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Trip planner

Plan your next hike

Pick the trip, the season and anything special about it. You get a packing list with our top pick for each piece of gear, and the guide that compares the rest.

Trip

Out and back before dark

Season

Warm days, bugs, long light

Conditions

Day hike, summer

0 of 17 packed

01Pack

02Feet and clothing

03Water

04Food and kitchen

05Navigation and safety

06Worth bringing

What should I pack for a day hike?

Water, food, a rain jacket, a warm layer, a headlamp, a first aid kit, a map and sun protection, even on a short trail. Those cover the things that turn a delay into an emergency: getting cold, wet, lost or caught out after dark.

What changes for an overnight trip?

You add shelter, sleep and a kitchen: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, stove and pot, plus a water filter since you can't carry two days of water. A bigger pack follows from that, usually 50 to 65 liters.

What do you need for hut to hut hiking?

Less than you think. Huts provide beds, blankets and meals, so a pack around 30 liters works. Bring a sleeping bag liner, earplugs, cash, your booking confirmations and the usual rain and warm layers.

Picks are ranked from published specs, Amazon buyer reviews and our own research, never paid placement. Want the reasoning? Browse every guide →