You’re ready to head out on a trail adventure but you aren’t sure what to bring. You want to be prepared but not over-packed. Maybe you’ve read about the ultralight craze and assume your bag needs to somehow be negative weight, or maybe you’ve heard horror stories of hikers lost without food or supplies and you want to be ready for anything. Fret not! Packing a daypack can be simple and quick.
Pick your bag
The first step, of course, is selecting which bag you’ll use as a daypack. You don’t need a special hiking backpack - you just need something that is comfortable on your back, preferably with adjustable straps, and large enough to carry your essentials.
As for size, I usually opt for a bag under 20 liters, but up to 35 liters can be used for day hikes. I’d recommend staying in the 15-25 range for standard treks and going up to 35 only for full day, true wilderness expeditions.
While a specialized hiking bag isn’t necessary, they can be useful. Many come with several benefits - structured frame for proper carrying, water repellent / rain covers, water bladder reservoir, etc.
The Essentials
Every day-pack needs the classic “10 essentials”: navigation, artificial light , first aid kit, knife, sun protection, fire starter, shelter, food, water, extra clothing. Let’s quickly explore each of these essentials:
Navigation: GPS, compass, and/or map. Cellphone coverage has greatly expanded, however you should always have a backup - preferably one that is not battery-reliant such as a map and compass
Artificial light: An LED headlamp will be your best friend if you get stuck on the trail after dark. Make sure your batteries are charged. A flashlight will also work if you don’t have a headlamp, but you’ll be down to one usable hand with a flashlight in the other.
First aid kit: You don’t need a full medical library - just the essentials plus foot care - especially blister pads. Also, any of your personal essential medications. Also consider adding insect repellent.
Knife: A standard pocket knife or multi-tool can be very useful in unexpected situations
Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, multiclava. Even though you may be under trees, the sun will get to you. Sun protection helps keep you cool, keep you hydrated, and reduce the pains of sunburn
Fire starter: Waterproof matches or a flint kit
Shelter: For a day hike, an emergency bivy will suffice
Food: Enough snacks and nutrition for your intended trek time, plus a bit extra just in case
Water: always pack extra water. If you’re hiking near water sources, you can also opt to bring water purification tools
Extra clothing: Particularly important for unexpected weather. A poncho is a great start, and an extra shirt and socks will keep you much happier and warm in the case of unexpected precipitation. +
Beyond the essentials, you want to pack for comfort. This means both bringing and leaving select items to ensure maximum comfort. Bring any items that you personally need or will feel significantly better having - maybe a camera, binoculars, a hiking hammock, bear mace. Leave any items that are unnecessary.
Before putting something in your bag, as yourself “when will I use this?” and “what would happen if I didn’t have this?”. Those two questions will steer you in the right direction for deciding whether it’s essential or just dead weight.