If you’re a beginner hiker, what day-hiking gear do you need to get started? That’s a question I’m frequently asked. The truth is, you don’t need much, especially if you stick to the local trails in your town or those in a nearby state park, where you might want to only get out for a few hours to start out.

The 10 Essentials

So how do you decide what to pack? Many hikers base their gear selection on a checklist called the 10 Essentials, first developed in the 1930s, which is still as relevant today as it was then.

Here are the categories and the bare minimum you might carry for each. You want to bring enough clothing and gear that you can fend for yourself without having to call for emergency help. As you grow more experienced and want to make a larger gear investment, you can add many other options in these same categories.

A Backpack

To hold your gear, clothing, and food, I’d suggest using a 25-30 liter backpack. A backpack you use for commuting to school or work can work. If you buy a new one, opt for one with padded straps, not strings, as they will provide a lot more comfort. REI, Osprey, and Gregory specialize in daypacks of this volume and are good values. (See Best Hiking Daypacks for my suggestions).

1. Navigation

• A paper map of the area is sufficient. Ideally, it should include a diagram of the area’s trails and their intersections with a list of their lengths. A paper map is better than a map on your phone because it doesn’t rely on batteries, and if you drop it, the map won’t break.
• Watch or timekeeping device. You want to avoid hiking after sunset. A watch is useful for reminding you what time it is, so you can leave yourself enough time to return to the trailhead before sunset.

2. Sun and Insect Protection

• A hat to prevent sunburn, which can even occur on cloudy days
• Sunscreen lotion or sun-protective clothing with a UPF rating of 40 or more. Sun protective clothing is arguably better because it never needs to be reapplied. Cotton clothing provides extremely poor sun protection, both when dry and especially when wet. Sun hoodies are a popular sun protective garment that provides head and torso sun protection.
• Bug repellent is a must during bug season. A headnet to drape over a hat can also be a lifesaver.

3. Insulation

• A sweater, a rain jacket, and a warm hat: what you bring depends on your local climate, obviously. In any case, it pays to check the forecast before you plan to start hiking. If it does start raining, you can become quite chilled if you get wet, even in warm weather. If you do feel cold, it helps to have a lightweight sweater along to keep warm.

4. Lighting

• A headlamp that can last long enough (rechargeable headlamps are economical) is useful for you to find your way back to your car. An inexpensive headlamp with 200 lumens of brightness is sufficient. A smartphone light won’t last long enough, and you’ll want to preserve the battery anyway, in case you do need to call for help.

5. First Aid

• While you can buy a small first aid kit, it’s more economical to fill a Ziplock bag with first aid supplies you already have at home, such as Band-Aids, ibuprofen, anti-allergy medications, aspirin, a pin for popping blisters, and similar items.

6. Fire-Making

• Matches, a lighter, or fire starter cubes should be sufficient. While you’re unlikely to need to start a signal fire on most day hikes, having a lighter or matches can be handy if you need to sterilize a pin to pop a blister. These items become more useful when hiking in colder weather.

7. Repair Kit and Tools

• A pocket knife, a small set of scissors, and duct tape are handy to carry if you need to adjust your trekking poles, cut medical tape, patch a blister, or tape torn fabric.

8, Nutrition

• Pack some snacks that are easy to eat while hiking, or a sandwich for lunch. If you’re hiking in hot weather, it’s a good idea to carry a few electrolyte tablets to replenish your essential minerals if you find yourself sweating profusely.

9. Hydration

• You want to carry water when hiking. I like to carry 1 or 2 liters of water in refillable bottles for half-day hikes. For longer hikes, it’s convenient to carry a small backcountry water filter, such as a Sawyer Mini or Micro, which allows you to replenish your water from natural sources like streams or ponds. Water is heavy (2 lbs per liter), and carrying a full day’s supply can be uncomfortable.

10. Emergency Shelter

• An emergency blanket can be a godsend if you injure yourself and need to wait for rescuers to arrive. A small foam pad, while good for keeping your bum dry during rest stops, can also help keep you warm if you need to sit on the ground for an extended period.

Conclusion

You don’t need a lot of specialized equipment to start day hiking, but it’s a good idea to come prepared with some essential items. I’ve tried to give you a minimal set of suggested items that are worth assembling beforehand. The 10 Essential Categories provides a useful set of functions for organizing the gear you carry or subsequently acquire. You’d be surprised how relevant that list has remained since it was first introduced nearly 100 years ago.

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