What To Wear On A Day Hike: My Hiking Kit & Essentials

Over the course of the past few years hiking has gone from an occasional hobby to one of my biggest passions. I regularly head off on trips that are purely focused on lacing up my boots and getting out in nature. One thing’s for sure, spending weeks consecutively hiking day after day through varying conditions has definitely allowed me to determine my preferred hiking kit choices.

Below you will find a list of the basics I use pretty much every time I head out for a day hike. These items have been tried and tested over multiple years, trips and trails and have withstood the test of time so I feel comfortable recommending them to you! Scroll below to find what to wear on a day hike:

Before we hop in, if you’re brand new to hiking then please do check out my Beginner’s Guide to Hiking!

What to Wear on a Day Hike:

Hiking Shoes or Boots:

The shoes I wear totally depends on the hike I am going to do.

For shorter day hikes I am comfortable in my hiking trainers, the Adidas Free Hikers
On longer day hikes and more challenging routes I wear my sturdy boots. For boots, I always recommend going in for a proper fitting in an outdoor store such as Cotswold Outdoor as they can tailor them to your specific feet and needs. My personal favourite pair are these ones from Merrell. They are super light-weight and don’t need breaking in.

Tops:

I swear by two different tops when I am hiking.

The Adanola tank bra is a cropped vest with built in support which sits perfect above shorts or leggings. I have it in multiple colours since I wear it so much!
The Lululemon Align tank top is another cropped vest with built in support, but with a slightly different neckline. Again, I have it in multiple colours since it is such a staple in my hiking wardrobe.

Leggings and Shorts:

On my lower half, I go for one of a few options:|

My favorite leggings are the Lululemon Align ones with pockets. They do the job, are super comfy and sit high on my waist.
If I want a more sporty legging then I opt for the Lululemon Fast and Free leggings, again with pockets.
If it is a hot day I opt for either the Lululemon Wunder Train shorts, LNDR Peachy Keen shorts or the Zero Gravity Sweaty Betty shorts as they all have pockets.

A Waterproof Jacket:

This is one of the key items in your hiking wardrobe. I recommend choosing one which is designed for extreme weather, has GORE-TEX and fully taped seams. They can be pricey but it means it is seriously waterproof. Here are my top choices:

The Keela Stratus Jacket is my most worn waterproof. It is great for chillier days as it also has an inner lining.
My second favourite is the Cyclone Rescue Jacket by RevolutionRace which is specifically designed for hiking and is more lightweight.

A Day Backpack:

A good backpack is a game changer when you start doing longer hikes. I recommend getting one with hip straps, chest straps and space for a water bladder. For day hikes I tend to use a 20-30 litre pack. My backpack brand of choice is Osprey and the pack I personally use is the Osprey Tempest 30 Litre Pack.

A Backpack Cover:

Backpacks are designed to be waterproof, but when you’re in torrential rain for hours it is always better to be safe than sorry which is why I always carry an additional waterproof backpack cover. The one I use is the Osprey Ultra Light Backpack Cover.

Drybags:

I always have my valuables kept inside a dry bag within my backpack for extra safety in case of a downpour. I have so many different ones ranging from 4 litres up to 15 litres depending on what I am carrying, but I tend to use the Osprey Drysacks.

Waterproof Trousers:

These are an essential if the heavens really open, they protect your lower half and help keep you warm. I use a pair from Berghaus and they have never let me down.

A Water Bladder:

It is super important to stay hydrated when hiking, but constantly taking your bottle in and out of your bag can be a hassle. That’s why I always use a 2.5 litre water bladder which I attach to my backpack and allows for easy drinking through a tube. Again, I use an Osprey one (can you tell I like this brand?!).

Socks:

I like a chunky but breathable sock, I usually go for Merino Wool ones which are great at regulating your temperature but on soggy days I opt for SealSkinz who specialise in waterproof socks.

Warm Accessories:

I always recommend bringing warm accessories such as a hat, gloves and a buff.

A buff is a type of neck warmer which really helps keep you warm on chillier trails, I have a plain black buff which I use regularly.
For hats, again I opt for merino wool to keep my temperature regulated.
When it comes to gloves, SealSkinz are a great waterproof option.

Warm Layers:

The layers that you bring totally depend on the nature of the hike and the weather, but I usually like to take an extra layer or two just to be safe. On warmer days I bring a lightweight fleece and on cooler days I bring a packable insulating layer – on the coldest days I bring both.

A Microfibre Towel:

If you’re like me and enjoy stopping off mid-hike for a swim, then a microfibre changing robe is going to be your best friend. They are lightweight, pack down pretty small and allow you to change into your swimmers anywhere and everywhere. Plus they dry off super fast too!

A Torch/Head Torch:

For your safety, I always recommend carrying a head torch or small torch with you. If you get lost and it turns dark, this could be the difference between you getting home or not. I carry a small 650 lumen head torch with me as well as extra batteries/a portable charger.

A First Aid Kit:

This is an essential for obvious reasons, the outdoors is a place where you could easily take a fall or get an injury so it is always wise to carry some first aid essentials.

A Sunscreen & Bug Repellent:

Sunny days on hiking trails can lead to many hours exposed to bright direct sunlight, so I always bring some Coola sunscreen spray. Also, in areas where there are mosquitos I bring a bottle of natural bug repellent – my favourite is Incognito.

A Portable Charger:

It is very likely that you are using your phone to help you navigate the trails with numerous hiking apps and maps emerging onto the market. I personally often use AllTrails, which can be a bit of a battery zapper, so I always carry a portable Anker phone charger in my backpack.

A Map & Compass:

Last but not least, even if you’re using a hiking app or digital map, I recommend bringing a hard copy map of the area as well as a compass. Even if you don’t end up using them, it is always important to have a backup navigation system.

Of course the kit you need to take on a hike varies from trail to trail and day to day, but I wanted to outline the basics which I use and love on a regular basis. Hiking in nature is unpredictable and as much as we like to think we can predict the weather, we ultimately can’t control it, so it is always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. I hope you found this article on what to wear on a day hike useful.

Happy hiking!

Zanna xx