What do you carry on a day hike?

My wife used to groan at me lugging along a pack with matches, first aid kit, and all that falderal when day hiking, particularly when we would see people in flip flops with a little water bottle go bounding past us into the woods. However the few times we got misdirected (certainly not lost!) or were out later than expected she kind of convinced her that my bag of junk wasn't as dumb as she thought.

I'm guessing some of you guys are worse than me, but I might wait and see some responses before revealing the embarrassing amount of junk I lug around. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Bottle of water, small first aid kit and a flashlight at the least. I need to carry a water purification system of some kind, but I don't typically go THAT far away from the vehicle. I only carry a flashlight out of habit, but I've never needed one yet. (Knock on wood!)

I carry about 30 lbs of gear. I know, for a dayhike? really? Yeah. And I love it.

-Camelbak Motherlode

-INFI S-5 in BuyBrown pants accompanied by Fenix L1D, extra AA, diffuser, firesteel, q-tip matches, and a diamond rod.

-First aid, the full kit(s)

-100 oz. of water

-Jerky

-Sunflower seeds

-Electrolytes

-Gloves

-Hat

-MicroPur tablets (10)

-AAA Maglite and Bug Repellent


That's just in my bag and does not include my edc. Food varies.

I am in line with most of what is posted, but I always make sure that everybody is wearing a whistle.

Adding that I also usually carry a Glock 19, except where I'm legally prohibited from carrying.

Domino, a whistle for everyone in the party would be a great idea, especially when you have kids along. Great idea!

I carry a camelbak pack with a water bladder, a healthy first aid kit, fire steel, tinder, a tube tent, a 2 person emergency blanket, some paracord, a headlamp, a fixed blade knife, snacks and a few assorted pieces of kit. I also carry a pistol and at least a reload buts thats an everyday thing. If its going to be a longer hike I will carry a water filter to refill my water bladder otherwise its just a small survival straw just in case.

I carry a small pack with a waterbladder. Inside I have a small homemade survival/FA Kit, usually some kind of nutrion bars, a compass, a fire steel, a lighter, some cotton balls soaked in Vaseline inside of an old CVS prescription bottle, some kind of bandana or hat, an extra layer & pair of socks, and my phone (just in case). That's all I can think of at the moment.

Oh and of course I bring some cutlery <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />. On recent day hikes I've been carrying my NMSFNO in my pack (while carry on belt when my Rainwalker kydex gets here <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />), my rodent solution and a Multi-tool.

Better to have and not need than need and not have.