Compact Hiking Gear for RV Travel

Compact Hiking Gear for RV Travel
Versatile items that are easy to store between hikes.

By: Morgan Field

I’m Morgan Field, traveling part-time in my 2019 Winnebago Travato 59K with my pup-pilot Teddy—trail buddy, joy-spreader, and sniff connoisseur.

While I’ve done my fair share of bigger adventures (like mountaineering-style hikes and even trekking glaciers in Iceland!), these days, I’m drawn to something simpler: day hikes. I love scenic routes, waterfalls, and the kind of trails that feel less like a challenge and more like soul medicine.

However, hiking while traveling in an RV looks a little different than traditional outdoor adventures. You’re not pulling gear out of a garage or a neatly organized closet—you’re stepping out of your front door and straight onto the trail. This means the gear you keep needs to earn its place. It has to be compact, versatile, easy to store, and ideally bring a little joy with it.

Over time, I’ve found that the most valuable hiking gear isn’t always the obvious stuff. It’s the unexpected pieces … the ones that seamlessly move between trail life and everyday RV living. These are my go-to compact hiking gems that make everything feel easier, lighter, and a little more fun.

A Pack for More Than Just Hiking

I’ve tested a lot of hiking packs, and I kept coming back to one thing: I don’t want a big bulky “hiking-only” bag. I want something that works everywhere and is seriously compact.

That’s why I love the Cotopaxi Luzon line—especially the Luzon 18L / 24L packs. The Luzon pack is lightweight, compact, and still structured enough to carry comfortably. 

It has key features you actually want in a hiking pack, like comfortable shoulder straps, plus chest and waist clips that help distribute the weight so it feels secure and easy to carry, even on longer hikes.

It holds my essentials, keeps things minimal, and transitions seamlessly from trail to errands to everyday life. And the colors! Every piece is one-of-a-kind, which makes even the simplest hike feel a little more joyful.

If you want to pick your colors, I highly recommend stopping into an REI or a Cotopaxi store along your route. Seeing the combinations in person is half the fun!

The Layer System (That Doesn’t Take Over Your RV)

My version of a “technical layer system” often looks a little more like real life. I’m usually in leggings, adding weather-appropriate layers in my pack as needed. It doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective.

I also love pieces that are functional, fashionable, and compact:

• Lightweight vests for a pop of color and core warmth
• Reversible jackets (one piece, two looks = less space, more versatility)
• My Patagonia Nano Puff jacket packs down incredibly small but brings serious warmth

When I am choosing more technical layers, I look for pieces that are just as functional as they are compact. If you’re searching for your own setup, these are great keywords to look for:

• Moisture-wicking fabrics like merino wool or synthetic blends (I love Smartwool)
• Long-sleeve options with UPF / sun protection for exposed hikes
• Lightweight insulation that’s warm, breathable, and not bulky
• Packable / compressible pieces (bonus if they fold into their own pocket)
• Waterproof (not just water-resistant) shells that stay lightweight and easy to pack

Shopping somewhere like REI makes it easy to test gear in real conditions and return it if it doesn’t hold up. With a one-time membership fee (around $30), you get up to a year to try out products with their satisfaction guarantee.

Some of my favorite pieces come from Patagonia, Smartwool, Cotopaxi, REI, and Columbia—brands that balance function, comfort, and style in a way that works both on and off the trail.

On days when there’s even a chance of rain, I’ll adjust my setup slightly. Sometimes that means swapping in a waterproof pack, adding a rain cover, or just tossing a small dry bag inside to keep essentials like my phone protected.

And in true RVer fashion, I keep things organized by grab-and-go categories. Rain gear lives together (shells, waterproof layers, and accessories), colder weather layers share space in packing cubes, and I always keep a few core pieces in the van. So, whether it’s a quick day-venture or a full hike, I’m ready for whatever the weather decides to do.

A Headwrap: The Layer You Didn’t Know You Needed

One of my favorite “unexpected layers” is a headwrap. I love Sassy Olive—a female-owned brand with bold, colorful designs that feel like wearable joy (and they support dog-related causes too).

For hiking and RV life, they’re surprisingly functional:

• Keep long hair off your neck (cooler on hot hikes)
• Perfect for messy hair or quick outings
• Add a pop of color that makes the whole experience feel more fun

Even on days when I wear my hair down, they’re still so cute—especially for those of us with curly hair that can get a little wild after a night of sleep. And from a storage standpoint? They’re unbeatable.

I hang all of my wraps on a single Keepa magnet in the van, right next to my colorful hats—no drawer space needed, just functional pieces that double as a little dose of dopamine decor.

The Tiny Organizing Tool That Changes Everything

If there’s one unexpected item that’s become essential in both my hiking routine and RV life, it’s Keepa magnets.

They’re small, colorful, and ridiculously useful. I use them constantly:

• Hanging towels to dry after hikes
• Airing out rain jackets
• Storing headwraps, hats, and leashes
• Drying gear in the sun on the outside of the van
• Holding my pup’s leash on the side of my hip pack during off-leash training or when switching between different leads (long lead, hands-free hip leash, waterproof leash, etc.)

They turn every metal surface into functional storage and make the transition from trail to van feel seamless. It’s one of those tiny upgrades that quietly makes everything easier. I even use a Keepa magnet to secure my keys inside my hiking pack—super easy to grab when I get back to the rig, with no digging or delays.

For RV life, hiking, dog adventures, and everyday errands, this little tool keeps everything organized, accessible, and just … smoother.

Extra Tips for RVers Hiking with a Dog

If you’re RVing with a dog, your hiking setup expands, but a few simple additions are all you need. I still carry the basics—poop bags, a treat pouch, a collapsible water bowl, and a flea & tick brush—but over time, I’ve found a few unexpected gems that have completely simplified hiking with my pup.

One of my favorite discoveries has been Wilderdog—a female-owned dog brand rooted in adventure, with products inspired by campfire ideas. They donate food to rescue organizations with every purchase and back their gear with a lifetime warranty, which makes them feel especially aligned with life on the road.

What I love most is that each piece solves a very real “on-the-trail” problem. Here are my faves:

• Mega Hip Pack: This has honestly become my go-to for hikes. I can carry everything in one place—my essentials, my dog’s gear, and even a full bag of treats for enrichment-style sniffy stops along the way. As someone who loves incorporating training into our walks, this feels like a dream setup. And the built-in poop bag dispenser is one of those small details that makes a big difference when you need quick access.
• Waterproof leash + matching collar: I used to hate how long regular leashes took to dry after rain, beach days, or muddy trails. This completely solved that. It’s durable, easy to clean, and still looks great—function without sacrificing style.
• “Crap carrier”: This is one of those things you don’t realize you need until you have it. No more awkwardly holding full poop bags or trying to figure out where to stash them. It keeps everything hands-free, holds multiple bags at once, and makes it so much easier to truly leave no trace. I genuinely want one attached to every pack I own.
• Water bottle: Small, refillable, sustainable, fits perfectly in the hip pack, and doubles as a bike water bottle. 
• Cooling bandana: Perfect for your pup for hot hikes, and it’s so cute!
• Quick-dry towel: A must for post-hike doggie cleanup. Whether it’s mud, water, or just trail dust, this makes getting back into the van so much easier.

For busier trails (like waterfall hikes near Asheville), I’ll sometimes switch to a hands-free leash to keep him close and engaged. I’ll clip a Keepa magnet onto my hip pack to hold extra leashes so I can easily swap between setups depending on the moment. It’s a system that feels simple, contained, and totally trail-ready—without adding clutter to the van.

If you are new to RVing and unsure how to acclimate your dog, read this article!

Final Thoughts on Hiking Gear for RVers

At the end of the day, it’s not about having more gear—it’s about having the right gear for your RV lifestyle.

The pieces that earn their place are the ones that serve multiple purposes, store easily, transition effortlessly between activities, and add some sprinkles of joy to your day. Because when your gear works with your lifestyle instead of against it, everything feels lighter. Easier. More fluid. You don’t have to overthink it. You just grab what you need … and go.

Joyous RV adventures, and happy hiking to you and yours! 
—Morgan & Teddy (Follow along on Instagram @themorganfield or on Facebook)