A Day on the Trails: What I Pack for a Hike

Welcome back to another segment of “A Day on the Trails!” Today, I will discuss some of the essentials I’m sure to pack for a day hike.

In case you missed it, I wrote another article about what I wear for a hike and my favorite shoes. For that information, refer to “A Day on the Trails: My Favorite Hiking Attire.”

This is based on my experience as a hiker, but with that being said, I’m not a professional. I more than likely forgot an item or two, but these are the top essentials.

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Starting with the bag itself, it depends on the trail and how intense the day will be. For my daily local hikes, I don’t typically bring a bag, just my water bottle. But for a longer hike, I will use a mini backpack, specifically one that I bought from The North Face. While it's mini, it truly fits everything, and it has this cushion on the back of it, so it feels extremely comfortable.

I use a water backpack for a more intense, all-day hiking trip. The bag I have is 3 liters, but I’m always sure to pack extra bottles. For example, when I hiked Half-Dome in Yosemite National Park, it was crucial to have at least 5 liters of water ready, so I packed 2 extra bottles.

Another good thing to have is a water filter.

Obvious but important to note: Don’t just drink water straight from the source, USE A FILTER. 

I was able to fill up one of my empty bottles in the river on the way down from Half-Dome, and let me tell you it was a lifesaver. If you know you’re hiking somewhere that has a river or stream of some sort, having a water filter ready to go can save you some room in your bag if you don’t want to carry the extra weight of water bottles.

I own the Lifestraw, it’s very user-friendly. It also has an unlimited shelf life, so it’s a great, inexpensive investment.

ELECTROLYTES. Any sort of electrolyte will do the trick. If you choose to bring extra water bottles on your trip, you can just pour a packet of your favorite hydration powder right into them. I prefer Bolt Energy Chews. They’re loaded with electrolytes and have 20mg of caffeine per serving, so it’s a great 2-in-1.

Snacks, of course. Something carb-y, something sugar-y, and pack in the proteins. You can never have too much, in my opinion. Protein bars, trail mix, tuna packets, jerky, etc. I love Bobo’s Oat Bars, Bob’s Mill Bars, Barebells, and Cliff Bars, to name a few. I try to keep it healthy, because anything too heavy will weigh me down. 

My grandpa told me that when he hiked Half-Dome back in the day, all he took was a loaf of bread and canned Spam. He had the sodium, carbs, and proteins covered so honestly, not a bad idea.

First-aid, pretty self-explanatory. If you’re accident-prone like me, don’t skip out on packing extra bandages.

I also really love Sovereign Silver First Aid Gel. It’s a good homeopathic remedy for any cuts, rashes, burns, etc. Not a cure but a great reliever.

Be prepared for any weather patterns in the forecast and the level of severity of the hike itself. With that, bring a change of clothes.

SPF. Also very important. I usually put some on before I begin any trail, but it’s always crucial to reapply throughout the day.

As I mentioned before, if I’m doing a light hike, I will just take a water bottle. Specifically, my 40-oz water bottle from Iron Flask. I love them because you can purchase a Paracord Handle to go along with it, so it makes it easier to carry.

I know carrying a 40-oz bottle probably isn’t the most ideal, but it’s something I’ve gotten used to doing over the years. I also like to have something in my hands when walking because I find it prevents them from swelling… and it’s a great arm workout.

Hiking sticks might be of interest to you if you’re doing a rugged trek. I didn’t take one for Half-Dome, but I did take one when I hiked The Narrows in Zion National Park. This one is more preference; I don’t use them for the most part, but they can be extremely helpful depending on the person.

Flashlights and headlamps. Another self-explanatory item.

Some type of heavy-duty rope and carabiners can be beneficial. You never know what you’ll get yourself into, especially if you’re hiking near cliffs. If you ever encounter an emergency, it can be great to have for a rescue situation.

If you’re out in a hot climate, get yourself some cooling towels. You activate them in some water to get them cool, and they’ll help lower your body heat tremendously.

You might not get pristine service if you’re out in the wilderness, but always have your phone and a portable charger just in case.

Wallet and I.D. Anything can happen, so always carry your credentials with you.

Bear spray. I don’t use it in California or any location that I go for the matter because black bears are generally harmless, but if you’re in grizzly country, always be ready.

Have a knife in hand as well. I have the cutest little Swiss Army Knife that I carry with me in my purse daily. It has the blade, a nail file, a toothpick, tweezers, and mini scissors all at your disposal, and that’s just the basic option they offer. You’d be surprised how often I use it.

The one I have is a pink camouflage color, but they have everything under the rainbow.

I mentioned this in my other article, but bring some sunglasses for UV protection.

Pack it in, pack it out. Don’t litter. Carry a small ziplock or drawstring bag to use as trash to keep our beautiful lands clean and protect our National Parks.

Map out where you’re going beforehand and always stay on the path; never go off-trail. Even the most experienced hikers can get lost, so it’s always crucial to be mindful of your surroundings.

Maybe have a book handy on the location’s flora and fauna. It’s not only great to be aware, but it’s also fun to identify different plants and wildlife on your journey.

Believe it or not, I manage to carry all of these items and then some.

Always know your limits and trust your gut. I’ve always felt safest when I’m out in nature, but that doesn’t mean things can't happen. Enjoy the world for what it has to offer, and if you’re prepared, you can have the experience of a lifetime.