As someone who has gone on a TON of solo hiking and backpacking trips over the last few years, I get questions all the time from people asking if I still get scared while I’m out on trail alone and how I keep myself safe while I’m out there.
Solo hiking is incredibly empowering and is my preferred way to travel in the backcountry. You don’t have to be fearless to go hiking or backpacking alone. You just need to be prepared. Being out on trail alone though means you need to be prepared to be 100% self-reliant and are fully responsible for your own safety while you’re out there.
Safety backpacking gear can be different for everyone, so make sure you always pack the gear that will help YOU feel the most comfortable and safe whenever you’re out there alone.
If you need help with trying to decide what gear to pack for your next overnight backpacking trip, download my FREE Backpacking Gear Packing List.
Let’s talk about the backpacking gear that can help you feel safe when hiking alone, starting with the 10 Essentials.
The 10 Essentials
The 10 Essentials are must-have pieces of gear EVERY hiker and backpacker should always have in their pack whenever they head out into the backcountry. Each of these items can help keep you stay safe in the event you get stuck out on trail longer than you originally anticipated.
If you’re packing for an overnight backpacking trip, you’ll probably have most these items already on your packing list, but it’s always a good idea to go through and make sure you have each one of the 10 Essentials packed in your pack, just in case.
The 10 Essentials include Navigation, Sun Protection, Insulation, Illumination, First Aid, Fire, Knife & Gear Repair, Extra Food, Extra water and Emergency Shelter.
Navigation
Navigation is going to be either a paper map of the area you plan on hiking in and compass or a digital navigation app with a map of the area you plan on hiking in that’s been downloaded onto your phone, before losing cell and WiFi service.
If you plan on using a GPS-enabled navigation app like AllTrails, Gaia GPS or onX Backcountry, it’s always a good idea to also carry a paper map of the area you plan on hiking in as well, just in case your electronics fail. Whatever navigation system you decide to use, always make sure you know how to use these tools before hitting the trail.
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Also, make sure your phone is fully charged before starting your hike and place your phone in Airplane mode before leaving the trailhead to help conserve the battery while you’re out on trail.
And as an extra layer of protection, I always like to bring a fully charged portable power bank. This way I always have a way to recharge my devices whenever I’m out on trail.
Sun Protection
For sun protection, I start with always wearing and packing sunscreen. I also like to wear a hat with a wide brim and a pair of sunglasses to keep the sun out of my eyes.
For extra protection from the sun, consider wearing sun protection clothing like a long-sleeved sun hoodie, a lightweight pair of hiking pants or a Buff you can use to protect your face.
Extra Clothing/Insulation
In my pack, insulation is going to be all my clothing layers including a fleece, a lightweight puffy jacket, a lightweight rain jacket, a pair of liner gloves and an extra pair of socks.
If the forecast is calling for colder temperatures, I might also pack a pair of leggings, a fleece neck gaiter, a beanie and/or a thicker pair of mittens.
Illumination
Illumination for me is always going to be a fully charged, rechargeable headlamp, but you can also get away with using the flashlight feature on your phone.
First Aid
First aid for me is always going to be my fully stocked backcountry first aid kit. If you want a full breakdown of everything I carry in my backpacking first aid kit, I’ve got a post all about that, which you can CHECK OUT HERE.
Fire
For fire, this can be the lighter you’ll probably already have in your Cooking System, if you’re bringing a backpacking stove with you.
If you’re not carrying a backpacking stove, fire can be something like these waterproof storm matches with fire starter, which I always bring with me for all of my day hikes.
Knife & Gear Repair
A knife and gear repair can not only be used to help prepare food and fix gear when you’re out in the field but can also be used as a possible weapon.
In my gear repair kit, I include things like extra zip ties, paracord, mini bottles of krazy glue, tenacious tape, duct tape that I wrap around my trekking poles for easy access and a patch kit for my inflatable sleeping pad.
Extra Food
For extra food, get in the habit of always packing a couple extra snacks and one extra meal with you for any of your day hikes or overnight backpacking trips. This way if you get stuck out on trail longer than anticipated, you’ll have something to eat while you’re out there.
Extra Water
Always make sure you carry enough water to drink while you’re hiking but also have a way to treat more water if you run out. My Water Filtration System consist of a water filter or purifier, a dirty water bag and a container to store clean, treated water in.
For clean water storage on my day hikes, I like to use a hydration reservoir like this one from HydraPak and for my overnight backpacking trips, I’ll use some sort of reusable water bottle.
Emergency Shelter
And always make sure you pack some sort of emergency shelter. If I’m packing for an overnight backpacking trip, my emergency shelter is going to be my tent. If I’m packing for a day hike, my emergency shelter is going to be a space blanket or an emergency bivy like this one.
No matter what time of the year you plan on going hiking or backpacking and no matter how long you plan on being out on trail, ALWAYS make sure you pack the 10 Essentials with you.
The next category of backpacking gear that can help you feel safe when hiking alone is Emergency Communication.
Emergency Communication
As a solo hiker, it’s always a good idea to consider carrying with you some sort of emergency communication device. As someone who spends a lot of time out on trail alone in the backcountry, I always feel much safer and more comfortable knowing I always have the ability to communicate with the off-trail world, whether it’s in the event of an emergency or I just want to reach out to friends and family at home.
Unless you have an iPhone 14 or later, your mobile phone most likely won’t be able to trigger an emergency SOS call whenever you’re out of cell or WiFi service. If you have an iPhone 14 or later, your phone can be used to text emergency services (like 911) and potentially send messages to family or friends via satellite, but what if your phone doesn’t have that type of capability?
Consider carrying a satellite messenger or at the very least, a Personal Locator Beacon or PLB whenever you’re out hiking alone. These emergency communication devices are much more reliable in the backcountry because they work by satellite, not through traditional cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
Satellite Messenger
A satellite messenger gives you the opportunity to have two-way text messaging through both the device and it’s pairing app with friends and family at home and with first responders in the event of an emergency whenever the SOS button is triggered. Two-way messaging allows you to communicate with first responders the nature of your emergency and get notified when help is on the way.
Depending on the type of device you have, a satellite messenger can give you the option to set up an online map for friends and family at home to track your location while you’re out on trail alone. You may also have the ability to check the local weather forecast and upload routes onto your device.
Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
A Personal Locator Beacon or PLB is a portable, battery powered radio transmitter that can be used to locate a hiker in distress. Once activated, a PLB will send your exact location to nearby emergency services where they can then send help as soon as possible.
PLBs are generally less expensive than a satellite messenger, don’t require a monthly subscription for them to work and don’t require much of a time investment to learn how to use the device.
The problem with a PLB is that there’s no two-way text messaging option. There’s no way to state the nature of your emergency and there’s no way to know if help is on the way or when it will arrive.
When using a PLB in the event of an emergency, your GPS coordinates for your exact location are sent out to nearby emergency services. Then, you have to sit and wait and hope that emergency services will send help and come find you out on trail.
I have experience with carrying both a satellite messenger and a PLB for all my solo backpacking adventures. While both work with being able to send a signal for help in an emergency situation, having a satellite messenger with two-way messaging helps provide peace of mind. Not only for me whenever I’m out on trail by myself, but also for my friends and family who can communicate with me whenever my device is on and I’m out of cell or WiFi service.
Even with the expensive price tag and the monthly subscription required to use the device, a satellite messenger is the one piece of gear I wish I would’ve gotten sooner in my solo hiking and backpacking journey and the one piece of gear I’ll never go into the backcountry without.
Another category of backpacking gear that can help you feel safe when hiking alone is Comfort.
Comfort
Let’s not underestimate how much emotional safety plays a role in solo hiking. Yes, packing the right gear for the right conditions and in preparation of emergencies is important, but feeling safe also means feeling calm, confident and grounded when you’re out there by yourself.
If you’ve ever felt nervous or anxious before heading out solo, you’re not alone. Even I still have moments like that too! That’s why bringing a few simple things can help you feel emotionally safe and mentally strong when you’re out on trail.
Podcasts & Music
If you’re ever feeling uneasy or just want a little company while you’re out on trail alone, pop in one earbud and listen to something familiar, like a favorite podcast or a playlist. This can help drown out the silence in a comforting way while still letting you stay aware of your surroundings.
Favorite Snacks
I know this sounds small but packing the snacks you really love can totally lift your spirits if you’re hiking through a tough section of trail. Sometimes, just knowing that there’s some chocolate almonds or a really yummy meal in my food bag can help me push through and hike all the way into camp.
Mindset Tools
And don’t forget about mindset tools. Consider bringing with you a small journal or use the Notes app on your phone and write down a reminder of why you chose to hike this particular trail. You can write something down like, You got this!” or revisit your “why” for being out there.
Some people like to bring a small comfort object with them on their hikes like a lucky charm, a small stuffed animal or even a photo. While on my recent 18-day trip in Nepal, one of the ladies in our group gifted all of us with mini prayer flags to put on our packs. Even though I’ve been home from my Nepal trip for a few weeks now, I still have my prayer flags on my pack as a reminder of an incredible trip with an incredible group of women and instantly smile whenever I see them hanging on my pack.
Sometimes it’s those little things that can help shift your whole mindset when you’re feeling wobbly and unsure.
And here’s a bonus tip for you if you want to feel more secure at night on your next solo overnight backpacking trip:
Take a small carabiner and use it to clip your tent zippers together from the inside. It won’t stop anything serious but sometimes taking a small action like this can help your mind relax enough to actually get some sleep.
Remember, feeling safe isn’t just about being prepared for emergencies. It’s also about finding the mental calm. When you build in comfort on purpose, solo hiking can get a lot more enjoyable.
And finally, let’s talk about personal safety because when you’re hiking alone, knowing you have tools to protect yourself can make a huge difference in how confident and comfortable you feel out on trail.
Personal Safety
Bear Spray
I hike in grizzly country here in Montana, so I never go hiking without bear spray, year-round. While it’s designed for use against bears, it can also offer a layer of protection from people if you ever feel threatened. Think of it as a tool that gives you time and space to get away.
If you carry bear spray, practice using it first. You don’t want your first time using it to be in an actual emergency. Also, always check local regulations. Some parks and wilderness areas may have restrictions or outright bans on carrying bear spray, so do your research before packing it.
A Whistle
A whistle is a small, but might safety tool. It can be a powerful signaling tool in an emergency. If you’re lost, injured or need help, three sharp blasts is the universal signal for distress. It’s also great for scaring off wildlife.
Many packs actually come with a built-in whistle on the sternum strap, so check yours before going to buy a separate one. Whatever you use, make sure its always easily accessible and not buried in the bottom of your pack.
Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are primarily used for balance and support when you’re out hiking on trail, especially on rough terrain, but they can also double as a deterrent. They make you look bigger, louder and more confident if you ever come across a curious animal or find yourself in a situation where you need to stand your ground. Don’t underestimate how empowering it can be to have a pair of trekking poles in your hands.
Other Protection Tools
Depending on where you’re hiking and what makes you feel safest, you might consider carrying pepper spray, mace or even a firearm. If you opt for one of these safety tools, make sure you’re fully trained and of course, check all local laws and park regulations first. The goal here is to be confident, not careless.
At the end of the day, personal safety gear is deeply personal.
Remember, you don’t have to be fearless to go hiking or backpacking alone. The most important thing is that you feel prepared and empowered. All you need is the right backpacking gear that will help you feel comfortable and safe and the confidence to use your gear whenever you’re out hiking alone.
I’d love to know, “What one piece of gear helps make you feel safe when you’re out hiking alone? Tell me down in the comments below.
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