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What’s better than sunshine, a nature walk and incredible views? Day hiking connects you to the outdoors and lets you appreciate the Earth’s natural beauty. But before hitting the trail, you should make a hiking day pack list. Start the checklist with these 12 essentials for day hiking.
1. Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Day hiking involves being outside for a few hours, making hydration essential for hikers. Experts recommend drinking more than eight glasses of water daily if your activity level is high, so bring plenty of fluids. This stainless steel water bottle from Hydro Flask is terrific for hikes because it keeps your drink cold for up to 24 hours.
2. Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat
Sun exposure can be dangerous with high ultraviolet (UV) rays. Research shows only 5-10 minutes of UV rays can harm people with fair skin, so you need sun protection. Safeguard your skin with the Adventure Hat from Sunday Afternoons. This headgear provides UPF 50+ protection, ensuring the sunlight minimally affects your head.
3. Columbia Men’s Silver Ridge Long Sleeve Shirt
Hot weather may tempt you to wear shorts and sleeveless T-shirts to beat the heat. However, these garments could be counterproductive due to their minimal sun protection. You should also consider any bugs on the trail eyeing your skin. This long-sleeved shirt from Columbia wicks sweat, blocks UV rays and features numerous utility pockets.
4. Finvizo Neck Gaiter
It’s hard to overstate the importance of sun protection, so consider the areas your body is most vulnerable. A hiking shirt and hat can protect your head and back, but what about your neck? The Finvizo Neck Gaiter protects your lower face and neck from the brutal sunshine by blocking UV rays. Gaiters become essentials for hikers if you encounter a dust storm or heavy winds.
5. Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket
You can check the weather forecast before you go, but a sudden storm could wreck your day on the trail. Protect your body and gear from the rain with this jacket from Patagonia. The raincoat is waterproof and breathable, providing the critical balance you need for comfort. It also comes with handwarmer pockets and a microfleece-lined hood if temperatures dip.
6. Hoka Kaha 2 GTX
Ordinary sneakers might be insufficient if water ruins your socks and compromises your feet. Boots become one of the essential things to bring on your trip when hiking in wet conditions. The Kaha 2 GTX boots from Hoka have a thick midsole to enhance comfort and nubuck leather to mitigate moisture. They also absorb impact well if the terrain is unforgiving.
7. REI Co-op Trail 25 Pack
Hiking backpacks contain the essentials you need for a long day, so choose your bag wisely. A day hike should include a 10- to 30-liter backpack because they aren’t too heavy for your back. The REI Co-op Trail 25 Pack holds up to 25 liters of gear, providing a happy medium for hiking. This backpack has foam and air mesh to make carrying easier on your long hike.
8. MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon Backcountry Poles
If you’re new to day hiking, backcountry poles should be on your pack list. These tools make trekking the trail more accessible by absorbing impact and increasing stability on uneven terrain. Your joints will thank you later for bringing them! The DynaLock Ascent poles from MSR contain reinforced carbon fiber and easily fit in your travel bags.
9. Johnson & Johnson All-Purpose First-Aid Kit
While poles help improve safety, your day hike still poses dangers on the trail. For instance, a fall could expose your body to pathogens if the wound is untreated. The risk of injury means a first-aid kit is one of the essentials for day hiking and nighttime trips. This all-purpose first-aid kit includes gauze pads, cleansing wipes, bandages, antibiotic creams, cold packs and other critical tools.
10. Garmin fēnix 7S Pro Solar Edition
Another hiking danger is the threat of getting lost in the woods. Some trails have excellent markings, whereas others make your daytime trek more difficult. Protect your hike with the Garmin fēnix 7S Pro Solar Edition because this watch has excellent GPS capabilities. The device provides 14 days of power in smartwatch mode due to its solar capabilities.
11. Lighting EVER LED Flashlight
It’s easy to lose track of time when day hiking, so a flashlight becomes one of the essential things to bring. Street lamps are hard to come by in a park or forest, so this LED flashlight from Lighting EVER can get you out of a bind. Its beams shine up to 492 feet and have about 140 lumens in full brightness. While powerful, the device is portable and fits in most pockets.
12. GoPro HERO10
Do you want to relive your hiking memories? The GoPro HERO10 captures your hike with 5.3K video and a GP2 processor. The 4k120 video resolution looks crystal clear when you run it back and show it to your family and friends. Your trip could include wildlife sightings or memorable views, so powerful cameras become one of the essentials for hikers.
Organizing Your Day Hiking Pack List
Day hikes are excellent for beginners, veterans and anybody who wants to see Mother Nature. The sights, sounds and smells make the long treks worthwhile as you appreciate Earth’s best sites. Before heading out, you need essential things to bring when hiking in unfamiliar territory. Load your gear and hit the trails!
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Author
Jack Shaw is a senior writer at Modded. Jack is an avid enthusiast for keeping up with personal health and enjoying nature. He has over five years of experience writing in the men's lifestyle niche, and has written extensively on topics of fitness, exploring the outdoors and men's interests. His writings have been featured in SportsEd TV, Love Inc., and Offroad Xtreme among many more publications.
