Packing your backpack can sometimes feel like packing your suitcase before going on holiday. “But what to pack?” you must be wondering, scratching your head. Every hike is different but some essentials are needed times and times again. Here is your ultimate day hiking packing list, no fuss, no hype and specifically designed for us, London hikers.
A few years ago, I would have been the last person to come to for advice on what to pack for a day hike. I was the one who constently turned up with half of the essentials missing, underprepared and ended up borrowing from my fellow hiking buddies. I learnt from my mistakes and after a few tricks and twists, I got it right.
At a Glance: The Day Hiking Packing list
In a hurry?
Take a look at the Day Hiking Packing List below. You can download it by entering your name and email address in the boxes below. I go into more detail about each and every single of the items in this article.
Before we dive into the ultimate day hiking packing list, let’s have a look at the official 10 Hiking Essential List.
The 10 hiking essentials list
There are hundreds of backpack checklists that you can find on the internet, but the one that comes back, again and again, is the official 10 Hiking Essential List.
So what is it exactly?
The 10 Hiking Essentials List is an official checklist of items you need to bring with you on a hike whatever the weather and disregarding how short or long your hike is. It was first established in 1930 in Seattle and has evolved since to the current list.
It includes:
- Navigation
- Sun Protection
- Extra Layer
- Head Lamp
- First Aid Kit
- Fire Starter
- Repair tools
- Nutrition
- Water
- Emergency shelter
- Identification and money
As you may have noticed reading the above list, even though all the items make sense it is not really adapted for a day hike from London. So what would be advisable for you to pack if you are going on a day hike near London by yourself, with friends or a group?
Day Hiking Packing List: The Essentials
Here is the list of the items you should take with you if you are going on a day hike near London. As you would never be too far from civilisation, even if you get lost you won’t have to spend the night outside, so you can forget about the emergency shelter or the fire starter. However, remember that for a more remote hike, you should refer to the official 10 Hiking Essentials List above.
Backpack
That is the first piece of equipment that you need to take with you. Chose your backpack carefully as walking for hours with a bad quality rucksack or one that does not fit properly can cause shoulder and back pain.
For a day hike, a 20L to 30L is sufficient. You need to make sure it comes with a hip belt to take the weight off your shoulders and a sternum strap to maintain the backpack in place when walking.
When it comes to backpacks, the first brand that comes to mind is Osprey. The Californian brand earned its well-deserved reputation of quality and durability over the years and is the go-to brand for many professional and casual hikers. For a day hike I recommend the following two designs:
Those two backpacks have been designed with a day hike in mind. They are compact, come with a lot of pockets inside and outside to make it easy to pack, hooks for the trekking poles and straps to adjust the bag to your body’s shapes. Most importantly they are fitted with Air back panel technology to let the air flows: you can wave goodbye to sweaty T-shirts! You can read my review here.
Clothing
Knowing how to dress for a hike is as equally important as carrying the correct backpack. Dressing up is a question of layers. So, what do you need to wear and in what order do you need to put them on? Let’s layer up!
Baselayer
You need to start with a moisture-wicking baselayer to keeps you dry when you are sweating. Baselayers are versatile and can be used as T-shirts when the weather is nice or even when not hiking. My recommendation for both men and women are the baselayers from Mountain Warehouse.
Insulated layer
Now you are dry you need to trap the heat inside to stay warm. For that, you need an insulated jacket. Down jackets are doing a good job at keeping the heat inside but should it be raining the feathers would absorb the water and they take longer to dry. Prefer a synthetic insulated jacket for faster drying.
For both men and women, the Arc’Terix Atom LT offers great quality and durability to stay warm on the trails.
Bottom
With the weather in the UK changing so quickly, wearing a pair of convertible trousers can become really handy.
If you prefer wearing leggings, chose a pair that is thick enough to protect you from the elements such as running leggings. Avoid yoga pants they are not tear-resistant should you come across branches or bushes.
One more time, Mountain Warehouse offers a range of hiking and trekking trousers of great quality and affordable price. For legging, the Sugar Pocket Sports pants are thick enough to be worn on a hike.
Waterproof Layer
The weather can turn so quickly during the day. You start with a bright blue sky and end with a downpour. This is why it is important that you carry with you a rain jacket and a pair of overtrousers to keep the water away. They are lightweight and compact, so very easy to carry and you won’t feel a difference on your backpack.
My recommendation for the waterproof layer is again Mountain Warehouse and the Pakka design for both jacket and overtrousers.
Headcover
Wether it is cold or hot, you need to cover your head from the elements.
When hiking in the summer heat, make sure to cover your head using either a cap or a hat. A hat is a better option as it also provides shade to the back of your neck. Alternatively, you can use a UPF rated hiking umbrella to protect your head and upper body from the damages of the sun. To know more about hiking umbrellas, read my article here.
When hiking in the cold, the heat produced by your body can exit through the head. This is why wearing a beanie can help you stay warm. You can even opt for a ski hat for even better heat retention.
Neckcover
Covering your head is good, but don’t forget to cover your neck as well. Carrying a neck cover does not take much space or add any weight to your backpack and can make a huge difference to your hike.
I recommend choosing a Buff as it is a versatile piece of clothing. You can use it as a neck cover but also as a headcover. You can as well soak it in water when hiking in the summer heat and wear it around your neck to cool your body. To learn more tips for hiking in summer, read my article here.
In winter, chose a thicker neck cover to protect you from the rain, wind or even snow. Same as for the head cover, you can opt for a neck cover from the ski department of your local sports shop for better protection against the elements.
Extra Layers
Because the weather can turn at any moment, always carry extra layers with you. We spoke earlier about rain gear such as a rain jacket and overtrousers but think as well of taking with you an extra fleece. It can become really handy when you stop walking whether for a break or at the end of the hike as your body becomes cooler. This will allow you to trap the heat inside and stay warm when not on the move.
It can additionally be used if your initial fleece or insulated jacket becomes wet as a clean and dry replacement. Make sure that your extra layer is kept dry in your bag by using a plastic bag or bin bag for example.
To know more about what to wear for a day hike, read my detailed post here.
Footwear & socks
Footwear
Your shoes can make or break the hike. Choosing the right pair of hiking footwear is down to the type of hikes you are planning on doing.
If you are going for an easy, fairly flat or even paved route such as the Margate to Ramsgate walk, opt for a pair of trail runners. Initially designed for runners but adopted by hikers, they are light, breathable, comfortable and offer good traction.
For trail runners, La Sportiva is a perfect choice. Available in a variety of colours, this design offers quality and comfort to enjoy your day outside.
For a medium level hike with some hill climbing and more challenging terrain, you can opt for a pair of hiking shoes. They offer comfort and protection against the elements as well as a good grip and traction.
The Salomon X Ultra 4 are a good compromise between trail runners and hiking shoes, offering the best of both for maximum comfort and protection.
If you are going for a hike involving a lot of climbing or if you have suffered from ankle injuries in the past, you might need some extra support. In this case, go for a pair of hiking boots as they have a high ankle collar.
My recommendation is the Jack Wolfskin Wilderness hiking boots for their quality, durability and support. They are the perfect ally for tough terrain and bad weather.
To know more about the differences between trail runners, hiking shoes and hiking boots to help you make an informed decision, read my buying guide here.
Socks
Having the best pair of hiking shoes is a saving grace on the trails, but if it is to but awful quality socks in it, you are not doing yourself any favour.
When looking for hiking socks, avoid cotton at all costs as it absorbs humidity and takes a long time to dry. Wet or humid socks can also be a cause of blisters. Prefer moisture-wicking fabrics such as merino wool as they dry fast.
The Feideer hiking socks for both men and women are ideal. I have been using them on a 26 miles (42km) hike marathon and my feet did not get any blisters.
Food
We continue our day hiking packing list with an overview of what food you need to carry to avoid feeling tired and light-headed.
Snacks
Food is another important factor to take into consideration when hiking. As you are using a lot of energy, you need to eat to give fuel to your body. Opt for complex carbohydrates food as they are better for health and easier to digest. They release energy throughout the day so you can keep going as opposed to simple carbohydrates who give you a sugar rush but won’t last.
Here are some ideas of snack that you can take with you on a hike:
- Bananas
- Cereal bars
- Dried fruits
- Nuts
- Energy balls
You can find my homemade easy energy balls recipe here.
Lunch
The same goes for lunch: prefer a meal packed with complex carbohydrates. Avoid the prepacked sandwiches from the supermarket as they contain saturated fat, and opt for a homemade sandwich or salad instead.
No time? Don’t worry. Check my quick and easy recipes for hiking lunch here.
Hydration
A hiker loses 1L of water every hour when walking (dependant on weight). It can even be double if the temperatures are rising. Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration the first cause of heat exhaustion or heat stroke which can be fatal. Drinking water when on the trails is of utmost importance. But which hydration solution is best for you?
Hydration bladder or water bottle?
Based on the length, the terrain difficulty and the weather you can either opt for a hydration bladder or a water bottle.
A hydration bladder is ideal if you are planning a long hike or it’s hot outside as it can contain up to 3L depending on the design you chose. A basic design with a wide opening for easy filling and cleaning and a mouthpiece with a dust cover to protect from bacteria is ideal.
For a simpler and shorter hike, you can choose to carry one or more water bottles rather than investing in a hydration bladder. If you are hiking on a hot day, you can opt for an insulated water bottle to keep your water cool.
To know more about the differences between a hydration bladder and a water bottle to help you chose which one is right for you, read my guide here.
Accessories
Identification and Money
Don’t forget to take proof of ID when going out on a hike. “What for? “you would ask. It can become useful should anything happens to you when hiking or if you are lucky enough to look under 25 years old, to buy alcohol in the pub at the end!
Don’t forget to take some cash or a bank card with you as well to pay for that Sunday roast. You deserve it!
Navigation and Power Bank
The 10 Hiking Essentials List puts Navigation tools in the first position. You could choose to go on a hike with a paper map and a compass, notwithstanding, this would require navigation skills, that we don’t all have.
Alternatively, you can follow the route on your mobile phone via apps such as Viewranger or OSmaps. They come with a lot of different trails you can download and follow even when there is no network. You can also download maps from this site and upload them onto your navigation apps. For this follow my guide here.
The problem with navigation apps is that they use up all your phone battery. To avoid finding yourself without a map in the middle of the countryside, carry with you a power bank. You can opt for the traditional power bank, but my recommendation would be a solar energy power bank so that your power bank would never be out of energy too.
The foldable Big Blue solar power bank can be hanged on your backpack thanks to a clip to charge when walking so that you are never running out of juice!
Resealable Sandwich Bag
That is the item that you would never see on any hiking packing list out there. This is because it is my personal tip, something that I’ve learnt over the years.
Even if your backpack comes with a rain cover, we are never too careful when it comes to protecting our belongings from the rain. Packing items such as electronic devices, health care products like hand cream or plasters becomes all of a sudden much easier when using resealable sandwich bags. I cannot go out on a hike without a handful of reusable sandwich bags from my local supermarket to keep my belongings dry but also tidy in my backpack.
Head Lamp
Being part of the official 10 Hiking Essential List, the headlamp is one of those accessories we don’t think about at first.
Chances are that you planned your hike correctly and are back before dark, but in winter when the sun goes down at 4.00 pm, having a headlamp for the last stretch makes all the difference.
The BioLite 330 Lumen is perfect for your winter hikes. Lightweight and compact, it is made of moisture-wicking fabric so that it does not slip off your forehead. The battery can last up to 40 hours on low mode so you have plenty of time to find your way back home!
Sun Protection
Even if it may seem it will be raining all day, the British weather can be full of surprises. My advice is to always carry a pair of sunglasses with you, for that just in case the sun makes an appearance. When it comes to wearing sunglasses on the trails, leave your fashionable pair at home. You need sunglasses with polarised lenses to reflect the sunlight.
Also, don’t forget to carry a bottle of sunscreen with you. Remember not to wait for the sun to appear from behind the clouds to start putting some sunscreen on your face. The sun can cause harm to your skin even when you think it is not here. If you don’t feel like putting sunscreen on your face on a cloudy day, instead apply a face cream that is SPF rated to avoid the apparition of stains on your skin.
Health Care
Finally, we end our day hiking packing list by going through the items you need to carry with you to stay safe and look after yourself should anything happens on the trails.
Lipbalm
Bleeding cracked lips are the last thing you need on a hike. Always remember to choose an SPF rated lip blam to get a better protection
Hand Gel
In today’s world, it has become a must-have. It also finds its place in your backpack to clean your hand after touching gates and before and after eating. If you don’t like hand gel, you can opt for antibacterial hand wipes, but don’t throw them on the ground when used as they are not all biodegradable.
Hand Cream
Your hands go through a lot when hiking: sun, rain, cold, wind… The skin can become dry and needs some love. Carry with you a tube of hand cream to apply throughout the day to avoid having rough and chapped skin.
Toilet Paper
Carrying a roll with you might not seem the most convenient, especially for a day hike. However, for us women, we can’t manage without.
The solution?
Moist toilet tissue. I always take a pack with me on a day hike. It is easy to carry, lightweight and leaves you fresh and clean. Always chose a biodegradable brand to not pollute the environment.
First Aid Kit
Easily forgotten but so much needed: the first aid kit. It comes with experience and a few incidents to always remember to carry one with you. If you are going on an organised hike, don’t worry the hike leader will have one with him, otherwise, you would need to designate someone in your group to be responsible for it.
First Aid Kits are not only used for plasters and sterile wipes but also for pain killers. There is nothing worse than hiking with a migraine!
Additional day hiking items
There are items that are not essentials but really useful to carry with you on a hike. Here are a few of them.
- Trekking Poles: Very useful especially if you are doing a hike that involves a lot of climbing or if you have suffered any knee injury in the past
- Gloves: Don’t forget to take a pair with you when going hiking in winter. To keep your hands even warmer, add silk glove liner underneath your hiking glove. This technic is really popular for skiing but work also very well for hiking.
- Camera or Go Pro camera: To record your hikes and take amazing pictures of the landscape or breathtaking views, carrying a camera or a Go-Pro camera can become your best friend on a day out
- Gaiters: When it has been raining and the terrain is muddy, gaiters are ideal to keep your trouser clean and dry and to protect your shoes. I recommend the Blue Fields gaiters. They are easy to put on with their front velcro and machine washable.
- Sitting mat: Beginner’s mistake not to carry one! A sitting mat is an ideal partner for your hiking lunch. Whether the ground is wet or cold, you can enjoy your lunch staying dry. Inexpensive yet so useful, the Wwago sitting mat really worth being taken on a hike.
Final thoughts on the day hiking packing list
Having a day hiking packing list is one thing, but there are items you should not be carrying with you on a hike. Here are few of them:
- Cotton made clothing: Cotton is a moisture-wicking fabric but takes a lot of time to dry. Therefore avoid any piece of clothing made of cotton such as a pair of jeans. Prefer merino wool or synthetic fabrics.
- Jewellery: Avoid carrying with you any jewellery or valuables apart from your phone and money. Countless times I have seen girls ending the walk with just a single earring left. Leave your jewellery at home as if you lose it, you won’t be able to find it
- Makeup: Same goes for makeup. As you will be sweating or it might be raining, it is pointless to wear makeup for a hike (unless you really like the leaking mascara style even when it is not Halloween)
- Heavy camera: While having a camera on a hike can be quite useful to capture the moment, when too heavy it can become a burden. Chose a lightweight model to avoid back pain and discomfort during the hike
With the detailed day hiking packing list, you won’t be missing anything anymore in your backpack. You can now hit the trails with a genuine feeling of serenity that you have everything you need.
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