Packing for trips has been one long experiment: what keeps me comfortable, what saves space, and what I regret hauling around. After years of testing and fine-tuning, I’ve got a system that actually works — and I thought it was worth sharing. Here’s what made the cut for Colorado, August 2025.
My personal favorites Packing Necessities.
I’m a hiker, traveler, and comfort-obsessed packer who’s spent years fine-tuning what I bring with me. My trips usually mix long trail days with small-town exploring, so my gear has to pull double duty: Practical but comfortable. If it’s on this list, it’s because it actually earned its spot in my travels.
🧳 LUGGAGE & PACKING.
- Mini Weekender Bag — People love to debate this bag. I’ve had zero problems fitting it under a plane seat. It’s a keeper. There is plenty of storage room in this bag, with a couple of pockets. I’m a sucker for pockets, so more is better for me, but I’ve been able to stay organized easily. I would choose this over the larger weekender. (Which I have and never use)
- Expandable Backpack — Usually my second carry-on when I’m checking a big bag. This fits so much stuff. laptop or device pocket in the back. plenty of pockets. I love it.
- Carry-On Roller – smooth gliding. Zero issues with the wheels. The cushion on the handle is a bonus.
- Large Check-In Roller – no notes.
- Compression packing cubes – any kind will work, you can choose your favorite. But these are a must for keeping things organized in my bags.
If it is a quick trip, I keep it simple. The Carry-on roller and the Mini weekender are the perfect combo.
🌿 REMEDIES AND SELF CARE
- Ooala Altitude Sickness Prevention Patches — game changer if you are sensitive to altitude changes. My son, my dad, myself and my boyfriend have all needed these! And they make a huge difference really quickly.
- Dramamine Less Drowsy — my goto on roadtrips or bumpy flights.
- LMNT (Watermelon + a little splash of lemon juice)- staple in my daily water intake.
- Zaca Recovery Chewable Supplement — my boyfriend uses these and brings them with us whenever we’re hiking or doing anything that requires more recovery time.
- Thesis: Motivation & Energy — when I’m tired but need to write, or get something done, or do school work. I take either one of these. Motivation is a little bit more of an “up and move, whereas energy is a steady energy throughout a few hours. I like them both.
- Heritage Store — Colloidal Silver Soothing Skin Salve with Aloe Vera — THIS IS EVERYTHING. I use it for cracked skin, cuticles, pimples, bug bites, you name it. This is so soothing and heals things so quickly. 10/10.
☀️MOISTURIZER & SUN CARE
- Hanni “The Fatty” Moisture Stick — Love this for anytime i dont want to be greasy from lotion, or need something that’s an all purpose, whether it is my hands or my cuticles, to my under eyes or I don’t have chapstick, this is always in my purse and my travel bags.
- La Roche-Posay — This is just a staple. It helps heal any minor cuts or scrapes and instantly fights flakey skin in the cold temps. Love this stuff.
- Alastin Sunscreen — I know it is pricey, but it is hands down the best sunscreen I have used. It doesn’t make me break out, not oily, very moisturizing.. It’s my go-to for summer heat and winter cold.
- Heliocare Supplement — this is a game changer if you use retinol — any lengthy typeof sun exposure can give you a sunburn, and this helps block those bad rays from the inside out. Recommended by my dermatologist and living in FL, I take this every day.
💧CLEANSING & FACE CARE
These are all Gentle on the skin (Alastin is the only one with big ingredients) – Everything else is clean.
Cleansing & Face Care (I stock up on all of these)
- Trilogy Rosehip Cream Cleanser — This is one of the best cleansers I have tried. It’s incredibly silky and smooth, leaving me feeling hydrated and nourished after use.
- Certified Organic Rosehip Oil — I use it day and night, whether I’m guashing or just feeling a little puffy or dehydrated. This is like a miracle oil in a bottle. I won’t leave home without it.
- Urban Hydration Aloe Vera Leaf Gel — This is a must to trap all the moisture you’re putting on your skin. I use this after moisturizing and using my oils, let it dry, then finish with my serums.
- Living Libations Organic Best Skin Ever, All-in-One — when I don’t want to do a full face wash, or if I’m splashing water on my face in the morning, I’ll use this. I love the way it feels as a pre-cleanser, and it only adds to the hydration of the rest of my routine.
- ALASTIN Skincare A-Luminate Face Serum — Another one that’s a little pricey $$$. But worth it if you struggled with melasma. This has been a game-changer for me. It keeps the melasma at bay after being in the sun all day. It’s also just incredibly nourishing and full of the good stuff. 10/10 but only if you need it. This entire line is great! You really can’t go wrong.
😴 Sleep – I have one golden product.
Moon Juice Magnesi-Om — My go-to every single night. It really makes a difference, even when there is a time change. It’s a staple in my daily routine.
🥾 HIKING CLOTHING
The North Face
- Aphrodite Pants (Grey & Blue) — These are great for warmer months. Super lightweight, breathable, & moves with your body as you adjust to climbing. I love these guys; I have a few pairs and bring them on every hiking trip. They are also super easy to layer.
- Light Gloves — touchscreen compatible — great for chilly mornings and cooler evenings, I carry these with me even in summer months when I’m in the mountains. I always have that “you never know” mindset when I’m about to go out, so I like to prepare even if there is nothing to prepare for. Typical overthinker! 🙂
CRZY Yoga
- Hiking Shorts — These are great. I’m not a massive fan of wearing shorts hiking, I just don’t like getting scratched up & ticks freak me out. But when it’s hot out and layering is an option! 100% you better believe I have these on under my pants, just in case I’m feeling frisky.
- Women’s Full Fleece Zip Up — This is the closest thing I could find to my favorite Prana jacket. They unfortunately don’t make it anymore, but this one seems pretty close.
Alo Yoga
- Unisex Throwback Socks — great cushion. I love these socks, I wear them for everything.
- Alosoft Finesse Short Sleeve — This fabric is butter. I have this in long sleeves too, and it is perfect for layering or just having something with long sleeves! Thumb holes are always a plus for me.
🎒 The Backpack
I’ve gone through 3 backpacks trying to find one that fits me and has all the things built in.
I have one favorite backpack. She’s new & she’s the best one I’ve found yet. I’m a sucker for pockets and places to put my things, and this one has all the bells and whistles… yes, even a whistle built in to your front clip. This is her.
Osprey
- Tempest Velocity 20L (Small) — She’s the bomb! Running vest and hiking backpack that holds a 3L Reservoir and features numerous pockets and zippers. 10/10
- Hydraulics 3L Backpack Reservoir — Best Reservoir I’ve used yet, super easy to fill up and clean.
Amazon Finds
- Bandolier MIA Crossbody Phone Case — all-purpose essential. I use this daily. I never lose my phone anymore. When I travel, I don’t worry about where it is. It carries all my cards and IDs, making airport security a breeze — it has a magnetic charger capability, and I will continue buying this with every new phone I get. It is 100% worth the price tag.
- Mind Bodhi Toe Separators — These are a game changer after a long hike, or even a long run or walk. Or really anything where you had been in shoes on your feet for any extended period of time. I use these after every hike and it helps my feet recover so much faster. I just started using them, but I am going to start using them after my runs! I love them!
- Braided Nylon Band for Garmin Venu 3s — I replaced the band on my watch because the silicone one left marks after extended wear. It always bothered my wrist. I love this one, it’s cute & comfortable. This is one I wish I would have done earlier.
- Teva Women’s Original Universal Revive Sandals — These are my OG sandals. I wore these back when I was a camper in middle school! These are great. Waterproof, comfortable. Although I wouldn’t wear them in the ocean (any sandal drags you down), they are fantastic if you’re hiking and run into a creek or want to play in some water! They are also really comfy, suitable for the beach, lake, waterpark, public showers, and everywhere else! They are simple and versatile.
- Quick Dry Hand Towel — Working out and hiking are the two places I use these the most. Quick drying, ultra-absorbing. I hate microfiber, and these are soft. Like the Lululemon workout towel, only a little smaller.
- Rechargeable Headlamp — this is great, offering different brightness levels, colors, and flashing options. Comfortable around my head, and it really lights up the surrounding area. Great for hiking & running.
- Magnetic Portable Charger — I keep this in my purse at all times. Easy, portable, and I keep it charged for those just-in-case moments we’ve talked about.
After years of trial and error, these are the pieces that actually earn their space in my bag.
Colorado was the perfect testing ground — high elevation, unpredictable weather, and long days on the trail. This system kept me comfortable and ready for anything!
Hope this helps anyone looking the same way I was looking for so long! 😮💨 I put in some work. 😊🤙🏻
