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There are so many pros to day hikes instead of multi-day treks. Being able to immerse yourself in nature and experience beautiful landscapes is a big one. Also not sleeping outside and needing to bring multiple meals and all that bulky camping gear.

That doesn’t mean you should set off into the woods or start climbing a mountain with only the clothes on your back. Follow the boy scouts’ motto of “Be Prepared”. A short hike, may become much longer if you become lost. An easy trail becomes slippery and more difficult during a surprise rainstorm. Hot days can require more water than you originally thought you needed.

What to bring on a day hike will depend on the trail difficulty, length, elevation, and climate. This day pack hiking list includes the essentials that I take with me on all of my hiking trips.

The following day pack hiking list includes everything that goes into your day pack. Remember that the clothes on your back are just as important as what you bring hiking. I cover what you should wear from head to toe in my hiking attire for women post.

Day Pack Hiking List

Sea to Summit Day Pack

If you are asking what to pack for a day hike, you first need a day pack before you decide what goes into your day pack hiking list! I can’t say enough good things about the Sea to Summit day pack.

I have been taking this day pack on active adventures like kayaking and hiking since 2017. Unless I am doing something a little dressier, I also use the day pack for a daily purse. It’s just as useful and comfortable for city exploring and running errands as it is for a hike out in nature.

At only 2.5 ounces it doesn’t add any weight, which is very important on a hike. As the day pack holds up to 20 liters, everything you should bring on a day hike fits easily into the pack. When it is not in use it folds up into itself so it is only a couple of inches.

Look through my blog posts and see for yourself how often I use the day pack. If I am not wearing it, it’s more likely that I set it down before the photo or someone else is carrying it for me, than that I am not using it!

Buy Now: Amazon || Sea to Summit

North Face Jester Lumbar Pack

You’ll see from my hiking attire post that I try to hike in clothes that have pockets for easy access to my phone. It would be a pain to take my phone in and out of my backpack for the hundreds of photos I take on every hike.

When I don’t have a pocket I bring a fanny pack. It’s much handier having it around my waist for quick access. You can wear it as a cross body bag too if you are concerned about style. It’s funny how fanny packs are back in, but not worn the old school way! North Face doesn’t even call it a fanny pack either!

Buy Now: Amazon|| Dick's Sporting Goods

Nalgene Wide-Mouth Water Bottle

At all times I travel with two wide mouth 32oz Nalgene bottles. On day hikes I typically only bring one, unless it is very hot or there are limited water refill options at trailheads.

When I was younger I remember those ads about the durability of Nalgene bottles and how you could drop it and it wouldn’t break. Of course I had to try it and since then I have accidentally tried it several times too! I have never had a Nalgene bottle crack (knock on wood). The last thing you need on a hike is to drop and break your bottle and be up a trail without any water!

If for some reason it does break, the great thing about Nalgene is that they offer a lifetime warranty! There are not many companies that stand by their products as much as Nalgene.

Buy Now: Amazon|| Dick's Sporting Goods || Nalgene

Snacks

Snacks should really be at the top of your day pack hiking list! I never go anywhere without a snack, especially not on a hike! On longer day hikes I bring a little extra for lunch. The best foods to bring on a hike are nutritious, protein packed, non-perishable, and portable.

I typically put all my food and a few napkins into a gallon ziplock bag or grocery store plastic bag. It works well to throw it away at the end of the hike or reuse the bag for the next hike if it didn’t get too dirty.

Here are a few of my favorite hiking snacks:

Granola Bars: Cliff Bars, RX Bars, Kind Protein Bars
Dried Fruit: It’s not quite as refreshing as fresh fruit, but dried fruit is so much easier to bring and store.
Bagel: The carbs in bread will help energize you. Bagels are the least likely bread to become squashed and won’t get crumbly like crackers. It’s easy to add jerky or peanut butter for a sandwich.
Peanut Butter: To-go peanut butter cups are a little messy and a knife comes in handy, but they are small and easy to add to a bagel.
Jerky: Jerky is easier to add to a bagel or good on its own. This Teriyaki Beef Jerky is my favorite.

Multi Towel Lite

Unfortunately mosquitos have always loved me. I can’t set foot in the upper Midwest in the summer without being eaten alive. Sometimes it seems like bugs will fight through clothes and a heavy dousing of bug spray just to get to me. At least the bug spray helps! It's a bother to bring though.

These insect repellent towelettes fight off those nasty mosquitos the same as spray, but they are much easier to carry. When traveling you don’t need to worry about liquid bug spray and during a hike you don’t have an extra bottle bouncing around in your day pack. Bring a towelette and use it as needed.

Buy Now: Amazon || Walmart

First Aid/Restroom Kit

Buy Now: Amazon || Walmart

Camera/Phone

Don't forget to bring a camera or a phone that takes good photos. Most phones take excellent photos. You'll want to look back on your photos to remember all the awesome hikes and places you visited. I'm quite happy with the photos on my Google Pixel. Just look at those beautiful fall colors in Utah!

Remember to check my hiking attire post for suggestions on what to wear hiking. If this day pack hiking list helped you prepare for your upcoming hikes, please consider supporting me by buying me a coffee.

The Only Day Pack Hiking List You Need