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Day Hike Packing List
What to carry on a day hike, from the 10 safety items to the small things that make the walk back easier.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
Tick the circles, tap any line to change it, drag the dots to reorder.
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Among CTUG's ten safety items for day hikes are an offline map, a headlamp with extra batteries, a way to start a fire, an emergency shelter, extra food, extra water and extra layers. Water is the one with a number: CTUG suggests 1 litre for every 2 hours of hiking. The rest of this list adds clothing, footwear and small comforts. It assumes a day hike on an established trail. Overnight gear such as a tent, sleeping bag and stove is left out.
Why these items are on the list
- Day pack, 20 to 40 litres. CTUG recommends 20 to 40 litres for day hikes. Look for bottle pockets and a sternum strap.
- CTUG: water, 1 litre per 2 hours. CTUG prefers bottles to a bladder: a hidden reservoir hides how much you've drunk.
- Snacks and extra food. Passportunities suggests trail mix, fruit or granola bars. CTUG says never head out with no snacks.
- Offline map or paper map. CTUG advises downloading the trail map offline in case you lose service. Check it when the path seems unclear.
- Headlamp with extra batteries. CTUG's 10 essentials list a headlamp with extra batteries. Pack both, even for a day hike.
- Rain jacket or windbreaker. CTUG warns mountain weather can run cooler, wetter or hotter than forecast. Sea to Summit keeps its jacket handy.
- Extra warm layer. Layers let you adjust as conditions change. CTUG warns wet cotton raises the risk of chills in cool weather.
- Sunscreen and a hat. A cap or sun hat gives shade. Keep a small tube of sunscreen in an easy pocket.
- First aid kit with blister pads. Passportunities suggests bandaids, blister pads, antiseptic wipes, tweezers and similar. Pre-made kits can be customised.
- Bug spray. Passportunities calls it essential in Ontario's buggy summers, and wears leggings against ticks. Pack it with sunscreen.
- Fire starter. CTUG's 10 essentials include some way to start a fire, even on a day hike.
- Knife or gear repair kit. CTUG also lists a knife or gear repair kit among its 10 essentials.
- Emergency blanket. Sea to Summit's author says it always belongs in your bag, even unused.
- Sturdy, broken-in footwear. Skip flip-flops. CTUG says footwear is best already broken in, and many day hikers now prefer trail running shoes.
- Comfortable shoes for afterward. Sandals or easy shoes for the trailhead. Taking off hiking shoes feels great.
- Trekking poles, optional. Optional, but CTUG says they'll save your knees.
- Bear spray in bear country. CTUG says carry it in bear territory and leave the bells at home, because bear bells don't work.
- Phone within easy reach. Handy for map checks. Sea to Summit's author keeps the phone, in a waterproof bag, in a hip belt pocket.
- Electrolyte tablets. Passportunities lists them with snacks and calls them great for long hikes.
- Toilet paper in a bag. Sea to Summit's author advises waterproofing toilet paper and the first aid kit. A soggy roll helps nobody.
- Pack liner or dry bag. Sea to Summit's author says nothing ruins a hiking day like soggy gear. Pack your layers inside a liner.
Tick items off as they go in the pack, then recheck at the trailhead. It's on your phone, so there's no paper to get rained on.
When to use it
Use it for any day hike on an established trail, from the night before until you shoulder the pack.