standard
$150
Osprey Scarab 30
30 Liters
2.01 lb | 0.91 kg
Backpack
▢ Daypack
Hydration
▢ Insulated Water Bottles
▢ Plastic Water Bottles
Footwear
▢ Hiking Boots
▢ Hiking Socks
Summer Clothing (May-Sep)
▢ Short-Sleeve Shirt
▢ Hiking Shorts
▢ Rain Jacket
▢ Hat
▢ Sunglasses
Winter Clothing (Oct-Apr)
▢ Long-Sleeve Shirt
▢ Hiking Pants
▢ Puffer Jacket
▢ Beanie
▢ Gloves
Hiking Stick
▢ Trekking Poles
First Aid Kit
▢ First-Aid Kit
Flashlight
▢ Flashlight
Hiking Stick
▢ Trekking Poles
Gloves
▢ Work Gloves (optional)
Multi-Tool
▢ Multi-Tool (optional)
Watch
▢ Watch (optional)
A backpack is essential for visiting The Grand Canyon. Carrying food, water, and other important gear. A quality pack will make a comfortable journey.
Size
• Backpack capacity is measured in liters (the backpack volume)
• 6-10 liters: Compact backpacks to hold the essentials
• 10-30 liters: Common size for dayhikes
• 30-50 liters: Large daypacks for family use
• 50+ liters: Multi-day hiking backpacks
Hip Belt
• Essential for backpacks to properly transfer weight from your back to your waist
Waterproof
36 Liters
3.37 lb | 1.53 kg
30 Liters
2.01 lb | 0.91 kg
35 Liters
2.2 lb | 1 kg
The Grand Canyon lies in Arizona's arid desert, where summer temperatures can soar beyond 100°F on exposed trails. Staying hydrated is essential to prevent heat stroke and dehydration.
Stainless Steel
• Keeps water cold for long periods and doesn't produce condensation
• Dents rather than cracks when dropped
• Heavy compared to plastic
• Tends to be more expensive
Plastic
• Lightweight and simple
• Porous material can retain an aftertaste from non-water drinks
Why No CamelBacks (bladders)
• Complicated to use, prone to leaks, difficult to clean and refill, and you cannot see water usage
• Tubes will freeze and crack in extreme cold
• Most experienced hikers don't use bladders
18-64 oz Capacity
14.1-33.0 oz | 400-936 g
20-64 oz Capacity
2.51-7.1 oz | 71-200 g
14-64 oz Capacity
9.2-20 oz | 261-589 g
Plastic
32 oz Capacity
6.25 oz | 177 g
HDPE Plastic
32 oz Capacity
3.75 oz | 106 g
Plastic
17 oz Capacity
0.3 oz | 9 g
Investing in a quality hiking shoes and wool socks will be a decision you'll be glad you made and something you can carry on many more adventures.
Break Your Shoes In
• It’s essential to wear new shoes for a few weeks before an adventure to ensure comfort and prevent blisters.
• If you’re short on time, consider bringing a pair of older, well-broken-in shoes instead.
High Cut vs Low Cut Shoes
• High cut preferred in The Grand Canyon
• High Cut: Prevents rolled ankles and provide protection from brush/rocks. Best in rocky, steep terrain
• Low Cut: Ideal for flat, hot, or sandy areas where ankle support is less critical
2.29 lb | 1.04 kg
2.56 lb | 1.16 kg
Merino Wool
3.4 oz | 96 g
Polyester/Wool/Spandex
4.4 oz | 125 g
The Grand Canyon is located in the dry, arid desert of Arizona. Summers can be extremely hot and proper clothing that can handle the hot and exposed trails.
Warm Weather Setup (June-September)
• Short Sleeve Shirt + Shorts
• Light-weight, moisture-wicking, quick-drying clothing is preferred
• Avoid cotton for synthetic fabrics (polyester/nylon/spandex)
• There is minimal brush and insects in The Grand Canyon
Rainy Season (July-September)
• Pack some form of rain protection (at least a cheap poncho)
• Flash floods make canyon hikes extremely dangerous (seek high ground)
Polyester/Spandex
UPF 50+
10 oz | 283 g
Polyester
UPF 50+
8.8 oz | 249 g
Nylon/Spandex
UPF 50+
10 oz | 283 g
Nylon/Spandex
UPF 50+
9.14 oz | 259 g
10.5 oz | 298 g
1.7 oz | 48 g
Prescription Compatable
1.41 oz | 40 g
Cotton/Nylon
Wax Coating
0.6 lb | 0.27 kg
Winter in The Grand Canyon can get cold, especially at night after the sun goes down. Proper clothing for the trail is crucial to staying safe and warm.
Cold Weather Setup (October-Apr)
• Long Sleeve Shirt + Pants + Puffer Jacket
• Avoid Cotton: It becomes cold when wet
• Wool/Synthtic materials preferred due to their moisture wicking properties
Puffer Jacket Packing Tips
• Year-Round: Always pack if staying outside overnight as nights get very cold in the desert (even in summer)
• October-May: Pack for day-hikes
Nylon/Polyester
UPF 30+
8.6 oz | 244 g
Polyester
UPF 50+
6.7 oz | 190 g
Polyester
14.9 oz | 422 g
Nylon/Spandex
UPF 50+
13 oz | 369 g
800-Fill Down
14.8 oz | 420 g
580-Fill Down
10.58 oz | 300 g
Merino Wool
3.2 oz | 90.7 g
Synthetic
2.8 oz | 79.4 g
The Grand Canyon is filled with very steep climbs making a hiking stick an essential tool. They help you maintain balance, prevent falls and rolled ankles, and take pressure of your knees.
Wood Walking Sticks
• Strong and can support your body weight
• Heavier and less-compact compared to trekking poles
Trekking Poles
• Lightweight, easy to carry, and collapsable
• Not designed to support full body weight
Trekking Pole Benefits
• Take pressure off your knees
• By engaging your arms, trekking poles improve uphill hiking efficiency
• Assist in river crossings by offering extra balance
• Reduce the risk of falls and rolled ankles, particularly on downhill terrain
100-135 cm Length
18.0 oz | 510 g
66-137 cm Length
20 oz | 567 g
140 cm Length
1.8 lb | 0.82 kg
It is wise to always carry a first-aid kit on any outdoor adventure. Even in a park as popular as The Grand Canyon. Being able to handle poison ivy, sprained ankles, cuts and cuts is important.
Common Injuries at The Grand Canyon
• Falling: Caused by hiking near drop-offs and prevented by exercising caution
• Dehydration: Caused by oveheating and prevented by proper clothin and water preparation
• Altitude Sickness: Caused by quickly ascending canyon and not preventable
• Overuse Injuries: Caused by muscle strains, blisters, and sprains. Prevented by physical conditioning before your adventure
Key Items to Pack
• Personal Medications: Medications relevant to your medical conditions
• First-Aid Medications: Ibuprofen, Benadryl, hydrocortisone, Tylenol, antibiotic ointment, and antacids
• Sanitation Supplies: Hand sanitizer and gloves
• Cleaning: Alcohol wipes
• Support Wraps: Compression wrap for sprains
• Tweezers: For splinters
• Wound Care: Gauze pads and assorted bandages.
14.2 oz | 403 g
8 oz | 227 g
4.97 oz | 141 g
The Grand Canyon hikes do not follow lit, paved paths making a flashlight crucial for your adventure. Bring one, even if you don't expect to be out after dark.
Batteries
• Flashlights with removable external batteries are ideal for ease of replacement
• Stick to standard battery sizes like AA or AAA
• Always carry spare batteries
Headlamps
• Preferred by seasoned adventurers
• Allow you to use your hands on critical trails where hand use is necessary (Angels Landing and Narrows)
3-AAA Battery
400 Lumen Output
3.04 oz | 86 g
2-AA Battery
332 Lumen Output
4.15 oz | 118 g
3-AAA Battery
140 Lumen Output
4.51 oz | 128 g
(optional)
A multi-tool can be a useful day-hiking companion because of the variety of different tools in a small and compact package.
Multi-Tool vs. Knife
• Knife: Typically unnecessary for most day-hike purposes
• Multi-Tool: Preferred for its range of built-in tools, which already includes a knife
Leatherman vs. Swiss Army
• Leatherman: Heavier and bulkier. Notably contains pliers making it a more durable pick
• Swiss Army: Lighter with a classic, time-tested design, ideal for lighter carry and essential tools
8.6 oz | 243 g
8.5 oz | 241 g
12.8 oz | 363 g
(optional)
Watches are a helpful tool for The Grand Canyon. It can be used for things such as basic time-keeping to GPS location and satellite communication.
Mechanical vs Automatic Watches
• Mechanical watches are primarily for fashion and status.
• Automatic watches are simpler, require less maintenance, are more durable, and offer better precision—making them the practical choice.
• Best for adventuring: Automatic watches excel in functionality and reliability.
Smart-Watches
• Highly functional, acting as a mini-computer.
• Offer features like notifications, fitness tracking, and more.
• Require frequent charging, often daily, due to high battery consumption.
32-Day Battery With Solar
GPS Navigation
100m Water Resistance
3.14 oz | 89 g
72-Hour Battery
GPS Navigation
Satellite Communicator
100m Water Resistance
2.26 oz | 64 g
Solar
100m Water Resistance
1.76 oz | 50 g