The following list is the gear I currently take on my day hikes. The term ‘day hike’ is not really that descriptive and only really says that the hike you are doing can be completed in a day. However over the past six years my day hikes have ranged from as short as 500 metres to as long at 58 km. As such, the equipment I carry is tailored for each hike based on a number of deciding factors including the length/duration of the hike, the terrain, the weather and my personal choices.
Much of the gear I take with me is drawn from my Multiday Hiking Gear Checklist 2019. However, there are some pieces of equipment such as my pack that only get used when doing day hikes.
In compiling this list I focused on gear that is readily available on the Australian market. I have included some brief reasons for choosing each piece of equipment and a link to a written review where available that provides much more detail. I use the term ‘system’ for most of the item headings as the products often combine to work together.
Please note that this list is based on my particular needs and circumstances. The items on the list may or may not suit your personal needs however I hope it will provide you with a basis for developing your own day hiking gear kit.
PDF Version of my current day hiking gear list
The following link is a downloadable version of my 2020 day hiking gear list. I do a full update of this list on an annual basis.
When I use a bladder I drink more water than I would when using a bottle
I may not always fill up a 3 litre bladder but on days where I walk 20-40+ km, when its hot, or when I know water may be hard to find, I definitely use this amount of water and often much more
I use this particular bladder mainly due to the magnetic chest clip that keeps the drinking nozzle in place which makes it easy to access
A simple no nonsense compass that performs all the basics. Its easy to think you won’t need a compass on a day hilke but I will always carry one just in case
Miscellaneous Equipment
Sunglasses: Maui Jim ‘Sand’ Sunglasses
Why I chose this:
They fit my face extremely well and with the curve in the lenses there is no discernible gap to let in unwanted light
I tend to update my sunglasses every few years and have been very happy with this pair but unfortunately this model of sunglasses is now out of production
Not much choice here as I struggle to read with any accuracy without glasses
I opt for a cheap pair in a small protective case on my hikes and leave my expensive pair at home. I’m lucky I can do this but its not an option for everyone
Phone: iPhone 8
Why I chose this:
Personal preference here I know but I’m an Apple guy across all my tech
It’s easy to use and relatively secure
Phone Case: Mophie Battery Case
Why I chose this:
Due to the amount of social media / blogging I do, a phone case that is also a battery makes sense
With this case I get 2.5-3 days of phone life which also reduces the size of the power bank I need to carry
And it provides extra protection for my phone when I’m out bush
This lightweight trowel will dig through hard rocky soil better than lighter metal options
Always bury your waste!
Toilet paper: 10 sheets per day
Why I chose this:
I never rely of toilet paper being provided
You may need it away from provided facilities, or if the on-trail facilities have run out
My daily supply goes into a ziplock bag so it remains dry
Hand Sanitiser: Hand Sanitiser 60 ml
Why I chose this:
The biggest cause of digestive distress on hikes is due to poor sanitation
You wash your hands with soap and water at home, and you should clean your hands on a hike as well
Hand sanitiser is a convenient option for hiking
First Aid Equipment
In over 40 years of hiking I have never had a serious accident or needed to treat one. In most cases what I am dealing with are blisters, splinters or ticks. Having said that, I still carry basic first aid equipment just in case. My first aid supplies go into the same packing cell as my toiletry gear.
The small size is lightweight and reasonably waterproof
Splinter Pick
Why I chose this:
Sometimes you get splinters so I will always carry a decent splinter pick
Tweezers
Why I chose this:
Can be used for splinters as well as removing ticks
Don’t stint on the quality here as most cheap tweezers just won’t pick out the small stuff as they don’t have the stiffness and/or fineness at the tip
Compression bandage X 2
Why I chose this:
For immobilising limbs in the case of snake bite or physical injury
Triangular bandage X 1
Why I chose this:
Just in case!
I have never had to use this in real life but it’s a versatile piece of safety gear
Crepe bandage X 1
Why I chose this:
Another part of my first aid kit
It is suitable for use to position a dressing, stemming bleeding and providing light compression
Safety Pins X 5
Why I chose this:
Always handy to have and not just for first aid use
Ever split your pants or broken a strap?
Pain Killers: Nurofen X 6
Why I chose this:
The only time I use Nurofen is when I’m hiking
In addition to dealing with the rare headache it also aids with inflammation that can arise from doing extra long days
I don’t use Nurofen that often and only when absolutely necessary
Band-Aids: Miscellaneous waterproof X 15
Why I chose this:
I use Band-Aids on nearly every extended trip, mainly for my toes at the start of the trip while the skin is hardening up
Swap Outs
I carry most of the equipment listed above on all my day hikes, year round, but there are some pieces I change over (swap out) depending on the weather, physical conditions of the hike, or the numbers of hikers. The following equipment is what I carry as the conditions dictate.
This bit of technology has taken pride of place in my hiking kit for so many reasons and has now replaced my Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and GPS
The two way communication option is a huge bonus on remote solo trips providing my family with the ability to track how I’m going in real-time and to communicate with me even when there is no phone signal
Not something the occasional hiker is likely to buy but if you are going into remote areas, this is well worth the expense
I usually don’t worry about wearing heavy gaiters but when I’m going into an area where i expect to encounter snakes, I up the leg protection with a serious gaiter
I will sometimes use a water bottle on shorter walks rather than using a water bladder. The Camelbak Eddy water bottle is easy to use and you don’t have to lift your head to drink
I usually avoid heavy gloves unless it is absolutely necessary so I find these lightweight merino gloves work well to keep me warm and still provide the ability to feel
I only carry gloves when the temperature is expected to be less than 0° Celcius