Necessary Hiking Gear

Hiking Gear That You Need 

When you go hiking, you need special gear so that you stay safe. You want to make sure that you take this gear with you whenever you hike. You will feel safer and more protected if you take these items.

You can get hiking gear in most sporting goods stores. If you want to buy hiking gear elsewhere, there are specialty stores where you can get it. You can do an internet search and find what you are looking for.

This article will give you a list of things you should take with you on this type of outing. It will give you a little information about hiking, as well. You can do research to find out more information.

Items You Will Need

The first thing you need is a good pack to carry everything in. There are many styles that you can choose from to meet your needs : https://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/best-backpacks-for-hiking/. For shorter daytrips, a small pack will do, but if you are going to be gone longer or overnight, you will need a larger pack. It needs to be largen enough to carry all the things you might need. 

You will need to check the weather before you go so you know what type of clothing you should wear. You want to make sure that you dress for the weather – you don’t want to be too cold or too warm. You want to enjoy your hike while not worrying about the weather.

You will want to begin with underwear that is moisture wicking. Your pants should come next and should be quick drying to keep you comfortable in case they get wet. A shirt can be moisture wicking, as well, but you want it to also be comfortable. You could also have a lightweight jacket and wool socks.

If you are going to be in cold or wet weather, there are more clothing choices you could have. This could include rainwear such as a jacket and pants and a warm jacket. You could also have fleece pants, mittens or gloves, and a warm hat.

Your footwear is just as important for your hike. There are many types of footwear that you could choose that can make your hike comfortable. There are hiking boots, shoes, and sandals to begin with. 

Food and Water

Of course, food and water are also very important. If you are only going to be gone for a short time, you won’t need much food, but you should always bring a lot of water. You can pack extra food just in case you get lost or injured.

You will need at least one liter of water per person per hour. Read here to learn more about that. You can adjust this amount depending on how long you will be gone, your age and abilities, how much you sweat, and your body type. You might also consider the length of the hike and the intensity of it.

Some of the food you could take with you might be trail mix, granola bars, jerky, and other similar snacks. If you are going to be gone for a long time, you might bring something for a small meal. Be sure to pack extra in case something goes wrong.  

Navigation

If you are going anywhere that you are unfamiliar with, you should have something for navigation. You can’t always rely on your smartphone because there might not be cell service in some areas. There are other ways you can keep track of where you are.

A good, old-fashioned paper map is probably the best thing to have. You can get a map of trails at the ranger’s office or welcome building. These trail maps will help you if you decide that one trail is too long and want to take another.

You might also bring along a trail description and a compass. An altimeter watch and GPS are options that you can also bring along. There are smartphone apps you could bring, but you must remember that cell service will not be consistent.

Emergency and First Aid

You want to be prepared for the worst, so you should bring emergency and first aid equipment. This should include many things such as antiseptic wipes, antibacterial ointment, bandage adhesive, bandages, gauze pads, nonstick sterile pads, medical adhesive tape, blister treatment, ibuprofen, insect sting and anti-itch treatment, antihistamines, splinter tweezers, and first aid manual. These items can help with almost any emergency.

Conclusion

There is a lot of gear you need before you go on a hike. Food and drink are the most important. You want to stay hydrated to make sure that you don’t get sick while hiking. Your food can be simple snacks if you aren’t going to be gone too long.

You will need the proper clothing that includes jackets and the right type of shoes. You want clothing that is moisture wicking so that you stay more comfortable. All your clothing should be comfortable for the conditions that you are in.