My Complete Day Hiking Gear List

This hiking gear list covers what I typically carry on day hikes, along with how I adapt it for hot or cold-weather conditions.

What I bring on a day hike varies with the season, weather, trail length and terrain, but these are the core items I carry on hikes. Many are part of the Ten Essentials, which I use as a baseline for my hiking kit. My setup covers the basics — hydration, nutrition, layers and safety gear — with a few additions for hot- and cold-weather conditions.

Daypacks

For short day hikes and warm-weather outings, I look for a 20–25 liter daypack that carries all the essentials comfortably. I prefer a pack with good ventilation and a supportive suspension system, along with an adjustable fit for comfort. Multiple pockets and compartments make it easy to organize gear, and easy access to the main compartment helps when you need something quickly.

• Osprey Sirrus 24: This pack features water bottle and hip belt pockets, a large U-shaped zipper for quick access, and a built-in rain cover.

In the colder months, I switch to a larger daypack than I use in summer. Extra space is essential for bulky insulating layers, rain protection, and other items that aren’t typically required in warmer conditions. A slightly larger pack also makes it easier to stow layers as conditions change throughout the day. For me, a 35-liter pack hits the sweet spot — roomy enough to carry everything I need without feeling oversized or cumbersome on a day hike.

• REI Traverse 35: This daypack has a side zipper for easy access to the main compartment and a top lid for stashing smaller items. My favorite feature is the forward-tilted water bottle pockets, which make it easier to reach a bottle or other items in the side pockets.

Hydration

My hydration method has evolved over the years. I used to carry a hydration reservoir, but switched to lightweight water bottles because they’re easier to monitor and refill, less prone to leaks, and lighter. Instead, carrying two water bottles — one for electrolytes and one for plain water — works best for me.

When I need more water on a hike, I stop at a water source along the trail and filter directly into a bottle. This lets me carry less water in my pack when reliable water sources are available.

• Nalgene 16 oz Water Bottle
  I use this small Nalgene as my dedicated bottle for electrolyte mixes on hikes. It’s much easier to add electrolyte powder through the wide opening, and the smaller size of the bottle fits better in my daypack’s side pockets.
• Mazama M!go Mini water bottle (3.9 oz)
  M!GO bottles feature a wide-mouth, plus a standard 28 mm threaded opening that connects to a water filter when I need to fill up on trail.
• CNOC Vecto: Used for collecting water to filter, this container has openings at both ends and attaches to a water filter.
• Platypus QuickDraw: This filter has a fast flow rate and attaches easily to bottles. It also lets you check whether the filter has been compromised, which is reassuring after drops or freezing temperatures.

Essentials & Electronics

I always carry a few lightweight essentials for electronics, repairs and emergencies, so I’m prepared if something unexpected comes up.

• headlamp: Nitecore NU25 400 Lumen Headlamp (1.6 oz)
  This ultralight headlamp combines dual spot and flood beams, a red light, and a rechargeable battery.
• battery backup: Flextail Zero Power Bank + lanyard with USB-C cable (5.1 oz)
  For recharging devices, the Zero Power is an ultralight, slim power bank with fast charging and efficiency modes.
• satellite communication device: Garmin InReach Messenger (4 oz)
  I carry the Garmin inReach Messenger on hikes primarily for its SOS function, which can send an emergency message and my location to emergency responders via satellite. It’s a two-way satellite communicator, so it can also send and receive messages when cell service isn’t available.
• repair kit: Igneous Repair Spool (1.1 oz)
  This is a compact repair kit that brings several essential items together in one tidy package. It includes a short length of heavy-duty tape, sewing needle and thread, and patches for repairing clothing and other gear.
• multi-tool: Leatherman Squirt PS4 Multi-tool (2 oz)
  A multi-tool with a small knife, scissors, and additional tools comes in handy for quick repairs and other tasks on the trail. The Squirt is no longer available, so I recommend the Leatherman Micra.
• dry bag for essentials: Zpacks Small Dry Bag (0.4 oz)
  This roll top dry bag is made from waterproof Dyneema fabric and has velcro across the top for easy closing of the bag. I’ve had this same bag for almost ten years and it’s still in great condition.
• wallet: Cowboy Camping Saloon Slimfold (0.4 oz)
  For carrying cash, ID, my debit card, and an extra house key.
• emergency shelter: SOL Emergency Bivvy (3 oz)
  This is a mylar blanket shaped like a sleeping bag, designed to help retain body heat in case of an emergency.

First Aid

Accidents happen… be prepared to deal with them by taking a first aid kit with medical supplies for hikers. When I first started hiking, I bought a full-featured first-aid kit that weighed just over a pound. Over time, I discovered that I didn’t need everything in the kit so now I carry fewer items while still having everything I need to deal with emergencies on trail. Some of the items I carry came from that original kit, but most have been replaced with items from home. After taking a Wilderness First Aid class, I discovered that I could carry fewer items while still having everything I need to deal with emergencies on trail. To learn more, see What’s in My First Aid Kit.

Additional Items

• sit pad: Therm-a-Rest Z Seat
  For sitting on breaks, a foam pad will not only protect your bum from sticks or rocks, it will also provide insulation. Look for a foam pad with silver coating on one side, which reflects body heat to keep you warm.
• pee cloth: Kula Cloth
  No one likes seeing toilet paper left in the outdoors. When nature calls and I need to pee on a hike, I use a pee cloth for drying off. This pee cloth has an absorbent, antimicrobial side and a waterproof side, with a snap loop for easy closure and attachment to your pack.
• trekking poles: Leki Cressida FX Carbon AS I always hike with trekking poles, no matter the trail. Among the many benefits, they help to reduce strain on your lower body by distributing some of the work to your upper body. I like how they help give me a boost when going up steep steps, and how they provide stability when descending. And crossing streams is much easier when I have poles to provide more points of contact.
• fanny pack: For holding my wallet, keys and other small items, I carry a fanny pack on hikes — usually stashed in my pack rather than worn. I prefer an ultralight version because it’s minimal and doesn’t add bulk. It’s also handy for stops on the way to and from the trailhead.

Layers

The layers that I take on day hikes varies based on conditions, but at a minimum, I carry a rain jacket on every hike and add a mid-layer or puffy jacket for warmth.

To learn more, see How to Layer Hiking Apparel.

Hot Weather Additions

In addition to my core day hiking gear, I bring a few small but essential items when temperatures rise. Sun protection is a priority, so I carry sunscreen, a brimmed hat, and lip balm with SPF, along with insect repellent. To save space and keep them within easy reach, I transfer sunscreen into a small travel-sized container, while lip balm and insect repellent come in convenient packets — together, they fit neatly in my hip belt pocket for quick access on the trail.

On extra hot days, I use either a lightweight neck gaiter or a tie with cooling gels, dipping them in cold creeks I pass to stay cool and help regulate my body temperature. Since I’m prone to heat exhaustion, this method provides an effective way to reduce the risk of overheating.

• Outdoor Research Sun Runner Cap: This cap has a wide brim and a removable cape that adds extra coverage.
• Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent: This lotion provides up to 14 hours of protection from ticks and mosquitoes.
• Badger Sport Mineral Sunscreen: Mineral sunscreen offers strong, broad-spectrum protection and stays put even when you sweat.
• Ben's Insect Repellent Wipes: I use these wipes on days when mosquitoes are bothersome.
• Burts Bees Lip Balm with SPF: Protect your lips from the sun with this lip balm with SPF.
• Buff Neck Gaiter: A neck gaiter provides extra protection from the sun, and when dipped in cold water adds a cooling effect.
• Kafka's Kool Tie: This lightweight scarf is designed with polymer crystals that hold water to help keep you cool.

Cold Weather Additions

Keeping your head and hands warm is key in colder conditions. I usually wear a cap with a brim for sun protection, relying on my jacket hood rather than a beanie unless it’s truly cold. When temperatures drop, I add a fleece-lined hat and a neck gaiter, which I prefer over a scarf for extra warmth and to block drafts.

My hands get cold easily, so gloves are always part of my cold-weather kit. I carry two pairs in case one gets wet, typically using a lightweight pair for most conditions and a more insulated pair for frigid temperatures or strong winds. For both, I choose gloves that work with touchscreen devices so I can use my phone without taking them off.

• Smartwool Merino Beanie: This wool hat provides warmth without adding much bulk.
• Buff Polar: This two-layer neck gaiter is fleece-lined and adds a lot of warmth .
• Black Diamond Midweight Screentap: These gloves strike a good balance of warmth and dexterity, with Polartec fleece lining and touchscreen compatibility.

Traction

In the winter, icy trails are more common. Falling on ice is no fun, as my shoulder can tell you from when I took a hard fall a few years ago. Wearing a pair of microspikes over your hiking boots or shoes will prevent this from happening. The type of traction devices used for walking on city sidewalks (Yaktrax or similar) doesn’t provide enough grip for icy trails so I’d recommend keeping a pair of microspikes in your pack instead.

• Katoola Microspikes: These traction devices fit over hiking boots and also work well with trail running shoes.