Your No-Nonsense Day Hike Checklist

ByBrian June 4, 2022October 18, 2022 Updated onOctober 18, 2022

If you read other day-hike checklists online, you might end up bringing a twenty-pound backpack for a two-hour walk at a nature trail. Totally overkill.

My checklist is a short, realistic list of things you are more likely to need on a leisurely day hike (up to four hours long) in good weather close to civilization. We’re not talking a hike in back country of Yosemite here. More like a causal hike at a nature trail or local mountains or hills.

To Prepare For Your Hike…

Clip your toenails
This prevents your toenail from hitting the inside of your shoe on downhills and possibly injuring your nail plate (ow!). Cut strait across the nail, and not curved to prevent the nail from digging into the skin around your toenail.
Dress in layers that you can remove or add
The temperature can vary wildly according to altitude or time of day. On our last hike in the Santa Monica Mountains near our home, it was cold and misty in the morning at the trailhead – definitely jacket weather. By the time we got to the top of the mountain it was 85 degrees F with no shade. Other hikes can be the other way around. Bring layers of clothing that you can add or remove depending on the temperature.
Choose suitable footwear for hiking
You do not need an expensive pair of hiking boots for an easy day hike. In fact, the trend in hiking is moving for toward lighter trail-running type of footwear. Sneakers might be fine. On the other hand, avoid open-toed shoes like sandals. I personally still wear hiking boots even on easy day hikes because I like the ankle support (I have weak angles from spraining them so many times).
Choose good hiking socks
With good hiking socks, you can avoid one of the most common annoyances of hiking: blisters. If I could only purchase one piece of dedicated hiking gear for a hike, it would be good two-layer hiking socks. The layers of the sock slide instead of layers of your skin (which would causes blisters). The rest of the items on this list you probably already own.
Apply sunscreen
I like to apply sunscreen before I leave in case I forget to do it on the trail.

What to Bring

Water
Bring water even if its a short hike, especially if its a sunny day.
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Bandana
Probably the item I forget the most is a bandana, but I always wish I had one when I want to wipe the sweat from my face. It can also be great to protect your neck from the sun, or to use as a headband to soak up sweat.
Hat to provide shade
This is another “must” to protect your face from the sun.
A few napkins or tissues
You never know what might happen; someone could get allergies and start sneezing during the hike. Getting real for a moment: One time I was on a hike with a small group of friends and one young woman started having her period. She embarassingly asked if anyone had a napkin and none of us did. I felt terrible that I couldn’t help her.
A few band-aids
These can be useful to prevent a blister if your shoe rubs you the wrong way.
Cellphone
You should bring your cellphone even if there is no cell service on the trail because it might still work to make a 911 call (911 calls are on a different network). Plus of course, you might want to take pictures.

Optional Items

Snack
Insect repellent (if insects are a problem)
Small field glasses to view scenery or for bird-watching
If you’re into this sort of thing.
Trekking poles (walking stick)
Usually not needed for leisurely hikes but can be useful if there’s a lot of uphill or downhill.
Lip balm

What Else?

Did I miss anything? Please comment below! – Brian

Brian

I am a freelance web developer living in Southern California who is interested in technology, living simply, and saving money. I hope this article was useful to you. Please say hi in the comments below!

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Your No-Nonsense Day Hike Checklist

To Prepare For Your Hike…

What to Bring

Optional Items

What Else?

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To Prepare For Your Hike…

What to Bring

Optional Items

What Else?

Keep in touch!

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Please Leave a Question or Comment

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Find Me on Facebook

Affiliate Disclosure

Accessibility Statement