Hiking & Trails
The Beginner's Day-Hike Checklist
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A great day hike starts before you reach the trailhead. This checklist covers what to bring and how to plan so you can focus on the views.
Plan first
- Pick a trail that matches your fitness; check distance and elevation gain.
- Check the weather forecast and trail conditions with the land manager (park, forest service, etc.).
- Tell someone your route and expected return time.
- Know sunset time and plan to be back well before dark.
The Ten Essentials
A long-standing safety framework among hikers groups gear into systems:
- Navigation: map, compass, and/or GPS app with offline maps.
- Headlamp with spare batteries.
- Sun protection: sunglasses, sunscreen, hat.
- First aid kit.
- Knife or multi-tool.
- Fire: lighter or waterproof matches.
- Emergency shelter: a lightweight bivy or space blanket.
- Extra food.
- Extra water or a way to treat it.
- Extra clothes: an insulating layer and rain shell.
What to wear
I've been lucky to have access to all sorts of outdoor activities my whole life, hiking included. When I was a young outdoor explorer, my mom and dad dressed me in layers, and the same idea still works today: wear layers you can add or take off, and skip the cotton. For colder trips, see my guide to layering for cold weather.
- Footwear: hiking shoes or trail runners are fine on light, smooth trails. On rocky, rooty or rugged ground, a higher-cut, sturdier boot gives you more support. I save my Salomon Quest 4D GTX boots (an older model, since replaced by the Quest 5 GTX) for rugged hikes.
- Socks: wool or synthetic hiking socks (see Hiking Socks for Beginners). Cotton socks dry slowly and are more likely to give you blisters.
- Base layer: a wool or synthetic top that moves sweat away from your skin.
- Warm layer: fleece or synthetic insulation to keep your body heat in. I throw it on at rest stops so I don't get chilled.
- Rain shell: it blocks wind and rain. Bring one even if the forecast looks good.
- Hat, gloves and sun protection: a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for the sun, plus a warm hat and gloves in your pack, since mountain weather can change fast.
- No cotton: it soaks up water and holds it, which can leave you chilled once you stop moving.
Salomon Quest 5 GTX (current version)
A daypack that fits
Your pack carries your Ten Essentials, water, snacks and an extra layer, so it should fit well and be the right size for the trip. On most day hikes I carry a Topo Designs Mountain Hip Pack, a small hip pack with enough room for the basics when I'm not hauling a lot. For overnights I use an Osprey Hikelite.
Topo Designs Mountain Hip Pack · Osprey Hikelite daypacks
On the trail
- Stay on marked trails and follow Leave No Trace principles.
- Uphill hikers generally have the right of way.
- Turn around if weather turns or you feel unwell. The trail will be there next time.
Sources
- NPS: The Ten Essentials
- REI: Layering Basics
- REI: How to Choose Hiking Boots
- REI: How to Choose a Daypack
- Leave No Trace: The 7 Principles
To be transparent: I use AI to help gather some of the data for the product comparisons. The experiences and opinions are my own.