When going to hike, carrying the right hiking equipment is important. Carrying this equipment is important, even if you will use only a few of them or none. It is when things go unplanned that you will appreciate the value of carrying these items.
Hiking enthusiasts advise hikers to carry essential items, such as a compass, a map, sunglasses, extra clothing, flashlight, fire starter, matches, first-aid supplies, extra food, and a knife. In this article, we look at the 10 essential hiking equipment you should carry when going for a hike.
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Before you Start Hiking
Whether you are new or old to hiking, you have to be well-prepared before going out. While skills and knowledge cannot fit in your backpack, they are critical to have. If you are new to hiking, it is ideal to check out local hiking groups so that you can learn new hiking skills and get to know more experienced hikers.
The other thing, you have to know your hiking route and plans before leaving. It is always important to leave your trip plan with a family member or trusted friend. Leaving a trip plan will make it easy to locate you in case things don’t go as planned.
What are the 10 Important Essentials of Hiking?
1. Perfect Footwear
The kind of hiking shoes you wear will determine how long you can walk without feeling feet discomfort or sweating. Before choosing the shoe, you have to think about breathability, traction, support, comfort, fitting, and protection. The best boots to purchase are hiking boots and mountaineering shoes. Hiking boots are constructed from breathable, fast-drying, heavy-duty materials that can tolerate any terrain and weather.
In addition, you have to choose hiking boots that are designed with breathability in mind to prevent your feet from sweating or forming odor. Still, look for a boot with better traction so that you can walk on any terrain, whether it is uneven or flat.
The most important navigation tools for hiking include: a map, compass, GPS device, altimeter watch, and a personal locator beacon.
Map:
A map is only useful if you know how to use it. Carrying a map will help you know your path, and the chances of getting lost will be low. If you don’t know how to use a map yet, talk to any experienced hiker or someone who knows how to use it. Having enough knowledge to use a map will help you know frequently used nature trails and prevent you from getting lost.
Compass:
In case you get lost in the backcountry, a compass combined with map-reading skills will be a vital tool. Nowadays, watches and GPS devices are equipped with electronic compasses that make navigation easy. However, electronic compasses can be unreliable sometimes, and carrying a standard baseplate compass will be an added advantage.
A standard compass is lightweight, and it doesn’t need batteries, making it convenient to carry. Consider a compass with a sighting mirror so that you can flash sunlight to a rescuer in case of an emergency.
GPS Device:
A GPS device is a good tool for supplementing a compass and a map. This is an advanced navigation tool that enables you to find your location on a digital map. Besides, it is made from the best heavy-duty and waterproof materials to support use. To use a GPS device, you only need a smartphone with a GPS app.
The drawback about GPS devices is that they drain your gadget’s power faster, making them a bit unreliable. So, you will need to monitor battery power and carry extra batteries or a power bank.
Still, GPS signals are unreliable when you are hiking in valleys surrounded by tall mountains. Before you decide to use GPS as your navigation device, know what kind of terrain you will be hiking through.
Altimeter watch: This is another important navigational tool you should bring along. The watch uses a barometric sensor to measure air pressure to give you a close estimate of elevation. With this watch, you can track your progress and determine your precise location on a map.
3. Sun Protection
Depending on the season and weather condition, you should bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and sun-protective clothing. Excess exposure to sun rays can cause snow-blindness, sunburns, skin cancer, premature aging, and vision damage.
When it comes to sun protection, you need to carry the following:
Sunglasses:
Sunglasses are important to carry when going for a hike as they protect your eyes from harmful and excess sun rays. If you are going to hike on ice or snowy areas, carry extra-dark glacier glasses. It is ideal to carry an extra pair of spare sunglasses to help one group member in case one loses or forgets theirs.
Sun protective clothing:
Carrying sun-protective clothing will block UV rays from reaching your skin. Buy breathable and light long sleeve shirts to keep your arms covered. Still, you can find some long sleeve shirts with a hood that gives more protection.
Carry a baseball cap or broad-brimmed hat to keep sun rays off the face. Having a breathable neck gaiter will keep your neck from getting burned. Sun-protective clothes have an ultraviolet protection factor that protects you against UVB and UVA light.
Sunscreen:
If you go hiking without having the right gear for sun protection, you will expose your body to harmful UV rays. Ultraviolet rays cause premature skin aging, sunburns, and skin cancer. So, you should apply sunscreen before you leave to limit exposure to UV rays. You should apply sunscreen thoroughly to all exposed skin.
You can reapply sunscreen after every two hours depending on the time of the day, sweat, and many more factors.
4. Water
When going hiking, it is important to stay well hydrated. The body requires water to keep essential systems working effectively and that is why it is important to carry enough water. The more you walk, the more energy and water the body uses, and not drinking water will cause dehydration.
To be on the safer side, a good hiker should drink at least ½ liter of water per hour. When it’s hot or the hike is intense, you will require a liter or more per hour. If you are going to hike for long hours, 4 liters is the recommended intake per person.
Furthermore, your water should be accessible via a hydration or water bottle so that you can hydrate hassle-free while you hike. Before beginning your hike, fill your water bottle with water from a potable.
Also, while water is important for the hike, it is one of the heaviest essentials you will need to carry on the trail. Therefore, you should avoid carrying exhaustive extra water bottles. Hiking enthusiasts advice hikers to carry lightweight water purifiers so they can hydrate often.
In addition, carrying a water purifier will help you hydrate from any natural water source.
5. Food
When going hiking, you should carry enough food that will last you during the hike. Still, you can carry some extra in case you last longer than expected. Don’t just carry food; carry calorie-dense foods that will fuel your hike. You should pack items that don’t require cooking and those with long shelf life. Carry dried fruits, jerky, nuts, bagels, make sandwiches, tortillas, and energy bars.
6. Headlamp
Even if you don’t intend to extend your hike past dark hours, it is good to carry a headlamp. In case you get lost, injured, or get delayed, having a headlamp will help you get back home safely. The good thing about a headlamp is that it keeps your hands free, whether you are holding trekking poles or cooking dinner.
Before you leave, make sure the headlamp is fully charged. Consider carrying some extra batteries for an emergency. Furthermore, in case the headlamp is rechargeable, carry a power bank and a compatible charge cable.
7. First Aid Kit
No matter where you want to go hiking, it is good to carry a first aid kit and know how to use the items. If you don’t know how to use first aid items, it is good to join a class that offers skills required to administer CPR and first aid. Before you start your hike, remember to restock items and replace the expired ones. A good first aid kit should contain the following items:
- Over-the-counter pain medication
- Blister band-aids
- Disinfecting ointment
- Gauze pads
- Adhesive tape
- Adhesive badges of different sizes
- Scissors
- Protective gloves
- Wilderness whistle
- Tweezers
It is a good idea to carry a simple guide to dealing with medical emergencies or injuries. The first aid kit should be made from weather-resistant material that will protect items from damage.
8. Multi-Purpose Tools
Carrying a multi-tool will help you with gear repair, first aid, or in the least expected situations. For instance, talk of a knife that makes a good multi-tool. A knife is good for food preparation, slicing fruits, building fires, doing repairs, and many more tasks. Every hiking enthusiast should carry a knife when going hiking.
Buy the advanced knives and multi-tools including things like flathead screwdrivers, a pair of foldout scissors, and a can opener. So, with a reliable multi-tool, hiking will be enjoyable.
9. Fire
In case of an emergency, you need to have supplies that will help you start and maintain a fire. Starting a fire not only gives you warmth but you can use it to send signals to rescuers in case of an emergency. Many hikers prefer using a disposable butane lighter as it is reliable in many conditions.
Still, you can use matches provided they are waterproof. Because convenient-store matchbooks are flimsy, you should unpack the matches and pack them in a heavy-duty box that will prevent them from damage.
In are going in a terrain where burnable wood is not available, such as trips on snow or above treeline, you should carry a backpacking stove for emergency heat.
10.Emergency Shelter
There is a difference between shelter and emergency shelter. If you are going for a one-day hike, that’s when you will need an emergency shelter but a shelter is needed if you a going for multi-day hiking. Carrying an emergency shelter will protect you from wind, rain, or extreme sun in case you get lost or injured on the trail.
For a single-day hike, you can carry a space blanket, a bivy sack, or a lightweight tarp. However, keep in mind that your emergency shelter is only useful to you if you have it at all times.
Bonus
Because weather conditions can change unexpectedly, it is good to carry some extra clothes beyond the ones needed for the hike. Still, you can injured or get lost, resulting in an unplanned night out. When deciding what to carry, choose the clothes that will help you survive in any condition. You can carry some tops, underwear, an insulating hat, extra socks, extra gloves, vest, or a synthetic jacket. If you are going to hike during the winter season, carry insulation clothes that will offer enough warmth.
Bottom Line
After reading our guide above, we hope you have got enough knowledge on what to bring during your next hike. These must-have items will ensure you are safe and comfortable during the hike. If this guide was helpful, please feel comfortable to share with family and friends.