Essential Items In My Day Hiking Loadout

Day-hiking is the best way to begin your hiking journey ⛰
But what should you pack?
There's a selection of items that always find themselves in my pack whenever I plan to go on a day hike. They don't make up the whole loadout, but I'd be comfortable if they were all I had.
1) A lightweight day-pack with easy to access on-the-go storage. I'm currently using the Rab Aeon LT 25L, a cross between a running vest and a traditional day-pack.
2) Hydration Bladder.
Not an item I like to take on overnight hikes, but one I always bring on day hikes (because they're a pain to fill up). A 2L bladder, along with an extra water bottle gives me quick access to water so I can always keep on top of my hydration.
3) First Aid Kit. I always bring a simple first aid kit with my essential items such as pain killers, purification tablets, wipes and bandages.
4) A trustworthy PLB. Depending on where you are around the world you should carry a PLB that connects directly to your governments satellite network to avoid delays in communication.
5) A 'bomb-proof' rain jacket (at least for alpine hikes). You never know when the weather can turn on you. The Australian Alps can be very unpredictable in terms of weather, and I've found that lightweight rain jackets sometimes don't cut it. Go for a 3L Goretex (or similar fabric) jacket.
6) Trustworthy navigation. I like using offline maps on my phone in combination with a battery bank in most scenarios. I wouldn't suggest using 'modern style' hiking app maps, rather traditional topo maps found on apps such as Avenza Maps (which is what I use in the heart of the Australian Alps with no issues).
7) Finally, your snack of choice! Mine are gummy bears - quick digesting carbs to help keep me going on the uphill slogs (100% necessary).
Most of the other items I pack with me are clothing. Leave a comment if you want to know what I wear for hiking during the green season ⤵
#hikingaustralia #betterhiking