What to Pack for a Day Hike: Hiking Checklist

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Every hiker needs a basic day hikers checklist to cross things off so items are not forgotten. It is important to bring the proper supplies while hiking in case of an emergency.

I’m not sure about you, but I love watching Discovery Channel and similar tv shows in which real life events are replayed. I’ve watched far too many re-enactments where hikers were unprepared when an emergency occurred and escaped a near death experience. To be completely honest, there have been hikes myself, such as when I got lost hiking along one of America’s top trails (Fiery Gizzard), that I should have been more prepared.

Hiking is one of my favorite activities when exploring a new destination. Many times I plan my vacations around national parks and places that provide scenic trails. I’ve hiked some amazing trails in all sorts of conditions. I’ve put together this day hiker gear checklist from all my past experiences. Learn from my failures to make sure that you have what you need to enjoy your next day hike.

• Backpack (If you love to take photos while hiking, I invite you to check out the Mindshift Rotation Backpack. You don’t even have to take you backpack off to get your camera out. It’s really neat, check it out here!)  Here are some lightweight backpacks available on Amazon.
• Chapstick (I’m putting this at the top of the list after a recent weekend hiking trip in which I forgot my chapstick and vowed I would NEVER do that again!!!)
• Don’t forget your camera gear. Lightweight camera gear is best. iPhones are great. I love using this wide angle lens to make my iPhone pics look better.
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper (Biodegradable wipes are handy, too.)
• Compass (I suggest a 5-in-1 survival bracelet that has a whistle in case you fall and need to whistle for help. I’ve seen this save people many times on the rescue shows! It also has a fire starter, knife, and the paracord can all be useful in the event of an emergency. Click here for my survival bracelet pick from Amazon.) Also, I like to use the All Trails so I know where I am on the hiking trails.
• Trekking poles
• Travel Microfiber Towel (Great if you get wet or need to sit down on it. Plus, this one is lightweight!)
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito bracelets/bug repellent
• Headlamp (You never know when you may be out after dark unexpectedly. I used the Black Diamond headlamp for my trip to Havasu and had many compliments from other experienced hikers. Click here to check it out on Amazon.)
• Emergency Blanket (You never know when you may need one of these handy, lightweight blankets.)
• First aid kit (You can purchase a mini basic first aid kit but I also suggest bringing KT tape. KT prevents blisters and skin breakdown and is a LIFESAVER! Trust me on this one! It’s lightweight and is one of my favorite tips for hikers. If your are going on a long hike and feel you may get a blister then you may want to bring blister cushions. Unfortunately, I’ve made decisions where I’m glad someone was smart enough to bring these things so that I didn’t suffer more than I did!)
• NSAID/Aleve (It’s a good idea to have an anti-inflammatory in case you start hurting. I’ve done a few hikes in which I would not have been able to make it back if it wasn’t for Aleve!)
• Protein bars/snacks/lunch – Good things to bring are nuts, apples, bananas, and trail mix. I like to make my own trail mix like I did in Girl Scouts!
• Water/Water filter (If you are looking for a good water filter I FINALLY found the perfect one. The Grayl Ultralight water purifier/filter removes 99.9% of virus, bacteria, and protozoa in less than 15 seconds! This is the best water purifier for hiking that I have found. Click here to learn more about it and check prices on Amazon.)
• Emergency whistle (This multi-function whistle can clip onto your backpack and includes a magnifier, compass, and two-scale thermometer.
• Bear Spray (Only if you are in an area where this is a possibility. Remember you cannot bring bear spray on flights.)
• Bear Bell Also for if you are in bear country, this is good to have attached to your backpack to make noise.

Before going out on your day hike, check the forecast for the hike area and the surrounding area. Look for chance of storms and check the temperature and then dress accordingly.

• Hiking shoes
• Water shoes (If you are hiking in creeks you may want to bring a change of shoes. Here’s a suggestion of some quick drying water shoes. Remember that your feet swell after walking on them all day so you may want to get a little bigger size!)
• Wool socks (or synthetic; just avoid cotton)
• Waterproof socks for wading trails (These came in handy on my hike to the Narrows in Zion National Park.)
• Hat
• Hiking pants for the men (Click here for the convertible hiking pants that zip off into shorts. These are very handy for the cool mornings and afternoons that warm up!)
• Leggings for the women (Click here to see my favorite Under Armour leggings)
• Quick drying shirts
• Breathable underwear (This is a newer addition to my hiking checklist. We go out of our way to buy clothing that allows us to dry quickly but we forget about our underwear! Click here to see what I’m talking about!)
• (Women) sports bra
• Lightweight jacket, if cold

Tip: Remember to tell someone where you are hiking and an estimated time when you will return in case of emergency. This is very important to me after my own son was rescued by our local search & rescue team after a kayaking trip went bad in a canyon area. He hiked along the river until dark then he started a fire to wait until morning. A drone and helicopter eventually found him and he was rescued over 12 hours after his ordeal began. Thankfully, he told me where he was going that day.

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Check back as we add more hikes that we have completed to our our bucket list hikes list. Are there other items you would add to our essential hiking gear list? Let us know by leaving a comment below. If this list helped you, be sure to share with your hiking friends by using your favorite social media platform below.