Choosing Hiking Gear
For new hikers, the list of “essential” items can be quite daunting. Hiking is meant to be a widely accessible hobby, but if you don’t already own any gear, the lists you find online can put a damper on your excitement. The right gear is critical for your safety and comfort on the trail. But which equipment is absolutely necessary for a beginner?
If you’re joining us on one of our offered hikes, the equipment you might need would be vastly less than what you might carry on your own. Similarly, someone who hikes in the backcountry will often need different equipment than someone day-hiking in their local park. You don’t have to spend loads of money on high end gear, but quality equipment is an investment and will often last a lot longer. Though sometimes the best gear may be something you already own.
The gear and equipment in this article may not be listed in any particular order. Options and alternatives may be provided when possible for those on a budget. We discuss various considerations in choosing each item, however there are still a multitude of options we won’t have the space for here. For any questions, or free gear consultations, please contact us. Any brands mentioned hereafter, have been used by personal preference and will not contain any affiliate links to products.
Hiking Socks
It’s important to mention hiking socks before boots, and the reason is that you should have a pair of socks with you when you go to the store to try on boots. You may already have plenty of socks at home, but if they’re all cotton, we strongly urge you to buy a pair of hiking socks.
The difference in hiking socks is that you will never find a pair made of cotton. Cotton absorbs and holds water, and loses its insulation value when wet. In the heat this can keep you feeling wet and clammy, while in the cold it will chill you quicker. Hiking socks, like other clothing options we will discuss on this page, can be found in a variety of materials ranging from natural materials like silk and wool, to synthetics like polyester and nylon.
Wool is the most popular option not only does it regulate temperature well, but it’s anti-microbial properties can keep you from smelling like you’ve hiked all day, even after you’ve hiked all day. Many companies also blend wool with synthetic materials to increase durability and decrease drying times. Wool socks can also provide cushioning for your foot during long days on the trail.
The fit and shape of your socks is also an important consideration. Hiking socks will come in many sizes and shapes. Read the packaging to find the size that fits your foot. In regards to the shape or height of the sock, it is suggested to choose a sock that extends past the cuff of your boot to prevent painful chafing or abrasions that could stifle the excitement of your adventure.
Hiking Boots
If there is one piece of equipment you should splurge a little on, it’s proper footwear. Hiking impacts your feet the most, and wearing comfortable, well-fitting hiking boots or shoes, can spell the difference between an awesome day in the mountains and a miserable trip ended prematurely. Everyone’s feet are different; fortunately there are as many options for hiking footwear as there are feet. No shoe fits anyone else the same way, and everyone will have a different opinion on what’s best.
Hiking footwear can vary depending on the terrain you intend to explore. Options range from ultra-lightweight trail running shoes built for speed and racing, to mountaineering boots for hiking glaciers and arctic conditions. Let’s assume you fall somewhere towards the middle of that; a comfortable, durable, supportive boot for casual weekend-warrior adventures.
Boots can also be produced in a variety of materials. For the purpose of keeping this simple, we’ll narrow them down to two; leather and synthetic. These materials form the “upper,” and your choice of these materials can impacts the boots’ weight, durability, breathing, and water-resistance. Generally speaking, leather uppers provide more durability and protection, as well as more resistance to water, but add more weight and take longer to break-in. Synthetics are usually lighter in weight, break-in easier, and though they might lack water resistance, dry faster when they do get wet. Some synthetic boots are made with Gore-tex, which provides increased waterproofing, while still remaining breathable.
Finally, consider the fit of the boot. Feet swell after walking all day. Perhaps you have had the opportunity to walk before visiting the store to try on boots; if you haven’t remember to fit them with the adequate space your foot will need. Boots should hold your feet firmly, however not too tight. There should be no sliding, nor should your toes touch the front of the boot. To test this, tap your boot toes down on the floor. If your feet slide to the front, consider sizing differently, or opt for a different pair of boots.
Clothing
Much like the options we previously discussed in Hiking Socks, you should never wear cotton outdoors. Jeans and denim, while durable, should be avoided. Cotton clothing will absorb and retain moisture from sweating or from outside elements like rain, snow, or a misstep into a stream. Wet cotton clothing is not only heavier, but will lose its insulation value, which is vital in cooler weather. Just like with socks, a popular option is wool, although in warmer weather where you are prone to sweating more, synthetics such as polyester might be a better choice.
Layering is a great strategy for maintaining comfort in the outdoors as weather changes. In summer you may only have to wear a single layer, but carrying other layer options with you is a good choice in the case of unexpected precipitation. In cooler weather layering can keep you warm and allow you to shed or don layers to maintain a comfortable and consistent body temperature. Basic layering starts with a base, or next-to-skin (NTS) layer. This is your underwear layer and should be able to wick moisture from your skin. Middle layers are usually insulators and help to retain body heat, such as puffy jackets or fleece. Top layers are your protectors, they shield you from outside elements, like wind, rain, and snow. Layering isn’t limited to just three pieces. Wearing more layers that are lighter, can make smaller adjustments easier, while heavier and fewer can leave you either too cold or too hot.
Additional clothing options like hats and gloves can keep you warm in the areas where you are prone to losing the most heat. While sun hats and sun glasses can protect you from harmful UV rays. Many pants options come with zip off legs, to convert into shorts as the temperatures heat up. Multi-use items save bulk and weight in your pack. Another useful cold weather accessory is a Buff, similar to a balaclava, but usable in a wide variety of ways.
Water
Even light exercise depletes the body of water; lose too much and you can become dehydrated. Drinking enough water is easy and staying hydrated during your hike is crucial to your health and overall enjoyment outdoors. Pre-hydrating by drinking at least half a liter at the start of your hike ensures you’ll stay hydrated from the start. As a general rule, you should be drinking at least a half liter of water per hour in moderate temperatures. While in high heat, you should be drinking at least a liter. Water can be heavy to carry, at approximately 2.2 pounds per liter, it will quickly increase the weight of your pack.
Fortunately, there are a plethora of options for carrying and storing water while hiking. My personal favorite options are wide-mouthed one liter Nalgene bottles. These bottles are pretty much the standard water bottles for the outdoors and will fit perfectly into the side pockets on most backpacks. The wide-mouth is great year-round, but especially helps in winter to prevent freezing of your water supply. Most Nalgene designs also feature measurement gradients on the side to keep track of your water consumption or help measure for cooking meals.
Another water storage option are bladders, most commonly seen in backpack brands like Camelbak, Osprey, and Platypus. Hydration bladders come in a variety of sizes and fit conveniently inside your backpack. A hose extends down the shoulder strap, and is capped with a valve for quick on demand sips of water. While bladder systems are easy to carry and keep water accessible without stopping, it may be difficult to gauge how much water you have consumed or have remaining. Uninsulated hoses also have a tendency to freeze up in colder temperatures, cutting off your water supply entirely.
Soft bottles are yet another option. Similar to Nalgenes in size, but made of materials that are lighter weight, they can be packed down when empty to decrease bulk in your bag. Some bottles even have built in water filters in case you have to refill water from a natural source. Remember, always filter or treat your water if you’ve filled your bottles or bags from a natural source.
Backpack
Despite what you may have seen on social media, most hikers don’t carry large packs. Such packs are usually reserved for long treks like the Appalachian or Pacific Crest trails. As a beginner hiker or a casual weekend warrior, only a day pack is necessary. Pack capacities are measured in liters, and while day pack capacities will vary, there should be no need to exceed a pack capacity of 35L. The sweet spot for a day pack capacity seeing year round usage would land somewhere between 20L and 30L.
When considering the options of which pack to buy, you should first consider the equipment and gear you will be carrying, and then choose a pack that best suits your needs. Aside from some basic equipment you might carry in all seasons, your pack should be able to hold more in winter, when dressing in layers is necessary. If you are opting for a larger size bag or if you are carrying more weight, you might want to look at bags with hip belts. Hip belts, are designed to place the load of your pack on your hips, instead of your shoulders, decreasing fatigue and increasing the comfort of carrying a pack all day.
Pack access also varies by bag. Most packs are top loading, opening the top of the pack and reaching in. These packs offer different closure options, such as zippers, or cinch cords. Other packs may offer access options from the side, also known as panel loading, or through an opening at the bottom of the bag, to access your gear from both ends. Think about which option is more convenient for you to access your equipment.
When buying a pack, remember to buy the proper size. This can be determined by measuring your torso length and hip circumference. Purchasing a proper fitting bag is crucial to your comfort. Hiking packs are specially designed to carry and distribute the weight comfortably on the body, and buying the wrong size can cause discomfort or even injury. Other options to look for; exterior pockets to hold your water bottles for easy access, unless you opted for a hydration bladder. For bladders, ensure the bag has a routing system for the hose, and usually a separate pocket to store the bladder away from your gear. This extra pocket will keep your gear dry from the inside; but in the case of rain, you may want to buy a pack with a rain cover to improve your bags water resistance.
Rain Gear
“Wet” is a part of weather. Anyone seeking to spend time outdoors should be ready for whatever weather the skies may unleash. Prepare for wet scenarios by carrying rain gear with you. At the most basic level this should include a rain jacket, however if your backpack didn’t come with one, you may want to purchase a waterproof pack cover as well. Rain pants and gaiters can help keep your legs drier, although having quick drying hiking clothes is a great option if water does manage to seep through.
Rain gear is all meant to be worn over the rest of your layers. Your rain gear should be your outermost layer of clothing, your first line of defense against the elements. Rain gear may be labelled as either water resistant or waterproof; should it be labelled the latter, you can be certain that such gear can endure driving rains and serious squalls. Any waterproof jackets are also windproof. While keeping rain out, gear should also be breathable and allow your body to vent moisture and sweat from the layers underneath.
These rain gear layers are also referred to as shells, and come in a few different varieties. Hard shells are made of stiffer fabrics, and can be waterproof and breathable. Most hard shells are not insulated, and while this can be great for summer rains, in cooler weather, you may want to wear more underneath. Soft shells often combine insulators with waterproof shells, creating one piece of gear from the two outermost layers. While this can increase breath-ability, it may not have the same water resistance as hard shells. Soft shells tend to focus more on venting interior moisture, in high exertion activities.
Map / Navigation
The most important navigational tool for anyone embarking on a trip outdoors, is a map. Specifically a topographic map of the area you’ve chosen to explore. Unless your hike is in a well maintained park with a singular trail to follow and no chance of deviation whatsoever, you should be carrying a map with you on your adventure. A topographic map will display the terrain of an area, as well as the maintained, and sometimes unmaintained trails you can find there. A map can be utilized on it’s own, without the need for a compass, as long as you are able to orient yourself in the direction of travel and be able to find landmarks noted on the map.
A compass combined with map skills can be a simple and helpful way to help orient yourself in the wilderness. While many smartphones and GPS devices include compass apps, it can be helpful to have a manual compass that doesn’t operate on batteries. Learning how to use a compass isn’t too difficult and it can be a lifesaving tool in the back country. Many regions also host orienteering events that utilize navigational skills in a fun and competitive setting, helping you practice and hone your compass skill and maybe win some prizes as well.
GPS Devices are a more expensive option for navigation outdoors. Your phone may have a GPS built in, but often it is not nearly as accurate as a dedicated device, nor will it come with detailed topographic maps. GPS devices can be helpful in the back country or on trail-less hikes, and can provide an accurate location and digital topographic of the area. Dedicated devices are also a lot more durable and waterproof than most phones available today. Keep in mind, as with any digital device in the outdoors, batteries will eventually run out. Remember to bring spare batteries or chargers for your devices; but these will also quickly increase the weight of your pack.
Food
Food lovers rejoice. Gone are the days that your friend, fresh out of boot camp, brings along military-grade MRE’s to supplement the food needs of your hiking or backpacking trip. These days there are a huge variety of companies to choose from, whether you need small snacks for a day hike, or large meals for a multi-day trip. For a day trip, it is perfectly acceptable to pack a homemade or deli sandwich, and maybe a few snacks on the side. Snacks can be whatever you might have around the house as well; you can also find a large variety of snacks at your local outdoors store, many of which are made to help replenish the extra nutrients lost by higher exertion activities.
Bringing homemade food, will usually be the cheapest option, but for longer trips where the potential for food spoilage is more likely, many hikers opt for dehydrated meals. Dehydrated meals aren’t cheap, ranging from $8 – $12 for two servings, which may still serve a single person after a particularly strenuous day. They are however, an extremely lightweight option, and can be found in a variety of flavors and courses. You could serve yourself a three course meal with all the options available. Our personal favorites are Good-To-Go and AlpineAire. Good-To-Go always being the first option as they are a company here in the Northeast, and their food is always delicious.
Remember, whichever snacks or food you decide to pack, always pack a variety. Especially on multi-day trips, eating the same food and the same flavors repeatedly can be disappointing. Trying new meals on the trail can provide more excitement, giving you something delicious to look forward to when meal time comes around.
Headlamp / Flashlight
Sometimes a hike requires an early start, before the sun rises. Sometimes a hike finishes after the sunset, intentionally or not. Perhaps you find a cool cave to explore while day hiking. Being able to find your way in the darkness is essential, and carrying a light source is a great way to stay prepared. Anyone on a budget may opt to carry a flashlight, a great choice and something you may already own; although many hikers prefer the convenience of headlamps, keeping your hands free for other tasks, at your campsite or while still on the trail. Most of today’s headlamps use LEDs, which supply a longer lasting, energy efficient source of lighting.
When it comes to headlamps, the two most popular and easy to find brands are Black Diamond and Petzl. Both make a wide range of high quality headlamps, and either would be a great choice for purchase. Packaging for headlamps will display a variety of specifications and features; start by looking at the lumens. Lumens are how bright of an output the lamp will emit; 250 should be more than sufficient for most activities. Also look at the headlamps’ weight, run time, and beam type; beam type can be wide or narrow, listed as flood or spot lights respectively. Many lamps have a variety of other features to dim or brighten the light, and may even feature different color LEDs, like green or red, which can help preserve vision in the dark. You may want to consider a lamp that has an IP waterproof rating, if you are hiking year round or in areas with inclement seasonal weather.
First Aid
You don’t have to be a medical professional to carry a first aid kit. However it is important that you know how to use the supplies your kit includes. A small kit suitable for yourself can be an ideal option for those with limited medical knowledge. A small, basic kit will include simple supplies to treat minor cuts, abrasions, or blisters; antibiotic ointments, gauze, bandages, alcohol pads, and moleskin. Some basic kits may even include generic medications; antihistamines, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin. In the case of even simple medications, you should be trained or educated on whether or not to give the medication based on the situation.
As you venture deeper into the backcountry, you may need to carry more advanced supplies. You may want to take a Wilderness First Aid or other wilderness medicine course, to gain the knowledge on how to properly use a wider range of equipment. The best tool in anyone’s first aid kit is themselves; having the knowledge and the skills to treat an injury is more important than anything else.
Other Gear Considerations
The items listed here are no more or less important than the items listed above. The difference here is that everything should be fairly straight forward. You should be able to see an item here and already know why it would be a good idea to bring it. Some items should be carried every time, while other may be trip specific.
Identification
Cellphone
Camera
Sunscreen
Insect Repellent
Pocket Knife
Fire Starter
Tent / Hammock
Extra Food
Extra Water
Extra Socks / Layers
There is a huge market for outdoor products with an endless amount of options for you to carry on your adventures outdoors. A necessary piece of equipment for you, may be a luxury item for someone else. Think about the trip you are taking to decide whether you really need to carry an item with you.
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