10 Hiking Essentials for Safety: What to Pack for Any Trail

Experts weigh in on exactly what you need to bring hiking for just-in-case scenarios.

It’s July 2022. My phone is dead. I’m walking along a forest road outside of Farmington, Utah, intermittently carrying my 60-pound dog on my shoulders because it’s 3 p.m. and the hot dirt road is burning her paws. She cries when I set her down. I’m holding back tears, trying to control my breathing, and not being very successful at that because there’s no more water in my backpack and, by my best estimate, I’m 15 or more miles from my car. It will be dark long before I get there. I haven’t seen anyone since I started hiking at 7 a.m. I’m scared, but mostly, I’m angry at myself for setting off alone and not bringing enough supplies for an emergency. And for not bringing a map—an actual, paper map that can’t die, like my phone did.

I keep trudging. Another hour passes, the sun blistering my shoulders, my dog panting but faithfully walking by my side. A low rumble sounds from a distance. I perk up, hopeful, and sure enough, a few moments later, I see a small truck rolling along. Desperate, I wave my hands in the air; thankfully, they stop. It’s a couple and a young child. They seem surprised to see someone walking out here and offer me water and a handful of snacks. More grateful than I’d ever been, I accept and carry on, not letting my tears spill until they’re out of sight.

Another few minutes pass, and all of a sudden, the truck is behind me. They turned around, worried about where I was going and where I came from. I explained that I hiked up from a lowly trafficked trailhead that morning and couldn’t find my way back down because there was no real trail; I’d bushwhacked my way up; that I decided to take the forest road down, even knowing it was a much longer route. These trail angels graciously offered to drive me back to my car, turning a potentially grave mistake into a minor one.

The next day, I went to a gear shop and bought the 10 essentials. I’ll never hike without them again, not even if I’m just going out for a few hours. The 10 essentials could save your life or that of someone else you meet on the trail. Here’s what you need to pack and why.

Randy England, Director of Marketing Operations and Program Management at Christy Sports, contributed expertise to this article.

1. Navigation

Phones are helpful, but they’re not foolproof. According to Randy England, director of marketing operations and program management at Christy Sports, an outdoor gear outfitter, many hikers rely too heavily on apps like AllTrails, forgetting that batteries die, terrain blocks signals, and water damage is always a risk. A printed topographic map and a compass are non-negotiable—and so is knowing how to use them.

Navigation isn’t just about carrying the tools, England says. It’s about being trained and ready to use them when it counts. In densely forested areas or canyons, GPS can fail. Never assume you’ll have a cell signal. Always carry analog backups, and consider investing in a GPS beacon for more remote areas.

2. Sun Protection

UV exposure is more dangerous than most realize, especially at elevation or on cloudy days. The National Park Service recommends broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, UV-blocking sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.

England also recommends technical sunwear like the prAna Sol Searcher Sun Hoodie, which offers breathable coverage without overheating. You’d be surprised how many hikers get sunburned when it’s overcast.

3. Insulation

Even warm-weather hikes can take a cold turn, especially if you are hiking at high altitudes. Bring layers, especially if your hike involves elevation gain or unpredictable weather.

England advises thinking in systems: base, mid, and outer layers. A wind-resistant jacket like the Patagonia Nano Puff or waterproof/windproof shell like the Stio Rollick can make the difference between discomfort and hypothermia.

4. Illumination

Day hikes often run long. Always bring a headlamp or flashlight with fresh batteries—or better yet, a rechargeable model like the Black Diamond Storm 500-R.

Packing a light but forgetting the batteries—or forgetting to charge your rechargeable model—is a classic mistake, England warns. The National Forest Service emphasizes this point, noting that even familiar trails become disorienting in low light.

5. First Aid

A generic kit is a good start, but England says it’s crucial to customize: "Hikers often carry kits but don’t customize them with personal needs (like meds or blister care) or practice basic treatment techniques.”

Add personal prescriptions and learn the basics of wound care, splinting, and insect bite treatment. A simple first-aid course can elevate your preparedness dramatically.

6. Fire

Matches alone won’t cut it in wet or windy conditions, England says. “Fire aids like cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly or stormproof lighters can be lifesavers.”

Again, it’s crucial to understand how to use the tools you bring with you. Firestarter tools like a mag striker or ferro rod won’t do you any good if you can’t figure out how to actually start a fire with one.

7. Repair Kit and Tools

A multi-tool, duct tape, and gear patches can help fix everything from ripped packs to broken trekking poles. Think about your gear and the likely failure points.

"Broken zippers, snapped buckles, torn rainfly—we’ve seen it all. A few grams of tape can save your whole trip," England notes.

8. Nutrition

Pack more food than you think you need. Energy bars, trail mix, jerky, and electrolyte packets are compact and calorie-dense. Even a minor delay can burn more calories than planned. If you get stranded, that extra protein bar could be critical. Bring food for pets, too, if hiking with them. For overnight trips, consider bringing freeze-dried backpacking meals for more calories without adding a ton of weight to your pack.

9. Hydration

Dehydration is one of the most common medical issues on the trail. England recommends planning for at least 1 liter of water per hour, more in hot or dry conditions. For trails with lots of water en route, bring a filter like the Katadyn BeFree. It cuts weight and provides flexibility. On trails with no water sources, you need to bring all of the water you’ll need. I always carry more than I think I’ll need, especially if I’m bringing my dogs. In cold conditions, skip the straw and pack water bottles close to your back to avoid freezing.

10. Emergency Shelter

An emergency bivy sack or lightweight tarp can protect against hypothermia if you get stuck overnight. England emphasizes planning for worst-case weather, not the forecast.

Even on short hikes, the weather can flip. Shelter is what buys you time and safety until help arrives, England explains. “Our experts recommend scaling gear to the worst-case scenario, not just the forecast. It’s better to over prepare and never need it than the reverse.”

The 11th Essential

England recommends a few other items, especially for long day hikes, overnight trips, or backcountry excursions where weather is unpredictable.

Trekking poles: These stabilize your knees, improve balance, and reduce fall risk, especially on steep or rocky trails. Poles like the Leki Makalu Lite AS Trekking Poles are invaluable for safety and energy conservation.
Portable power bank: For hikers using phones for maps, SOS, or photos, battery backup is critical.
Leave No Trace supplies (trowel, Kula Cloth, Ziploc bags): With increased trail traffic, proper waste management is critical to protect the environment. A lightweight trowel allows for burying waste, while a Kula Cloth or pack-out bags ensure hygiene and adherence to Leave No Trace principles. These items address the environmental impact of hiking, which the classic 10 essentials don’t cover.

Common Misunderstandings About the 10 Essentials

Many people view the 10 essentials as a one-time checklist—buy them, toss them in a pack, and you're done. But England stresses that gear alone doesn’t make you prepared. Each essential requires knowledge and practice.

For instance, carrying a compass is useless if you don’t know how to orient a map or shoot a bearing. A first-aid kit won’t help if you don’t know how to stop bleeding or splint a leg.

The biggest mistake hikers make is thinking that gear is a substitute for skill, says England. Treat the 10 essentials as part of a dynamic safety system—learn how to use them, and update your setup as conditions, skills, and needs evolve.

The 10 Essentials for Day Hiking vs. Backpacking

Day hikes may seem more forgiving, but they’re not immune to emergencies. Weather changes, twisted ankles, or wrong turns can strand you just as easily on a short trail as on a multi-day expedition.

For backpacking, you’ll need to scale up your essentials: more food, fuel, water storage and purification options, additional insulation, and a full shelter setup. Your repair kit should cover items like tent poles, stove parts, and pack buckles. Navigation may include multi-day route maps or digital backups. The longer and more remote the trip, the more robust your systems need to be.

Still, the 10 essentials should be the foundation for every hike, whether it’s a three-mile loop or a ten-day trek.

Adapting to Weather and Terrain

Where and when you hike has a huge impact on what and how you pack. England emphasizes terrain-specific preparation:

Deserts: Water scarcity means prioritizing extra capacity and purification tools. Sun protection is critical.
Forests: Dense canopy can disrupt GPS signals. Paper maps and compasses are essential.
Mountains: Rapid weather shifts require better insulation and shelter. High UV exposure means stronger sun protection.
Winter hiking: Think about moisture-wicking base layers, insulated gloves, traction devices, and cold-resistant lighting and water storage. Additionally, bring an avalanche beacon and know how to use it.

Always plan for the worst likely scenario—not the weather forecast. Assume delays. Prepare for overnight exposure, especially if the trail you chose will push your limits.

How to Pack a Backpack for Hiking

Packing isn’t just about cramming gear into a backpack. Efficient organization can mean the difference between solving a problem quickly or fumbling under pressure.

Use a backpack with compartments or use color-coded dry bags to keep gear grouped by function. For example:

Top of pack: navigation tools, headlamp, snacks, water, first aid
Middle of pack: extra layers, food, fire-starting kit
Bottom: shelter, repair kit, insulation

Use waterproof containers for fire-starting supplies and shelter. Put your map in a zip-top bag. Balance weight between left and right sides and keep heavier items close to your spine to reduce fatigue.

Practice unpacking and repacking before you hike. In an emergency, you won’t want to dig blindly or realize something critical is missing.

FAQs

How many of the 10 essentials do you actually need to bring hiking?

All of them. Even on short hikes, situations can escalate. The essentials are designed to keep you alive and safe through unexpected challenges, including injuries, weather changes, or getting lost.

What to put in a hiking first aid kit?

Adhesive bandages, blister treatment (like moleskine), antiseptic wipes, tweezers, pain relievers, allergy meds, personal prescriptions, and a small guide to basic first aid.

How to efficiently pack the 10 essentials?

Group items by use: quick-access items (map, headlamp, first aid) in top compartments; fire and shelter in waterproof bags at the bottom. Use compression sacks to save space.

How much water to bring hiking?

Plan for 0.5 to 2 liters per hour per person depending on weather, terrain, and personal needs. In dry areas, err high. In water-rich areas, use a filter or purifier to resupply. Bring extra if you’re bringing along pets.