Welcome to our quick guide to what to pack and why for a day hike, my recommendations, and a list of hiking essentials.
A day hike is one of the best ways for everyone to enjoy the wilderness. You can plan a route that is as short or as long as possible depending on your abilities and physical abilities, or even tailored for kids and dogs. However, if you’re new to hiking, knowing what to bring for a day hike can be more difficult than you think, and it’s easy to make mistakes. Many novice hikers bring too much stuff, causing their backpacks to be unnecessarily heavy and uncomfortable. Others brought all the wrong stuff. Some people don’t bring anything!
Knowing what to bring for a day hike can make the difference between life and death. Or, to put it less exaggeratedly, it could be the difference between a comfortable and enjoyable day and a day that you never want to go on an adventure again.
We want everyone to enjoy our wonderful wilderness environment as much as possible. We want you to go as safely as possible. So, to make sure you have everything you need to safely enjoy a short, medium, or long hike, we’ve put together a list of beginner hiking essentials. This list is also a good reminder for experienced hikers.
Navigation
There are plenty of short, well-marked day hikes that only require basic map reading skills. However, if you want to go further, you’ll need to pack these navigation essentials in your backpack.
Map and compass
Never go out hiking without a map. If you have a map, then you’ll also need a compass. However, both can become useless unless you know how to use them, so be sure to do your homework first.
GPS equipment (not essential)
While GPS equipment isn’t a necessity, if you’re exploring more technical terrain, then it will be a great addition to your list of day hiking gear. Knowing how to use it is crucial. But when used correctly, it works in combination with a map and compass to form a foolproof navigation system.
Diet
Making sure you have enough energy while hiking is essential not only for your enjoyment, but also for your survival. Regardless of the conditions, you should at least carry enough water with you. But foods that maintain high energy levels are also necessary.
Snacks and lunch
Some hikers like to snack throughout the day and skip lunch altogether. Others prefer a generous lunch with some spare snacks. I love both! Unless you know how much food you need, it’s a good idea to eat a sustencing lunch with a high-calorie snack for energy.
Water
Carrying enough drinking water is more important than food. Hikers should drink at least 2 liters of water per day in hot weather, and more if it is a long hike. Drinking plenty of water is essential even in cold weather, as dehydration can accelerate the effects of hypothermia, frostbite, and fatigue.
Water filter (non-essential)
A water filter isn’t a necessity for a day hike, as there’s almost no reason why you can’t carry enough water in your backpack. However, if you’re hiking with kids or dogs and they can’t carry much, then you may want to consider bringing a water filter, provided you know there is a good source of water on the road.
Sun Protection
On short hikes or in windy weather, it’s easy to underestimate the impact of the sun on hikers. Even if you start your hike in the clouds or rain, weather conditions can change quickly, so bring sunscreen with you no matter what the outlook is.
Sunscreen
Choose a high-powered sunscreen (SPF 30 or above). To avoid carrying a whole bottle, you can pour the cream into a small travel bottle. This saves weight and space in the backpack.
Sun hats
Of course, we don’t all wear beautiful hats. Some hats can even make you feel hotter than if you didn’t wear them. But in sunny conditions, a sun hat is a must-have for hiking. Not only does it help block out the sun, but it also protects the top of your head from burns. There are plenty of lightweight hats to choose from, and they’re made of UV-resistant fabrics that are breathable and suitable for sweaty heads!
Sunglasses
Prolonged exposure to the sun’s bright light can cause serious damage to your eyes. It’s even more dangerous for people who hike in the snow, as the sunlight is also reflected by the snow. Good sunglasses should have UV-blocking lenses. For people hiking in the snow, they should also be polarized, as this helps reduce glare.
Safety
On most day hikes, you will never use safety gear. However, there’s a good chance you’ll need it when you didn’t bring it! So, never hike without these necessities.
First aid kit
For most hikes, a basic pocket first aid kit is sufficient. Make sure there are plenty of items inside and that all medications or pain relievers are within their expiration date. It’s also a good idea to store your first aid kit in a dry bag to prevent the contents from soaking through.
Pocket knives
In addition to being very useful in emergency situations when you are out and about, a pocket knife is also a versatile tool in non-emergency situations. Cutting food, opening bottles, chipping wood, filing nails, and more.
Headlight
It doesn’t seem like you need to carry a headlamp for a day hike. However, if things go wrong and you end up hitting the road after dark, bringing a headlamp can prevent more accidents and help you get out of trouble.
Further reading: Headlamp Buying Guide
Lighter
If things don’t go well, the ability to start a fire in the wild can save a life. Fire not only provides warmth, but also cooks food and boils water, and is also effective in sending emergency signals. Make sure your lighter is fully fueled, and consider bringing a spare fire stick.
Whistle
Another excellent signaling tool to get attention in an emergency is a whistle. It is useful to know some key signals, and never use a whistle unless necessary.
Aluminum foil blanket
Foil blankets are designed to keep warm in an emergency and are especially useful for winter hikers or those hiking in wilderness areas. Hopefully you’ll never need it, but they’re small and light, and it’s stupid not to bring one. They are available in many first aid kits, or you can buy them separately.
Health & Hygiene
While these are the most important things on a day hike, health and hygiene items are often second to mind. You may want to bring more than what’s on our list (hand sanitizer, tissues, etc.), but these are all essentials.
Toilet paper, etc
Of course, for the first case, whether or not to carry toilet paper is completely optional. Some people hang a diaper on the back of their backpack when hiking. I like to put some toilet paper in an airtight bag with another airtight bag inside to store the used toilet paper.
For the second case, it’s a good idea to bring a shovel and paper, and make sure to bury everything, including paper, in an appropriate place away from trails and water sources.
Medication
If you need to take medication, then it should be the first thing you pack. Then make sure it’s the last thing you check packing before you go.
Insect repellent (non-essential)
In many places and climates, this is not a necessity. However, in some areas or at certain times of the year, a hike without pesticides is simply terrible! Doing a little research before hiking will help you decide if you need pesticides. But if in doubt, then it’s worth bringing a small bottle of insecticide.
Clothing
What to wear while hiking largely depends on the weather, location, and season.
Extra layers
In the summer, you may need to wear a long-sleeved dress to protect yourself from the sun. Other times of the year, you may need to wear layers of clothing to keep warm (if the weather changes) or to prevent catching a cold when you stop to rest.
Spare socks
There’s nothing worse than hiking in wet socks when you accidentally step into a swamp or slip into a creek. Changing your socks can make everything better, and it usually helps if you feel like you’re blistering.
Waterproof pants
In colder, less predictable climates, it’s best to bring a pair of waterproof pants. These pants should be worn over your existing pants or leggings and are easy to put on and take off on the road.
Waterproof jacket
In changeable weather conditions, a waterproof jacket is a must-have for a day hike. Many hikers also wear them when it’s windy to block out the breeze and keep them warm.
Gloves (not essential)
For many day hikers, gloves are not a necessity. However, when hiking in colder weather or in winter, you should bring or wear a good pair of windproof and waterproof gloves in case of frostbite at worst or painful hikes at best!
Hat or scarf (not essential)
A beanie is not a necessity for summer hikers, but it is a game-changing item for hiking in colder weather. If you’re not sure if you need a beanie, a great versatile alternative is to bring a lightweight scarf that also doubles as sun protection for your head and neck.
Unnecessary Extras
Everyone will have something different on their list of extra items. However, we think these few items are very important for a day hike.
Cell phone
While you certainly shouldn’t rely on your phone, it’s a good idea to bring your phone for a hike as a backup. It’s likely that no signal is available, but you never know. Make sure your phone is fully charged at the start of the hike and store it in a waterproof bag.
Money
Make sure to bring some cash with you. If you get lost and find yourself off course in an unexpected place, some cash to get on the bus, buy some food, or take a taxi back to the base will be essential.
Camera
On our list of what to bring for a day hike, a camera is definitely not a necessity. However, here’s a reminder that it’s best to bring one, because there’s nothing more annoying than when you plan to take it and forget to bring it.
Further reading: Recommended Trekking Cameras
Trekking poles
Trekking poles are another non-essential item for daytime trekking. However, for those who suffer from joint problems, using trekking poles can be of great help and may mean that you can walk farther and more comfortably.
As you can see, there are quite a few items on the above list of what you need to bring for a day hike. Some items depend on the weather, while others depend on personal preference. While it’s not ideal to carry more than you need, it’s best to be prepared. The more you hike, the more you realize what you need and don’t need. As long as you’ve packed all your essentials, you’re good to go.
