Day Hiking Gear List

13 lb Pack Weight

My day hiking philosophy is to hope for the best and pack for the worst. Even though you expect to be home in time for supper, nature sometimes has other plans. This day hiking gear list includes minimalist camping gear, warm clothing, extra food, water and basic survival tools, so you can be prepared for the unexpected every time you hit the trail.

Happy trails,

Backpack & Emergency Shelter

Weight: 1.9 lbs

I recommend a day pack with 20-30 liters of capacity and at least 3 liters of water. You won’t be carrying a tent and sleeping bag on a day hike, but a few emergency shelter items can make all the difference if you have to spend an unexpected night in the woods.

Backpack & Emergency Shelter:

Backpack: Gregory Nano 22 H20 (19 oz)
Tarp/Ground Sheet: Equinox Silnylon Ground Sheet 42×90 (5 oz)
Emergency Bivvy: SOL Emergency Bivvy (3.8 oz)
Sit Pad: Therm-a-Rest Z Seat (2 oz)

Clothing Packed

Weight: 1.3 lbs

Even on a nice summer day, I like to pack a few essential pieces of warm/waterproof clothing. The extra pound of pack weight is well worth the extra security they provide. These items will save your bacon if the weather turns nasty or you get stuck outside overnight.

Clothing Packed:

Insulated Jacket: Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket (12 oz)
Rain Jacket: Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket (6.3 oz)
Warm Cap: REI Polartec Fleece Beanie (0.8 oz)
Gloves: REI Flash Power Wool Gloves (1.4 oz)
Bandana: Cotton Bandana (1 oz)

Survival & Miscellaneous

Weight: 1.5 lbs

You’ve probably heard of the “ten essentials.” I like to carry those, plus a few more. Some of these items may not get used very often, but it’s better to have them and not need them, than the other way around.

Survival & Miscellaneous:

Map: Trail Map (3 oz)
GPS Messenger: SPOT Satellite Messenger (5 oz)
Compass/Thermometer: Silva Pocket Compass (0.5 oz)
Light: Black Diamond Spot 400 (2.7 oz)
Multi Tool: Swiss Army Classic (0.7 oz)
Fire Starter: Mini Bic Lighter (0.4 oz)
Backup Fire Starter: Spark-Lite Fire Kit (0.4 oz)
Whistle: SOL Slim Howler (0.2 oz)
Signal Mirror: Signal Mirror (0.6 oz)
Tape: 50″ Duct Tape (0.6 oz)
Cord: 25′ Guyline (0.5 oz)
Writing: Memo Pad, Pencil & Sharpie (1.8 oz)
First Aid Kit: Adventure Medical .3 Kit (3.2 oz)
Trauma Bandage: QuickClot Gauze (1 oz)
Water Purification: 10 Aquatabs (0.5 oz)
Bug Head Net: Sea to Summit Head Net (1 oz)
Dry Sack: Sea to Summit UltraSil 8L (1 oz)
Ditty Sack: Granite Gear Air Zippsack 5L (1 oz)

Consumables

Weight: 8 lbs

I always carry a little more food and water than I plan to use on a day hike. At least a pound of food and 3 liters of water (maybe more if hiking in the desert.) Better to arrive back home with extra food and water than get stuck in the woods with not enough.

Consumables:

Food: Hiking Snacks (16 oz)
Water: 3 Liters Water (105 oz)
Toilet Paper: Toilet Paper (1 oz)
Hand Sanitizer: Purell 1 fl oz (1.2 oz)
Wet Wipes: Wet Ones Singles (x2) (0.4 oz)
Spare Batteries: Lithium AAA (x3) (0.8 oz)
Body Powder: Gold Bond Powder (1.8 oz)
Sunscreen: Travel Sunscreen (1.2 oz)
Lip Balm: Carmex Lip Balm (0.5 oz)
Bug Repellent: Deet 1 fl oz (1.5 oz)
Medication: Tylenol, Ibuprofin, Bennadryl, Immodium (0.5 oz)

Day Hiking Gear List Summary

Full Pack Weight: 12.7 lbs

There are a couple different methods for calculating pack weight. “Base weight” includes all the gear in your pack, but does not include consumables, clothing worn and other items worn or carried. “Full pack weight” includes consumables like food and water.

Here is how our example day hiking gear list stacks up:

Day Hiking Gear List

Backpack & Emergency Shelter: 1.9 lbs
Clothing Packed: 1.3 lbs
Survival & Miscellaneous: 1.5 lbs
Base Pack Weight: 4.7 lbs
+ Consumables: 8 lbs
Full Pack Weight: 12.7 lbs

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