Use this handy day hiking checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything important on your next day hike.
Essential Skills
Clothing
- Comfortable wool or synthetic clothes you can get dirty
- Insulating layer (fleece, puffy jacket, etc.)
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Wool or synthetic hiking socks
- Hiking boots or shoes
Equipment
- First aid kit
- Daypack
- Map/compass/trail guide
- Water bottles or bladder
- Water treatment system
- Lighter or waterproof matches
- Head lamp
- Trowel, toilet paper, hand soap
- Emergency kit (contains gear repair items, emergency blanket, extra headlamp batteries, etc.)
Food
- Calorie-dense, lightweight snacks
- Lunch (if you’ll be out long)
- A liter of water for about every 5 miles you plan to hike
- Trash bag
Some suggested snacks:
- Granola or protein bars
- Nuts and dried fruit
- Jerky
Dakota Jackson
Optional Items
- Rain pants/skirt
- Sunscreen/sun hat
- Bug spray
- Hiking poles
- Gaiters
- Bandana, buff/neck gaiter
- Pocket knife
- Binoculars
- Nature guidebooks
- Satellite communication device
