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Section Hiker: Beginner Day Hiking Gear List: The 10 Essentials

Many hikers base their gear selection on a checklist called the 10 Essentials, first developed in the 1930s.

Section Hiker: Beginner Day Hiking Gear List: The 10 Essentials

Last updated:
September 25, 2025
|  5 min read

Section Hiker: Beginner Day Hiking Gear List: The 10 Essentials

Section Hiker: Beginner Day Hiking Gear List: The 10 Essentials

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Many hikers base their gear selection on a checklist called the 10 Essentials, first developed in the 1930s.

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Section Hiker: Beginner Day Hiking Gear List: The 10 Essentials

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Beginner Day Hiking Gear List: The 10 Essentials

If you’re a beginner hiker, what day-hiking gear do you need to get started? That’s a question I’m frequently asked. The truth is, you don’t need much, especially if you stick to the local trails in your town or those in a nearby state park, where you might want to only get out for a few hours to start out.

The 10 Essentials
So how do you decide what to pack? Many hikers base their gear selection on a checklist called the 10 Essentials, first developed in the 1930s, which is still as relevant today as it was then.

Continue reading to learn more about gear for a beginner day hike, written by Philip Werner.

Section Hiker: Beginner Day Hiking Gear List: The 10 Essentials

Beginner Day Hiking Gear List: The 10 Essentials

If you’re a beginner hiker, what day-hiking gear do you need to get started? That’s a question I’m frequently asked. The truth is, you don’t need much, especially if you stick to the local trails in your town or those in a nearby state park, where you might want to only get out for a few hours to start out.

The 10 Essentials
So how do you decide what to pack? Many hikers base their gear selection on a checklist called the 10 Essentials, first developed in the 1930s, which is still as relevant today as it was then.

Continue reading to learn more about gear for a beginner day hike, written by Philip Werner.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Author and Backpacker
Philip Werner
Philip Werner is a full-time outdoor author and backpacker who resides in New England.
Media Mentions

Section Hiker: Beginner Day Hiking Gear List: The 10 Essentials

Beginner Day Hiking Gear List: The 10 Essentials

If you’re a beginner hiker, what day-hiking gear do you need to get started? That’s a question I’m frequently asked. The truth is, you don’t need much, especially if you stick to the local trails in your town or those in a nearby state park, where you might want to only get out for a few hours to start out.

The 10 Essentials
So how do you decide what to pack? Many hikers base their gear selection on a checklist called the 10 Essentials, first developed in the 1930s, which is still as relevant today as it was then.

Continue reading to learn more about gear for a beginner day hike, written by Philip Werner.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Author and Backpacker
Philip Werner
Philip Werner is a full-time outdoor author and backpacker who resides in New England.
Media Mentions
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