Warm clothing. It’s good to have at least one lightweight pair of pants with you to keep you warm and your legs safe from bugs and poison oak exposure. Avoid jeans because they are heavy and don’t dry quickly.

Good socks. Bring an extra pair just in case the others get wet or muddy.

Hiking boots or a good pair of trail runners. No need to spend big bucks on heavy hiking shoes. These days, you can use trail runners with knobby treads for most hiking trips. Check out Salomon XA Pros or Teva X-1.

Sunscreen. Choose a sport, sweat-resistant sunscreen like one from Himaya. The brand offers disposable packets of sunscreen. One packet works great for two to three people.

Bug Spray.

Sleeping bag, or a large sheet for warm areas.

Sleeping mat.

Camping pillow.

Extra batteries. For all battery-operated equipment you’re bringing. You don’t want your flashlight to die during your night-time bathroom run, do you?

Headlamp or a good flashlight. Headlamps have thick elastic bands that allow you to put the light on your head and keep your hands free to set up a tent or start a campfire. You can get a cheap headlamp at your local discount store or a brand name one online or at a wilderness store.