It's time for me to put together a regular, permanent, day hiking pack. This will stop me from robbing/borrowing from other specif purpose packs when I get a chance to do a day hike.

I will use my small patrol pack with a built in camel back. At home, I EDC a Buck 110, Leatherman Wave, 2 paracord bracelets, a mini Bic, a photon light. A P-38, sunglasses, ink pen, a bandanna, wide brimmed hat, a cell phone, and a walking staff.

I'm thinking that I need to add a poncho, a mid hike snack, a small FAK, toilet paper, and bug spray (for Louisiana's state bird).

The day hikes are 10 miles or less, usually less. Is there something I'm missing here?

you might upgrade your day signaling capabilities with a signal mirror (mirrored lensatic compass for dual duty) and whistle, and lighting with a LED headlamp, chem light, and LED utility light

I would add some tinder to go along with the mini Bic. This can be nothing more than cotton dryer lint, mixed with Vaseline in a small zip loc bag. It will probably be sloppy wet when you really need a fire.

It's a good idea to have a map of the area.

I agree with including tender. I always grab a state/national park map wherever I go.

Yes, money maps are important

I've been known to add a mid-sized fixed blade to my pack. If things go pear-shaped having one might make it a lot easier to get a fire going or build a shelter.

If you own a PLB, I don't think it's overkill to bring it even for 10-mile day hikes.

Our helpful hints are bulking up your pack. To lighten the load, I suggest carrying the poncho only when rain is likely and substitute a large plastic bag, brightly colored if possible. Slits for the head and arms turn it into a workable poncho and it will have other applications as well - like signalling if a gaudy color....

Is this in addition to a PSK? If not, I would automatically include a comprehensive PSK. I always include a poncho or 2 in my day pack, for shelter, and something to boil water or cook in. It can be nice to stop and have coffee or tea (or hot chocolate for the kids).

In keeping with bulking up your "Day" pack, consider what happens when you really need it to be an overnight pack because things went south. Maybe it's not so bad that you need to activate your PLB, but something in addition to your mid-hike snack may be in order. A small Ti (Snow Peak 700) or stainless pot that can boil water, soup...whatever may be a good addition -- instant soup (chicken noodle?) & tea come to mind. Other than an overnight, standard EDC items should be more than adequate.

(I prefer nalgene or other polycarb bottles to bladders for carrying water. Just a preference.)

[repeating and adding on to other's suggestions]

Map & Compass
Ritter PSK, or at least whistle, signal mirror, tinder, lighter, etc.
AMK "Ultralight .5/.7/.9" or similar FAK, add ACE wrap or coach's tape
Two HeetSheets or poncho
Something to keep you dry in rain and warm in cold, to match the climate/season
Spare dry socks
Something to eat like power bars or other energy snacks, and maybe some tea and/or energy drink mix
Small cookpot or metal cup, and perhaps something like a little alcohol burner.
Something else to carry water in, or at least patches for water bladder [been there, done that]
Water treatment/filtration
Everything in ziplocks to keep things dry.
You have your choice of blades, cordage, etc., in your EDC.

Many, if not most, SAR missions began with a short excursion in a familiar area, where someone got too injured to make it even a short, known distance back out. So, even on easy, quick day hikes, it's well worth letting someone trustworthy know where you're going and when your due back.

For spontaneous or short day hikes, I have a Condor H2O pouch and shoulder strap, with a Nalgene bottle and a metal cup with folded tinfoil lid inside; with a combined mini-FAK and PSK, HeetSheet, iodine tabs and a power bar in the outer pocket.