You probably don’t want to lug around a lot of extra weight if you’re out on a hike, especially if it’s hot and you’re hiking uphill. The heavier your supplies, the faster you will become tired and your back will start hurting. What’s the best way to pack efficiently for a short hike?
What Kind of Bag Should I Bring?
If you are hiking a short trail (under two hours’ completion time) that is well-trafficked, you can probably get by with a smaller drawstring backpack or sling pack, as long as the straps don’t dig into your shoulders and make you uncomfortable. Your water may still make your bag a little heavy, but if you aren’t bringing much else, you won’t need a full-size backpack.
For anything longer, you’ll want to invest in a hiking backpack. Look for one with these features:
- Wide shoulder straps that won’t dig into your skin
- Hip / waist belt to help relieve some of the burden from your back and shoulders
- Waterproof
- Side pockets for easy access to commonly used items
Those are the minimum requirements I would look for. There are other features that might be important to you, such as hydration pack compatibility or ability to secure trekking poles, so if you believe you would find those features useful, then go for it.
What Should I Pack in My Hiking Bag?
Water: This is the single-most important item you need to bring. Even if it’s a cold day and you know your hike will be short, bring plenty of water with you. You never know what could happen. You could injure yourself and be stranded for hours waiting for help if you’re alone in a low-trafficked area with no cell reception. Sports drinks with electrolytes are a good idea as well.
Snacks: Even for short hikes, bring a few small snacks with you. Protein and energy bars, trail mix and crackers are good options. Avoid things like chocolate or perishable items that could melt or spoil in the heat.
Sunglasses / Hat / Sunscreen: Especially if you’ll be hiking on a trail with little shade, don’t forget your sun protection! You could still get sunburned in the cold or the shade.
Bug Spray / Bear Spray: You never know what you might encounter on a trail. There’s nothing worse than realizing you’ve walked straight into Mosquito Hell without any repellent. And if there’s a chance that there could be bears in your area, bear spray isn’t a bad idea either.
First Aid Kit: A simple pre-packaged kit from a drugstore should do, but if you’re putting one together yourself in a pinch, make sure to include alcohol wipes, gauze, bandages of various sizes, safety pins, gloves, tweezers, tape, antiseptic cream, antihistamine and ibuprofen.
Phone: This one goes without saying, but don’t forget your phone! You’ll need it for navigation, communication, and for taking photos of all the great spots you find along your hike!