Day Hiking Gear List

My philosophy when it comes to day hiking is to hope for the best and plan for the worst. I recommend packing the “ten essentials,” plus a few more. That way, if something unexpected happens (like getting lost or injured,) you can survive a night or two in the wilderness.

For some of the important gear items in this list (like backpacks and clothing,) I have included several popular options for you to choose from. If you would like to see what kind of gear I pack for longer backpacking trips, check out My Long-Distance Backpacking Gear List.

Packing & Shelter

Weight: 2-3 pounds, Budget: ~$200

99.9% of day hikes turn out just as planned and you spend the night back home in your own bed. But, what happens that one time when you aren’t able to get back to your car before dark (or at all?) Packing a few extra items will allow you to survive a night or two in the woods, if you have to. You won’t be camping, but it sure beats sleeping on the ground in nothing but a t-shirt.

Lightweight Day Packs

Lightweight Day Packs

Emergency Shelter Items

Emergency Shelter

Example Packing & Shelter

Backpack: Camelbak Rim Runner 22 (25 ounces)
Emergency Bivy: SOL Emergency Bivy (3.8 ounces)
Tarp/Ground Cloth: Equinox Silnylon Ground Cloth (5 ounces)
Sit Pad: Therm-a-Rest Z Seat Sit Pad (2 ounces)

Total Weight: 2.2 lbs, Total Cost: ~$175

Clothing Packed

Weight: 1-2 pounds, Budget: ~$400

No matter how nice the weather is supposed to be, it can change on a dime in the mountains. It’s always a good idea to pack some cold weather clothing, just in case. A summer storm can ruin your day. And once the sun goes down, the temperature can drop as much as 50 degrees.

Lightweight Insulated Jackets

Lightweight Insulated Jackets

Lightweight Rain Jackets

Lightweight ain Jackets

Other Clothing Packed

Other Clothing Packed

Example Clothing Packed

Insulated Jacket: Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket (12 ounces)
Rain Jacket: Outdoor Research Helium II (6.4 ounces)
Warm Cap: Polartec Microfleece Beanie (0.8 ounces)
Gloves: Polartec Microfleece Gloves (1.4 ounces)
Bandana: Cotton Bandana (1 ounce)

Total Weight: 1.4 lbs, Total Cost: ~$400

Survival & Miscellaneous

Weight: 1.5 pounds, Budget: ~$250

These are items used for navigation, fire starting, first aid, gear repairs, organization and other various tasks. Though some of these items may not get used very often, it is still wise to carry them, because they can make all the difference in an emergency.

Day Hiking Survival & Miscellaneous

Items Worn or Carried

Weight: 1.6 pounds, Budget: ~$150 (not including cost of phone)

These are non-clothing items which are typically carried in your hands or on your body instead of inside your pack. It can be easy to forget them when you head out the door.

Day Hiking Items Worn or Carried

Consumables

Weight: ~7 pounds

These are items which get depleted with every hike, so remember to check them before you leave home to make sure you have enough on hand. I recommend carrying a pound of food on day-hikes. It is probably more than you will eat, but it’s better to have too much than too little.

Day Hiking Consumables

Day Hiking Gear List Summary

Full Pack Weight: 12 pounds, Cost: ~$975

Some of this gear may seem like overkill for a day hike, but it’s lightweight, easy to carry and will give you an extra cushion of security in case things don’t go as planned. And, if you do longer distance backpacking trips too, you probably already own many things on this list.

Example Day Hiking Gear List

Day Hiking Gear List
Packing & Shelter: 2.2 lbs, $175
Clothing Packed: 1.4 lbs, $400
Survival & Miscellaneous: 1.5 lbs, $250
+ Consumables: ~7 lbs
Full Pack Weight: 12 lbs
Items Worn or Carried: 1.6 lbs, $150
Total Cost: ~$975 (excluding consumables)