Are you new to hiking and wondering what you need to bring on a short day hike? Perhaps you’re working your way up to longer hikes and wondering if there’s any special equipment you should be packing.
Look no further – here is a list of all the items you’ll need for a day hike. To help you get the most out of the list, it’s grouped according to how vital each item is. Keep reading to learn what you need to pack and why, and get tips on some extra gear that will elevate your time in the great outdoors!
What is Day Hiking?
Day hiking is simply the activity of going for a hike that begins and ends on the same day. The hike can be any distance, but most day-hikes are less than 20 kilometres in length. Day hiking offers the freedom to explore nature at your own pace without having to carry any heavy or specialised items. Day hiking is the perfect way for beginner hikers to get their feet dirty, plus you can learn the skills you’ll need for longer hikes.
If you’re here because you’re looking for a packing checklist for overnight hiking or backpacking, look no further… discover the 33 Essential Overnight Hiking Items You Should Pack.
Why So Many Items?
31 items might seem like a lot, but because none of these items are particularly bulky or heavy, once you stow them all in your bag it won’t feel like much at all.
Now, let me walk you through how the list is broken up. The Essentials are just that – the items you really shouldn’t be leaving home without, they’re the non-negotiables. The next section is the Emergency Gear, for times when your hike is going to be more than a few hours (like a half-day or full-day). If you pack these items you’ll have the best chance at any easy recovery if something goes wrong.
And then there are the ‘Nice to Haves’. These items are the optional add-ons and depend strongly on the weather and terrain of the place you’re going. Lastly, you’ll find The Luxury Items. These are the things I take when I want to live it up on the trail! Pack these and you’ll be on your way to complete bliss in the great outdoors.
The Essentials
Here are the items you simply shouldn’t leave home without. Pack all of these items to be sure that your hike goes smoothly and that you come back with tales of adventure, not misadventure!
1. Backpack
It only makes sense that the first item on the list is a backpack. Because, of course, you’re going to need something to put all of your gear in. The great thing about day-hikes is that they’re accessible to anyone, especially beginners. Which means that in theory, any backpack that you already have will do the job. But do keep in mind that a specialised hiking pack is likely to be more comfortable and durable out on the trail. I rarely take a backpack that has a hipbelt on day-hikes (because I don’t have one that’s the right size), but if you do have one of these already, it will be your best bet. A pack with anywhere up to 30 litre capacity is the perfect size for a day hike.
2. Sturdy boots or shoes
The best pair of shoes to wear on a day hike is a pair of shoes that you’ve worn before and that you know are comfortable. There’s no use splurging on an expensive pair of heavy hiking boots if you haven’t worn them in and don’t know what your preferred style is yet. A lot goes into picking the right hiking shoe, and what you choose to wear is very much a personal choice. Head over to this guide to get more information to help you pick the right hiking shoe.
3. Water
Another great thing about day hiking is that your backpack will be small and lightweight enough to easily take on and off throughout the day. This means that no matter how you carry your water, it’ll be easily accessible all day long.
My personal favourite way of carrying water for any hike is in a water bladder. It allows me to stay hydrated throughout the day without having to stop walking. I also drink a lot of water compared with most people I hike with, so knowing that I don’t have to keep asking my hiking buddy to get my water bottle out of my bag every 5 minutes makes life on the trail so much easier.
As a general rule, I would recommend bringing at least 3 litres of water per person on any day hike. If it’s going to be above 25°C, if your hike is longer than 10km or over challenging terrain, or if you drink more water than most, consider bringing more than 3 litres. The more you hike, the more you’ll get to know how much water you need. Take it easy at first so that you don’t end up in a dire situation – being stranded in the heat with no water can be deadly.
4. Snacks and lunch
What hike would be complete without a picnic lunch? Pack lots of snacks and bring along a big sandwich from the bakery if you’re going to be out at lunch time. Most foods will keep in your bag for a few hours until you’re ready to eat it, but my best tip for having a crisp lunch is to pack your food in the centre of your bag – that way it will be insulated on all sides from the sun’s heat.
5. First Aid Kit (including snake bandages)
Carry a mini first aid kit with the essential items like antiseptic cream/wipes, bandaids, small bandages, snake bite bandages (and learn how to use them), plus extras such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Bandaids come in handy for lots of thing and will save the day if you start forming any blisters.
6. Hydration tablets
This is an absolute non-negotiable item for me. If I don’t drink enough water when I’m hiking, I get an early-warning headache that comes on strong. As soon as I start feeling a headache, I find a shady spot to sit and pop a hydration tablet in a 1 litre water bottle. Usually this fixes the headache pretty quickly, as I’ve learnt over the years not to ignore my body’s early warning signs of heat stress.
Everyone has different water requirements, and everyone’s heat stress warning signals are different. It’s always a good idea to have a precautionary hydration stop once you get to the heat of the day, regardless of whether you feel fine. It’s also a good idea to have something to eat if you’re feeling a bit tired, food helps your body absorb the water that you drink, meaning you’re less likely to get dehydrated.
Always opt for pharmacy-grade hydration tables, such as Hydralyte, because these contain only the essential salts and minerals your body needs. They contain none of the sugars and additives that other sports hydration drinks often have (which usually make you feel more thirsty than when you started).
7. Rain jacket
I almost always pack a lightweight rain jacket just in case! I’d rather carry it around all day and not need to use it, than to get soaking wet in unexpected rain. This of course depends on where you’re going and what time of year it is, but it’s never a bad idea to bring one as a precaution.
If you want to invest in a good quality rain jacket, head over to this article to find out everything you need to know about choosing the right one. Buying a one-use plastic poncho might be convenient at the time, but they make you sweaty, they’re annoying to wear, and they just add to our ever-mounting plastics problem.
8. Hat, sun protective clothing & sunscreen
This one is a no-brainer. Don’t get sunburnt out on the trail! Even the overcast cloudy days can have high UV ratings, so you could get burnt without even realising it at the time. The cheapest way to protect yourself from the sun is to use sunscreen and wear a hat. I personally prefer to cover at least my arms and neck with a lightweight long sleeve collared shirt. Just make sure that your long sleeve shirt is SPF-rated – the last thing you want is to get burnt to a crisp through the shirt that you thought would protect you.
9. Maps/navigation tools
There are lots of ways to make sure you don’t get lost out on the trail, and no way really trumps any other – it’s up to personal preference.
You could opt to bring along the old-fashioned paper map and compass – but this would require you to know how to use them. If you’re serious about your paper map, consider laminating it if you’re going somewhere it rains a lot.
My way of making sure I don’t get lost out there is to use AllTrails offline. I have a subscription to the app which allows me to find the trail I’m planning to hike and download it to my phone – so that I can navigate when I’m offline. It’s rare that I go anywhere for a hike that has perfect phone reception the whole way.
The best way to make sure you don’t get lost in the bush is to be observant and pay attention to where you’re walking. Over the years I’ve gotten better at quickly realising when I’ve taken a wrong path on a hike. As soon as something feels even a tiny bit off, I’ll pause, look around me, and if I don’t see the way in less than 5 seconds, I’ll backtrack to where I was until I can see the trail again. The more you hike, the better you’ll become at navigating trails.
The great thing about shorter hikes is that they’re often very well marked and signposted. Before you leave the house, spend some time familiarising yourself with the route, and taking note of any big turnoffs or potentially confusing forks in the trail.
If you pay attention and have some form of backup map that you know how to use, you’ll have the best chance at staying on the right path.
10. Pocket knife
This is an item that almost everyone includes in a hiking essentials pack list – because they can be a very useful and handy tool. I have personally carried one around for years but have never used it. I honestly don’t bring it on day-hikes anymore because I don’t have the skills to use it to get me out of a life-threatening situation. Perhaps one day I’ll face a situation that changes my stance on this, but in the meantime, you should make your own decision on this one.
11. Rubbish bag
It’s very likely that if you’re eating on the trail, you’ll be producing some form of rubbish too. Always pack out every single piece of rubbish you create, including ‘decomposable’ things like apple cores and orange peels. The native wildlife won’t appreciate your rubbish… they might like the sugar in your apple but it’s not part of their natural diet.
Also make sure that if you use any form of toilet paper, tissues, or wipes on the trail that you put these in a rubbish bag and take them home. No matter how ‘environmentally safe’ or ‘compostable’ the packet insists they are, I can promise you that they will not break down in nature. It’s also not nice to find someone else’s used tissues and toilet paper all over the trail.
12. Hike-appropriate clothing
By no means do you need to go out and spend a fortune buying all the fanciest hiking clothes. But you do need to make sure you wear something that’s lightweight and comfortable. Heavy natural fabrics like denim and cotton are not ideal because they hold moisture and tend to be very inflexible. You want to make sure that you wear something that will dry quickly if you get sweaty or wet, and that won’t be restrictive or uncomfortable to move in.
My favourite pair of hiking shorts are a thin lightweight pair of shorts I got from the Salvos, which were originally from Kmart. I’ve got a few pairs of expensive, good quality hiking shorts, but the cheap pair always reign supreme for me!
Emergency Gear
If your hike is going to be longer than 2 hours – you’ll want to make sure you carry the following gear in case you have to spend a night out in the wild. Anything could go wrong while you’re out hiking – you could get an injury that stops you from walking, you could lose your way, or inclement weather could stop you in your tracks. Prepare for the worst and relax knowing that you’ll be ok if something does go wrong.
Safety Tip: Make sure you always tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to be back. If you don’t check in with them when you said you would, they can send help.
13. Headlamp
Carry a headlamp and spare batteries so that you can find your way in the dark. This can be the thing that gets you home safely if you spend too long on the mountain-top at sunset!
14. Emergency blanket
This is how you’ll retain your body warmth if you’re forced to spend an unplanned night out on the trail. They pack down tiny and weigh hardly anything – an absolute ‘must’ of emergency gear.
15. Matches / lighter / flint
I usually carry a normal cigarette lighter, and sometimes a flint stick, so that if I have to spend a cold night out on the trail I’ll be able to start a fire to stay warm.
16. Warm jacket & beanie
Anything lightweight that can pack down nice and small is perfect as a backup jacket. A beanie is one of the most effective and easiest ways to retain your body’s warmth on a chilly night.
17. Little bit of extra food & water
If you’re already carrying food and water for your day hike, then why not throw in just a little more than you anticipate consuming. This way, if push comes to shove, you’ll have enough to get you through a night.
18. Whistle
This is a great way to attract attention to yourself if you’re lost – think Rose in Titanic …that whistle was the only reason she got rescued!
19. Emergency communication device
Given that this is an expensive piece of equipment, I would only consider investing in one of these if you are going somewhere remote or if you do a lot of hiking and overnight hiking. It is a reliable way to call for emergency help in a life-threatening situation, and will work literally anywhere. I purchased one when I started going on multi-day hikes, and because I have it, I usually always bring it along on every hike – even the short ones.
The ‘Nice to Haves’
These are the optional extras that you could add to your day hiking backpack. Depending on where you’re going and what the weather and terrain are going to be like, some of these items might come in handy.
20. Hiking poles
Not confident traversing slippery scree slopes or going down steep hills? You could try walking with trekking poles to help take the weight off your knees and hips. They’re a great way to get a little bit of extra stability on uneven terrain and will save your quads when you’re going down the steep hills!
21. Hand sanitiser
Ever since Covid we’ve all become a bit more sanitation conscious – even in the wild. If you want to avoid nasties from toilet door handles or a bush-wee, a little bottle of hand sanitiser will be just the thing.
22. Bug repellent
If you know there’s going to be lots of mosquitos and insects where you’re going, make sure you pack some personal bug repellent. If you’re like me and the mosquitos see you as their shining queen, bug repellent will be your saviour.
23. Fly net
This is the less smelly, less chemical-y way to be bug-proof! A fly net will protect your head from all manner of insects, mine has certainly saved me from losing my marbles over incessant flies many a time.
24. Toilet paper & trowel
If you’re prone to a midday bowel movement and know that there won’t be any toilets on your chosen trail, these items are a must-have. If you do need to use them, be sure to do your business at least 60 metres from natural water sources and bury it at least 20 centimetres deep.
25. Backpack liner for a rainy day
This is one of my secret weapons – after learning the hard way that backpacks are great rain-absorbers! Put all of your items inside a waterproof pack liner and put it inside your backpack. It’s the easiest way to make sure all your items stay dry in the rain, and means you don’t have to worry about a pesky rain cover on a short day hike.
26. Swimmers/bathers
If you’re going hiking near a lake, river or the beach don’t forget your swimsuit! It’s likely you’ll be hot and sweaty during your hike, and if you’re equipped with bathers and a lightweight towel, you’ll certainly be jumping in the water to cool off.
27. Gaiters
Something you might consider wearing are ankle gaiters. The choice to wear these is very much personal, and the type you choose depends on the vegetation, wildlife, and weather. You can get short gaiters, knee length gaiters, waterproof gaiters, sand gaiters, snake gaiters and so many more. I personally just wear some cheap ‘lawn mowing gaiters’ that keep the sand and sticks out of my shoes when I walk. Some people prefer a bit more leg protection, others prefer to wear long pants, and some people just don’t care at all.
The Luxury Items
These last four items are the cherry on your hiking cake. If you pack these things, you will be well on your way to experiencing the outdoors in complete comfort.
28. Jetboil & Mug …
…plus your favourite hot beverage! Nothing beats a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate at a perfectly picturesque place. If you truly want to take everything in, make sure you stop for a while at someplace with a good view and make yourself a nice hot beverage.
29. Or a can of cold drink that’s not your water
Perhaps you’re more of a crisp-refreshing-beverage-kind-of-person. No worries, bring a can of your favourite drink along, and crack it open at the opportune moment! It’s a great way to celebrate the beauty of nature, and to thank yourself for coming this far.
30. A small microfiber towel
This is one of my favourite ‘game changer’ hiking items – a lightweight towel that can double as almost anything. Use it as a picnic blanket, keep your legs warm while you picnic, use it to dry off after a swim, to dry up your cup after you’ve used it, or to shade yourself from the sun. If you carry one that’s lightweight, you’ll hardly notice it in your pack.
31. Your book or journal
Perhaps the most luxurious hiking items of them all, your favourite book or your journal. Because what better way to truly take in all that’s around you than to reflect on it in the moment. I’ve had some of my clearest and greatest thoughts and ideas while surrounded by nature, and to be able to write them down while you’re in that exact moment is worth more than the words can describe.
Where to Now?
Now that you know exactly what you need to bring on a day hike, why not check out some spectacular day hikes in Queensland or Western Australia?
Looking for something in WA’s south-west? Check out these 15 Expert Tips for Hiking Bald Head, Albany – and discover why this is one of WA’s absolute best day hikes.