A well-stocked day pack can be a basic grab-n-go bag. It can also save your life if a day hike goes wrong. These are the key things that can keep you alive. From first aid to navigation to water.

1. 20 Things Every Hiker
Should Have
In Their Day Pack
(which makes it a basic
Grab-n-Go bag!)

2. Whether it’s just a short jaunt in the woods or a longer
day-hike, these are things everyone should carry in
their day pack.
Over-confidence is the bane of many a day-trippers
journey.
With these items, your day pack can also serve as a
basic Grab-n-Go bag in an emergency.
If you leave it in your vehicle, you have it wherever
you go.

3. More Free Information
Since Slideshare no longer supports links,
I’ve put all the links to free apps, gear and web
pages on my web site at
www.bobmayer.com
Use the pop up from the following image there and
scroll through for what you want:

4. Pack choice is personal. I have learned when you go
cheap, you get cheap. After researching and using
others, I settled on an Osprey Stratos 24. The nice
part is it pushes away from your back and has mesh
to help avoid that back sweat soaking. Note I don’t
have stuff hanging all over the outside which can get
caught up on things. It comes with a rain cover.

5. This is
what is
in it.
I’ll
cover
each,
piece
by
piece

6. The equivalent of 4 full 500ml
water bottles.
More if in hot weather.
Mine is in the 2 quart green
canteen that is always in it. For a
trip I put a water bottle in one of
the side, outside, mesh pockets.
WATER

7. Purification.
Lifestraw or a bottle of purification tablets.
Emergency Water

8. Fire is your friend in a survival situation. I know we’d all like to
use that bow and stick, but for emergencies, a lighter is much
easier.
The plasma lighter on the left is also a flashlight and
rechargeable.
Stormproof matches in a waterproof container.
Lighters and Matches

9. Power
This Solar Charge Pack. It goes in the outside pocket of the pack on one
side connected by a snap link. Thus it gets some sun while I’m out. What’s
neat about this particular model is it has three cords built into the back:
micro-USB, Lightning and C. Nothing worse than having power and no
cord. Links to all gear on my web site.

10. I carry several power bars. Other,
more varied edibles, depending on
the walk.
This is personal, but have
something to eat. You could put
emergency rations in but they tend
to be heavy.
Food

11. I have the emergency sleeping bag below in my day pack
and in all our cars. It’s inexpensive, light and small.
550/parachute cord. The latter is useful in many, many
ways.
Shelter and Rope

12. I always have the one on the left on my belt along with
the single battery flashlight. It gets used every day.
Multi-Tool

13. Besides the light on plasma lighter, I carry a headlamp.
In case you misjudged your hike or there is a delay, a
headlamp can help you get back to the trail head after dark.
The one on the left is rechargeable and in my bike bag.
The headlamp in the middle is battery powered and in my day
pack.
I also carry the small single battery flashlight in my Leatherman
case.
Light

14. There are plenty of prepared ones you can buy.
Below on the left is the one I have in my day pack.
I tend to personalize and add things, but at least have a
basic one. Mine is actually a 9, supplemented, so
consider the one on the right which is more complete.
First Aid Kit

15. I recommend adding a quick-clot bandage to your day
pack with a splint, and an Israeli combat bandage. I can
verify the Quik-Clot works. I carry a Quik Clot bandage
in my day pack, on my bike and in our cars.
The one on the right contains more (tourniquet, chest
seal, medical scissors) perhaps for your GnG bag and
car.
QuikClot Bandages/Trauma

16. Appropriate for time of year and environment.
I always carry an extra pair of dry socks in a ziplock
bag.
Pants and long sleeve shirts of a material that dries
quickly.
A wool cap for colder environs— most heat escapes
through the head.
A boonie hat for warmer— keep the sun off, protects
your head.
Clothing

17. Not just for weather but to protect your hands.
In the field and on deployments, I always wore gloves.
These are touchscreen and provide warmth.
Clothing

18. A survival knife with sharpener. This knife also has a
whistle.
A Signal mirror.
I have both in my day pack.
Knife, Whistle, Signal
Mirror

19. You can’t count on the GPS on your phone.
Have a physical map of the area you will be hiking in.
If you haven’t bought one, download the contour map for
your area for free, then print it out, or order the map sheets.
I have a separate slideshare (linked at end) about free
downloadable maps, how to read them and other pertinent
information.
I remember running to the top of Monadnock in my younger
days.
Map and Compass

20. Location Apps
There are several topo map Apps you can get. I’ve used a
number over the years but the best one I’ve found is
Gaia. The basic app is free and then there are two levels
of membership. The premium, which is discounted 20%
via my affiliate link, is $32 for a year but for the number
and types of maps you get, it is definitely worth it. One
useful thing to using any map app is to download the map
tiles you want to use beforehand (when you’re out in the
wilds with no signal) and you learn how to use the app.
They also send interesting email updates on various
outdoor activities that are very informative from outdoor
experts.

21. I carry an over-sized waterproof rain jacket in my day
pack. It packs very tightly in a stuff sack.
Also, make sure you have a waterproof cover for your
pack (one should come with it).
Sun screen and bug juice can keep an enjoyable hike
from turning into a miserable trek.
Rain Jacket, Sun Screen
and Bug Juice

22. I usually have my wallet on a day hike, but I also carry
$20 in cash in a Ziplok bag inside so it’s there all the
time. I also put cleaning wipes in there just in case.
Money, ID, Medical Info,
and Cleaning Wipes

23. I carry a SpotX 2 Way Satellite
messenging system.
There are places all over the country,
including in the Smoky Mountains, with
no cell coverage. I view this as a
potentially life-saving investment.
It is very light and I recharge it every
Sunday as part of my routine.
Make sure you carry a recharging cable
so you can hook it to the small solar if
need be.
Also it provides peace of mind as my
family can get hold of me any time and I
can update them on my progress.

24. The contents of my day pack
from top left
Knife with whistle/sharpener;
canteen w/water purifying
tablets; rain jacket/pants;
(Ziplok holding waterproof
match cases, small roll duct
tape, magnesium fire starter,
550 cord);
dog leash; solar battery pack,
cables, (Ziplok money, medical
tape, biowipes, sun screen);
Ziplok (gloves and watch cap);
Ziplok (extra socks); bug juice;
SpotX with case; plasma
lighter/flashlight; headlamp;
survival bivy sack;
fire starter; survival straw;
Quikclot bandage;
Ultralight Waterproof Medical
Kit 9, stuff with extra stuff;
splint.

25. Water
Water purification/filter
Lighter/Matches
Solar power/battery/cables
Food
Emergency sleeping bag
Rope
Headlamp
First Aid Kit/QuikClot
Watch cap/boonie hat
Gloves
Knife
Whistle/Signal mirror
Map/compass
Rain jacket
Sunscreen
Bug Juice
Biowipes
Checklist

26. I hope you find this useful.
Certain environments will, of course, require you to
adjust what you carry.
I’m a big fan of checklists, because it sucks to be a
couple of miles from the trail head and realize you
forgot something.
Also, as an added benefit, you now have a basic
Grab-n-Go Bag!

27. More Free Information
If you want to go directly to a document with live
links to all free apps, gear, library, and Jeep stuff,
use your camera on this QR Code. Or copy and
paste:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vwgilkne2vsq4jrhkp
gic/GEAR-
LINKS.docx?dl=0&rlkey=i858w1e2zd3irup2lcvhvlb
ma

28. More Free Information
Since Slideshare no longer supports links,
I’ve also put all the links to free apps, gear and web
pages on my web site at
www.bobmayer.com
Use the pop up from the following image there and
scroll through for what you want:

29. This book walks you through your personal situation,
your home, and your Area of Operations.

30. AMAZON

33. New York Times bestselling author, is a graduate of West Point and
former Green Beret. He’s had over 80 books published, including the
#1 bestselling series Green Berets, Time Patrol, Area 51, and Atlantis.
He’s sold over 5 million books. He was born in the Bronx and has
traveled the world. He’s lived on an island off the east coast, an island
off the west coast, in the Rocky Mountains, the Smoky Mountains and
other places, including time in East Asia studying martial arts.
They haven’t caught him yet.
www.bobmayer.com