How to Pack a Day Bag for an Outdoor Adventure

A good day bag isn’t about carrying everything you own. It’s about taking the things you are likely to need and knowing where they are when you need them.

Learning to pack your own bag is a useful outdoor skill because it gives you a little more responsibility for your own adventure. You start to think about the weather, how long you’ll be out and what you might need along the way.

What You’ll Learn

You’ll learn how to think about what belongs in an outdoor day bag and how to organise it so that the things you need most are easy to find.

Start With the Basics

The exact contents of your bag will depend on where you’re going, how long you’ll be out and who you’re with.

For a typical day outdoors, you might need:

• Water
• Food or snacks
• A waterproof jacket
• An extra warm layer
• A small first-aid kit carried by the responsible adult or group
• Sun protection when needed
• Any personal medication you require
• A map or route information
• A small torch for longer outings
• A rubbish bag

You won’t necessarily need all of these every time. The point is to think about the trip before you pack.

Think About the Weather

Check the forecast before you start.

If rain is likely, make sure your waterproof is somewhere you can reach without emptying the entire bag. If it’s going to be cold, take an extra warm layer. On a hot day, make sure you have enough water and suitable protection from the sun.

Your bag should change depending on the adventure.

Pack Things Where You Can Find Them

There’s nothing more frustrating than knowing you’ve packed something but having no idea where it is.

Put things you might need during the walk somewhere accessible. Items you won’t need until later can go further down in the main compartment.

Small pockets can be useful for things such as a compass, snacks or other small items, but don’t fill every pocket simply because it is there.

Don’t Make Your Bag Too Heavy

It can be tempting to pack everything “just in case”.

That usually means carrying things you never use.

Before putting something into your bag, ask yourself why you’re taking it. If there’s a good reason, pack it. If you’re only carrying it because you think you might possibly need it one day, think again.

For younger children especially, an adult should help make sure the bag is an appropriate weight.

Learn to Check Your Bag

Before setting off, do a quick check.

Do you have your water? Is your waterproof there? Have you got anything you need for the particular activity you’re doing? Is everything secure?

After the adventure, empty the bag and put things away rather than simply leaving everything inside it.

That way, you’re ready to pack properly next time.

Final Tip

Packing your own day bag is a small step towards becoming more independent outdoors.

You don’t need to get it perfect. Start by thinking about where you’re going, what the weather is doing and what you might need, then pack accordingly.

The more adventures you go on, the better you’ll become at knowing exactly what belongs in your bag.