What I Pack for Day Hikes

I have gone into quite a bit of detail about what I pack for overnight trips, but I haven't really discussed the gear I carry for day hikes.

There are some items that I carry pretty much every hike regardless of the season or length of my hike.

Always in My Pack

These are things I take on every day hike, long or short, hot or cold.

Zpacks Sub-Nero 30L Day Pack

I've been using this backpack for more than six months now. I still wince when I look at the price tag, but it's proven to be a decent pack. Functionally, it's like the packs I prefer for overnight trips, meaning that it has a large main compartment, roll-top closure, side pockets for water bottles, and a large mesh front pocket for quick access items.

Sub-Nero 30L

What differentiates this pack from those overnight packs is the capacity, lack of a hipbelt, and no frame.You're carrying less, and typically going for shorter distances, so it's not a major issue.

If you aren't used to a backpacking pack with a roll-top closure, this is probably not the pack for you. I found that when I was switching gear from my 50L+ packs to my day pack, I was annoyed that the day packs I had were not configured as smaller versions of the big packs, so I decided to 

Roll top closure. You roll the top, then clip the corners to keep it shut.

If you are just getting into hiking, and you want a backpack for a novice, there are many good options available. I have used North Face for years. You can often find them on clearance or sales online and get them for under $100. The quality is generally good. They also have a bit of structure with a more rigid back panel that is nice. They will have more pockets and storage options. I'm at a point in my hiking and backpacking that I know where things are located in my pack because I have a routine.

One feature of the Sub-Nero that I have come to appreciate is that it has an integrated closed-cell foam sit pad. It doesn't really provide structure to the pack, which would be nice, but it's very easy to pop out when you're ready to sit for a while to take a break. We recently did a day hike climbing up the East Summit of Pinnacle Mountain here in Arkansas. The temperatures were in the 30s and Mrs. Gavagai needed to have a seat to rest (it's a physically demanding route that will get your heart going). The rocks were quite cold to sit on, but the sit pad made it much more comfortable.

They sell the sit pads separately too.

The sit pad weighs almost nothing, and I've thrown it in my big pack on a couple of trips

Trekking Poles

I have a whole article on trekking poles, so I won't belabor this point, but I bring trekking poles every time I hit the trail. 

Fanny Pack

I switched from a pack with hip belt pockets to a fanny pack with my large pack, so having the same setup with my daypack is also convenient. I carry hydration tablets, snacks, lip balm, sunscreen, and other quick access items in my fanny pack.

Here is the specific fanny pack I typically take on my day hikes. 

Ultralite Fanny Pack made by Ultralite Sacks, which is an Arkansas based company. This is a very simple design. It's just a lightweight pouch. 

First-Aid Kit

This is the basic first-aid kit that I purchased.

My kit also has Leukotape, a small pair of nail clippers, and I have recently added some silicone toe caps.

You can find these at most drug stores. I believe I got mine at Walmart. If you get a hot spot on a toe, put one of these on it and your toe will be protected from blisters.

It's important to resupply your kit. Most of what I have used from my first aid kit is bandaids, antibiotic ointment, and ibuprofen/acetaminophen. I try to make a mental note each time I use an item from my first-aid kit so that I remember to resupply it when I unpack at home.

My first-aid kit is typically the first thing I throw in my pack. I usually have it on the outside pocket so it can be accessed without dropping everything, opening and having to dig through the main inside compartment.

Headlamps

While it's true that we always have our phones with us, so we could use the flashlight from our phones, having a headlamp is both a backup light source, and offers hands free light for hiking and for tasks. We have used our headlamps on a couple of occasions when we started before daylight or finished just after sunset. Also, unexpected things can happen, even on a trip that was supposed to be short.

My primary headlamp is now the Nitecore NU20. It is super lightweight, rechargeable, has a red light function (to preserve your night vision), and it's small enough for me to carry it in my fanny pack. And yes, this is an item I carry in my fanny pack.

Knife

I don't carry a large knife, but I do carry a small pocket knife. Most of my cutting tasks are things like tape, packaging, or occasionally some cordage.

I have carried three different knives and I like them all.

The Leatherman Squirt is the heaviest option, but it's small, has a knife, and it also has needle-nose pliers. I bought mine used on Ebay. I don't know if they make them anymore. Mine weighs 58 grams on my scale.

I have also carried the Swiss Army Classic SD knife. 22 grams on my scale.

I had a yellow one and a red one. I think I lost the yellow one. 😖

This one hasn't been in my pack since I purchased the Leatherman.

The third knife I have carried is the Spiderco Dragonfly 2. It's a lock blade knife. It can be opened and closed with one hand (with a little practice). 33 grams on my scale.

Mine is black, and I believe I purchased it on Ebay as well. Obviously, this is heavier than the Swiss Army knife, but lighter than the Leatherman. The Dragonfly functions better for actual cutting than either of the other two.

I also have a larger Spyderco/Byrd collaboration called the Cara Cara 2 that I don't take backpacking, but I really like it as an everyday carry knife.

Poop Kit/PeeStyle

My poop kit is lightweight and easy to throw into my pack. I have never needed it on a day hike, but it's something I would rather have than to resort to using a stick and leaves to dig a cat hole and clean up. I have mentioned the trowel that I use, BoglerCo Trowel.

In addition to the trowel, I have a small roll of toilet paper, some wipes, and a small ziplock for the used wipes (you can't bury those). My poop kit is contained in an Ultralite Sacks Zipper Ditty Cube which makes it super easy to toss into my pack and/or grab and "go". 💩

When I do a day hike, there's a 99% chance that Mrs. Gavagai is with me. She has a PStyle to make urination easier. There are various devices to help ladies to pee more easily on the market.

PStyle

Her kit has a soft case and also a cleanup towel called a Kula Cloth.

Kula Cloth

Mrs. Gavagai has been on a journey with the use of these products, but she has grown more comfortable using them, and they have allowed us to go on longer day hikes into more remote and beautiful places. I'm not an expert on these, so I won't pretend, but if bathroom issues are limiting your hiking and backpacking, I would urge you to do some research. You can also practice using products like this at home in a shower or bathtub.

Hydration

I always throw my hydration pack and at least one water bottle into my pack. I almost never filter water on a day hike, but the weight of a day pack isn't burdensome and the filter could save a life someday. My hydration pack includes the Sawyer Squeeze filter, the CNOC collection bladder, a couple of purification tablets in case the filter fails, and some electrolyte flavor packets in case the water has a bit of a taste to it, or in case I just want something more than plain water to drink.

Rain Protection

Full disclosure, I don't bring rain protection every time I go, but more often than not, I bring ponchos for a day hike, just in case. If the forecast says there is a 0% chance of rain, I might leave the ponchos home, but I like the fact that they can not only be worn to protect us as we hike, but they can also serve as a makeshift shelter.

Miscellaneous Ditty Bag

 

I have another ditty bag that just has some handy items. Included in that bag are the following:

• cordage (several hanks of various lengths)
• emergency mylar blanket
• fire starting materials (waterproof matches, cotton balls, fireplugs)
• Tenatious Tape (for gear repairs)
• small carabiners
• soft shackle loops (like carabiners, but made from cordage)

These items are also contained in an Ultralite Sacks Zipper Ditty Cube bag.

If you haven't caught on, I rather like these bags. I actually have two others that I use for overnight trips; one for toiletries and another for electronics. 

Pack Towel

I have a compact Sea-To-Summit pack towel. I bought it a while ago, so I don't recall which size I got, but it doesn't take up much room at all and can come in handy. If my filter failed, I could use it as a primary filter to strain out silt and debris before purifying with a chemical treatment. It could be used as a pressure bandage for a wound. It could be used to cushion a splint. In hot weather, you can dunk it in a creek and get some instant cooling relief.

Seasonal Items

In the winter, I may throw in an extra layer, hats, gloves. I recently picked up a wind breaker to help supplement my mid-layer hoodie jacket. It helped on a windy day in 30 degree temps this past weekend. I also brought my puffy on that same trip and Mrs. Gavagai ended up using it.

As things heat up here in Arkansas, insects and sun protection become a concern, particularly mosquitos and ticks. I also bring some Sea to Summit head nets to help keep the bugs off our heads in case there are gnats or horseflies. They are very light. I also bring a deet based insect repellent if we're going somewhere ticks might be.

If it's going to be sunny, I will wear a sun hat and likely have a sun hoodie.

Well, that wraps it up.

Is there anything you carry that I don't for a day hike? Do you think the items I carry are overkill? Let me know. You can find me on Bluesky or send an email to rungavagairun@gmail.com.

Cheers,

Gavagai