Whenever I go on an adventure—whether it's a day hike to Rainbow Falls, a 150-foot waterfall nestled in the wilderness of the Blue Ridge Mountains, or a paddle across the crystal-clear water of Lake Jocassee in a rented canoe—I pack light. Packaging light allows me to maintain a lively pace without tiring quickly on those longer backpacking trips. And as any seasoned backpacker will tell you, it helps keep your gear organized in your pack. Even though spending weekends outdoors comes as second nature to many of us, lightening up your backpack can still be quite a task, especially when we want to bring all the items we think we'll need outdoors. To help you make the most of your next adventure, here are some outdoor items I consider must-haves when exploring. 

1. Pocketknife
2. Rain Poncho
3. Canteen
4. Extra Hiking Socks
5. Headlamp
6. Boonie Hat or Cap
7. Compass
8. First-aid Kit
9. Camping Chair
10. Sleeping Bag

The gear you pack largely depends on what kind of adventure you're looking to experience. Whether it's camping, hiking, kayaking, or a brisk nature walk—different activities require different levels of planning. If you're considering a weekend campout, you'll need a tent, sleeping bag, mess kit, fire starter, water filter, and many other items required to enjoy your time outdoors. But what if you want to go on a morning hike and be back in town before lunchtime? If that's the case, you should still spend a reasonable amount of time planning what gear to pack in your backpack because it's easy to overlook items you'll wish you had considered before leaving the house. 

Buck 110 Pocket Knife – When it comes to pocket knives, I like to follow some old-age wisdom: It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. From first aid and trimming edges on bandages to food handling, building camp, and even starting a fire, a pocketknife is a handy companion to bring outdoors. I like carrying the Buck 110 because it has a strong lock mechanism that’s safe and reliable (I’ve got klutzy hands). This knife is made in the USA and features a 3 ¾’’ stainless steel blade with a Crelicam genuine ebony handle that provides an excellent grip.

Frogg Toggs Driducks Rain Poncho - Staying dry is everything when exploring the outdoors, especially if you’re on a hike in the spring when those random rain showers tend to ruin the fun of a warm, sunny day. Don’t get me wrong, this rain poncho wasn’t designed to keep you warm, but it sure beats exploring the outdoors soaking wet. It’s made of a bi-laminate non-woven material that keeps the rain and winds out. Wearing it when the rain starts can make a big difference later on when it clears up, and you’re nice and dry, as if the rain never happened!

Scouting America 1.75L Canteen – I’m the kid who never drank enough water. Most summers, I’d get up early and explore the outdoors (we lived in a rural area) from sunrise to sundown. There were quite a few times when I became severely dehydrated. Today, I’d like to think I know better than to leave the house without my canteen. When I go on a day hike or a trip to the lake, I take the Scouting America 1.75-liter Canteen. This canteen includes a leak-proof cap with tether, plus a rugged canvas shoulder strap that is easy to carry on the trail. The canteen holds half of your recommended daily water intake (like 3 liters for most adults) and typically keeps my drinking water at a decently cool temperature.

Thorlos Light Hiking Socks – Wearing the right hiking socks can make or break your experience. And your feet tend to get blisters on hikes quite easily if you're anything like me. I don't know why my skin is so sensitive, but I know that hiking socks help prevent them. I always bring an extra pair of hiking socks on a backpacking trip. These hiking socks were made for day hikes in moderate to hot climates, like the Carolinas, where I live, and they come with these unique ventilation panels to wick moisture and keep my feet healthy. 

ENO Moonbeam Headlamp - As more of an area light than a direct laser beam, the Moonbeam is the perfect all-around camping light. It has a magnetic base that allows you to transfer the light from its super soft headband to just about any object for on-the-fly lighting. With high, low, and color-changing modes, the Moonbeam gives visibility when you need it and some fun for all your campsite needs.

Features:

• Rechargeable USB
• Impact-resistant plastic light casing
• 1.25" wide band with a universal stretch fit (poly-stretch fabric)
• 40 Lumens with approximately 10 hours of light-time

Scouting America Boonie Hat – This hat is easy to clean (machine washable) and provides a lot of shade. It's a lightweight, breathable microfiber hat with side eyelets for additional venting. I take this hat with me on every summer adventure, and it's lasted for a few years.

Here's what a customer said:

"The quality of this hat is outstanding. It is superior to some of the Boonie hats in military shops. I've previously owned Boonie hats and was hesitant about this purchase, but upon receiving this outdoor hat, I will tell you I'm very pleased with it, and you will also." - Curt.

Silva Guide 2.0 Compass - With the mirror tilted to a 45-degree angle, check your direction by looking at the bezel in the mirror while sighting in the correct direction of travel. The Silva 2.0 Guide features a DryFlex™ grip for easy handling and comes with a use-anywhere declination scale inside the capsule. The base plate offers map-measuring inches and scales of 1:62.5k mile & 1:24k USGS scale. The capsule bottom's red/black and North/South lines ensure easy and safe settling. The scales and markings in a clear contemporary font combined with lots of transparency in the baseplate make navigating easier. The needle is made from the finest Swedish steel with high-quality magnetic features.

Scouting America First Aid Kit – Some common injuries on the trail include bug bites, blisters, and scrapes from falls. That's why I pack a first aid kit with me!

The Scouting America Scout First Aid Kit includes:

• Adhesive bandages (6)
• Roll of adhesive tape
• Sterile 3x3" gauze pads (2)
• Tube of triple antibiotic ointment
• Wash up towelettes (6)
• Scissors
• Non-latex disposable gloves
• CPR breathing barrier
• 3x6" piece of moleskin
• Pencil and paper

37°N Backpacking Chair - This lightweight camping chair features a ventilated mesh panel to help you relax after a day of warm-weather adventures. Weighing in at just 30 ounces and measuring 4'' x 14'' x 5'', this outdoor chair's compact size makes it easy to carry on the trail. Unwind after a long hike by the campfire, or relax while fishing at your go-to stream. This 37°N camping chair is lightweight yet sturdy enough to support up to 265 lbs. 

Scouting America 20 Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag, Oversized -  Packed with many features, this cozy, mummy-style sleeping bag is designed to give you the best night's sleep on your campouts. It comfortably fits a person up to 6'5" tall and has an adjustable foot box to size it up or down as needed.

• Packable and Compact: Lightweight and easy to store
• Storage Pocket: Holds your cell phone for quick access
• Extra Collar Insulation: Prevents warm air from escaping
• Adjustable Foot Box: Lengthen or shorten as needed
• Synthetic Fill: Water resistant and great for damp conditions