Day Hiking Checklist

A day hike can be as simple as walking a well-maintained trail near your home or as complex as a dawn-to-dusk journey through a remote wilderness area. The items you bring may vary depending on the difficulty and length of the hike, but no matter how you travel, it’s always important to be prepared. Below we list the most important items for day hiking, including outdoor clothing and footwear, essential equipment like a daypack and trekking poles, and personal items and extras. For each category, we’ve pinpointed necessary items—along with our top picks—as well as optional gear. Finally, for all our product recommendations in one place, see our detailed hiking gear reviews.

Editor's note: The table above provides a brief overview of what you'll need to get outside, but our full PDF version is printable and offers a more comprehensive breakdown of the necessities and nice-to-haves.
See Our Day Hiking Checklist PDF

Day Hiking Clothing and Footwear

Whether you’re headed out for a quick afternoon jaunt on a local trail or waking up before dawn to summit a 14er, the clothing and footwear below covers what we bring on most hikes to ensure a comfortable and safe day out. We've also included a handful of optional items that may or may not be worth packing depending on factors like weather and trail conditions. And when applicable, we've included links to our gear round-ups where we break down our top picks for each category.
 

Hiking Shoes, Hiking Boots, or Trail Runners

Our top pick: Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX ($160) 
What we like: Well-rounded performance, reliable traction, and solid support and protection for a low-top hiker.
What we don’t: Difficult to customize fit; several users have reported durability and comfort issues, although we’ve had largely positive experiences.

Hiking Socks

Our top pick: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion ($22) 
What we like: Great all-day comfort and backed by Darn Tough’s lifetime guarantee.
What we don’t: For high-output or heart-of-summer use, we’d opt for a thinner design like Smartwool’s Run Zero Cushion.

Hiking Pants or Hiking Shorts

Our top pick: Prana Stretch Zion ($95) 
What we like: Comfortable, durable, and crosses over well for around-town wear.
What we don’t: Not the most breathable option for hot weather—for that, we turn to the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants or Shorts.

Hiking Shirt or Baselayer

Our top pick: Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Shirt ($45)
What we like: Light and airy feel, breathes and wicks moisture well, holds up well over time.
What we don’t: For maximum odor resistance, we turn to merino wool designs like Smartwool’s Active Ultralite Short Sleeve.

Rain Jacket and/or Windbreaker

Our top pick: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket ($179)
What we like: Reliable wet-weather performance and good looks at an excellent price.
What we don’t: If rain isn’t in the forecast, you can shave considerable weight and bulk by packing a windbreaker—like Patagonia’s 3.7-ounce Houdini—instead.

Sun Protection Shirt

Our top pick: Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody ($70)
What we like: Buttery soft and stretchy; practical and protective feature set.
What we don’t: For hot-weather hiking, Outdoor Research’s Echo Hoodie is the better ventilator with a more porous fabric and looser cut.

Down Jacket or Synthetic Jacket

Our top pick: Patagonia Down Sweater ($279)
What we like: Warm for the weight and built with Patagonia’s typical attention to detail. 
What we don’t: If you anticipate hiking in wet conditions, a synthetic jacket like the Arc’teryx Atom is a safer bet (down loses its insulating abilities when wet). 

Optional Footwear and Clothing

• Gloves or mittens 
• Warm hat or beanie
• Gaiters
• Neck gaiter
   

Day Hiking Equipment

Clothing is just one part of the equation, and equipment like your daypack and trekking poles can have just as much of an impact on your experience on the trail. Apart from the big-ticket items, you’ll also want to be sure to pack smaller necessities like a water filter or chemical treatment (e.g., tablets) and a headlamp. Finally, we can’t overstate the value of a satellite messenger for staying in touch with loved ones or calling for a rescue in an emergency, especially if you’ll be venturing into consequential terrain.
 

Daypack or Hydration Pack

Our top pick: Osprey Talon 22 ($160)
What we like: Hits a real sweet spot in terms of comfort, breathability, organization, and weight.
What we don’t: For heavy loads, the Osprey Stratos offers more padding and support.

Water Bottle or Hydration Bladder

Our top pick: Nalgene Wide Mouth Sustain ($17)
What we like: A cheap, lightweight water bottle that stands the test of time.
What we don’t: Minimally insulated and too big to fit in a cup holder (and some pack side pockets).

Trekking Poles

Our top pick: Black Diamond Pursuit ($150)
What we like: Checks all the boxes for most hikers, including a reliable build, comfortable feel, and well-executed feature set.
What we don’t: If collapsibility is a priority, poles like the BD Distance Carbon Z pack down much smaller.

Headlamp

Our top pick: Petzl Actik Core ($85)
What we like: Ample brightness for most outdoor uses; runs on either AAAs or the included lithium-ion battery. 
What we don’t: A bit too front-heavy for running—for that, we turn to Black Diamond’s sleeker Sprinter 500. 

Water Filter or Chemical Treatment

Our top pick: Sawyer Squeeze ($41)
What we like: The epitome of ultralight water treatment; fast and long-lasting. 
What we don’t: The included pouches make water collection challenging and don’t hold up over time.

Satellite Messenger

Our top pick: Garmin inReach Mini 2 ($400)
What we like: A dependable safety net in a light and diminutive package.
What we don’t: Expensive, especially when you factor in the activation fee and monthly subscription cost.

Optional Day Hiking Equipment

• Waterproof stuff sacks or pack liner
• Ultralight chair or sit pad
• GPS device
• Winter traction devices
   

Personal Items and Extras

Most items on the checklist above are obvious hiking essentials that you probably won't leave behind, but there are a lot of smaller necessities and nice-to-have items worth considering each time you head out. Your final packing list will depend on factors like seasonality and the length and difficulty of your route, but it’s best to err on the side of comfort and safety by packing extra food, adequate protection against the elements and insects, and basic hygiene items.
 

• Food (energy bars, trail mix, lunch, etc.)
• First aid kit
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Ball cap or sun hat
• SPF-rated lip balm
• Insect repellant
• Bathroom kit (toilet paper and trowel or Wag Bags)
• Hand sanitizer
• Basic repair kit (a bit of duct tape and paracord should be plenty)
• Multitool or Swiss Army knife
• Bear spray (depending on the area and season)
• Navigation (map, GPS, compass)
• Resealable bag for trash
• Notebook and pen/pencil
• Camera
• Emergency blanket or bivy
• Whistle for emergencies
• ID, cards, and cash
• Forest Service/park pass (if required)
   

Other Considerations: Seasonality, Kids, and Pets

While the list above covers the basics for most day hikes, there may be other items to consider depending on the time of year and whether you’ll be hiking with kids and/or pets. Starting with seasonality: Most of us are predominantly fair-weather hikers, but those who like getting out in the winter months will need warmer and more protective gear, including a thicker hat and gloves or mittens, winter traction devices (or snowshoes in deep snow), and gaiters. On the flip side, some hikers prefer to wear lower-profile hiking sandals in the warmer months (especially in hot and dry climates like the Utah desert), which breathe better than closed-toed shoes and will be quicker to dry should you submerge them. If bugs are a factor, insect repellent and sometimes even a cinchable head net (like this one from Sea to Summit) are necessary for keeping pesky insects like flies and mosquitos at bay. 
 

Finally, if you’ll be hiking with kids or pets, certain accessories and extras can go a long way toward maximizing overall comfort. For kids, it’s always a good idea to pack tasty and easy-to-consume snacks like Goldfish, fruit snacks, and trail mix. Wet wipes are great for wiping down and cleaning hands after meals, and you may also want to consider leaving an extra set of clothes in the car for your kids to change into post-hike—especially if you expect conditions to be wet or muddy. For pets, we love collapsible bowls for water and food, and you’ll need a way to deal with the ensuing waste (e.g., plastic bags). Finally, consider safety items like reflective accessories and cold-weather gear like booties and insulated clothing depending on conditions. Ruffwear makes some of our favorite dog gear and accessories on the market, from storage-equipped packs to life jackets and even a Swamp Cooler Vest for warm-weather hikes.

Additional Day Hiking Tips

• We can’t overstate the importance of doing your research ahead of time. In addition to having an idea of how long and difficult your intended route will be, you’ll also want to attain any required permits, reservations, and/or parking passes in advance.
• Check weather and trail conditions leading up to your trip. Especially at higher altitudes, forecasts can change considerably from day to day, and we always make sure to take a closer look the night before our hike as well as the morning of. Tip: For the most accurate forecast, use the GPS coordinates of the trailhead.
• It’s good practice to check batteries and charge electronics the night before your trip. This can also be a good time to screenshot any relevant route info so that it’s easily accessible if your hike takes you outside of cell service.
• Make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you’re expected to return. Ideally, it’s best to leave a copy of your itinerary in your car, too, for rescuers to find should someone report you missing.
• Set a cutoff time and stick to it. This is particularly important in places like Colorado, where afternoon thunderstorms are the norm in the mountains (and can be very treacherous when you’re caught above treeline).
• Pack an extra day’s worth of food and enough layers to stay comfortable should you need to spend the night. While unlikely, there's always a chance that something could delay you, from injury to missing a fork in the trail. 
• While certainly not necessary, packing a small cooler with post-hike refreshments and an extra pair of socks for the drive home can make a world of difference after a long day out.
   

Where to Buy Hiking Gear

Although much of this gear can be found online, we first recommend visiting your local gear shop or consignment store. There’s simply no substitute for looking at items up close; trying on clothing, backpacks, and footwear; and receiving personal advice from the experts. If you do choose to shop online, REI Co-op and Backcountry are two of the most reliable retailers when it comes to hiking gear. Both have impressive selections, provide free shipping on orders over $50 (note: REI members get free shipping regardless of the total), and offer generous return and exchange policies. As a bonus, REI has over 180 brick-and-mortar stores across the country, which makes it easy to try on before you buy or pick up your order in-store. Finally, for cheaper items and those who need gear quickly, it’s hard to beat Amazon and the sheer volume of their inventory.
Back to Our Day Hiking Checklist  See Our Hiking Gear Reviews