10 Essentials - Why all Hikers NEED Them
The ten essentials are tools that will keep any hiker safe in the case of an emergency. All hikers and backpackers should always carry some of the following categories. There may be an occasion where additional items are needed based on the activity and location you are participating.
I highly recommend that you tailor your ten essentials to your specific needs. If something isn’t practical, then there is no reason to bring it with you. Instead, you should get an alternative you will use in that category.
There are so many options for your ten essentials, so I’ve given a bunch of different things to tailor your first aid kit to your personal needs. So grab some coffee and get ready for an informational read.
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Navigation
Navigation is essential, even if you are hiking on a trail. Often, tracks have other trails intersecting them. You don’t want to unthinkingly follow the trail and end up on a completely wrong path, heading away from your ending destination. Simple maps and compasses are handy, as maybe “just in case” tools, especially in today’s age of technology where GPS and phone apps are also great resources.
That said, having a power bank for your phone or another device would be helpful for those navigation sources. I like this solar-powered power bank. It works great. I have to fully charge it via USB before heading out on a hike, clip it to the outside of my pack, and set it to the sun as I hike. Also, I like to turn my phone on in low power mode AND airplane mode to save battery. I have an iPhone and I put it in airplane mode to preserve the battery. I mainly use it if I only use it to take pictures and videos and use my navigation app.
AllTrails Pro is my navigation app of choice. It allows you to view the trail you are hiking and see elevation changes and miles traveled. The Pro version is $2.99/month or $35.99 annually. It allows you to download maps to use offline and get real-time GPS locations (even in airplane mode!). You can also record your trip through the app, which will notify you if you have taken a wrong turn.
A separate Garmin GPS device is also helpful when there is no cell service or you don’t like relying on your phone. This one allows you to download maps of where you plan on going, and it has a built-in GPS compass with the option to use an accurate magnetic north compass. Also, it can communicate between other supported Garmin devices and their cell phone app.
Other products on the market allow you to use GPS and send messages without cell service. Zoleo uses satellites to extend the range of your cell phone. With their month-to-month subscription service, you can communicate via text message and use Wi-Fi to provide updates to loved ones. This could be a good option for the thru-hiker who will be hiking for an extended period and wants to stay connected with loved ones at home.
Sun Protection
Protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays is essential to prevent sunscreen; we all know it can cause skin cancer. The easiest way to protect yourself from UV rays is to cover up with clothing: long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Wearing a long dress allows you to bring/use less sunscreen since less skin is exposed.
My favorite sunscreen is Sun Bum SPF 50 for the face. It is a non-greasy sunscreen that comes in SPF 50 to protect against UV rays and provides a little moisturizing. It feels nice on my face, as most sunscreens make me break out. When I am hiking or backpacking, having sunscreen that won’t break me out is essential. A quick tip: check the expiration dates on your sunscreen. From experience, it does not work well when it is expired. I got a bad sunburn from unknowingly using sunscreen that was passed. Even though I applied it several times during my hike, it did not protect my skin from getting burned.
A hat and sunglasses are also essential for my sun protection since they shield my face from the sun. MY FACE TENDS TO BURN MORE QUICKLY when I don’t wear a hat.
Insulation
This includes a jacket, sweatshirt, hat, gloves, rain jacket, and thermal underwear. Since weather can be unpredictable, having layers will help keep you prepared.
This can be based on your location, the weather predictions, and how long you plan to hike. It is entirely a matter of personal preference what you want to bring.
For a day hike, I will always have a sweatshirt and a rain jacket, just in case. If it gets colder, I can use the two pieces together and layer them to keep warm. If I happen to wear shorts that day, I may bring a pair of pants just in case.
For an extended trip like backpacking, I like to bring a hat, a long sleep shirt, a sweatshirt, pants and shorts, sweatpants, and a rain jacket, in addition to my clothing. It gets cold at night, so having some warm layers is essential. See my post about Springtime Backpacking Preparation and this one, Beginners Guide to Backpacking.
Illumination
This is a just-in-case item for day hikes since most people don’t plan on being in the woods after dark. But for backpacking, it is essential. I have a cheap $1 headlamp from Walmart that works pretty well. Some hikers like to have something more sophisticated, but for me personally, I need something simple.
First-Aid Kit
This is also a just-in-case item for both backpacking and hiking. You never know what you may encounter on the trail, but you want to be prepared. You do not need any fancy pre-made first-aid kit. Your first-aid kit should be tailored to your individual needs. If you’re hiking with small children, you may need to include extra first-aid supplies if they aren’t carrying a day pack.
In my first-aid kit, I have bandages, antibiotic ointment packets, anti-itch cream packets, ibuprofen, Benadryl, Tums or Pepto Bismol tablets, moleskin, small tube of Aquaphor wrapped with sports tape, an ankle compression brace, and a wrist compression brace. The compression braces are essential for all these items and should be in everyone’s first aid kit. Maybe not the stomach meds if you don’t ever have issues with your stomach. But I tend to roll my ankle for a prior wrist injury randomly acting up, so I like to be prepared for those specific needs.
Some quick tips: keep your first-aid kit stocked and check for expiration dates. This way, you always have what you need when you go on a hike. Also, use pill bags to keep the weight and size of your first aid kit small. Use a small pencil pouch to hold your first aid kit.
Fire
You need something to spark a fire and some kindle for a fire source. I have an old pill bottle, some cotton dipped in petroleum jelly, and some matches. The pill bottle is waterproof, so my fire starter kit is safe if wet.
This is ultimately a personal preference and usually another just-in-case tool. If you’re out for a day hike, the likelihood of needing to start a fire is pretty low. But if you are backpacking, having a fire at night before bed or in the morning is pleasant.
Should you make a fire, please be safe about it. Click here for more information about campfires. Also, many counties will have fire restrictions based on weather and terrain conditions, so be aware of your local laws.
The kind of fire starter that you have is ultimately up to personal preference. Many hikers will have a flint and steel, a lighter, or matches with various firestarter options. I have a few cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly for Kindle and reach for my fire kit, all in an old pill bottle to keep it watertight.
A quick tip: hand sanitizer also makes a great fire starter.
Repair Tools
Many repair tools that hikers carry include a knife or a multitool, duck/gorilla tape, a rope, or a paracord—the types of repair tools you need based on your activity.
Nutrition
Having extra food is always a good idea. Whether on a day hike or an extended backpacking trip, you must realize that you will be expending calories while you hike, so you probably want to have a couple of granola bars or trail mix to snack on. Or, just in case the unlikely event that you are out on the hike longer than expected, you have some nutrition.
Hydration
Having water with you is essential. You cannot live without water; dehydration is a serious health risk, especially in higher elevations and heat. Since hiking is a physical activity, mostly done during hot weather, you will need more water. As with everything else on this list, there are many options for hydration. Some hikers like to bring a water bottle or two of their choice. I want to bring a hydration bladder in my day pack. It makes it easy to stay hydrated while you hike without constantly taking off your pack to get water. If you are heading out for a more extended backpacking trip, bringing a water filter may also be necessary. Ensure you know where water sources are located if you plan to filter water during your trip.
Emergency Shelter
This could be a tent, tarp, or even a poncho. In the event of severe weather or if you have to take a more extended break in an area with little to no trees, you can be protected. Again, this is a personal preference and the specific needs of your hiking trip.
Note: this post may contain affiliate links. I may make a small commission if you make a qualifying purchase through one of the links. Your support allows me to continue to do what I love and share my passion for living a healthy and active lifestyle. I appreciate your support!
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