When out on the trail, the hiking gear you take is all you have to rely on until you get back to the comfort and safety of civilisation. It is up to you to determine the essential equipment that you carry and wear to make your hike both safe and enjoyable. Failing to bring along the right gear may result in a miserable experience or worse.
What you carry in your day pack obviously depends on the weather, terrain, time of year and a number of other factors. Whether I’m going for a two-hour walk or a day-long hike my checklist for day hikes always starts with the required Ten Essentials. Make your gear selection based on weather and the remoteness of destination, as well as the experience and preferences of your group.
The following pages cover gear that I find useful when out on the trail. Please leave your comments and suggestions so that they may benefit others.
Anywhere on the trail, you can have a fun debate about what are the 10 essentials to take on every hike. There are no hard and fast rules and every hiker will have different want’s needs and likes. This checklist should be a good starting point for the gear that is essential for your safety and enjoyment.
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