What To Pack on A Day Hike: Essential Day Hiking Gear Guide
Day hiking is one of my favorite ways to enjoy the great outdoors. From short hikes in the woods to longer adventures summiting mountains, I usually always carry the same essentials in my backpack. I’m a big believer that planning ahead and preparing can make a huge difference in your adventures. Check out my day hiking pack list below to see everything I carry while out adventuring and exploring on a day hike.
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My Backpack:
For day hikes, I use the small but mighty Osprey Tempest 9L. This is by far one of the best day hiking backpacks out there. This day hiking backpack helps you carry all the essentials while you’re out on the trails. It has a large main compartment for carrying things like my food, puffy jacket, first aid kit, and more. It also has two side pockets great for fitting your favorite Nalgene water bottle. It has a small zippered top pocket where I store my headlamp and a protein bar. It also has two hip belt pockets for things like sunscreen, chapstick, and hair ties. It also has a phone pocket on the strap of the bag which makes it easy to take lots of photos while I’m out adventuring!
First Aid Kit:
The HART Outdoor Weekender first aid kit has everything you need to be prepared on a dayhike. Having a first aid kit comes in handy if you or a fellow hiker needs minor first aid. I also love that this kit is clear so it’s easy to find things in an emergency.
Sun Protection:
Sun protection is extremely important while you’re out on the trails all day long. I recommend always bringing a hat and sunglasses. Additionally, I recommend bringing sunscreen and applying it often. Lately I’ve been loving my Kinfield Sun Glow Sunscreen.
Headlamp:
The Tikka headlamp is reasonably priced and emits a bright light so you can easily see the trail. It’s also great to have a headlamp if you’re planning to catch sunrise or sunset or have a long day hike ahead of you. I always carry a headlamp even if I’m not planning to hike in the dark because it’s a great emergency item.
Women’s Down Jacket:
No matter the weather, I always bring a packable down jacket. When you go up in elevation during a mountain climb, the temperature can drop drastically. Additionally, a down jacket is a great emergency item in the event that something goes wrong. While these recommendations are pricier, I do believe the Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer or the Patagonia Down Jacket are worth the investment. However, you can also find good quality less expensive down jackets like this one.
Women’s Rain Jacket:
Having a packable rain jacket is also a great addition to your day hiking bag. Mountain weather can be unpredictable and it’s common for afternoon thunderstorms to occur in the mountains. I love the Patagonia Torrentshell because of it’s packability and functionality. It’s never let me down in a rainstorm and it has pit zips to keep you cooler.
Water Filter + Water Bottle:
Even if the water is crystal clear, you should always filter water from water sources like rivers or lakes. I always pack a water filter on my longer day hikes. I love the Katadyn BeFree filter because it’s easy to use and takes up minimal space in my bag. I also make sure to always have adequate water with me (at least 40 oz) by carrying two water bottles.
Collapsible Sit Pad
This item definitely isn’t 100% necessary but it’s made a huge difference in my comfort on day hikes. This sit pad is great for snack breaks, especially in wet or colder conditions (like snow hikes!). It’s lightweight so I don’t even notice it in my pack and it fits in the side pocket of my daypack.
Battery Block + Phone Charger:
If you depend on your phone for photos or navigation, bringing a battery block to recharge is super important. I’m a big fan of Ankr Battery blocks and have a few different sizes. For day hiking, I recommend this version. I bring an iphone charger, a charger for my rechargeable headlamp, and the charger for my garmin!
GPS/Satellite Phone:
While a GPS/Satellite Phone isn’t completely necessary for all day hiking adventures, the more frequently you hike and the more technical/longer distance your day hiking becomes the more I would recommend investing in a GPS/Satellite phone. If you’re also interested in backpacking, off-roading, or off the grid camping a GPS/Satellite phone is a great investment! I love my Garmin inReach Mini!
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