What do you actually need in your pack for a day hike? Not much, but the few things you bring should be good. In this post we’re sharing the day hiking gear we’ve carried from Sedona’s red rock to the snow at Cobalt Lake, and why it’s still in our packs years later.

Note: The links provided in this blog post are affiliate links. If you end up purchasing some of these items we get a small portion of the sales.

Things to know before you go

  • Desert hikes (like Sedona) need more sun protection and water than distance.
  • Mountain hikes (like Cobalt Lake on Vancouver Island) can mean snow in July and bugs that are ruthless.
  • Pack light. A small pack you’ll actually wear beats a big one that stays in the van.

What to bring

Backpack

Melanny on an alpine trail near Ouray wearing a backpack, sun hat and hiking boots
Melanny hiking near Ouray, CO

On Lake Powell, Evan carried the Gregory Miko 15. For longer mountain days like Cobalt Lake, Melanny’s Juno 24 H2O is so comfortable and includes a hydration reservoir. In Sedona you don’t need an all-day pack, and the Inertia 18 H2O is the perfect size!

Use code OUTOFTHISVAN15 for 15% off at Gregory Packs

Water

On steep climbs you want hands-free water, so we use a reservoir like the Gregory 3L 3D Reservoir. When we’re not carrying a pack, I (Melanny) love my HydraPak Flux 1L, and the HydraPak Flux+ 1.5L adds a built-in filter.

Use code outofthisvan10 for 10% off at HydraPak

Hiking boots

Melanny has had her On Running Cloudrock hiking boots for years and they are so comfortable. They aren’t waterproof, but they dry quickly and have great traction. For snow early in the season, we add microspikes. We bought ours at REI, and this link is the same kind on Amazon.

Socks

Darn Tough hiking sock
Darn Tough sock, the only pair that holds up for Evan

Evan wears through socks at an alarming pace, and the only ones that hold up are his Darn Tough socks. Everything else has holes in the heel within a year!

Sun protection

For all-around coverage, we like this sunhat, and you can’t go wrong with Elta MD sunscreen. Don’t forget Burt’s Bees lip balm. If you hang on to a tube until it’s used up, you’re a wizard.

Headlamp

Red Black Diamond headlamp
The red Black Diamond we can find in the pack

We almost never hike in the dark, but sunsets run long and summer starts run early. We love the red color on our Black Diamond headlamp because it’s easy to find in the bag, and the Black Diamond Astro 300 comes in the same red.

First aid and gloves

Adventure Medical Kits first aid kit
A trail kit, the stand-in for the one we wore out

You never know when you’ll need a first aid kit on the trail. Ours was the Adventure Medical Day Tripper Lite, which is no longer sold, so the closest current kit is the AMK Mountain Series Hiker. In fall, winter, and spring, a pair of Smartwool liner gloves lives in the pack too.

Trail snacks

Honey Stinger waffle variety pack
Honey Stinger waffles, the snack that melts on a climb

Besides water, snacks are the most important thing you could have in your pack. Our favorite is Honey Stinger Waffles. They melt in your mouth, even when you’re breathing hard halfway up a hill. Penelope (our dog) would like you to know that treats count too!

Recap

  1. Pick a pack sized for the hike, not the biggest one you own.
  2. Carry more water than you think.
  3. Protect yourself from the sun, even in the cooler months.
  4. Pack a headlamp, a first aid kit, and gloves.
  5. Bring snacks. Then bring more snacks.

We hope this helps with any future trip planning you have coming up. If you have questions about any of this gear, write us!

Hiking