🎒 What to pack for a day hike: Your Mountain Adventure Essentials

By The Mountain Girl

What to pack for a day hike!

Whether you’re climbing peaks, chasing sunsets, or venturing into the wild for the first time, the mountains demand respect—and the right kit. Packing smart is the first step to staying safe, warm, and empowered out there. Here’s your go-to guide to what you really need (and what you don’t).

🏔 Why the Right Kit Matters

Mountains can be beautiful but brutal. Weather shifts fast, terrain gets tricky, and small mistakes can turn big. Having the right gear isn’t just practical—it’s survival, comfort, and confidence.

🎯 The Golden Rule: Pack Light, Pack Right

You’re not packing for a holiday—you’re packing to move smart. Everything should have a purpose. Nothing comes along “just in case” unless it’s safety-related.

✅ The Essentials Checklist

👟 1. 

Footwear That Handles It All

Hiking Boots

• Hiking boots or trail shoes (waterproof, ankle support)

• Spare socks (wool or synthetic—no cotton!)

Tip: Break them in before your adventure. Blisters ruin joy.

🧥 2. 

Layered Clothing System

• Base layer (moisture-wicking)

• Mid-layer (fleece or insulated jacket)

• Outer layer (waterproof + windproof shell)

• Hat and gloves (even in summer—mountain temps drop fast)

Layering = temperature control + weather readiness.

🎒 3. 

The Right Rucksack

Rucksack

• 20–35L for a day hike, with chest and waist straps

• Rain cover (or a drybag liner inside)

Your rucksack should feel like part of you—not something you’re dragging uphill.

💧 4. 

Fuel & Hydration

1 Litre Water bottle

• At least 2L water (more in hot weather)

• Snacks that pack energy: flapjacks, nuts, dried fruit, trail mix

Always bring extra, even for short walks. Energy = safety.

🧭 5. 

Navigation & Emergency Kit

Safety Kit

• Map + compass (and know how to use them! Book our navigation course!)

• Fully charged phone + battery pack

• First aid kit

• Whistle

• Emergency foil blanket

• Headtorch with spare batteries

Tech fails. Maps don’t.

🧼 6. 

Toiletries & Trail Comfort

• Eco-friendly wipes

• Small rubbish bag (Leave No Trace)

• Blister plasters

• Sunscreen + lip balm

⛺ 7. 

Bonus (for longer treks)

• Lightweight stove + pan

• Sleeping bag liner

• Lightweight tarp or bivvy bag

• Drybags to separate wet/dry gear

🙋‍♀️ Real Talk from The Mountain Girl

There’s strength in being prepared. You don’t have to carry the world on your back—but every item in your pack should have your back. When you step into the wild equipped and ready, you feel it in your bones—you’ve got this.

🏕 Ready to Adventure?

Download our Free Packing Checklist here and never forget a thing again.