Everything you need for a hike: a clear, REI-backed checklist

Start with the basics: day-hike versus longer outings

REI defines a day hike as any outing finished in a single day, ranging from a short park stroll to a 12-hour mountain trek. The longer and more remote the hike, and the worse the weather, the more clothing, food, water and safety gear you should carry.

The Ten Essentials and core checklist

Navigation, shelter, first aid and tools are part of REI’s Ten Essentials framework. Items in the Ten Essentials are adaptable to your trip based on weather, difficulty, duration and distance from help. REI offers printer-friendly PDFs of recommended checklists so you can mark items off while packing.

• Hiking pack appropriate to trip length (from bottle slings and waist packs to 10–20 litre daypacks)
• Weather-appropriate clothing and layers
• Hiking footwear suited to terrain
• Plenty of food and water
• Navigation tools (map, compass, GPS/phone)
• First-aid kit or supplies
• Knife or multi-tool

Clothing and layering

REI recommends dressing in layers and checking the forecast before you go. Key garment types to consider include:

• Base layers: moisture-wicking underwear and shirts
• Insulating layer: lightweight fleece or jacket
• Outer layer: rainwear (jacket and pants) or waterproof shell for wet conditions

Additional items for cold or wet conditions include long underwear, an insulated jacket, gloves, warm hat and gaiters. Comfort and freedom of movement are important, and extra clothes are advised for hikes longer than a couple of hours.

Footwear

Let terrain and distance determine footwear choice. For smooth, easy trails, hiking shoes, trail-running shoes or hiking sandals may suffice. For rocky or long hikes, hiking boots offer more support and stability. For water crossings, choose footwear that dries quickly or waterproof boots. Whatever you pick, footwear should be well-fitted and broken in.

Navigation and planning

Navigation is one of the Ten Essentials. REI advises carrying at least one navigation method and a backup especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. Recommended tools include:

• Map
• Compass
• Altimeter watch (optional)
• GPS and smartphone apps (noting apps may fail with poor or no cell service)
• Route description or guidebook (optional)

For safety, REI suggests leaving two itineraries: one with a friend and one under your car seat.

Food and water planning

Pack easy-to-eat trail snacks and, for longer hikes, a lunch and extra day’s supply of food. For water, REI offers a starting guideline of about 1 litre per person per hour of hiking, with adjustments for length, intensity, weather, age and personal sweat rate. Recommended items include water bottles or a reservoir and, for backcountry trips, a water filter/purifier or chemical treatment.

Emergency gear and first aid

Carry a first-aid kit or first-aid supplies on every outing and more comprehensive supplies for longer hikes. REI lists common first-aid and emergency items:

• First-aid kit or supplies
• Pain medication, antiseptic wipes and blister treatment
• Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
• Whistle and personal locator devices (satellite messenger/personal locator beacon for remote trips)
• Lightweight emergency shelter, firestarter (lighter/matches) and a small gear-repair kit

REI also recommends carrying personal items like phone and ID, and keeping emergency supplies in your car if you aren’t carrying them on your person.

Health, hygiene and sun protection

Packed health and hygiene items can include hand sanitizer, menstrual products, toilet paper, insect repellent and baby wipes. For sun protection, REI lists sunscreen, sunglasses (with straps), sun hat or visor and SPF-rated lip balm.

Optional extras and trip-specific gear

Depending on the hike, REI suggests optional items such as trekking poles, winter traction devices, headlamp, binoculars, interpretive guides, two-way radios and an outdoor journal. Choose optional gear to match activity, duration and environmental conditions.

Practical packing tip

Use REI’s printer-friendly checklists and adapt them to your trip. The lists are deliberately comprehensive tailor them to the weather, difficulty and distance from help for the safest outcome.