Day Hiking Gear Recommendations

I write a lot of blog posts about hiking, especially in the greater Vancouver area. If you’ve ever wondered what gear I pack with me, find my top tips below!

1. The 10 Essentials

I bring all the items covered in my 10 essentials post. I put most of them in a clear, waterproof carrying case and just leave in my day hiking bag so I don’t have to overthink it when packing.

2. A great day pack

I recently invested in the Gregory Zulu 30L pack (Canadian link here). It’s technically a men’s pack, but I got the S/M size and adjusted it to the smallest size possible and it fits great. I like it because it fits 30L which is plenty of room for my 10 essentials, a lunch, 3L of water and any other snacks or camera gear I bring.

For almost a decade I hiked with an Osprey Sirrus 24L pack. I just found I was often overstuffing it, and I needed a little more room, but it’s super comfortable. You can’t go wrong with Gregory or Osprey, 2 of the leading backpack brands on the market.

3. Hiking Poles

Especially since I turned 30, I always hike with trekking poles (Canadian link here) – they really save your knees and are super useful for stream crossings and particularly going downhill.

4. Bear Spray

Living in bear country, I always carry bear spray, and I pack it either on the front of my pack (you can get a holster for it) or in my water bottle holder for quick access. I’ve run into bears a few times on the trails and it brings me peace of mind to know I have something to deter them in a worst case scenario. Definitely watch some youtube videos about how to use bear spray so you can use it appropriately. If you do ever need it, you’ll need to use it fast and without thinking too much, so be ready.

5. Hydration pack

I tend to get dehydrated quickly, so I use a Camelbak hydration bladder to keep me drinking throughout hikes. I think the 3L size is perfect – enough for a long day hike, and you dont have to fill the entire thing if you don’t need that much water.

6. Rain Jacket

I always put a light rain jacket at the bottom of my bag. It serves many purposes – rain of course, but also if the summit is windy, you can sit on it when the ground is wet, and it’s great in an emergency. I’m currently loving the Helly Hansen Loke Jacket 2.0.

7. Hiking Seat

A bit of a luxury, I pack a lightweight hiking seat – usually this is most helpful in the shoulder season when there might be snow at the summit and you want to have your lunch without getting wet!