First off, you should be aware that when acquiring hiking equipment, most of the time you should pay the extra dollar to get higher end equipment. Top of the line is overkill, but I recommend mid-high range brand name equipment. Some good brands are Eureka! and North Face. The reason good quality equipment is important is because you are depending on it to keep you alive. If your backpack rips, how are you going to carry everything? You aren't. If your tent rips, how is it going to keep the rain out? It isn't. If your clothing rips, or isn't water proof, how are you going to stay warm and dry? You aren't. And what's going to keep the bugs and thorns off you? Nothing? So as you can see having good equipment is absolutely key. Besides, if you have good equipment, it'll last you many years, and you will end up saving money in the long run.
Another very important aspect of hiking is choosing the right equipment for the trip. If your equipment list is the same for winter and summer hikes, you are either overpacking or underpacking, and either way you aren't going to last long. Nature is unforgiving. Therefore think when you choose your equipment. If it's a rainy season, don't depend on a fire to eat. If it's cold, bring warmer clothing. If there are bugs, get some sort of bug repellant. Think.
Things to keep in mind when picking equipment are weight, and temperature range. You always want the lightest equipment, while getting adequate protection and excellent durability. To do this you must stay close to the needs. For example, don't take a winter sleeping bag on a summer hike. Stick to the immediate needs, worry about extra after.
And now, without further ado, here's a list equipment I have put together based on previous hikes and their outcome for a seven day hike. This list gives the main choices for some items.
Shelter is one of the one pseudo constants on any equipment list. The constancy is that you will always have the same items, and the inconsistancy is different quality for each season. Three-season versus four-season tent, -20° versus +10° sleeping bags. With tents try to stick to smaller tents, two-three person tents, because you often don't have clearings and may have to camp between trees and bushes, and it's easier to find space for smaller tents.
It is very important to pick clothing well, as this is one of the main areas where you can cut crucial weight. Do not take more than you need. The main things to look for in clothing are breathability, water resistance, drying time, and warmth. Breathability is key in the spring, summer and fall becauseit helps you stay cool and avoid sweating. Rain suits are therefore not recommended as they don't breath at all. Water resistance is key in your travel clothing. Gore-tex is the best choice, but it is also the most expensive. However, if you can afford it, get it. Next is drying time. When you sweat, fall into a river or swamp, or just have to walk in the rain, you'll get wet. Being wet is generally not a bad thing, because you have a change of clothing. However, you want the wet clothing to dry as fast as possible. Recommended are light single layered track pants and jacket for summer and fall, and double layered for spring. Finally you need to worry about staying warm. Consider taking either two thin or one thick sweater. Remember: out there it's not about presenting a clean image. Nature and animals don't care how clean your clothing is, and the people you go with will be as dirty as you. Don't take ten changes of clothing. You generally need one change for walking, and one for sleeping.
While the cleanliness of your clothing doesn't matter to animals or your companions, some things you just have to do for yourself. While this may be different for you, the general idea is the same. You want a few things to maintain a basic level of hygene.
Ok, this section has changed throughout every trip but I think we've finally gotten to a fairly good meal plan. We started with real food, healthy and robust. We had cans, everything from pâté, weiners, tuna to stews and chili. The problem with cans is that you have a metal can which weighs extra, doesn't burn, and so you'd have to carry it off the trail. Extra weight, no good. The second year we changed our meal plan 180° and opted for straight nutrition. Thus we ate one Protein Powerbar, two protein shakes, and one 'normal' meal consisting of mini pitas and beef jerky per day. Some problems with this were that the Powerbars taste rather dull and are tiresome, the protein shakes require water, and it happened to be a dry season. However, this plan is doable, and you minimize weight, waste, and get exactly what you need. Beef jerky with bread is an excellent meal, and you'll see it on the final list always. Smoked cheese is another alternative to the jerky. I recommend switching the two up, or even mixing. This spring we kept the same style of meals, but added Mr. Noodles soups. Since we forgot our lighters, we didn't have fires until the last day, but here's the outcome of the ordeal. The noodles are not only very edible raw, but they taste good and provide a fun crunchy snack after a good hike. Also needing mention, the flavor packs make excellent soups even without the noodles. On the last day we drank ourselves silly with noodle-free soups. We made soup out of 5 flavor pack we had saved, and they were the best tasting soups ever. However, I have decided to remove Protein Powerbars, and the protein shakes. While they served their purpose, after prolonged useage we started getting a weak feeling after ingestion. I'm not saying they are bad, but as meal replacements for more than 4 days they start to leave you feeling weak. So I suggest having some around, maybe a shake or Powerbar every other day, but certainly not as replacements.
This is equipment that does not really fit into another category, but is essential nonetheless.
Note: If you are driving somewhere, take along extra clothing and food that you can leave in the car to freshen up and eat well if your return. This doesn't mean you should bring sandwiches genius, they'll spoil.
