Hiking can be a fun way to exercise, sojourn with nature, and even make new friends. Knowing what to take hiking makes the whole experience even more wholesome. With this list, we have highlighted some of the most important day hiking essentials checklist for your next big trip outdoors.
Like with every activity, being adequately prepared and equipped for your next hiking trip will fill you with the confidence to take on whatever the trail may throw at you. However, as a beginner, knowing what to take as hiking gear may prove challenging since there’s so much to consider.
Will you need a sun hoodie for sun protection or a rain jacket for wet weather conditions? How about trekking poles? How about toilet paper? Should I bring a duct tape? What about shoes? Should you wear hiking boots, trail running shoes or hiking shoes, and what’s the difference? How about a hand sanitizer?
These are just a few of the questions that will probably plague your decision-making as a new hiker trying to make a comprehensive list of the best backpacking gear for hiking.
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How to Determine What to Take Hiking
Every hiker is different, and so is every hiking excursion. Some people like to take on the Appalachian Trail regardless of the time of year. While some only want to go on a short day hike to their local hiking trail in the middle of summer.
Summer hiking and cold weather winter hiking are two very different beasts, and what you bring on one won’t necessarily be what you bring on the other. So, while compiling a list of what you need to bring on your hiking trip, you must determine what kind of day hike it will be. Therefore, also consider in choosing between using hiking boots or hiking shoes.
For this discussion, let’s assume that, as a hiking beginner, you aren’t going to take on Mt. Everest on your first attempt. In this case, you are probably gearing up for a simple day hike with friends on a national park. As such, you will need the essentials for a day hike, including sunglasses, hiking boots, hiking pants, comfortable clothing, a camera, hiking poles and a lightweight daypack.
With that in mind, here is a more comprehensive list of what to take hiking.
A Day Pack
Probably one of the most essential pieces of hiking gear, a day pack will make your hiking experience more comfortable and convenient. While you can use any bag as a day pack, when it comes to hiking, the best option would be a hiking backpack for a day hike.
How big this backpack is will depend on how long you intend to go hiking and how much outdoor gear you intend to carry. Day hikes usually call for backpacks under 30 liters like this TETON Sports Oasis 18L Hydration Pack with a free 2-liter water bladder. This is often big enough to carry some essentials and a thin outer layer.
If you intend to carry a lot of snacks, maybe a huge camera or binoculars,toilet paper, you might be better off going for something in the 35 to the 40-liter range. Something like this Maelstrom Hiking Backpack is perfect. Not only is it big enough (40 liters), but it also comes with plenty of pockets and comfortable straps that won’t dig into your skin and perfect for day hikes.
Here are some factors that you should consider when looking for the right day backpack for hiking:
- Plenty of easy-to-reach outer pockets
- Lots of interior pockets for gear organization
- Mesh paneling at the back allows for breathability
- There are lots of clips that you can use for your helmets and trekking poles
- A sleeve for your water bladder
The 10 Essentials for Hiking
Hiking is like most other hobbies; you will personalize the list of essentials as you go along. However, if you are just starting out, there is a day hiking checklist that you must have with you regardless of the distance. This list is often referred to as the “10 Essentials”.
Here’s a list of the 10 essentials you must bring when day hiking.
First Aid Kit
Since you will be in the great outdoors tackling all kinds of hazards on the trail, it’s often best to be prepared in case of any accidents. Always bring a basic first aid kit with you.
This Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker Medical Kit is an excellent option because it’s specifically designed for hiking accidents.
It’s a compact and lightweight first aid kit conveniently packed for ease of use. It has an external map showing you where everything is inside the pack and see-through pockets. This helps to protect the supplies from any dirt or moisture while keeping the first aid kit within easy reach.
Water
Water is an essential part of day hiking essentials checklist, regardless of the location. Most day packs come with a sleeve for your water bladder, like this 3-liter Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir or water bottle. You need to pay close attention to how much water you can comfortably carry. Also how much you might need, especially if you are hiking in hot and arid places such as the Grand Canyon.
The simple rule of thumb would be to carry at least 0.5 liters of water for every hour you intend to hike. If you are going on strenuous hikes, you might want to double that amount.
A good trick that veteran hikers use is to pack a water filtration device such as this LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for Hiking in addition to your hydration bladder. It’s lightweight, easy to use and saves you all the hassle. It is better than carrying around liters upon liters of water, and several water bottles which will add to the weight of your day pack. With this filtration device, you can make almost any kind of water safe to drink.
Emergency Shelter
Unless you go hiking in your backyard, you should always be prepared. For the eventuality that something might go wrong, and you might need to find an emergency shelter or use an emergency blanket.
With something like this SOL Emergency Bivvy with Rescue Whistle and Tinder Cord, you won’t have to scramble should the need arise.
Not only is this bivvy exceptionally convenient in emergency situations. Moreover, it’s also extremely lightweight and smaller than your fist, making it easy to carry. It’s also quite warm.
Navigation
Make it a habit to carry a physical map on your hikes, even if you are hiking in familiar territory. If you don’t have a physical map, then the next best thing would be to take a picture of the trail map. This could be found usually at the start of the trail or entrance to the hiking area.
The problem with this approach is that your camera or phone could run out of charge, which brings us back to the physical map.
If you rely more on technology, this Garmin InReach Mini will do just fine. It’s lightweight, small, and compact and has an interactive SOS feature just in case you get lost or have an emergency that needs rescuing.
Headlamp
You may need some illumination when you explore dark caves or inadvertently get delayed until it’s dark out. While your cellphone flashlight can work, it’s not always the most convenient illumination. This is because your phone battery might die, and it doesn’t leave your hands free to do other things.
A hiking headlamp is, therefore, the better option to add to your day hiking essentials checklist. It is lightweight, leaves your hands free, and most can last up to 10 hours.
Nutrition
You must carry something to eat like when you go hiking. The activity alone will deplete your energy reserves, and you never really know what could happen on the trail.
As such, you should be prepared for any eventuality. You can carry some Powerup Trail mix, energy bars, fruits, and even a sandwich if you aren’t going to be gone for too long.
The other essentials that you must carry include:
- Identification and money: You should always carry some form of identification and money with you. Credit cards are a good idea, but cash is always welcome. You never know when you might need it.
- Repair kit and some tools: Hiking gear tends to rip, and having some way to repair or, at the very least, hold your gear together. Something like a duct tape, multitool such as a Swiss Army Knife is always an excellent idea to have with you when hiking.
- Firestarter: You’ll probably never need this on a day hike, but a firestarter could be a lifesaver if you ever have to spend the night in the wilderness. As such, you should make it a habit to carry one or maybe some stormproof matches.
- Extra layers: Even on a hot summer day, it’s always prudent to carry a light rain jacket and some extra layers. The rule of thumb is to carry clothing items for all three layers, even if you don’t think you will need them.
- Bears spray: You should always have a bear spray for potential bear attacks.
Finally, make sure you have some sun protection and a positive attitude. Sometimes, things might go wrong on the trail, but as long as you keep the spirit of adventure, you can adapt and overcome as necessary. This comprehensive day hiking essentials checklist will prepare you for any eventuality.
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Last update on 2024-12-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
