• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transport
  • Made in CO
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transport
  • Made in CO
  • Search
Hiking Gear Checklist Day Hikes Colorado Backpack Cliff Overlook

Don’t Hike Too Far Without This Important Gear

May 23, 2019 By //  by Tim Landers

FacebookTwitter

Colorado is a world class hiking destination, with every kind of hike from simple strolls to epic 14,000+ foot peaks. Whether it’s a day hike or an overnight backpacking trek, there are certain essential hiking gear that you need to bring.

There’s nothing more freeing than exploring the great outdoors. The world has so much to offer, and the magnificent wonders of Colorado are breathtakingly beautiful. From the Rocky Mountains to lush forests, there are so many places to get lost and be one with nature.

Next time you’re planning a hiking adventure, make sure you round up this gear and load it safely in your pack before you head out. Remember to dress in layers and bring at least a poncho in case of rain. There are numerous other items to consider bringing along on your hike, however, these items are mandatory.

Essential Hiking Gear Checklist for Day Hikes

Woman Hiking with Backpack Gear
Woman backpacking in the mountains. Photo: Lionello DelPiccolo

Whether you’re planning a day hike or an overnight backpacking venture, you need to be prepared. Mother Nature is a graceful, yet tumultuous being. You never know what you’ll come in contact with. To stay safe on every excursion, here are 6 items you need for your next hiking adventure.

1. Backpack

To keep all of your essential items and tools together, you’re going to need a reliable backpack. To protect you and your gear from all the elements, invest in a waterproof backpack that is both comfortable and durable. Climb to the peak of Greyrock Mountain or enjoy a relaxing day fishing at Echo Lake knowing your food, clothes, and supplies won’t get weathered by unsuspecting storms.

2. First Aid Kit

You may not think it, but hiking is an extremely strenuous activity, especially in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado where some summits can reach well over 14,000 feet! From rough terrain to accidental falls, you or anyone you’re hiking with could face an injury. This is why a first aid kit (affiliate link) is a must-have item for your hiking adventure.

Exploring the backcountry or going off the unbeaten path could lead you to dangerous situations where you may find yourself miles away from civilization. To ensure you’ll make it home okay, check and make sure your first aid kit includes these items:

  • Sterile gauze pads/dressing
  • Safety pins
  • Disposable gloves
  • Bandages
  • Tweezers
  • Scissors
  • Thermometer
  • Cleansing wipes
  • Distilled water
  • Painkillers such as Ibuprofen
  • Antiseptic cream
  • Rash cream/insect spray
  • Flashlight
  • Lighter
  • Sunscreen
  • Hand sanitizer

3. Water

As you may know, the human body can only survive without water for three to four days. Add in strenuous hiking and Colorado’s dry climate, and you’ll need water sooner. If you want to hike the mountains and forests of Colorado, you’re going to need water… and plenty of it. Before you embark on your hike to the summit of Greenhorn Mountain or Elbert Mountain, pack your bag with a vacuum insulated water bottle that keeps your drinks cool.

Along the way, you may find yourself out of water completely! If you’re nowhere near a clean water source, you’ll need to take matters into your own hands. Always keep chlorine dioxide tablets (affiliate link) handy that kills bacteria of treated water so you don’t fall sick. Also, invest in a water filtration system that will allow you to filter dirty river or lake water into drinking water!

4. Food

Hiking expends a lot of energy. To keep your energy levels high, you’re going to need to pack plenty of (made in Colorado) food. Stock up on foods high in calories to mitigate headaches and fatigue. You should also pack easy-to-prepare foods that are small enough to store in your bag. Your backpacker’s pantry should consist of foods with complex carbohydrates and proteins so you’re properly nourished throughout the entirety of your hiking and camping excursion.

5. Multi-Purpose Tool

You should bring along a multi-purpose tool on your next hiking adventure. Multi-purpose tools are typically equipped with a knife, pliers, wire cutters, scissors, a saw, and a prying tool—all in one. Whether you find yourself needed to cut a bandage after encountering a wild animal or some of your camping equipment malfunctions, a multi-purpose tool will ensure you’re able to take care of yourself when something goes wrong. You can fix your eyeglasses, cut sticks for a fire or fort, or remove splinters with a handy multi-purpose tool!

6. Compass

You could be exploring a trail or mountain for the first time or snowshoeing a trail you’ve traversed hundreds of times and still get lost. Having a compass and/or a map should ride with you everywhere you go. Not only will a compass point you in the right direction, if you have a map, you’ll be able to find the location of campsites, rivers, and roads in case of emergency. Plus it’s so small and light, so you won’t even notice it in your backpack.

Hiking Gear Checklist Day Hikes Compass
The compass, a timeless hiking essential.

The Bottom Line

Whenever you go hiking you should always be prepared. You may feel confident an easy 5-mile hike won’t be hard, but unforeseen events can occur that can put you in danger. To play it safe every time you hit the trails, invest in these 6 essential items for your next hiking adventure.

Related Posts

6 Incredible Day Hikes Close to Denver
Tour Ancient Puebloan Ruins in Colorado
The 6 Best Places To Play Bingo in Denver
10 Outstanding Outdoor Sculptures in Colorado Springs
FacebookTwitter

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Previous Post: «Best Rock Climbing Colorado Garden Of The Gods 5 Renowned Rock Climbing Spots in Colorado
Next Post: Kayaking the Upper and Lower Colorado River Colorado River Kayaking Nevada»

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Popular Posts

  • 6 Closest Hot Springs to Mile High City
  • 12 Best Hot Springs Resorts in Colorado
  • Top 9 Affordable Ski Resorts in Colorado
  • How D.I.A.’s Murals Feed Conspiracy Theorist
  • Quick Guide to the Best Neighborhoods in Denver
  • Hike to 6 of Colorado’s Free Hot Springs

Recent Posts

  • The Tallest Buildings in Denver
  • Explore these Ghost Towns near Denver
  • Best Cheap Eats in Colorado Springs
  • Top 5 Blissful B&Bs in Crested Butte
  • Exciting Dude Ranches in Colorado
  • 8 Great Fishing Spots around Telluride

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Visit Mile High Happy Hour for Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Camping
  • Cross Country Skiing
  • Federal Lands
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Skiing and Snowboarding
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks

Vacation like a VIP! Leisurely Lifestyle shares life and travel hacks, as well as cheap luxury travel.

Copyright © 2021 · Uncover Colorado - Vacations, Travel & Tourism | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer