Complete list of Hiking Essentials for a Day Hike
Hiking is one of my favorite things to do, something about being in and appreciating nature is so calming. Even though that’s true, nature can also be unpredictable so it’s best to be prepare for any situation. Below are hiking essentials you should always keep in your backpack and the best clothes to wearing on a trail.
Hiking Essentials to Keep in Your Backpack
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First you need a good hiking backpack, it essential for your comfort while hiking. I’ve had this Magellan Outdoors hiking backpack for years, I love it but it looks like they stopped making them. Teton Sport has a similar one on amazon. If you’re in the market for a good hiking bag, look for one that is water resistant, lightweight, has padding for comfort, and straps to help evenly distribute its weight. My partner carries this smaller one, which is perfect for shorter hikes. It can hold 2.5L of water and has a few small pockets for the essentials.
Raincoat/windbreaker– even if rain isn’t in the forecast, you never know when a shower might pop up. Weather can change quickly, especially at higher elevation so you should always have a light raincoat on hand.
Knife– it’s likely you’ll rarely need to use it, but it’s always good to have with you.
Flashlight– just in case your find yourself still on the trail after the sun goes down.
Snacks– depending on how long the hike is, I might just bring a few cliff bars, trail mix or fruit. For longer hikes I like to have something more substantial, such as a sandwich and some beef jerky.
Hydration Bladder– they make it much easier to stay hydrated on the trails without lugging around a massive water bottle. Most hiking bookbags come with them but if not amazon has good options. Just make sure you check the sizing so it fits in your bookbag.
Bear Spray– One thing I hope I never need to use, but always have on hand! It’s not necessary on all hikes, but if you’re heading in bear country you should definitely have it easily accessible.
Sunscreen– Make sure you reapply on longer hikes, you don’t want to end the hike with sunburn! It’s easy to forget on cooler days, but with higher elevation you get red easier and faster.
Lip Balm– I cannot tell you how many times I have forgotten to pack this and regretted it. It’s something you don’t think about until your lips are dry or sunburned.
Trail Map– I like to have a copy of the trail map on hand in case I get turned around and don’t have cell service.
Power Bank-I’ve rarely needed it(I don’t use my phone much on hikes) but it’s good to have on the off chance your battery dies.
Mini First aid kit– another thing you hopefully won’t need to use. Band-Aids, ibuprofen, antibiotic cream, wound dressing, and hand sanitizer are a few good things to include. You can easily make your own, or this one has everything you need.
Hiking Poles– I was on the fence about buying these, but I’m SO glad I did. It makes a world of difference on trails with elevation gain. These are my favorite one, they’re collapsible, making them very easy to store.
What to Wear on Your Hike
Shoes– If you enjoy hiking regularly, you should definitely invest in hiking boots or trail shoes. A good pair will offer you ankle support, protection from mud and streams and better thread for hiking all terrain. For trails that are mainly flat a good pair of tennis shoes will do but once you move into different trails and increasing elevation, hiking shoes are a must. Timberlands Norwood hiking boots and Bearpaw Tallac are two pairs me and my partner wear and enjoy!
After 4 years of having my Timberlands, I recently got a new pair of hiking boots! These Columbia hiking boots are lightweight and waterproof, plus I’m in love with this color.
Pants/Short– Weather you prefer pants or shorts, the material should be quick-dry and non-restrictive. I’ve really been enjoy these hiking pants, they are lightweight and made of quick dry material. I recently purchased a few pairs of hiking shorts for summer, the material is almost the exact same of my hiking pants. The fun colors they have are just a bonus.
Tops– The main thing to look for is a wicking/quick dry material to keep you dry and comfortable. Another good option is UV-protecting shirts to protect against harmful rays.
Hats– In the summer I like a ball cap to keep the sun off my face. In the winter a beanie is must to keep my head and ears warm.
Socks– Wool socks are perfect for the winter to keep your feet warm. Be sure to stay away from cotton socks, they absorb sweat and will keep your feet wet the whole hike!
Sunglasses- A must in the the summer time! I have terrible eyesight so I recently invested in a pair of prescription sunglasses and I am honestly so glad I did. I ordered mine from Firmoo and love them! They typically have some sort of sale going on and I was able to get mine for 50% off.
These hiking essentials should have you ready for your next day hike! I like to keep most of these things in my backpack so I’m always ready for my next hike.
