Spring/Fall Day Hike Packing List
October 17, 2013
The always up to date guide to what’s in my pack! Geared for a Spring/Fall day hike where you are expecting sun but there is a chance of rain.
Last Updated: 9/09/2015
This is a full gear list including both packed and worn items.
- Trekking Poles – Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Pole (length – 130 cm)
- I like a longer trekking pole if its the “z-pole” style. That way I can choke up and adjust my length when needed but still have a long option when crossing streams or on steep descents.
- Backpack – Black Diamond Bolt Pack
- This pack is awesome. Best day pack ever
- Hammock – Hummingbird Single Person Hammock + Tree Straps
- Nothing makes people jealous like busting out a hammock at the edge of a lake and kicking up your feet.
- Water Bladder – 2L Hydrapack Reversible Reservoir with Shape Shift
- Bic Lighter
- Headlamp – Black Diamond Storm Headlamp
- 160 lumens in a small dependable, waterproof package.
- Sit Pad – 1′ by 2′ piece of foam I cut from a sleeping pad
- One of my favorite items to take with me. Great for sitting on at lunch, around the fire, using as a small table to keep from losing small items, placed under a pack in your vestibule to keep the bottom of your pack dry, and many more uses.
- Emergency Beacon – Delorme InReach
- GPS – Garmin 62s
- Watch – Suunto Core
- Sun Glasses – Smith Dolen ChromaPop Polarchromic Ignitor Sunglasses
- Puffy Jacket – Outdoor Research Cathode Hooded Jacket
- Rain Jacket – Outdoor Research Helium II
- Hiking Pants – Prana Zion pants
- Hiking Shoes – Salomon XA PRO 3D ULTRA 2 GTX
- These are awesome trail runners that are a bit beefier than the minimalist trail runners that are so popular right now. They are rocking GORETEX, have awesome traction, are lighter than traditional hiking boots, and are comfortable enough I don’t need camp shoes.
- Gaiters – REI Trail Running Gaiters
- I wear gaiters almost more to keep dirt and small rocks from getting in my shoes and causing irritation than to protect against snow or brush. That’s why I go with light weight ones.
- Boxers – ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Boxer Brief
- Socks – Darn Tough Ultralight hiking socks
- Shirt – Outdoor Research Echo 1/4 zip
- Hat – Trucker Hat
- Emergency Survival Gear – Emergency + medical gear packing list
Alternate Items – These are items I swap in or out when the weather changes.
- Sandals – Teva Barracuda
- I like bringing sandals with me when I’m going to be around a lot of water. Either fly fishing or just crossing a lot of streams/rivers.
- Ice/Snow Traction – Kahtoola MICROspikes
- I once got talked into leaving these at home during a early October trip to The Enchantments – huge mistake. Now I always bring them if there is even a slight chance of snow.
- Fly Fishing Rod – Tenkara USA Sato Rod + Flys
- I use a traditional fly rod when I’m not backpacking but I like the quick setup time of a tenkara rod when I’m backpacking for quick casts while hiking.
- Water Filtration – Sawyer Squeeze Mini + Platypus Platy Water Tank
- If there is any question that I might use more than 2L of water this comes along.