What's the Right Gear for a Day Hike? | What I bring on all my hikes, and why
What's the Right Gear for a Day Hike? | What I bring on all my hikes, and why
Do I need to take gear for a day hike? What gear should I bring for my hike? What is the right hiking gear for dogs? The answer of what gear to bring on a day hike will depend on personal preference, local conditions, as well as experience. I will show you everything I take on my day hikes and talk about why I bring each of those items. I’ll also show you items I take depending on different conditions. Different hikers will have different approaches to what the right gear for day hikes is, but my philosophy is that it’s better to be prepared. I would love to know what gear you take for your day hikes, or if you think there is something I’m leaving out of my gear loadout that you think should be there!
📺Watch Next📺
-Osprey Talon 33 Review: https://youtu.be/VKFMmKoDVsc
-DIY Hiking First Aid Kit: https://youtu.be/EavLsriDA9w
-Trail Runners for Hiking & Backpacking: https://youtu.be/I1j6tSdCMBc
-Amazing Slot Canyon Hike with my Daughter: https://youtu.be/mza8Kp3wB8A
🏕️ 👉 Help Support AND Shape Dose of Dirt through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DoseofDirt
You can vote in polls to help decide what gear to buy, test, review, and then give away to Patreon members! All gear purchased with Patreon funds will be given away to Patreon members! (Lots of other benefits too!)
⚙Gear List with Links (if applicable)⚙
-Osprey Talon 33: https://amzn.to/3yC0qlK
1. Navigation
2. Power bank: https://amzn.to/3z5a0N4
3. Calories
4. Water (Katadyn Befree): https://amzn.to/3A4xT8R
5. First Aid Kit (link to my DIY first aid kit video: https://youtu.be/EavLsriDA9w)
6. Emergency Blanket: https://amzn.to/38WHfHP
7. Knife or multitool: https://amzn.to/2Xg2OR6
8. Light
9. Extra layers
10. Buff
11. Cell phone
12. Poop shovel & TP
Bonus items from first aid kit:
a. Anti-chafe cream (SNB): https://amzn.to/3E6JYN3
b. Water treatment tablets & gallon ziploc bag: https://amzn.to/3tHhmFu
c. Sunblock
Items depending on conditions:
a. Packable rain jacket (got it in London and don’t have a link. Sorry!)
b. Puffy coat (Costco baby!)
c. Microspikes: https://amzn.to/38YT5kq
Dog Gear:
a. Leashes (leash I use I love: https://www.k9lifelinestore.com/product/k9-lifeline-transitional-leash/ )
b. Tons of water (Ruffwear ultralight bowl: https://amzn.to/2Vya7mr )
c. Treats (Aid dried food: https://amzn.to/3E8LIW7)
d. Poop bags (compostable poop bags I use: https://amzn.to/3tzFFov)
Some of the links above are affiliate links. Buying things with the links doesn’t change the amount you pay, but helps support the channel since I would get a percentage of the sale. Thank you so much for supporting Dose of Dirt!
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Jeff at Dose of Dirt
P.O. Box 173
Aldie, VA 20105
🔖Bookmarks🔖
0:00 Intro
0:29 Do I need to take gear for just a day hike?
0:54 Favorite day pack
1:01 12 items I take
6:11 Bonus items from DIY first aid kit (link to this video here: )
6:48 Items I take depending on conditions
7:29 Dog gear for a day hike
8:22 Total Weight
8:47 Wrap up
REMEMBER, LIFE IS BETTER WITH SOME DIRT IN IT!
Bonjour de France, nouvel abonné ! dude
Nice to discover you today. Thank you for sharing these tips for hiking. New subscribers here. Have a great day
Is 40l rucksack too large for a day hike even with wild swimming? I’ve got micro fibre towels and bags for wet gear but 40l now seems quite large though I could be wrong?
Nice job. Thank you!
lk6 thanks for sharing 🙂
have a nice day friend!
Very helpful! I’ve been thinking about upgrading my daily walks to taking hikes, at least once a week with my schedule and endurance levels at the moment.
I use a life strew water bottle. You can always find a spring in the mountains. I usually pack lite.
Hey bud, saw your comment on my latest video but it disappeared again! Don’t want you to think I’m being rude. Lol
Thank you for not being hung up on big brand names.
I have been hiking for years but love watching these videos to make sure I’m not missing anything – great overview! We pack pretty much the same stuff – my small power bank also serves as a battery charger for an 18650 battery which I can swap into my headlamp if needed as well.
Dog leash is a good idea. Recently hiking on a leash free trail my dog and me encounted a sick(rabies or distemper) racoon. I was able to leash my dog and keep her safe.
The only thing I would add is Hand Sanitizer. That has helped more often than I can count especially when having to administer first aid or just before eating too. So limited with bathrooms around too so after using the waste outdoor, it’s always good to have in hand
Good picks for a day bag. I have similar gear in mine plus a bit more. I think it is better to be prepared too. Take care.
Tick and moskito repellent. We are swamped with ticks here. They don’t even lie dormant in the winter anymore as it is far too warm most years, so tick repellent it is year round for me. Have you ever considered buying wee doggo backpacks for your dogs for them to bring their own bowls, water and food. Most dogs love to do this makes them feel working dogs and sooo important 😉 I’d get one if the dog I am walking now wasn’t a mini poodle. All he could schlepp weightwise would be his treats and that would be kind of counter productive. 😀 Once again great video!
Tick remover and an afterbyte pen. i don’t leave home without it. Lyme is still not cureable.
🏕 👉 Help Support AND Shape Dose of Dirt through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DoseofDirt
You can vote in polls to help decide what gear to buy, test, review, and then give away to Patreon members! All gear purchased with Patreon funds will be given away to Patreon members! (Lots of other benefits too!)
⚙Gear List with Links (if applicable)⚙
-Osprey Talon 33: https://amzn.to/3yC0qlK
1. Navigation
2. Power bank: https://amzn.to/3z5a0N4
3. Calories
4. Water (Katadyn Befree): https://amzn.to/3A4xT8R
5. First Aid Kit (link to my DIY first aid kit video: https://youtu.be/EavLsriDA9w)
6. Emergency Blanket: https://amzn.to/38WHfHP
7. Knife or multitool: https://amzn.to/2Xg2OR6
8. Light
9. Extra layers
10. Buff
11. Cell phone
12. Poop shovel & TP
Bonus items from first aid kit:
a. Anti-chafe cream (SNB): https://amzn.to/3E6JYN3
b. Water treatment tablets & gallon ziploc bag: https://amzn.to/3tHhmFu
c. Sunblock
Items depending on conditions:
a. Packable rain jacket (got it in London and don’t have a link. Sorry!)
b. Puffy coat (Costco baby!)
c. Microspikes: https://amzn.to/38YT5kq
Dog Gear:
a. Leashes (leash I use I love: https://www.k9lifelinestore.com/product/k9-lifeline-transitional-leash/ )
b. Tons of water (Ruffwear ultralight bowl: https://amzn.to/2Vya7mr )
c. Treats (Aid dried food: https://amzn.to/3E8LIW7)
d. Poop bags (compostable poop bags I use: https://amzn.to/3tzFFov)
Some of the links above are affiliate links. Buying things with the links doesn’t change the amount you pay, but helps support the channel since I would get a percentage of the sale. Thank you so much for supporting Dose of Dirt!
Great video, thanks for sharing your experience.
Eye drops and electrolytes
I walk trails, 1-6 hours. I don’t really like backpacks. I’ve been carrying a small crossbody shoulder bag, or leaving my gear at home.
Debating whether to leave the gear behind or getting a vest.
I want to carry two waters, phone and power brick, first aid with a cohesive bandage, bug spray, bear spray, knife, siren, little flashlight.
Thinking about a vest for gear, but not sure it would work for a woman with a chest.
Wow.. I had no idea that anti-chaffing crème existed!! What’s the name of that company?
Great information video my friend, thank you for sharing it. Stay safe out there. 😊
You know I just found you because of your vivoactive 3 review. I’ve been watching some of your other videos and subscribed. All great suggestions and I bring most of them too. I almost aways bring something to sit on either a Z-Seat or my new favorite, a flannel-lined waxed canvas ground cloth. It’s just big enough to protect my torso if I want to lay down and watch some clouds at a lookout. On longer day hikes, I include an emergency kit, in addition to what you’ve mentioned before it includes a whistle, fire making kit & cordage. P.S. I love the Dime multi-tool also – small & versatile.
I’d also recommend considering a rescue harness for your doggos
Thanks for this brother, I am going to zion in May and Bryce canyon, this is much needed info.
Great tips thanks!
Just came across your channel, great job. Should have many more subs.
Good video. As a long time survival instructor and (world) traveler (hiker/backpacker) I live by the 5 P’s (Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance). I carry a loud whistle around my neck for day and night signaling. Of course it’s best if you learn how to really use a map and compass but even if you don’t I still recommend a simple compass and some print out of the area. I would add a lighter or other fire lighting device, zipp ties, some duct tape wrapped around and old credit card, some cordage, etc. I like your mindset about also helping out others who didn’t come prepared.
Why do people complain about POOP so much. It’s NATURAL. If it’s fresh it may stink. But it’s supposed to. You can take a crap in the middle of the trail. If I step IN it oh well. THAT’S MY FAULT FOR NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO WHERE I’M GOING ! I’ll just have to deal with it later.
Quit being a baby. Grow up and learn to deal with it.
Pay attention to what you’re doing. Instead of blaming everybody else but you’re an ability to pay attention. I’ve stepped in it before & I’ll probably step it again. That’s life !
Nice sharing, great tips! 💖👍💯🙏
Nice video. Essential items, all of them, and wouldn’t take anything out. Going to one up you on this and say, zip ties. Weigh nothing, have come in handy for us on 2 occasions. 1, had a zipper fail on an old backpack, were able to cinch it back up enough to get us through with a combination of zip tie and carabiner. Second was a broken chain on crampons, and the main reason we carry them. Allowed us to replace the broken link, get them back functioning, and get us off a mountain. Super clutch. I’m also positive there about 50 uses for zip ties I can’t even think of. They fit well in the first aid kit.
A) First, this video is great.
B) many things made me smile because of our overlap. I get teased all the time by my wife and live in niece that I carry too much but they always eat my “extra” snacks and drink my “extra” water. Lol
C) I carry the leatherman version of your multi tool. I recently got it and absolutely love the tiny size, light weight and legitimate functionality without a ton of weight. By far better than the huge knife or heavy multi tool I carried in my younger years. (Pro-tip one version has a big scissors and the other has a pliers as the main large tool.
D) I didn’t know where to ask this. I wanted to know what sunglasses you wear. I am legally blind and have an annoying level of eye sensitivity. I switched to high end glacier glasses a few years back due to the light blocking available. Your sunglasses seem to provide a large amount of sun protection but since you use them for running I imagine that they breath better than glacier glasses. What brand are they? Do they breath well? Do they block bright light well?
Thanks for all the great videos.
TOTALLY agree with you, I’d rather pack for bear and not need it than need it and not have it and end up a statistic somewhere….because U didn’t take the basic survival gear. I’d add 2 contractor bags. 1 for shelter and one to stuff with leaves if you had to sleep on it.
Great advice dude. I have Alltrails pro too and it rocks (most of the time). I still rock the Sawyer but the BeFree seems to be the new rage.
Good info, nice presentation. Good advice on water. I live and hike in Arizona. I have given water to other hikers I’ve come across on the trail many times, some of them with really bad dehydration.