Hiking Essentials for Beginners—What to Bring on Your First Day Hike
What hiking essentials do you need on your hike?
Are you hiking during the summer? Winter? Mountains? Deep wooded forests?
No matter where you’re hiking, there are ten essential things to bring on a hike. Some are
obvious, some less so.
We’ve put together a list of the best items to take and what else you need to know before
You set out on your first hike.
Let’s get into it.
10 Hiking Essentials You Shouldn’t Go Hiking Without
The following are 10 hiking essentials that every hiker should take on their hiking trip,
According to the National Park Service.
Sunscreen
A sunburn is the last thing you want when you’re hiking. Pack sunscreen that offers
protection from high UV rays, especially in the mountains. Consider hats, sunglasses, and
clothing that offers protection from the sun.
Navigation
Google Maps is great, but in the mountains and secluded trails, it’s better to have a
handheld navigation device. Consider something like a Garmin eTrex or similar navigation
device to make sure you don’t get lost
Headlamp
When the sun goes down, it’s critical to have lighting for your path. A headlamp is hands-free and makes it easier to navigate any trail when the sun slips below the horizon.
Knife
A solid camping knife makes it easier to cut yourself free in an emergency and protect
yourself if needed.
Shelter
An emergency shelter, like a space blanket or an all-weather tent, is a must if you’re going
out into the wilderness.
Extra Food
Bringing extra hiking food could come in handy if you get lost or end up wanting to stay out in the wild longer than anticipated.
Extra Water
Nothing is more important than hydration on your trip. The more hydrated you are, the safer you are in any emergency. Bring a water purifier in case you need to filter water during your hike.
Extra Clothes
Temperatures change fast when you’re in the mountains, so bring an extra jacket, gloves,
and potentially thermal underwear
Firestarter
Fire keeps you safe in multiple ways; it helps you heat your food and can be used as an
emergency signal in an emergency. Pack waterproof matches or an all-weather Firestarter
in your backpack.
What is The Most Important Thing to Bring On a Day Hike?
Water! Aside from the ten essentials we listed above, bringing water on your day hike is the most crucial thing to bring with you. If you run out of water, you’re not going to last long in an emergency.
Play it safe, and grab not only enough water for the day hike but also a water filtration A
device that will help you in an emergency.
Optional Tips for Making Your Hiking Checklist Complete
Most search and rescue calls are caused by people not bringing the ten hiking essentials
we mentioned above. To make your hiking checklist complete, there are a few optional
items you can grab to stay safe during your adventures.
Pro Tip: Search your local Search & Rescue group on Instagram and follow them to get the best advice on what to take on your hike.
First Aid—Emergency Survival Kit
An emergency survival kit, like our survival gear backpack, has everything you need all
bundled into one bag. Grab it and bring it with you, and enjoy exploring the outdoors!
Rain Jacket
When it rains, it can dramatically reduce the enjoyment of your hike. Take a rain jacket to
Stay dry and reduce your chance of hypothermia in the event of a downpour.
Bug Spray
This is optional, but if you’re heading out for a hike during the summer months, bug spray
makes your hike much more comfortable! You can grab natural bug sprays if you’re adverse to chemicals, but DEET spray is guaranteed to do the job.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking As A Beginner
Is it safe to hike alone as a beginner?
Yes, if you take a few basic precautions. First, always take a first aid kit, a storm shelter
(tent), and an emergency blanket, along with a phone charging battery brick. Plan and
prepare for extreme weather conditions, and let someone know your route and location,
and you can safely hike alone.
What’s the best way to find beginner-friendly trails near me?
Download AllTrails or Gaia GPS to get reviews and insights into the best hiking trails for your experience level. They have reviews and complete routes for each trail you take. Plus, it is much easier to navigate when you know the trail you’re taking.
How do I pack my day pack correctly?
The number one key to packing your day pack correctly is to think about weight
distribution. Pack heavier items at the bottom of your bag and sit them as close to the back of your pack as you can. Everything else can be stacked on top of and around the heaviest item. Need a good backpack to pack? Check out our hiking pack for beginners.
How much should I spend on gear to get started?
If you don’t have a good pair of hiking boots or access to the 10 essentials, then you should budget around $300 to get started. You can get started with our hiking gear essentials for under $300.
What is the ideal apparel to wear hiking?
Extra layers are essential when you’re hiking anywhere. Wear what’s comfortable, but pack
what’s essential. If it gets cold or rainy, you can layer up when you pack extra gear. Wool
and synthetics are typically better than cotton because they can’t keep up if you get wet.
Final Thoughts
Don’t overlook the importance of the ten essential items on our list. Doing so could turn
your enjoyable hiking trip into an emergency in the worst-case scenario.
Also, if you’re hiking with children or pets, plan for them and plan for your adventure to take more time. You’ll need more food and water to support them, and that’s gotta go in your backpack.
If you grab these essentials and make an effort to plan, your first hiking trip will be an easy, stress-free experience.
Happy hiking!
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