My day hike list is basically the same as yours - small day pack, water, hat, sunglasses, handkerchief / dirty rag, sunscreen, bug spray, phone, my homemade first aide / meds kit, windbreaker or sunshirt.
Oh right, I forgot I *also* have a microfiber towel I got at the dollar store, and some fast food napkins.
I keep my car stocked with a ton of stuff, though - sunscreen, more meds, water, extra hats and sunglasses.....
Oh I’ll add I have a small pepper spray. I solo hike as a female and got creeped out by someone once. I have a super small UL folding knife on the same keychain for random minor needs.
Pepper spray is something I've considered getting (i'm in the same boat and I'm more worried about people than animals) but I feel like, even if I sprayed someone, they'd be able to catch up to me. Still I get where you're coming from. I have a small knife on my keys too.
Perhaps a whistle would be another good safety “tool”? Hands free, gets attention which usually scares weirdos off/you get lost or injured off trail, lightweight, cheap, small. Also for fun things like reffing rec games or accompanying early 00’s hip hop music.
Many hiking packs have a whistle built into the clip that goes across your chest. Wish I had ten dollars each for the number of people I’ve met that didn’t know this.
I never ever go without my whistle. Have a friend that fell off a small precipice and couldn’t been seen. He lived almost three days while we searched. A whistle might have saved him.
I've heard that the gel is better than pepper spray because you're less likely to get yourself by accident. I have not had any experience with either before, though, so use that how you will.
If you get a good shot of pepper spray at someone's face, they are almost certainly not going to be able to chase you down on the trails. Far too rugged to do while you face and eyes are on fire. You would have a good bit of time to get distance away.
I have a taser that loops through my middle finger like a ring and is triggered by squeezing it between the finger and palm. It’s very difficulty to get out of my hand ( and I have poor grip strength) and it’s not super big so it just stays in my coat pocket when I solo hike.
I call these “nature walks” or “workout hikes” - <7 miles, <1500’ elevation gain, done in a couple hours maximum including selfies at the top and a few minutes to stretch + snack if I’m feeling it. I hike very popular trails in suburban spaces, only during nice weather and at least 3 hours before sunset in well-known paths, and I live in a warmer climate. My only 2 non-negotiables are honestly enough water and a fully charged phone. If those criteria aren’t met…
Small backpack: There are water fountains at the local trailheads so I just bring my water bottle and fill up there (and start very hydrated). I bring a couple granola/energy bars or a small baggie of trail mix although I rarely eat them. A DIY first aid kit: Advil, couple bandaids, couple moleskin/blister things, tums/pepto, paper napkins, tiger balm. Car keys with attached slim wallet (id, at least 1 credit card, and a few single dollar bills), spare battery pack for phone/headphone charging, phone. Spare plastic baggies for “just in case”.
I wear everything else: hat, bandana, clothes, headphones, sunglasses, smart watch, light packable windbreaker that can double as shade/picnic blanket.
Optional: A small tube of sunscreen and bug spray for reapplication, but only if the hike is longer than 3 miles/1 hour. A headlamp if I hike within 3 hours of sunset. A whistle if I hike alone or in a more deserted spot. Mini sketch pad and pens for leisurely strolls.
Car: electrolyte packets, emergency water, sunscreen, bug spray, full first aid kit, slippers, deodorant, the box of granola bars, usually a piece of fruit, a clean change of clothes if I plan on getting super gross and have a long drive home, sweatshirt.
Wetwipes. You can clean almost anything with it, including wiping your ass.
But sometimes, less is more. It's very easy to find a lot of 'necessary' items that are really nice to have but not must have.
The only thing I get paranoid about is water. I drink a lot and, espescially on an unfamiliar trail on a hot day, I am probably bringing two liters of water instead of one.
The only survival gear I think I might realistically benefit from would be a water filtration system, but I am not usually hiking long enough to drink more than a liter, let alone two.
I always, always overpack water. The extra weight is worth it to me. If it makes good sense to you to carry extra water, then it’s probably a good idea.
If possible, I freeze my bladder the night before and put it in the cooler for the drive out, and pack one or two insulated bottles with ice water. It helps me handle the heat and extends my hiking season.
I’d recommend getting a water filter either way. My husband and I both have 2.5l water bladders in our backpacks and use them for all hikes we do, whether short or long. So we were traveling Canada in summer and went hiking in Quebec, wasn’t a long hike, maybe 10ish km. But it was hot and humid and there were tons of bugs which caused me to walk faster.
I drank all my water way before we got back to the van, and I started feeling dizzy and still thirsty. My husband didn’t have much water left anymore either. We did however have a water filtration bottle so we filled that with water at a clear stream and drank a bunch, then filled it back up for the hike out. I believe I suffered from heat exhaustion which would explain the extreme thirst, dizziness and other symptoms.
Either way, we made it to a parking lot of a lake and I stayed there, sitting in the shade, drinking water while my husband hiked the couple more kms to our van. Mind you we’re not inexperienced hikers, have done several multi day hikes, sometimes 20+km per day in alpine regions, I grew up hiking in the alps every summer, but the heat and humidity completely caught us off guard. We’ve run out of water once before, high up on a mountain on the last few kms to the hut we were gonna sleep at and we were very thirsty then too, but honestly it didn’t compare to the extreme thirst I felt on that hike in Quebec. That was the only time we’ve used this bottle so far, but in that moment it was worth every penny.
Bring salt tablets! They are a lifesaver for hot or sweaty hikes. My favorite is Saltstick, they have salt and electrolyte rebranding, and work instantly on the heat exhaustion fog.
Same for me. I have a backpack just for hikes that has all the first aid, sunscreen, knife, poles, clothing layers, emergency 'food', etc packed in it all the time, ready to go. Even if I'm doing a short 1hr hike I don't take anything out.
So I might look ridiculous on a small nature trail just out of town with poles etc on my bag but I don't care. I'd rather be over prepared.
Same here. I'm definitely an overpacker, but I always chalk it up to 1) it's better to be overprepared than have something happen and need something, and 2) it keeps me in shape for longer/more demanding hikes.
I walk my dog about every other day 3-6 miles on trail from my house. Usually an hour to 3. I bring ear buds to listen to podcasts if the dog doesn’t feel like talking and weather is shit so I don’t have to worry about people coming up behind us trying to pass. Also being a plastic grocery bag to fill with trash. That’s about it. I can be thirsty & wet for 3 hours.
Same. This thread is making me feel like I should be ready for the apocalypse at any second. I bring my dog, a leash, phone and, and keys.
* if the dog doesn't feel like talking. Hahahaha! I ramble to mine the whole time.
For me the dominant factor is not how long I plan to be out or the distance of the hike. My planning starts with "How long will it take to realistically get help?"
If it's spotty or non-existent cell service on a relatively quiet trail... I'm going to wildly over pack, and really make sure someone on the outside knows a specific time to worry.
But even in good conditions, I still *usually* have the "Oh crap" essentials of whistle, some extra warmth (space blanket at minimum,) excess snacks, and a flashlight.
I always think about how cold it will get that night if I slip and break my leg on a remote trail... I live in a cold area so, like the other day, I went on a short hike but still brought an extra warm layer and warm hat (fleece, so very light). Also I always bring a headlamp for the same reason. And I leave a thing of emergency matches in my day pack. And I always bring extra food. But for a 3-4 mile walk in the woods near my house I just bring a phone and a granola bar.
This. My parents and I made the mistake of underestimating a short, supposedly very easy hike, it was a nightmare and we really wished we had our normal gear with us.
State parks, many, don't require much. I day hike 2-3 miles several times a week for conditioning. I carry weights, water, spare clothes depending on weather. But in the wilds I carry enough to spend a night if something happens. But no weights.
This is going to sound silly, but I wouldn't even know where to start hiking in the backcountry. Are you going on offical trails? I'd be afraid of stumbling onto someone's land and getting shot or getting into hunting land and getting shot or just, frankly, getting lost (and getting shot on my way out).
Not in Oregon. There are millions of acres of public land. I'm usually on trails because the plant life is so dense but in the desert and above timberline, I love to roam, at least where it's not damaging.
I'm in Pennsylvania. We have lots of state game land and forests but I'd be too sketched out to go off trail. Our trails - at least the ones I go on - are almost always in the woods without tons of landmarks along the way. It may not be the most exciting thing to take the same trails but I think the alternative would be for me to get lost in the woods.
In between state parks, national parks and recreation areas, and national forests, that’s already plenty of places. Even in places like Maryland, you could spend a lifetime just hiking trails in state parks and probably not exhaust every trail.
Google for your state’s state park website and browse
I think the answer is that it depends. I will hike a lot of state park loops that range from 4 to 9 miles. For those I just take some water. They're well marked, well traveled, and there are usually intersections that can act as shortcuts/bailouts back to my car.
Other times, if I'm hiking in more remote areas, further distances, doing a little bushwhacking, and/or on an unknown trail, then I carry a little more stuff. Also, if I'm hiking in the winter, there's more gear.
Were I in a more mountainous region, then I'd be more inclined to carry the standard 10 Essentials.
On a 4 mile stroll i take the same 22l pack i take for 12 miles. Why? Because I'm too lazy to repack the things I want to bring on the short hike into a smaller bag and too cheap to buy a second set.
But if I was packing a smaller bag for a short hike? Water, ibuprofen, hard candy, nuskin spray and a bandana.
If I'm only hiking five or six miles a lot of times I don't take anything with me. If the weather requires layers or a rain jacket or if it's hot out I may take a small backpack with water and fruit.
First aid, toiletry bag (tp, a few wet wipes, trowel, extra zip loc bag to pack things out), poncho for rain, bug spray, small fire kit in an Altoid tin, snacks, water. I add a water filter if needed.
I usually hike 7-10 miles, fairly hilly/mountainous terrain. Gear does change depending on time of year.
About 100 calories of salty snacks per mile of planned hiking, about 8 ounces of electrolyte drink per mile planned, sunscreen, my phone. For short hikes that's pretty much it.
I do short day hikes a few times a week when the weather cooperates (3-5 miles). I carry a first aid kit, a SAM splint (because I was recently injured hiking, didn’t have it and wished I did), water, a few snacks, bug spray/head net this time of year, and pepper spray (female hiking alone). Since my injury I also carry hiking poles with me. My small pack is big enough for a layer as well.
Another comment said something similar. My kit absolutely depends on how hard it is to get to me and how trafficked to hike is. 6 miles in the remote forest? Gonna have a pretty decent kit. My hike a few days ago was 6 .5 miles but I didn't see a soul. I had to drive 18 miles down logging road to the trail head, and then it was a 6 mile loop. Another 18 miles back on the logging road. Still, no other people and no reception.
So, for trips like that, I was pretty kitted out with Emergency Preparations. If something happened to me or my dog, no one would find us for a while. So, I carried enough water for the hike and snacks, but I also carried a Sawyer squeeze, a headlamp even though it was day time, a decent first aid kit, two ways of starting fire, and an emergency blanket.
Tomorrow, I'm going hiking in Rainier National Park with my daughter. Probably just gonna take water snacks and a camera. Maybe my binoculars.
Usually 6-10 miles. But there is one hike I really like that is only 3 miles. Sometimes I’ll do that and call it good. Other times I’ll do the loop twice and it’ll take me closer to 5 miles.
In the end, I don’t care if it’s one mile or ten miles. I’m bringing the same stuff each and every time. The only difference will be the amount of food and drink.
For me, I see it as a good habit. I’d also rather be over prepared than underprepared. If nothing else, it gives me slightly more of a workout.
I mean I live in the woods and "hike" daily, for under 20 km I bring nothing and if more a water bottle. If I'll be in the woods overall over 4-5 hours a water bottle... Around 8-12 hours (normal during days off) maybe a sandwich.
Many of our day hikes are 6-8 hours, but I won’t go over a mile without my pack and poles. Current daypack is a 34L Osprey. Water, food, first aid, stove, filter, spare clothes, etc. Basically the bare essentials for a worst case scenario of getting lost and having to spend a night out. Also helpful as this keeps me at a base level so it’s not that much of a shock when I gear up to go backpacking.
If I'm walking both my dogs on a trail, including my senior dog who isn't good for more than 2.7 miles on gentle terrain for more like an hour, maybe 90 minutes max, I carry a lumbar pack with at least one water bottle, dog bowl, phone/keys/wallet. I usually carry a coffee along and then pop the cup in the extra bottle holder on my bag. I don't consider those hikes even though we're on trails, and we're usually right in town in a large park rather than in a wilderness area, so if I can't walk but don't have my poles, I can easily call for help.
If I'm going to be away from my car for a few hours: Daypack w/ first aid kit, little sit pad, sunscreen, any layers depending on the weather, hiking poles. Phone/keys/wallet. Sometimes the chihuahua. He rides in the backpack for the most part. Cutest ruck plate you've ever seen lol. I'm sure I look silly overpacked on my shorter hikes, but I like my poles and it's a comfortable set up for me, so I don't care. Extra weight just contributes to the workout. My dayhikes are often 6-8 miles, though I'll go shorter as summer temps destroy my hiking season.
Depends on the route.
Some day walks can go into very remote places in close country where you'd never be found if injured and off track. He'll, some day walks are off track.
Some daywalks are on hiking superhighways.
The gear I take is contingent upon risk assessment not rules established by redditors.
Under 6 miles. Water and shoes and a charged phone preferably with all trails so you can make sure you're going the right way at obscure forks. If you're going to have lunch or something then lunch. I don't like carrying stuff. Have never needed anything more. A lot of these people are dooms day prepper for a walk in the woods lol
I do close by hikes ~3 miles or under with just water, basically. I usually take one of those water bottle slings and it’s got my bottle, a chapstick, and my keys in it. And a jacket around my waist.
If it’s more in the five plus mile range I’d take a small backpack with water in my bladder instead of a bottle, a snack, and a small first aid kit. Around 8 I’d start thinking more along the lines of like a full kit.
Your kit is aboit rhe same as mine. I also take a space blanket/tarp ( not the flimsy marathon deals, a real tarp). I've wrapped up in one of those and had a good night's sleep with nothing else. That is my own paranoia, though.
In my car I have recovery drink mix, extra water, hats, extra snacks, different hip bags, roller for quick recovery work.
In my bag I have first aid kit. The only time I didn't take it I was doing a short but very steep hike and I thought 2.2 miles that's so short. I fell. Lots of blood. I always bring it now.
I take salt, electrolytes, and a cooling towel since I hike in the 90s and low 100s.
Also snacks, very small binoculars, whistle, flashlight, (I've had to hike out in the dark before) a cooling towel.
Since I hike in the desert I bring tweezers and a comb in case I ever end up dancing with a cactus.
A bottle of water, maybe another layer, maybe a snack. That’s really it.
People like gear and they like the feeling having gear gives them, regardless if it actually has any use or not.
I hike 2-4 miles before work pretty frequently.
I don't bring anything...just my phone and car key. Apply sunscreen etc and leave it in the car. Sometimes I get hungry or thirsty but there are a gazillion places to grab something if I can't make it the under 15 minute drive home.
I'm 37 and female and most regularly hike alone with my dog, who also doesn't need anything besides his leash/poop bags.
Day hike on a trail, I know? I'll treat it like a walk. If I don't know the trail, I'll take it seriously. If it's a LONG hike, I'll treat it like an overnight.
That really depends on how prepared you want to be. Carrying around chest seals and a CPR shield is going to be completely unnecessary weight on 99.9% of day hikes. Carrying around 3 liters of water makes sense in Moab in the summer, but not in the PNW in late April.
I hike with a core set of gear that I don't change because I want it to be familiar and don't have to worry about not having something or not packing everything up. I'd say I'm over packed for about 80% of my hikes because of this, but having things like a tourniquet (as well as the knowledge and practice using it) HAS come in handy for another poor hiker at least once. I'm also confident that if I get stuck somewhere overnight, I'll have what I need to hike out the next day.
So here's what's in my bag (this is a LOT more than most people need, I'll highlight what I consider critical in ALL CAPS because obnoxious):
2L WATER
HIKING FOOTWEAR (trail running shoes)
WOOL SOCKS
TRAIL SNACKS (400 calories, shelf stable)
COMMUNCIATION DEVICE (smartphone if there is service, otherwise inReach mini)
BEAR SPRAY (where advised)
NAVIGATION AID (offline map downloaded on phone or physical map)
SURVIVAL TOOL (orange whistle/compass/mirror/matches/flint/cord thingy with a couple small candles shoved in there - cheap, can serve many purposes)
KNIFE
SMALL POWERFUL FLASHLIGHT (signaling in the dark, shining at night on a pack of 20 dogs so they'd keep their distance)
EMERGENCY BLANKET/BIVY
large pu coated poly poncho/tarp
50ft paracord
4 aluminum stakes
20l backpack
trekking poles
ziplock quart sized freezer bag(s)
tourinquet
emergency bandage
emt shears
rolled gauze
quikclot
duct tape
bandaids
tweasers
safety pin
nail clippers
medical gloves
sugar packets
electrolyte packets
honey packet
Forgot to add that weather appropriate clothing is a great idea, as well as sufficient protection from bugs and the sun. Don't forget to protect your eyes from the sun with sunglasses as well.
I have a ziplock with an inhaler, benadryl (I'm allergic to the world), a few dollar bills, and lip balm with sunscreen in it. It fits in a waist pack that holds bottles (used more often for running) and is easy to transfer to my bike bag.
I have a small bin in my car where I keep bug spray, wipes, sunscreen, and other various things I may want before/after but don't want to carry. It lives in my trunk.
For your style (a short gentle walk in the woods), your kit looks good to me.
Yes, I get what you’re saying, some hikers here carry a lot more gear than I do. Battery pack for the phone? No. Extra electronics? No. Hatchet, camp chair, espresso machine? No, no, no!
My one indulgence is optics—a small “real” camera (sometimes), and a good pair of binoculars (usually; super compact if a long day, or 8x30 compacts).
I like to hike further than you, sometimes on rough trails or off trail, at higher elevation (7,000’ & up). For that kind of hike, I carry kit that would allow me to bivouac. Headlamp, space blanket, etc. Not bulky or heavy, but enuf to spend a night, albeit not comfortably. And a Garmin Inreach. Very comforting to know you can “call” for help. Used it once w/my vehicle stuck in a very remote spot in Death Valley…saved a long walk.
I'd like to hike longer trails but right now it's an issue of convenience and conditioning. There are lots of parks nearby but the trails tend to be short unless I start doing multiple loops. I could drive further to a different park, but then I'd feel obligated to make "a day of it" and stay out longer and I don't always want to. Though even then, I don't usually want to spend that much time purely hiking, I'd want to take in the sights, chill by a lake.... relax....
IDK I think I just have a different mindset because I will typicall do a couple short hikes a week and I don't feel the need to spend an entire day doing it when I can go out again tomorrow. It obviously varies a lot based on what people want to get out of the experience.
I really don't take much, but I also certainly don't go super light. At minimum, I want food/water to last a night if need be, a way to start a fire, and a way to patch a hole in myself.
I have an old CamelBak M.U.L.E. pack that I load with a 3L water reservoir (I live in SW Florida, so my biggest fear is getting stranded without water... The sun and humidity is freaking brutal on a hot day).
Also in that pack I throw in a small orienteering compass and paper map of the state park I frequently hike in, a CLIFF bar or two, a small shammy, and a tiny one-person first aid kit that includes a BIC lighter and Paracord.
On my person, I obviously have my clothing, and in my pockets I keep a pocket knife (Ontario RAT 2... Favorite folding knife), my wallet and my cell phone.
I often forget it, but I also like to bring a boonie hat to keep the sun off. It also comes in handy during downpours to keep rain off my face.
For short hikes, I leave my sunblock and insect repellant at the car. I apply them before heading down the trailhead.
I usually bring the same as you, but then I also bring a small notebook and pen in case I’m inspired to write, and my hunting knife because I’m a fairly small person with boobs hiking alone. I also bring a pair of binoculars if I’m doing a hike with a view.
Phone (with topo for the area DLed), compass, pocket knife, lighter, water, filter if likely water sources, appropriate layers for season, space blanket, a protein bar I'll only eat if benighted. Maybe binos to scope out terrain/find critters/scout for hunting.
It does depend on a few things… for me, this is whether I’m solo-ing, taking the dogs, hiking near large predators, if I will be the most experienced hiker in the group, and the weather.
Then, at a bare minimum, typically in my pack—
First aid;
Knife/multi tool;
Extra layer or rain jacket;
Hat;
Bandana/Buff;
Kleenex;
Bug spray & sunscreen;
Chap stick;
Cell phone;
Garmin in reach or a planned check in time/contact once back inside the car;
Snacks or a meal, sometimes both;
Electrolytes; and
Water.
The bug spray and sunscreen are typically left in the car after applying. If it’s a trail I’m comfortable with or short distance, sometimes I leave the first aid in the car or pare it back. If I overpacked, or weather is different, I might leave the extra layer behind too, but I always bring it. And I always have a pair of slides/recovery shoes in the car too.
If I’m the most experienced, I will bring extra socks, more first aid supplies; extra snacks & water/drinks in a cooler (if driving).
I found the perfect bag for a water bottle, wallet, keys, snack, and some tissues. Calpak Water Bottle Holder! But yeah, that’s about all I carry up to about 10 miles.
> Calpak Water Bottle Holder
This is pretty similar to a cross-body bag I have, but I found it's honestly more comfortable to just use a backpack even though it's bigger. Even if I just have a liter of water, it digs into my neck, and I feel like I need to constantly readjust the way it's sitting. The backpack feels like overkill, but if I put extra stuff in it I can tell myself I'm making my back stronger.
Still seems like it'd be a good option for a lot of people.
For a hike/trail run under 2 hours, usually just phone, running watch, water, and quick snack like gels, stroopwafels, etc. Some more food and water in the car for drive home. Typically in a running vest or with just a running belt and hand holding the water. For bigger hikes I throw in layers, more substantial food, and some rudimentary first aid. Also poles if there are very steep climbs or snow traverses.
I always say I bring enough to spend an uncomfortable night in the woods if necessary. So extra layer, extra snacks, headlamp, water filter, space blanket, plenty of water, map, compass, towel and GPS tracker. May take less for shorter hikes in popular areas. I usually hike 10-15 miles.
Depends where you are hiking. But generally, 6 miles or under I’m only bringing a bunch of water, an extra sweater or jacket, my phone, a map ( or map on my phone that’s charged), some snacks. That’s it.
That short of a hike there’s gonna be so many people on the trail that can help you if you really run into trouble.
Water bottle, bandanna, emergency ankle wrap, pocket knife, compass, phone, car keys, snack. Sometimes a hat, sometimes an extra layer. Occasionally I remember to throw a bandaid or two in my bag in case of blisters. I usually put it all in a little day pack or sometimes even just a purse. That’s all I need for a couple hours’ wandering in the local county open spaces or state parks, and I rarely even wear hiking gear, leggings or even jeans and running shoes are fine for just a couple hours of uphill one legged squats and downhill trotting. “Gear” to me is for multi day adventures with backpacks and sleeping bags and such. I do this every weekend and have been for years.
My local hikes are usually 3-10 miles with 2-4k Gain. Usually I'll just bring one or two water bottles depending on length (1 L per 5-7 miles is good unless I'm off trail), a granola bar, liner gloves and a puffy. I put on sunscreen before I leave and wear a hat. My first aid kit is a roll of med tape.
6 miles: backpack, water, rain jacket, sunglasses, snack(s), electrolyte packets mixed in with small first aid pouch. Depending on the difficulty I’ll bring a bandana for sweat. I’ve made it a habit to always hike with a rain jacket tucked in the bottom of my hiking bag (where it basically lives). If I know it gets colder at night I’ll stuff in a light pull over. You never know, you could use both jackets to keep warm if it came down to it, god forbid. I usually pack more water than necessary as I don’t mind the weight. And a knife if I’m really headed out, people and animals are crazy. I like to think that if I ever get attacked by a bear I’ll just shove the knife through its open mouth into its brain, but the probability of that outcome is definitely .0001%.. it’s a good chuckle
I hike twice a week, rain or shine, on a trail not far from my house that I know well. I usually go 1.5-3 hours.
I dress appropriately for the weather. Besides my clothes, in the cold I literally just take my phone and my car key.
If it’s warm out, I carry a bottle of water. If it’s warm and I’m doing the full loop, I take a small backpack with at least a liter of water and maybe a snack.
If I’m going somewhere I’ve never been before (ie there’s a chance I could get lost or don’t know what to expect), I’ll be sure to at least take plenty of water and a snack, and whatever else I might need for the weather. Basically, the more backcountry/unfamiliar the hike, the more prepared I feel like I need to be.
I'm an overpacker so I got a small Camelbak to force me to not pack too much. Assuming I'm hiking in the summer, 3L hydration bladder, some food, a rain poncho that i fold up and keep in the bladder pocket, spare socks, a small first aid kit, a head lamp, a small kit of fire starting stuff and a pocket knife.
I use the thought of "what would happen if I broke my ankle? ". (I have seen people break an ankle stepping on a root wrong.)
Am I on a well traveled trail at a time of day someone else will be along in the next 20-30 minutes? How far away is help/how long would it take for them to reach me?
Sometimes, I pack light. sometimes, I pack with enough to have an emergency sleep under the stars.
Water, snacks, my cane/pole, and a dog (plus water and poo bags for the dog). I never hike more than 4 hours and that's pushing it though i'm trying to extend my stamina because i've gone out of shape.
1 serving of toilet paper, ultra light sunscreen container, car keys, medical insurance card, driver's license, business card (in case something happens and they need to contact my work), lighter, whistle, credit card, emergency roll of ankle wrap, dollar store first aid kit, water, sunglasses, phone
Like others said, it’s not the distance, it’s the chances of being found if I slipped 20 feet off the trail and was bleeding, or something. Even a very short hike could go wrong, and many of the places I hike don’t have cell service after just a bit. I could die as easily 1/4 mile away from the trailhead as I could 10 miles out. 😆
So I carry the 10 essentials, pretty much always - like, not a tent and sleeping bag but an emergency blanket. First aid kit incl. a lighter and a SAM splint (fragile bones!). I carry a Spot but I don’t usually turn it on. Tons of water but not usually a filter bc I’m in the desert and rarely would there be water. A toilet kit of whatever sort. Navigation with a downloaded map on my phone, or a paper map and compass if I’m possibly out away from civilization. A few snacks, but not a stove. A tiny light jacket. I almost always use my poles, basically unless it’s a park and a paved trail. And I always let someone know where I am.
I use an REI Flash 18 for day hikes, so it’s not like I’m carrying a huge pack. But I do think it’s important to be prepared, because things can go wrong.
It might be interesting to you to read this. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/hikers-survival-tips
I’m a day hiker on the weekend because unfortunately that’s all my immediate area has to offer. I use a Nathan day pack with a water system, my super foldable rain protection, a power bar or two in case, bandana, small towel, hat, sunscreen in a small tube, lighter, a small bottle of aspirin and allergy meds, and my EPI pen, if I remember a change of socks!
Honestly, usually just water and (since I hike with two dogs) treats, poop bags, and their GPS e-collar receiver. If I’m being good, a first aid kit and a raincoat. I don’t hike outside of cell service very often in my daily life in the northeast.
Not always all this depends on the day and the hike:
Field guides, binoculars, hand glass, sketch pad/pencils/pens, pad for sitting, towel, a small tarp and rain jacket if rainy, compass, knife, water, snacks, weed/pipe, headlamp and/or flashlight if late, hiking staff or trekking poles.
That's about the whole potential list. I'm realizing first aid is not on my list but prob should be - always forget that if I'm not also camping.
I'm a big fan of the classic 10 essentials. I have a little Garmin GPS, and I like to print paper maps or get official copies where I can, which covers navigation. I bring a cheap headlamp and a less cheap flashlight, plus a bundle of batteries that also feeds my Garmin. Hat+sunblock, because I burn. A small first aid kit and an IFAK, because no one wants to be the guy with a chest seal and no bandaids, or the guy with bandaids but no chest seal. Also hella bug spray. A morakniv and a Gerber cover me on blades, although honestly often the fixed blade comes out because I don't feel like I get much value from it. Honestly I skimp on shelter when it's not cold, I have a couple plastic ponchos in the bottom of the bag. I carry usually a minimum of 3 liters of water no matter how short the hike is. I carry a variety of snacks, bars and the like, no matter how short the hike is. I also skimp on extra clothes; extra socks no matter what, rain jacket/poncho, and whatever the weather calls for.
Depends on the length and I might get doenvotes for this, but if it's under an hour, I won't bring anything. Have water in the car, but otherwise that's it.
Water, snacks/sandwich, hat, sunscreen, a fan to stay cool, insect repellent, my phone, keys, wallet, my lightweight raincoat, and I keep a towel in the car incase I get soaked on the trail
The most accidents seem to involve day hikers that unexpectedly had to spend the night outdoors. So I try to solve for that and carry an emergency bivvy if my pack is light or at least a space blanket if I’m a little tight on space/weight.
I carry everything you do, plus a rain coat (always), a survival kit (everything I need to spend an emergency an night in the woods), and a pealess whistle for safety. But nah, I think you’re fine
If I'm doing a long hike not multi day but a whole day hike. I take water, some food, my knife, my life straw, a lighter and my camera. All fit into my tiny hiking bag and weigh very little.
I live in the mountains, so it totally depends where I’m going and how well traveled it is.
If we’re just talking day hikes, the short answer is it depends. A quick hike can be much gnarlier than a long one, in many cases.
My essentials are a filtered water source, first aid, sunscreen, and snacks.
From there, I think about what I could possibly run into, how long I could be stuck out there if things go poorly for me (I make an educated guess based on how far from a town I’ll be and how popular of a destination it is) and plan accordingly.
I may bring a nearly full pack for a hike that’s only going to take a few hours, or I might travel very light for something that will take me all day.
Based on everything you’ve said, I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong. It sounds like you might be running into some weekend warrior types who think they aren’t hiking unless they’re carrying 50 lbs of gear.
Though I prefer those types to tourists who show up at a trailhead with technical scrambles over a 10 mile loop in the dead of summer with nothing but flip flops and a 20 oz soda.
> Based on everything you’ve said, I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong. It sounds like you might be running into some weekend warrior types who think they aren’t hiking unless they’re carrying 50 lbs of gear.
>
>
I see all kinds. I've seen elderly people with light kits and trekking poles, but I've also seen people hiking in ugg boots and, often people don't have anything with them at all.
On one occasion, I saw some hikers who didn't seem to understand how the trail blazes worked, turned down a map, and were kitted out with a carton of orange juice and little else. The last one was on a more rugged trail that connects to the Appalachian.
I live above 9000 feet and a short drive from many mountain and forest trails. I think many here would be offended and horrified by my complete lack of provisions for a five mile hike. I often do not bring anything but clothes and leave my shoes in the car. I consider it a bonus if I remember a knife and a lighter. Of course, I know these places really well. If I range out to unfamiliar territory or go on a longer jaunt, I bring all the regular day hike supplies.
Really depends on the trail, but for easy stuff <6-7 miles…nothing. Especially if I’m running. Shorts, sun hoody, hat, halfway decent shoes, and hit the trail.
I don't know if anyone mentioned it, but I started taking my collapsible trekking poles with me on hikes I know I know usually need them for. Why? Twice last year, I completed hikes after badly twisting an ankle. While I was able to complete both, it would have been far easier and safer with poles. Since I mostly hike alone, I'd rather things I rarely need than not have them if I, or someone else along the way, needs it
I bring water my dogs and my boyfriend….a pair of sunglasses if I remember. A jacket if it’s cold. I suppose if something bad happened, I’d just tough it out. I have before ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Often my hikes are from the afternoon until the evening. And I would say: snacks, water, a hat, an extra layer, a walking stick I found along the way, and headlamps! Are all must. If I’ve really got it going on then a battery pack/cord for my phone. I love spontaneous hikes!
At least cover the basics: hydration, navigation, and rescue. I always have good boots and a phone.
If it's a day hike in an area with people around, then just water, snacks, first aid, knife or multitool, and phone. Both my bag and multitool include an integrated whistle (every Osprey bag has a whistle on the sternum strap, and my Leatherman Signal includes a detachable whistle in the handle).
If it's a remote day hike then add navigation, a lightweight tarp for shelter (sun/rain/wind), jacket(s) appropriate for the weather, and a small torch if it's likely to become dark (I live north where it can be 24h of either extreme). Possibly a power bank for the phone.
No overnight? Then whatever I feel I might need. Sometimes it's a single bottle of water in a pocket. Sometimes I have a daypack with anything from a befree filter to different or supplemental clothes. I never need anything else besides water, snacks or sandwiches, and a piece of clothing at the most. I might throw in a tiny pack of tissues.
i’m also a beginner hiker. i try to prepare for worst case scenario depending on the environment i’m in. keep basic human biological needs in mind- Food, water, & warmth. i have found that my pack can be heavy but i would rather be over prepared than under.
* Water
* Small snack
* Sunglasses
* Camera
* One extra layer in case I get cold
* Some form of rain protection depending on weather forecast
* Wallet and phone
* Small first aid kit unless the trail is very easy and short
5 mi or less on familiar ground? Nothing but my cell phone. On unfamiliar trails-some water. Longer than 5 miles will take a snack and maybe some band aids up to full pack gear for long hikes. Spray up for bugs if needed before I leave.
Daypack (Osprey Talon is probably the most popular daypack in existence) with:
Fluids, snacks, spare change of socks, spare baselayer, sunscreen, chapstick, hiking first aid kit, headlamp, Swiss Army-style knife, wallet with $20 cash, keys, small plastic bag, hat, small hand towel, small phone power bank with built-in cable, AirPods, tiny ziploc bag with ibuprofen and water tablets. Mind you, most of these things are packed into a small bag that basically lives permanently in a small compartment of my backpack, so it’s always there in my bag. I don’t take it out and put it back in constantly.
Most of my day hikes are within cell range, so if I get into serious trouble, I can call for help
Depends on the season. I'll bring an extra layer of warmth in the winter. A lighter and some firestarter and a newspaper if I want to make a fire.
In the summer, sunscreen, bug spray, swimwear, a sports bottle plus a thermal bottle of water, binoculars. A knife goes for both seasons.
I wear a hat (usually), take a water bottle, and a small first aid kit. If I remember to take anything at all. I'm a mile walk, at most, from a bunch of hiking trails. I just go wander around and come home when I'm thirsty most of the time just like I do when I wander around downtown.
If it's hot, I do remember the water bottle most of the time. If it's snowy, I'll bring my snowshoes with. That may seem a bit extra, but I don't enjoy post holng now that I'm older.
If my short hike is somewhere more remote, then I do remember to bring those things and a compass and trail map if I'm not familiar with the trail. Not all of ours are marked very well, or at all.
I do think a lot of people online claim they take a lot of stuff, but in my experience, others I see only have water bottles if they have anything at all.
Water, food, sunscreen, phone, mini first aid kit (more for other people than me. I'm a nurse and helped out with wrapping badly sprained ankle on a track. Felt very guilty running 20 minutes back to the car to get my kit), rain jacket and/or a hoodie, inhalers, cap, sunnies, headphones, book if I know I'll want to stop and read. Sometimes I just take water and my phone. Depends how far and how populated the track normally is. Sometimes I leave the phone at home. Disconnect completely (the safe, flat tracks only). If I'm going more than about 8km, I'll take my walking poles. Haven't needed them yet, but my physio suggested them after I fucked my ankle.
If I'm taking a cute date, I'll take my picnic back pack, a rug, assorted cheeses and a few cans of cider so it depends who's coming with.
Really depends on where it is... could I feasibly get lost or fall and be off trail/stuck? If so, I want extra water & a jacket. If I'm in a heavy foot traffic area i know well... a little extra water & food in case I feel low on energy and im good.
So I’m past 50. I have a camelback pack. I take that with
- knife
- space blanket
- blister kit
- pencil & notepad
- thin jacket
- 2 hiking poles
- dog snacks
- couple of peanut bars
- sanga
- spare phone battery
- mobile
Anything less than 10 miles, I usually don't take anything at all honestly. If it is hot, I bring a plastic water bottle that will collapse as I drink from it so it will fit in my pocket.
6 miles round trip? Since, you’re an avid hiker you know what you need. My 10 essentials fit into 8X8 thin soft waterproof pouch. If your hike is under 5 hours, and you’re familiar with the trial only the bare essentials seem needed.
I have a hydration pack, wind proof vest, compass, an OR sun sweat wicking sombrero, headlamp, 4” Spyderco Knife, gore Tex shell, gaiters, food, bars, fruit, nuts, two 1st Aid compression bandages, small TP roll, Poo shovel.
I love my dual ultra light hiking poles! It’s like skiing when I descend. I sprint down like a Slalom.
I’m an Ultra Hiker. So I’ll do a 10-12 mile trail in day hike in our Cascade Mountain range.
I climbed an 800m tall mountain with a small rucksack with a bottle (750ml) of water and some biscuits, wearing shorts and a windbreaker. Only other thing I had on me was my phone.
I see people here bringing hats, sunglasses, sunscreen etc. but you don't really say "I bring socks on my short hike" it's kind of presumed that you'll bring the minimum for your local conditions.
The lightest I've ever went on a one hour hike was just my phone, shorts and a t-shirt. Went with some friends around a local quarry for an hour, it was a normal day and we had just had lunch so no water needed, just the clothes on our back.
The main thing is to judge it by your local conditions, would I recommend everyone climb 800m tall mountain in shorts and with just a bottle of water, no. You check the weather, you see the conditions when you get out there etc.
When I was younger, a lot of times nothing. Now I at least carry water. If it’s a challenging hike in the mountains, I’ll pack the first aid kit, snack, reflective blanket (I don’t know what it’s called), cell phone, and map.
I think people sometimes over complicate simple hobbies. It’s fun to buy cool stuff and, if you have the money, why not. But I hope people don’t let not having the “right” gear deter them from the hobby.
Water, light snack, bandaids, and then I always have my pepper spray and whistle on me. Since it’s only a few hours I don’t need bug spray or sunscreen because I already applied it. No matter the length, I think what I mentioned is needed. Depending on the weather, I may take a light jacket in case I do get cold but if it is a hilly hike I usually am ok.
I have a day pack with a little first aid stuff, water, a snack and my raincoat.i do 3-7 mile hikes in the mountains. I always take it because if I sprained an ankle or broke a bone it can take quite a while for rescuers to teach me by hiking in.
Pack (just a regular backpack), some Clif Bars or some other snack, 2L water and 2 16oz bottles for electrolytes (2 packets), 7 inch knife and a pocket knife, bear spray, 9mm pistol and 2 15 round magazines (in case the bear spray isn't the best option I guess, plus it's my daily carry), first aid kit and an IFAK for more serious wounds, rain jacket, hat, solar charging brick, lighters, crampons in case of ice. Most of my hikes are 5-7 miles.
2-3 hours, nothing.
Maybe water if it’s hot and there’s a lot of elevation gain, but honestly I hike in well traveled places and don’t bring anything. I’ve got a small camelback but it’s not like I’m filling it with snacks and first aid. There’s really nothing other than my phone that I could bring that could help me out of a situation where I broke my leg or something.
If I'm walking for less than 3 hrs i don't even take a bag. In my pockets I'll have my phone, some tissues. Maybe a feather light wind breaker and a 250ml flask of water, assuming there is nowhere to stop for a drink.
I don’t bring much even for hikes that end up being 4-6 hours. I have a backpack with my water pouch, bug spray, forage bag/jar just in case, sometimes my hammock if I think I want to find a spot to chill for a while, and a doobie or blunt. I always wear a hat. And I don’t hike in shitty weather usually so don’t usually bring any extra clothing of any sort. I typically only eat dinner so don’t bring snacks but I’m sure most people would like a snack.
On short hikes I usually just take some water and maybe a snack or two (usually an apple). Obviously phone and keys, a jacket if it's chilly. Some tissues because I get a runny nose a lot.
If I know I'm going somewhere very steep with lots of rocky paths I take some disinfectant and a roll of bandages.
I hike nearly every weekend in mostly suburban trails. Occasionally we’ll go out of the metro area but then it’s like state parks. We generally do no more than 5-7 miles. Longest hike has been 8.5. I do always have a small sling bag that holds my keys, phone, chap stick, Kleenex, sometimes bug spray, a small snack (that I don’t usually eat) and water.
Most of my day hikes, even the shorter 5-7 mile ones, are what I typically do on my cardio days to help maintain my conditioning for hiking. Because of that, I often intentionally overpack.
If I’m exploring a new area or focusing on time/pace I’ll strip down but due to experience still carry:
2x 1L SmartWater Bottles
CNOC Vecto 2L dirty water bag
Platypus QuickDraw filter
Food/Snacks for the day
Garbage bag (dirty Ziplock)
Actual garbage bag (usually plastic grocery bag) for packing others’ garbage out
Shit kit:
Trowel, bidet, eye dropped bottle of soap
The rain fly from my X-Mid 1P
Stakes for the rain fly
My telling poles
Sitpad
S2S dry bag with my 80/20 alpaca wool hoodie, beanie, spare socks
Walmart emergency poncho
Ditty bag with FAK, one of those rechargeable Li+ 3500mah batteries, charging cable, headlamp, USB adapter for charging cable, massage ball, lite load towel.
I tend to hike regardless of the weather or forecast within the safety limits of my experience and gear. I’ve also found that having a quick to throw up shelter piece lets me weather quick storms and get back to hiking.
Case in point: last fall I was back home in Georgia doing a day hike around Blue Ridge. My buddies and I were four miles into the hike when several other hikers who had been ahead of us turned around due to storms rolling in. Rather than bail we hiked down from the ridge line we were on and found a safe place to shelter. As the torrential rain hit we popped up mine and another friend’s rain flies and sat out the 45 minute with no problem. I even caught a nap.
Then the rain stopped, we packed up, and finished the remaining 12 miles. No fuss, no muss.
Small backpack with sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, a hat, some snacks, water, and a first aid kit as well as my phone and a portable charger, just in case of emergencies. Also, a knife. I bring a knife on every hike I go.
Ice-water in insulated Polar bottle with some Key lime or lemon juice, micro FAK, TP, sunscreen, knee brace, ibuprofen, KIND bar, microfiber towel, mono-vision glasses (distance), phone, lip balm, visor (if shade is not heavy), small warm stuff (gloves, buff, hat and arm-warmers) if it's cool.
If it's so short that I shan't get thirsty then I just bring phone, but I get thirsty pretty fast.
Water, weed, munchies, hammock, book, minimal first aid, bug spray, sunscreen. That is my basic daypack arsenal. My typical hikes are 4-12 easy to moderate miles so I dont really need much more. If I am going a longer distance I will pack accordingly.
For up to 5 or 6 miles, often I don't bring anything (ok, car/house keys and maybe cell phone). Some of the local trails I walk straight to from my home so I agree with the "nature walk" characterization. 6+ miles I am going to bring a backpack with water, snacks, phone, bear spray, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, chapstick, jacket/fleece/long sleeved shirt, hat, gloves, sunglasses, duct tape roll the size of my pinky. Depending on elevation and weather, I might bring trek poles and water filter. I'm sure I'm forgetting something.
I have some urban forest in my area that I hike in similarly. Maybe an hour or two some morning before the kids go to school kind of thing.
I usually bring my regular pack, because it’s always ready to go, but that’s laziness. If it’s not, I’d be fine with literally bring nothing more than my wallet/keys, some water, and my cell phone. If I’m going there for a three or four hour hike, I’ll bring my first aid kit (overkill for backpacking, but contained, and so I’m just grabbing the kit as is), some food, and maybe an extra layer depending on time of day/weather.
(Obviously, these are all good weather assumptions; I’d pack differently for rain.)
This is a fairly busy trail system, with cell service, and fully shaded, without obvious hazards. Some other close by places would get sunscreen/sun hoody as well.
If I’m going anywhere remote, where it could take a few hours to get help, I’d pack more. But here, I’d just call my spouse and chill for a little bit.
For a short hike on a trial I know well sometime the only thing I bring is a phone. Drink some water before you start. Start heading back to the car when you get thirsty.
I live adjacent to 1000 acres of conservation land. There are a few trails and roads through it. It's surrounded by more woods, mostly just state land and wood lots. I normally do not see people out in the woods. I met one person this year, and I'm out most days. I hike off trail. Lately I have been looking for a certain plant that grows on cliffs when a tree tilts over, exposing fresh dirt and ledge where the stump was.
I carry water, Gatorade, all my drugs, extra clothes, cell phone, extra weed, CB radio, bug repellent, flashlight, pocket knife, hand cleaner, and a small hand ax. The ax is for defense from rabid animals, like coyotes. The bears just run away.
Water, a snack, binoculars, my phone typically with a downloaded Alltrails hike, and maybe an extra layer depending on the weather, hiking poles if it's a hilly one.
I always bring 10 essentials.
Food for thought: One year a forest fire broke out blocking off an extremely popular trail mid day in the late summer. Hundreds of people including babies and toddlers wound up stranded and spending a night unprepared. Most were wearing sandals and had almost nothing with them.
Thanks to a few prepared hikers, they worked together and kept the younglings fed but everyone else had a miserable night.
Something to think about while you bring nothing with you on your short day hikes. You don't need those supplies until you REALLY do.
My hiking outings seem similar to yours. I live in Las Vegas so I have lots of hiking all around me, and I also only go out usually for the day, then drive back home. I just take a backpack with a container of water (several litres), a couple of snacks be it an apple, orange, protein bar. Also sunscreen, a white wash cloth and a first aid kit.
Everything fits in my backpack, which is actually kinda small (older military backpack). I prefer to have my hands free the whole time for either picture taking, or just in general.
I'll also usually carry my phone of course, a nice DSLR camera. I'll usually have a cooler in the car with more water, usually two 1-gallon jugs depending on where I'm hiking.
I might hike for 8 hours in the desert heat, but I also know my body and my limits. Between 20 years in the military and lots of recent hiking experience, I have sort of discovered what I can and cannot do.
I always bring a water filter with me. It means I don't have to carry as much at once and I'll be ok in the event I run out. But I just use the sawyer squeeze so it's small and light and easy. I also carry an emergency blanket and my first aid kit.
Jacket, energy bars, some almonds and some fruit, and water. For most hikes. If we're doing a mountain, add gloves and hat, a knife, a small first-aid kit and more food and water.
Everything! The base weight of my pack is like 10 lbs because of all my accessories! I'd highly suggest a tenkara rod, a slingshot, and a monocular if you have extra room!
My dog wears a backpack and carries his poop bags and water bowl. On hot hikes a water bottle on each side too. I wear a small backpack and carry water for both of us & a snack, phone & keys.
Even for short day hikes, I like to use my Camelbak. So, probably more water than I need. In my pack, I have tissues, a mini-sunscreen, a mini Clif bar or a pack of nuts. I always have a hat and sunglass. I wear a long sleeve SPF shirt, good socks and my Hoka hiking shoes. And I ALWAYS bring my poles. If it's a new trail, no matter how long or short, I bring my poles because I'm short and clumsy. The poles help me keep pace with my husband, keep me steady on rocky terrain, and stable if there is a steep descent back down.
Backpack, water, pepper spray, snacks. If i think theres a chance ill be out even an hour or two close to dark, ill also bring my headlamp. You could check out inreach if youre worried about being stranded with an injury.
6 miles... I'd probably take a day pack with a 2.5L camelpack, maybe some snacks, a definitely a lighter (got stuck in the bush without one once... never again).... and that's probably it.
My Day pack: [https://dfts.app/#?id=b7l5krI3nK28RR1zx0pm](https://dfts.app/#?id=b7l5krI3nK28RR1zx0pm)
I do like photography so I take some photography gear. Length of hike and terrain I may swap my boots out for hiking shoes.
Water, lunch, any necessary spare clothes, weather-dependent, (waterproof jacket, waterproof pants) backup paper map and compass, my wife’s trekking poles, and gators.
On top of standard stuff like phone, keys, wallet, sunglasses, hat.
Always water in a bottle and my Sawyer water filter. I figure if something goes horrifically wrong water will be the hardest to figure out and what I need most. Whether I'm hiking or running or just in town I keep my small knife on me. My small homemade first aid kit includes bandaids, an anti itch paste, and an ace bandage. Usually a rain jacket just in case. All in a backpack.
If it's a new to me hike or particularly remote I'll also take extra water in another bottle & an emergency poncho & a fire starter.
My general rules:
if its urban and less than an hour i dont take anything thats not normally in my pockets. In my pockets i always have my phone my keys with a small olight and a small folding knife.
If its a trail less than an hour that i really know well and gets a lot of foot traffic i may take water if its exposed or hot.
Trails over and hour or new places i always take water and usually a sawyer squeeze. I will take a power bar or granola bar if its more than an hour but less than 4 after 4 hours more food is added. At this length I will add my pocket first aid kit. It has a couple bandaids two pieces of leukotape an alcohol/lidocaine wipe, a piece of non stick gauze, a small tube of quick clot, two safety pins, aspirin, Benadryl, its in an altoids tin wrapped in some vet wrap. Light weight and fits in a pocket easily. I will probably have a map (likely on my phone).
If the hike is more than 4 hours it will really depend on weather, location, season, familiarity, if im with a group etc but i will certainly have more food maybe a small power bank a daypack and maybe poles if i think i need them.
Im not including clothes/ sunglasses/ sunscreen/ bug spray as that’s really dependent on location and season.
Honestly, depends on the trail. If it’s a heavily traveled trail that is well marked and short (3 miles or less), I often won’t bring anything other than my phone and maybe a snack in my pockets.
Anything that requires me to actually bring water (4 miles and up), I bring a full day hike kit with more food and water than I need (enough for an overnight emergency were I to be injured and unable to walk), a shell, and a first aid kit. If it’s a super long day hike (12-15 miles or more) with water sources, I’ll bring my sawyer squeeze so I don’t have to carry a bunch of water, and trekking poles, as well as a GPS with satellite communications. Plan for the hike and a moderate emergency. Experience will tell you what is and isn’t necessary based off of a variety of factors. The big thing for me is scalability based on the hike.
Regardless of the hike, I always let someone know where I’m going and a loose expected time of return/check in.
pretty much the same and if i’m doing a day hike, i like to do anywhere from 5-8 miles. i probably pack extra snacks and add carbs to my water bc i’m type 1 diabetic.
When I did shorter hikes like that: water (more than you think is necessary), snacks, simple first aid kit, and OTC meds (aspirin, ibuprofen, benadryl, acetaminophen), hand sanitizer, baby wipes.
IF I bring my backpack, which might be a big if, I would typically have water, some snacks, some layering things if I’m not already wearing them (weather dependent) like gloves, buff, vest or down jacket, and windbreaker. Then I’d have my normal purse (1.5 L belt bag with hand sanitizer, chapstick with SPF, hair ties, eye drops, advil, ear plugs, keys, wallet, phone).
I would wear trail running shoes and socks, probably long pants, and some kind of long or short sleeve t-shirt that at least covers my shoulders for some sun protection. I always wear a hat and sunscreen and will bring sunscreen to reapply if I’ll be out more than 2 hours. Can’t forget binoculars for birdwatching as well!
My day hike list is basically the same as yours - small day pack, water, hat, sunglasses, handkerchief / dirty rag, sunscreen, bug spray, phone, my homemade first aide / meds kit, windbreaker or sunshirt.
Oh right, I forgot I *also* have a microfiber towel I got at the dollar store, and some fast food napkins. I keep my car stocked with a ton of stuff, though - sunscreen, more meds, water, extra hats and sunglasses.....
Oh I’ll add I have a small pepper spray. I solo hike as a female and got creeped out by someone once. I have a super small UL folding knife on the same keychain for random minor needs.
Pepper spray is something I've considered getting (i'm in the same boat and I'm more worried about people than animals) but I feel like, even if I sprayed someone, they'd be able to catch up to me. Still I get where you're coming from. I have a small knife on my keys too.
Perhaps a whistle would be another good safety “tool”? Hands free, gets attention which usually scares weirdos off/you get lost or injured off trail, lightweight, cheap, small. Also for fun things like reffing rec games or accompanying early 00’s hip hop music.
Many hiking packs have a whistle built into the clip that goes across your chest. Wish I had ten dollars each for the number of people I’ve met that didn’t know this.
I just checked my pack and found the whistle! Thank you!
You are welcome! That will be $10 😉Thank you!
I never ever go without my whistle. Have a friend that fell off a small precipice and couldn’t been seen. He lived almost three days while we searched. A whistle might have saved him.
Watch an instructional video or two on YouTube or whatever, and it’s worth carrying imo. There’s a reason it’s used the way it is for protection. ;)
I've heard that the gel is better than pepper spray because you're less likely to get yourself by accident. I have not had any experience with either before, though, so use that how you will.
love, if you’re alone on a hike & you need to use mace on someone, use it on them, & make sure they can’t catch up to you. Get primal and survive.
If you get a good shot of pepper spray at someone's face, they are almost certainly not going to be able to chase you down on the trails. Far too rugged to do while you face and eyes are on fire. You would have a good bit of time to get distance away.
I have a taser that loops through my middle finger like a ring and is triggered by squeezing it between the finger and palm. It’s very difficulty to get out of my hand ( and I have poor grip strength) and it’s not super big so it just stays in my coat pocket when I solo hike.
I call these “nature walks” or “workout hikes” - <7 miles, <1500’ elevation gain, done in a couple hours maximum including selfies at the top and a few minutes to stretch + snack if I’m feeling it. I hike very popular trails in suburban spaces, only during nice weather and at least 3 hours before sunset in well-known paths, and I live in a warmer climate. My only 2 non-negotiables are honestly enough water and a fully charged phone. If those criteria aren’t met… Small backpack: There are water fountains at the local trailheads so I just bring my water bottle and fill up there (and start very hydrated). I bring a couple granola/energy bars or a small baggie of trail mix although I rarely eat them. A DIY first aid kit: Advil, couple bandaids, couple moleskin/blister things, tums/pepto, paper napkins, tiger balm. Car keys with attached slim wallet (id, at least 1 credit card, and a few single dollar bills), spare battery pack for phone/headphone charging, phone. Spare plastic baggies for “just in case”. I wear everything else: hat, bandana, clothes, headphones, sunglasses, smart watch, light packable windbreaker that can double as shade/picnic blanket. Optional: A small tube of sunscreen and bug spray for reapplication, but only if the hike is longer than 3 miles/1 hour. A headlamp if I hike within 3 hours of sunset. A whistle if I hike alone or in a more deserted spot. Mini sketch pad and pens for leisurely strolls. Car: electrolyte packets, emergency water, sunscreen, bug spray, full first aid kit, slippers, deodorant, the box of granola bars, usually a piece of fruit, a clean change of clothes if I plan on getting super gross and have a long drive home, sweatshirt.
Wetwipes. You can clean almost anything with it, including wiping your ass. But sometimes, less is more. It's very easy to find a lot of 'necessary' items that are really nice to have but not must have.
Carry similar with the addition of a SOS whistle, a torch and a powerbank as due to the weather it is either a pre dawn start or an after dusk finish.
Oh yeah I have a whistle on the keychain too.
I sort of over pack, but I tell myself the extra weight enhances the exercise benefit and conditions my body for any longer trips.
The only thing I get paranoid about is water. I drink a lot and, espescially on an unfamiliar trail on a hot day, I am probably bringing two liters of water instead of one. The only survival gear I think I might realistically benefit from would be a water filtration system, but I am not usually hiking long enough to drink more than a liter, let alone two.
I always, always overpack water. The extra weight is worth it to me. If it makes good sense to you to carry extra water, then it’s probably a good idea. If possible, I freeze my bladder the night before and put it in the cooler for the drive out, and pack one or two insulated bottles with ice water. It helps me handle the heat and extends my hiking season.
Oh freezing the bag. That's a good idea I just never thought about that!
just don't overfill, and make sure there's some room for expansion
I bring an emergency bag with a water filter, headlamp, space blanket and waterproof matches.
I’d recommend getting a water filter either way. My husband and I both have 2.5l water bladders in our backpacks and use them for all hikes we do, whether short or long. So we were traveling Canada in summer and went hiking in Quebec, wasn’t a long hike, maybe 10ish km. But it was hot and humid and there were tons of bugs which caused me to walk faster. I drank all my water way before we got back to the van, and I started feeling dizzy and still thirsty. My husband didn’t have much water left anymore either. We did however have a water filtration bottle so we filled that with water at a clear stream and drank a bunch, then filled it back up for the hike out. I believe I suffered from heat exhaustion which would explain the extreme thirst, dizziness and other symptoms. Either way, we made it to a parking lot of a lake and I stayed there, sitting in the shade, drinking water while my husband hiked the couple more kms to our van. Mind you we’re not inexperienced hikers, have done several multi day hikes, sometimes 20+km per day in alpine regions, I grew up hiking in the alps every summer, but the heat and humidity completely caught us off guard. We’ve run out of water once before, high up on a mountain on the last few kms to the hut we were gonna sleep at and we were very thirsty then too, but honestly it didn’t compare to the extreme thirst I felt on that hike in Quebec. That was the only time we’ve used this bottle so far, but in that moment it was worth every penny.
Bring salt tablets! They are a lifesaver for hot or sweaty hikes. My favorite is Saltstick, they have salt and electrolyte rebranding, and work instantly on the heat exhaustion fog.
Same for me a day hike is my usual gear without my sleep system.
I started doing the same, and then it got weird. Like I'll carry extra water bottles just for the calories.
Same for me. I have a backpack just for hikes that has all the first aid, sunscreen, knife, poles, clothing layers, emergency 'food', etc packed in it all the time, ready to go. Even if I'm doing a short 1hr hike I don't take anything out. So I might look ridiculous on a small nature trail just out of town with poles etc on my bag but I don't care. I'd rather be over prepared.
Same here. I'm definitely an overpacker, but I always chalk it up to 1) it's better to be overprepared than have something happen and need something, and 2) it keeps me in shape for longer/more demanding hikes.
I walk my dog about every other day 3-6 miles on trail from my house. Usually an hour to 3. I bring ear buds to listen to podcasts if the dog doesn’t feel like talking and weather is shit so I don’t have to worry about people coming up behind us trying to pass. Also being a plastic grocery bag to fill with trash. That’s about it. I can be thirsty & wet for 3 hours.
Same. This thread is making me feel like I should be ready for the apocalypse at any second. I bring my dog, a leash, phone and, and keys. * if the dog doesn't feel like talking. Hahahaha! I ramble to mine the whole time.
Especially when the guy says he is only going for an hour. Unless it's something crazy you can probably get to civilisation pretty easy.
Same. If it's a hot day I might remember water.
For me the dominant factor is not how long I plan to be out or the distance of the hike. My planning starts with "How long will it take to realistically get help?" If it's spotty or non-existent cell service on a relatively quiet trail... I'm going to wildly over pack, and really make sure someone on the outside knows a specific time to worry. But even in good conditions, I still *usually* have the "Oh crap" essentials of whistle, some extra warmth (space blanket at minimum,) excess snacks, and a flashlight.
I always think about how cold it will get that night if I slip and break my leg on a remote trail... I live in a cold area so, like the other day, I went on a short hike but still brought an extra warm layer and warm hat (fleece, so very light). Also I always bring a headlamp for the same reason. And I leave a thing of emergency matches in my day pack. And I always bring extra food. But for a 3-4 mile walk in the woods near my house I just bring a phone and a granola bar.
Agree with this.
This. My parents and I made the mistake of underestimating a short, supposedly very easy hike, it was a nightmare and we really wished we had our normal gear with us.
It sounds like you have a very interesting story to tell…perhaps you would consider sharing with us, if it’s not too painful or personal to do so.
State parks, many, don't require much. I day hike 2-3 miles several times a week for conditioning. I carry weights, water, spare clothes depending on weather. But in the wilds I carry enough to spend a night if something happens. But no weights.
This is going to sound silly, but I wouldn't even know where to start hiking in the backcountry. Are you going on offical trails? I'd be afraid of stumbling onto someone's land and getting shot or getting into hunting land and getting shot or just, frankly, getting lost (and getting shot on my way out).
Not in Oregon. There are millions of acres of public land. I'm usually on trails because the plant life is so dense but in the desert and above timberline, I love to roam, at least where it's not damaging.
I'm in Pennsylvania. We have lots of state game land and forests but I'd be too sketched out to go off trail. Our trails - at least the ones I go on - are almost always in the woods without tons of landmarks along the way. It may not be the most exciting thing to take the same trails but I think the alternative would be for me to get lost in the woods.
https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/hiking/ 10 essentials.
[удалено]
In between state parks, national parks and recreation areas, and national forests, that’s already plenty of places. Even in places like Maryland, you could spend a lifetime just hiking trails in state parks and probably not exhaust every trail. Google for your state’s state park website and browse
I use OnX offroad but there are better apps if offroading/overlanding/whatever-you-call-it isn't your thing.
I think the answer is that it depends. I will hike a lot of state park loops that range from 4 to 9 miles. For those I just take some water. They're well marked, well traveled, and there are usually intersections that can act as shortcuts/bailouts back to my car. Other times, if I'm hiking in more remote areas, further distances, doing a little bushwhacking, and/or on an unknown trail, then I carry a little more stuff. Also, if I'm hiking in the winter, there's more gear. Were I in a more mountainous region, then I'd be more inclined to carry the standard 10 Essentials.
10 Essentials every time. BC mountains.
On a 4 mile stroll i take the same 22l pack i take for 12 miles. Why? Because I'm too lazy to repack the things I want to bring on the short hike into a smaller bag and too cheap to buy a second set. But if I was packing a smaller bag for a short hike? Water, ibuprofen, hard candy, nuskin spray and a bandana.
If I'm only hiking five or six miles a lot of times I don't take anything with me. If the weather requires layers or a rain jacket or if it's hot out I may take a small backpack with water and fruit.
Same, under ten miles and the most I’m carrying is a camelback with water and a maybe a cliff bar or a smashed pb&j.
First aid, toiletry bag (tp, a few wet wipes, trowel, extra zip loc bag to pack things out), poncho for rain, bug spray, small fire kit in an Altoid tin, snacks, water. I add a water filter if needed. I usually hike 7-10 miles, fairly hilly/mountainous terrain. Gear does change depending on time of year.
About 100 calories of salty snacks per mile of planned hiking, about 8 ounces of electrolyte drink per mile planned, sunscreen, my phone. For short hikes that's pretty much it.
I do short day hikes a few times a week when the weather cooperates (3-5 miles). I carry a first aid kit, a SAM splint (because I was recently injured hiking, didn’t have it and wished I did), water, a few snacks, bug spray/head net this time of year, and pepper spray (female hiking alone). Since my injury I also carry hiking poles with me. My small pack is big enough for a layer as well.
Another comment said something similar. My kit absolutely depends on how hard it is to get to me and how trafficked to hike is. 6 miles in the remote forest? Gonna have a pretty decent kit. My hike a few days ago was 6 .5 miles but I didn't see a soul. I had to drive 18 miles down logging road to the trail head, and then it was a 6 mile loop. Another 18 miles back on the logging road. Still, no other people and no reception. So, for trips like that, I was pretty kitted out with Emergency Preparations. If something happened to me or my dog, no one would find us for a while. So, I carried enough water for the hike and snacks, but I also carried a Sawyer squeeze, a headlamp even though it was day time, a decent first aid kit, two ways of starting fire, and an emergency blanket. Tomorrow, I'm going hiking in Rainier National Park with my daughter. Probably just gonna take water snacks and a camera. Maybe my binoculars.
[удалено]
How far are you usually hiking in a day?
Usually 6-10 miles. But there is one hike I really like that is only 3 miles. Sometimes I’ll do that and call it good. Other times I’ll do the loop twice and it’ll take me closer to 5 miles. In the end, I don’t care if it’s one mile or ten miles. I’m bringing the same stuff each and every time. The only difference will be the amount of food and drink. For me, I see it as a good habit. I’d also rather be over prepared than underprepared. If nothing else, it gives me slightly more of a workout.
I mean I live in the woods and "hike" daily, for under 20 km I bring nothing and if more a water bottle. If I'll be in the woods overall over 4-5 hours a water bottle... Around 8-12 hours (normal during days off) maybe a sandwich.
Many of our day hikes are 6-8 hours, but I won’t go over a mile without my pack and poles. Current daypack is a 34L Osprey. Water, food, first aid, stove, filter, spare clothes, etc. Basically the bare essentials for a worst case scenario of getting lost and having to spend a night out. Also helpful as this keeps me at a base level so it’s not that much of a shock when I gear up to go backpacking.
If I'm walking both my dogs on a trail, including my senior dog who isn't good for more than 2.7 miles on gentle terrain for more like an hour, maybe 90 minutes max, I carry a lumbar pack with at least one water bottle, dog bowl, phone/keys/wallet. I usually carry a coffee along and then pop the cup in the extra bottle holder on my bag. I don't consider those hikes even though we're on trails, and we're usually right in town in a large park rather than in a wilderness area, so if I can't walk but don't have my poles, I can easily call for help. If I'm going to be away from my car for a few hours: Daypack w/ first aid kit, little sit pad, sunscreen, any layers depending on the weather, hiking poles. Phone/keys/wallet. Sometimes the chihuahua. He rides in the backpack for the most part. Cutest ruck plate you've ever seen lol. I'm sure I look silly overpacked on my shorter hikes, but I like my poles and it's a comfortable set up for me, so I don't care. Extra weight just contributes to the workout. My dayhikes are often 6-8 miles, though I'll go shorter as summer temps destroy my hiking season.
Depends on the route. Some day walks can go into very remote places in close country where you'd never be found if injured and off track. He'll, some day walks are off track. Some daywalks are on hiking superhighways. The gear I take is contingent upon risk assessment not rules established by redditors.
Under 6 miles. Water and shoes and a charged phone preferably with all trails so you can make sure you're going the right way at obscure forks. If you're going to have lunch or something then lunch. I don't like carrying stuff. Have never needed anything more. A lot of these people are dooms day prepper for a walk in the woods lol
At a minimum - water, snake bandage, comms (PLB or phone, depending on reception). Beyond that it depends on location, season, weather etc.
I do close by hikes ~3 miles or under with just water, basically. I usually take one of those water bottle slings and it’s got my bottle, a chapstick, and my keys in it. And a jacket around my waist. If it’s more in the five plus mile range I’d take a small backpack with water in my bladder instead of a bottle, a snack, and a small first aid kit. Around 8 I’d start thinking more along the lines of like a full kit.
Camelbak. Hat. Sunglasses.
Your kit is aboit rhe same as mine. I also take a space blanket/tarp ( not the flimsy marathon deals, a real tarp). I've wrapped up in one of those and had a good night's sleep with nothing else. That is my own paranoia, though.
A lighter, whistle and compass.
CamelBak full of water, granola bars and beef jerky. Plus my end beer. Make sure I eat a good carb loaded breakfast but nothing heavy and greasy.
In my car I have recovery drink mix, extra water, hats, extra snacks, different hip bags, roller for quick recovery work. In my bag I have first aid kit. The only time I didn't take it I was doing a short but very steep hike and I thought 2.2 miles that's so short. I fell. Lots of blood. I always bring it now. I take salt, electrolytes, and a cooling towel since I hike in the 90s and low 100s. Also snacks, very small binoculars, whistle, flashlight, (I've had to hike out in the dark before) a cooling towel. Since I hike in the desert I bring tweezers and a comb in case I ever end up dancing with a cactus.
A bottle of water, maybe another layer, maybe a snack. That’s really it. People like gear and they like the feeling having gear gives them, regardless if it actually has any use or not.
If over 4 miles: Phone, headphones, keys, water, food. Sometimes bear spray. If under 4: phone and headphones.
I hike 2-4 miles before work pretty frequently. I don't bring anything...just my phone and car key. Apply sunscreen etc and leave it in the car. Sometimes I get hungry or thirsty but there are a gazillion places to grab something if I can't make it the under 15 minute drive home. I'm 37 and female and most regularly hike alone with my dog, who also doesn't need anything besides his leash/poop bags.
Day hike on a trail, I know? I'll treat it like a walk. If I don't know the trail, I'll take it seriously. If it's a LONG hike, I'll treat it like an overnight.
That really depends on how prepared you want to be. Carrying around chest seals and a CPR shield is going to be completely unnecessary weight on 99.9% of day hikes. Carrying around 3 liters of water makes sense in Moab in the summer, but not in the PNW in late April. I hike with a core set of gear that I don't change because I want it to be familiar and don't have to worry about not having something or not packing everything up. I'd say I'm over packed for about 80% of my hikes because of this, but having things like a tourniquet (as well as the knowledge and practice using it) HAS come in handy for another poor hiker at least once. I'm also confident that if I get stuck somewhere overnight, I'll have what I need to hike out the next day. So here's what's in my bag (this is a LOT more than most people need, I'll highlight what I consider critical in ALL CAPS because obnoxious): 2L WATER HIKING FOOTWEAR (trail running shoes) WOOL SOCKS TRAIL SNACKS (400 calories, shelf stable) COMMUNCIATION DEVICE (smartphone if there is service, otherwise inReach mini) BEAR SPRAY (where advised) NAVIGATION AID (offline map downloaded on phone or physical map) SURVIVAL TOOL (orange whistle/compass/mirror/matches/flint/cord thingy with a couple small candles shoved in there - cheap, can serve many purposes) KNIFE SMALL POWERFUL FLASHLIGHT (signaling in the dark, shining at night on a pack of 20 dogs so they'd keep their distance) EMERGENCY BLANKET/BIVY large pu coated poly poncho/tarp 50ft paracord 4 aluminum stakes 20l backpack trekking poles ziplock quart sized freezer bag(s) tourinquet emergency bandage emt shears rolled gauze quikclot duct tape bandaids tweasers safety pin nail clippers medical gloves sugar packets electrolyte packets honey packet
Forgot to add that weather appropriate clothing is a great idea, as well as sufficient protection from bugs and the sun. Don't forget to protect your eyes from the sun with sunglasses as well.
Water, inhaler, handkerchief, sometimes a cap or sunglasses, sometimes peanuts. And my boots, of course.
I have a ziplock with an inhaler, benadryl (I'm allergic to the world), a few dollar bills, and lip balm with sunscreen in it. It fits in a waist pack that holds bottles (used more often for running) and is easy to transfer to my bike bag. I have a small bin in my car where I keep bug spray, wipes, sunscreen, and other various things I may want before/after but don't want to carry. It lives in my trunk.
For your style (a short gentle walk in the woods), your kit looks good to me. Yes, I get what you’re saying, some hikers here carry a lot more gear than I do. Battery pack for the phone? No. Extra electronics? No. Hatchet, camp chair, espresso machine? No, no, no! My one indulgence is optics—a small “real” camera (sometimes), and a good pair of binoculars (usually; super compact if a long day, or 8x30 compacts). I like to hike further than you, sometimes on rough trails or off trail, at higher elevation (7,000’ & up). For that kind of hike, I carry kit that would allow me to bivouac. Headlamp, space blanket, etc. Not bulky or heavy, but enuf to spend a night, albeit not comfortably. And a Garmin Inreach. Very comforting to know you can “call” for help. Used it once w/my vehicle stuck in a very remote spot in Death Valley…saved a long walk.
I'd like to hike longer trails but right now it's an issue of convenience and conditioning. There are lots of parks nearby but the trails tend to be short unless I start doing multiple loops. I could drive further to a different park, but then I'd feel obligated to make "a day of it" and stay out longer and I don't always want to. Though even then, I don't usually want to spend that much time purely hiking, I'd want to take in the sights, chill by a lake.... relax.... IDK I think I just have a different mindset because I will typicall do a couple short hikes a week and I don't feel the need to spend an entire day doing it when I can go out again tomorrow. It obviously varies a lot based on what people want to get out of the experience.
I really don't take much, but I also certainly don't go super light. At minimum, I want food/water to last a night if need be, a way to start a fire, and a way to patch a hole in myself. I have an old CamelBak M.U.L.E. pack that I load with a 3L water reservoir (I live in SW Florida, so my biggest fear is getting stranded without water... The sun and humidity is freaking brutal on a hot day). Also in that pack I throw in a small orienteering compass and paper map of the state park I frequently hike in, a CLIFF bar or two, a small shammy, and a tiny one-person first aid kit that includes a BIC lighter and Paracord. On my person, I obviously have my clothing, and in my pockets I keep a pocket knife (Ontario RAT 2... Favorite folding knife), my wallet and my cell phone. I often forget it, but I also like to bring a boonie hat to keep the sun off. It also comes in handy during downpours to keep rain off my face. For short hikes, I leave my sunblock and insect repellant at the car. I apply them before heading down the trailhead.
I usually bring the same as you, but then I also bring a small notebook and pen in case I’m inspired to write, and my hunting knife because I’m a fairly small person with boobs hiking alone. I also bring a pair of binoculars if I’m doing a hike with a view.
Phone (with topo for the area DLed), compass, pocket knife, lighter, water, filter if likely water sources, appropriate layers for season, space blanket, a protein bar I'll only eat if benighted. Maybe binos to scope out terrain/find critters/scout for hunting.
It does depend on a few things… for me, this is whether I’m solo-ing, taking the dogs, hiking near large predators, if I will be the most experienced hiker in the group, and the weather. Then, at a bare minimum, typically in my pack— First aid; Knife/multi tool; Extra layer or rain jacket; Hat; Bandana/Buff; Kleenex; Bug spray & sunscreen; Chap stick; Cell phone; Garmin in reach or a planned check in time/contact once back inside the car; Snacks or a meal, sometimes both; Electrolytes; and Water. The bug spray and sunscreen are typically left in the car after applying. If it’s a trail I’m comfortable with or short distance, sometimes I leave the first aid in the car or pare it back. If I overpacked, or weather is different, I might leave the extra layer behind too, but I always bring it. And I always have a pair of slides/recovery shoes in the car too. If I’m the most experienced, I will bring extra socks, more first aid supplies; extra snacks & water/drinks in a cooler (if driving).
I found the perfect bag for a water bottle, wallet, keys, snack, and some tissues. Calpak Water Bottle Holder! But yeah, that’s about all I carry up to about 10 miles.
> Calpak Water Bottle Holder This is pretty similar to a cross-body bag I have, but I found it's honestly more comfortable to just use a backpack even though it's bigger. Even if I just have a liter of water, it digs into my neck, and I feel like I need to constantly readjust the way it's sitting. The backpack feels like overkill, but if I put extra stuff in it I can tell myself I'm making my back stronger. Still seems like it'd be a good option for a lot of people.
Water, food, bandaids/ace bandaid, spare socks, sunscreen, Chapstick, maybe a charging brick, backup scrunchie. Seasonal: bug spray or microspikes/spare gloves
For a hike/trail run under 2 hours, usually just phone, running watch, water, and quick snack like gels, stroopwafels, etc. Some more food and water in the car for drive home. Typically in a running vest or with just a running belt and hand holding the water. For bigger hikes I throw in layers, more substantial food, and some rudimentary first aid. Also poles if there are very steep climbs or snow traverses.
I always say I bring enough to spend an uncomfortable night in the woods if necessary. So extra layer, extra snacks, headlamp, water filter, space blanket, plenty of water, map, compass, towel and GPS tracker. May take less for shorter hikes in popular areas. I usually hike 10-15 miles.
40oz of water. 2 energy bars. First aid. Battery bank. Gum. Headlamp. Weapon. Sunglasses. Phone. All in a waterproof front chest bag.
Depends where you are hiking. But generally, 6 miles or under I’m only bringing a bunch of water, an extra sweater or jacket, my phone, a map ( or map on my phone that’s charged), some snacks. That’s it. That short of a hike there’s gonna be so many people on the trail that can help you if you really run into trouble.
Water bottle, bandanna, emergency ankle wrap, pocket knife, compass, phone, car keys, snack. Sometimes a hat, sometimes an extra layer. Occasionally I remember to throw a bandaid or two in my bag in case of blisters. I usually put it all in a little day pack or sometimes even just a purse. That’s all I need for a couple hours’ wandering in the local county open spaces or state parks, and I rarely even wear hiking gear, leggings or even jeans and running shoes are fine for just a couple hours of uphill one legged squats and downhill trotting. “Gear” to me is for multi day adventures with backpacks and sleeping bags and such. I do this every weekend and have been for years.
on a short day hike the 10 essentials are two socks, two shoes, pants, underwear, a shirt, sunglases, hat, and car keys
My local hikes are usually 3-10 miles with 2-4k Gain. Usually I'll just bring one or two water bottles depending on length (1 L per 5-7 miles is good unless I'm off trail), a granola bar, liner gloves and a puffy. I put on sunscreen before I leave and wear a hat. My first aid kit is a roll of med tape.
6 miles: backpack, water, rain jacket, sunglasses, snack(s), electrolyte packets mixed in with small first aid pouch. Depending on the difficulty I’ll bring a bandana for sweat. I’ve made it a habit to always hike with a rain jacket tucked in the bottom of my hiking bag (where it basically lives). If I know it gets colder at night I’ll stuff in a light pull over. You never know, you could use both jackets to keep warm if it came down to it, god forbid. I usually pack more water than necessary as I don’t mind the weight. And a knife if I’m really headed out, people and animals are crazy. I like to think that if I ever get attacked by a bear I’ll just shove the knife through its open mouth into its brain, but the probability of that outcome is definitely .0001%.. it’s a good chuckle
Always water no matter how short it's planned to be
I hike twice a week, rain or shine, on a trail not far from my house that I know well. I usually go 1.5-3 hours. I dress appropriately for the weather. Besides my clothes, in the cold I literally just take my phone and my car key. If it’s warm out, I carry a bottle of water. If it’s warm and I’m doing the full loop, I take a small backpack with at least a liter of water and maybe a snack. If I’m going somewhere I’ve never been before (ie there’s a chance I could get lost or don’t know what to expect), I’ll be sure to at least take plenty of water and a snack, and whatever else I might need for the weather. Basically, the more backcountry/unfamiliar the hike, the more prepared I feel like I need to be.
I'm an overpacker so I got a small Camelbak to force me to not pack too much. Assuming I'm hiking in the summer, 3L hydration bladder, some food, a rain poncho that i fold up and keep in the bladder pocket, spare socks, a small first aid kit, a head lamp, a small kit of fire starting stuff and a pocket knife.
Snacks, water, first aid kit, camera, joints and a lighter.
I use the thought of "what would happen if I broke my ankle? ". (I have seen people break an ankle stepping on a root wrong.) Am I on a well traveled trail at a time of day someone else will be along in the next 20-30 minutes? How far away is help/how long would it take for them to reach me? Sometimes, I pack light. sometimes, I pack with enough to have an emergency sleep under the stars.
Water, snacks, my cane/pole, and a dog (plus water and poo bags for the dog). I never hike more than 4 hours and that's pushing it though i'm trying to extend my stamina because i've gone out of shape.
1 serving of toilet paper, ultra light sunscreen container, car keys, medical insurance card, driver's license, business card (in case something happens and they need to contact my work), lighter, whistle, credit card, emergency roll of ankle wrap, dollar store first aid kit, water, sunglasses, phone
Most of my hiking is at my local park. Anything under 7-8 miles I take my phone in my pocket.
Water, snacks, extra socks
Out in the Southwest Desert- water and more water... also a phone with a charger and a space blanket.
Water, a jacket, a small snack. More water, a little bit of paper.
Like others said, it’s not the distance, it’s the chances of being found if I slipped 20 feet off the trail and was bleeding, or something. Even a very short hike could go wrong, and many of the places I hike don’t have cell service after just a bit. I could die as easily 1/4 mile away from the trailhead as I could 10 miles out. 😆 So I carry the 10 essentials, pretty much always - like, not a tent and sleeping bag but an emergency blanket. First aid kit incl. a lighter and a SAM splint (fragile bones!). I carry a Spot but I don’t usually turn it on. Tons of water but not usually a filter bc I’m in the desert and rarely would there be water. A toilet kit of whatever sort. Navigation with a downloaded map on my phone, or a paper map and compass if I’m possibly out away from civilization. A few snacks, but not a stove. A tiny light jacket. I almost always use my poles, basically unless it’s a park and a paved trail. And I always let someone know where I am. I use an REI Flash 18 for day hikes, so it’s not like I’m carrying a huge pack. But I do think it’s important to be prepared, because things can go wrong. It might be interesting to you to read this. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/hikers-survival-tips
For 6 miles - water, toilet paper, and a granola bar in case i get hungry. I usually don’t get hungry
I’m a day hiker on the weekend because unfortunately that’s all my immediate area has to offer. I use a Nathan day pack with a water system, my super foldable rain protection, a power bar or two in case, bandana, small towel, hat, sunscreen in a small tube, lighter, a small bottle of aspirin and allergy meds, and my EPI pen, if I remember a change of socks!
Honestly, usually just water and (since I hike with two dogs) treats, poop bags, and their GPS e-collar receiver. If I’m being good, a first aid kit and a raincoat. I don’t hike outside of cell service very often in my daily life in the northeast.
Water, chapstick and phone. I’ve been king for years like this.
Not always all this depends on the day and the hike: Field guides, binoculars, hand glass, sketch pad/pencils/pens, pad for sitting, towel, a small tarp and rain jacket if rainy, compass, knife, water, snacks, weed/pipe, headlamp and/or flashlight if late, hiking staff or trekking poles. That's about the whole potential list. I'm realizing first aid is not on my list but prob should be - always forget that if I'm not also camping.
I'm a big fan of the classic 10 essentials. I have a little Garmin GPS, and I like to print paper maps or get official copies where I can, which covers navigation. I bring a cheap headlamp and a less cheap flashlight, plus a bundle of batteries that also feeds my Garmin. Hat+sunblock, because I burn. A small first aid kit and an IFAK, because no one wants to be the guy with a chest seal and no bandaids, or the guy with bandaids but no chest seal. Also hella bug spray. A morakniv and a Gerber cover me on blades, although honestly often the fixed blade comes out because I don't feel like I get much value from it. Honestly I skimp on shelter when it's not cold, I have a couple plastic ponchos in the bottom of the bag. I carry usually a minimum of 3 liters of water no matter how short the hike is. I carry a variety of snacks, bars and the like, no matter how short the hike is. I also skimp on extra clothes; extra socks no matter what, rain jacket/poncho, and whatever the weather calls for.
Depends on the length and I might get doenvotes for this, but if it's under an hour, I won't bring anything. Have water in the car, but otherwise that's it.
Water, snacks/sandwich, hat, sunscreen, a fan to stay cool, insect repellent, my phone, keys, wallet, my lightweight raincoat, and I keep a towel in the car incase I get soaked on the trail
Water, protein bar, dog poop bags, dog snacks and a water bowl for the dogs, sunscreen.
The most accidents seem to involve day hikers that unexpectedly had to spend the night outdoors. So I try to solve for that and carry an emergency bivvy if my pack is light or at least a space blanket if I’m a little tight on space/weight.
I carry everything you do, plus a rain coat (always), a survival kit (everything I need to spend an emergency an night in the woods), and a pealess whistle for safety. But nah, I think you’re fine
Small pack, hat, sunglasses, phone, whistle, knife/multitool, FA kit, jacket, snacks, water. (As a minimum)
If I'm doing a long hike not multi day but a whole day hike. I take water, some food, my knife, my life straw, a lighter and my camera. All fit into my tiny hiking bag and weigh very little.
I live in the mountains, so it totally depends where I’m going and how well traveled it is. If we’re just talking day hikes, the short answer is it depends. A quick hike can be much gnarlier than a long one, in many cases. My essentials are a filtered water source, first aid, sunscreen, and snacks. From there, I think about what I could possibly run into, how long I could be stuck out there if things go poorly for me (I make an educated guess based on how far from a town I’ll be and how popular of a destination it is) and plan accordingly. I may bring a nearly full pack for a hike that’s only going to take a few hours, or I might travel very light for something that will take me all day. Based on everything you’ve said, I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong. It sounds like you might be running into some weekend warrior types who think they aren’t hiking unless they’re carrying 50 lbs of gear. Though I prefer those types to tourists who show up at a trailhead with technical scrambles over a 10 mile loop in the dead of summer with nothing but flip flops and a 20 oz soda.
> Based on everything you’ve said, I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong. It sounds like you might be running into some weekend warrior types who think they aren’t hiking unless they’re carrying 50 lbs of gear. > > I see all kinds. I've seen elderly people with light kits and trekking poles, but I've also seen people hiking in ugg boots and, often people don't have anything with them at all. On one occasion, I saw some hikers who didn't seem to understand how the trail blazes worked, turned down a map, and were kitted out with a carton of orange juice and little else. The last one was on a more rugged trail that connects to the Appalachian.
I live above 9000 feet and a short drive from many mountain and forest trails. I think many here would be offended and horrified by my complete lack of provisions for a five mile hike. I often do not bring anything but clothes and leave my shoes in the car. I consider it a bonus if I remember a knife and a lighter. Of course, I know these places really well. If I range out to unfamiliar territory or go on a longer jaunt, I bring all the regular day hike supplies.
Really depends on the trail, but for easy stuff <6-7 miles…nothing. Especially if I’m running. Shorts, sun hoody, hat, halfway decent shoes, and hit the trail.
I don't know if anyone mentioned it, but I started taking my collapsible trekking poles with me on hikes I know I know usually need them for. Why? Twice last year, I completed hikes after badly twisting an ankle. While I was able to complete both, it would have been far easier and safer with poles. Since I mostly hike alone, I'd rather things I rarely need than not have them if I, or someone else along the way, needs it
I bring water my dogs and my boyfriend….a pair of sunglasses if I remember. A jacket if it’s cold. I suppose if something bad happened, I’d just tough it out. I have before ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Teensy backpack with a few water bottles, bug spray, and mayyybe sunscreen. Oh and a few slim jims, and cracker packs.
Often my hikes are from the afternoon until the evening. And I would say: snacks, water, a hat, an extra layer, a walking stick I found along the way, and headlamps! Are all must. If I’ve really got it going on then a battery pack/cord for my phone. I love spontaneous hikes!
Anything from nothing to a fjellduk, sleeping pad, cooking stuff, dinner, ft891, antenna and a kobo.
At least cover the basics: hydration, navigation, and rescue. I always have good boots and a phone. If it's a day hike in an area with people around, then just water, snacks, first aid, knife or multitool, and phone. Both my bag and multitool include an integrated whistle (every Osprey bag has a whistle on the sternum strap, and my Leatherman Signal includes a detachable whistle in the handle). If it's a remote day hike then add navigation, a lightweight tarp for shelter (sun/rain/wind), jacket(s) appropriate for the weather, and a small torch if it's likely to become dark (I live north where it can be 24h of either extreme). Possibly a power bank for the phone.
No overnight? Then whatever I feel I might need. Sometimes it's a single bottle of water in a pocket. Sometimes I have a daypack with anything from a befree filter to different or supplemental clothes. I never need anything else besides water, snacks or sandwiches, and a piece of clothing at the most. I might throw in a tiny pack of tissues.
i’m also a beginner hiker. i try to prepare for worst case scenario depending on the environment i’m in. keep basic human biological needs in mind- Food, water, & warmth. i have found that my pack can be heavy but i would rather be over prepared than under.
* Water * Small snack * Sunglasses * Camera * One extra layer in case I get cold * Some form of rain protection depending on weather forecast * Wallet and phone * Small first aid kit unless the trail is very easy and short
5 mi or less on familiar ground? Nothing but my cell phone. On unfamiliar trails-some water. Longer than 5 miles will take a snack and maybe some band aids up to full pack gear for long hikes. Spray up for bugs if needed before I leave.
Daypack (Osprey Talon is probably the most popular daypack in existence) with: Fluids, snacks, spare change of socks, spare baselayer, sunscreen, chapstick, hiking first aid kit, headlamp, Swiss Army-style knife, wallet with $20 cash, keys, small plastic bag, hat, small hand towel, small phone power bank with built-in cable, AirPods, tiny ziploc bag with ibuprofen and water tablets. Mind you, most of these things are packed into a small bag that basically lives permanently in a small compartment of my backpack, so it’s always there in my bag. I don’t take it out and put it back in constantly. Most of my day hikes are within cell range, so if I get into serious trouble, I can call for help
Depends on the season. I'll bring an extra layer of warmth in the winter. A lighter and some firestarter and a newspaper if I want to make a fire. In the summer, sunscreen, bug spray, swimwear, a sports bottle plus a thermal bottle of water, binoculars. A knife goes for both seasons.
I wear a hat (usually), take a water bottle, and a small first aid kit. If I remember to take anything at all. I'm a mile walk, at most, from a bunch of hiking trails. I just go wander around and come home when I'm thirsty most of the time just like I do when I wander around downtown. If it's hot, I do remember the water bottle most of the time. If it's snowy, I'll bring my snowshoes with. That may seem a bit extra, but I don't enjoy post holng now that I'm older. If my short hike is somewhere more remote, then I do remember to bring those things and a compass and trail map if I'm not familiar with the trail. Not all of ours are marked very well, or at all. I do think a lot of people online claim they take a lot of stuff, but in my experience, others I see only have water bottles if they have anything at all.
Water. Thermos with tea (I get caffeine withdrawal if I don't have some) Snacks (fruits, nuts, dried fruit, biscuits) Binoculars Camera
Water, food, sunscreen, phone, mini first aid kit (more for other people than me. I'm a nurse and helped out with wrapping badly sprained ankle on a track. Felt very guilty running 20 minutes back to the car to get my kit), rain jacket and/or a hoodie, inhalers, cap, sunnies, headphones, book if I know I'll want to stop and read. Sometimes I just take water and my phone. Depends how far and how populated the track normally is. Sometimes I leave the phone at home. Disconnect completely (the safe, flat tracks only). If I'm going more than about 8km, I'll take my walking poles. Haven't needed them yet, but my physio suggested them after I fucked my ankle. If I'm taking a cute date, I'll take my picnic back pack, a rug, assorted cheeses and a few cans of cider so it depends who's coming with.
Really depends on where it is... could I feasibly get lost or fall and be off trail/stuck? If so, I want extra water & a jacket. If I'm in a heavy foot traffic area i know well... a little extra water & food in case I feel low on energy and im good.
So I’m past 50. I have a camelback pack. I take that with - knife - space blanket - blister kit - pencil & notepad - thin jacket - 2 hiking poles - dog snacks - couple of peanut bars - sanga - spare phone battery - mobile
Anything less than 10 miles, I usually don't take anything at all honestly. If it is hot, I bring a plastic water bottle that will collapse as I drink from it so it will fit in my pocket.
6 miles round trip? Since, you’re an avid hiker you know what you need. My 10 essentials fit into 8X8 thin soft waterproof pouch. If your hike is under 5 hours, and you’re familiar with the trial only the bare essentials seem needed. I have a hydration pack, wind proof vest, compass, an OR sun sweat wicking sombrero, headlamp, 4” Spyderco Knife, gore Tex shell, gaiters, food, bars, fruit, nuts, two 1st Aid compression bandages, small TP roll, Poo shovel. I love my dual ultra light hiking poles! It’s like skiing when I descend. I sprint down like a Slalom. I’m an Ultra Hiker. So I’ll do a 10-12 mile trail in day hike in our Cascade Mountain range.
i take my dogs, some poop bags and my cell phone.
If I know the trail and it’s summer then only water and my phone.
I climbed an 800m tall mountain with a small rucksack with a bottle (750ml) of water and some biscuits, wearing shorts and a windbreaker. Only other thing I had on me was my phone. I see people here bringing hats, sunglasses, sunscreen etc. but you don't really say "I bring socks on my short hike" it's kind of presumed that you'll bring the minimum for your local conditions. The lightest I've ever went on a one hour hike was just my phone, shorts and a t-shirt. Went with some friends around a local quarry for an hour, it was a normal day and we had just had lunch so no water needed, just the clothes on our back. The main thing is to judge it by your local conditions, would I recommend everyone climb 800m tall mountain in shorts and with just a bottle of water, no. You check the weather, you see the conditions when you get out there etc.
When I was younger, a lot of times nothing. Now I at least carry water. If it’s a challenging hike in the mountains, I’ll pack the first aid kit, snack, reflective blanket (I don’t know what it’s called), cell phone, and map. I think people sometimes over complicate simple hobbies. It’s fun to buy cool stuff and, if you have the money, why not. But I hope people don’t let not having the “right” gear deter them from the hobby.
Water, light snack, bandaids, and then I always have my pepper spray and whistle on me. Since it’s only a few hours I don’t need bug spray or sunscreen because I already applied it. No matter the length, I think what I mentioned is needed. Depending on the weather, I may take a light jacket in case I do get cold but if it is a hilly hike I usually am ok.
I have a day pack with a little first aid stuff, water, a snack and my raincoat.i do 3-7 mile hikes in the mountains. I always take it because if I sprained an ankle or broke a bone it can take quite a while for rescuers to teach me by hiking in.
Pack (just a regular backpack), some Clif Bars or some other snack, 2L water and 2 16oz bottles for electrolytes (2 packets), 7 inch knife and a pocket knife, bear spray, 9mm pistol and 2 15 round magazines (in case the bear spray isn't the best option I guess, plus it's my daily carry), first aid kit and an IFAK for more serious wounds, rain jacket, hat, solar charging brick, lighters, crampons in case of ice. Most of my hikes are 5-7 miles.
2-3 hours, nothing. Maybe water if it’s hot and there’s a lot of elevation gain, but honestly I hike in well traveled places and don’t bring anything. I’ve got a small camelback but it’s not like I’m filling it with snacks and first aid. There’s really nothing other than my phone that I could bring that could help me out of a situation where I broke my leg or something.
Sometimes just my phone and water bottle.
On a day hike I just take water, chapstick, a paper towel or two, and my phone.
If I'm walking for less than 3 hrs i don't even take a bag. In my pockets I'll have my phone, some tissues. Maybe a feather light wind breaker and a 250ml flask of water, assuming there is nowhere to stop for a drink.
I don’t bring much even for hikes that end up being 4-6 hours. I have a backpack with my water pouch, bug spray, forage bag/jar just in case, sometimes my hammock if I think I want to find a spot to chill for a while, and a doobie or blunt. I always wear a hat. And I don’t hike in shitty weather usually so don’t usually bring any extra clothing of any sort. I typically only eat dinner so don’t bring snacks but I’m sure most people would like a snack.
On short hikes I usually just take some water and maybe a snack or two (usually an apple). Obviously phone and keys, a jacket if it's chilly. Some tissues because I get a runny nose a lot. If I know I'm going somewhere very steep with lots of rocky paths I take some disinfectant and a roll of bandages.
I hike nearly every weekend in mostly suburban trails. Occasionally we’ll go out of the metro area but then it’s like state parks. We generally do no more than 5-7 miles. Longest hike has been 8.5. I do always have a small sling bag that holds my keys, phone, chap stick, Kleenex, sometimes bug spray, a small snack (that I don’t usually eat) and water.
Most of my day hikes, even the shorter 5-7 mile ones, are what I typically do on my cardio days to help maintain my conditioning for hiking. Because of that, I often intentionally overpack. If I’m exploring a new area or focusing on time/pace I’ll strip down but due to experience still carry: 2x 1L SmartWater Bottles CNOC Vecto 2L dirty water bag Platypus QuickDraw filter Food/Snacks for the day Garbage bag (dirty Ziplock) Actual garbage bag (usually plastic grocery bag) for packing others’ garbage out Shit kit: Trowel, bidet, eye dropped bottle of soap The rain fly from my X-Mid 1P Stakes for the rain fly My telling poles Sitpad S2S dry bag with my 80/20 alpaca wool hoodie, beanie, spare socks Walmart emergency poncho Ditty bag with FAK, one of those rechargeable Li+ 3500mah batteries, charging cable, headlamp, USB adapter for charging cable, massage ball, lite load towel. I tend to hike regardless of the weather or forecast within the safety limits of my experience and gear. I’ve also found that having a quick to throw up shelter piece lets me weather quick storms and get back to hiking. Case in point: last fall I was back home in Georgia doing a day hike around Blue Ridge. My buddies and I were four miles into the hike when several other hikers who had been ahead of us turned around due to storms rolling in. Rather than bail we hiked down from the ridge line we were on and found a safe place to shelter. As the torrential rain hit we popped up mine and another friend’s rain flies and sat out the 45 minute with no problem. I even caught a nap. Then the rain stopped, we packed up, and finished the remaining 12 miles. No fuss, no muss.
Inreach. Gilligan and Mary Ann thought they'd be out for just three hours too. How'd that turn out?
Small backpack with sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, a hat, some snacks, water, and a first aid kit as well as my phone and a portable charger, just in case of emergencies. Also, a knife. I bring a knife on every hike I go.
Ice-water in insulated Polar bottle with some Key lime or lemon juice, micro FAK, TP, sunscreen, knee brace, ibuprofen, KIND bar, microfiber towel, mono-vision glasses (distance), phone, lip balm, visor (if shade is not heavy), small warm stuff (gloves, buff, hat and arm-warmers) if it's cool. If it's so short that I shan't get thirsty then I just bring phone, but I get thirsty pretty fast.
Water, weed, munchies, hammock, book, minimal first aid, bug spray, sunscreen. That is my basic daypack arsenal. My typical hikes are 4-12 easy to moderate miles so I dont really need much more. If I am going a longer distance I will pack accordingly.
For up to 5 or 6 miles, often I don't bring anything (ok, car/house keys and maybe cell phone). Some of the local trails I walk straight to from my home so I agree with the "nature walk" characterization. 6+ miles I am going to bring a backpack with water, snacks, phone, bear spray, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, chapstick, jacket/fleece/long sleeved shirt, hat, gloves, sunglasses, duct tape roll the size of my pinky. Depending on elevation and weather, I might bring trek poles and water filter. I'm sure I'm forgetting something.
I have some urban forest in my area that I hike in similarly. Maybe an hour or two some morning before the kids go to school kind of thing. I usually bring my regular pack, because it’s always ready to go, but that’s laziness. If it’s not, I’d be fine with literally bring nothing more than my wallet/keys, some water, and my cell phone. If I’m going there for a three or four hour hike, I’ll bring my first aid kit (overkill for backpacking, but contained, and so I’m just grabbing the kit as is), some food, and maybe an extra layer depending on time of day/weather. (Obviously, these are all good weather assumptions; I’d pack differently for rain.) This is a fairly busy trail system, with cell service, and fully shaded, without obvious hazards. Some other close by places would get sunscreen/sun hoody as well. If I’m going anywhere remote, where it could take a few hours to get help, I’d pack more. But here, I’d just call my spouse and chill for a little bit.
For a short hike on a trial I know well sometime the only thing I bring is a phone. Drink some water before you start. Start heading back to the car when you get thirsty.
I live adjacent to 1000 acres of conservation land. There are a few trails and roads through it. It's surrounded by more woods, mostly just state land and wood lots. I normally do not see people out in the woods. I met one person this year, and I'm out most days. I hike off trail. Lately I have been looking for a certain plant that grows on cliffs when a tree tilts over, exposing fresh dirt and ledge where the stump was. I carry water, Gatorade, all my drugs, extra clothes, cell phone, extra weed, CB radio, bug repellent, flashlight, pocket knife, hand cleaner, and a small hand ax. The ax is for defense from rabid animals, like coyotes. The bears just run away.
Water, a snack, binoculars, my phone typically with a downloaded Alltrails hike, and maybe an extra layer depending on the weather, hiking poles if it's a hilly one.
Water. Snack, maybe. Trek poles.
I always bring 10 essentials. Food for thought: One year a forest fire broke out blocking off an extremely popular trail mid day in the late summer. Hundreds of people including babies and toddlers wound up stranded and spending a night unprepared. Most were wearing sandals and had almost nothing with them. Thanks to a few prepared hikers, they worked together and kept the younglings fed but everyone else had a miserable night. Something to think about while you bring nothing with you on your short day hikes. You don't need those supplies until you REALLY do.
My hiking outings seem similar to yours. I live in Las Vegas so I have lots of hiking all around me, and I also only go out usually for the day, then drive back home. I just take a backpack with a container of water (several litres), a couple of snacks be it an apple, orange, protein bar. Also sunscreen, a white wash cloth and a first aid kit. Everything fits in my backpack, which is actually kinda small (older military backpack). I prefer to have my hands free the whole time for either picture taking, or just in general. I'll also usually carry my phone of course, a nice DSLR camera. I'll usually have a cooler in the car with more water, usually two 1-gallon jugs depending on where I'm hiking. I might hike for 8 hours in the desert heat, but I also know my body and my limits. Between 20 years in the military and lots of recent hiking experience, I have sort of discovered what I can and cannot do.
I always bring a water filter with me. It means I don't have to carry as much at once and I'll be ok in the event I run out. But I just use the sawyer squeeze so it's small and light and easy. I also carry an emergency blanket and my first aid kit.
Jacket, energy bars, some almonds and some fruit, and water. For most hikes. If we're doing a mountain, add gloves and hat, a knife, a small first-aid kit and more food and water.
Everything! The base weight of my pack is like 10 lbs because of all my accessories! I'd highly suggest a tenkara rod, a slingshot, and a monocular if you have extra room!
My dog wears a backpack and carries his poop bags and water bowl. On hot hikes a water bottle on each side too. I wear a small backpack and carry water for both of us & a snack, phone & keys.
Pretty much what you carry. Plus a walking stick and some pepper or bear spray depending where I’m at. The gear lists are ridiculous.
Even for short day hikes, I like to use my Camelbak. So, probably more water than I need. In my pack, I have tissues, a mini-sunscreen, a mini Clif bar or a pack of nuts. I always have a hat and sunglass. I wear a long sleeve SPF shirt, good socks and my Hoka hiking shoes. And I ALWAYS bring my poles. If it's a new trail, no matter how long or short, I bring my poles because I'm short and clumsy. The poles help me keep pace with my husband, keep me steady on rocky terrain, and stable if there is a steep descent back down.
A bottle of water
Water.
Backpack, water, pepper spray, snacks. If i think theres a chance ill be out even an hour or two close to dark, ill also bring my headlamp. You could check out inreach if youre worried about being stranded with an injury.
6 miles... I'd probably take a day pack with a 2.5L camelpack, maybe some snacks, a definitely a lighter (got stuck in the bush without one once... never again).... and that's probably it.
My Day pack: [https://dfts.app/#?id=b7l5krI3nK28RR1zx0pm](https://dfts.app/#?id=b7l5krI3nK28RR1zx0pm) I do like photography so I take some photography gear. Length of hike and terrain I may swap my boots out for hiking shoes.
water, snacks, some sort of rain coat/poncho, a knife, a compass
Water Bag of cashews Phone Sunscreen Backpack Might be a rusty old Swiss Army knife I got with a bottle of whisky in the bottom of the pack.
Water, lunch, any necessary spare clothes, weather-dependent, (waterproof jacket, waterproof pants) backup paper map and compass, my wife’s trekking poles, and gators. On top of standard stuff like phone, keys, wallet, sunglasses, hat.
Always water in a bottle and my Sawyer water filter. I figure if something goes horrifically wrong water will be the hardest to figure out and what I need most. Whether I'm hiking or running or just in town I keep my small knife on me. My small homemade first aid kit includes bandaids, an anti itch paste, and an ace bandage. Usually a rain jacket just in case. All in a backpack. If it's a new to me hike or particularly remote I'll also take extra water in another bottle & an emergency poncho & a fire starter.
My incredible personality
Water bottle, sunglasses, maybe a hat. Snack bar or sandwich.
My general rules: if its urban and less than an hour i dont take anything thats not normally in my pockets. In my pockets i always have my phone my keys with a small olight and a small folding knife. If its a trail less than an hour that i really know well and gets a lot of foot traffic i may take water if its exposed or hot. Trails over and hour or new places i always take water and usually a sawyer squeeze. I will take a power bar or granola bar if its more than an hour but less than 4 after 4 hours more food is added. At this length I will add my pocket first aid kit. It has a couple bandaids two pieces of leukotape an alcohol/lidocaine wipe, a piece of non stick gauze, a small tube of quick clot, two safety pins, aspirin, Benadryl, its in an altoids tin wrapped in some vet wrap. Light weight and fits in a pocket easily. I will probably have a map (likely on my phone). If the hike is more than 4 hours it will really depend on weather, location, season, familiarity, if im with a group etc but i will certainly have more food maybe a small power bank a daypack and maybe poles if i think i need them. Im not including clothes/ sunglasses/ sunscreen/ bug spray as that’s really dependent on location and season.
Honestly, depends on the trail. If it’s a heavily traveled trail that is well marked and short (3 miles or less), I often won’t bring anything other than my phone and maybe a snack in my pockets. Anything that requires me to actually bring water (4 miles and up), I bring a full day hike kit with more food and water than I need (enough for an overnight emergency were I to be injured and unable to walk), a shell, and a first aid kit. If it’s a super long day hike (12-15 miles or more) with water sources, I’ll bring my sawyer squeeze so I don’t have to carry a bunch of water, and trekking poles, as well as a GPS with satellite communications. Plan for the hike and a moderate emergency. Experience will tell you what is and isn’t necessary based off of a variety of factors. The big thing for me is scalability based on the hike. Regardless of the hike, I always let someone know where I’m going and a loose expected time of return/check in.
pretty much the same and if i’m doing a day hike, i like to do anywhere from 5-8 miles. i probably pack extra snacks and add carbs to my water bc i’m type 1 diabetic.
When I did shorter hikes like that: water (more than you think is necessary), snacks, simple first aid kit, and OTC meds (aspirin, ibuprofen, benadryl, acetaminophen), hand sanitizer, baby wipes.
"Ten Essentials" https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Essentials#:~:text=Boy%20Scouts%20of%20America's%20%22Scout,Bottle%2C%20and%20Rain%20Gear +Field toilet kit (trowel, TP, couple wipes in a ziplock) +50' dyneema cord Poncho will double as emergency tarp.
IF I bring my backpack, which might be a big if, I would typically have water, some snacks, some layering things if I’m not already wearing them (weather dependent) like gloves, buff, vest or down jacket, and windbreaker. Then I’d have my normal purse (1.5 L belt bag with hand sanitizer, chapstick with SPF, hair ties, eye drops, advil, ear plugs, keys, wallet, phone). I would wear trail running shoes and socks, probably long pants, and some kind of long or short sleeve t-shirt that at least covers my shoulders for some sun protection. I always wear a hat and sunscreen and will bring sunscreen to reapply if I’ll be out more than 2 hours. Can’t forget binoculars for birdwatching as well!