One of the things I appreciate most about geocaching is its simplicity; all I truly need to participate is my GPSr, a pen/pencil, and my Geocaching.com account. However, when I first started, I quickly realized that carrying a few extras—like spare batteries, a notebook, and a backup pen—was essential. Eventually, I found a small, pocket-sized nylon zipper bag to organize my gear. Over the years, I upgraded it with extra blank logsheets, a whistle, and a heavy-duty pencil sharpener that I found as a trade item. This little bag has served me well for years, packed with everything I need for any adventure, whether walking through a local park or hiking up a mountain trail.
My Original Geocaching Bag -
Circa 2009
About ten years into my geocaching journey, I finally retired my original black nylon bag for a denim-blue waxed canvas pouch. While the core contents remained unchanged, my kit had evolved to include a few new essentials: a small flashlight, a "Virtual" patch, an unactivated First-To-Find (FTF) micro-geocoin, and a few of my own signature items to leave behind in caches.
Circa 2019
There are two things I absolutely love about this small zipper-bag setup: it is compact enough to slide into a pocket, yet it holds absolutely everything I need for a successful hunt.
Here is a look at the "inside goods" making up my essential kit:
- Garmin Foretrex 101: This is a super-basic, reliable GPSr that does exactly what I need. It marks my vehicle or the trailhead, and points me in the right direction with the exact distance to Ground Zero (GZ). It has been with me since day one and has successfully guided me to every single cache I have ever found. (Here's a good review.)
- Ballpoint Pen and Pencil: I strictly adhere to the geocaching tenet that a Traditional, Mystery, Event, or Multi-cache is not officially found unless you sign the physical logbook. I always carry two ways to leave my mark: ballpoint pens write well on all types of paper (even when damp), while pencils never fail in freezing weather.
- Extra Logsheets: To me, an unsigned log means no "Found It" log online. I carry a few spare logsheets in common sizes just in case I encounter a cache where the log is completely full, too soggy to sign, or needs a quick replacement.
- Signature Items: Leaving personal pathtags became a bit too expensive over time. Now, I leave custom, half-sized business cards featuring my geocaching name, my hometown coordinates, and a special trackable code. (You can read more about them in my dedicated signature items blog post.)
- Extra Batteries (not pictured): Both my Foretrex 101 and flashlight need fuel to run. I exclusively use rechargeable batteries to keep unnecessary waste out of landfills and protect the planet.
- FTF Micro-Geocoin: Whenever I am lucky enough to claim a First-to-Find, I love to snap a milestone photo of the geocache container alongside this special micro-coin.
- Metal Pencil Sharpener (not pictured): Every so often, you find a cache with a dull pencil that desperately needs maintenance. This durable metal sharpener—originally a trade item I found years ago—has earned a permanent spot in my bag.
- Pocket Flashlight: This compact but mighty light is crucial for peering into dark hiding spots or navigating after dark. It has even guided me safely along the reflector tacks of several night cache trails.
- "Hooked" Safety Pin: Most of my gear is self-explanatory, except for this little trick I learned from Sonny on the PodCacher podcast. It is a standard safety pin with the tip bent slightly inward using needle-nose pliers. It clips to the side of my bag until I hit a tight micro- or nano-cache. I open it up, insert it into the center of a tightly rolled log, hook the bottom edge, and easily slide the paper out to sign.
- Notebooks & Virtual Patch: I use pocket notebooks to record answers for Virtual and EarthCaches, solve field puzzles, or jot down notes. The custom patch features the classic Geocaching ghost icon. Since Virtuals often require an "original" photo for proof of visit, including this unique patch in the frame definitively proves I was personally at the location.
Tools of the Trade (TOTT)
As an experienced geocacher, I have learned that not all finds are as simple as a quick "park-and-grab" or a classic ammo can hidden in the woods. Over the years, I have trained myself to thoroughly read cache descriptions, scan previous logs, and make an educated guess on whether a TOTT (Tool of the Trade) might be necessary.
Because of this, I have collected a separate subset of items that have proven incredibly handy for these specialized hides:
- Dental Mirror: This is perfect for peering into awkward angles that I would otherwise be unable to see, such as underneath a park bench or behind tight structures.
- Extendable Magnet: This telescoping tool helps retrieve magnetic micro-caches hidden deep inside metal tubes, or those just a few inches out of arm's reach.
- Ultraviolet (UV) Light: This light is essential for night caches or mystery caches, allowing me to reveal "invisible" coordinates or hidden messages written with UV ink.
UPDATE - 18 May 2026
I recently purchased a Lochby Field Sling with the intention of using it for short nature hikes, geocaching, and tenkara fishing. (I anticipate it will also be incredibly handy for airline travel!) Normally, I wouldn’t make this kind of purchase, but the reviews were excellent, and I was well aware of the company’s stellar reputation for high-quality gear.
Shortly after the bag arrived, I took it out on a geocaching adventure and accidentally put it through an extreme stress test. The bag endured rain, snow, boulder abrasions, deadfall branch punctures, and even a slide down a steep slope where all of my weight pressed the bag directly against the ground.
By the end of the trek, the sling came out with barely a scratch. Remarkably, it completely protected my reading glasses, phone, and GPSr! Beyond its sheer durability and utility, this sling allows me to comfortably carry just a few more essential TOTTs (Tools of the Trade) afield (detailed below).
Circa 2026
Gear for Longer Adventures
For day-long treks, I swap the sling for a standard daypack loaded with the typical gear required for a safe, comfortable hike (including my trusty bear spray).
Here is what goes into my pack for the long haul:
- Cell Phone: While I rarely have service on remote trails, it is always smart to carry, and it doubles as my primary camera.
- Water Bottle: Hydration is key—though the best place to carry your water is always in your belly!
- Bandana: There are dozens of survival and practical uses for a simple bandana; it feels irresponsible not to pack one.
- Leatherman Multi-Tool: I rarely need to pull it out, but having an array of tools on hand offers great peace of mind.
- Lighter: A critical survival item. I have never had an emergency cause to use it, but I always carry it nonetheless.
- Notebook: Beyond serving as an emergency backup logsheet, I use this to sketch and journal about my adventures.
- Rain Poncho & Emergency Blanket: More essential survival gear that makes getting caught in an unexpected downpour a little less miserable.
- 120-Decibel Whistle: Since I often geocache solo, this is my lifeline if I fall and need to signal for help. Fortunately, I’ve never used it for an injury—though it did successfully convince a grizzly sow to move off the trail once!
- Sunscreen & Lip Balm: The Montana sun and wind are notoriously harsh. It pays to use preventative care rather than dealing with the painful aftermath.
- First-Aid Kit: A simple, lightweight kit. While I can’t perform surgery with it, I can clean a wound (alcohol wipes), prevent infection (antibiotic ointment), cover it up (heavy-duty cloth bandages), and manage pain (ibuprofen). It also holds tweezers for stubborn thorns, ticks, and splinters.
- Compass & Map: "Never rely on technology!" That was my mantra during Army Basic Training, and the habit stuck. I always carry a physical compass and a printed USGS topographic map of the area I am exploring.
- Tissue Paper & Ziploc Bag: Essential pack-in, pack-out supplies for when nature calls.
- Hard Candy & Trail Snacks: Hiking causes my blood sugar to drop, so sucking on hard candy helps. Plus, nothing beats celebrating a successful find with some trail mix or a granola bar.
- My Geocaching Bag: As detailed above, my trusty zipper pouch tucks perfectly into the pack, or my new sling pouch, holding all my cache-specific essentials.
Conclusion
And that is just about everything! Depending on the terrain, I might grab a walking stick as I head out the door. If the cache demands a specific approach, I will even bundle in seasonal or specialized gear—whether that means snowshoes, cross-country skis, my inflatable kayak, or an entire ladder.
Geocaching can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. But whether I am stepping out for a twenty-minute park stroll or a grueling backcountry hike, knowing I have the right tools in my pack makes the hunt that much better.
