Hiking is basically walking in the woods — putting one foot in front of the other while enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Just about anyone can do it, and you don’t need a lot of gear to get started.
Experts (and gear manufacturers) often talk about all the cool gear and clothing that will elevate your hiking experience, but in reality, you don’t need much to start day hiking.
Sturdy footwear and a backpack will get you started, along with the ten essentials.
What are the 10 essentials for hiking, you ask? These are the heavy hitters that will keep you safe and comfortable on every single hike.
Once you get into the habit of packing the 10 essentials for hiking, it becomes second nature, and you’ll have important supplies at the ready during your trail-based adventures.
You will likely find that you rarely use some of the items that you store in the bottom of your daypack, but the most important gear is lightweight and doesn’t take up much space.
I’ll admit that I haven’t always packed the 10 essentials, especially if I was hiking on an easy trail that I’ve walked on many times in the past. It was all about risk analysis, and it was just easier to grab my water bottle and phone as I headed out the door.
After years of raising outdoor kids and adventurous dogs, several minor woodland catastrophes, and a published hiking guide under my belt, I’m officially in the “better-safe-than-sorry” camp, and I don’t regret it for a minute.
Not to mention that I’ve solidly entered middle age and hike solo more often than not.
Table of Contents
Why 10 Essentials for Hiking?
In the 1930s, an organization for climbers and hikers called The Mountaineers proposed a list of 10 essential hiking items to help outdoor lovers prepare for small and large emergencies.
The original 10 essentials for hiking included a map, compass, sun protection, extra layers, a headlamp or flashlight, a first-aid kit, a fire starter, matches, a knife, and extra food.
Many of the original 10 essentials are still important, but instead of a concrete list, the 10 essentials are now more of a framework for what to include in your pack to prepare for all the what-ifs you might have to deal with.
Here’s an overview of the 10 essentials for hiking, followed by an overview of what we carry with us on every single day hike.
The 10 Essentials for Hiking: Quick Guide
- Navigation: How will you find your way? Pack a map and compass, a gps device, or download a reliable GPS app on your cell phone that is suitable for use offline (don’t forget a portable power bank to charge your phone).
- Headlamp or light source: Check to make sure your headlamp is fully charged before a hike. These Biolite 325 HeadLamps are rechargeable, bright, and lightweight.
- Sun protection: Sunglasses, sunblock, and SPF lip balm can live in your daypack so you never forget them.
- First aid: Essential items include bandages and gauze, Benadryl for allergic reactions, insect repellent to prevent mosquito and tick bites, and common medications. Store in a small Ziplock bag, or get a premade hiking first aid kit.
- Knife: A simple pocket knife is useful for many things, including first aid and gear repair.
- Fire: How would you create a fire in an emergency? A lighter and some tinder don’t take up much room and can be a lifesaver when you need extra warmth.
- Emergency shelter: A mylar space blanket will keep you warm when you need it most.
- Extra food: Pack snacks for your hike and then a bit extra for emergencies.
- Extra water: Bring what you need for your hike, and then extra for emergencies.
- Extra clothes: This is weather-dependent, but at the very least, keep a lightweight waterproof shell in your backpack for summer hikes and an insulating layer for the other three seasons.
Obviously, you should tailor your ten hiking essentials packing list to match your hike.
Consider the weather, length of the trail, difficulty, and distance from civilization. Longer, more difficult hikes will require more careful preparation.
10 Essentials for Hiking: The Details
If you’ve been hiking for a while, you may not need to read any further, but we wanted to explore the essentials we pack for hiking a little deeper.
We’ve been fine-tuning our system for years now, and we adjusted everything this summer as we hiked almost every day while researching a Vermont hiking guidebook.
First, a note about daypacks. Do you have a favorite?
I went with the lightest and smallest pack with a hydration reservoir I could find, which was this Gregory Amasa 14L daypack. Daypacks are often a matter of personal preference, so I recommend visiting a gear store to try on different brands before making a purchase.
Navigation
I’ll be honest, I almost never bring a physical map or compass with me on hikes, although if it’s a trail I’m unfamiliar with, I’ll print out a map before leaving home.
I live in the northeast and hike on well-established trails. The backcountry in Vermont is not the same as the backcountry in Montana. It’s rare that I don’t see other hikers when I’m in the woods.
For navigation, I use AllTrails+. I love that I can download maps for offline use (and print them as a backup), research conditions before I head out on a hike, easily find trails near me, and read real-time reviews from other hikers. It’s the one app I wouldn’t hike without.
Yes, technology can fail. Bring a charger to keep your device powered up. My charger will give my phone four extra charges and can also charge my headlamp.
A paper topographic map is a better choice If you are heading into remote areas that you don’t know. USGS Topographic maps for any region in the US can be downloaded and printed for free.
Headlamp for Navigation After Dark
I use the Biolite 325 HeadLamp, which is the lightest and cheapest that Biolite makes. Not only is this the most comfortable headlamp I’ve ever worn, but it also holds a charge for a long time so that I can just keep it in my backpack until I remember to pull it out and charge it.
If you are doing a lot of overnights, you may want to upgrade to the Biolite 425 headlamp, which is brighter, heavier, and more rugged.
Sun Protection
Most of the northeast hiking I do is deep in the woods, so sun protection is less important. I have really fair skin, though, so I always pack the basics. This includes a tiny (3-ounce) bottle of reef-safe sunscreen, a tube of SPF lip balm, and my prescription sunglasses.
If you are hiking above the tree line, I would strongly suggest wearing long sleeves with SPF protection and a wide-brimmed hat.
First-Aid Supplies and a Repair Kit for Hiking
First aid supplies are another of the 10 essentials for hiking that require some risk analysis. Consider the length and difficulty of your hike, as well as the emergency situations you are most likely to encounter, and pack accordingly.
I make my own basic first aid kit, which includes foot care items, wound care items, Benadryl (for humans and dogs), Tylenol, and Vet Wrap, a self-adhesive tape for our dogs’ feet. I also tuck in a small bottle of insect repellent to prevent tick bites and pesky mosquitoes.
You can certainly buy a basic first aid kit until you feel more confident knowing what you might need.
As for a repair kit, it’s a good idea to carry duct tape, super glue, and a needle and thread to repair your pack or clothing while hiking. I wrap duct tape around a pencil or pen and tuck it into my pack — it’s good for all types of repairs.
Pocket Knife
I most often use my Swiss army knife to cut medical tape and remove splinters, but I have also used it to free my dog, who was tangled in fishing line, harvest mushrooms, and cut up a block of cheese at snack time.
Since a pocket knife has an endless number of uses in the woods, it seems silly not to have one in your pack. I carry this lightweight Opinel pocket knife on every hike.
Fire Starter
I have never used my emergency fire-starting kit when hiking. I have never even started a fire when hiking. Still, I carry a lighter or waterproof matches, along with a wad of dryer lint, in a small Ziplock bag. Some day, I will need it, and I will be prepared!
Emergency Shelter
For day hikes, I just keep a mylar emergency blanket in with my first aid kit. It’s another piece of gear that I’ve never used, but I imagine that if I had to sleep in the woods, I’d be fortunate to have it.
Mylar blankets are also great as an additional layer when hiking in the cold and to wrap up a human or dog who is hurt or in shock to help retain body heat. I also keep a few in my car in case we have a winter emergency while road-tripping.
Food Preparation
Only you will know how much food you need for your day hike. If we’re going to be out for less than three hours, I pack a few of these granola bars and some dried fruit.
It’s enough food for a quick burst of energy and would likely tide me over if I had to spend the night in the woods.
The longer and more difficult the hike, the more your emergency food supply will matter.
Water and Water Filter
The rule of thumb is to carry about a 1/2 liter of water for every hour on the trail with moderate activity. Higher amounts of water are recommended when the temperatures are very hot, the hike is difficult, or you are at high elevations.
A daypack with a hydration bladder is great for three-season use. Mine holds three liters of water and I fill it based on the above criteria. My husband simply carries Nalgene bottles with water for drinking, which are lightweight and much easier to clean than the hydration reservoirs.
For longer hikes, a few iodine tablets are not a bad idea, so you can treat water from wild water sources in an emergency. If you are traveling deep into the backcountry, you may want to add a small water filter to your day pack.
Extra Clothing
When hiking, you want to be prepared for fluctuations in temperature and extreme weather conditions. That means thinking ahead about the clothing you’ll need for rain, snow, wind, or extreme cold.
If you are hiking up a mountain, expect the temperatures to drop as you climb in elevation, and be prepared to throw on an extra layer. You will also need warmer layers if you plan on relaxing at the top and enjoying the view.
What you choose to pack for extra clothing will depend on many factors, but here are a few suggestions:
- Merino wool layers: Merino wool base layers are expensive but so worth it. They are naturally antimicrobial so they rarely smell nasty, plus they wick moisture away from your skin to keep you dry and warm. Do not wear cotton clothing when hiking! Cotton does not dry well and could hasten hypothermia in wet conditions.
- Extra socks: Great for when your feet get wet, either from sweat or from walking through water. We love Darn Tough Vermont socks, which are made in Vermont from merino wool and come with a lifetime guarantee.
- Wool hat and gloves: For fall, winter, and spring, plus summer hiking at higher elevations.
- Waterproof layer: A waterproof layer is crucial for four seasons of protection from wind and rain. The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket is my current favorite waterproof shell. It weighs 12.4 ounces and packs down small.
- Puffy layer: For days when we’re not sure what the weather will bring, or when we’re climbing in elevation, we also pack a down puffy jacket. This one from REI is so light and packable but may not hold up well to brambles and such. Mine has lasted for about three years, but I patch it with NoSo patches (these make great gifts, too), and it’s almost ready to be replaced. Also, this puffy jacket is not waterproof, but it is quite warm.
Skills, Knowledge, and Tips for Casual Hikers
Packing the 10 essentials is a great first step for anyone who wants to become a more prepared and confident hiker. The more you hike, the more you will want to hike. Here are a few additional tips and skills you can work on to prepare yourself for an outdoor life.
- Always tell someone where your trip plans when you hike alone. I usually tell my husband the name of the trail I will be hiking on. Then, I text him at the trailhead before the hike and again after the hike. AllTrails+ has a cool new feature that allows you to share where you are with a trusted friend or family member in real time. If you frequently hike in remote areas, invest in a personal locator beacon so you can be found if you are lost or injured.
- Sign up for a wilderness first aid course. Contact your local hiking club to find out if one is offered near you. As an alternative, take a basic first aid course that includes CPR and emergency preparedness.
- Learn primitive skills. This is another course that you should be able to find in your local area. Learn about edible plants, building emergency shelters, and how to stay alive in the woods. YouTube videos and books are poor substitutes, but they are better than nothing.
- Learn basic knots. They are handy in life, and especially in the outdoors! I practice knots in my free time using this book.
Now that you know the 10 essentials for hiking, here are a few more hiking essentials (the less essential essentials, if you will). This includes some extra pieces of equipment and clothing that I love for hiking in three seasons.
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Tara Schatz is a freelance writer and travel blogger with a passion for outdoor adventures. She is the co-author of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont and currently blogs at Back Road Ramblers and Vermont Explored, where she shares travel tips, adventure destinations, and vacation ideas for the wanderer in everyone.