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Who doesn't love a good day hike? This summer, over 30 million people will take to the trails to get a little closer to nature, spend time with friends and family, and experience views that traditional civilization does not afford us. When the weather warms up so too do the trails of America and now is a good time to review the day hike checklist guide for the hot summer months. Download the PDF checklist at the end of this article to use as a guide for your future day hikes. In addition, check out the 11 essentials for hiking.

When going for a day hike in the summer you will want to have the following:

• Backpack

• Moisture-wicking clothes and boots/shoes

• Rain jacket or wind shell

• Backpack cover

• Merino wool socks

• First aid kit

• Prescriptions and over the counter medications

• Water bottle - hydration bladder

• Water purification system

• Snacks and Food

• Hat

• Buff

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen & SPF rated lip balm

• GPS device/phone

• Compass

• Trail map

• Headlamp

• Powerpack

• Duct tape

• Bug repellent

• Pocket knife or multi-tool

• Trekking poles

• Fire starting kit/lighter

• Whistle or other signaling instruments

• Mountain gloves

• Binoculars or monocular

• Emergency bivy/space blanket

• Hand sanitizer

• Bear Spray

• Personal location beacon

• Leave your itinerary with a friend and one in your car

Backpack

For a day hike, you are fine to take just a regular backpack. You really do not need a pack designed specifically for hiking. However, if you are attempting higher mileage day hikes you will probably want to invest in a pack that has hip support and sternum straps for added support providing a better ergonomic feel. A pack in the 15L to 32L range will be best for a day hike. The Mystery Ranch Scree 32L is the best year-round day pack in my opinion. It is perfect for year-round day hikes. Another great option is the Osprey Hikelite 18L or 26L. Both brands allow you to choose your correct size based on the length from your C7 vertebrae to your waist.

Moisture Wicking Clothes and Boots/Shoes

Make sure you have lightweight, moisture-wicking shirts, pants, and even underwear. This will make your hike much more comfortable and thus, enjoyable. For shoes, it is always a personal preference but, choose something suitable for the terrain. I opt for trail runners since they are light and breathable but, some hikers prefer boots for the sturdy ruggedness and ankle protection they provide.

Pro Tip: Bring a long sleeve, moisture-wicking t-shirt for added protection from UV rays and against bugs such as ticks.

Related: The Pros and Cons of Hiking Boots

Rain Jacket or Windshell

Depending on your location you will want to take a rain jacket or wind shell jacket. If you are hiking a trail that has significant elevation gain it will most likely be windy and a little cooler as you gain altitude. A wind shell will work great in these kinds of conditions. The jacket will keep the wind out and help to keep your body warm. A slightly better alternative, in my opinion, is to invest in a rain jacket. Rain jackets can also act as a wind shell with the extra benefit of keeping moisture from soaking through your clothes. Even if the weather is forecasted to be sunny, you never know when you might encounter a pop-up shower. This is especially relevant when hiking terrain with significant elevation gain and in areas with notorious unpredictable weather patterns.

Backpack Cover

When it rains it pours. Sometimes literally and sometimes figuratively. Just like a rain jacket, a backpack cover will work wonders when the sky opens up. The rain jacket will keep your body dry and a backpack cover will keep all your essentials dry. Caught on the trail without either one can make your experience truly unpleasant. 

Merino Wool Socks

If you are a fan of this blog you know that I am a HUGE fan of merino wool socks. They are lightweight, inherently moisture-wicking, dry faster than cotton, fight odor with their antimicrobial properties, and are insanely comfortable. There are even lightweight versions available for summer hiking! Darn Tough is a trusted brand with high-quality socks. You can find a pair for as cheap as $15 when on sale. 

First Aid Kit

No hiking checklist is complete without a first aid kit. Items in your kit will help treat scrapes, blisters, bug bites, and even snake bites. Keep a kit in your backpack at all times so you never hike without it.  For a run-down of items you should carry in your first aid kit check out this post.

Prescriptions and Over The Counter Medications

Always keep your daily prescription medication with you and pack enough to last a few days in case you find yourself in a survival situation. I also like to carry some allergy medication and Tylenol in case a need arises.

Water Bottle or Hydration Bladder

Some day hike bags will have a built-in compartment for a water bladder or may even be outfitted with a water bladder when you purchase the bag. However, you do not need a water bladder for a day hike. You can simply bring a plastic bottle filled with water or a Nalgene bottle stowed away in a side pocket of your backpack. Now, a rule of thumb that some hikers live by is that you need two cups of water (16 oz) for every hour of hiking. If you consider the average person hikes at 2 mph you can calculate a rough estimate of the amount of water you need. But, water can be heavy and not necessarily something you want to lug around all day. That is why it is important to have a water purification system in your pack.

Water Purification System

For longer hikes, I recommend having some sort of water purification system in your pack. There are numerous ways to purify water when on trail. Some popular options include the LifeStraw, The Sawyer Squeeze, and even bottles with UV light attached to the lid to kill viruses and bacteria. Another great option is water purification tablets. I would actually store these in my first aid kit and use them as a backup to one of the aforementioned options. When it comes to water purification I avoid single points of failure. In a survival situation, you can only go about 3 days without water before you suffer severe consequences and potentially death.

Snacks and Food

Pack enough food for your hike…but also pack some extra food in case you find yourself in a survival situation. I always like to take a few extra snacks that I can parse over the course of a few days if I find myself in a survival situation. Some great snacks for brain function include peanuts(or any kind of nut), nut butter, dried fruit, fresh fruit, jerky, crackers, protein bars, and granola bars. All of these options are lightweight and will give you that boost of energy needed to finish strong and nourished.

Hat

A hat will provide sun protection as well as a barrier from sweat. The bill of the hat will also protect your eyes from the sun. Squinting all day leads to headaches for me and many others. A hat is also a conducive tool for our long-haired hikers. Simply put those locks in a ponytail and weave through the opening in the back of the hat.

Buff

A buff is another tool in the ole tool belt for sun protection. A buff can be worn in many ways and used for a variety of tasks. The advantage of a buff is it can offer coverage to the neck, mouth, and ears depending on how it is folded. A buff can be used much like a handkerchief and assist with filtering large debris from the water and even cleaning residue from your sunglasses.

Sunglasses

Much like the bill of a hat, sunglasses protect your eyes on those bright sunny days. Sun damage can affect the eyes just like your skin. Not to mention, squinting can strain the muscles around your eyes and forehead, giving way to some gnarly headaches.

Sunscreen and SPF Rated Lip Balm

Sunscreen is essential for any kind of hiking. Everyone knows what kind of damage the sun can inflict upon your body so it is important to carry at least an SPF30 sunscreen. Once applied Sunscreen lasts about two hours; however, if you are sweating excessively you will want to reapply more frequently. I usually reapply every hour or so on really warm days. Don’t forget the SPF-rated lip balm. Your lips are often forgotten in the fight against the sun’s rays. I reapply lip balm every hour to ensure protection. Even on cloudy days, 80% of the sun's rays still reach the ground.

GPS Device/Phone

A GPS device either on your watch, phone, or with a tool such as the Garmin eTrex will help ensure you stay on the correct path. Reading the trail can be confusing, especially when you come upon a game trail that looks awfully similar to the hiking trail. There are also some great apps you can download on your phone to help track your path, pace, and even elevation gain. 

Compass

If keeping it old school is your game then the compass is your navigation tool of choice. However, I do not recommend you solely depend on a compass. Combining the compass with a trail map is a solid method to help keep yourself directionally oriented. Watch this video on how to use a compass:

Trail Map

If you do not have a device that can download the trail map directly to your device, you should probably carry a map of the area you plan to hike. The map can help identify key features and landmarks within the terrain.

Headlamp

Even if you do not plan on hiking into the night you never know when you might decide to take on some extra miles to see that waypoint everyone talks about or worse, you find yourself lost and hiking during the evening and night hours to find your way back to trail. A Headlamp is light enough and small enough to always carry with you on a day hike.

Power Pack

A power pack for charging your electronic devices can be a true lifesaver. Your cell phone or GPS device may not last all if used frequently. A solar power pack can be a good option if you are hiking where you will get sufficient sunlight. Always ensure your power pack is fully charged before you hit the trail

Tip: In dry conditions, unless your power pack is waterproof, keep your solar power pack strapped to the outside of your bag with a carabiner so it can charge while hiking.

Duct Tape

 Duct tape can be used in a variety of situations and is the swiss army knife of your camping gear. It can be used as a makeshift bandage, to cover holes in outerwear and sleeping bags, or to help build a shelter. The possibilities are limitless. 

Tip: If you do not want to carry an entire roll of duct tape(who would?) then you can wrap the tape around your trekking pole or water bottle multiple times and just peel it off when needed.

Bug Repellent

There are copious amounts of bugs in the wilderness. Some of which do not have the best intentions. Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your hiking high at the end of your day hike. I recommend using DEET. It has been shown to be fairly effective at repelling ticks and mosquitos.

Pocket knife or Multi-tool

A Pocket knife or multi-tool is very beneficial when day hiking. It can obviously be used for protection against a wild animals but it also makes life much easier on the trail. It can be used to cut open bags of food, cut paracord in emergency situations, cut duct tape, and even process wood to create tinder to start a fire. Additionally, if you have a ferrocerium rod (ferro rod) you can use the knife to draw sparks from the rod to ignite your tinder.

Trekking Poles

Often light, durable, and generous on space occupied (since they are typically stowed on the outside of the bag), trekking poles are great for traversing uneven terrain. If your day hike has significant elevation gain then trekking poles are a must. They assist your legs in pushing uphill and soften the blow to your knees when hiking downhill.

Fire Starting Kit/Lighter

You often will not need to start a fire on a day hike unless it's a particularly long hike and you brought some cookware and dehydrated food with you. However, having a fire starter and some ready-made accelerant/tinder is an item you should have on every hike regardless of length. In the event of an emergency situation, you will be glad you have this in your pack. I typically have two lighters in my pack but you could substitute a lighter for a ferro rod, Zippo lighter, or some stormproof matches. It would also be wise to bring some accelerant and tinder with you as this will make starting a fire much easier. For accelerant, I take some cotton balls and soak them in petroleum jelly and for tinder, I grab some lint from my dryer. I keep each in a separate bag or container and then throw them in the same pocket in my pack alongside my fire-starting tools.

Whistle or Other Signaling Instrument

Getting lost in the wilderness without proper survival skills can be jarring. You will want to have some sort of signaling instrument to increase your chances of getting rescued. When tired and weak you may not have the vocal strength or even mental wherewithal to bellow out a loud scream for help. Insert the whistle. With little effort, you can create a high-pitched sound that can be heard from at least half a mile away (depending on conditions). Emergency flares can also be used to signal someone who can not easily see you, especially if they are in the air. The same goes for a pocket mirror. You can direct the reflection of the mirror at the aerial target (i.e. helicopter) and move the mirror back and forth toward the target in an attempt to catch their attention.

Pro Tip: If you do find yourself in a survival situation you can grab anything made from rubber or plastic and throw it into a fire. Rubber and plastic will usually create black smoke which is the perfect contrast against a blue sky. You would wait for the search and rescue team or anyone in the sky to be within viewing distance and then burn the material.

Mountain Gloves

When hiking a trail with significant elevation gain you will probably notice a drop in temperature, even in the summer. A pair of hiking gloves can make life easier if you need to set up camp at higher altitudes. You never know when you may need to build a fire or tend to someone in need and having a pair of hiking gloves will keep your hands warm and ensure optimum dexterity. 

Binoculars or Monocular

A set of binoculars can help with navigation and identifying waypoints from a distance. Additionally, they can help you stay safe and out of the path of wildlife. See something moving up in the distance but can’t quite make out what it is? Take a gander through the binoculars to determine your next move.

Emergency Bivy/Space Blanket

Another emergency item that should not be overlooked. Your day hike may take place in the sweltering sun but at night, depending on your location and elevation, you could substantial temperature changes. Having a Bivy or space blanket can help you stay warm in a survival situation. This Bivy on Amazon is the perfect emergency shelter for you and a companion.

Hand Sanitizer

You never know what you will encounter on trail. Whether you need to treat a scratch or wound or help someone else bandage an abrasion, you will want clean hands to prevent any kind of infection from setting in. Additionally, you will want to use hand sanitizer after prepping any food and before you eat.

Bear Spray

Having bear spray is most likely geography dependent but, if you are day hiking in bear country please keep some bear spray on you. 

Pro Tip: I recommend keeping it tethered to the outside of your pack so you can easily use it in a quick decision moment. You do not want to be fumbling around for bear spray when it is needed.

Personal Location Beacon

In case of an emergency, whether you are lost or you or a friend are seriously injured and are immobilized, a personal locator beacon such as a Garmin inReach can be a true lifesaver. These devices connect to satellites and allow you to send messages to loved ones and also signal SOS to the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC). In the event you are lost check out this article that explains what to do in order to survive and get rescued.

Leave Itinerary with a Friend and One in Your Car

Leaving a travel itinerary with a friend or family member is important. It allows others to know your planned route of travel. In the event of an emergency, that person can work with the proper authorities to aid and assist in a successful search and rescue. Likewise, leaving an itinerary in your car will also aid in a successful search and rescue. It will give the rescue team an idea of the area where you might be located or stranded.

Conclusion

Rember that 42% of search and rescue missions involve individuals who were just going on a day hike. The list provided here should make your hike more enjoyable and give you peace of mind while on the trail. Let us know what is on your day hiking checklist below in the comments! If you do not have your own list, download our free day hike checklist here:

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