Hiking Essentials

LAST UPDATED | Jul 22, 2021 morePackagesIcon

To determine what you need to bring on a day hike, think about how far you plan to hike, how remote the location is and what the weather forecast has in store. In general, the longer and/or more remote the hike is and the more inclement the weather, the more clothing, gear, food and water you’re going to want. If you’re just getting into day hiking, be sure to read our Hiking for Beginners article before you head out.

What to Bring Day Hiking

These items should be on your hiking checklist:

Hiking backpack
Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
Hiking boots or shoes
Plenty of food
Plenty of water
Navigation tools such as a map and compass
First-aid kit
Knife or multi-tool
The rest of the Ten Essentials as appropriate for your hike

How to Use This Day Hiking Checklist

While you’re packing, use this handy day hiking checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything important. Here are some notes on how to best use this list:

The Ten Essentials: Items that are part of the Ten Essentials are marked by an asterisk (*). The exact items you take can be tailored to your trip based on considerations such as weather, difficulty, duration and distance from help. To learn more, see our article on the Ten Essentials.
This checklist is deliberately comprehensive and intended for day hikes in the backcountry where being self-sufficient is important to your well-being. It includes many more items than you’re likely to need for short treks in or near developed areas, like city parks, though you can adapt it to your needs for these trips.

Hiking Gear

A backpack is the primary piece of gear for day hiking. One that holds 11–20 liters of gear is about right for short, simple hikes, while something bigger is good for treks where more food, water, clothing and gear is required. Learn more about choosing a daypack.

Daypack

Optional:

Trekking poles

Clothing & Footwear

Check the forecast and make sure to dress for the conditions. To be prepared for changing weather or an unplanned night out, pack extra clothes beyond those required for the trip. It’s also important to consider how much protection your clothing provides against the sun’s ultraviolet rays. For footwear, determine what to wear based on the terrain. On gentle hikes on smooth trails, hiking shoes or trail runners are sufficient. For treks on rocky, rugged trails, boots will provide more support. Learn more about choosing hiking clothing and footwear.

Moisture-wicking underwear
Moisture-wicking T-shirt
Quick-drying pants/shorts
Long-sleeve shirt (for sun, bugs)
Lightweight fleece or jacket

Boots or shoes suited to terrain
Socks (synthetic or wool)
Extra clothes * (beyond the minimum expectation)

Additional items for rainy and/or cold weather:

Optional:

Bandana or Buff
Gaiters (for rainy, snowy or muddy conditions)

Food & Water

Pack snacks like energy bars, jerky and nuts that you can eat easily on the trail. Some people like to bring a sandwich for lunch, too. For water, you can usually start with about two liters per person for the day, but adjust the amount depending on length and intensity of the hike, weather conditions, your age, sweat rate and body type. Learn more about choosing energy food and how much to drink.

Water bottles and/or reservoir *
Water filter/purifier or chemical treatment *
Trail snacks

Lunch
Extra day's supply of food *

Navigation

Navigation is one of the Ten Essentials. The type of trip you’re taking and your personal preferences will determine exactly which items you’ll bring.

Map *
Compass *

Optional:

Route description or guidebook
Altimeter watch *

GPS *
Satellite messenger/personal locator beacon *

Emergency & First Aid

First-aid kit or first-aid supplies * (see First-Aid Checklist)
Lighter/matches and firestarter *
Emergency shelter *

Whistle
Two itineraries: 1 left with friend + 1 under car seat

Health & Hygiene

Hand sanitizer
Menstrual products

Prescription medications

Sun protection:

Sunscreen *
Sunglasses * (+ sunglasses straps)
Sun hat *

SPF-rated lip balm *

Optional:

Tools & Repair Items

Knife or multi-tool *
Small gear-repair kit * (duct tape, zip ties, etc)

Day Hiking Extras

Personal Items

Credit card and/or cash
ID

Cellphone

* These items are part of the Ten Essential systems. The exact items you take for each system can be tailored to your trip based on considerations such as weather, difficulty, duration and distance from help. To learn more, see our article on the Ten Essentials.