After leading a few group hikes, I’ve learned that the difference between an enjoyable day and a miserable hike usually comes down to one thing…having the right kit. You don’t need to overpack, but you do need a few basic essentials. In this post, I share my day hike packing list as a hike leader, including what I pack, what I wear, and the little things that make a big difference when the weather suddenly changes.
Comfortable footwear
This is the most important thing to get right when hiking and always ranks first on my day hike packing list. When you’re hiking for miles, your feet will thank you very much for wearing comfortable and well-supported outdoor shoes that are designed specifically with hiking in mind.
I’ve learned the hard way about wearing the wrong shoes when walking. I walked half of the South Downs Way two years ago, in boots I hadn’t worn and that weren’t right for my feet. And the result was some very painful blisters that made hiking on the second day more difficult than it should have been.
I haven’t had this problem since I found and fell in love with adidas Terrex walking boots. I’ve talked about them a lot on my blog, mostly because they’re freaking awesome, and my love affair with them continues. I now have three pairs of adidas Terrex walking boots and have made my husband a fan too. I won’t lie, it’s a huge perk of being an adidas blogger to try out new walking boots.
But back to why you need a comfortable pair of walking boots on your day hike packing list and what other features to look out for. You want good grip, ankle support, cushioning, some degree of waterproofing and most importantly you need to have worn them!!
Plus, never underestimate the power of a good pair of socks. Having the wrong pair of socks can greatly affect comfort levels and increase the risk of blisters. I personally like to wear double layer socks as I find they chafe less, and if it’s really wet, waterproof socks are the way to go.
If you’re hiking as a family and plan to take your kids with you, comfortable footwear is just as important for them, because once little feet start to hurt, morale can drop quickly. Look for supportive soles, decent traction and something they can walk comfortably in right away when you do your research children’s hiking boots.
The right bag
You’ll need something to carry all your hiking bits through the day. And while you might think a bag is just a bag, there’s actually more to consider if you want your hike to go well.
First and foremost there is the issue of size. I find a 20-30 liter day bag to be the perfect size to carry everything I need. But I’m a bit of an overpacker. For shorter hiking days in good weather, you can get away with a 10-15 liter bag. If you are in the process of buying a new bag, I would write down your day trip list first so you know exactly what you want to take with you. This will give you a much better idea of the size of bag you will need. And always have a test pack before your hiking day.
Another thing to consider is how comfortable it is and how well the straps fit you. Bag straps that don’t fit properly can cause wear and tear, and as someone who has experienced wear and tear from bag straps, trust me… not you want it!
And then there are pockets. You want as many as possible so you can separate things and make things easy to access. Pockets on the front of the bag’s straps are perfect for storing snacks, tissues or a phone so you can easily pull it out to take photos or check a map. The side pockets are good for water bottles. And small interior zippered pockets help keep important things like keys safe and secure so they don’t fall out of your bag while hiking.
Hiking Support
There are certain things on my day hike packing list that may seem like “nice” things, but to me they are essential items to make the day that much more beautiful. I always take a pair of poles with me when I go on group hikes. I don’t always use them, in fact, depending on terrain and altitude, nine times out of ten I don’t, but I like to have them as an option and for other people to use if they need them. The extra support they offer to help you feel more stable when your feet are tired is worth packing.
Here are the other essential pieces that I think should be on your day hike packing list:
- A charged phone – It speaks for itself, right? Photos, emergency contacts, access to maps and almost everything. Also don’t forget to pack a portable charger if you’re out and about for the day, as it’s amazing how quickly a phone’s battery can die when you’ve got apps like Strava and OS maps running in the background.
- Snack – Getting the snacks right can make or break a hike in my opinion. It’s important to pack calorie-dense foods that will keep your energy levels up. Things like trail mix, flapjacks, energy balls and jerky are great.
- Hydration – Some routes may have opportunities to stop and have a drink or fill up a water bottle, but you can’t always count on that. I like to take two 1 liter bottles with me. 1 with water and 1 with squash or sometimes electrolytes if it’s a long hike or hot day.
- first aid kit – Essential as a trek leader, but also for your own personal care. Make sure you include: plasters, KT tape, antihistamines, alcohol wipes, instant ice pack, paracetamol, tick remover, foil emergency blanket.
Rain preparation
Hiking in the UK means you never know what the weather can do. So you need to pack just in case, because let’s face it, the chance of it raining at some point is pretty high!
Most good quality day bags have a retractable rain cover that you can pull up to cover your bag so the contents don’t get wet. If yours doesn’t have one, you can also buy separate rain covers, which is worth doing. Depending on the time of year, it may also be worth investing in an indoor dry bag to protect your belongings from the torrential rain.
A waterproof jacket is an absolute must regardless of the weather forecast. I recently got this adidas Terrex Xperior 2l Goretex Jacket which is perfect for hiking. It’s lightweight, waterproof and breathable and best of all it has zipped pockets to keep things secure, an adjustable hem to keep the rain out and folds into the hood so you can pack it up when the sun decides to make an appearance.
My other rainy day must have is a pair of lightweight waterproof pants and a plastic bag. The pants fold into a small bag and are simply convenient to carry with you. And the plastic bag… well, the bag has multiple uses. It can be used to store wet clothes or makes a fantastic dry mat if you want to sit and eat your lunch but the ground is wet.
Sunshine
And of course, you never know, you might get lucky and have a great sunny day, which has its own hiking needs. My sun hike bucket list essentials include:
- Sunglasses – To protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays and keep you looking cool.
- Sunscreen – Factor 50 is non-negotiable on a hot, sunny hike. Douse yourself in it before you start and take a bottle with you for top ups.
- Hat – A cap is perfect for keeping the sun off your head (gotta avoid those burnt middle partings!). It’s also great in wet weather as it stops rain getting in your eyes, which is essential when you wear glasses like me.
- Hydration – I know I already mentioned hydration earlier, but this is so important I thought it was worth mentioning again. It’s important to stay hydrated on a hike no matter what the weather is doing, but it’s even more important when it’s hot. Aim for regular sips and in hot weather you may need up to 0.5–1 liter per hour depending on pace/sweat. And if you’re drinking that much water, you should also consider taking some electrolytes to replace lost salts.
Post Hike Essentials
It’s not just the things you’ll need during the hike, it’s also important to pack a few bits for after. So, be sure to include the following items in your day hike packing list:
- Change of clothes – Something warm, something, warm, something dry. Also if you are hiking with your kids I would also pack a full back up outfit even on a dry day because if you think you can get muddy you will be surprised what they can do with a muddy puddle! Again think comfortable, comfortable children’s clothes to avoid those breakouts after hiking.
- Towel – In case you get wet (or muddy) and want to dry off before changing into fresh clothes.
- Bucket – To put wet, muddy clothes or shoes inside, to protect your car.
- Change of shoes – You could have the most comfortable hiking shoes in the world, but there is no greater feeling than taking them off at the end of a full day of hiking and slipping on some sliers, slippers or mules.
- Money for the pub – Well, what’s a hike without a drink and a packet of crisps at the pub afterwards, right!?
Pack all of these in the trunk of your car and you will thank your future self very much.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing I love more than going out for a day hike. Just knowing that I have the whole day ahead of me to explore the countryside, chat with friends and get a little mental boost. It is pure tonic for the soul. And having my hiking essentials with me makes my day go smoothly and I know you’ll be covered no matter what.
* Collaboration with adidas.
Author biography
Becky Stafferton is a blog strategist and content creator. When she’s not writing, she can be found running through muddy puddles, making lists of lists, having a good whine, talking in funny voices to her two sheds, renovating her house in the woods, and teaching others how to use blogging to grow their business.
