Day Hike Pack

You Have To Carry Stuff

Pockets quickly run out of room (unless you are Harry Potter) so most of us wear packs. In them we carry the things we need to sustain and comfort us while we're away from cars and buildings and (mostly) other people.

Pick a Pack

• Capacity of 500 cu. in. (8 liter).
• 2 Bottle holders, big enough for quarts or liters.
• External straps to attach gear.
• External loops to hang stuff with carabiners.
• Secondary outer pocket.
• Secondary inner pocket.

We prefer a lumbar pack (aka waist pack, fanny pack) over a backpack. It takes weight off the spine and lowers the hiking center of gravity (along with your sweat spot, if you care). Our current favorite is the Mountainsmith Tour TLS*, circa 2011. In addition to meeting our basic requirements it has shown itself to be rugged and dependably functional.

The Tour has a padded, ventilated contact surface and a cinch system to keep it snug against the waist. Fully loaded we carry up to 12 pounds each, and it handles that well. Our pack selection is the outcome of an extended trial and error process; witness a pile of predecessor packs in our basement.

Two supplemental additions are a camera pouch and a map sleeve. They have long belt straps that fit over the wide parts of the pack’s front belt. They slide to positions that are conveniently accessed but don't inhibit arm motion.

*As of this writing Mountainsmith has changed some design features on the TLS model and, in our opinion, not for the better. To get almost the same pack we use, get the Mountainsmith Tour Classic Hemp.

Pack a Pack

If you're only trotting from car to overlook (or you are simply an exceptional life form), then by all means just grab your keys and your phone and be off. You can take the money you saved on the pack and spend it on Ray-Bans or, ladies, some silly, tiny, hiking shorts.

Hydration – We strongly recommend Gatorade, as it replenishes electrolytes and gives you an energy bonus (otherwise known as sugar. Yum.) And between us we carry one water bottle as well, saving it for last. If an eyewash or cut cleaning is indicated, Gatorade is just so wrong. Drinks are the heaviest but possibly most critical components of your cargo.

Clothes – Depending on the situation, you want to pack an extra layer or two and possibly a poncho (we don't). Or if you are starting early, peeling off the layers (we usually do), you will need room for them later. Also, our light jackets self-package into pouches that have loops for hanging them on a carabiner.

Eats – We carry 1 portion each of trail mix per half day of hiking, lunch for a longer hike, and then throw in a couple of snack bars. We don't carry ‘what if we're stranded’ rations – they take up valuable space and you will almost certainly survive without them, while feeling uncomfortably hungry and cursing us.

Map – Bring one. Doesn't break if you drop it. Never needs batteries.

Wallet, car keys, phone – when you don't want ‘em in your pants pockets.

• Hang on the outside:
  • Camera – in a belt pouch.
  • GPS – great for leaving a crumb trail and documenting time & distance.
  • Trekking poles – save knees & ankles; fight off mooching squirrels.
  • Hat (ball cap) – hangs on a clip until wanted.
• In the main compartment:
  • Sun screen – you'll want some extra on a longer hike.
  • Bug spray – sometimes you just can't evade the little snots.
  • Trail kit – see below.
• In the outer compartment:
  • Kleenex pack – and put one tissue in your pocket.
  • Ziploc bag or two – use for trash before an empty trail mix bag is available.
• In the inner zip compartment:
  • Small Maglite® flashlight – right, it's a day hike. Start early? Finish late?
  • AA batteries – size fits both the GPS and the flashlight.
  • Pocket knife – Swiss Army style.

Trail Kit

One of us also carries what we call the Trail Kit. It comprises the just-in-case-you-ever-need-‘em's, the odds and ends which, for a minimal volume and weight investment, you might be very grateful you hauled. We are. Our Trail Kit is in an old audio cassette zipper-bag (alright, in this case 'old' is redundant) but any bag or soft box will do. Every kit element is small or short or few to conserve space and weight. For example, there are about 10 Advil in a mini plastic bag as opposed to taking the bottle. The whole batch of stuff weights 1 lb.

• Neosporin® + Pain Relief – smallest tube.
• Artificial tears – for dryness or clean-out.
• ChapStick® – put one in your pocket, this is a spare.
• Band-Aids® – a couple of sizes, 5 or 6 each.
• Gauze bandage – short length.
• Antiseptic wipes – maybe 10, in foil packs.
• Advil® – in a tiny bag.
• Cortaid® – smallest tube.
• Moleskin – for blisters or other foot issues.
• Ace bandage – just enough to help support an ankle.
• Water tablets – much smaller than a purifier tube.
• Matches – 8 or 10 wooden ones in small zipper bag.
• Shoelaces – for tying stuff. Any stuff. Even shoes.
• Electrical tape – a few feet.
• Wire saw – it just seemed so cool there at Bass Pro.
• And a commercial survival kit.

The S.O.L.* Pocket Survival Pak by Adventure Medical Kits is available for around $35** online at REI or Backcountry or Amazon. Practically weightless. Extremely compact. Fits nicely in the bottom of an old audio cassette zipper bag. So why not?

Pak components as of last check: duct tape, safety pins, heavy duty nylon thread, compass, magnifier, scalpel blade, snap swivel, waterproof paper, pencil, sewing needle, aluminum foil, fish hook, sinkers, nylon cord, safety wire, signal mirror, fire starter, tinder, whistle and, yes, survival instructions.

(We recently acquired a more robust, but similarly compact, survival kit by Bear Grylls and have substituted it for the SOL. There are quite a few options.)

* SOL = Survive Outside Longer. Not what you first thought, was it?

** Price, availability and contents are current as of this writing and could change. There. Now we're not liable for anything.

Final Thought

This is what we do. The right day hike pack for you will reflect your own balance of maximum hiking enjoyment and minimum hiking risk. And remember, if you choose it - you carry it!