Day Hike Gear Checklist

You do not need a big kit for a day hike. A small one handles the scrapes, cuts, and blisters that actually happen on the trail. Build your own with these seven things.

1. A waterproof zipper bag. It keeps everything together and dry, even in a sweaty pack.
2. Sterile gauze. Gauze covers a larger scrape or presses on a cut to slow bleeding.
3. A self-adhesive bandage wrap. This stretchy wrap sticks to itself, so it holds gauze in place or supports a sore ankle without tape or clips.
4. Antiseptic wipes. Use these to clean dirt out of a scrape before you cover it.
5. Moleskin for blisters. Put it on the moment you feel a hot spot, before it turns into a blister.
6. Antibiotic ointment. A small tube helps keep a scrape clean until you get home.
7. Bandages in multiple sizes. Small cuts and larger scrapes need different sizes, so bring a few of each.

These items are useful year-round. None of them is required, so start with what you have and add the rest as you hike more.

Water

Water is the one thing you should never skip. Plan on about half a liter (16.9 ounces) for every hour you hike, and more when it’s hot. Our Water, Electrolytes, and Trail Snacks guide covers how much to bring and the best ways to carry it.

Trekking Poles

They take some of the load off your knees on descents and give you extra balance on rocks and small water crossings.

Phone Charging Brick

Your phone is your map, your camera, and your way to call for help. Navigation apps drain the battery quickly.

Pepper Gel

It gives you a way to deter an aggressive dog or animal. A gel is less likely than a mist to drift back at you in the wind.

Whistle

A whistle carries much farther than your voice and takes far less energy. Three blasts is the widely recognized call for help.

Tissues

They are handy for a runny nose on a cold morning, pollen season, or a trailhead restroom with no paper.

Phone Belt

A slim belt keeps your phone snug at your waist, so it does not bounce and stays within easy reach.

$1 Rain Poncho

It weighs almost nothing, folds to the size of your palm, and keeps you and your pack dry in a surprise shower.

GPS Watch

A watch from Coros, Garmin, Apple, or a similar brand tracks your time, distance, and elevation without pulling out your phone.

Strava App

Strava records your hike, so you can see your route, distance, and progress over time. The basic version is free.

Two free apps can turn an ordinary hike into a small nature lesson. Both work on iPhone and Android.

Seek by iNaturalist

Point your camera at a plant, mushroom, or bug, and the app suggests what it is.

Merlin Bird ID

Made by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, it listens to birdsong and tells you which birds are singing around you.

Our summers are hot and humid. These small additions make them much more pleasant.

Spider Stick

Any light stick held out in front of you clears the webs strung across the trail, which you will meet often if you are first out in the morning.

Sunscreen

Much of the trail is shaded, but open stretches, trailheads, and paved sections are not. Put it on at the car before you start.

Headband or Sweatband

It keeps sweat out of your eyes and off your glasses.

Handkerchief

Wipe your face, soak it in water and drape it on your neck, or tie it on as sun cover.

Towels for the Car

Lay one over your seat and one over your seatbelt. They protect the seat from a sweaty, muddy hiker and protect you from a buckle that has been sitting in the sun.

Winter is a great time to hike here, with fewer bugs and long views through bare trees. Add a few of these for the cold, and see our Winter Hiking guide for layering, icy trails, and cold-weather safety.

Ear Warmers or a Beanie

They keep your ears and head warm, and they stuff into a pocket once you heat up.

Neck Gaiter

It covers your neck and pulls up over your nose and mouth when the wind picks up.

Packable Puffer Vest or Jacket

It adds real warmth for very little weight and squeezes down small when you warm up.

Arm Sleeves

They slide off easily once you heat up, without stopping to take off a whole layer.

Gloves

Gloves protect your hands, and on the coldest days you can layer two pairs.

Hand Warmers

Small packets or rechargeable warmers heat up in your pocket or glove.

Traction Devices

Ice cleats or other traction devices stretch over your shoes and grip on icy trails.

You will get warmer once you start moving, so have somewhere to put layers as you take them off.

You can buy gear locally or online, and both have advantages.

• Local stores. Trying on shoes and packs in person is the best way to find a good fit, and the staff can help. In Northwest Arkansas, Bass Pro Shops in Rogers and Pack Rat Outdoor Center in Fayetteville both carry hiking shoes, packs, and gear, and sporting goods stores around the area carry many of the basics.
• Price matching and returns. Some local stores match online prices, so you can try gear on in person without paying more. Bass Pro Shops matches prices from local stores and qualifying websites, and it takes back shoes you have worn on the trail within its 60-day return window. They donate returned shoes to charity. That gives you weeks to test new shoes on real hikes before you commit, which is a great option. Ask at the register about the current policy when you buy.
• Online. Online retailers carry more sizes, widths, and colors. Check the return policy before you order, and if you’re between sizes, order both and send one back.

You do not need to buy it all at once. Start with what you already own, hike a few times, and let your own trips tell you what to add next. Ask the people you hike with what they carry, too.

Some “gear” is better left behind. Consider taking your rings off before you hike, or wear a silicone band that can expand.

Hands often swell on longer hikes, especially in the heat, as your arms swing at your sides for hours. A ring that fits fine at the trailhead can become tight and hard to remove. Leave it safe at home or in the car.

• Route Library—pick a hike and pack for it.
• Getting Started on the Trails—everything else a new hiker needs to know.

This guide is general information from a volunteer trail organization, not medical or product advice. In an emergency, call 911. See our Terms of Use and Trail Safety Disclaimer.