Originally Posted By: bacpacjac

I fight an unending battle against over-packing.

I've been repacking today and have come up with this set-up. This kit is intended only for day hikes and unplanned overnights, not camping and not trips where we share pavement with the parking lot. We often go on unplanned hikes. The kit lives in the trunk of my car for just such an occasion. We're in South Eastern Ontario, and don't spontaneously venture farther than about an hour or so drive from some sort of civilization.

What are your thoughts?


There is nothing wrong with having a large kit with you in the trunk for those unplanned trips. However, what you should get into the habit of is resorting out your requirements when you get to the trail head. Take 15 min. and start cutting the items that you most likely will NOT require on say an day hike. If the weather is good, cut back a bit on the rain gear. If you know the area you are hiking in then taylor your backpack to fit your excursion.

If you are just going with a day hike then cut things down to about 15 lbs, water and snack included. Or max 20 lbs if inclement weather is expected. It is about managing risk. If the terrain is moderate and weather good and you are with 1 or 2 other people then the requirements are light. If you are going to do a long day hike on tough terrain with the reasonable possibility of an overnight then add extra items to the kit in case you need to bivy.

I think I read somewhere in this thread that someone advocated abandoning sunscreen as if Southern Ontario/Canada doesn't get strong UV rays! I have some choice words for that kind of stupidity but I will let that pass for now. I've hiked in the area around Huntsville and it is very easy to get an 8/9 on the UV scale of 10 in that region on a sunny summer day and even a 10 if you are on water. A 50spf sunscreen if a NECESSITY when you are out in the open.

For day hikes, I would go without some of the redundancy on your list. AND it looks like you've edited your message and trimmed it down. A number of other people have commented and have given good advice.

My day hiking kit is lightweight ~10 lbs before water/snack and is basically my EDC and daypack with only slight modifications. If the hike is really short then I would cut back further.
Spyderco Salt1 pocket knife
Keys
Micro-carabiner with Leatherman Squirt S4, P-38 can opener, Micro ferrocium rod, Photon Freedom microlight
Pencil, space pen
Smart phone
Fenix P3D flashlight
Leather gloves
Survival kit (modified AMK psk)
First aid kit (meds included benadryl,lotradine,loperamide hydrochloride, ASA, Tums)
Plastic trowel & 1 use tp in handle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen, bug repellent (sample sizes)
WMA Wilderness Medicine field guide
Storm butane lighter
20' duct tape wrapped on plastic card
Fox-40 whistle
Suunto Compass
Map of area
GPS (Garmin 62s) /w attachment clips
Geocaching related stuff
Camera /w extra AA batteries
Leatherman wave /w bit kit (often deleted)
Rain jacket
Notebook
3-litre Platypus hydration bladder & tube
8X25 binoculars (often deleted)
Tilley hat /w comb in hidden pocket
Sil-nylon tarp shelter
Hiking pole
I sprayed my pack, hat and outdoor clothes with permethrin.