On any significant hikes, we recommend you bring a packed day pack. What you pack in your bag varies based on your trip. You should not leave some key items at home like food, water, and a first aid kit.
Almost everything below, aside from hiking poles, is necessary on any trip into the woods or mountains. You should be prepared to spend the night outside for an absolute worst-case scenario. Let’s break down what you should pack for a day hike!
What to Pack for a Day Hike Checklist
- Hiking Poles
- Water Bottle
- Headlamp
- Water Bladder
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- High-Calorie Snack
- Knife/Leatherman
- Emergency Blanket
- Phone
- Extra Layer
- Hiking Backpack
- Bear Spray*
- Specialty Items
What to Pack for a Day Hike
Hiking Poles
If you have plans to take part in a long day or multi-day hike a pair of hiking poles is a great way to save your knees and prevent injuries. If you’re on a full day of hiking in the mountains, you’ll gain and descend a lot of elevation. So, it’s easy for your legs to get tired, so a pair of hiking poles will pay off.
Using hiking poles reduces the impact on your knees and prevents injuries as they provide an extra level of support. When selecting your hiking poles, you should look at several key features and specs. We like to have a pair of hiking poles with secure clamps and not the twist locking mechanisms as they are more secure and will hold up long term.
Look for hiking poles that are lightweight and made from a material like carbon fiber or aluminum. Then make sure they have a good weather-resistant grip, I love natural materials like cork, but the right rubber or foam will do a great job.
Black Diamond is a company dedicated to mountain sports and has worked hard to craft wonderful products. I personally use the Black Diamond FLZ Hiking Poles, but there are some other great poles out there produced by companies like REI and MSR. “Z” poles are fantastic as they’re lightweight and can be stashed inside a backpack should you not need them.
Headlamp
On any trip where we’ll spend time outside, almost every trip, a headlamp is on our packing list. If you have a long day on the trails, this could be a lifesaver, and it’s nice to have around camp at night. We even use ours in cities and towns when we walk along the side of a road to increase visibility.
We have several, but one of our new favorites is the Black Diamond Spot. It took several recommendations online before settling on this one because of its affordable price and durability. It delivers 325 lumens, costs $40, and will likely last a decade or longer sweet deal if you like to spend time outdoors.
Grayl Ultralight Water Bottle
The Grayl water bottle system purifies water vs. filters which removes viruses and virtually all threats of waterborne illnesses.
Water Bladder
You should consume at least two liters of water a day while hiking in the mountains. Often, this means you either carry two bottles of water. The better option for carrying that much water on your treks is to carry a water bladder. A water bladder additionally allows you to carry extra water if needed.
Most hiking backpacks and even daypacks designed for hiking have a sleeve for carrying your extra water. As a plus, with the Grayl water bottle above you can filter the water and pour it into your bladder, ensuring you stay hydrated and healthy. There are also water filters such as the Sawyer Mini that are well loved and can be placed on the end of a water bladder line, so it filters as you go.
First Aid Kit
You should always carry a small first aid on any hiking trip. There is always the option to buy a kit, but I find it’s lighter and cheaper to just make your own and throw a few essentials in a container or ziplock bag.
Here is what we recommend you pack in a basic first aid kit for day or multi-day hiking trips.
- Ibuprofen — NSAID. Treats pain, fever, swelling.
- Tylenol — Pain reliever that does not thin blood in case of a concussion or open wound.
- Benedryl — Bites, stings, allergies, and sleep aid.
- Pepto Bismol — Antimicrobial that helps treat stomach issues.
- Imodium — This is used to prevent dehydration in the event of diarrhea but should be avoided as it does cause constipation. Not necessary on a day trip.
- Antifungal Cream — Not necessary on a day trip, but it’s good for your hiking first aid kit to prevent rashes. Of course, this is best minimized with proper clothing and moisture management.
- Bandaids/Gauze — Great for cuts, blisters, or scrapes.
- Medical Tape — This is great for compression to reduce swelling, building a splint, or stabilizing a rolled ankle.
- Antibiotic Ointment — Use the disposable packets as it helps save weight with only one or two in your bag.
Sunscreen
Skin cancer is for real! Not having sun protection can lead to sunburn and in the long term skin cancer/skin aging. You will spend a lot of time outside and therefore under the sun. We highly recommend getting an eco friendly sun cream that does not contain harmful chemicals.
They’re mineral based and usually only cost a few dollars more to help protect our natural bodies of water. If you’re not going to swim just go with a reliable name brand — granted runoff often still ends in our oceans and lakes.
High Calorie Snack
Pack some high-calorie snacks for your hike on the trail. Popular options are energy gels, bars, balls, jerky, nuts, or even Snickers. Hiking at elevation can burn many calories, so it’s important to maintain your glucose levels.
Eating as much as 200-300 calories per hour of exercise is advised. If it’s a long day on the mountain, you can always bring a packed lunch with a sandwich and high calories like dried fruits. (I’m pretty much a kid and still love a peanut butter and jelly sandwich).
Knife/Leatherman
We can’t hike into the mountains with a box of tools, but a Leatherman makes for a good substitute. Since I developed the habit of carrying one in the film industry, it has stuck. I’ve tried out a few brands but always come back to the Leatherman brand name. Just remember to always take it out of your hiking backpack when flying, as it won’t make it past security.
After using about a half dozen different versions of the Leatherman, I still love one of their cheapest models. The Wingman has all of the basic necessities and spring-loaded pliers that feel great in hand.
Rest Mat
Speaking of a chill it’s a good idea to bring a small mat to sit on during breaks if you’re in the mountains. The stone and ground can often be much colder than the air so it conducts heat and will make you cold. A pad can serve a lot of purposes to like back rest, pillow, cooking surface, or a place to change your clothes.
Phone
In case of emergencies, it’s always a good idea to have a fully charged phone and if need be a power bank to ensure you have a functional phone. There are also a ton of nifty apps and features on phones, from 3D topo maps, calorie counters, step counters, and GPS route markers that can be helpful on a hike.
GPS/Navigation
You should carry some form of navigation. Luckily we live in the world of GPS and there are a plethora of options these days that can help with your route planning that even includes smartwatches. We carry a paper map in addition to the GPS on our phones, but we’re hoping to pick up a GPS watch this summer to better track our movements in the Rockies.
Camera
We travel with a bunch of cameras, but the one we universally recommend is the RX 100. This camera is tremendous for a day hike as it fits in your pocket and still packs a punch.
They make a number of models at different price points, but it’s a simple to use point-and-shoot camera that anyone can operate. It also takes superb images with a 20mp resolution and full manual controls.
Flame
It’s a good idea to carry with your supplies to start a fire should you need one. We like to carry a disposable butane lighter, but it’s also possible to carry sturdy waterproof matches in a container. It’s also a good idea if you’re in wet conditions to carry some kindling that can be used to start.
Extra Layer
Your body heat fluctuates naturally throughout the day and activity this is why layering is key. Beyond that, it’s always a good idea to bring an extra layer beyond what you think you will need in case something gets wet or you find yourself with a chill.
Maintaining your temperature is key because it’s very tough to shake once you get a chill. A down jacket is lightweight and perfect for insulating your body.
Emergency Blanket
This is where preparation for spending a night in the wilderness emerges. If you’re on a short loop around town, it’s probably unnecessary, but any significant hike in a national park or wilderness area presents the risk of spending the night outside. When temperatures drop at night, it presents the dangerous threat of hypothermia or frostbite.
Hiking Backpack
A large multiple-day hiking backpack may not be necessary if you’re not on a long hike. Expect to carry several pounds of gear on your pack, so it’s important to have a backpack that sits well on your back with good suspension. However, you don’t need a 50L+ backpack; instead, opt for a size around 35L that should be enough to carry all of your necessities.
We have many hiking backpacks, and they range in size. If you have plans for other short treks that may or may not have a porter, you can go with a 50L that will lend more versatility without being so large it’s unnecessarily cumbersome on the trail.
Regarding our recommendation on smaller backpacks, we love the Traverse from REI and the Exos/Tempest from Osprey.
Bear Spray*
This is a non-negotiable item if you’re in bear country, and in some parks it’s actually required by law. The same goes for bear-proof canisters, but you likely won’t need that for a day hike. However, if you plan to spend a night in bear country, you must learn proper bear-aware steps and understand crucial deterrent steps.
It’s a good idea to make noise while hiking in bear country, whether singing, ringing a bell, clapping, or banging your hiking poles. Be wary of blind spots on your hikes, such as tight bends and forested sections of the trail.
Specialty Items
This all comes down to your intended hike. It could be, for example, in bear country, through a desert, at nighttime, in a jungle, during the winter, or any other scenario. Or you could be fishing, photographing, bouldering, swimming, or whatever else suits your fancy.
In the winter, in any terrain, it’s good to hike with avalanche equipment, but that extends beyond your average hike. Key things that would be nice are things like rubber boots, rain gear, gaiters, or bug spray if hiking in humid jungle environments.
It always varies from region to region, and with endless hiking possibilities across the globe, it’s pretty tough to nail down one perfect hiking day trip packing list.
Tips On Picking Hiking Clothes
You can read more about what to wear hiking in our more detailed post. We’re always looking to perfect what we wear in the mountains, wilderness, or jungle and no trip is exactly the same.
Temperature Dilemma
Everyone processes temperatures differently as metabolisms vary. So no one can recommend what exactly you should wear based on temperature.
For example, I run hot and use minimal insulation even in the winter months, while Natasha will often wear one to two layers more. It will probably take some experimenting on hikes until you find the right clothes that work for you, given the weather.
No denim or cotton.
There are many “The Mountains Are Calling” tee shirts, but they’re good for hanging around a mountain town, not hiking. Cotton absorbs and holds moisture so you feel damp and sweaty in hot temperatures.
While in low temperatures, it can turn cold and wet as the moisture pulls heat away from your body. As stated several times in the post, look for materials such as nylon, polyester, wool, rayon, or other alternatives.
Durable Clothes
You should be mindful of your clothes. You want to look for something that is durable yet stretches. Trails and scrambling require a lot of movement so you need pants that do not inhibit your stride. On top of this, branches, briars, and rocks can be tough on thin clothes, so you need a decent material that will hold up.
Read Next:
- What To Wear Hiking For Any Trip (2019)
- Truck Camping • A Guide to Living Out of Your Truck
- 10 Best Hiking Sandals on the Market
- The Best Fleece Jackets for Men and Women in 2019
- Best Travel Backpacks For Europe • Our Top Picks to Save Your Back 2019
- The Best Packable Down Jackets For Travel in 2019
- 15 Cheapest Ski Resorts in Europe to Check out This Winter
- The 21 Best Travel Backpacks for Backpacking in 2019
- 10 Awesome Things to do in Banff in the Winter
- The Best Winter Packing List for Europe and Beyond
- 12 of the Best Ski Resorts in Canada
