Day Hiking: What to Take

By Benj Vardigan

Going on a day hike is a great low-maintenance way to get out of the city, but it still requires some thoughtful preparation. Below is a checklist of all the gear you'll need. When you're deciding what to take, consider the particulars of your trip -- season, weather, location, individual needs -- and customize this list accordingly.

Just print out this list and check items off as you pack them. If you want a more specialized list, you can copy and paste this article into a Word document on your own computer and add your personal essentials.

Essentials

• Daypack (with good padding on the back panel and shoulder straps)
• Drinking water (about 20 ounces for every hour you'll hike, depending on how much you sweat), and some extra in case you get lost
• Wilderness first-aid kit
• Map of the area
• Pocketknife
• Waterproof matches
• Compass
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Whistle (to call for help in an emergency)
• Small plastic bag for trash
• Cell phone and GPS
• Identification

Clothing and Outerwear

• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Quick-drying swimsuit (if you'll be near a lake or swimming hole)
• Breathable, lightweight jacket
• Rain gear

Footwear

• Hiking socks
• Extra socks
• Hiking boots or shoes suited to the terrain

Food

• Energy bars
• Gorp (short for "good old raisins and peanuts") or trail mix (nuts, seeds, or dried fruit), enough to last a day or two in case of emergency
• Raw veggies or fruit

Personal Items

• Toilet paper
• Handkerchief or bandanna
• Lip balm (with sun protection)

Extras

• Hiking staff
• Gaiters (to keep loose stones or snow out of your boots)
• Gloves
• Camera and film
• Binoculars
• Flashlight with fresh batteries (if you think you might be out after dark)
• Reading glasses
• Watch
• Moleskin (for blisters)
• Field guide (to vegetation, wildlife, terrain, etc.)
• Money

References

American Hiking Society, "Hike Smart: Playing it Safe on the Trail." http://www.americanhiking.org/news/pdfs/safety.pdf

Berger, Karen. "Hiking and Backpacking: A Complete Guide," W.W. Norton & Company, New York, 1995.

The Lightweight Backpacker. "The 14 Essentials!" 1996. http://www.backpacking.net/ten-essl.html

Mayo Clinic. Water: How much should you drink every day? April 2008. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283

Last Updated: March 11, 2013

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