Day Hiking Gear Essentials : What to Pack for Dayhikes!

It's THE central question that every hiker asks himself the day before or the day before, or even the week or month before, setting off on an excursion, depending on how stressed he is.
 

It's a serious question... which I can answer by paraphrasing a famous Fernand Raynaud* sketch:
 

‘It depends... if it's windy... if it's raining...’.
 

But to go further, let's review the contents of the Hiker's Vademecum, in the light of my experience as a mountain guide, which is what it is, but which may be useful to those who are in a fog.

Necessary equipment
 

While there is a common base for all types of trek, there is a variable element depending on the destination chosen. The aim is to have everything we need, without loading up our bags with things that would be a burden both for ourselves and for the transporters who take our luggage to the stage. Travelling light while still having everything we need to ensure that our trek runs smoothly should be a constant concern when we pack our bags.

Hiking equipment
 

Some of this equipment will be kept close at hand in the rucksack. It includes :
 

• Shoes
• Socks
• Trousers and shorts
• T-shirts and shirts
• Fleeces and jackets
   

First and foremost, of course, are your shoes. They must be suitable for the walk you are going to do. Just because you were dazzled on a trek in Nepal to see the porters on the trails in flip-flops doesn't mean you should go for minimalism at all costs. There are enough models on the market today to find... something to suit you.
 

The problem today, in the age of programmed obsolescence, is that shoes don't age well. Misuse is another factor in wear and tear. Don't use your summer hiking boots for winter snowshoeing. They will age even faster. What's more, even if you don't use them much during the year, you should be aware that after 5 or 6 years, problems will arise. The glues, in particular, become ineffective, turning evenings spent by the fireside into repair sessions.

Of course, if you hate the disposable world, you can always opt for the good old ‘Galibier super guide’, but in this case, it's the foot that adapts to the shoe and not the other way round. Hello blisters! ‘Your boots will give you bells’, to use the words of Belgian hikers.
 

As for the rest of the equipment, there's no need to overdo it. Thanks to contemporary fabrics, there's no need to bring a T-shirt every day. Two are enough for an 8-day trek. Clothes can be washed at the accommodation and dried in two or three hours. The same goes for socks. Two to three pairs max in the luggage to follow. This will enable you to meet the three basic rules: plan for hot, cold and rain, without overloading yourself unnecessarily.
 

Plan for the heat
 

In the Cyclades as in the Alps, heat is one of the hiker's enemies. A good hat, effective sun cream, quality sunglasses (factor 4 for snow hikes) and plenty of water are your main allies.

Allow 2 litres of water for a 5-6 hour walk, and ask about refuelling facilities along the way. In hot countries, you should expect to drink 2 litres of water for a 3 to 4 hour walk..

Water bottle? Water pouch? Water bottle? The choice is yours. The advantage of a water pouch is that it keeps you hydrated at all times. Some people criticise its ‘plastic’ taste. A few drops of lemon juice will make up for this. In Greece, you don't need to carry a water bottle. Everyone drinks bottled water, which is infinitely cheaper than in France. Finally, if you use a screw-top bottle, make sure you close it properly. On more than one occasion, I've seen a water bottle emptied into my rucksack, with all the consequences you can imagine!
 

Preparing for the cold
 

Everyone knows that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. By multiplying the layers you will be able to cope with a sudden deterioration in the weather. In your rucksack for long crossings or mountain trips, pack: a pair of fleece gloves, a hat, a fleece jumper, a fleece jacket and a Goretex-type jacket or down jacket..

When hiking in the Mediterranean in September, it's obvious that you need to lighten up. Just keep a light fleece jacket and/or windbreaker just in case.

Anticipating the rain
 

Obviously, there is some debate. I don't deny it. As far as I'm concerned, the rain cape is an instrument of torture invented by industrialists who love to plunge hikers into a steam bath by hiding their feet. I hate the rain cape and prefer... the umbrella combined with a Goretex-type jacket. Mind you, not just any umbrella! Not just any umbrella bought in a hurry for 5 euros at a market. It has to be able to withstand the wind, as well as providing shelter. Eight ribs and wind resistance you can trust. There are more and more umbrellas dedicated to hiking that are easily accessible on the internet for as little as 30 euros. Now, if you're a rain cape fan, it's always better than nothing.

Rucksack
 

All your equipment for the day can be packed into a rucksack of sufficient size. There's no need to pack a 50-litre rucksack if you're hiking on the Greek islands. But you should still pack a bag big enough for your personal belongings, water and your share of the picnic. If you're travelling in a group, you'll still need to pack a minimum size bag.
 

27 to 30 litres is the minimum, below which you will have to rely on the others to carry your share, which may not be to their liking! If the hike includes a night in a mountain hut, a 45-litre bag is the minimum, so that you can fit in your nappy, bag sheet and toothbrush. If the mountain hike does not include an overnight portage, a 40-litre bag is sufficient. Generally speaking, all recent bags come with a bag cover to protect your belongings in case of rain. If not, consider buying one.

It's all in the bag
 

The essentials
 

• Identity papers and travel tickets
   

Make sure you keep a close eye on these essential documents, the loss of which can cause so much inconvenience. Identity card or passport, bank card and European social security card should preferably be placed in a waterproof pocket and kept with you or in a safe place in the hotel.
 

In some countries, cash is still very important. Make sure you have enough to buy yourself a few drinks and local products. Without emptying your bank account, always have a minimum amount in cash. One hundred euros for a week doesn't seem excessive to me, and can cover a trip to the chemist, the purchase of an object from a craftsman, one or two museum tickets, a taxi ride home if you get tired, not forgetting the drinks and pastries afterwards. In any case, you can take the extra home with you.

• Pharmacy
  Talking about a trekking pharmacy should not encourage you to bring your entire family pharmacy. The principle is to take a few units of each treatment to deal with any problems. Three paracetamol tablets, or a few bandages, for example, rather than whole boxes.
  Don't forget your personal treatments. The whole set will easily fit into a small box.
   
• Knife
  A small plastic box at the bottom of your rucksack can be used for the picnic knife. If you regularly lose your things, opt for the Opinel (or similar), which won't leave you with much remorse if you forget it in accommodation or in the wild.

• Hiking poles
  Remember that three-core poles are perfect for slipping into the bottom of your travel bag during air transfers.

• Smartphone and/or camera
  In my career as a guide, I've seen it all. I can assure you: just because you bring along a huge ‘Ninon’ or ‘Cakon’ loaded with zooms and lenses doesn't mean you'll take great photos.
  Photography is a way of looking at things. You need a subject + light + framing. After all these years, I remember above all two sumptuous montages that were sent to me afterwards by participants in hikes. One had been done with an ordinary bridge camera, the other with a quality compact. It takes a quasi-professional to get the most out of technical equipment that weighs so much and requires so much technical attention during a hike that isn't specifically dedicated to shooting. It's impossible to take a lot of time to set the scene. You still have to walk! See our blog article on photo equipment.

• Headlamp
  Indispensable if you want to move around independently in the refuges and on hikes such as Madeira, where there is one tunnel after another along the levadas. Beware, lamps are one of the most forgotten items in accommodation, along with knives. I'm a great specialist in them myself. It's worth noting that the new battery-operated lamps, which charge via USB, offer undeniable convenience and mean you don't need to take a set of spare batteries. The lamp I use, once charged, lasts for more than two weeks of hiking. In the event of a breakdown, you can use the ‘torch’ applications on your smartphone and don't forget the charger cable.
   

  Bag to follow
  A huge question... It's normal to want to take a little more than you need when you sign up for a star trek with accommodation in a single hotel. But here again, there's no such thing as too much.

Don't take advantage of the hike to re-read Memoirs from Beyond the Grave or to sort out your collection of irons. Remember that the person carrying your belongings is first and foremost you. If the bag is too heavy for you, remove any unnecessary weight.  If you're on a touring trip, consider using transporters. Some of them - particularly in France - refuse to do the work of loading luggage into the vehicle. And when it's cold in the morning, you risk having your kidneys turn if your bag is too heavy! But that doesn't mean you can't bring one or two outfits for evenings out. Small, lightweight hairdryers are sufficient for hiking.

During a long crossing, I had a hiker whose only bag to follow was a suitcase weighing no more than 6 or 7 kilos. At each stage, he started with 15 minutes of washing and that was it. He had everything he needed and won the admiration of the other participants.
 

A word about toiletries. There are lightweight toilet bags for travelling, small toothbrushes and small tubes of toothpaste. But you already know that.
 

If you want to save space, there are squeezable bags that can be emptied by rolling the bag on itself. They really save space.
 

Finally, don't forget the small sewing kit in the bag to follow, earplugs or Earplugs if you want a good night's sleep in the refuge, a two-metre-long piece of string, two or three clothes pegs, a small multiple socket to charge your smartphone in the only accessible socket in the refuge, without causing a riot, and you're ready for your adventure!
 

*For younger readers, Fernand Raynaud was a comedian of the fifties and sixties, considered by some to be infinitely funnier and by others to be infinitely less funny than contemporary comedians. The sketch mentioned is entitled ‘Le fût du canon’ (‘The barrel of the cannon’).
 

Text and photo credits © François Ribard, Grand Angle guide