Photo: Anna Shvets

What is the most important item in hiking?

A backpack is the primary piece of gear for day hiking. One that holds 11–20 liters of gear is about right for short, simple hikes, while something bigger is good for treks where more food, water, clothing and gear is required.

rei.com - Hiking Essentials Checklist: What to Bring on a Hike | REI Co-op

What is survivalist theory?

Survivalism is a social movement of individuals or groups (called survivalists or preppers) who proactively prepare for emergencies, such as...

Last updated Sep 23, 2020

What food is good for emergency kits?

Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables and a can opener. Protein or fruit bars. Dry cereal or granola. Peanut butter. Dried fruit. Canned...

Last updated Jun 4, 2019

Promotion

Heading out for a day hike is a delightful way to explore nature with friends and family, or even by yourself. Whether you want to go deep into the mountains or stay closer to home, the places to go are numerous; many state and national parks offer broad networks for trails, as does national forest land. To determine what you need to bring on a day hike, think about how far you plan to hike, how remote the location is and what the weather forecast has in store. In general, the longer and/or more remote the hike is and the more inclement the weather, the more clothing, gear, food and water you’re going to want. If you’re just getting into day hiking, be sure to read our Hiking for Beginners article before you head out.

What to Bring Day Hiking

These items should be on your hiking checklist:

Hiking backpack

Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)

Hiking boots or shoes

Plenty of food

Plenty of water

Navigation tools such as a map and compass

First-aid kit

Knife or multi-tool

The rest of the Ten Essentials as appropriate for your hike

How to Use This Day Hiking Checklist

While you’re packing, use this handy day hiking checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything important. Here are some notes on how to best use this list: The Ten Essentials: Items that are part of the Ten Essentials are marked by an asterisk ( * ). The exact items you take can be tailored to your trip based on considerations such as weather, difficulty, duration and distance from help. To learn more, see our article on the Ten Essentials. Items that are part of the Ten Essentials are marked by an asterisk ( ). The exact items you take can be tailored to your trip based on considerations such as weather, difficulty, duration and distance from help. To learn more, see our article on the Ten Essentials. This checklist is deliberately comprehensive and intended for day hikes in the backcountry where being self-sufficient is important to your well-being. It includes many more items than you’re likely to need for short treks in or near developed areas, like city parks, though you can adapt it to your needs for these trips. and intended for day hikes in the backcountry where being self-sufficient is important to your well-being. It includes many more items than you’re likely to need for short treks in or near developed areas, like city parks, though you can adapt it to your needs for these trips. Printer-friendly PDF: Print out the PDF version for easy use at home.

Printer-friendly version (PDF)

Can DNA be traced back to Adam and Eve?

No, it is not true. Scientists can trace our maternal and paternal lines back to a woman and man who lived a long time ago, but they are not the...

Last updated Jul 10, 2018

How long would it take for electricity to shut off in a zombie apocalypse?

Without human beings around to perform certain routine tasks, the electricity system will quickly cease to function. In regions dependent on fossil...

Last updated Nov 3, 2020

Promotion

Hiking Gear A backpack is the primary piece of gear for day hiking. One that holds 11–20 liters of gear is about right for short, simple hikes, while something bigger is good for treks where more food, water, clothing and gear is required. Learn more about choosing a daypack.

Optional:

Clothing & Footwear Check the forecast and make sure to dress for the conditions. To be prepared for changing weather or an unplanned night out, pack extra clothes beyond those required for the trip. It’s also important to consider how much protection your clothing provides against the sun’s ultraviolet rays. For footwear, determine what to wear based on the terrain. On gentle hikes on smooth trails, hiking shoes or trail runners are sufficient. For treks on rocky, rugged trails, boots will provide more support. Learn more about choosing hiking clothing and footwear.

Optional:

Bandana or Buff

Gaiters (for rainy, snowy or muddy conditions)

Food & Water

Pack snacks like energy bars, jerky and nuts that you can eat easily on the trail. Some people like to bring a sandwich for lunch, too. For water, you can usually start with about two liters per person for the day, but adjust the amount depending on length and intensity of the hike, weather conditions, your age, sweat rate and body type. Learn more about choosing energy food and how much to drink. Navigation Navigation is one of the Ten Essentials. The type of trip you’re taking and your personal preferences will determine exactly which items you’ll bring.

Optional:

Emergency & First Aid

Health & Hygiene

Hand sanitizer

Menstrual products Prescription medications

Sun protection:

Optional:

Tools & Repair Items

Day Hiking Extras

Personal Items

Credit card and/or cash

ID Cellphone

* These items are part of the Ten Essential systems. The exact items you take for each system can be tailored to your trip based on considerations such as weather, difficulty, duration and distance from help. To learn more, see our article on the Ten Essentials.

Video: What to Take Hiking

rei.com - Hiking Essentials Checklist: What to Bring on a Hike | REI Co-op

How long does the average person keep their clothes?

Consumers in our modern society don't keep clothes for long. They wear a high-street garment on average only 7 times. Under normal wear and tear,...

Last updated Jan 10, 2022

How many calories a day is considered starvation?

Starvation calories are an intake of fewer than 600 calories per day, however; any caloric intake below the recommended minimum doesn't provide the...

Last updated Jun 11, 2022

Promotion

What does pour mean in Farsi?

descendant of an Army official -pour, "descendant of an Army official (Title)". -zadeh, "descendant of". -nezhad, -nejad, " of race/clan (Title)"....

Last updated Apr 3, 2022

Promotion

Do people sleep on Survivor?

"The sleeping arrangements are a lot harder than what you would imagine," Stott said. "It's miserable." Rickenbacker agreed that even though it's...

Last updated Mar 24, 2020