneven, or slippery terrain
- Dry bags or stuff sacks – Keep your gear (especially electronics) safe and dry
- Stuff sacks or packing cubes – Help organise and compress clothing/gear
- Voile strap – Multipurpose for gear compression or fixing kit
- Rubbish bag – Leave No Trace essential
✨ Final tip:
Do a test pack the night before and walk around with your gear — even just around the house. You’ll quickly notice if something’s missing, or if you’ve overpacked. And always leave your trip plan with someone at home.
🎒 General Base Weight Ranges:
- Ultralight:< 5.5 kg (12 lbs) – minimal gear, very intentional packing.
- Lightweight:5.5 – 9 kg (12–20 lbs) – balanced comfort and weight.
- Traditional:9 – 13.5 kg (20–30 lbs) – includes extras or bulkier gear.
🎒 General Base Weight Ranges:
- Ultralight:< 5.5 kg (12 lbs) – minimal gear, very intentional packing.
- Lightweight:5.5 – 9 kg (12–20 lbs) – balanced comfort and weight.
- Traditional:9 – 13.5 kg (20–30 lbs) – includes extras or bulkier gear.


