Packing: Essential Items for your Day Pack
Every morning before I start out exploring, I organize my day pack. Here’s the funny thing – it doesn’t matter if you’re hiking in the country or strolling around a new city, you still need the same exact items.
I’m currently using a REI Flash 18, which is one of my best purchases before the trip. It’s super lightweight, holds everything, and most important is extremely comfortable. I’m a fan.
Unlike my day pack hiking the Milford Trek, which weighted about 15 lbs. I kid not. That bugger was heavy, especially when lugging it around for almost 35 miles. Here’s a pic of me with my gigante pack — Ugh.
Here are my top 10 essential items for your day pack (in order of priority):
- 1. Wallet — given
- 2. Phone — ditto
- 3. Sunglasses – gotta look cool
- 4. Tissue – TP sometimes hard to find
- 5. Water – although you can usually buy some along the way
- 6. Hat / Sunscreen – protects against the scorcher days
- 7. Sweater – when the sun sets = chilly weather
- 8. Pen & Notepad – to record strokes of genius
- 9. Camera – forget the Daddy-o I just bought (seriously, I’m waiting for someone to make me a offer on this puppy), a point and shoot is still handy
- 10. Whistle / Compass combo – more for hiking, but could come in handy if you’re getting mugged on the city streets – always a possibility
Bonus Three (in order of priority):
- 1. Book – kills time on the bus or nice to have when stopping off to chill out in a park, although you can usually pick up a local paper to bide the time too
- 2. Lip Balm – I’m slightly addicted to my Burt’s Bees
- 3. Map – obviously not one of my top priorities, which is probably why I get lost a lot
Did I forget anything? What do you carry in your day pack?
Tags: essential day pack items, Milford Trek
This entry was posted on Friday, January 14th, 2011 and is filed under What to Pack.
Do you still love your REI Flash 18 pack? I am thinking of buying one (the price can’t be beat!) but am wondering if you still use it, and if it gets sweaty in warmer weather (since it lacks back padding). Thanks!
Hi Beth,
Thanks for you question. I don’t recall much of a problem with my Flash getting sweaty. I remember washing it out at night and having it dry by morning because it the material was so thin. So I would think if it does get a little sweaty, you can simply give it a rinse. All in all, I really love this little pack. I don’t have it anymore because I donated it to a local Nepali women guide after my trek in the Himalayas. In fact, I donated most of my beloved gear. That said, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one. It is really perfect for a day hike, and compacts really small to carry in your larger pack. Where are you planning to trek to? Cheers, Erin