10 Hiking Essentials You Need to Safely Hit the Trail

Whether you are casually hiking to your favorite waterfall or heading for difficult trails, carrying hiking essentials is absolutely critical.

Hiking gear will set you up to address the most unexpected challenges you may face outdoors. The key is to always pack these items; whether you are going on a day hike or multi-day trip.

It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an experienced one, you can’t go wrong while choosing the things to carry on a hike. So to help you, we have come up with a list of 10 hiking essentials.

Read on!

Hiking Shoes

One of the most common mistakes a hiker makes is not choosing the right hiking footwear. At the start a trail might seem easy and flat but after a few miles it will become tough and unsafe with sandals or flip-flops as you may get injured.

So you should pick up a good pair of hiking shoes that have a solid sole and give good grip.

Backpack

Like a good pair of hiking shoes, a versatile backpack is an essential gear for all the hikers.

Choose a backpack that is lightweight and will keep all your essential items. Also, pick a backpack that is easy to take on rough trails.

First-Aid Kit

First-aid kits are essential to carry on hiking as you may get injuries, sprains cuts or allergic reactions.

However, your first-aid kit doesn’t have to be chock full of medical supplies. You should pack only essentials like bandages, ointments, cotton, antiseptics . The first-aid kit would be your ultimate savior in case of any medical emergency on hiking.

Water bottles

This one is basic hiking gear for all the hikers. You should always plan for carrying enough water on the hike.

Water bottles not only keep you hydrated but are also easy to carry. Though, if you are going for longer hikes you can carry a water reservoir or water bladder.

Sun Protection

Overexposure to the sun can lead to dehydration, sunburn, heatstroke or fatigue. Hence, you should always carry a good sunscreen while hiking.

Screen up your face and places that can get significant sun exposure. Your sunscreen should have a good SPF rating so as to protect your skin from sun. Also, add sun protective clothing, a hat or sunglasses for better protection.

Headlamp

Having a headlamp in your hiking backpack ensures that you don’t have to race against daylight to get back to the trailhead.

It is excellent for on-trail hiking as it gives you a wide beam to see what is ahead of you. A simple, small headlamp would be a great addition to the hiking gear of all the beginners.

Rain or Wind Jacket

Weather can change any moment. So it is always ideal to carry a rain or a wind jacket with you.

Look for a jacket that will protect you from wind or rain while being breathable. The breathable material of these jackets will soak water easily and allow your sweat to easily evaporate. Also, these jackets are lightweight and can easily get fit inside your hiking bags.

Repair Tool Kit

It is always a good idea to carry a repair tool kit for your next hiking adventure. This kit includes knives, duct tape and other essential equipment that you may need on a hiking trip.

This would give you an added advantage to enjoy your hiking adventure without worrying about anything.

Nutrition

When preparing for a hike, make sure to bring along enough calories to sustain your energy for a long day hike.

For that you should carry enough food while hiking. Energy bars, dried fruits, nuts, and jerky are foods that give you adequate nutrition while hiking. These kinds of foods will keep you going with energy.

Trekking Poles

Trekking pole is a gear that many hikers prefer to carry on hiking. It is an incredible tool to keep in your hands.

Whether you have an unexpected injury or the trail is slippery, trekking poles can be pulled out when you need them. The main benefit of trekking poles is reduced impact on knees and better stability.

These are the basic hiking gear that you should take while hitting the trails.

We in-house the best hiking gear for all your hiking adventures. Choose the hiking gear for your next hiking adventure and get ready to hit the trails with ease, comfort and safety.