A Day Hike Packing List

A Day Hike Packing List

By Christina Cozzens

By a gal who’s hiked all the 4,000-footers in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, Mt. Whitney, Mt. Rainier, The Long Trail, The Colorado Trail, and up to 20,000 ft on Aconcagua.

After spending countless hours outside hiking, I’ve spent plenty of time refining my kit to be as light, functional, and weather-ready as possible. From frosty mornings in Colorado to humid New Hampshire scrambles and The Long Trail’s endless roots and rocks, I’ve dialed in a setup that keeps me prepared without overpacking. Here’s what I carry on every day hike.

The Core Kit

  • Pack: Gossamer Gear Grit 28L Fastpack – This pack is the perfect blend of minimal and capable. The vest-style shoulder straps make it ride like a hydration pack, while the roll-top and stretchy mesh pockets make organizing a breeze.
  • Emergency Shelter: Gossamer Gear Solo Tarp – I never hit a New England trail without some form of shelter. Weather changes fast, and the Solo Tarp weighs next to nothing.
  • Poles: Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles – New England (and beyond) terrain is unforgiving. These poles are ultralight, adjustable, and surprisingly tough. Bonus: they double as tarp poles.

Essentials

  • Shoes: Topo Terraventure 4
  • Socks: Tough Cutie
  • Pants: Gnara
  • Sun Hat: OR Sun Runner
  • Sunglasses: Goodr
  • Sun Hoodie: TownShirt
  • Jacket: LL Bean UL 850 Down
  • Map & GPS: Local map & FarOut or AllTrails
  • Compass: Suunto
  • Headlamp: Nitecore NU25
  • Knife: Leatherman Skeletool
  • Lighter
  • Cell Phone
  • Wallet: ID and medical insurance
  • Rain Gear: Frogg Toggs Ultralite Rain Jacket & Pants 

Hydration & Water Treatment

  

First Aid & Toiletries

  • First Aid Kit: Gossamer Gear Storage Sack with moleskin, band-aids, alcohol wipes, Neosporin, and Benadryl
  • Toilet paper & wet wipes
  • Sun Screen: Neutrogena
  • Bug Spray: Ben’s
  • Vitamin I & Motrin
  • Moisture-wicking bra & undies: Ex Officio or Smartwool
  • Other: Hair ties, Flex disc or Saalt cup, Kula Cloth

Food

  • Enough for the hike + extra snacks

New England’s trails are rugged, wild, and unforgettable. With the right kit, they’re also manageable and rewarding. This list has seen me through snow squalls on Mount Washington, bug-swarms in Maine, and everything in between. Hopefully, it helps you stay dry, fueled, and happy on the trail too.

Happy trails!

 

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