If you’re about to go on a backpacking trip, a multi-day hike, or even a pilgrimage along the historic Camino de Santiago, deciding which toiletries to pack can seem overwhelming. From hygiene essentials to creature comforts, how do you decide what you really need and what’s just dead weight in your backpack? We’re here to help you figure it out.
On this post:
- Foot care
- Blister patches
- Foot powder
- Personal hygiene
- Shampoo & body cleansing bar
- Deodorant
- Travel toothbrush
- Sun protection
- Sunscreen for face & body
- Lip balm with SPF
- Comfort & wellness
- Anti-chafing cream
Foot care
Let’s start from the bottom up. You’ll be on your feet for several hours a day while backpacking, so foot care should be one of your priorities when packing personal care items:
Blister patches
Compeed Blister Different Shapes
When you’re walking for hours every day, even in comfortable shoes, there’s plenty of opportunities for blisters to form. The solution? Vigilance, so you can take action as soon as possible, and a handy pack of blister patches, ideally in different shapes and sizes.
In addition to forming a cushion that redistributes pressure from the blister, therefore relieving discomfort and pain, blister patches like the Compeed Blister Different Shapes also help accelerate the healing process. They’re a lifesaver!
Foot powder
Akileine Absorbing Fresh Foot Powder
Nobody likes the feeling of constantly sticky, sweaty, and clammy feet during a long hike, let alone the consequences of all that moisture–like foot odor, blisters, or even fungal problems.
A quick sprinkle of foot powder, like the Akileine Absorbing Fresh Foot Powder, can be a game-changer in helping you keep your feet dry and comfortable throughout the day. Nor only does it absorb excess moisture, including sweat, it also deodorizes the skin and helps prevent blisters and fungal infections.
Personal hygiene
It’s one thing to go for an afternoon hike and come home to a hot shower in the comfort of your own bathroom; quite another to walk for several days, carry everything you need on your back, and only take a shower when you stop somewhere to stay.
In this backpacking scenario, it’s worth paring down your toiletries so you’re only carrying around what you really need:
Shampoo & body cleansing bar
Mustela BIO Organic Shampoo & Body Cleansing Bar
Seasoned backpackers know that body wash and shampoo can be replaced by soap and a shampoo bar, respectively. We’d like to take things to their logical conclusion and save you even more space by packing a single body and hair wash product, like the Mustela BIO Organic Shampoo & Body Cleansing Bar.
In addition to lasting longer and taking up a lot less space than liquid shower products, this all-in-one bar has another massive advantage: it won’t leak inside your bag!
Deodorant
SVR Spirial Cream 48h Intense Anti-Perspirant Deodorant
There is a lot of sweat involved when you walk miles every day, which calls for a proper deodorant or antiperspirant. If your main concern is controlling body odor, a simple deodorant may be all you need to feel refreshed during your hike; if, however, you also want to avoid the feeling of damp, sweaty armpits, opt for an antiperspirant.
Stick or roll-on products tend to pack smaller and last longer than spray alternatives, but we’d like to offer a third option: an antiperspirant cream in a tube. It’ll last forever, with the added bonus of getting smaller and more compact the more you use it!
Travel toothbrush
Curaprox Be You Travel Set
A travel toothbrush is a small but essential part of any personal care kit. It’s a tiny thing, but key to helping you stick to your dental hygiene routine during multi-day treks.
Whether you decide to pack a foldable toothbrush, a small kids toothbrush, or a compact travel set complete with toothpaste and interdental brush (like the Curaprox Be You Travel Set Blue), what matters is that you take one with you. Your teeth will thank you!
Sun protection
Sunscreen is non-negotiable when out hiking, since you’re exposed to the sun for multiple hours a day. Even on cloudy days, UV radiation can sneak up on you and end up burning your skin, which is more trouble than it’s worth.
Sunscreen for face & body
There are plenty of broad-spectrum sunscreens out there that are suitable for both face and body and don’t take up that much space in your backpack. Apply them in the morning, just before you set out, and then every two hours to get the most benefits: in addition to preventing sunburn, you’ll be protecting your skin and cutting down on long-term sun damage.
Lip balm with SPF
The great outdoors can wreak havoc on your lips: whether it’s the sun, the wind, or the constant changes in temperature, a multi-day hike can easily dry out your lips and leave them chapped, cracked, and horribly flaky. A good lip balm keeps your lips protected and moisturized, and can even provide a secondary benefit by adding sun protection. After all, your lips are just as vulnerable to sunburn as the rest of your skin!
Comfort & wellness
In addition to the basic essentials, there are some products you may want to pack among your toiletries to ensure extra comfort during your backpacking trip:
Anti-chafing cream
Walking all day, especially in warm temperatures, can cause friction and discomfort in areas of the body that often go neglected. The underarms and inner thighs, where skin rubs against skin (or clothing), are common victims of chafing, but they’re not alone–unfortunately, chafing can be a problem anywhere your gear comes into contact with your skin.
A small tube of anti-chafing cream can offer an easy fix: apply it to any hot spots before heading out, and your skin will fare much better!
From personal hygiene to foot care, this packing list should help you assemble the essential toiletries you need for your backpacking adventure. Play around with your stash and see what you can and can’t live without, but remember: if you have to leave something behind, make sure it’s not sunscreen!
