9 hiking essentials: what to bring on a hike

Day hiking is a perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors and a refreshing escape from the daily grind. You can discover the nearby trails or discover the beauty of national parks all over the world. It’s suitable for hikers of all skill levels, day hiking requires minimal planning and no overnight gear. With a bit of preparation, you can enjoy the hike, fresh air, and beautiful scenery that make day hiking an enjoyable experience. But what hiking gear should you pack for a day hiking trail? To help you out here, we’ve lined out the essentials and three tips for your next outdoor destination.

Hiking checklist

  • Backpack: start with a sturdy and comfortable backpack that can hold all your essentials. A 20-liter backpack is sufficient for a day-hike.
  • Hiking shoes: sturdy trail shoes that offer ankle support and have a rugged sole for traction. Break them in before your hike to avoid blisters and discomfort.
  • Navigation: depending on the trail and its level of difficulty, you may need a map or GPX track on your mobile to navigate.
  • Power Bank: crucial on your day-hike while you’re relying on your smartphone. Investing in a reliable Power Bank ensures that you won't run out of battery during your hike.
  • Rainwear: weather can change fast in the mountains and make sure you take always good quality rainwear with you.
  • Water bottle: Staying hydrated is very important during any physical activity, take at least 1.5 liters of water with you.
  • First aid kit: accidents can happen, even on well-maintained trails. Pack a compact first aid kit with essentials.
  • Clothing: dress in layers to accommodate changing weather conditions. A down jacket is recommended and easily packable.
  • Food & snacks: pack lightweight, energy-rich food such as trail mix, energy bars, fruits and sandwiches to keep you fueled throughout the hike. Take always something salty with you.

A deep dive into more gear lists for hiking trails you may find here.

The best Power Banks for hiking

A Power Bank can be a lifesaver in emergency situations, allowing you to make important calls, use GPS navigation, or even summon help. We wrote an extensive guide to help you pick the right Xtorm Power Bank for your next trail. Of course, it's important to conserve battery life on the trail. Turn off unnecessary apps, switch to airplane mode, and use battery-saving features to prolong your device's battery life.

Tip: the three best day hiking trails in Europe

  1. The Fimmvörðuháls day-hiking trail is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most beautiful day-hikes. This trail is an extension of the Laugavegur Trail and lies between the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers, connecting Þórsmörk to Skógar. This rugged trail in Iceland, which can be hiked in one or two days, showcases rugged volcanic landscape in “the Land of Fire and Ice”. Although Iceland offers a relatively mild summer climate the weather conditions can change swiftly, bringing rain, hail, or even snow in summer times. Be prepared!

  2. Discover the Aletsch Arena with a day hike on the Aletsch Glacier Trail. Starting at the Moosfluh upper cable station above Riederalp and ending 12 kilometers later at the Fiescheralp upper cable station, this trail offers panoramic views of the largest glacier in the Alps. Although you won't be hiking on the glacier itself, you'll enjoy stunning views of UNESCO World Heritage site. The Aletsch Glacier, located in the eastern Bernese Alps in the Swiss canton of Valais, stretches over 20 kilometers and covers more than 80 square kilometers, making it a spectacular valley glacier.

  3. A slightly easier day hike: The Path of the Gods (il Sentiero degli Dei) offers a perfect day trip along the stunning Amalfi Coast. This 7km hike provides breathtaking views of the blue waters, steep cliffs, and cosy villages. Instead of renting a scooter, explore this beautiful coastline on foot. The hike is ideal for a day trip from Naples or as a morning activity while staying on the Amalfi Coast. Start in Bomerano di Agerola and hike towards Positano, then take a boat to Amalfi and a bus back to Bomerano.

Packing the right gear for a day hike is essential for a safe and enjoyable adventure. Along with navigation aids, suitable clothing, and a first-aid kit, don’t forget a power bank. This way, your devices stay charged, letting you capture memories and remain connected. Now.. pack your backpack, double-check your gear and enjoy the trails. Happy Trails!

Power Bank for hiking

New
Rugged Solar Powerbank 10.000 mAh - 20W Rugged Solar Powerbank 10.000 mAh - 20W
XR203 Rugged Solar Powerbank 10.000 mAh - 20W

10.000 mAh - 20W

€109,00
Tri-fold solar panels and kickstandTake a fully charged Power Bank with you and use the Gen ‘24 Solar Panels to top up during your adventure. The Gen ’24 Solar Panels are perfectly protected against damage while folded. Once you unfold the Xtorm solar panel, the solar power indicator tells you if the sun has enough power to provide the Power Bank with extra energy. You simply place the Power Bank in the right angle with the kickstand, to catch as many sunrays as possible. Outdoor Power Bank with IP65 ratingThe Rugged Power Bank is shock-, dust-, and water-resistant, carries an IP65 rating, and can take a little beating. You can put the Power Bank down with ease while your smartphone or headphones are being charged. The sturdy edge protects against scratches and bumps. Thanks to its distinctive orange colour, it is easy to find the Power Bank in your backpack or tent. The flashlight makes it easy to find your way in the dark. This is the best waterproof Power Bank for cycling, hiking or camping trips. 3 USB ports for versatile chargingThere are three different USB ports on this Rugged Power Bank. The USB-C PD port charges the Power Bank with 18W or re-energizes your smartphone, camera or e-reader with 20W SuperCharge. The other 15W USB-C Fast Charge and 18W USB-A outputs are perfect to charge your earbuds, GPS or drone, for example. Its pass-through function makes it possible to charge both the Power Bank and a connected device, simultaneously. When using multiple ports, the total maximum output gets distributed between them. Smarter adventuring with smart featuresThis Power Bank with integrated flashlight, solar panels and kickstand, is the perfect gadget for every adventure! Not only do you get a powerful Power Bank, the additional features upgrades everything. The kickstand creates the perfect angle for the solar panels and the flashlight makes it easy to navigate in the dark. You simply attach the Power Bank to your backpack with the carabiner.  Solar power and battery capacity indicatorThe Power Bank features two LED indicators. The solar power indicator tells you if the sun is powerful enough to top up the Power Bank. The other indicator shows you how many energy is left in the Rugged Power Bank by pushing the button. A clever way of adventuring with Xtorm!About XtormXtorm gives you the best quality, latest tech and most safety for years of #MoreEnergy! Since 2008, we have been working on outdoor products and sustainable devices to give your mobile devices #MoreEnergy. We mainly use premium GRS-certified recycled plastic and all our products are tested according to a 6-layer safety check, ensuring that both the Xtorm product and the connected device are safe to use for years to come. 
Bestseller
Power Bank 35W - 20.000 mAh - Fuel Series 5 - Noir Minuit Power Bank 35W - 20.000 mAh - Fuel Series 5 - Noir Minuit
FS5201 Power Bank 35W - 20.000 mAh - Fuel Series 5 - Noir Minuit

20.000 mAh - 35W - 2x USB-C + 1x USB-A

€69,95
Capacité de batterie de 20 000 mAh 2 ports USB-C 1 port USB-A Principalement fabriqué à partir de plastiques recyclés Chargement rapide avec USB-C PD 35 W Capacité puissante de 20 000 mAh Ne soyez plus jamais à court de batterie ! Avec une capacité robuste de 20 000 mAh, cette banque d'alimentation Xtorm vous garantit une puissance plus que suffisante pour garder vos appareils chargés tout au long de la journée, que vous soyez en voyage, en randonnée ou simplement en déplacement. Il y a plus qu’assez de puissance pour recharger complètement votre smartphone au moins 4x !Chargement rapide avec USB-C PD 35 WLa Power Bank est dotée d'un port USB-C Power Delivery (PD) haute vitesse de 35 W, garantissant une charge rapide pour les smartphones, tablettes et autres appareils compatibles iPhone et Android. Même la Power Bank elle-même peut être complètement rechargée en seulement 3,5 heures !Trois ports pour une polyvalence maximale  Besoin de charger plusieurs appareils simultanément ? Aucun problème! La Power Bank dispose de trois ports, dont deux puissants ports USB-C PD, ainsi qu'un port USB-A supplémentaire de 18 W. Vous pouvez désormais charger votre téléphone, votre tablette et votre appareil photo en même temps.Conception respectueuse de l'environnementEn choisissant le plastique recyclé certifié GRS comme matériau principal de notre Power Bank, nous sommes en mesure de donner une nouvelle vie aux matériaux. Détourner le plastique des décharges et des océans, qui autrement prendrait des siècles à se décomposer. Non seulement l’utilisation de plastique recyclé profite à la planète, mais elle maintient également les normes élevées de qualité et de durabilité de Xtorm.Preuve d'avion : voyagez en toute confiance ! Ce Power Bank d'une capacité de batterie de 20 000 mAh est conforme à toutes les réglementations de sécurité des compagnies aériennes, ce qui le rend adapté à votre bagage à main. Restez sous tension pendant les longs vols et les escales sans aucun problème.La sécurité d'abordLa Power Bank est équipée de plusieurs fonctionnalités de sécurité avancées pour protéger vos appareils connectés, ainsi que la Power Bank elle-même. Les mécanismes intégrés de protection contre les surcharges, les courts-circuits et la chaleur vous protègent contre tout incident potentiel, vous permettant de charger vos appareils sans souci.
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