What To Pack For a Day Hike In The Mountains

The Essential Day Hike Packing List

Let’s get right into it: Here are the essentials you’ll need to pack in your daypack.

• Water bottle (make sure you carry enough water to keep you hydrated)
• High-calorie trail snacks and energy gels 
• Hiking boots or shoes (don’t forget to break them in ahead of time 
• Navigation tools, like a GPS or a map and compass
•  Lightweight waterproof jacket  
• Spare pair of moisture-wicking socks 
• Gloves with grip (depending on the weather)
• Sunscreen 
• Sun hat 
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellant 
• Blister pads
• Head torch 
• Basic fire-starting kit 
• Basic first aid kit 
• Bag for your trash (so that you only leave footprints)
• Fully-charged phone and power bank
• Sweat-wicking neck buff 

Choosing the Best Day Hike Pack for You

A pack can make or break your day hike in the mountains, so it’s crucial to choose your bag carefully, ensuring you have the right companion with you on your journey.

For starters, a good rule of thumb is to make sure the pack you choose is waterproof—you never know when rain might strike on the trail, and you don’t want your gear getting soaked.

Next to consider is the size and capacity—and the key to that decision comes down to whether you’re a light packer or an overpacker. Whether you go for a minimalist bag to hold just the essentials or a carry-all style that fits everything you’d like to pack, keep an eye on the weight of the bag. The lighter, the better!

Then there’s the consideration of comfort. You’ll want your day hike pack to feel comfortable on your body. Usually that means you should look for bags with padded shoulder straps. If your bag is on the heavier side, look for features like a chest strap to help distribute the weight more evenly.

Finally, don’t neglect your personal style! There’s a perfect day pack out there that coordinates with your favorite leggings, accessories, baseball cap and more. JanSport packs come in different colors, so it’s easy to stay true to your personal aesthetic—all the while getting all the storage space and comfort you need.

For a little day hike pack inspiration, we’ve shared three of our favorites below.

The Granby

If you prefer to travel on the lighter side, opt for The Granby. It’s on the compact side, but it doesn’t sacrifice the space you need for your essentials. With two water mesh side pockets, hydration will always be at hand, and the five external organizer pockets can keep your other essentials easy to reach, too. 

And since comfort is paramount when you’re on the move all day, this backpack has adjustable straight-cut padded shoulder straps for heavier loads (that first aid kit and power bank come at a bit of a price) plus a fully padded back panel for long wear comfort. So if your day hike lasts, well, the whole day, you won’t get tired of carrying this bag around.

The Hatchet

If you like being prepared for everything and thus pack accordingly, you’ll need something with a bit more internal storage—but won’t be a drag to carry. Consider something like The Hatchet. With a top-hatch entry to a large, roomy main compartment and U-shape opening for easy access, this bag has the space for everything. And this thing’s pockets have pockets to help you stay organized!

This workhorse has cinch straps on sides to compress large loads and fully-padded shoulder straps to make carrying those loads easy. The adjustable chest strap helps distribute the weight and keeps straps in place, while everything within is kept in place by a built-in organizer panel with, you guessed it, more pockets.

If that weren’t enough (hey, we said this was for over-doers, right?) it has zippered quick stash pockets on front and top flap, a daisy chain that allows for multiple attachment points, and a dual-sided water bottle pocket.

The Restore Waistpack

Speaking of that daisy chain: everyone, even the lighter packer, needs quick access to those constantly-used essentials while on the hiking trail. That’s where fanny packs come in. Talk about handy, The Restore Waistpack can keep your keys, phone, earbuds, snacks, sunglasses and whatever else you need, right where you need it, so you don’t have to take off your backpack and go rummaging.

The zipper hood stops splashes from getting in, so your valuables will be safe from the elements. And the side support wings help distribute weight for a more comfortable carry—you won’t even know you have it on.

How to Pack for a Day Hike

No matter how much kit you decide you need to take, you might consider sectioning your gear into packing cubes so that you can easily find what you need. Have one cube for snacks and energy gels, another for spare clothing, and one for your first aid and fire-starting kit.

Then, organize them within your day pack in order of when and how often you think you’ll need them. So your “just in case” items should go near the bottom, while your more frequently used items should stay near the top.

Finally, when positioning all your items within the backpack, make sure the heaviest things are close to your back and in the middle of the bag. This will help you stay balanced. And always check the weight of everything and how comfortable you are by carrying the backpack around your house before you leave. That way, there’ll be no surprises once you hit the trail.

For items you plan to use really regularly throughout the day—water, snacks, and sunscreen, for example—it helps to keep them close at hand in a fanny pack. This way they’re easily accessible, so you can avoid stopping your hike and taking off your main bag every time you need something. If you forgo the fanny pack, ensure your backpack has plenty of side pockets that are easy to reach for the same reason.

And depending on how adventurous you are, you might bring some more high-tech hiking gear with you, such as trekking poles. You can use the daisy chain attachment on many of the backpacks we mentioned to keep them in place until you need them. 

Don’t Forget Hiking Boots

Just as your day pack should be able to weather the elements, so should your shoes. A pair of regular sneakers or trainers just won’t cut it if you’re tackling mountain passes. You’ll need a pair of boots that not only support your weight, but also the weight of all the extra things you’re carrying—while still being comfortable. 

Usually, boots that are specifically designed for hiking will have proper ankle support, moisture-wicking materials, and good cushioning for long hours spent on your feet. Look out for traction, grip, and waterproofing. That way if it does rain or you have to trek through streams, you won’t be in danger of slipping.

Finally, don’t forget to break them in before your hike! This is the biggest mistake that many people make and can actually cause not only discomfort, but also injury. Wearing them around your house for a few weeks before you go on your hike should do the trick. 

Plan Your Route and Assess the Conditions

You may have packed everything you need, but there’s more to do to ensure you’re properly prepared before heading out into the mountains. Most importantly, you should familiarize yourself with your route. It’s also a good idea to make an alternative plan for getting off the trail at short notice if necessary. You never know if a surprise storm will hit, and having a back-up plan will give you peace of mind.

Speaking of storms, you should check the weather and make note of any changes that may occur while you’re on the trail. If the forecast calls for rain, make sure you’re not hiking in a flash-flood zone, then pack a rain jacket so you don’t get soaked to the skin. 

Then before you leave, tell someone where you’re going to go and what time you expect to be home. If you don’t show up at that time, this person can call the authorities, just in case something went awry.

And finally don’t forget to have fun! This is such an exciting adventure you’re about to undertake, and all of this planning will help you get to where you want to go in the best possible way. Whether you travel light or bring it all, you’ve taken the first step toward packing perfectly for a hike. 

Need help planning your route, or just want more details about safe hiking practices? Read this guide to hiking smart from the National Parks Service.

With additional reporting by: Kelly Meehan Brown