Day Hiking: What to Take

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

By Benj Vardigan