West Coast Trail Packing List, How To Pack & What NOT To Bring

Narrowing down your West Coast Trail packing list can be a difficult task. There are a lot of essential items to bring, but also a lot of unnecessary things to avoid packing.

As you will be camping, needing to eat for several days, and navigating varied terrain and conditions, there is a lot to think about. So, to make it easier for you, I have compiled a complete guide to packing for the West Coast Trail.

How do I know what to bring on the trail? I hiked the West Coast Trail a few years ago. And, although I was well-prepared, I still learnt a lot which has helped me to improve and refine my packing list for future hikes.

So read on for my full West Coast Trail gear list, things to avoid, and how to pack for this hike!

To read more about the West Coast Trail, check out my Ultimate West Coast Trail Hiking Guide

West Coast Trail Packing List

When I first packed for our West Coast Trail hike a couple of years ago, I was relatively new to backpacking. But, as I enjoy researching and planning, and I had the guidance of my more experienced partner, we were able to pack pretty efficiently.

The key mistakes we made (which most hikers make) is overpacking. As such, our packs were quite heavy (although still not as bad as they could have been).

When it came to gear, our list was almost spot-on. And, since then, I have learned from our mistakes and refined our gear list even more. So, based on my experience, lessons learned and ongoing research, here is my complete West Coast Trail packing list.

Documents

Trail Permit

Your trail permit will be given to you by the ranger when you check-in for your hike on your first day. To get your permit, you MUST have a reservation for the trail.

It is essential to have your permit on you at all times during your hike. You will also need to show it at the two ferry crossings on the trail. Without your trail permit you won’t be able to board the boats and continue on with your hike.

To find out more about reservations and fees, see my guide to getting West Coast Trail reservations.

National Parks Pass

You must buy a National Parks Pass to hike the West Coast Trail. You can either buy it in advance or at check-in before starting the trail. If the West Coast Trail isn’t the only hike you’re planning to do this year, it may be more economical to invest in an Annual Discovery Pass.

West Coast Trail Map

You will be given a waterproof copy of the West Coast Trail map at check-in. This is an essential item to bring on the trail.

You will rely on the map throughout your hike to decide between the beach and forest route (the map shows the passable tides). It’s also a helpful tool to understand distances and figure out how far away water sources, campsites and points of interest are.

Tide Table

Just as important as the West Coast Trail map, is bringing a tide table. A paper copy will be given to you at check-in BUT it is very basic. It also doesn’t reflect daylight savings time, which means you have to do the math yourself. Therefore, I recommend printing off a more detailed one to bring with you.

The West Coast Trail map is actually based on the Tofino tide table. But the Port Renfrew and Bamfield tide tables are also reliable, as they are the closest locations to the trail.

And to be able to use the tide tables, make sure to also bring a time-keeping device, like a watch or phone.

Guidebook (optional)

For detailed information about each section of the West Coast Trail, it’s worth reading a guidebook before starting the trail. The most popular one is Blisters & Bliss and I find it has all the information you could need. The 10th edition is now available to buy, which has updated information and improved recommendations.

Some hikers like to take the guidebook with them on the trail. But to keep my pack weight down, I just took photos of the relevant pages to consult as needed.

Ziploc Bags

To make sure your documents stay dry on the trail (as we all know it can be VERY wet), pack some Ziploc bags to keep them in. This is important, as most of the documents you will need to bring with you aren’t waterproof!

Tip: I recommend taking photos of your documents as a backup, in case the physical copies get lost or damaged.

Hiking Essentials

Backpack

As you will be carrying all your equipment and food for several days, you will need to have a good quality backpack which can fit everything. A pack between 55 to 70 L should be sufficient.

For our 6 day hike we actually had one 70 L and one one 45 L between two of us. This fit everything we needed, as well as some extra things we didn’t need! To make sure the weight was even between the two packs we packed the bulkier lighter items (like the tent and sleeping bags) in the 70 L pack, and the smaller heavier items (like denser food items) in the 45 L pack.

It’s also essential to make sure that your pack is comfortable and fits well. You should ensure the straps are adjusted properly and that the waist strap sits snug on your hips.

✅ Recommended Item: Osprey Ariel Plus 70 – Women’s – this is the pack I used and it is so comfortable and stable for carrying a heavy load. It also comes in smaller sizes if you feel the 70 L is too big.

Pack Raincover & Liner

Luckily on my West Coast Trail hike we didn’t get much rain. But this can be a very wet hike so you should always be prepared for wet weather.

To avoid a very cold and miserable trip, you will want to make sure the contents of your pack stay dry. Having a pack raincover helps, and most backpacks will come with one. If yours doesn’t, I suggest investing in one. Osprey sells a good UltraLight Pack Raincover which comes in a large enough size.

But a pack cover actually isn’t that effective on its own. In addition you should line the inside of your pack. We actually just use a large bin liner to do this, which is very effective, rather than buying expensive dry bags.

If it’s likely to be an extra wet season, it could also be worth investing in waterproof stuff sacks or packing cubes for added water protection. This is also a great way to organize the contents of your pack.

Hiking Boots

Just as important as having a good pack, is have a good pair of hiking boots or shoes. Boots are generally recommended over shoes for this hike, to provide extra support and protection from mud. But there are also plenty of hikers who swear by hiking shoes or trail runners.

If hiking shoes or trail runners are what you’re used to and prefer, then stick with this. This is not the hike to be testing a new style of equipment. Instead, get a good pair of gaiters to wear over your shoes for added protection.

When we hiked the West Coast Trail, I wore mid-rise boots (technically they’re hiking shoes) and my partner wore shoes. And we were both completely fine!!

The most important thing is to ensure your boots or shoes are the right fit and are worn in. The last thing you want to be dealing with is blisters (although sometimes unavoidable) and the wrong fit can cause a lot of pain.

I must admit, both of our shoes on the West Coast Trail were actually new. This is NOT recommended. But we had very carefully chosen them for their quality and fit, had good hiking socks and had plenty of emergency bandaids on hand. Luckily, neither of us got any blisters on this hike!

The boots/shoes we both wore are unfortunately no longer available. Mine were a pair of mid-rise Scarpa Gore-Tex boots (similar to the Kailash Trek boots) and my partner wore Salomon hiking shoes. But I would still recommend checking out Scarpa and Salomon, as they are both excellent brands!

Gaiters

Gaiters are generally considered an essential West Coast Trail packing list item. They cover the top of your feet and ankles to keep rocks, mud and sand from getting in your boots. However, I personally didn’t find them helpful on my hike as it was a dry year.

I had high gaiters for this hike and I tried wearing them on the beach to see if they would help with the sand. But I just didn’t like the feel of them so quickly took them off. Although they have since proven to be helpful on other hikes, in particular through snow. So I can imagine in muddier seasons that they would also be useful on the West Coast Trail.

I think my gaiters of choice next time will be smaller and more breathable, like these Altra Trail Gaiters. They may not protect me much from the mud, but that’s OK, as I don’t mind getting a bit muddy!

Trekking Poles

Trekking poles are another item which most hikers consider essential for the West Coast Trail, but I didn’t find much of a need for.

When the trail is very wet, poles are helpful to stay balanced when navigating your way through deep mud. They can also help you keep your footing on slippery rocks, and when your legs are getting tired at the end fo the day. However, I usually prefer to hike without poles, as I’m faster without and I like having my hands free to grab onto things as needed.

I had Black Diamond trekking poles and they ended up staying attached to my pack for most of our hike. Luckily, they were very lightweight so didn’t affect my pack weight much. When I do the West Coast Trail again, unless it’s another very dry year, I would probably still take them, just in case.

Camping Equipment

Tent

For backpacking trips like the West Coast Trail, investing in a lightweight tent is essential. It’s best to have a double wall tent, to reduce condensation inside, as there’s a lot of moisture in the air on the west coast. And, in case of rain, it must have a waterproof rain fly.

As you will be camping on the sand, you might find that the lightweight tent pegs which come with your tent don’t quite cut it. Instead of packing extra heavier pegs, you can easily solve this problem by placing rocks over your pegs after pitching your tent.

✅ Recommended Item: MSR Hubba Hubba 2-Person Tent – The Hubba Hubba is widely considered one of the best backpacking tents and is the one we used on the West Coast Trail. It’s lightweight, durable, and very comfortable for 2 people (there are also 1 and 3 person options available). We have also used it extensively on other backpacking trips, including in extremely windy, rainy and snowy conditions, and it has always held up well.

The Hubba Hubba is on the pricier end of tents. If it’s out of your price range, the MSR Elixir 2-Person Tent is a good alternative. Although it’s slightly heavier than the Hubba Hubba, it’s still a very lightweight, functional and durable tent, at a more affordable price.

Tip: Always pack a couple of extra tent pegs, such as these ultralight aluminum tent pegs. When camping on the beach, you can lose them in the sand!

Sleeping Pad

A good sleeping pad really makes a backpacking trip. If you’re too cold or uncomfortable at night, you won’t sleep well, and it’s important to get a good night’s sleep when hiking.

I would always recommend an inflatable sleeping pad over a foam one, as it’s more compact, warmer and generally more comfortable.

The most important thing when choosing a sleeping pad is to make sure it has the right R value for the climate. R values range from 1 to 10, and indicates the level of insulation the pad has to keep you warm. For the West Coast Trail, you will need a minimum R value of 2.5.

On the West Coast Trail I used the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad, which served me very well. It’s super lightweight and durable, and was very comfortable to use camping on the sand. However it is on the pricer end.

Luckily, there are now a lot of cheaper options available on Amazon, which are also super lightweight, comfortable and durable. In particular, the GearDoctors ApolloAir Ultralight Sleeping Pad has excellent reviews!

However, I am a side sleeper and I toss and turn quite a bit while camping. Therefore I recently switched to the Nemo Tensor Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad which has been great for me. I prefer its rectangular shape over a mummy shape, and it’s quieter than other sleeping pads I’ve used. Although technically this pad is the same thickness as the Therm-a-Rest, to me it feels thicker and is more comfortable for side sleeping.

Sleeping Bag

Equally as important as having a good sleeping pad, is having a good sleeping bag. Sleeping bag warmth is rated by temperature and for the West Coast Trail you ideally want a bag rated around 0°C. We hiked the trail in August and used +5°C sleeping bags from the MEC which were more than comfortable. But if hiking early or late in the season, or if you get cold easily, I would recommend going with 0°C bags.

Generally, I prefer down sleeping bags as they tend to be warmer and lighter. A 600-800 fill-down bag will be the lightest and warmest option. The Therm-a-Rest Questar and Naturehike Ultralight Goose Down Sleeping Bag are both great options.

The only issue with down is that it does not dry well. So, if you get any water or moisture inside your sleeping bag, you may end up getting cold and wet. We used down bags on the West Coast Trail and didn’t have any problems since it was a very dry year.

Synthetic bags dry much quicker, so are often a better choice for the West Coast Trail. Thermarest make an excellent lightweight synthetic bag, or for a more budget-friendly option this one from Venture4th is very highly rated.

Tip: It’s also worth packing your sleeping bag inside a compression sack. With a compression sack, a sleeping bag can be packed down surprisingly small and this is the best way to maximize the space in your pack!

Pillow (optional)

A camp pillow is very much an optional item, but I would never camp without it! To me, having a pillow is essential to a good night’s sleep. There are quite compact and inflatable camping pillows on the market.

✅ Recommended Item: REDCAMP Outdoor Camping Pillow – This is quite a cheap pillow, available on Amazon, but it’s my favourite camp pillow ever! It’s super comfy, just like a smaller sized regular pillow, and it can be packed down really well. It also has a removable cover which can be washed, and is really durable.

Tip: As an alternative to bringing a camp pillow, fill a stuff sack with your spare clothes and use that as a makeshift pillow.

Tarp (optional)

A lightweight tarp is another optional item, but is worth bringing if there is likely to be quite a lot of rain on your hike. As most of the camp sites on the West Coast Trail are on the beach, there is no shelter from the elements. So having a tarp can be really handy to have at camp, to provide some dry space to cook and relax.

We recently bought this 10×10 Ft (3×3 meter) tarp for a canoe trip and it held up really well during several days of rain! The size was perfect to create a comfortable shelter for us to relax and cook around the fire pit. Plus this tarp reflected the heat from the fire really well, which kept us warm, dry and cozy.

Note: If you do bring a tarp, make sure you also bring enough paracord to string it up with!

Food & Water

Water Filter

One of the most important items on your West Coast Trail packing list is a water filtration system. There are lots of fresh water sources on the trail. But they often run through muddy terrain and may be contaminated by animals (or people), so you should always filter the water before drinking it.

As an alternative to a water filter, some people prefer to use chemical water purification tablets. And, as a last resort if your filtration system fails, you can always boil the water before drinking it.

✅ Recommended Item: Katadyn BeFree 1.0 L Water Filter Bottle – The Katadyn BeFree water filter is super easy to use and quick to filter water. It’s also very small so takes up no space in your pack and can double as an extra water bottle (you can even drink straight from the filter). This is the filter we used on the West Coast Trail and it served us really well.

Water Bottle or Bladder

As well as having a water filtration system, you will need something to put the water in! I recommend bringing a 1 litre water bottle. Due to the frequency of water sources on the trail, you probably won’t need more than this. Although personally I prefer a 1.5 litre bottle, so I don’t have to filter water as frequently.

Some hikers prefer to use a water bladder (or hydration reservoir) instead of a bottle. It’s really up to you what you choose to use.

I’m a big fan of the Nalgene water bottles, but a lot of people will even just use an empty plastic bottle. In particular, Smartwater bottles are very popular as they’re very lightweight and durable.

Stove, Gas & Lighter

As you will be camping, having the ability to cook hot meals is a must. That is of course unless you’re happy cold soaking your food, which some people do prefer to do.

Personally, having a hot meal at camp at the end of the day is something I really look forward to. As cooking over a fire can be tricky, and there are sometimes fire bans on the West Coast Trail, having a gas cooking system really is the only option. Therefore, these three things should be on your West Coast Trail packing list: a lightweight stove, gas and a lighter.

There are plenty of small and lightweight backpacking stoves on the market, as well as full cooking systems like the highly rated Jetboil Cooking System. (Or for a highly rated cheaper option, try the Fire Maple Stove System).

For gas, we found a medium sized 8 oz gas canister was sufficient per person. But we did pack an extra one between us, as we like the luxury of having coffee stops while hiking.

You should always do the math ahead to time to make sure you will have enough fuel for all your boils (especially if you like to have extra tea and coffee breaks).

The general rule is that you will need about 1 litre of water per person, per meal. Check your stove’s boil time to calculate how much fuel this equates. And remember to factor in things like wind, and whether you have food to simmer (like pasta), as this will increase the fuel consumption.

Tip: If you’re flying to Vancouver Island, remember that you can’t fly with gas! Therefore, you will have to buy some when you arrive, You can easily pick it up from any outdoor store in Victoria or Nanaimo.

Cookware, Dinnerware & Utensils

As part of your cooking setup, having something to cook your food in and eat from is also essential. At the very least you will need a small lightweight pot and a spoon or spork.

It’s also recommended to have a small knife for anything you might need to cut up. Plus, you will need a lightweight mug for hot drinks and a bowl for food. (Unless you plan on only eating dehydrated meals straight from the packet).

There are plenty of lightweight and collapsable backpacking cookware and dinnerware options. Sea to Summit have a great range of collapsable cookware and dinnerware, which packs down really well. Although I have a titanium mug and pot which I also love. They’re extremely lightweight and I can put them directly on the stove to reheat my drink or food if it gets too cold.

Breakfast & Dinner

Breakfast and dinner will likely be hot meals you will have at camp. I always recommend packing oatmeal (quick oats) for breakfast, as it’s, filling, easy and lightweight to pack. But if you’re not a fan of oatmeal then granola bars or bread with peanut butter or Nutella is a great option.

Alternatively, you can also buy dehydrated backpacking breakfasts, but they tend to be expensive for what they are. So I personally don’t think they’re worth it.

However, for dinner dehydrated backpacking meals are a great choice and there are some delicious ones out there. My absolute favourite are the Peak Refuel meals. They’re very high in protein and by far the tastiest dehydrated meals I’ve ever tried!

Although backpacker meals are pricy, so I won’t have them every night on the trail.

Usually I will mix up my meal plan with some ramen noodles, mac & cheese, and instant mashed potato. Plus you can add things like dried mushrooms, bacon bits, tuna, parmesan cheese, herbs and chilli to sneak in some extra protein, calories and flavour.

Lunch & Snacks

On the West Coast Trail it’s common to snack regularly, rather than having a proper lunch. To stay fuelled for your hike, it’s best to take a snack break every couple of hours.

Foods like bread or crackers with peanut butter or Nutella, trail mix, dried fruit, jerky, pepperoni sticks, tuna packets, hard cheese, chocolate bars, protein bars and candy are all great lunch and snack options. Hiking is quite a workout, so you want to make sure your snacks are high in calories and protein. Plus sugar really helps to give you that extra energy boost on the trail!

Tip: Make sure to choose food items which will last the length of the trail! Things like fresh bread can go stale, so it’s better to pack sourdough, tortilla wraps or bagels, which often have a longer shelf life. Cheese is another item to be careful of as softer cheeses won’t last without refrigeration. Instead, choose hard and dry cheeses, like gouda, parmesan or cheddar.

Tea, Coffee & Hot Chocolate (optional)

I can’t start my day without a coffee. Plus I love tea and coffee breaks along the trail, and a hot chocolate before bed is a nice luxury while on the West Coast Trail.

Tea bags and instant coffee sachets are super lightweight to pack. Although I know plenty of people who won’t be satisfied with this and will instead make the effort of bringing real coffee and a coffee maker with them on the trail. Each to their own!

Instant hot chocolate sachets are also an easy item to pack. They are a bit heavier than coffee, but if you’re just bringing one per day as an evening treat, I think it’s worth it.

Tip: If you prefer to bring real coffee on the trail with you, bringing a backpacking titanium french press which also doubles as a mug or pot. This is the lightest and most efficient solution I have found for real coffee on the trail.

Dishwashing Supplies (optional)

You might think I’m crazy for putting this one down as optional, but hear me out!

If you’re not eating anything particularly messy, and you’re not sharing your spoon with someone else, you don’t really need to wash your dishes with soap. Instead, swish a little bit of boiling water around your pot and bowl to remove any grease, and wipe it out with some tissue. The rest of your dishes you really can just rinse with water.

If you have some messier dishes, you can also scrub them with sand to remove any stubborn food or burnt bits.

If you do choose to bring dishwashing supplies, bring a small bottle biodegradable camp soap and a small sponge. (Or cut a regular sponge in half).

Tip: Remember to always wash your dishes away from your tent to avoid attracting wildlife. You also shouldn’t wash dishes in your water source, as it will contaminate the water. Instead, on the West Coast Trail, you can wash your dishes in sea water.

Food Bags

Your food and camp kitchen should always be kept separate from your clothing and other items in your pack. Plus you want to try and keep these items dry. Therefore, you should keep all your food and cooking items in a food bag (preferably a dry sack), which you will then store in a food cache or hang overnight.

Also remember that everything you pack in, you must pack out! Therefore all packaging, uneaten food, and other waste (such as used teabags) must be taken with you.

You should pack some ziploc bags to use as rubbish bags, which you can throw out at the end of the trail. It’s also helpful to pack stronger smelling food items in ziploc bags, to contain the smell and minimize attracting wildlife.

Clothing

Outerwear

• Rain Jacket – The West Coast Trail can be very wet, so having a rain jacket is a MUST. It also provides an extra layer of warmth on cold evenings at camp. I love my Patagonia Torrentshell 3L, as it’s durable, comfortable, is highly protective. However, Helly Hanson and Columbia both also sell excellent quality rain jackets which are more budget-friendly.
  
• Puffy Jacket or fleece – Even in the middle of summer, it can get cold on the west coast in the evenings and early in the morning. Therefore you should pack a lightweight fleece or puffy jacket. Plus, it can also double up as a camp pillow if you don’t have one!
  
• Rain pants or kilt (optional) – If it’s a wet year, it’s a good idea to pack rain pants or a rain kilt to keep your lower half dry while hiking. For a super lightweight option, try the ULA Rain Kilt.

Hiking Clothes

• Hiking pants or tights (1 pair) – This is what you will be wearing most of the time. So Choose what works best for you but make sure it is quick dry. My favourites are a pair of lululemon running tights (as they’re extremely lightweight and functional) and the lululemon Hiking Jogger.
  
• Hiking shorts (1 pair) (optional) – If the weather will be warm, hiking in shorts might suit you better than long pants. My favourites are the WovenAir High-Rise Hiking Shorts. However, I wouldn’t recommend replacing your pants with shorts, since you will probably experience some cooler temperatures on the trail as well. Therefore, I suggest packing both, or wearing a pair of convertible hiking pants, so you can just zip off the legs when you get too hot!
  
• Quick-dry shirt/top (1-2) – Ideally, you should wear a quick-dry t-shirt or tank top on the trail, to ensure you stay dry and don’t get too hot or cold. Depending on the duration of your hike, you may prefer to pack an extra top to alternate between. However, you shouldn’t need more than this as you can air out your tops at camp each night.
  
• Long sleeve shirt (1) (optional) – I recommend bringing a long-sleeve shirt as an extra layer for warmth on cooler days, or to provide extra protection from the sun. My preference is a merino wool layer, since it’s super warm, dries quickly and doesn’t smell. However, if you’re more concerned about the sun than warmth, consider a lightweight long sleeve shirt with UV protection.

TIP: Check out lululemon’s new hiking range. They have excellent hiking pants, shorts, shirts, base layers and outerwear for men and women. And their running apparel is also great for hiking!

Camp Clothes

• Thermal base layers or other lightweight sleepwear – It can get cold at night on the West Coast Trail. Therefore having something warm to sleep in is a must. And if you get too hot, you can just take it off! I recommend a lightweight pair of thermal underwear (or base layers) as they’re super comfy, warm and pack down small.
  
• Change of clothes for camp (optional) – It can be nice to change into fresh clothes once you get to camp, so consider bringing a change of lightweight clothes. Alternatively, to keep pack weight down, your sleepwear can also double as your camp attire. However, I recommend cooking before changing into your sleepwear, to keep your clothes clean and avoid them taking on any smells which could attract wildlife.

Underwear & Socks

• Socks (3 pairs) – To make sure you always have a dry pair of socks to wear, I recommend bringing 2 pairs of hiking socks to alternate between. My go to are Darn Tough hiking socks, as they’re really comfortable and durable. Plus they come with a lifetime guarantee! You should also pack a clean pair of socks to sleep in.
  
• Underwear (3+ pairs) – How much underwear you bring really depends on you. Plenty of hikers swear by just 1-2 pairs and wash them as they go, whereas I prefer to have fresh underwear each day and the ones I pack are small and lightweight so don’t take up any room in my pack. For a trail this length, I would recommend packing a minimum of 3 pairs (2 pairs to alternate between while hiking and a fresh pair to sleep in).
  
• Sports Bra (1) – A standard sports bra works great for hiking, so wear whichever one you’re most comfortable in. However, I recommend choosing one on the thinner side so it dries quickly to save your chest getting cold. And you only need to take the one, as you can air it out each night at camp.

Additional

• Sun hat and/or sunglasses – As you will be outside all day, make sure you’re protected from the sun by bringing polarized sunglasses and/or a sun hat.
  
• Warm hat or buff – Early mornings and evenings can get cold. Therefore you should pack a toque or buff, to keep your head and/or neck warm.
  
• Gloves (optional) – I didn’t find these necessary on the West Coast Trail, but if you’re sensitive to the cold, it could be worth packing a light pair of fleece gloves.

Tip: Pack a clean change of clothes for the end of the trail! You obviously won’t take these with you on your hike, but you can leave them in your car for when you finish. If you’re getting the West Coast Trail Express, you can also pay a small fee for them to bring a bag for you when they pick you up.

Safety & Hygiene

Bear Spray & Holster

There are bears, cougars and wolves on the West Coast Trail. Although an encounter is unlikely, you should always come prepared with bear spray and make lots of noise.

You should keep your bear spray within ease reach, so it’s easily accessible should you need to use it. The best way is to have it in a holster, attached to your belt or one of the straps on the front of your pack. In Canada, you can buy bear spray from most outdoor stores, such as the MEC or Canadian Tire.

Tip: If you’re flying to Vancouver Island you cannot take bear spray on the plane. Therefore you should arrange to buy it when you land. You will likely be able to pick it up from the same place you get your gas canister.

First Aid Kit

No West Coast Trail packing list is complete without a first aid kit. I use this ultralight adventure medical kit and add to it with additional blister care and medications.

It’s essential to pack a range of first aid supplies, including blister care (like moleskin), antiseptic and some basic medications. It’s also a good idea to include some small tools like nail scissors or a Swiss army knife, as well as some items to repair your gear (like duct tape).

Also make sure your first aid kit is stored in a waterproof bag, such as a Ziploc bag, as your bandaids and medication likely won’t survive getting wet.

Sunscreen

As you will be outside all day, you will need to protect yourself from the sun. Even in bad weather, you can still catch the sun. Therefore make sure to bring a small bottle of sunscreen with you.

Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Everyone will need to pack a toothbrush and toothpaste. I just keep my toothbrush in a Ziploc bag, but plenty of people prefer a toothbrush with a lid. For toothpaste I recommend just bringing one of the travel sized ones you get given at the dentist (or you can buy some online).

Toilet Paper and Hand Sanitizer

There are outhouses on the West Coast Trail, but toilet paper and hand sanitizer is your responsibility to bring. Make sure to pack enough for your entire hike, but if you do run out of TP, don’t worry as you can buy more at the halfway point (at the Crab Shack).

I recommend taking the cardboard out of your toilet roll, so you can flatten it more and pack it down smaller. You should also keep it inside a Ziploc bag to keep it dry, as wet TP won’t be useful.

Lip Balm

One ‘beauty’ item which I consider necessary is lip balm. Even if this isn’t something you usually use day-to-day.

Skin can really dry out on the trail, especially if you’re in the sun all day. And you can apply lip balm to more than just your lips! It can help soothe sunburn, dry hands and chaffing.

I find the Aquaphor lip balm to be particularly good in harsh conditions.

Toiletries (optional)

Depending on your personal preferences, you may want to bring basic toiletries with you. If you have long hair, bring a small hairbrush and hair ties. And if you want to freshen up or look after your skin while hiking, consider bringing moisturizer, baby wipes, and/or deodorant.

Tissues (Kleenex) can also be useful to have and I always pack one small packet. But if you choose not to bring them, you can just as easily use toilet paper should you need a tissue.

Eye Care

If you’re a glasses or contacts wearer, make sure to pack sufficient supplies to see you through the trail. If you usually wear contacts, it can be a good idea to bring a backup pair of glasses as well, just in case.

Feminine Hygiene Supplies

Ladies, to be safe, it’s always best to pack some menstrual supplies, even if you’re not expecting your time of the month on the trail. I always keep some in my first aid kit, so I don’t even have to think about it.

Bug Spray (optional)

There aren’t usually many bugs on the West Coast Trail. But if you’re hiking early in the season, or are sensitive to bug bites, consider bringing a small bottle of bug spray. Although we didn’t end up using ours on the trail, so it’s an item I probably would leave behind next time.

Electronics

Phone or Watch

You absolutely need to bring a phone or watch on the West Coast Trail. It’s important to have a time keeping device so you can plan your hike according to how much time you have and read the tide tables.

Personally, I always bring my phone with me while hiking. Not only to keep the time, but also to take photos, track my hike, and listen to something as I fall asleep.

Headlamp

A headlamp is an essential item to bring on the West Coast Trail. Not only is it useful for finding your way around camp after dark, it’s also a safety necessity. If you get stuck hiking too late in the day you will need it to find your way along the trail.

Tip: If your headlamp takes batteries, make sure the batteries are new/full before your hike!

Satellite Communications Device (optional)

In case the worst does happen, it is always best to have a satellite communications device on the trail. However, this is generally considered an optional West Coast Trail packing list item, since you’re never likely to be too far away from other hikers in an emergency situation.

✅ Recommended Item: Garmin In Reach Mini 2 – In my opinion this is the best satellite communication device on the market. It’s so compact and lightweight, while also being extremely effective and easy to use.

Tip: to extend your satellite communication device’s battery life on the West Coast Trail, keep it switched off and only turn it on when you need to use it.

Camera (optional)

If you’re big on photography then the West Coast Trail is one place you’re guaranteed to get some epic shots! Personally, I’m more than happy using my phone camera. But if photography is your thing, you may want to consider bringing a standalone camera.

Power Bank & Charging Cables (optional)

Depending on how many devices you’re bringing and how you plan to use them, you may need to bring a power bank and charging cables to keep your battery life topped up.

I had a very basic power bank with me on the West Coast Trail, but it lasted very well. I even had plenty of battery left at the end of the trail. If you’re conscious with your battery use, it can last a long time.

Tip: To save battery, keep your phone on airplane mode and/or low battery mode.

Headphones (optional)

If you want to listen to an audiobook, podcast or music on the trail, pack small headphones.

I usually prefer to enjoy the sounds of my surroundings while hiking. But I like to have headphones so I can listen to something to help me fall asleep when camping. And this can be a good way to block out the sound of noisy campmates!

GPS Tracker (optional)

A GPS Tracker is useful to monitor the distance covered and know where you’re up to on the trail. However you don’t need to bring a separate device for this. Instead, you can use one of the other devices you’re already bringing with you.

I actually wouldn’t recommend using your satellite communications device for this on the West Coast Trail, as it drains the battery too quickly and you’re not at a high risk of getting lost and isolated on this trail.

Instead, I recommend tracking your hike using either a smart watch or your phone. My suggestion would be to track your hike using AllTrails (you will need to download the offline map in advance). From my experience, AllTrails is pretty accurate so I trust it.

Additional Items

Cash

If you’re starting at the mid-way point, you will need $70 CAD cash to pay for the water taxi. And if you plan on buying anything at the Crab Shack, you will also need to pay in cash!

I recommend having $100 CAD cash per person to make sure you have more than enough money to buy anything you might need and indulge in a delicious plate of food at the Crab Shack. (A meal there will likely cost you around $50 CAD).

Camp Shoes (optional)

Although I’ve noted this as optional, I actually do consider this an essential item. For me, having a different pair of shoes to change into at camp is a must after wearing hiking boots all day. Plus, your camp shoes can double up as water crossing shoes, to keep your hiking boots dry.

I recommend a pair of water shoes or hiking sandals (like Tevas) as your camp shoes. (Although some people swear by Crocs!) The reason being, all these shoes are lightweight, versatile and quick drying.

Utility Gloves (optional)

There are a lot of rough surfaces you will be touching on the West Coast Trail. A pair of basic utility or gardening gloves can be really helpful for climbing ladders and for navigating the boulder field, which is full of sharp barnacles.

I didn’t take these on my West Coast Trail hike and it’s the one item I regret not having. I was fine without gloves on the ladders. But I did get a lot of little cuts on my hands from the boulder field, which ended up bothering me for a couple of days.

You can either find these online, or pick up a pair at any hardware store for few dollars.

Swimsuit and Towel (optional)

If you plan on swimming on the trail you’ll want to bring a swimsuit and towel. The best towel to pack is a microfiber travel towel, as they’re super lightweight, quick-drying and pack down very small.

Lightweight Camp Chair (optional)

A lightweight camp chair is something I didn’t have on the West Coast Trail, but would likely bring next time. The Helinox Chair Zero is generally considered the best one on the market. But it’s also one of the most expensive, and there are actually some excellent cheaper ones on the market.

This Trekology one from Amazon is slightly heavier than the Helinox, but it’s very highly rated and a good budget-friendly alternative. And, Gear Trade Canada sell an excellent lightweight camping chair which is super comfortable and durable!

Unlike many of the other hiking trails in Canada, the West Coast Trail does not have established seating areas at the campgrounds. Instead, you will find yourself sitting on driftwood, which works for a while, but eventually becomes uncomfortable. A lightweight camp chair is therefore a luxury item which can be well worth the weight on this hike.

✅ Recommended Item: Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat Pad – This is one of my favourite pieces of backpacking equipment. If you just can’t justify the added weight of a camp chair, the Z-seat is the BEST alternative. This pad is super comfortable to sit on, keeps you dry, and only weighs 60 grams!

Earplugs (optional)

If you’re a light sleeper you might want to pack a pair of earplugs. The campgrounds do get pretty busy, which can result in a fair bit of noise at night.

Rope (optional)

Rope is an optional item which I would highly recommend you bring. You can use it to hang your food if the bear caches are full, as a clothes line to dry wet gear, and as the ridge line for your tarp.

I suggest using paracord, as it’s strong, durable and thin (so it packs down well). You should have at least 25 ft of rope, as this is how much you would need for a food hang.

Pack of Cards (optional)

Bringing a pack of cards is a great way to stay entertained at camp in the evenings! Plus it’s a pretty small item so can easily fit in your pack.

Book or Journal (optional)

This is not something I would pack, as it’s just too heavy. But I know plenty of hikers who enjoy the luxury of a book, or like to jot down their thoughts in a journal during a hike.

As an alternative to bringing a physical book, consider downloading a digital or audio book to your phone. But keep in mind, you can only do this if you’re also bringing a power bank to keep your phone battery topped up.

Pack Liner

Use a dry pack liner to keep the contents of your pack dry. This is especially important for your sleeping bag and clothing. Or, as an alternative, line your pack with a garbage bag!

Stuff Sacks or Packing Cubes (optional)

Using stuff sacks or packing cubes can be a good way to organize the items in your pack. But this is just optional, as it really comes down to personal preference.

Pack Weight

When packing for the West Coast Trail, it’s really important to be conscious of your pack weight. If your pack is too heavy, you won’t be able to enjoy your hike as much and you may struggle on the more difficult sections of the trail.

The general rule is that your pack should not exceed 20% of your body weight. Parks Canada actually advises to aim for between 15-20% of your body weight. This means, the average hiker’s pack should weigh between 20 to 40 pounds (9 to 18 kgs), depending on your size.

However, this is hard to abide by on the West Coast Trail because it’s much more varied and unique than your average hike. As such, your West Coast Trail packing list will likely be quite a bit longer than your packing lists for other backpacking trips.

Some key things you can do to keep your pack weight weight down are:

• Don’t overpack food! This is the most common mistake hikers make, and food is the heaviest item you will be carrying!
  
• Bring clothing you can layer. It’s better to have a couple of thinner clothing items which you can layer for extra warmth, rather than bringing a different item for each possible weather scenario.
  
• Split key items amongst your group. If you’re hiking with others, you don’t each need to bring your own tent, tarp, water filter, etc. Instead, figure out which items you can share and split them between you to carry.
  
• Invest in good quality lightweight equipment. It’s not cheap, but lightweight equipment can make a big difference to your backpacking experience. And if you invest in quality brands, the items will last for years.
  
• Be ruthless! I suggest ordering your items by priority and if you really need to cut your pack weight further, start by crossing off the least important items from your list. That extra change of clothes, pack of cards or camp chair might have been nice to have, but you probably won’t miss it that much, but you will appreciate the lighter load.

If you really can’t get your pack weight down to your ideal weight, don’t panic, you will still have a great time! And keep in mind that your pack will get lighter along the trail as you eat more of your food. So carrying your pack will become easier and easier as you go along.

How To Pack Your Backpack

Everyone has their own preferred methods to pack. However, when packing for a multi-day backpacking trip, there are certain rules to abide by. Here are the key things to keep in mind when packing for the West Coast Trail:

Organize your items

There should always be some organization to your packing method.

The most important things to organize are your scented items, as these must be kept separate from the rest of your things. You don’t want any scents making their way to your sleeping bag or clothes and attracting wildlife to your tent at night.

Therefore, you should always pack your food and cooking equipment in your food bag. Other scented items, like toiletries, should also be packed together. Usually I just have a small ziploc bag to keep these things in and at night I store it inside my food bag with my other scented items.

Distribute the weight correctly

Your pack weight should be distributed in a way which avoids having a bottom-heavy pack pulling you down, or a top-heavy pack dragging you backwards.

Instead, you want the weight to be close to your centre of gravity. As such, the heaviest items should be packed in the middle of your pack, closest to your back. The general rule is:

• Bottom of your pack: light bulky items, like your sleeping bag and clothes.
• Middle of your pack: Heaviest items, like food, against your back.
• Top of your pack: Other bulky items, such as your cooking equipment.
• Front of your pack: Stuff lighter items which can be squished in around your other items (such as extra clothing). If you’re struggling for space, you can even stuff your sleeping bag in here, to fill all the little gaps in.
• Outside pockets: Small items you need easy access to, like your first aid kit and snacks.

Ensure items that can’t get wet are waterproofed

This is a big one on the West Coast Trail, as there can be a lot of rain. Therefore, always make sure anything that can’t get wet is waterproofed!

This doesn’t just apply to your sleeping bag and clothes. You should also waterproof things like your electronics, first aid kit and food items that could get spoiled by water. The best way to do this is by keeping them in ziploc bags.

Tip: Line the inside of your pack with a dry pack liner or a garbage bag to keep the contents of your pack waterproofed!

Make sure you have easy access to certain items

Finally, when packing your bag, make sure to keep items you will be using while hiking within easy reach. The last thing you want to have to do is be digging through your pack mid-hike.

Items like your first-aid kit, hat, sunscreen, rain jacket, water filter and snacks should all be easily accessible. Luckily most hiking packs come with plenty of small external pockets, so use these to your advantage.

What NOT To Bring on The West Coast Trail

There are some items that should absolutely NOT be on your West Coast Trail packing list. Here is my list of things to leave at home, because they are either completely unnecessary, or not allowed on the trail.

Extra Clothes

You really don’t need to be wearing clean clothes everyday on the trail, and the weight of extra clothing quickly adds up. Therefore leave the extra pair of pants at home and instead embrace the dirt – it’s just part of the fun!

Cotton Clothes

You should ALWAYS avoid cotton when backpacking. Cotton does not dry quickly – instead it retains moisture, making you feel sticky and cold. Instead, opt for quick-drying synthetic fabrics or merino wool.

An Axe or Saw

Axes are prohibited on the West Coast Trail, and saws are unnecessary, so leave these at home. If you want to make a camp fire there is usually plenty of pieces of driftwood on the beach to use. So you can easily make do without having to chop any wood.

Firearms

Firearms are another prohibited item on the trail. Plus, there should be no need for them anyway.

Canned or Fresh Food

You need to pack as lightweight as possible for the West Coast Trail. Canned food and fresh produce should never be brought on multi-day hikes as it’s just too heavy. Therefore, stick to dried and dehydrated food items as much as possible, like noodles, jerky and trail mix.

Portable Speakers

Most people on the trail are looking to enjoy being surrounded by nature, not listen to your choice of music. So leave the portable speaker at home. And, if you want to listen to music, pack headphones.

Drones

Drones are prohibited in all national parks in Canada, so you won’t be able to take any aerial shots. But, luckily, you won’t struggle to find other epic photo ops on the West Coast Trail.

Dogs

Finally, dogs are also prohibited on the West Coast Trail. Plus, with all the ladders, they wouldn’t be able to do the trail anyway!

Final Thoughts – West Coast Trail Packing List

Packing for the West Coast Trail can be a bit more complicated than packing for other hikes. However, I hope this West Coast Trail packing list has helped to simplify the task for you, so you will have everything you need and avoid overpacking on this epic hike.

Finally, if you’re planning to do the West Coast Trail, read my blog post about how to get reservations for the trail, and check out my Ultimate West Coast Trail Hiking Guide.

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