Gear Swap Box / Hiker Box
Overview
A gear swap box, commonly called a hiker box, is a shared container at trail towns, hostels, or lodges where hikers leave unwanted gear or consumables and take items left by others.
Key points
- Facilitates informal gear exchange and reduces waste.
- Often includes food, clothing, fuel, toiletries, or spare parts.
- Contents vary widely depending on season and hiker traffic.
- Hikers often contribute responsibly and avoid leaving unusable items.
Details
Hiker boxes are part of the long-distance hiking culture, providing opportunities to adjust gear without purchasing new items. They can be especially useful for swapping heavy gear for lighter alternatives or picking up items forgotten during packing. Etiquette encourages leaving only functional, clean items and avoiding excessive dumping of unusable goods.
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Illustrative hiking footage
The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.