Must-Have Summer Day Hike Packing List and Gear
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When we go hiking, we make sure to bring everything we could possibly need! There is nothing worse than realizing you left something important at home when you’re already on the trail.
To make sure you remember to bring everything on your next day hike, we put together this summer day hike packing list! Here is everything you need to pack for a long summer day hike!
Summer Day Hike Packing List
Backpacks and Bags
If you’re going on a long day hike, you’re going to need a functional backpack to pack everything in! There are so many different types of hiking bags and backpacks out there, but we’ve narrowed it down to a few bags that will suit any hiking style.
- For photographers: The Brevite Backpack. This backpack is our favorite for when we’re hiking with a lot of camera gear, but want to bring along other items as well. Often camera bags have little space for your phone, wallet, and other items. This Brevitē Backpack has functional space for camera gear and other items.
- Patagonia offers a variety of sturdy daypacks in different sizes, including a Refugio bag and Terravia bag These paybacks hold a lot of gear and come in a variety of colors.
- Eddie Bauer offers a very lightweight, packable daypack.
- Cotopaxi Bataan del Día hip packs– If you’re a minimalist, or are hiking with someone else who likes to carry everything, a fanny pack is a good idea! Read more about why we love the Cotopaxi Fanny Packs!
Clothing
For a summer day hike, you’re going to want to dress for the heat, but also be prepared for unexpected rain or changes in the weather, especially if you’re climbing in elevation. Always make sure to check the weather prior to your hike so you can dress accordingly. We personally prefer hiking clothes that can easily be layered and are moisture-wicking and lightweight. Clothes with these features can easily be packed away in our backpacks and offer comfort as the weather changes.
- Eddie Bauer Guide Pro hiking shorts
- Patagonia Quandry Hiking Pants
- Patagonia Sweater Better Quarter-Zip
- Patagonia Quandry shorts
- Patagonia Tank Top
- Eddie Bauer Packable Shirt
- Columbia Rain Jacket
- Cotapaxi windbreaker
Shoes, Footwear, and Accessories
For a long summer day hike, good footwear and shoes are essential!
- Smartwool socks are durable, comfortable, and fashionable! Wool is a natural moisture-wicking material, helping keep your feet cool and dry when hiking.
- We love the new all-season, waterproof Outlander boots from Lems. These lightweight boots have a flexible, zero-drop sole that allows your feet to move more naturally.
- Hopefully, you’ll be seeing lots of sun this summer, so pack some sunglasses to protect your eyes.
- Trekking poles are great for stability, especially in steep, rocky conditions.
Water and Food
When preparing for a long day hike, make sure to pack plenty of water and food! We love bringing our Yeti Water Bottles because they are durable and drinks stay cold all day, even in the summer heat. As an alternative to a Yeti Water Bottle, consider a water pouch like a Camelbak that can easily fit into your day pack.
Here are some of our favorite hiking snacks:
In addition to having good snacks for your day hike, consider storing them in reusable plastic storage containers like these:
Health and Safety
You never know when you might need some health and safety supplies while on a long day hike, so consider packing some in your day bag. A First Aid Kit will cover all of your basics. But also consider packing some of these items as well:
It’s best to research the unique conditions of where you are hiking to pack accordingly. For example, what kind of wildlife or insects might you encounter where you are going? Will you be near water, and what kind? What will the weather be like? How fast could the weather change? What is the best time of day to start the hike and then head back?
Personal items
Don’t forget to pack your ID, money, phone, and a portable charger!
Optional
Lastly, we like to observe the nature and wildlife that we see during our hikes. So we like to pack our field guides, journals, and binoculars for our day hikes.
As photographers, we’re usually bringing our photography equipment with us on a day hike. Here are some of the photography gear that we bring along for hikes!
- Canon R6
- Canon EOS M50
- Lenses
- GoPro
- Gorillapod
- Memory Cards
- Lens Wipes
- Binoculars
- Sibley’s Field Guide to Birds
- Sibley’s Field Guide to Trees
If you’re hiking at a National Park, make sure to pack the essentials for a National Park visit! These include any entrance passes required for entering the park. And if you’re an avid National Park visitor, consider investing in the National Park Passport Book to document your travels!
- National Park Passport Book
- National Park Journal
- National Park entrance pass or America the Beautiful Annual Pass
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