Dayhiker’s Checklist

The following Hiker’s checklist from will help to plan your next hiking adventure. Not all items listed will be needed on every trip. Pack only what you need and leave the rest at home. Remember, you’ve got to carry what you pack.

Dayhiker’s Checklist

Packs

Day pack or fanny pack 
Child Carrier (if hiking with a child under four who has difficulty walking long distances)

Ten-Plus Essentials

Sunglasses 
Sunscreen 
Water bottle or hydration system such as those from Camelbak, Ultimate Directions, Kelty, or Platypus (carry two quarts in mountains when water is available; one gallon per day in desert environments) 
Water purification 
Nylon cord (50 feet) 
Waterproof/windproof matches 
Flashlight or headlamp (extra bulb and batteries) 
Fire starter 
Pocket knife or multitool 
Toilet paper 
Topographic map 
Compass 
Emergency blanket 
Whistle 
Signal mirror 
Emergency snacks

First Aid

Antibiotics 
Antiseptics 
Tylenol 
Benadryl 
Tincture of Benzoin 
Sterile gauze pads 
Roller gauze 
Nonadherent dressing 
One-inch adhesive tape 
Steristrips 
Ace wrap 
Large compress 
Moleskin 
Second Skin 
Tweezers 
Bandage scissors 
Irrigation syringe 
Low-reading thermometer 
SAM splint 
Space blanket 
Sawyer snakebite kit 
Emergency report form 
Pencil 
Emergency Phone Numbers and money for a phone call

Clothing

First Layer

Underwear 
Long underwear (tops and bottoms in either light, midweight. Synthetic or wool / synthetic/cotton blend or Merino wool) 
Liner socks (*one extra pair only) 
Wool outer socks (*one extra pair only) 
Sport Specific Socks (such as those made by ThorLo) (*one extra pair only) 
T-shirt (cotton / synthetic blend such as those made by Sierra Designs or Patagonia or synthetic such as Tekware by The North Face)

Second Layer

Wool shirt 
Fleece, Polartec or wool sweater 
Shorts 
Long pants

Protective Layer

Wool, A16 Bomber, Polartec hat 
Sun hat 
Fleece or Polartec jacket 
Softshell jacket 
Parka (synthetic fill or down) 
Wool mittens 
Rain suit (jacket and pants) 
Gaitors 
Windbreaker 
Hiking boots

Miscellaneous Gear

Fishing gear and license 
Thermometer 
Bandanna or a BUFF 
Note pad and pencil 
Camera, film, lenses; 
Binoculars

Fun and Games

Frisbee 
Nerf ball 
Hacky Sack 
Harmonica 
Kazoo 
Animal, flower, other field guides. 
Star guide 
Mini microscope 
Magnifying glass 
Small plastic collection containers 
Aquarium net 
Sketch pad 
Pencils 
Crayons 
Colored felt-tip pens 
Gold pan and mineral book