What I Need for My Hiking Photography Trip

What I Need for My Hiking Photography Trip

When it comes to a photography hike, it’s hard to find the right balance between keeping it lightweight and having all the gear and supplies you need. That’s why we’ve come up with a list of ideas on what to bring on your next hiking photography trip. Some items may not be relevant to you, while others you may realize you’re missing altogether.

Camera Gear to Bring on Your Trip

A photography hike will not accomplish your goals if you don’t have at least one camera and one lens. Depending on your style, you will need to determine how many extra lenses you need and what type.


In the end, what kind of gear you bring will depend on what you own and your photography style. You want to keep your gear as minimal and lightweight as possible and invest in a camera holder that can accommodate your gear. For starters, make sure you have:


  • Camera Harness
  • Your Camera
  • A Versatile Lens Option: 70-200mm
  • A Wide Angle Option: 24mm
  • A Tripod
  • Your Phone
Hiking Photography Trip

Once you’ve packed the basics, there are a few other pieces of equipment that you may want to add to protect your files and ensure you can keep shooting if something happens. These items help give you piece of mind:


  • Extra Memory Cards
  • Spare Batteries
  • Powerbank
  • USB Cable

Other Important Gear for Your Trip

If you plan on hiking for more than a few hours, you’ll want to make sure you have the right supplies and sustenance to support you. Out of this list, the bottom line is that you want to make sure you bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. Depending on your diet and the length of your hike, you may want to evaluate whether snacks will suffice or whether you’ll need “real food”.


  • Water
  • Sandwiches
  • Protein Bars
  • Nuts/Raisins
  • Trash Bag

You’ll also want to make sure you bring the right supplies to protect you and your camera gear in case of an emergency like rain or dust. The items below will make sure you and your camera stay happy:


  • Hat/Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug Repellant
  • Headphones
  • Lens Cloth
  • DryBag

Cotton Carrier Dry Bag

What Kind of Camera Harness Do I Need?

No matter how long your hike is, you’ll more than likely bring a few pieces of gear on top of some other supplies and personal gear. This means you’ll need a camera harness that can carry multiple items while still supporting your camera gear and keeping it secure.


Cotton Carrier camera harness offers the ultimate weight distribution for comfort and stability without a weight max that camera gear can reach. Built with a patented twist and lock carrying system, you can rest assured that your camera is secure, allowing you to be active while still having your optics accessible. For those going on longer hikes, the harness also fits comfortably under backpacks for maximum comfort. High-quality harnesses are made from tough materials like:


  • Rugged Nylon 6 camera mounts
  • Hand-tooled anodized aluminum camera mounting hubs
  • Best-quality polypropylene nylon webbing and straps
  • Quality stitching
  • Oversize clips
G3 Camo Harness
Cotton Carrier Camera Harnesses are designed for the active carrier, supporting and securing multiple cameras and other gear like binoculars and lenses. Learn more about Cotton Carrier and browse for more camera harnesses built to keep your camera safe without compromising comfort.