What to Pack for a Day Hike: The Short List

A day hike doesn't need much, but the few things it needs it needs badly: water, a layer for when the weather turns, something to see with if you're back later than planned, and a way to carry it all without thinking about it. This is the list we use ourselves, in the order you'll reach for things on the trail.

1. Water, and a way to carry it

Plan on about half a litre per hour of walking in mild weather, more in summer or on steep ground. For anything over two hours a hydration pack is the most comfortable option: the bladder sits against your back, the weight stays centred and you drink without stopping. For shorter walks, one or two bottles in the side pockets do the job; a foldable bottle takes up no space once it's empty and is a good spare for hot days.

2. A rain layer, even if the forecast is good

Mountain weather changes faster than the forecast. A packable rain jacket or poncho weighs almost nothing and turns a miserable afternoon into a normal one. If you carry a backpack, add a rain cover; most daypacks aren't waterproof, and a wet lunch and a wet phone are the two things that end a hike early. Everything in our rain gear collection packs down to the size of a fist.

3. Sun protection

At altitude the sun is stronger than it feels. A cap or a wide-brim hat, a buff for your neck and sunscreen you actually reapply are the basics. For long days in the open, UV arm sleeves are lighter than a long-sleeve shirt and cooler to wear. See sun protection.

4. A headlamp, always

Most people who get caught out at dusk didn't plan a long hike; they planned a short one and took a wrong turn. A small rechargeable headlamp weighs 50–100 g, lives permanently in the top pocket of your pack and makes the walk back to the car a non-event. Charge it over USB the night before and you're set for the month.

5. Food and a small first-aid kit

Nuts, dried fruit, a sandwich or two, and something salty for hot days. Pack snacks you can eat while walking. The first-aid kit can be tiny: blister plasters, a few regular plasters, painkillers, a small roll of tape and any personal medication. Add a whistle and an emergency blanket; together they weigh less than a chocolate bar. You'll find both in thermal blankets and liners.

6. Navigation and phone

Download the map of the area before you leave; signal disappears exactly where you need it. A small power bank keeps the phone alive for photos and the map. A phone lanyard or a chest pocket means you stop fishing it out of the bottom of the pack every ten minutes.

7. Small things that earn their place

• Trekking poles, if your knees have opinions about descents.
• A sit pad: a few grams, and lunch on a wet rock becomes comfortable.
• A couple of carabiners or clips to hang the wet jacket or the bottle on the outside of the pack.
• A length of paracord: a broken strap, a makeshift clothesline, a hundred small fixes.
• A dry bag for the things that must not get wet: phone, keys, spare socks. See dry bags.

How to pack it

Heavy items (water, food) close to your back and in the middle of the pack; the rain layer and the headlamp on top where you can reach them without unpacking; snacks and the phone in the hip belt or side pockets. A 15–25 litre daypack is enough for everything above with room for a jumper.

Everything on this list, and the rest of our hiking gear, is in the Trail collection. If you're missing one thing in particular, start from Hydration, Light or Weather & Protection.