UPDATED MAR 2020. Here’s my guide on what to bring on a short hike. I’m focusing on items that I always have with me no matter where in the world I am hiking and offering some of the tips and hacks to make it easier. This guide will probably be more beneficial to people just starting out on their hiking adventures. I think sometimes people get carried away and pack everything but the kitchen sink, but this guide will get you down to the minimal essentials. Remember that everything you pack you have to carry, so you can make it easier on yourself by packing light.
What To Bring On A Short Hike – Essentials To Always Have On You
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What backpack to use for short hikes
If it is just a day hike outing, you can use any regular backpack that you would find at a department store. Don’t worry about investing in anything expensive because you really only need something simple.
I use a Herschel
at the moment because I found it on sale in New Zealand and use it for my carry on bag, day bag when I travel, and hiking backpack – I try to keep my belongings minimal so I only have one small backpack for multiple uses.
I wouldn’t recommend this just for a hiking backpack though because it’s a bit too expensive for just that one use. Plus it doesn’t have water bottle pouches on the side for quick access to water.
For the longest time I used a backpack I bought from Target or somewhere like that and that’s what I’d recommend.
I’ve seen this one on Amazon
and think it looks like an awesome option too.
Hiking shoes
I’ve written about these in a lot of my hiking guides here, but my favorite hiking shoes are the New Balance Minimus
.
The grip on these lightweight shoes gave me a lot of confidence as a beginner hiker on the slippery, rocky trails in Hawaii.
They are also lightweight and breathable which gives them the versatility to go from rocky hikes to waterfall or muddy hikes.
I use my minimus more for hikes that I do as day trips from home and more difficult hikes. When I am traveling, I tend to wear my Nike shoes
more often since I usually pack carry on only and can use those for hiking and around town.
The New Balance Minimus shoes gave me so much confidence when I was starting out on hiking adventures
What to wear
When it comes to what to wear, it will need to be specific for the hike.
Check the weather and the climate for the hike and plan accordingly.
I usually just wear a t-shirt or long sleeve light plaid shirt, and leggings or shorts all depending on how cold it will be. Then I add any weather-specific items from there.
If it is likely to rain, I take my Patagonia waterproof jacket which I’ve used for years and love. This is a similar one on Amazon
.
For colder hikes, I would pack extra layers, and for hikes with a swimming spot, I would, of course, pack swimwear and a lightweight towel
.
Sun protection – hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
You always need protection from the sun so be sure to pack a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
For sunscreen, I use a high SPF balm for my face
and always have it on me and for the rest of my body, I usually use a spray sunscreen for sport.
When it comes to a hat and sunglasses, just use whatever you have at home.
Mosquito repellent (sometimes)
If you will be hiking in a jungle type setting, or to a waterfall, it’s a good idea to pack some insect repellent
.
Water bottle
Hydration is sometimes overlooked but so important! I use a different water bottle depending on the length of the hike and the weather.
For a really long hike, I’ll take this 2.2L bottle
with me so that I make sure I have enough water to get me through it.
If it’s a shorter hike, maybe only an hour or two, I’ll take this bottle with me on the hike which is just under 1L. Usually, when I do this, I also take the big one and leave it in the car for the rest of the days adventures or the drive.
Energy gels
I always take energy gels with me no matter what. I love these
and buy them a box of 24 at a time from Amazon.
They’re great for a quick boost of energy to keep you going when you start feeling a little tired during the hike.
Snacks or lunch
I don’t always pack snacks or lunch. My usual plan is to use energy gels for during the hike, then I go somewhere for food after the hike.
For longer hikes though or when my budget is tight, I pack snacks or lunch with me.
One of my go-to hiking snacks is to make a trail mix – I make my own because you can make it in bulk for cheaper than buying it pre-made.
To make the trail mix I use jerky, nuts, chocolate (either dark chocolate or M&Ms), and dried fruit.
When it comes to what to bring on a short hike, the staples are the same and I adapt to the weather for each destination.
Camera
My favorite camera for hiking is my GoPro
because of its durability and versatility. It’s an action camera that is able to handle the adventure of the hike and be used in all weather and even in the water if you hike to something like a waterfall or nature pool.
I use my GoPro with this compact selfie stick
so I can keep it on me easily.
The Sony Alpha a6000
is the other camera I regularly have on me and recommend if you are interested in photography.
I always have a gallon size ziplock bag in my backpack to protect my camera if it rains too.
Epic Wipes
I only found Epic Wipes
this year but I think they are a great product to keep with you when you go out hiking.
They’re eco-friendly wipes that are fantastic for freshening up after the hike – especially handy if it’s a muddy or waterfall hike, and they’re also just handy for hygiene purposes.
I always use them for travel so I can freshen up during long travel days and have a packet in my backpack for outdoor adventures as well.
Outside of the basics
These have been my suggestions of the staples that I always have with me, no matter what type of hike.
You will want to consider the area you will be hiking in and the length of the hike to perhaps add other things to your bag.
Predators
If you will be hiking somewhere that has a lot of predators you may want to consider having some sort of defense with you.
Joe Rogan has mentioned that when he runs hills outdoors he always takes a knife to defend against mountain lions. Bear spray is another common hiking staple in some areas. This is something else to keep in mind when you prepare for your hike.
First aid kit
Many people like to hike with a small first aid kit
to have on hand in case of emergencies.
If you are doing short, populated hikes this might not be necessary which is why I didn’t list it in essentials. However, if you are doing less popular hikes or long hikes it would be a good idea.
Pee cloth
I haven’t used these yet, but I’ve heard a lot of good things about them.
The Kula Cloth is a leave no trace pee cloth so that if nature calls and you need to pee while you’re hiking, you don’t have to be one of those douchebags that leaves toilet paper out in nature.
This odor-free, antimicrobial wipe has one absorbent side to wipe with and a waterproof side, and you can clip it to your backpack.
Other guides you might enjoy
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