Hooray, you’re going on a day hike! Now, what to pack besides your sense of adventure?
Expert hikers often talk about the “10 Essentials for Hiking,” which are:
- Navigation
- Headlamp
- Sun protection
- First aid
- Knife
- Fire
- Shelter
- Food
- Extra water
- Extra clothes
Here are my favorite versions of the ten essentials that I pack and carry on every day hike.
1. Navigation
This can be a paper map and compass, GPS, or map downloaded to your phone. (Ideally more than one for backup.)
I always download my route on AllTrails and/or Gaia GPS and make sure my iPhone is fully charged before I go. For long hikes I bring a portable phone charger, too, and download the map to my Garmin InReach, which also doubles as a snazzy 2-way satellite messenger to text with the outside world.
2. Headlamp
I always pack my Petzl with extra batteries, even if I’m only planning to be out for the day. You never know!
3. Sun Protection
Sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen are mandatory, no matter the weather. I’ve had some of my worst sunburns on cloudy days.
4. First Aid Kit
Adventure Medical Kits makes my favorite ready-to-go first aid kits, which I customize with extra moleskin for blisters and standard over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen for pain, Gas-X for upset stomachs, Immodium for diarrhea, and an antihistamine for allergies.
5. Knife
This tiny Swiss army knife is perfect for most purposes and fits easily on a keychain. I also wrap duct tape around my trekking poles in case I need to repair anything on the trail.
6. Fire
While you shouldn’t be starting fires on 99% of your day hikes, it’s a good idea to have a way to build one, like a mini lighter, if you find yourself irrevocably lost.
7. Shelter
What if you broke your leg, couldn’t find help, and had to spend the night outside?
It’s important to think about (but not dwell on) the worst case scenario.
This lightweight emergency bivvy takes up less space than a Clif Bar and could save your life if you’re caught in the elements unexpectedly.
8. Extra Food
The best part of hiking is the snacks! (Okay, and the views — but the views are even better with snacks.)
Again, it’s good to think about the worst case scenario and pack more food than you plan to eat. Nothing wrong with leftovers!
9. Extra Water
I usually bring 2L of water on a day hike, more if the weather is warm. (The standard guidance is half a liter of water per hour of hiking in pleasant weather.)
If you know for certain there will be water on the trail, might as well bring a lightweight water filter so you don’t have to carry as much water weight at once.
10. Extra Clothes
No matter what the forecast says, bring at least one waterproof layer. (I love this one.) Forecasts can be fabulously incorrect, especially in the mountains! You might want a warm jacket, hat, or gloves too, depending on the weather and elevation.
In addition to the 10 essentials, of course, don’t forget to pack the basics like your wallet, keys, and parks pass/cash to pay for parking or permits.
I’ve forgotten my wallet on hiking trips more than once because I forget to transfer it from my everyday bag to my backpack — and thus tragically missed out on post-hike beers!
Then, take a minute to think about the conditions of the trail you’re doing.
Is the terrain rocky, steep, or uneven? Hiking poles.
Might there be snow or ice? Microspikes.
Will you cross a river? An extra pair of socks.
Want to swim? A lightweight towel.
Even with all of the above, you should be able to fit everything into a day bag like this one. You’ll be prepared for the best day of hiking possible.
Thanks for reading and happy hiking!
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