Day Hiking Checklist – Arizona Hikers Guide
Here are the items I bring with me anytime and anywhere I go. It is good idea to just keep these things packed up and ready to go in case you spontaneously decide to get outside!
**Note: This does not include the items that I wear. This is a list of things that go in my backpack. The spreadsheet at the bottom of the page contains a full list of items.
I really love Osprey Packs because they fit well on my back and are durable. I like this pack when I go on especially long day hikes or even ultralight overnights.
Cheaper/Smaller Option
I take this jacket with me everywhere. It’s durable, it holds out water well, and I’ve always stayed dry.
Cheaper Option
- Frogg Toggs Action Poncho
- Black Garbage Bag
I use this for long day hikes when I know there won’t be a water source near by. This can carry up to 3 liters of water. I really like the zip feature because there are less moving parts and you can add ice and mix-in’s really easily.
Cheaper Option
I will typically carry 2 or 3 of these tablets. There are directions on the glass bottles that tell you exactly how many tablets per liter. Also, I always buy these with the PA plus which takes the iodine taste and color away which is nice and is like 2 dollars more. (50 tablets in each bottle)
Cheaper Option
- Bleach. Sometimes I carry a small eye dropper full of bleach and drop 1 or 2 drops and wait 30 minutes.
I have two of these! I love my BUFF Headwear. I wear them in the summer to keep the sun off my neck and in the winter to keep my neck from freezing.
Cheaper Option
I like this first aid kit because it was cheap, meant for 2 people, and it doesn’t come with a bunch of crap you don’t need.
Customizing Options
- Mix and match your own in a plastic bag
- I have customized mine to fit my needs (1 man, 2 man etc.)
- Use this list as a guide and tailor it to your needs!
Click here for a workable excel spreadsheet to make your own day hiking checklist! Again, I am happy to share all of my resources to you for FREE! Day Hiking Spreadsheet
| Day Hike Checklist | Item | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Day Pack | Osprey Packs Talon 22 Backpack, Onyx Black, Medium/Large | Yes |
| Rain gear | Marmot Men’s Precip Jacket – Black Large | Yes (10 essentials) |
| Trail maps/guidebooks | Click to find maps I use and recommend | Yes (10 essentials) |
| Compass/GPS | Suunto A-10 Recreational Field Compass | Yes (10 essentials) |
| Water | Platypus Big Zip LP Reservoir, 3-Liter | Yes (10 essentials) |
| Water treatment system | Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets with PA Plus
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter Sawyer Products SP128 Mini Water Filtration System, Single, Blue |
Yes (10 essentials) |
| First aid kit/medications | REI Day Hikers First Aid Kit | Yes (10 essentials) |
| Flashlight | Petzl Tactikka + (110 lumens), Desert | Yes (10 essentials) |
| fire starters | Bic Mini Lighter
Magnesium Survival Fire Starter – Water Proof |
Yes (10 essentials) |
| Snacks/extra snacks | KIND Nuts & Spices, Dark Chocolate Nuts These are my favorite |
Yes (10 essentials) |
| Sunscreen/chap stick | I use whatever sunblock my wife buys | Yes (10 essentials) |
| Hat | Outdoor Research Rain Hat, Black | Yes (10 essentials) |
| Pocket knife | CRKT Minimalist Knife
Deejo Linerlock Stainless Steel 15Gram Knife |
No |
| Sunglasses | Knockaround Fort Knocks Polarized Wayfarer Sunglasses | No |
| Camera | Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP Digital SLR | No, I use my phone or lug around my SLR |
| Buff/Bandana | Hugger Mugger Buff Headwear | No |
| Cell phone | I have a Samsung s5 | No, but I carry mine |
| Notepad/pen | Moleskine Classic Notebook | No |
| Hiking stick/poles | Leki Makalu Retro Trekking Poles | No |
| Ziplock bags | Waterproof stuff | No |