Environmental Diversity
A gardener watering raised vegetable beds in a community garden
community garden
A group of hikers with daypacks on a forest trail
trail day
A sandy beach with dune grass and a rocky sea stack offshore
on the coast
A child walking through a green meadow below forested mountains
open meadow
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Pack list

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Everything we link to across the site, in one place. We chose each item from makers’ specifications, published reviews and owners’ feedback rather than our own testing, and we look the list over about once a month. For gear you will use twice a year, borrowing often beats buying: see our story on gear libraries, and the Field Kit calculators for planning.

Gear links may earn us a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

On the trail

The day-hike basics: water, light, first aid and a bag to carry them. The Hiking Time Calculator estimates how much water to bring.

  • Sawyer Squeeze water filter about 3 ozScrews onto a pouch or bottle and filters stream water against bacteria and protozoa.$45.95 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Sawyer Mini water filter about 1.5 ozThe lighter, slower sibling: fits a hip pocket as a backup.$28.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Lepro rechargeable headlamp about 2.7 ozCharges by USB and has a red mode that keeps your night vision.$18.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Blukar rechargeable headlampA brighter beam for camp chores and pre-dawn starts; charges by USB.$13.49 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:27 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5 about 3.5 ozTrail first aid for one or two people in a waterproof pouch.$31.95 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:27 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • TrailBuddy aluminum trekking poles about 1.2 lb a pairLever-lock aluminum poles that take some load off the knees on the way down.$39.91 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Cascade Mountain Tech aluminum poles about 10 oz a poleA sturdy aluminum pair with cork grips that stay comfortable in sweaty hands.$29.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Foxelli carbon fiber trekking poles about 7.6 oz a poleCarbon shafts and cork grips for a lighter swing over a long day.$59.97 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • SKYSPER 20-liter daypack 20 LA light, packable 20-liter bag with bottle pockets; plenty for a day on the trail.$43.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Teton Oasis hydration pack about 2 lb18 liters of space plus a 2-liter reservoir, so you can drink without stopping.$54.97 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Danish Endurance merino hiking socksMerino-blend cushioning that stays drier than cotton, which is where blisters start.$41.95 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • innotree merino wool hiking socks, 3 pairsThree pairs, so there is always a dry pair for the drive home.$17.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Columbia Watertight II rain jacket (men's) about 8 ozA light waterproof shell that packs small; the layer that saves a cold, wet day.$70.00 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Nalgene 32 oz wide-mouth bottle about 6 ozClose to indestructible, easy to fill from a filter pouch, marked in ounces and milliliters.$16.05 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Petzl Actik Core headlampRuns on its rechargeable pack or on AAA batteries in a pinch, from a long-time climbing light maker.$74.00 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:27 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Black Diamond Spot 400 headlampRuns on AAA batteries you can buy at any corner store, in a waterproof housing.$47.88 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:27 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Energizer PRO-400 rechargeable headlampA plain, sturdy rechargeable lamp with a water-resistant body.$14.23 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.

At camp

Car-camping gear for a first night out: shelter, a warm bag and a simple stove.

  • Coleman Sundome tent 9.1 lb (4-person)A simple dome tent with a rainfly that most first-time campers can pitch alone.$112.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:27 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Coleman Heritage Big and Tall 10 F sleeping bag about 9 lbA roomy flannel-lined bag for cold nights at a car campsite; too heavy to backpack.$101.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Coleman Triton+ two-burner stoveTwo burners for real meals at the campsite; runs on 1 lb propane cylinders.$99.39 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Coleman Bottletop propane stoveOne burner that screws straight onto a 1 lb propane cylinder.$51.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.

Birding

A first pair of binoculars and a field guide for your side of the country.

  • Celestron Nature DX 8x42 about 1.4 lbA widely recommended first pair: waterproof, with a close focus for birds at the feeder.$148.97 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42Sharper glass and an unconditional lifetime warranty, for birders ready to step up.$239.00 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Athlon Midas UHD 8x42 about 1.5 lbED glass for cleaner color at the edges of feathers; a strong step-up pair.See on Amazon
  • Sibley field guide, eastern North AmericaPainted plates of every regular eastern species, with the field marks pointed out.$13.29 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Sibley field guide, western North AmericaThe western companion, for birders west of the Rockies.$13.48 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.

Compost

From a countertop pail to a backyard tumbler, plus a thermometer that tells you whether the pile is working. The Compost Calculator works out how much a bed needs.

  • Utopia Kitchen countertop compost bin 1.3 galStainless pail with a charcoal filter in the lid for scraps between trips outside.$22.22 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean compost bin 1.75 galSmooth plastic inside and a lid that comes off, so rinsing it takes seconds.$29.00 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Epica stainless steel compost bin 1.3 galA classic steel pail with a replaceable charcoal filter in the lid.$29.98 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • VIVOSUN dual-chamber compost tumbler 43 galTwo chambers: one batch finishes while you fill the other, and a few turns mix the pile.$67.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • All Seasons indoor bokashi kit 5 galA 5-gallon bucket with a drain spigot and a starter bag of bran: everything to begin.$72.95 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • SCD Probiotics bokashi bran 15 lbRefill bran for the bucket; a handful over each layer of scraps.$81.22 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:27 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • VermiHut Plus 5-tray worm bin 5 traysStacking trays: the worms move up to fresh food and leave finished castings below.$82.00 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • REOTEMP 20-inch compost thermometer 20 in stemA long stem reaches the middle of the pile, where the heat tells you it is working.$23.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.

Rain barrels

Barrels and a diverter for catching roof water. The Rain Barrel Calculator shows how many barrels one storm fills.

  • RTS 50-gallon rain barrel with brass spigot 50 galA sealed 50-gallon barrel with a brass spigot that takes a standard garden hose.$99.00 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • RTS 50-gallon ECO rain barrel 50 galThe same 50-gallon size molded from recycled plastic, with a hose spigot.$79.00 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Downspout diverter for 2x3 and 3x4 inch spoutsFills the barrel from the downspout, then sends water back down the spout once it is full.$24.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.

Smoke and air

For smoke days: a HEPA purifier for one clean room, filters for a box-fan cleaner, N95 masks and a monitor. Check a reading with the AQI Calculator.

  • Levoit Core 300 air purifierA true HEPA purifier sized for a bedroom: the clean room to retreat to when smoke rolls in.$89.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Filterbuy MERV 13 filters, 20x20x1, 4 pack 4 filtersOne for the furnace, the rest to build a box-fan air cleaner.$40.96 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • 3M Aura N95 respirators, 20 pack 20 masksNIOSH-approved N95s that fold flat; the kind of mask that filters smoke particles.$34.59 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Hurricane Classic 20-inch box fanTakes a 20x20 filter strapped to the back for a do-it-yourself air cleaner.$40.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • GoveeLife H5106 PM2.5 monitorShows indoor fine-particle levels, so you know whether the purifier is keeping up.$45.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Levoit Core 400S air purifierThe larger Levoit, for living rooms and open plans, with a true HEPA filter.$239.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Coway Airmega AP-1512HH air purifierA long-running pick for bedrooms and medium rooms, with a HEPA filter and an auto mode.$154.98 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Winix 5510 air purifierHEPA plus a carbon layer that helps with smoke odor, sized for larger rooms.$179.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:27 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • 3M 8511 N95 with exhalation valve, 10 pack 10 masksA valve lets breath out more easily on long, hot smoke days.$24.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • 3M 8210 N95 respirators, 20 pack 20 masksThe classic molded N95 that many workplaces keep on the shelf.$23.50 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Honeywell DF300 N95 flatfold respiratorsFolds flat for a glove box or a bag, so a mask is there when smoke arrives.$19.95 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.

Heat

Know the humidity as well as the temperature; the Heat Index Calculator does the rest.

  • TP50 indoor thermometer and hygrometerReads temperature and humidity, the two numbers the heat index needs.$10.49 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.

Power

Portable power stations for outages, from a small unit you can carry to one that keeps a fridge cold.

  • Jackery Explorer 300 (about 290 Wh) 7.1 lbSmall enough to carry; keeps phones, a laptop, lights and a small fan going for an evening.$259.00 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (about 1,070 Wh) 23.8 lbEnough stored power to keep a fridge cold through a short outage, on an LFP battery.$499.00 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:27 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • BLUETTI AC180 (about 1,150 Wh) about 35 lbLiFePO4 battery with a stronger inverter for bigger appliances.$449.00 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Anker SOLIX C1000 (about 1,056 Wh)An LFP station that recharges quickly from a wall outlet, sold by Anker.$499.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.

Emergencies at home and on the road

Weather radios, a compact first aid kit and car gear for the day you get stranded or snowed in.

  • General Medi mini first aid kit about 8 ozA compact zip case of bandages and basics for a glove box or pack.$11.93 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:27 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • FosPower A1 emergency weather radio about 11 ozNOAA weather alerts, a hand crank and solar panel, and a USB port to top up a phone.$29.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Midland ER310 emergency radio about 1 lbNOAA weather scan with alerts, crank and solar charging, and a flashlight.$79.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Everlit roadside emergency kitRoadside basics already bagged for the trunk; add water and a blanket.$69.95 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Amazon Basics window breaker and seatbelt cutterKeep it where you can reach it while buckled in, not in the trunk.$8.88 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • NOCO Boost GB40 jump starter about 2.4 lbA lithium jump pack that starts a dead battery without a second car.$99.95 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Ready America 2-person 72-hour emergency backpackA ready-packed three-day backpack for two: food bars, water pouches and basics.$39.44 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Ready America 1-person 72-hour emergency kitThe one-person version, sized for a car trunk, an office drawer or a dorm room.$24.98 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Ready America 4-person deluxe 72-hour kitCovers a household of four, with more first aid and comfort items than the basic kits.$139.99 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.

Reading

Books we hand to friends who want to understand land, plants and who gets to live near clean air.

  • Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall KimmererA botanist and Potawatomi writer on what plants teach about reciprocity; the book many readers start with.$14.30 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • Gathering Moss, by Robin Wall KimmererShort essays on mosses that train you to notice the small life along any trail or sidewalk.$15.65 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • The Seed Keeper, by Diane WilsonA novel about a Dakota family, its seeds and the women who kept them through generations.$10.30 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon
  • The Color of Law, by Richard RothsteinHow public policy segregated American neighborhoods, the backdrop to many of today's heat and pollution maps.$8.54 Amazon price, as of Oct 22, 2026, 4:26 PM UTCSee on Amazon

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.

Partner stores

Brands whose own stores we link to through our affiliate account, for the times their range fits better than one product.

  • EcoFlow portable power stationsEcoFlow's own store, with its power stations and folding solar panels.Shop at EcoFlow
  • BLUETTI power stationsBLUETTI's own store, with home backup bundles and solar panels.Shop at BLUETTI
  • Muck Boot waterproof bootsPull-on rubber and neoprene boots for flooded trails, wetlands and muddy garden days.Shop at Muck Boot
  • Outsunny elevated garden beds at AosomRaised planter boxes on legs for patios and paved yards, at a height that spares knees and backs.Shop at Aosom