What to Bring on a Day Hike

On a day hike, your backpack should be light and always contain the same essentials. The most reliable way to avoid forgetting anything is to keep a standard checklist and review it the night before, not the morning of your hike.

Always essential

• Water: 1.5–2 l for a half-day hike, 2.5–3 l in summer or if there are no safe water sources.
• Food: something solid for a midmorning snack and lunch, plus a spare bar or some nuts that you keep in reserve.
• A waterproof, windproof layer, even if the forecast is sunny.
• An insulating layer: a thin fleece or lightweight down jacket.
• Sun protection: sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
• A headlamp or flashlight with its battery checked.
• A small first-aid kit: blister dressings, gauze, medical tape, adhesive bandages, a pain reliever, and your medication.
• A charged phone with the map downloaded, plus a power bank if the hike is long.
• Identification and, if you have one, your federation membership or insurance card.
• A bag for your trash.

Depending on the route

• Trekking poles: a big help on long descents and when carrying a load.
• An emergency blanket and whistle: they weigh almost nothing and are useful while waiting for rescue.
• Lightweight gloves and a warm hat: needed at higher elevations even in spring.
• Insect repellent in damp areas and in summer.
• A water filter or purification tablets if you'll be relying on natural water sources.
• Dry spare clothes to leave in the car; you'll appreciate them more than you might expect.

What you can usually leave behind

Dishes, a camp stove, duplicate “just in case” clothing, three trail guidebooks, and a full toiletry bag. On a day hike, you're the one carrying everything you pack uphill. A good target is to keep your loaded backpack at no more than 10% of your body weight.

How to distribute the weight

1. Keep heavy items (water, food) close to your back at shoulder-blade height.
2. Place bulky, lightweight items (insulating layers, rain gear) at the top and along the sides.
3. Keep items you'll need without taking off your backpack (a bar, hat, map) in the outside pockets.
4. Don't leave anything dangling on the outside: it can snag on branches and in narrow passages.

Warning:Check the forecast on the day of your hike, not two days before. In the mountains, a change over twelve hours can turn an easy hike into a day of cold and wind.