I know that outdoor gear can be overwhelming, so I’m so excited to break down what to pack for a day hike in this guide so you can hit the trail and be prepared.

If you’re just getting into hiking, try to use what you have or borrow from friends. There is no need to invest in all this gear below right away. It took me years to add to my outdoor collection.

I would just ensure you have the items that will keep you, your friends, and other hikers safe—and that is the Ten Essentials.

Navigation, headlamp, sun protection, first aid, knife, fire, shelter, extra food, water, and clothes! Don’t worry, every item is listed below.

Let’s jump into it.

What To Pack for a Day Hike

1. HIKING GEAR

Day hiking backpack:

You can certainly use what you have, but if you know you’ll be going on a lot of hikes, I suggest investing in a supportive and comfortable day-hiking backpack.

There are a few things I look for:

• 20 – 30L in size would be ideal. Depending on the hike, I have a 20L, 30L, and 36L day hiking bag. I like to bring my bigger backpacks as I have a lot of camera gear and like to bring a lot of extra food and layers.

• Make sure there are supportive, thick waist straps. I’d stay away from day packs that only have a string for waist support. You want to have good waist support so that the weight is distributed evenly across your waist and not on your shoulders.

• A spot for a hydration pack will make your day hiking experience a whole lot easier.

• A sternum strap, or a strap that goes across your chest, will help keep the bag in place.

Here are some of my recommendations:

• Osprey Tempest 30L Pack — shop at REI • Backcountry • Altitude Sports
• Osprey Skimmer 20L Pack — shop at REI • Backcountry • Altitude Sports
• Osprey Kyte 38L Pack — shop at REI • Backcountry • Altitude Sports

Hiking Poles:

Hiking poles make you more stable and balanced, and they also help conserve energy. You’ll want your hiking poles to collapse to a compact size and be lightweight.

The Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Poles — shop at REI • Backcountry • Altitude Sports

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Hiking Boots:

Boots are hard to recommend because everyone is different, so what may work for me may not work for you. Here are the boots that I have tried and loved:

• Danner Mountain 600 Boot — shop at REI • Backcountry • Altitude Sports
• Oboz Katabatic Mid Boot — shop at REI • Backcountry • MEC
• Danner Trail 2650 Shoe — shop at REI • Backcountry

2. CLOTHING & LAYERS

Tops:

I like to hike with a long-lined sports bra and a top that is moisture-wicking and quick drying—use what you have!

Avoid wearing cotton while day hiking because it cannot wick sweat and is slow to dry, which can lead to getting cold.

I personally start with a short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirt on, then take it off and hike in my sports bra, depending on the temperature and exposure to the sun.

Here are my favorite sports bras/tanks:

• Beyond Yoga Spacedye Slim Racerback — shop at REI • Backcountry
• Vuori Elevation Racerback Tank Top — shop at REI
• Beyond Yoga Spacedye Good Day Cropped Tank Top — shop at REI
• Vuori Pose Plyo Rib Tank Top — shop at REI
• lululemon Align Tank — shop at lululemon
• FP Movement All Clear Solid Cami — shop at Free People • Backcountry

Here are my favorite short-sleeved tops:

• Golden Butter Bound T-Shirt — shop at Aritzia
• Patagonia Capilene Cool Shirt — shop at REI • Backcountry • MEC

And my favorite long-sleeved tops:

• Patagonia Cool Long-Sleeve Shirt — shop at REI • Backcountry • Altitude Sports
• Vuori Dune Long Sleeve — shop at REI
• Golden Butter Bound Long Sleeve — shop at Aritizia
• I also just thrift older shirts, anything works!

I like to bring a cozy long-sleeve shirt with me that I will change into when I get to my destination, like this Free People yellow long-sleeved shirt!

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Bottoms:

I choose shorts or pants depending on the weather. I tend to look for shorts and pants that have a belt to adjust the waistband. I also prefer shorts with a 4-5″ inseam and pants with a 27-29″ inseam because I’m 5’4.

Here are some of my all-time favorite shorts:

• Outdoor Research Ferrosi 5″ Short — shop at REI • Backcountry • Altitude Sports
• Patagonia Baggies 5in Short — shop at REI • Backcountry • Altitude Sports
• Patagonia Outdoor Everyday 4in Short — shop at REI • Patagonia • Backcountry • Altitude Sports
• FP Movement Never Better Shorts — shop at Free People
• Beyond Yoga Spacedye Keep Pace Biker Shorts — shop at REI
• Oner Active Seamless Shorts — shop at Oner Active

And below are my favorite hiking pants:

• Fjallraven Keb Curved Trouser — shop at REI • Backcountry • MEC
• FP Movement Never Better Legging — shop at Free People • Backcountry
• lululemon Align Legging — shop at lululemon
• Arc’teryx Gamma Pant — shop at REI

Insulated Layer:

No matter how high the temperatures are you need to bring an insulated layer with you! Weather can change quickly!

I bring a fleece and puffy with me on every day trip because I’m type-A, but one is sufficient.

Here are my favorite fleeces:

• Patagonia Microdini Half-Zip Fleece — shop at REI • Backcountry • Altitude Sports
• Patagonia Retro Pile Marsupial Pullover — shop at REI • Backcountry • Altitude Sports
• Patagonia Better Sweater — shop at REI • Backcountry • Altitude Sports
• FP Movement Mountain High 1/2 Zip Fleece — shop at Free People

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And my favorite insulated layer/puffies:

• Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket — shop at REI • Backcountry • Altitude Sports
• Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket — shop at REI • Backcountry • Altitude Sports
• Arc’teryx Cerium Down Hoodie — shop at REI

Outer Layer

Just like an insulated layer, I always pack a rain jacket in case the weather turns for the worse.

This also helps with wind, which can come out of nowhere.

• Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket — shop at REI
• Rab Kinetic 2.0 Jacket — shop at Backcountry • Altitude Sports

Everything Else (Clothing Wise):

• I love to hike in Smartwool merino wool socks
• Make sure to bring extra clothes
• I also always bring a toque, just in case!

3. Sun Protection

A hat can go a long way while day hiking! I love the Patagonia Trad Cap.

You also need to pack sunglasses, sunscreen, and SPF lip balm—my lips always get burnt!

Even if it’s not sunny outside when you start your hike, the weather can change on a dime so having these items is really important.

4. Water

Water is essential when day hiking. Always have a water bottle/reservoir, a way to filter water (I like water tablets for day hikes), and electrolytes:

• Nalgene 1L Bottle — shop at REI • Backcountry • MEC
• Nalgene 1.5L Bottle — shop at REI • MEC
• CamelBak 2L Reservoir — shop at REI • Backcountry • Altitude Sports
• Water tablets — shop at REI • Backcountry • MEC
• Platypus Gravity Water Filter — shop at REI • Backcountry • MEC
• NUUN electrolytes — shop at REI • Backcountry • MEC

5. Food

It’s super important to bring food, and extra food in case of an emergency and you’re outside longer than you intend to be.

I love high-energy snacks like energy bars, energy chews, candy, waffles, dried fruits etc. and like to shop at REI and MEC (Canada).

If you want something fresh, I suggest bringing fruits and vegetables that won’t get squished—so stay away from nectarines and kiwis (unless you make sure they are going to be safe) and go for apples and oranges.

You can also bring a small bag for trash if you’d like. I bring way more food than I think I need so don’t skip out here.

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6. Emergency Tools

There are a few things that I like to keep in my day hiking pack at all times and they are items that might save my life.

It’s easier if you have all of these items in a small Ziploc so you can keep them all in one place.

• First Aid — shop at REI • Backcountry • MEC
• Moleskin for blisters — shop at REI • Backcountry • MEC
• Whistle (might be on your backpack stap)
• Emergency Shelter — shop at REI • Backcountry • MEC
• Pain medication (like Tylenol, Pepto, etc.)
• 1-2 lighters and/or waterproof matches
• Bear Spray (store in an easy to access spot while hiking not in with the items above) — shop at REI • Backcountry • MEC
• Multi-tool or knife — shop at REI • Backcountry • MEC
• Small gear repair kit (with items like duct tape, tent pole sleeve, etc.)

7. Navigation

Do not hit the trail without downloading an offline map on apps like AllTrails, Gaia, or Strava.

You likely will be out of service and having an offline map may save your life. I always put my phone on airplane mode when I day hike and I know how long it can last for. I have the new phone though which has great battery life.

You can always bring a portable power bank to ensure your battery doesn’t run out!

I will forever, and ever, and ever, recommend having a satellite communication device, like the Garmin in Reach Mini.

This required a monthly membership and is pricy, but it allows you to talk to your loved ones and friends, press a SOS button for emergency help, and has a compass.

8. Headlamp

A light source is incredibly important and takes up an extremely small space in your day hiking bag.

Always bring a headlamp with you (and make sure it is charged or has charged batteries).

I love the BioLite headlamp. You can snag it at REI, Backcountry, and MEC.

9. Health and Hygiene

You probably will need to use the bathroom when you’re on your day hike so be prepared, no matter how long the hike is!

It’s also important to bring bug spray (natural or with DEET) in times when the bugs are out and about. I always pack:

• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper (and a ziplock bag to pack out)
• Trowel — shop at REI
• Kula Cloth (a new addition to my day hiking backpack I’ve been loving!)
• Insect repellent — shop at REI

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10. Extras

• A small towel
• Bathing suit
• Camera and batteries
• Is it cold and rainy? I’d bring extra socks, extra layers like rain pants, gaiters, and a camp stove and camp mug to make hot water or coffee!