Hiking Checklist: What to Pack for the Trail

Even experienced hikers forget basic gear. Don't let dehydration, low energy or sunburn turn a lovely day hike into a dud. Before you head out for your hike, take a look at this hiking checklist to make sure you have all the right tools for the trail.

Throughout the season, refine your own hiking checklist and store it in your gear bin so it's the first thing you pull out of storage each spring.

Water

Water is the single most important item for any outdoor excursion. According to NPS.gov, hikers going to the Grand Canyon should have 4 liters of water per person, per day.  

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The reality is that you should always bring a little more than you think you'll need. If you're heading out on a long hike, and water sources are available, bring a filter to help refill your supply, or to use as a backup.

Think about combining your water intake with sports drink to help replace electrolytes and salt lost through sweat. Having a flavored drink to sip on also makes it a little easier to stay hydrated.

More: Fluid Facts for Athletes

Food

This is another category where you should bring more than you need, and bring a variety. Small snacks go a long way to keeping your energy up on the trail, and more calorie-dense foods are good for lunchtime.

Here are some food items to add to your hiking checklist:

• Energy bars
• Peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches
• Trail mix
• Dried fruit
• Salty pretzels or nuts
• And if you're feeling fancy, cheese, crackers and a half bottle of wine (but don't forget the bottle opener)

Tip: Pack your food in a grocery bag so that you have a place to put your garbage during the hike out.

More: How to Pack for a Healthy Diet on the Trail

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Clothing

Beyond proper, broken-in hiking shoes and wicking layers, pack some extra layers that are appropriate for the climate. Check the weather for temperature and the chance of rain. 

Additional clothing items you should carry:

• Lightweight rain jacket
• Long-sleeve shirt
• Fleece
• Long pants (if you're hiking in shorts)
• Extra pair of socks
• Beanie and/or a sun hat
• Gloves

More: Find Clothing for Your Outdoor Adventures

First-Aid Kit

You don't have to go overboard, but it's good to have a few basic items for any hike, no matter how short.  Depending on the distance and location of your hike, this can be as simple as carrying some antiseptic and a couple of Band-Aids. For longer day hikes and backpacking trips, you'll want to beef up your kit with things like Duct tape and an emergency blanket.

Here are some basic first aid items you should add to your hiking checklist:

• Antiseptic wipes
• Gauze
• Band-Aids
• Aspirin and/or Ibuprofen
• Tweezers
• Medical tape
• Safety pins
• Poison Oak/Ivy treatment
• Matches
• Emergency blanket (don't worry, these are very lightweight)
• Whistle
• Rehydration salts
• Mirror
• Duct tape
• Surgical gloves
• Prescription medications

It sounds like a lot, but you can buy lightweight, compact first aid kits at your local outdoors store. Contents vary so be sure to choose a kit that's appropriate for the kinds of hikes that you'll be doing.

More: First-Aid Preparation for the Trail

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Often-Overlooked Essentials

Maybe it's because they don't fit into a perfect category, but these often-overlooked items are some of the most essential things you should put in your daypack.

• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Insect Repellant
• Sunglasses
• Matches (if you don't include them in your first aid kit, be sure to put them somewhere in your pack)
• Multi-tool or knife
• Bandana
• Headlamp
• Map, route description or guidebook
• GPS or Compass (and the skills to use it)

More: 7 Hiking Essentials

The Fun Stuff

These may not be essential items but they can come in handy.

• Camera
• Trekking poles
• Plant or animal guides for the area
• Binoculars
• Toilet paper (Plus a small plastic bag to carry it out)

For everything that you must remember to bring from your hiking checklist, there's one thing that you should always leave behind: a note. Make sure someone knows where you're going and when you expect to return.

More: Gear Up for Your Outdoor Adventure

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