There are some essentials that you may need to have for those occasional though hopefully never circumstances that may accidentally happen.
You should always carry these emergency items in your bag no matter what. Whether you are day hiking or even driving long distances in your car, it is good to have them in a place where you can access them.
We are going to cover all of the essential items here and why they are important.
1. Navigation
Unless you have a GPS device, you need some sort of direction. Maps and a compass are useful if you know how to read a map and where to look on a compass.
With modern technology, it has become so much easier to be located through satellites and with a simple GPS device. Whatever your preference is, it is important to know where you are.
2. Weather protection
Lip balm, hats, glasses and sunscreen for hot weather. Whereas, gloves, beanies, scarves, hand and leg warmers are additions to cold weather.
Consider self heating hot packs that you can keep against your body for unexpected freeze temperatures to keep you warm. Similarly consider cooling scarves or towels like Frog Toggs.
3. Clothing
Insulation layers, rain jackets, and extra clothing on multi day trips.
4. Illumination
Headlamp or flashlight. If you are going for an evening walk, it is a must. However, for emergency situations, keep a mini flashlight in your bag.
In those unexpected situations where you experience delays on the trail, or find you are getting off track, keeping some sort of light when night falls ensures your survival.
5. First aid kit
A basic first aid kit will do for minor cuts. If you are hiking in certain areas that are more dangerous, you may need extensive first aid kits.
Emergency and medical kits include other emergency items like medication, glacier gel, needles and scissors. These will include treatments for cuts, sprains, stings, blisters, colds, infections and burns.
For snake bites, there is separate first aid bite kit. For long hikes, it is advisable to get a multi day first aid kit. You never know what will happen and for how long you will need to apply any medication or relief. It is worth being prepared.
6. Fire
For whatever purpose you find yourself needing to light a fire, keep some waterproof matches or a fire starter in your emergency kit bag.
Also, keep in your bag a newspaper in cold weather, just in case the soil is humid and branches and twigs are wet.
7. Communication
In case of emergencies or getting lost, keep a rescue whistle at reach. You can also opt for a two way radio or your cell phone.
In higher altitudes, however, there are no cell signals, so make sure you have a way of being located in an emergency.
8. Repair kits
Repair kits are always handy in those unexpected occasions when things go wrong or out of order. Always keep a multi tool knife, duct tape and a tiny cord with you.
Buy the separate repair kits required for your gear, like tents and inflatable mattresses if you are going on multi day hikes. Also cleaning kits for water filters and hydration packs are good to have.
Speaking of repairs, make sure you take extra batteries for your flashlight, a solar charger or portable batteries for your phone and GPS device.
9. Extra food
You should always consider to keep in your pack extra food. A prepackaged meal, freeze dried food, just for that emergency.
Besides your normal hike snacks and lunch, this ensures that you have some nutrition should something go wrong and you are kept longer than expected outdoors.
10. Water
As with nutrition, you should always have more water than you think you might consume. You should consider drinking a minimum of 2 Liters a day and possibly more when you are hiking.
11. Emergency shelter
Hopefully you will never need it, but who knows. Should you ever need to spend a forced night outdoors, keep an emergency sleep system in your backpack. This can include a tent, a tarp or even an emergency blanket; something to cover you and keep you warm.
Even if you are going on a couple of miles day hike, this emergency list needs to stay in your bag or at least in your car. It is your emergency kit after all, like your extra tire when you get a flat.
Get an adventure kit instead of a basic first aid kit, which will contain most of the essentials you need in one bag.
12. Backpack
While emergency items are good for being prepared for the unknown, here is the hiking gear you will be needing for day trips, give or take based on necessity and duration.
A daypack or backpack, depending on the activity, is actually a must, not a preference. Although very few people stroll along the trail with nothing on their hips or on their back, and it is true that there is no exact or right way to hike, you do need to take some stuff and you need therefore something in which to put all this stuff.
The easiest way I have found to choose a backpack, is to think on my average hiking trips. The longer the trip, the bigger the backpack.
So, here are some questions you can ask yourself that will make it easier for you to pick the right backpack.
How long is your hike? Do you often go for 1-2 miles, 5-7 miles, 2-3 days, 5-7 days?
If you usually follow a certain mileage when you hike, you are already aware of how long it takes and what stuff to take.
How much stuff will you be bringing with you? What are your preferences? How much water will you need?
As such, it is worth considering the capacity of the backpack before you buy one. For a day trip, a 5-20 liters pack gives you enough room for your rain gear, maps, first aids, water bottles or sleeves.
Speaking of sleeves, most new backpacks are hydration compatible, meaning they allow you to insert a separate hydration bladder in proportion to the size and compatibility of the backpack.
Hydration packs and bladders are optional, but you may want to consider them when backpacking instead of carrying bottles and more bottles of water.
Choosing backpacks is really based on personal preferences. However, make sure your pack fits comfortably but tightly around your hip.
13. Trekking poles
Trekking poles are an optional item though are recommended on strenuous terrains. Any uneven trail finds trekking poles a helpful set of additional arms.
They assist you in having a stronger footing while crossing streams, rivers and muddy downslopes. Trekking poles help with your balance and stability. They also allow you to work out your arms a little.
14. Insect repellents
Insect repellents are almost a must in areas close to rivers and streams where mosquitoes and insects are aplenty. Some areas attract more insects and are more known for spreading insect and mosquito bites. It does not hurt to have a bottle of DEET in your bag. If you are however wearing the new technology hiking clothes, you may not need this item.
15. Camera
It is really a memory capturing device. Not that our brain does not capture enough, but a recollection of natural landscapes, fun moments and things discovered on the trail are better shown than narrated to others.
Who does not want to remember a good trip after all?
Take your camera or recorder especially on multi day hikes. You will be glad you did once the trip is over and you look back at the images and the accomplishments you’ve made.
16. Energy bars, energy drinks, protein bars and trail mix
Take a sandwich for lunch along with your snacks. When you get to the summit and find a relaxing spot to rest, it feels so much better to have a consistent meal rather than a bar or a fruit. In addition, it feels good to eat good.
Energy drinks are optional, though not a substitution for water. You still need to take water with you. Energy drinks like Gatorade have electrolytes which helps with dehydration.
17. Utensils and cups
These are good to have if you are planning multi day trips or a long rest break. If you have taken some beer or wine for an evening hike, this may also be a good idea under the light of the moon.
18. Sporks
Sporks are also good to have for long hiking trips but also for any kind of trip. Serving as both spoon and fork, they are perfect for any meal.
19. Pocket knife
This is handy and we recommend it to be a must. Later when we talk about knots, you will realize you need a knife to cut the ropes. You can also use it to open a can. A pocket knife with multi tools is really the ultimate knife to have on the go, serving as many items in one.
20. Duct tape
Duct tape is just for those emergency situations. Not a must, but a recommendation.
21. Shovel
It is a must when on multi day hikes and you are camping in areas where there are no restrooms in the camp site.
22. Weather radio
It is optional. If you are planning on hiking for many days, it is worth having with you. Checking the weather constantly while on the go ensures you are kept updated with any warnings or situations that have taken place while you were on the trail.
In addition to knowing the weather forecast in advance, you can make plans to stall yourself or take another route in case of extreme situations. It is good to know where you are heading and what you are walking into.
23. Sitting pad
This will feel like a comforting touch to your behind after long hours of walking. If you have a sitting pad, and it is an optional item, you can use it instead of trying to find a rock or tree to sit on.
It gives you both cushioning and an even surface to enjoy. For long hiking trips, we recommend backpacking ultra light folding chairs instead. They are much more comfortable and durable.
24. Notepad and pen
Record any ideas, take notes for future trips or jot down anything that inspires you.
25. Backpacking cooler
It is a good idea if you are going on a day hike and plan to have some cold drinks for a resting period of time. A small addition to your daypack, that will guarantee your drinks or water are cold especially in hot summer days.