What to Pack in Your Hiking Day Pack
Imagine you’re in the middle of a hike, and you realize you need a first aid kit, or suddenly you require an extra snack because the hike is much more difficult than you anticipated. These are just some of the reasons why having a day pack is incredibly important. Not only will it keep you prepared, but it may also keep you safe.
As my last few posts have stated, I LOVE hiking and backpacking. I also love to make sure I am prepared for my hiking trips. I always have the 10 essentials with me at all times. These necessities may be different for each person, but the basics will be the same for everyone. I will share what I personally bring with me in my day pack and why I choose these specific items.
In case you missed it, I wrote a post about my spring hiking clothing recommendations as well as my tips for hiking during the springtime.
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10 Essentials
This is probably the most important thing to put in your hiking day pack. The idea behind the 10 essentials is to ensure that you have the tools you need to survive in the unlikely event that you are stranded. I wrote a blog post about the 10 Essentials, but I still wanted to briefly touch on what they are and the importance of having them in your hiking day pack.
Hydration - having enough water is essential when hiking.
Suncare - This may be a hat, sunscreen, extra long sleeve shirt, and pants, or a combination of all of the above
Rain Gear - Rain jacket or a poncho
Navigation - this may be whatever you choose, such as a mobile GPS device or your cell phone
Light - a headlamp or a flashlight
First Aid - a first aid kit should be tailored to your personal needs. Having the basics is beneficial to ensure you’re able to care for any minor injuries.
Fire - having a fire source such as a flint and steel, matches, or a lighter is so important in the unlikely event you get stranded. Having all of these things in a waterproof container and being comfortable using whatever fire source of choice.
Food - extra food such as trail mix, granola bars, jerky, or protein bars just in case you need extra nourishment during your hike or in the unlikely event you get stranded.
Extra Clothes - this one of the items that you may never use, but it is helpful to have just in case you get drenched, and your raingear didn’t keep you dry. Or say you fall in water. Or simply need an extra pair of socks. Even if you don’t think you will ever need an extra set of clothes, it can be such a lifesaver, especially in the unlikely event you get stranded.
Shelter - this may be a tarp and some paracord; it may even be your poncho, whatever you’re comfortable with using. This may be helpful in the event of a sudden downpour that doesn’t seem to be stopping any time soon, and you decide to set up a small temporary shelter, or in the unlikely event, you get stranded.
All of the 10 essentials are things that are tailored to your own personal needs. Things that you’re comfortable with using, even if it is things that you may not ever use because it’s for the unlikely event that you may get stranded. It is essential always to be prepared.
Backpack
When choosing a backpack, pick one that is also lightweight and large enough for you to carry all the things you need to carry during your hike. I love the one that I have; It came with a hydration bag (not shown) that sits in a pocket with a reflective lining to help insulate the hydration bag. It also has another pocket that I can fit everything else I need to carry and two side belt pockets.
Water (not shown)
I think this is the most important of the 10 essentials. It is not fun to run out of water. I love having a hydration bag while I hike. It allows you to carry a significant amount of water without having to stop and take your pack off to get water constantly. A water hose-type thing is attached that comes out of the pack to allow you to drink water while you hike.
Snacks (not shown)
Extra snack is part of the 10 essentials. I’ll pack my extra snacks before each hike. I used to leave extra snacks in my pack, but I end up with old expired granola bars. This may not be the worst thing in the unlikely event you get stranded, but having something fresher is probable most ideal. Whenever I go hiking, I often plan to eat lunch halfway through the hike, so I pack a lunch with some extra snacks just in case.
First Aid Kit
My first aid kit consists of bandages, alcohol swabs, Aquaphor with sports tape wrapped around it, tampons, an inhaler, ibuprofen, Aleve, stomach medicine, and Benedryl. I also have extra hair ties, all in a super cheap pencil case. A couple of things I need to add to my first aid kit is anti-itch cream and antibiotic cream.
Sun Protection
My favorite sunscreen is the Neutrogena hydro boost sunscreen. I also always wear a hat, have a long sleeve shirt that I typically tie around my waist, as well as a lip balm that has sunscreen in it.
Miscellaneous
As for miscellaneous items, I have a collapsable bowl since I almost always go hiking with my dog, so she has a way to drink water. She also has her own pack I’ll have her wear for linger hikes and carry her own bowl. I bring toilet paper just in case nature calls. I also bring some bug spray, a headlamp, a poncho, and a rain jacket.
These are the very basic items that I keep in my day pack. I check and repack everything before every single hike depending on the length and location of each hike. The extra clothing items are always packed as needed. I always make sure I have extra socks. Sometimes I’ll have my dog wear her own pack with her extra treats or food, her bowl, a waterproof jacket, and a doggy first aid kit.
I hope you enjoyed reading this post about what I keep in my day pack. I feel like it is so important to be prepared, even if you’re the most experienced hiker. This will help you be safe in whatever situation you may find yourself in during your hike.
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