How to Carefully Plan and Pack for a Hike

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Planning a hike can feel overwhelming, finding a good trail, ensuring you have everything you need and packing your bag comfortably is important. Considering the balance of the bag and access to things that you might need at a moments notice are just a couple examples of things that should not be overlooked. This guide will assist you in ensuring you have everything you need, packed in a way that will give you as pleasant of a hike as possible.

Steps

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  1. 1
    Determine the duration of your hike. A day hike will not require as much equipment as a multi-day hike and knowing how long you want to hike can help you pick a trail to hike.
  2. 2
    Make a decision on the trail you will hike. Using apps like AllTrails or GAIA trails are a good resource when it comes to finding trails as they provide information such as terrain, trail length, average time to complete, and things that are allowed like camping or pets.
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  3. 3
    Gain an understanding of the local climate. Make sure you are prepared for sudden precipitation, different temperatures, the temperature typically drops at least a little during the night but it could be a drastic change and you need to be prepared for this.
    • Pack additional supplies based on the weather. Ensuring you know the local climate helps you know prepare for situations where you need a raincoat, hand warmers, pants or shorts etc.
  4. 4
    Research the trail’s water availability and quality. Knowing how available water will be is important to help you understand if you will need to carry all of your water or if you can bring a water filter for an additional supply.
    • Satellite views of the trail can help with locating spots along the trail where you could refill your reserves.
    • Additional research is necessary to ensure the safety of the local water. Always use the proper precautions when gathering drinking/cooking water.
  5. 5
    Further ensure your safety before hiking with research.
    • You should check local hunting laws and seasons to determine if there will be hunters in the area. This is a big safety concern and wearing some highly visible colors is a good precaution no matter what.
    • Research all the local wildlife that could pose a risk, such as bears or ticks for example.
  6. 6
    Make a checklist ahead of time. Include everything you need to bring. Refer to the checklist often during the rest of the process so that you do not forget something. The right size backpack for a day hike may be anywhere from a 10L-35L pack.
  7. 7
    Lay everything out to pack. Refer to your list and double-check that you have everything.
  8. 8
    Organize items by weight and frequency of use.
    • Place heavier items close to your back and centered to maintain balance.
    • Lighter or less used items should go toward the bottom or outer edges.
    • Things you might need quickly should be packed at the top or in easily accessible pockets.
  9. 9
    Use packing sacks or zip bags. Separate clothes, food, and electronics into waterproof stuff sacks or zip-top bags. This not only helps with organization but also protects your gear from getting wet if it rains or something spills inside your pack.
  10. 10
    Test the fit and adjust. Once your pack is loaded, put it on and adjust all the straps — shoulder, chest, and hip. Walk around your house or yard for a few minutes.
    • Ensure the weight feels evenly distributed, nothing pokes you, and it doesn’t shift around too much.
  11. 11
    Do a final gear and weather check. The night before your hike, triple-check your list and the latest weather forecast. Make any last-minute adjustments like swapping shorts for pants if temperatures drop or adding extra snacks.
  12. 12
    Let someone know your plan. Always tell a friend or family member where you’ll be, what trail you’re taking, how long you expect to be gone, and when you’ll check back in. This is an essential safety step, especially for solo hikers.
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