The Day Hike Gear We Carry, Every Time

As I write this, winter is still hanging on and spring is around the corner.  It will soon be time to get back out in the sunshine!

When planning an outing, take the time to consider what day hike gear you should carry so that you can Be Ready for whatever you will encounter.

What is “Day Hike Gear”?

Day hike gear is what you carry when you are going out for a day-long adventure. It might be in the great outdoors.  It might be in the great downtown. The where only matters a little bit.

Day-long outing + walking about = day hike.

Simple, right?  

It should be, but sometimes we humans overthink it.  Certainly, there are things one would carry in the outdoors that may not be necessary for an urban excursion.  I’ll cover some of that in this article.

Your Day Hike Backpack

Hands down, your most important piece of day hike gear is your backpack. If your bag doesn’t fit well and “carry” your gear comfortably, your entire day will be affected. 

That doesn’t mean your bag has to be expensive.  Most packs in the 15-25 liter range tend to have many of the same features.  You’re looking for a bag that adjusts well to your frame, will be reliably durable, and is big enough to hold what you need to carry.

For most of my day trips, including those where the plan is fluid, I have carried the Teton Sports Oasis 1200 for the last three years.  This 20 liter pack holds everything I always carry with just a bit of room left over to hold some things I might find along the way.

A great choice for ladies is the Mountainsmith Clear Creek 20.

Yes, there are lighter, more popular, and more expensive options. This bag has worked well for me.

Note: All images in this post are of the author’s actual gear.

The Day Hike Gear I Carry, and Why

Over the years, I’ve settled on a list of categories that work well for me.  That’s how I’ll share my day hike gear with you here.

Clothing

• Hat – This should be a no-brainer, but some form of head covering should be with you on every outing. 
• Cotton bandanna – There are an amazing number of uses for a cotton bandanna.  I always have one in my pocket and at least one in my bag.
• Gloves – It only takes one adventure where you wished you had some gloves before you realize that keeping a pair in your bag is a great idea.
• Head net – Here in south Texas, mosquitoes can ruin an outing faster than you can say, “mosquito.”  A head net takes almost no space or weight and can be a complete day-saver. This is usually less of an issue in urban environments, so I usually don’t carry one when I go downtown.
• Extra socks – Taking care of your feet on a walk-about is a priority.  A spare pair of good socks is mandatory. I don’t carry extra socks on more urban day trips, simply because I can usually get back to the car fairly easily.
• Light jacket / Rain jacket / Outer layer – Always carry an outer layer of clothing appropriate for your location.  I carry a rain jacket that I can also use for warmth, if necessary.
• Buff / Gaiter – There are a ton of ways to use these little beauties. Get one.  Keep it close.

Combustion / Fire

Having a way to make fire can be critical.  For a day trip in the outdoors, a simple bic lighter and/or some matches should be all you need.

Communication / Signaling / Navigation

• Headlamp – Always carry a headlamp!  Always.
• Extra batteries – for the headlamp and any other devices you choose to carry.
• Compass – You don’t need to know all the ins and outs of compass navigation for this device to be useful.  Keep one with you on every trip.
• Whistle – A loud piercing whistle can assist in calling for help if you, or someone you’re with, needs it.
• Glow sticks – Another safety and signalling device that has multiple uses.  I carry two in my bag at all times.
• Map of your area – Don’t hit the trail without a map of your route and the area you will be hiking in. In urban environments, you may choose to use the navigation capabilities of your cell phone instead of a paper map.

Food – I only carry pre-packaged snacks and prepared foods on day-outings.  The key here is to pack more than what you think you’ll need. I’d rather carry the extra weight than go hungry in a crisis, so I carry twice what I think I’ll need. Two things I always carry are:

• Electrolyte packets –  Where I live, it’s easy to lose electrolytes. Don’t let yourself get dehydrated or overheated.
• Gum – Again for the heat.  Chewing gum will help to keep your mouth from drying out and your breath minty fresh.

Cover / Shelter

One might argue that, on a day-long trip, there is no need for these items.  However, there are hundreds of stories that contradict that way of thinking.  

Remember that what you carry serves only two purposes: to keep you comfortable and to keep you safe. I should note here that, for a trip in an urban environment, I may forego the tarp, but I’ll still carry the bags and a survival blanket.

• Contractor Bag(s) – Another item with a myriad of potential uses.  I carry two contractor grade garbage bags with me on every outing.
• Tarp – I like to have a small tarp with me when I’m on an outdoors adventure.  I may use it as a ground cover or to provide shade or shelter.  I enjoy stopping for lunch on the trail and setting up a simple shade shelter while I have lunch or a snack. With my tarp, I carry a pre-staged ridgeline so that I can put it up and take it down easily.
• Bivvy or “survival” blanket – This is an emergency item that weighs next to nothing.  Don’t leave home without one.

First Aid / Hygiene

• First aid kit – I carry a basic boo-boo kit, a triangular bandage, and an ACE bandage.
• Bug spray and/or bug repellent bands – Remember the mosquitoes?  Nothing will sour a great time in the outdoors quicker than a bunch of annoying insects.
• Sunscreen – Too much sun will shorten your day.  Use sunscreen.
• Tissues – I carry at least one travel size package on every trip.  Doubles as toilet paper when needed.
• Hand Sanitizer – Because we live in a world that requires it.
• Carmex w/ sunscreen – Doesn’t matter if you live in a hot or cold climate. Protecting against chapped lips is mandatory.
• Wet wipes – For cleaning up, cleaning wounds, toilet paper, etc.

Tools / Repair

• Pocket knife or multitool – Never go anywhere without a knife (Gibb’s rule #11. Go ahead, look it up!).  For a day hike, you don’t need some big bushcraft blade (unless that’s the purpose of your outing).  A simple folding knife will suffice for most of your needs. If you have other gear with you that may require tools to repair or maintain, then a multitool may be a better option for you.
• Binoculars – I carry these because sometimes I like to watch the birds, or see things far away.  Seriously, you’re going out to enjoy nature.  Binoculars help you do that.
• Cell phone – Provided that you have cell coverage, your phone is your first line of defense in an emergency.  Keep it charged and in your bag – you’re out there to get away, remember?
• Power bank and charging cable – to keep your phone charged.
• Trekking poles – These help me to not overwork my aging knees, but they also come in handy if I need to put up a shelter when there are no trees.
  
  I rarely carry trekking poles in urban environments for two reasons: there’s usually more places to sit and rest and I like to keep my hands free around people I don’t know.

Water / Hydration

How much water you carry, and how you carry it, is up to you.  Most of the internet sources I’ve reviewed recommend about a half liter (2 cups) of water per hour for a day hike.  Again, I recommend that you bring at least 1.5 times what you think you’ll need.

I carry a canteen with a metal cup, plus at least one Smart Water bottle, along with a Sawyer Mini filter and bag.

For urban day-trips, where water is more readily available, I will usually just take a couple bottles of water and forego the filter. 

Wow!  That Seems Like a Lot of Gear!

Some would argue that this is a lot of gear.  Some will say that I’m forgetting things. What is important is that you weigh the potential risks for your outing and carry what you feel you may need.

This is what I have come to feel is my best load-out for a full day walk-about in the outdoors.  It provides me all the tools I know I’ll need and enough of the tools I might need to Be Ready if I need to spend a night outdoors. My bag is always packed, except for food and water, so all I have to do is grab it and go.

Before you discount anything on this day hike gear list, take a few minutes to read this true story and take notice of the things they should have packed. Then get your own bag together and go enjoy the outdoors!

What would you add to this gear list? Or take away? Share in the comments below.