Checklist for Hiking

Day hiking is a great way to experience the outdoors without having to dedicate multiple days to the journey. One can enjoy many of the wonders that the rural outdoors has to offer without much experience, but hiking still requires many pieces of gear to ensure a safe and comfortable trip. If you’re planning on a longer excursion, then you may also want to check out our backpacking checklist to ensure that you’ve packed the right gear for your trip. Similarly, anybody planning overnight stays in the wilderness will also want to review our camping lists as well.

Click here  to download a printable PDF shopping list.

Day Hiking Essentials

There are certainly many items that one can stock in their pack for a day hiking trip, but depending on your route, your experience levels, and your planned activities during your hiking excursion, you may need to bring some or all of these essentials along for the journey.

Day Hiking Basic Gear

Beyond the essentials, many will also opt to stock for a variety of additional hiking activities that may happen along the route. Similarly, those who are planning a full day of hiking as opposed to a quick hiking trip may need to pack additional gear to help sustain them for the longer journey. For those who plan to stop for a full meal, ensure that you’ve packed gear from this list that is required for cooking/food preparation as well.

Clothing

Depending on the season you’re hiking in, you may be able to pack a lighter load. Many will opt to bring weather-related items (like rain gear) in their pack while simply dressing in the layers they plan to use for the day. As the temperatures rise and activity warms the system, hikers can then shed these layers quickly and easily to adjust for comfort.

First Aid/Emergency Gear

As with any outdoor activity, you’ll want to ensure that you always bring your first aid essentials along for the trip. Hiking can expose adventurers to the elements as well as unfamiliar territory, so pack to prepare for accidents or emergencies that may occur.

A good rule of thumb is to leave your trip itinerary with a friend as well as in your vehicle (under your car seat) in case you become disoriented, lost, or injured. In this manner, not only will your friends have your information, but emergency personnel can also have quick access to documents should they come across your vehicle.