The Best Hiking Gear
In its simplest form, hiking is just walking. You do not need a bunch of gear specifically for hiking, especially for hikes under five miles in well-traveled areas with reliable cell phone service. A sturdy pair of walking shoes will do fine for many hikes. Along with a water source and a reliable means of navigation, there are thousands of hikes you will be able to explore safely and comfortably.
In fact, hiking gear can get somewhat ridiculous with specially designed backpacks, double walking sticks that look like ski poles, specific hats for hiking, fancy boots, expensive socks, and all sorts of device chargers. Before you know it, your closet is full of stuff you don’t use because you are afraid to go hiking because you don’t want to carry that junk.
This guide will get you started to ensure you have the necessary essentials.
Hike Distance 1-3 Miles
Necessities–Don’t leave your car without these:
1. Sturdy shoes. Crocks or flip-flops will not do, but as long as you have solid, closed-toed shoes you will be perfectly comfortable at this distance. If there has been any rain, or mud on the trail, if you’re wearing your new athletic shoes, they will now be your old athletic shoes. If you want a rugged pair of shoes or “hiking boots”, look no further than Vasque Boots. They have been a global leader for decades, their boots are timeless and rugged, and very reasonably priced.
2. Water. It is important that you bring water with you if you are hiking for a mile or longer. A simple Arrowhead or Poland Spring water will do. You will probably want to put a loose water bottle in a backpack. For refillable water bottles, nothing beats a Nalgene bottle. Nalgene bottles are preferred by hikers for many reasons, such as the tinted color that prevents microorganisms from growing in your water. If you want to combine your backpack and water bottle into a combined “hydration system,” then camelbacks are a great way to go because they have integrated water storage compartments inside of a backpack.
3. Means of Navigation. Usually, navigation is very simple. The trail may be marked on your phone maps app, and you may have cell service throughout the route. If so, you are set for navigation. The trail may be well-marked with signs or trail markers, which are often color-coded for different routes. If you are comfortable with the signs and markings, then you are set for navigation.
If you will not have cell service, and if the trail is not marked, then you have two options for navigation. The All Trails website (alltrails.com), app, and membership gives phenomenally detailed reviews and maps about hikes all over the world. The best part about all trails is that the trail maps can be downloaded, so they can be used even if you do not have cell service. You could also try a dedicated GPS device like the Garmin eTrex22x. These devices are considered more rugged than a cell phone mapping app, but they are a bit less user-friendly than a smartphone app.
Hike Distance 3-8 miles
If you’re hiking more than three miles, you’re going to want to carry a backpack. Primarily you will be carrying water, but if you’re out on the trail through lunch, you will want to carry lunch with you. If you’re out on the trail when rain is expected, which is at any time in the mountains and certainly in the afternoon in the summertime, then you’ll want rain gear. Without going nuts and weighing down your pack, here are some things you will want with you if you’re out for up to 8 miles, which is about a half day in normal terrain.
This Dickies Day Pack is just right for short half-day hikes. You’ve got ample space and easy access to two water bottles in external pockets. You’ve got a couple of smaller external pockets for valuables and smaller items. Inside the pack, you have plenty of room for rain protection, lunch, and video or photography equipment for your hike.
Hiking part of the Appalachian Trail Near the Bear Mountain Bridge
A simple rain poncho folds up very small and provides excellent, breathable protection when it rains. A poncho is reusable if you hang it out to try after your trip. The experienced hiker will keep this small poncho in an external pocket where it is readily accessible in the event of sudden rain. A poncho like this can also be worn over your backpack, which keeps your backpack dry too.
A booney hat like this hat from Columbia will keep you comfortable and dry if it is raining, and they are very helpful on hot sunny days too.
Hiking 8 Miles or more
If you’re hiking for more than 8 miles, you’re embarking on a serious athletic pursuit. Even if you are in great physical shape, you could encounter an injury miles from safety. You’ve got to be prepared for a few things that may happen, including blisters, twisted ankles, worn-out shoes, insects, and all sorts of things.
Your day pack will still work fine, but if you’re hiking much more than 8 miles then you may plan to spend the night. If you do so, you will want to upgrade your backpack to a “frame pack” which could be internal or external so you can carry camping gear with you.
Internal Frame Pack
This internal frame pack from Kelty is the standard for “backpacking” or hiking with overnight camping. This pack is available in various sizes. The 55L (liter) design is lightweight and has enough room for a single overnight. For longer treks, you may want the larger 85-liter pack, depending on how much weather gear you are carrying and how big your sleeping bag is. “Frame” packs such as this stand up on their own, instead of lying flat like a duffel bag. The frame is internal, so you can’t see it. This pack has external lashing spots for large items such as tents and sleeping bags, or those items can be placed inside the pack.
External Frame Pack
External frame backpacks do not look as trendy as internal frame backpacks, but they are just as good and usually a little less expensive. These packs have the advantage that the external frame is readily visible so you can secure large items to the frame, such as sleeping bags and tents.
Water Purification
Backcountry water is NOT safe to drink. Even if it looks tempting, DO NOT drink it without purifying it. This water purification system from MSR (Mountain Safety Research) will filter out toxins and turn that mountain lake or babbling brook into a source of clean drinking water. This necessity saves you the weight of having to carry a tremendous amount of water for a long expedition.