Hiking has many health benefits, both physical and mental. It can help you get in better shape, reduce stress and even boost your brain power.
While hiking helps you lose weight, it also helps you build confidence and is the beginning of your connection to the outdoors. If you’re interested in hiking but don’t have much experience, it can be a little overwhelming when you first start. You may feel like there are a lot of things to worry about, including what gear you need, what specific items to choose, and how much those things cost.
To truly enjoy time in nature, good quality, and practical gear is essential, especially on a hike that lasts several days. You should make sure you have high-quality items and pay attention to the total weight of your hiking gear. If you know what you want, buying equipment is very simple. In this article, we will show you which hiking gear is essential to your trip to help your preparation.
1. Backpack
First, understand that hiking is not just about walking, much more than walking to work. As soon as you get your gear on the road, your back will feel the difference. That’s why you need a hiking backpack. If you don’t bring a hiking pack, there’s little need to bring anything on your hike, as you won’t get very far at all. To fully enjoy hiking, of course, you need to bring along some necessary equipment, such as water, medicine, glasses, lighting, and so on. Of course, your backpack doesn’t need a lot of capacity, and a pack of 20 to 26 liters is plenty for most beginners.
A hiking backpack is more than just a tool to carry other important items. It is essential hiking equipment and should never be left behind on a hike. As a beginner, try not to choose a backpack with too many functions and features. What you have to do is focus on functionality and comfort. If a backpack doesn’t feel heavy and helps you keep your back straight, then it’s a qualified piece of equipment for you.
The spacious and stylish Trailhead Daypack can help you get ahead on your hike. This bag is a multi-faceted hiking companion with a capacity of 25L. It features a large main compartment for clothing and other items, and smaller side and front pockets for daily travel essentials. The waterproof main cabin and the right size allow you to travel easily. You can get this hiking backpack with an Eddie Bauer discount.
2. Hiking shoes or boots
Everyone has their own idea of what equipment is necessary for a hike. But most people agree on the fact that hiking boots are important to a successful hike. A good pair of hiking boots or shoes can even change your trip. Hiking boots are durable, lightweight, and perfect for long hikes. Not only do mountain boots protect your feet, but they also make it easier on your legs. Especially if you’re hiking in rough terrain away from main roads. Hiking boots will keep your feet dry in wet, snowy places. The extra support around the ankle will also make going uphill easier. Plus, it can help you keep your balance while carrying a heavy backpack. Hiking shoes and hiking boots are two different styles. Hiking shoes are similar to sports shoes while hiking boots are boots. Both methods have their advantages, so just figure out what works best for you!
Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots have mesh and leather upper to protect your feet while maintaining air permeability and a waterproof membrane. It added the nylon arch shank to give the boot some rigid rock, and steep terrain. The lower legs both protect and support the feet when carrying a heavy backpack for long distances. It’s a more affordable and good quality shoe for travelers.
3. First Aid Medical Kit
Obviously, a first aid kit should be the first item in your backpack. No matter how familiar you are with hiking trails or how experienced you are, it’s never a bad idea to bring a first aid kit. Neither beginners nor experienced hikers can ignore this. Don’t wait until you get hurt on a hike to realize you should bring one.
Adventure Medical Kits is one of the most popular first aid kits among backpackers because it strikes an excellent balance between preparation and minimalism. It has all the basic features you’d expect, and some things you don’t see very often. Medical kits include Elastic bandages, duct tape, Moleskin, butterfly bandages, tick/splinter remover, etc. It’s a good kit, and there’s plenty of room for customization. This kit is also available in larger and smaller sizes.
4. Navigation Tools
A map and compass are other essential hiking equipment that you should bring with you on every hike. Maps can help you find emergency exit routes in the event of an accident. They are trustworthy and essential because you don’t have to worry about your battery dying or losing the signal. Even if the hike is only a few hours long, you can’t predict how it will turn out. Therefore, it is very important to carry a map and compass with you.
For explorers to areas without cell phone service, Garmin GPSMAP 66i can send and receive messages, share tracks, get weather forecasts, and launch rescues. The hardware is also very reliable, including a high-resolution 3-inch screen, up to 200h of battery life, 16 GB of RAM, and a WiFi connection. It’s an impressive tool that will greatly help you navigate your trip.
If you’re new to hiking, bringing this gear will make a big difference to your trip. Of course, you won’t get the right kit for you in one go. You have to keep trying until you find the right one that will help you the most on your hike.