9+ Things That Need To Be On Your Day Hike Packing List
This day hike packing list has you covered for long days in the mountains, a short hike in the desert, and everything in between.
I’ve spent years hiking and perfecting what I carry in my bag. You can’t always predict the weather (even when it says full sun, I’ve gotten rained on), and you need to be prepared for numerous situations.
Unfortunately, accidents and emergencies happen. The best we can do is have the proper gear and be knowledgeable about our environments.
➡️ Learn what NOT to bring backpacking in my informative post for beginner backpackers.
My day hike packing list will give you a considerable advantage in the outdoors and make you feel confident on your next adventure.
📌 Pin this image on Pinterest to save this post for reference.
The Ultimate Day Hike Packing List for Beginners
Includes the 10 essentials for hiking!
- Hiking backpack
- Water containers
- What to pack for hiking layers
- Navigation tools for hiking
- Hiking first aid kit
- Hiking survival kit essentials
- What food to pack for hiking
- Sun protection and bug spray
- Pee break essentials
➡️ Read more posts about outdoor tips to be prepared for your upcoming adventure.
What size backpack do I need for a day hike?
Everyone needs a bag to carry their snacks and water on a hike. Picking the right backpack for your activity can significantly improve your comfort.
➡️ Find more highly rated hiking gear on my Favorite Gear Page.
If you’re going on a quick hike or trail run that’s on a busy trail, don’t feel like you have to carry everything on this list. If something were to happen, you likely have cell service, and a friend could come pick you up in an emergency.
➡️ Learn about backpacking backpacks on my post about gear to bring backpacking.
Short Day Hike Hydration Vest
I’ll wear a vest if I am carrying water, snacks, my car keys, my phone, and a couple of other items — no room for layers or emergency gear.
The Osprey Dyna Vest is extremely comfortable, doesn’t rub, and I hardly know it’s there. This has been my go-to for local front-country hiking. I’d recommend it for what to bring on a short hike.
Plus, bonus! — A convenient 1.5L water bladder comes included with the vest.
The men’s and women’s vests are identical in shape, the difference being a larger or smaller fit. The men’s small is equivalent to the women’s medium. So, there is no specific “women’s fit” for a curvier chest.
I recommend you try on multiple sizes to find your best fit. An REI employee should be more than happy to aid you if you’re unsure about sizing.
➡️ I often carry a hydration vest when I’m hiking in Colorado National Monument.
Short Day Hike Backpacks
I typically carry my camera on hikes, so my next size up bag is a 24L backpack with a padded hip belt and frame for better support. If you don’t carry a lot of gear, you might want a more lightweight bag.
The REI Co-op Flash 22 Pack and REI Co-op Flash 18 Pack are highly rated bags that my friends and family love. Both of these bags are frameless yet durable. Ideal for a short day hike, there’s enough room for a layer and plenty of water.
Another option is the Osprey Daylite Plus Pack. I actually use this bag as my personal item for airport travel. It has two water bottle side pockets and a water bladder sleeve. I’ve loaded this thing down in the airport, and it remains comfortable on my shoulders.
See my post about creating a carry on packing list for a long flight for more information on how I use the Osprey Daylite Plus Pack.
24L Long Day Hike Backpacks
As mentioned above, my next size-up bag is an Osprey Sirrus 24L framed bag. There are specific men’s and women’s fits for this backpack. I actually have the men’s version because I was given this bag for free.
The men’s fit doesn’t bother me, but I would recommend visiting an REI store and trying on both the men’s and women’s versions of this bag to find your best fit. The women’s bag will accommodate a larger chest, and the straps may be more comfortable for you.
I use this bag when I know I need to carry safety gear and a couple of layers, like a raincoat and a warm jacket. It is a bit tight to fit layers, 5L of water, AND my camera in this bag, so I also have a 34L bag for more extreme adventures.
If you don’t have a camera, the 24L bag is probably all you need for a longer day hike. I would certainly include it for what to bring on a 14er.
➡️ Hike your first 14er with my easiest 14ers guide. I compared mountains and give you first-hand knowledge of my experiences on the trail.
34L Long Day Hike Backpacks
Lastly, my largest day hike backpack is the Osprey Sirrus 34L pack. I got this bag to accommodate heavier loads, such as 5-6L of water, my camera, and multiple layers. Put this bag on your long hike checklist for sure.
This bag was large enough to fit my sleeping bag and overnight essentials for a one-night backpacking trip in New Zealand. Since I stayed in a hut with a mattress, I didn’t need to bring a tent or sleeping pad.
The bag was at max capacity — I wouldn’t recommend it for a typical backpacking trip, but it worked for what I needed.
The extra 10L compared to the 24L bag does make a difference. I’d rather carry the 34L with a bit of room than the overstuffed 24L. When I’m carrying significant weight, the 24L can feel heavier on my back.
Now that I’ve covered the best day hiking backpacks, it’s time to determine what items should be on your day hike packing list.
How much water should I bring on a day hike?
Water is probably the most critical item you should have on a hike. Carry 0.5-1L per hour of activity. You know your body best, and depending on the strenuousness and temperature, you may need more or less.
➡️ If you’re hiking in Arches National Park, or anywhere with little shade, bring lots of water!
There are three different “vessels,” if you will, for carrying water on a day hike.
- Traditional water bottles
- Water bladders
- Flexible water containers
Water Bottles For Your Day Hike Packing List
You can carry around a heavy insulated water bottle like a 32-oz Hydroflask, but ideally, a lighter Nalgene water bottle is going to be the best. Save the weight and bring more snacks, in my opinion.
There is a lightweight version that’s even a few bucks cheaper than the original! I have both versions and have yet to replace them after years of use.
I also love the splash guard that allows you to drink without spilling while on the move. Plus, it’s cute 😉
Water Bladders For Your Day Hike Packing List
The hydration vest mentioned above comes with a 1.5L bladder, but all the backpacks require you to purchase a separate bladder.
Over the years, I’ve owned a couple of bladders, and the CamelBak Crux 3L Reservoir has treated me well. My Osprey bladder got a hole about a year into using it.
Luckily, I was able to patch the hole, but it promptly got another leak. Osprey has likely updated the design since I had that bladder, but my CamelBak is going on 4 years of use with zero holes.
I will say, though, the hanging clip did break off the CamelBak, and I use a tiny S-biner to secure the lid to the loop in any of my backpacks. No big deal in exchange for no leaks.
What to Pack For Hiking Layering
You’ve probably heard someone say “wear layers,” but what does that mean exactly?
Breakdown of Layers For a Day Hike:
- Base Layer — closest to your skin for moisture wicking (including underwear layer)
- Mid Layer — keeps you warm
- Outer Layer — keeps you dry and protects from wind
Base Layers For Day Hiking
I like to wear a merino wool base layer, a packable insulated jacket as my mid layer, and a raincoat as my outer layer. Most of the time, my jacket and raincoat stay in my bag when I’m hiking, and I can bring them out when needed.
➡️ See my post about merino moisture wicking hiking clothes if you’re skeptical about wool layers. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I recommend the best moisture wicking shirts for hiking and merino underwear layers in that post.
Mid Layer For Hiking
My Patagonia Nano Puff has been a part of my hiking gear kit basically since I started hiking. There are two versions of the Nano Puff (with and without a hood).
I prefer the hoodie version, and it comes in handy more than you’d think. There have been several occasions when I was unexpectedly cold, and the hood kept me warm.
I’ve tried on the competitor Arc’teryx Atom Insulated Hoody, but it didn’t fit around my hips. If you have a slimmer figure, the Atom Hoody might work for you.
It might be blue skies in the picture above, but about 5 minutes before, it was snowing with insane winds.
Outer Layer For Day Hiking
I’ve worn the Patagonia Granite Crest Jacket in torrential downpours and been kept dry. I always add it to my day hike packing list for what to bring hiking a 14er. The weather in the mountains changes fast!
One minute it’s sunny and the next it’s sleeting with powerful wind gusts. A raincoat can also block wind to keep you warmer, even if it’s not raining.
Additional warm winter hiking layers:
- Smartwool Thermal Merino Reversible Headband
- Smartwool Active Fleece Wind Gloves
- Buff Merino Lightweight Multifunctional Neckwear
➡️ Learn more about cold weather hiking tips in my informative post.
Navigation Tools For Hiking
The best paid subscription for hiking is AllTrails Plus. I always download the trail on my phone and send a GPX file to my Garmin Enduro 3.
The ability to navigate with just a glance down at my wrist is ultra-convenient. I mostly use my Garmin for navigation, and my phone’s map is a backup.
AllTrails Plus is enough for me, but they also have their “Peak” version, which allows for route customization.
Hiking Project is another app for hiking navigation. This one is free, and you can download entire states’ worth of trails.
➡️ Learn more about Hiking Project on my Resources Page. Plus, find other helpful apps for outdoor exploration.
Is a first aid necessary on a day hike?
Having a first aid kit on your day hike packing list is a smart idea. We all want to think that nothing will go wrong, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
The Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5 Medical Kit is good for up to two people for two days and is lightweight.
Hiking Survival Kit Essentials For Your Day Hike Packing List
Mother Nature might have different plans on a predicted sunny day. Stay safe with a few emergency items on your day hike packing list. They might just save your life.
Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp — Bring this on every hike! I’m not kidding. Having a headlamp is one of the best things you can pack for your day hike. A rechargeable one stays bright, vs. a battery-powered one gets dimmer with old batteries.
There was a particularly memorable time I didn’t bring a headlamp with me on a group hike, and we got a little lost. We ended up being out well after the sun set, and I was stumbling around with my weak phone flashlight in my hand.
Garmin inReach Mini 2 — The best satellite phone communicator. At least one person in your party should have a satellite communicator if you’re hiking out of cell service.
SOL Emergency Blanket XL — Stay warm and dry if you get caught in a storm.
SOL Fire Lite Fuel-Free Lighter — This rechargeable lighter has a built-in flashlight, and the cord can be used as tinder to start a fire. It can also light your backpacking stove!
Coast DX330 Serrated Folding Knife — Use this knife to cut small branches, slice food, break glass, and rip seatbelts.
What food to pack for hiking?
Keep your body hydrated and energized with salty and sugary snacks. My go-to snacks:
- Goldfish Cheddar Crackers
- Dot’s Pretzels Original Seasoned Pretzel Twist Snack
- GoGo squeeZ Active Fruit Blend with Electrolytes
- Dried Mango Slices
At first, I was skeptical of fancy electrolyte gels and gummies, but they really do work. They give me the energy boost I need to tackle any trail. These are the best-tasting electrolytes:
Skratch Labs Energy Chews Variety Pack — The matcha lemon ones are my favorite
Honey Stinger Organic Energy Gel — The fruit smoothie flavor is pretty tasty
SaltStick FastChews Chewable Electrolyte Tablets — I’m a citrus girl, so lemon-lime is elite
Sun Protection and Bug Spray For Your Day Hike Packing List
You can get burned quickly in the desert and at high altitudes. Protect your skin and eyes from harmful sunrays. Items you should add to your day hike packing list for sun protection:
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Mineral Sunscreen
- Sunscreen Lip Balm
- Non-DEET Insect Repellent
- Hiking Gloves
➡️ Interested in more packing lists? I’ve got you covered. Check out my packing list hub page.
The best polarized sunglasses: Goodr Circle G Polarized Sunglasses — Goodr will replace these for free if you have proof of purchase within a year of damage or loss! I’ve had a couple of my pairs replaced for free.
Hiking hat: Arc’teryx Gamma 5-Panel Cap — I receive many compliments on this hat, and I love that it’s lightweight.
Mineral sunscreen: Raw Elements Face + Body SPF 30 Sunscreen Tin — This stuff smells so good, and I don’t get burned as fast as wearing regular sunscreen.
Your lips need sunscreen too: Sun Bum SPF 30 Sunscreen Lip Balm — No more dry, cracked lips on the trail.
Put the DEET away: Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent — Did you know that DEET can stain and weaken synthetic fibers that are present in a lot of outdoor clothing?
Sun gloves: REI Co-op Active Pursuits Sun Gloves — I’ve literally had the tops of my hands get burned from holding my hiking poles all day, so I invested in sun gloves and I’m not looking back. With the sun gloves, I also have a better grip on my poles than with sweaty palms. On chilly alpine start mornings, my hands stay a bit warmer, too.
Pee Break Essentials For Your Day Hike Packing List
Peeing outside is kind of inevitable when you’re hiking for hours. Don’t be intimidated and have these items on your day hike packing list for women:
Kula Cloth Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth — I know this sounds gross, but hear me out. I’ve been using my Kula cloth for years. No need for toilet paper for potty breaks anymore. I feel cleaner than using toilet paper, and it’s also fantastic for backpacking.
Hand Sanitizer — For obvious reasons, use sanitizer before indulging in the snacks you brought on the hike.
(re) zip Stand-Up Reusable Snack Bags — I use one of these to store rolled toilet paper in. It’s the perfect width, and the toilet paper stays clean and dry. Sometimes it’s nice to use it as a tissue or if someone else needs it.
➡️ A Kula Cloth is a part of my ultralight backpacking hygiene kit.
Day Hike Packing List Beginner FAQs
Do I need bear spray on a day hike?
If you’re in bear country, yes! I carry bear spray when I’m backpacking in Colorado. Leave the bear spray at home if there’s not a threat of running into a bear.
Do I need hiking boots for a day hike?
Depends! Personally, I only wear boots if I know the terrain is going to be rocky and I’m going to want the extra protection of a boot.
Should I still wear sunscreen on cloudy days?
Yes! Clouds don’t block all UV rays. Your skin can still absorb harmful rays on overcast days. I always wear sunscreen on my face and choose to cover most of my skin when I can.
