Ten Day Hiking Essentials & WHY You Need Them
If you were to ask someone I know well to describe me, Larissa Bodniowycz, you’d likely get some mention of being “outdoorsy,” and I agree with that assessment. I LOVE being outside and I’ve been lucky enough to experience some bucket-list worthy outdoor adventures from backpacking a tiny piece of the Appalachian trail to hiking in Colorado to camping and hiking for nearly a week in Banff, Canada.
But I don’t have any real outdoor skills training or education. I’m just really enthusiastic and learn as I go. Historically, this has served me well..or well enough, but as I do more solo hikes and trail runs and consider bigger trips, I’ve decided to make more of a conscious effort to educate myself on outdoor skills.
As part of this effort, I took an REI 3 Seasons Survival Class in January. Parts were a refresher of things I’ve learned along the way, but other parts covered new ground including some basics that I didn’t know I didn’t know:
REI Instructor: Have you heard of the 10 Essentials for hikes
Most People In Class: Nod affirmatively, spout off a few of the essentials.
Me: [Thinking] **Oh sh*t, I do not think she would approve of that time my sister and I went hiking in 90-plus degree heat with just a small water bottle each.**
Since then, I’ve noticed 10 Essential lists seemingly everywhere and learned a little more about the lists’s origins. The original list was published in 1974 in Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, and a host of variations have come out since including this updated version of the book.
Even if you don’t carry every single item on every single hike, it’s a great list to review to ensure you don’t miss anything. And while it may seem like a large list, a lot of the items are small and the risk of not bringing them is bigger than the inconvenience of having them. Without further ado…
The Ten Essentials for Day Hikes:
1. Navigation
What:
Map, Compass or GPS navigation
Why:
It’s easy to get lost when hiking, even in familiar areas. You can engrossed in a conversation or thought then realize you’ve missed a turn…but where was that turn?
Maps alone are great but once you are lost, particularly in a forested area with low visibility, it can be difficult to figure out where on the map you are in an which direction you are moving. A GPS system for hiking or a compass help you use your map effectively. The former is more accurate but you never have to worry about a compass running out of charge.
Buy:
2. Sun Protection
What:
Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat, Sun Protective Clothing
Why:
Protect against cancer, leathery skin, and eye damage in the long term. Prevent sunburn (which can be as bad as actual burns in severe cases), sun poisoning (it happens), and be more comfortable in the short term.
Sunglasses and a “sport” sunscreen that won’t rub or sweat off easily are musts while a hat and sun protective clothing are usually preferred but can become neccesities depending on how exposed your day hike is. For example, in desert like locations in summer you need all the protection you can get. I typically clip my hat to the back of my Camelbak so I have it if I need it
LaRoche Posay’s Anthelios Sport is by far my favorite sport face sunscreen that I’ve ever used because it actually stays put but does not irritate by skin.
3. Insulation
What:
Extra layers of clothing and accessories (hat, gloves, socks
Why:
Weather temperatures and conditions can, and often do, change drastically over the course of a hike due to storms and elevation changes. Layers allow you to remain comfortable and safe. If there is any chance of rain or snow make sure you have a waterproof (or at least water resistant) outer layer.
I violated my own practice and didn’t take an extra layer on last week’s San Diego, California hike along the PCT to Garnet Peak. It was a good reminder why I usually do even when it’s “just a short hike.” Was sweating and almost stripped down to a sports bra at the start. At the peak, which was a short jaunt mileage-wise, I was shivering and so was my hiking partner
Amazon has a surprising amount of hiking clothing available including reasonably priced merino wool layers and socks. Wool = a great hiking fabric because it insulates and naturally helps prevent odor from sweat but is usually realllllly expensive.
4. Lighting
What:
Headlamp, lantern, or flashlight
Why:
In case it is or gets dark. Finding your way and not tripping is hard enough in the daylight, it can be virtually impossible at night unless you have a source of light.
I’d go headlamp all the way. Less bulky and more practical (you don’t need your hands!) than a flashlight or lantern. If you’re on a longer day-hike or a night hike, extra batteries are a good idea as well.
Petzl is THE name in headlamps and for good reason: their headlamps are fantastic quality. I’ve tried others but my Petzl is my favorite.
5. First-Aid Supplies
What:
First aid kit and bug repellent
Why:
If an injury happens while you are on a hike, even a short one, you are probably at least an hour away from professional help. The amount of time increases the longer and more desolate the hike.
Having a small first aid kit gives you resources in case of a serious injury and can help prevent a minor incident from becoming a major one. For example, if someone has an allergic reaction, a Benadryl may prevent it from becoming a life threatening one before you can get professional medical help. Even when injury and death are not at issue, a first aid kit can make the rest of your hike more pleasant.
As for bug spray, in certain locations there are times that bugs can be so brutal that they bite you through multiple layers of clothing.
You can create your own first aid kit, but for me, buying one was worth the money. This one below is what I have for day hikes and really like. Takes up very little space but has the essentials.
I’m partial to wipes for bug repellent because they don’t take up much room and you don’t risk leaky bottles. I also like Ben’s for no particular reason othe rthan it’s the one I use.
6. Fire Starters
What:
Waterproof matches, lighter, fire starter
Why:
In an emergency situation, a fire is literally life saving and fires aren’t as easy to start as you would think.
It’s usually best to have a few different fire starting options in case one gets damages (e.g. a wet lighter is usually a broken lighter).
7. Survival Tools
What:
Knife, Gear repair tool
Why:
A knife is a versatile hiking tool that can be used for everything from making lunch to making a shelter. Outdoor gear from reputable brands usually holds up quite well but Murphy’s law is that it might break when you need it. Never hurts to have a few tools just in case.
8. Nutrition
What:
Food
Why:
You burn a lot of calories hiking. Not having at least some snacks with you can be unpleasant at best (hiking hungry is not fun) or dangerous at worst (low blood sugar can lead to not thinking clearly or passing out).
Food is also an essential if you find yourself in an emergency situation. Go for high calories and carry at least a few non-perishable items. You can go with “real food,” like nuts, natural jerkies,or sandwiches or made-for outdoor activity fuel like Gu, nutrition bars, or dehydrated meals
Buy:
Buy wherever you buy groceries or you can check out options on Amazon and Moosejaw.
I’m currently a Kind Bar fanatic and on really long hikes, I sometimes crave candy (undoubtedly, my body’s way of saying “eat!”)
9. Hydration
What:
Water storage and water
Why:
Dehydration is one of the leading causes of injury on day hikes. It is miserably uncomfortable at best and get lead to death at worst.
Water is typically even more important than food in a survival situation. As many of us have heard for years – you can survive longer without food than water. Something to purify natural water sources is also a good idea. You can get a purification system or simply carry iodine tablets.
Buy:
10. Emergency Shelter
What:
Space blanket, heavy duty trash bag, or other shelter building materials.
Why:
If weather changes o r you get lost, you may need to stay in one place for a bit (or even overnight) and being able to build some form of shelter – no matter how minimal or primitive – can help protect you from the elements. Think about how much better it feels when you get in shade when it’s sunny or behind a tree or rock when it’s windy.
A space blanket (those aluminum foil looking blankets you get at the end of a marathon) is a good option for hikes where it is unlikely you’ll need to emergency shelter. They are cheap, light, and take up almost no room. Other items like trekking poles, a tarp, or even extra layers that you may naturally carry anyway can also be useful.
