My Top 10 Day Hiking Essentials You Need in Your Pack
It is always so much fun to go out on a day hike and enjoy nature. You may not think about what you might need when going hiking. I have come up with a list of my Top 10 Day Hiking Essentials to share with you. Some of these essential items are pretty obvious, but some you may not have thought of! This post is going to tell you of my Top 10 Day Hiking Essentials and explain why it is a good idea to have them. At the end, I will even have some honorable mentions that did not quite make the Top 10 Essentials cut. If you are just beginning hiking, I hope this post gives you the extra push to make you feel confident on your first hike!
Disclosure: I may earn a small commission for affiliate links in this post at no extra cost to you.
1. Water
Hiking essential #1, ALWAYS bring water. This is a must. Knowing how long your hike is will help you determine how much water you need. Most hikes will take at least an hour, so make sure to pack plenty. You never know if you may spill your water bottle, it gets super hot, or you may even have to use your water to clean a cut. I have found it easiest to carry a backpack with a water bladder verses carrying a water bottle. The water bladder has a hose that connects to the bladder and runs down the shoulder strap for easy drinking while walking. I really like the convince of not having to stop and get my water bottle out of the side pocket of my bag. There are some really affordable Hydration Pack options on Amazon too! I use a 2L water bladder and it is perfect for me on a few hour hike.
It is also important to start hydrating your body before going on your hike. The average person does not drink enough water on a daily basis. When you are hiking, you are sweating and losing electrolytes. You DO NOT want to get dehydrated! That is why increasing your water intake a day or two before you go on your hike is important! After a day of hiking, you should definitely refuel your body by drinking an electrolyte drink. I try to stay awake from electrolyte drinks that are full of sugars, dyes, ingredients that are not essential electrolytes. Some good drinks or drink mix options are KEY NUTRIENTS Multivitamin Electrolytes Powder Packets or Nectar Hydration Packets.
2. Navigation
Navigation is so important so you can know what to expect on the hike and making sure you stay on path. You most definitely do not want to get lost. Most trails have multiple view points for you to stop and see, so you need to make sure to stay on trail to see all the view points!
A lot of times there is no phone signal on your hike, so do not plan to rely on just your phone for navigation. I personally use AllTrails. I like that you can view the trail path, see other people’s pictures, see the trail conditions, and weather at the trail on the app. With AllTrails, you can download the hiking trail map before you take out and can access it even without phone signal. A lot of trail heads have a map of the trail, you could always take a picture of before taking off on your hike. You can always get a paper map of the trail from brochures in the area or by looking up your trail before leaving and print off a copy.
I should also mention that if you plan on using your phone for navigation, you should consider bringing a portable charger incase your phone dies.
3. Backpack
By now you maybe thinking, what am I supposed to be putting all the stuff in you’re telling me to bring? Always bring a bag! There’s so many types to choose from so it is completely up to you. There are backpacks, hydration packs, sling bags, and crossbody bags. Choose whatever is going to be comfortable for you! There are a few things you should consider when choosing your bag.
1. If you plan on carrying a water bottle, make sure your bag has a water bottle pocket. You will definitely want easy access to your water!
2. Make sure the bag is comfortable to you. You are going to be carrying this bag for a few hours, make sure its not a bag that you are going to be constantly adjusting or it hurts your shoulders.
3. If you get a Hydration Pack, I recommend that it can hold at least 2L of water. That may seen like a lot, but trust me. You’re going to want it!
4. I DO NOT recommend using a drawstring backpack. I am talking about the one that are a flimsy bag with the 2 strings, not a legit backpack (with backpack straps) that has a drawstring closure at the top. The cheap, drawstring bags are so cheaply made and unreliable you would not want to take them on a hike. They rip so easily and the “straps” can break. Just use an old backpack! It would be so much better.
4. Sun Protection-Hat, Sunglasses, Sunscreen, etc
Sun Protection is so important! The last thing you want is to spend the day enjoying the outdoors, only to get sunburned because you forgot your sunscreen. Sun Protection can be a variety of different things from hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, or a light-weight long sleeve shirts just to keep direct sun off of you. Did you know that your are more likely to get sunburned on a mountain or a high elevated surface? This is because UV radiation from the sun is increased the higher the elevation you are on! If it is warmer weather and you are expecting to sweat quite a bit on your hike, you may want to grab a waterproof sunscreen!
5. Layers
Always check the weather before heading out on your hike. Even if the radar is clear, the weather can change so quickly-especially when you’re on a higher elevation. You may not be expecting wind, but when you climb to top of the mountain it could be super windy and chilly. You never know when a quick rain shower will come through! This is why layers are important. My last hiking trip was in the beginning of March. We had good weather, but literally just a week or two before it had snowed. I wore leggings, a breathable light-weight long sleeve shirt, and a windbreaker-type 1/4 zip jacket. I also packed a tank top in my backpack incase I got hot. About 1/2 through the hike, I ended up ditching the jacket and changing into the tank top. Once I got to moving around, I got hot quick! Your layers need to be light weight and easy to throw in your backpack or tie around your waist.
6. Snacks, you always need snacks
Snacks are a must! It is so important to fuel your body while on the go. While hiking, your body is constantly moving and burning energy. You need snacks to replenish that energy and keep you going. I like to take granola bars, jerky, nuts, or even fruit! Once you reach your hiking destination, it is nice to sit down and enjoy the view while having a snack. If I know I am going to be gone all morning and into lunch, I will even pack lunch in my pack.
7. First Aid Kit
You may think a first aid kit is kind of silly, but it will definitely come in handy. So many different things could happen while on the trail from bug bites, cuts, rolling an ankle (shoes are important, but that’s later on), to blisters. You will want to have things like bandages, alcohol wipes, blister covers, tweezers, safety pins, and antiseptic towels or ointment.
I have this First Aid Kit in my pack and it is perfect for day trips!
8. Light
One of the first hikes I went on, Lost Valley Trail in Jasper, AR I was wishing I had a headlight. During this trail, there was a cave with a waterfall in the back of it. To access this cave, you had to get down on your belly to crawl through. I was attempting to use my phone flashlight and it just was not working. Sadly, I did not get to see the cave waterfall. Since that hike, I will never not have a light in my bag. You never know what you are going to come across on a hike. You may see a cool cave to access or the hike may take longer than expected and you need a light because it got dark outside. Headlights are relatively cheap at Walmart or Amazon. I got this 2-Pack Energizer LED Headlamp on Amazon. It is battery operated so it maybe a good idea to bring extra batteries incase your’s die or get wet too.
9. Repair Tools
Repair tools can go in so many different directions. There are so many scenarios of thing that could break or you may need to repair on a hike. You never know when a shoe lace will break, a backpack strap tears, getting a hole in in your shirt, or even the sole of your shoe ripping off. A few things I recommend having in your bag is some paracord (or a paracord bracelet), a multi tool, a lighter (the one i linked is rechargeable and waterproof), or even tape.
10. Good Shoes
Good shoes is key to a good hike. I personally have the Oboz Women’s Sypes Mid Leather Waterproof and really like them. They have good arch and ankle support, plus good traction. I felt stable going up and down hills. These are also waterproof which is huge during wet season. I have literally slipped on a rock in a creek and have water go up over my ankle. Within an hour, they were completely dry. I was really impressed! If you are just getting into hiking, no worries. Just wear a good pair of tennis shoes, but ones you do not mind getting dirty. After all, you are walking out in dirt and sometimes crossing water. I personally recommend not wearing a slip on shoe for hiking. You are going to need good ankle support and not have to worry about slipping and a shoe coming off. I would not recommend wearing a sandal either this just goes back to not wanting your shoe to slip off. Overall you are going to need good footing. Not all the hiking paths are concrete or gravel paths. Most hiking paths are just a worn trail in the woods.
Another thing to mention with good shoes is good socks. As crazy as it sounds, socks make a difference. Wool socks are great. I really like thicker, cushioned socks that are moisture wicking when hiking. They make a huge difference! They give you the extra arch support your foot needs and give you the extra cushion to help prevent blisters. Moisture wicking is nice because your feet are going to sweat!
Honorable mentions that didn’t make my Top 10 Day Hiking Essentials List
These are the items that did not make my Top 10 Day Hiking Essentials list, but these are definitely worth the mention.
1. Toilet paper: I mean you never know when you are going to need to go! Some trails may have restrooms at the trailhead, but not all do. A lot of trails are in the literal middle of no where so a gas station bathroom may not be near either.
2. Trek Poles: These are the balancing poles you can use. I personally do not use them, but they can be helpful! Especially when climbing up and down hills with uneven ground. There are so many options on Amazon, here are some that i found! (Click here)