Day Hiking Equipment Checklist
The Essential Items For an Enjoyable Day Trek
When preparing for a day hike, use this list to be sure you have all the essential equipment you'll require for a safe and successful day of exploring.
If you're new to the joys of hiking, a day hike is an excellent way to discover if trekking through woods and water, fields and flowers, or over mountains and through valleys is for you. If you're an experienced backpacker and hiker, day hikes are like an oasis in the desert when you don't have the time to go on an overnight or multi-day hike. Use the following checklist of items to make sure you take everything you'll need to enjoy your day hike.
1. Hiking Boots or Quality Walking Shoes - Let's start with the foundation; the basis of the day hike is that you're walking so footwear is of primary importance. Your choice between boots or shoes will come down to personal choice and environment. It's almost a certainty that if you're hiking through cold weather or snow, boots will be the logical selection. In a more temperate climate a good quality walking shoe will often be a better choice. Whichever type of footwear you pick, make sure it fits well and is comfortable. Otherwise your day hike will quickly become a walking nightmare.
2. Backpack or DayPack - Again, the choice of whether to use a full sized backpack or go with a smaller DayPack will come down to personal choice and environment, as well as the purpose of your day hike. In any event, you'll need a "pack" of some type in which to carry your other pieces of gear. You can read more about choosing backpacks in my articles here, here and here.
3. Proper Clothing - Your choice of clothing will depend on where you are taking your day hike and during what part of the day. If you're in colder climates or even starting your day hike early in the morning in a warmer climate, you'll want to dress in layers that you can remove or add as needed. Remember, if you're hiking in cold weather, forget the cotton underwear and choose an appropriate base layer (such as polypropylene) beneath your clothes and gloves may be needed. In hot or cold weather, a hat will prove helpful in either shielding your head from the sun or holding in heat. Sunglasses, also, will help protect your eyes from sun or snow glare. An extra pair of dry socks, whether in hot or cold weather, may prove helpful as well.
4. Water or Sports Drink - The minimum recommended amount is 2 quarts per person, but you should definitely take more if your day hike will be in a hot and/or dry climate. It's also advisable to take more if you're hiking in an unfamiliar area, just in case you get lost. Plastic bottles or containers (such as bladders with drinking tubes) are the order of the day. Glass is too heavy, easily breakable and dangerous if broken.
5. Food - The very least should be a sandwich or wrap (something containing protein like turkey, chicken or cheese) or even just an energy bar or two for lunch. If you can supplement it with fresh fruit or some nuts, all the better. As with water, packing some extra will give you a cushion in case you're out longer than you intend.
6. Map and Compass or GPS - A well-planned day hike means you've studied your planned route and have brought along a map and compass or GPS, especially if you're new to hiking or are hiking on a new trail or area. Especially prepared hikers will have learned how to use a map and compass in tandem to be able to perform "compass orienteering". Most people these days will find that a GPS device, when properly used, is the tool of day. Whatever you use, the intent is to be able to navigate your way to your end destination point, or failing that, to find your way back to civilization should you get lost.
7. First Aid Kit - A small, personal-sized first aid kit is a must when day hiking. Stocked with basics like band-aids, sterile bandages, anti-bacterial wipes and ointment, alcohol or alcohol wipes, acetaminophen or similar pain medicine and perhaps some calamine lotion and small scissors (if you didn't bring your Multi-use tool with you) are all that are necessary and can be extremely helpful if you fall and cut, scrape or bruise yourself.
8. Sunscreen and Insect Repellant - Protection from the sun's rays and insects will make your day hike enjoyable, both during and afterward when you don't have sunburn or itching bites to deal with upon your return home.
9. Toilet Paper and Ziploc Baggies - Conscientious hikers subscribe to the "Leave No Trace" outdoor ethic which teaches that you pack your trash out with you and back home for proper disposal, not leave it in the outdoors to negatively impact nature and wildlife.
10. Personal Identification - Some type of picture ID should always be on your person. In addition, if you have any medical conditions (Diabetes, Epilepsy, etc) or negative allergic reactions to certain medications, you should always carry that information on you when hiking.
These are the essentials that you should take with you on a day hike. There are lots of other "extras" like binoculars, cameras, trekking poles or a cell phones that are good to take if they'll be useful, but the items above are the basics for any day hike.
One last general "must" is to always tell someone (spouse, friend, ranger) your planned route and when you intend to return.
