Heading out for a day hike is an amazing way to explore nature with family and friends, or even by yourself. Whether you want to go deep into the mountains or stay closer to home, the places to go are numerous.

Here are a couple of hiking items that should be on your checklist:

Backpack

A backpack is the primary piece of gear for hiking trips. Choose one that is big enough to fit all your gear, clothes, food and water, but not too big to be extra heavy for your trip.

Clothes

Check the forecast and make sure to dress for the conditions. Be prepared and pack extra clothes. For footwear, determine what to wear based on the terrain – is it smooth or rocky. Think about whether you’ll need pieces of clothing such as raincoat, gloves, hat and etc.

First aid kit

It’s vital to carry and know how to use the items in a first aid kit. You can get a pre-assembled kit or build your own depending on your needs. Any kit should include treatments for blisters, adhesive bandages in different sizes, several gauze pads, adhesive tape, disinfecting ointment, over-the-counter pain medication, pen and paper.

Map and compass

While phones and GPS units are handy, they aren’t always reliable. Consider carrying a paper map and compass as a backup and know how to use them

Food and water

As a guideline, plan for half a litre of water per hour in moderate temperatures and/or terrain. Always pack at least an extra day’s worth of food in case something causes your trip to go long. It’s a good idea to pack items that don’t require cooking and that have a long shelf life. Pack calorie-dense foods to help fuel your hike like energy bars, nuts, dried fruits or jerky.

Hot beverages and Cupffee

As an extra treat, bring hot beverages in a thermos – either coffee or tea. Cupffees are also a great recommendation since they count both as a cup and a snack, so you pack less!