Without question, my favorite way to spend the day is on a hike. I love a nice long camping and hiking trip, but more often than not, I only have time for a few hours in the woods.
As I do this multiple times a week, I should have no problem checking off a mental list of what to bring on a day hike, right?
Well, more often than I’d like to admit, I hop in the car and am happily driving toward the trailhead when I realize I forgot my water bottle. Or I’m wearing the wrong shoes. Or I left my wallet on the kitchen counter.
Sometimes my excitement runs away with me, okay? Which is why I like to keep a day hike packing list on my phone.
Obviously, a day hike doesn’t require the number of supplies that you would need for a multi-day trek. However, in order to get the most out of your adventure, there are still a few things you need to bring with you.
Hiking Backpack
The first step is to get your backpack. You need something to hold all of your gear, after all. Now, for a day hike, you don’t need anything crazy. I mean, you could carry a giant 65-liter pack if you really wanted to. But the rest of your supplies would just be rattling around in there the whole time you were on the trail.
For a short hike, a 10-20 liter capacity daypack is plenty. And by a short hike, I mean one you can complete in a day. If you’re going to be doing any camping on the trail, you’ll probably need something a bit bigger.
Water (and Lots of It)
I’m a big believer in the importance of staying hydrated. Drinking 2-3 liters of water a day can have a profound positive effect on how you look and feel (remember, your body is about 60% water). And in my opinion, even if you somehow manage to forget all of your other gear, you should always have a water bottle on the trail.
The amount of water you need to bring will depend on the difficulty of the trail you plan to do. The harder you’ll be working, and the more you’ll be sweating, the more water you need to have with you.
To make it simple, let’s assume you have a 1-liter water bottle (I’ve had my 1-liter Nalgene for years and carry it with me everywhere). It’s a good idea to bring one water bottle per 2 hours of hiking, per person.
My favorite day hike in Asheville, for example, is Hard Times Loop Trail. It takes me a little less than 2 hours and isn’t at all strenuous, so I can easily get away with just one water bottle.
Sun Protection
There’s nothing better than spending time in the sun. And though sunshine and the vitamin D it provides are important for good health, skin cancer is a serious concern. Because of this, items that provide sun protection should always be in your hiking backpack.
Sunscreen, of course, should be on the list. Your sunscreen should have at least 30 SPF, which blocks 97% of UVB rays. A stronger sunscreen will block slightly more, but even if you use 100 SPF, it can only block 99% of the sun’s UVB rays. No sunscreen can block them completely.
In addition to sunscreen, you should have sunglasses, a hat, and SPF-rated lip balm (yes, your lips can get sunburnt too!).
Hiking Clothing
The specific items of clothing you need is going to vary depending on the weather, so check your weather app before heading out for the day. The temperature you can expect should be accurate, but keep in mind that unexpected rainstorms can and do happen. I’ve been caught mid-hike without a raincoat more than once.
To me, hiking in a summer rainstorm can be enjoyable. But not so fun when it’s 30 degrees and you can’t feel your arms because your shirt is soaked through. To prevent this, bring a raincoat in your backpack on every hike, even if rain isn’t predicted. It adds virtually no weight to your pack and can be stuffed down into the bottom if you’re pretty sure you won’t need it.
Dress for your comfort. If you’re not one to get cold easily, you might not need mittens or long underwear, even in the dead of winter. On the flip side, although a long-sleeve shirt is good for protecting you from insects and the sun, it can be uncomfortable to wear long clothing in the summer months.
Hiking Footwear
When it comes to hiking footwear, you have two options: shoes and boots. Hiking shoes or sneakers designed for trail running are enough for smooth trails and easy hikes. However, if you’re going to be tackling a rocky or strenuous trail, boots will make you much more comfortable, as they provide greater support.
If you’re opting for boots rather than shoes, wear socks made of thick material such as wool or a synthetic alternative. The thick fabric will help protect your feet and ankles from blisters. Synthetic fabric is better for warm days, as it dries faster than wool. In the winter, wool is the best option, it will keep you far warmer than synthetic fabric.
Insect Repellent
A good insect repellent is a must on any hiking trip, unless your goal is to come home covered in bug bites. When shopping for insect repellent, ones with a higher percentage of the active ingredient will offer superior protection.
There is one caveat: if your bug spray includes DEET, be careful not to spray it directly onto your gear. It’s safe to use on skin and clothes, but can damage plastic and synthetic components of your gear.
Picaridin is the other common active ingredient in insect repellent. If you’re using a spray with picaridin instead of DEET, you’re safe to spray it everywhere, even on your gear.
First-Aid Kit
No one leaves for the trails thinking, “I’m going to get injured today,” but accidents happen. And when they do, it’s good to have some first-aid supplies on hand.
At the bare minimum, you should have a handful of bandaids and some antiseptic ointment in your pack. That said, it never hurts to have a full first-aid kit with you. You can find compact kits that include everything you need and don’t add much weight.
When you’re building your basic first-aid kit or shopping for a pre-made one, the following should be included:
- Bandaids (in a variety of sizes)
- Antiseptic ointment
- Insect bite ointment
- Poisonous plant skin treatment
- A pain reliever
- An antihistamine
- Athletic tape
- Sterile gauze
- Latex gloves
- Hand sanitizer
- Tweezers
- A small knife or multi-tool
- Safety pins
GPS or Map
There’s nothing worse than getting lost on the trail. Okay – there are worse things, but getting lost can be a day-ruiner, not to mention dangerous.
To keep yourself on the right track, you should have a trail map or GPS with you at all times. If you’re using a trail map or the GPS on your phone, be sure that it’s downloaded and can be used without service.
Bring a compass along as well. A compass is a great tool for orienting yourself when used in combination with a map. It can also be helpful to screenshot a description of the route so you have a good idea of where you are and where to go, even if you can’t see yourself on the map.
Many trails are very well marked and on these, you probably won’t need a map or GPS at all. But it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Energy-Boosting Snacks
Depending on the length and difficulty of your day hike, you might not need a snack break. That said, it can be fun to take in the view at the peak while enjoying a snack with your hiking buddy.
Your hiking snack should help you maintain a good level of energy without causing a spike that then leads to a crash.
For a day hike, you can pack perishable foods if you have a lunchbox and an ice pack. However, keep in mind that this is all additional weight in your pack, so lightweight non-perishables often make better mid-hike snack options.
Some good non-perishable snacks include:
- Trail mix
- Granola
- Fresh fruit (that doesn’t require refrigeration)
- Dried fruit or vegetables
- Dried jerky
- Energy bars
If you’re not a fan of eating solid foods during physical activity but need something to give you a boost, there are chews and beverages that will give you the same effect as a healthy snack. Look for one with electrolytes and a moderate amount of carbohydrates – try to stay below 60 grams of carbs per hour if you have a sensitive stomach.
Optional Items
When you’re considering what to bring on a day hike, some optional but recommended items include a flashlight, camera, and long-range walkie-talkies (if you’re hiking with other people).
A flashlight can come in handy if your hike takes longer than you thought and you need a little light to get down the mountain safely. And while you don’t need a camera, why not bring one along to take a few pictures to remember the day by?
Long-range walkie-talkies or 2-way radios are only useful if you’re going with a group. If you get separated, you’ll be able to find each other easily.
What to Bring on a Day Hike: A Handy Checklist
Copy/paste this list of what to bring on a day hike into your phone and take care to ensure you have everything in your bag or on your person before you set out on your next adventure!
- Backpack (10-20 liter capacity)
- Water (1 liter per 2 hours of moderate to strenuous hiking)
- Sunscreen (30 SPF or higher)
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- SPF-rated lip balm
- Raincoat
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Socks (thick fabric, at least ankle height)
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Insect repellent
- First-aid kit
- GPS or map
- Snacks
- Flashlight
- Camera (optional)
- Credit card and/or cash
- Driver’s license
- Cellphone
When you’re first getting into hiking, trying to figure out what to bring on a day hike can be overwhelming. There’s a lot of gear and supplies out there, some of which is nice to have, but some totally unnecessary for a short trip.
By packing these items into your daypack, you’re sure to have everything you need for your day hike without weighing yourself down with too many extras.
To keep up with my adventures, follow me on Instagram, and be sure to check out a few of my other posts on hiking, breakfast food, and everything Asheville.
– See ya Out There!
