Summer Day Hike Essentials
Packing for a day hike can be feel like a daunting task for those just entering the hiking world. There’s definitely a delicate balance between keeping your pack streamlined and light, and being underprepared.
Need help packing for your next weekend adventure? Use our checklist below to help ensure you have everything you need for a fun and enjoyable time. We’ve linked some of our favorite pieces of gear under each category, but we recommended experimenting to find out what gear works best for your specific needs, style, and budget!
General Hiking Gear
Hiking Backpack: Big enough to comfortably hold gear, but small enough to not be bulky. A hip belt and chest strap are a must. Men’s version is available here!
Trekking Poles: Optional, but we highly recommended on most hikes
Clothing
Synthetic Shirt or Tank: Anything except cotton, which prevents your skin from being able to breathe and traps sweat. Men’s version available here!
Comfortable & Quick Drying Pants or Leggings: Pants made for working out are best. Avoid denim or clothes you care about getting dirty. Men’s suggestion available here!
Extra Layer: Depending on the weather, we usually bring a fleece (mens here!) or packable synthetic jacket (men’s here!) in case a storm comes in or it gets cold at higher elevation.
Light Colored, Synthetic, Long Sleeve T-Shirt: Optional. We usually bring one of these when hiking in the desert or a mostly exposed trail to avoid sunburn. Men’s version is available here!
Baseball Hat: Keeps the sun out of your eyes and the hair out of your face.
Rain Jacket: Even if the weather doesn’t call for rain, bring it anyway. Nothing is worst than getting caught unprepared in a pop up storm. Men’s version available here!
Sunglasses: Especially important if the trail is exposed and the sun is out.
Footwear
Trail Runners or Hiking Boots: We will recommend trail runners until the day we die, but whatever you bring, just make sure it’s something that is both durable and will be comfortable on your feet for a few hours (men’s version of the trail runners available here, and the boots are here!)
Sandals, Crocs, or Flip Flops: Great to leave in the car for changing into after your hike. (men’s version of the sandals available here!)
Wool Hiking Socks: Choose something lightweight and breathable, but avoid cotton. We prefer crew cut socks when wearing both boots or trail runners. (men’s version available here!)
Extra Socks: Because there is nothing worse than hiking in wet socks. This is especially important if it’s cold
Navigation
Paper Map, Print Off of Route, or Downloaded App: Have your itinerary written down to avoid getting lost in the first place, but be sure to have some way of being able to navigate yourself if your original plan gets derailed. Paper maps and compasses are the most reliable, but print offs of the webpage where you found the hike, or apps such as Atlas Guides or AllTrails will help as well. Just be sure to bring an external charger for your phone if relying on it for navigation. Also be aware that most hikes do not have phone service, so have all maps downloaded ahead of time.
Food & Hydration
Waterbottles: We usually carry 2 one-liter bottles, depending on the distance of the hike. If you are in need of extra hydration, fill one bottle with water and the other with powdered gatorade.
Water Filter: On shorter hikes we usually don’t need to refill, but we always have it just in case we am out longer than expected
Lunch: A filling meal that will fuel you for the rest of the hike. Always great to throw some salty foods and fruit in there
Snacks: Little pick-me-ups for throughout the hike. We’ve been loving yogurt covered raisins and chocolate covered freeze-dried fruit recently. You could pack anything that’s quick and easy to eat
Extra Food: Always bring extra food in case you are out longer than expected
First Aid
Bandaids: A handful of bandages for small injuries
Ace Bandage: These are lifesavers on the off chance a more serious injury happens
Wilderness First Aid: Taking a WFA class can do wonders in helping you feel prepared and confident in case of backcountry injuries
Misc
Camera: Phones, especially the iPhone 13 pro, can work great, but we always opt to bring a DSLR camera. The Sony a6000 is great for beginners, and the Sony A7riii is amazing for more serious photographers. Always be sure to bring one or two extra lenses and extra batteries
ID Card / Driver’s License: In case you need to be identified in an emergency
External Charger: Especially important if you are using your phone as a navigation device
Trash bag: Can just be your sandwich bag from lunch or an extra plastic bag from the car. Helps keep your pack clean to have somewhere to out trash
Toilet Paper: Odds are you’re gonna have to go to the bathroom while out there… just be sure to pack it out!
Headlamp: In case you end up hiking into the night
Two Itineraries: Always be sure to tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back. It’s good practice to leave 1 itinerary with friend (just text them before you leave), and 1 under front seat of the car you park at the trailhead
Have questions on gear or about what you should bring on your next hike? Shoot us a message – we’d be happy to help out!