What's in your day bag?

[NothingCoherent]

I'm starting to do more and more day hikes, and I'm looking for input on filling a day pack. What items do you guys usually have in your bag for an afternoon hike, and why? Pics are encouraged.

My goal with my current kit is that it be versatile, light weight, and inexpensive. It currently contains:

-First Aid Kit
-Fire Kit
-Emergency Blanket
-Bandanna
-Cordage
-Water Purification Tabs
-Signalling Mirror / Whistle

And of course some food, water, and clothing. I'm trying to keep it pretty simple and minimal. Just enough to get me through a night or two if need be.

As far as knives go, I'm currently carrying a Mora Clipper in this pack. I might swap it out for something tougher, however. Right now it's mostly just there for doing some light carving and bushcraft, to make my hikes more enjoyable. But I doubt the Clipper could get me very far in a survival situation, so I might throw my ESEE-6 or a Ka-Bar in there instead. I'll sure miss the scandi grind and light weight, though!

 

[Marcelo Cantu]

That's a good start. I'm sure theres a threshold between, minimal, simple, comprehensive and overkill but I don't know it.

I'll add a good light, a local map and a good compass.

 

[sambo.]

+1 on the torch, local map and compass!

i'd consider tossing in a couple more space blankets (i have four scattered across various pouches in my bow hunting gear). they weigh bugger all, take up very little space in the bag and cost next to nothing.

but they can (and do) save lives.

perhaps consider a small SAK in there in addition to whatever other knife you choose.

 

[powernoodle]

I like to add a small sunscreen. It won't keep you alive, but it will keep your skin from falling off.

 

[RescueRiley]

I carry some gear in my person, (in case I get seperated from my pack) and the bulk of the stuff in maxpedition butt pack

Got lost in a a torrential down pour while hunting about a year ago.... Kept my head and made it back well after dark.. But I was mildly hypothermic, and mildly spooked

since than everytime I go out I go with the mindset that Imight spend at least a night if not several out

It seems like allot but this is the exact same set up I use when I camp with the addition of a wool blanket or sleeping bag and some more food (depending on season)

in my butt pack

2) 32oz nalgenes of water 1 nested in a satinless cup, 1 nested in a coffee billy can
4)coffee filters (particulate fitration of water prior to boiling)
1) 1 usgi Poncho (Shelter)
1) space blanket (shelter)
50 ft 550 paracord
6) 5 ft precut sections of 550 Fo securing my poncho shelters
1) water proof match case filed with strike anywhere matches and a bic lighter (fire igniton)
1) 1 misch metal rod (Ignition)
2) 2 water proof match containers of Petroleum jellied Cotton (tinder)
1) petzl head lamp (illumination and signaling)
2) blaze orange bandannas ( signaling and multi use)
1 bottle of Bens Bug repellent
1 Bottle of hand sanitizer (fire and higene)
1) lensatic Compass
1) first aid k it of my own design
1)dmt diafold sharpener
1) double sided strop
1) ball point pen
1) small note book
1)3.5 0z bag of jerky
1) 12 oz bag of trail mix
2) apples
4 packs of Starbucks via instant coffee (I confess I like starbucks)
1) kabar bk7 (heavy work)
1) kershaw folding saw (efficient sectioning)
1) stainless mora clipper (back up or specialized tasks)
1) pair of leather work gloves
maps if in unfamilar terrain,
Field guide to what ever I'm working on at the time. Tracking plants etc.
on my person
1 Cell phone
1 Victorinox Forrester ( or rucksack or PE OHT)
and a necklace carrying
a fox 40 whistle (signaling)
an inova led (ilumination and signaling)
a small compass
a wedish army firesteel and striker
a spy capsule of dry tinder
a hat
a walking stick
and a can of OC spray

I always sunscreen up at the car and dress for the weather to the best of my ability

Some of these pics are old so they might have changed slightly but they encapsulate the general ideas

Tools (minus the small shovel)

THe water bottles and nesting pots

The fire kit

SO,e miscellaneous items

Here it is all packed up

 

[Iboschi]

I like to add a small sunscreen. It won't keep you alive, but it will keep your skin from falling off.

Grab the sunscreen + bug repellent. I love that stuff.

 

[NothingCoherent]

Definitely going to add a headlamp to my pack, can't believe I missed that one! Sunscreen is in my first aid kit, and I agree that it's some of the most useful stuff you can have on a dayhike.

 

[Marcelo Cantu]

OMG Riley, I have a very similar kit in my black Devil Dog. Seriously, how cute would we look hiking with matching butt packs?

 

[HEROofTIME1817]

I dont know if you are into Balisongs but if you are then i recommend bringing one. I always do and it is a great thing to do sitting by a fire.

 

[RescueRiley]

LMAO....I don't want to hear anything about butts and and packing while you and I are alone in the woods together......Maybe over a candle lit dinner though....

 

[Toucan Oasis]

I don't have a day bag. I have a week bag, I carry it if I only plan on an hour or two hike.

 

[mtwarden]

this is a small Lunada (that's been modded slightly) that I use often for a day pack

shelter

AMK thermo bivy
AMK heat sheet
cordage
thin torso pad
heavy garbage sack
Fiskars saw
work gloves
two beeswax candles
firestarting kit (fairly redundant affair )

water

Klean Kanteen
Micropur tabs
1 liter play bottle folded away
Frontier filter straw
bail handle for Kanteen

cooking

Snow Peak 450 (nested w/ kanteen)
small Ti Esbit stove
homemade Ti windscreen that will also allow wood burn
Esbit fuel
Ti spork
beverages/snacks/dry soup

first aid kit

navigation

compass
map
GPS
notebook/sharpie
fresnal lens
petzel e-lite lamp

hygiene

TP
alcohol wipes
small towel

sunscreen
bug dope (seasonal)
sunglasses (w/ set of clear lenses for wood work)
small repair kit
small multi tool
sharpening kit

signaling

AMK signal mirror
Fox whistle

clothing

light wool beanie
light wool gloves
Buf
winshirt
down jacket

if your wondering about a knife, it rides around my neck

here's the loadout

and loaded

 

[fnc]

B.C. has some dangerous hiking even close to cities and towns.

Contact local clubs for lists (advice, classes) and hiking companions.

If you are above timberline, that is akin to mountaineering and you need
an additional skill set and additional equipment. For example: starting a
fire not so important; snow equipment (ice-ax, crampons) and snow
knowledge (avalanche, shelter) becomes more important.

Your clothing is a very important part of your survival and in most of B.C.,
rain gear is essential. Rain chaps are nice.
You kinda skimmed over clothes and concentrated on pack/kit, we all do this.

Weigh stuff in groups or individual; you cannot take everything.

If going to really wet areas, read and learn fire skills for wet areas.
Many on these forums have testified to how tough wet conditions can be.
Make sure you have at least 2 super-starter tinders/kindling that will last a while.
Wet area fire-starting deserves its own thread(s).

At least a couple people in your group should have a GPS, and you should
have one for yourself, as soon as you can afford it. Spare batteries for it.
(I am not dismissing map and compass.)

 

[OwenM]

I'm starting to do more and more day hikes, and I'm looking for input on filling a day pack. What items do you guys usually have in your bag for an afternoon hike, and why? Pics are encouraged.

Depends.
For a short hike, a Mountainsmith Dart that's little more than a bottle holder, with a water bottle, bandana, a few first aid items, a couple of Micropur tabs, and Wet-wipe single packs in its little pocket.
I'm not including what's in my pockets, and am assuming appropriate clothing and footwear for the terrain/weather.

For longer dayhikes, a Mountainsmith Day lumbar pack with "strapettes" so it can be worn like an LBE.
No limit to what I might have in there. Usually:
2 Nalgenes
PUR water filter, and Micropur tabs
food and/or Clif bars
1st aid kit
fire kit
compass
map
windshirt
550 cord
camera
disposable poncho
garbage bags and latex gloves
leather gloves
sunscreen and bug repellent
toilet paper
extra socks

Depending on what I'm doing, where I am there might also be:
1L Platypus
binoculars for open places
a large fixed blade for heavy growth, since I play off-trail a lot
flashlight and headlamp
Sometimes it'll include a propane stove for making tea, coffee, etc.
GSR SS cup the Nalgenes fit into
GSR Lexan cup
Rain pants and jacket
spare socks and underwear
buff
sandals

As my idea of dayhikes keeps getting longer, and might include some unplanned overnighters(especially for winter) I might have a small backpack and add:
sleeping bag
bag liner
bivy

I'm about to add a 50ft. climbing rope for some of the dumber stuff I do, and may even gear up for some rappelling.
Have a couple of dayhikes planned on an upcoming trip up to 17+ miles, and I'll go ahead and pack for an overnighter just in case. May use a 45L pack for that, since I could even decide to add some trails, and stay out for a couple extra nights. Drybags for the gear, wetsocks for the feet, since I'll be doing some hiking in water of varying depth.

As the needs vary, so should your loadout...

 

[grunt soldier]

i love these threads especially with all the pics, you think you have it all until you read one of these and realize damn how could i be forgetting something so simple

 

[OwenM]

AMK thermo bivy

I've been giving some thought to getting one of those and one of the simple waterproof bivies that's basically a sleeping bag cover. Those are compact enough I could actually see carrying them all the time, particularly in cooler weather.
Taking a fall and being injured with no help coming for a day or two is my most realistic concern. For all the attention it gets here, building an adequate shelter and making and maintaining a fire would be no simple prospect with a broken leg, and that could be a lifesaver for real.

 

[fnc]

Taking a fall and being injured with no help coming for a day or two is my most realistic concern. For all the attention it gets here, building an adequate shelter and making and maintaining a fire would be no simple prospect with a broken leg, and that could be a lifesaver for real.

I am thinking along the same lines, for myself: tarp, pad, bag (or extra-clothes).
I have read a few stories like this and that is why I worry about going alone.

building an adequate shelter: almost impossible, get under a tree.

maintaining a fire: only if you had already gathered firewood (unlikely)
A small stove made out of Coffee-Can would probably triple the heat.

getting more water: very difficult (for most of us) = kidney damage

day or two: if the rescue went well.

 

[PropThePolecat]

I carry:

Knife + multitool
Some snacks, coffee
First aid kit includes tweezers
Warm fleece plus raingear, extra socks
GPS/compass/map
Mobile phone
Some spare cash.
Head lamp
Firesteel/matches/lighter
Waterpurification of some sorts, sometimes a straw-filter or tablets.
Nalgene
Toilet paper
Watch (on my person)
Whistle

Depending on the season i might add:

Tick remover
Bug repellent
Hat
Mosquitonet to drape over head gear
Gloves
Sun glasses

Basically its like the 10 essentials list. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Essentials

 

[ROCK6]

We need to protest and have Maxpedition bring the Devildog back…it’s one of my favorite day packs and I even took mine bouldering up through a canyon. I’m a little heavy on knives for this load out, but covered the basics for an unexpected night out (the only thing not showing is my MEC Siltarp):

Here’s my Kifaru Scout; this is actually set up for a minimalist two day trip, but still small enough for a day hike (a tad heavy though):

My son has two different kits. One is specifically a day pack that can serve as a 72-hour kit if need be:

I just picked him up a new REI pack for longer backpacking trips, so I had to rethink his emergency/day hike kit. We used a BSA belt/pouch as it’s compact enough to add in his pack and actually be carried like a mini butt pack with the pack on. It will carry his “essentials” minus the water bottle, which we have to remove when carry the pack (too bulk and uncomfortable). Once we get to the main camp site, I have him rig up his “survival” kit and he carries it with him:

I’ve actually been using REI’s Flash, which is a simple and small pack that I use as a “stuff sack” inside my main pack. I cross-load some basics and do day hiking with that.

I think most of us know that this is all dependent on location, season and current weather conditions. It’s always good to cover the basics…

Water (carrying, procuring and filtering/purifying)

Shelter (anything to keep you out of the rain, snow, sun or wind). There are several good choices out there with the simplest being a heavy duty, large garbage bag or drum liner.

Fire (can be an essential depending on the weather, but often a good morale booster)

Knife/tool…duh!

Signaling (flashlight with strobe function, whistle, mirror, radio/cell phone).

Illumination, a flashlight can be critical when the lights go out and you’ve dropped a piece of gear, need to set up camp or even taking a leak at 0300.

There are also navigational devices (map/compass)

Snacks/food can be essentials if the season dictates high caloric foods or additional electrolytes to stave off heat cramps

One that is often glossed over is appropriate clothing. I’ve seen a lot of college kids hiking trails often 6+miles to a waterfall or other destination and they’re wearing shorts, flip flops and a tank-top. Most at least are carrying a water bottle, but even if the hike took longer than normal and one of them twisted or broke an ankle/leg, even with cell phone coverage and the worst case of somebody going back for help, it could be several hours before medical assistance or help arrived. Knowing how severe thunderstorms have popped up here in the SE so rapidly, that could make for a very miserable several hours. Temperatures can even drop 20 degrees within hours, add the rain and wind chill and you’re bordering on hypothermic conditions just hours after it was sunny and 90+degrees. No shelter and a broken ankle awaiting assistance can turn south quickly.

I’ve been on some pretty rough trails and if we were delayed or messed up our estimated hiking times, even with a flashlight, I wouldn’t try to hike out at night…just another reason to at least have the bare essentials to “survive” comfortably instead of risking a hike out at night.

ROCK6

 

[fmajor007]

Which season?

It really matters alot so i'll only include my "general" gear adjusted for summer:

1 - 110oz water bladder (need to replace it with a Platypus "Hoser")
2 - compass (i will have already done my pre-hike nav checks so will know the terrain) Suunto M3 w/magnifying lens
3 - Garmin 60CSx GPS n freshly charged batterys plus loaded topo maps
4 - xtra pair of socks
5 - broad-brimmed synth hat (kinda 'boonie style') (colder temps change this) (some EMS model)
6 - 1st aide stuff -
- roll bandage x2/safety pins
- medical tape/sterile 2" gauze bandage x2
- large 1" sticky X bandage x5
- "Cortaid" tube
- Latex gloves
- "Ace"-type bandage x2
- large tweezers
- medium straight-tipped hemostats
- triple anti-biotic ointment
- alcohol prep pads 20-ish
7 - CS Trailmaster (SK5 black epoxy-finished version)
8 - Buck Paklite Skinner
9 - firemaking stuff - ferrocerium rod (3/8"x5")/striker and magnesium bar 1"x3"
10 - Leatherman Wave (1st/Original version)
11 - super-absorbant "camp" towel approximately 10" x 20"
12 - TP in a ziplock
13 - food - (usually bring a big sandwich, 2-5 Snickers bars, chips apple or equivalent)
14 - g-tex long jacket MINIMUM plus seasonally appropriate insulation layer(s) a Cabela's "special" - cheap but does the job (sorta, for now)
15 - headlamp - an older Black Diamond Gemini 3AA 2x LED/Hi-intensity Xenon bulb
16 - mobile phone (Palm Treo 680)
17 - cash/cc's (aka my wallet)
18 - passport in a ziplock (i'm American, but don't live in the States)
19 - mylar "blanket"
20 - emergency whistle
21 - backpacking spoon (heavy-duty nylon/PE)
22 - watch
23 - Spyderco Delica
24 - Carmex/Blistex (something w/SPF) x2
25 - car keys
26 - dSLR/extra lens/extra battery/tri-pod
27 - lighter x2-3
28 - 32oz Nalgene in translucent-neon yellow (HIGH visibility)
29 - mil-spec (formerly issued to me!!!) signal mirror

Since you didn't ask about clothing, i won't include that, but it's very important and quite variable.

While it seems like alot (relatively speaking), it weighs only a bit - maybe 30lbs, but is enough for immediate 'get me outta here and pronto' or an 'impromptu' overnighter if need be.

EDIT: forgot to mention i toss all this stuff in a Mountainsmith Approach 3.0 day pack which is an utterly crap-tastic pack perfectly in-line with Mountainfarce's reputation. I knew better but they're cheap (in every way). I'm mulling over replacement options given my needs (i travel internationally ALOT) and may stay with my Kata 3n1-30 camera bag - which is utterly superb (not perfect, but nearly so).