What Are the 10 Essentials for Day Hiking? A Complete Checklist

Hiking is basically walking in the woods — putting one foot in front of the other while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

You don’t need much gear to day hike, but you do need the right gear.

The 10 hiking essentials are a time-tested framework that has kept hikers safe since the 1930s, and they’re just as relevant today, whether you’re tackling a short nature trail or a full-day summit push.

This guide covers all 10 essentials for day hiking, why each one matters, and the specific items I trust on the trail so you can pack with confidence and spend less time second-guessing.

What are the 10 Essentials for Day Hiking?

What are the 10 essentials for day hiking, you ask?  These are the heavy hitters that will keep you safe and comfortable on every single hike.

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 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, they’re 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.

Once you get into the habit of packing them, it becomes second nature, and you’ll have important supplies at the ready during your trail-based adventures.

1. Navigation

I’ll be honest: I almost never bring a physical map or compass on hikes, though 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 Plus (my referral link will save you 30% off your subscription). 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 power bank 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.

2. Headlamp for Navigation After Dark

I use the Biolite Range 500, which is ultra-light and incredibly bright. 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.

3. 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.

4. First-Aid Kit

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 keep pesky mosquitoes away.

You can certainly buy a basic first-aid kit until you feel more confident knowing what you might need.

5. Knife or Multi-Tool

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.

6. Fire Starter

I have never had to use my emergency fire-starting kit while 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!

7. 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 cold weather and for wrapping a human or dog who is hurt or in shock, helping retain body heat. I also keep a few in my car in case of a winter emergency while road-tripping.

7. Extra Food

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’ll 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.

8. Water and Water Filter

The rule of thumb is to carry about 1/2 liter of water per hour on the trail with moderate activity. Higher amounts of water are recommended when the temperatures are very hot, the hike is challenging, or you are at high elevations.

A daypack with a hydration bladder is great for three-season use. Mine holds 3 liters of water, and I fill it according to 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.

9. Extra Clothing

When hiking, you want to be prepared for temperature fluctuations 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 temperature to drop as you climb in elevation, and be prepared to add an extra layer. You will also need warmer layers if you plan to relax at the top and enjoy 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. The Ibex Woolies Pro Tech base layers are so light and warm, you won’t even notice them. They are naturally antimicrobial, so they rarely smell nasty, and 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. If you have wide feet or ankles, go with Merino socks from Wide Open (a spin-off of Darn Tough).
  
• Wool hat and gloves: For fall, winter, and spring, plus summer hiking at higher elevations.
  
• Waterproof layer: A waterproof layer is essential for protection from wind and rain throughout the seasons. 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.

Beyond the Basics: Skills Every Hiker Should Have

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 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 Plus has a cool new feature that lets you share your location 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.
• Obviously, you should tailor your ten hiking essentials packing list to match your hike. Consider the weather, the length of the trail, the difficulty, and the distance from civilization. Longer, more difficult hikes will require more careful preparation.
  

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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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