The Essential Hiking Gear List for Beginners
Hiking is more than just a long walk in the woods; it has numerous advantages. It is mentally stimulating, helps to reduce stress, and keeps you physically fit; it is an excellent way to exercise both the body and the mind. Hiking inspires people to come up with life-changing and creative ideas.
However, as a beginner, don’t be intimidated; it’s completely normal to be unsure of what hiking gear to bring. Before you hit the trail, make sure you have all of the necessary equipment to make your hike comfortable and to prepare you for unforeseen circumstances.
Essential Hiking Equipment Review
This focus on the hiking essentials for beginners will explain why you need to pack these items, with recommendations so you can have the best gear with you.
1. Good Hiking Shoes 🥾
Because you’ll be doing a lot of walking, your most important hiking assets are your feet, and your hiking shoes are your most important gear. Some hikers (read: experienced hikers) walk in sneakers, which, while not entirely bad, aren’t ideal for beginners, especially if you’re going on a steep hike.
Ultimately, the shoes you wear will be determined by your preferences and the terrain on which you intend to hike. However, it is essential to buy the proper hiking shoes.
Look for a lightweight, sturdy shoe that fits perfectly in your heels has enough traction, and is loose enough at the toe to not constrict you when you wear socks.
Salomon X Ultra 3 Gore-TEX Hiking Shoes for Men, Black/Magnet/Quiet Shade, 9.5
- Waterproof Hiking Shoes: Whether you are hitting the trails or looking for a solid work shoe, these...
- A Better Way Down: Designed with Descent Control Technology, the X Ultra 3 GORE-TEX hiking shoe...
- Adventure Awaits: Whether you love a local day hike or hitting the trails for a multi-day adventure,...
2. Comfortable Hiking Clothes 👕
Every beginner hiker gear starts with comfortable clothes. Never make the mistake of backpacking in jeans or cotton. Jean’s chaff and gets soggy and heavy when wet. Cotton is generally bad hiking clothing because it doesn’t dry when wet.
Instead, wear quick-drying, lightweight, durable sports clothes that are specially made for active outdoor use. It’s okay to go hiking in short sleeves if you’re not going in the cold, but always have a rain jacket.
However, if you’re going hiking in the winter or in the cold, you should make sure to wear layered clothing and a waterproof jacket. They keep you warm, and you can easily pull them off when you get too warm. The weather can change at any time, so even if you’re going hiking in warm weather, bring extra clothing.
Here’s the cloth I always have with me when I go hiking, no matter what:
Columbia Men's Granite Mountain Fleece Jacket (Medium, Black)
- 100% polyester.
- Mockneck collar.
- Two Zip Close Front Hand Pockets
3. Reusable Water Bottle 💦
The most important thing you should bring on your hike is plenty of water. This cannot be overstated. One of the most common issues that new hikers face is dehydration.
However, as a beginner, it can be difficult to determine how much water you will require for your hike. It can be more, but as a general rule, bring at least 0.5 liters of water for every hour you intend to hike.
Instead of bottled water, get a couple of good water bottles for hiking, preferably ones that can fit into backpack pouches so you don’t have to hold them in your hands, and fill them up with water. Bottled water isn’t exactly environmentally friendly, and it’s bound to become warm and unpleasant after a while. You should also have water treatment on hand so that you can treat any clean water that comes your way if you run out.
- TempShield insulation keeps beverages cold up to 24 hours and hot up to 12 hours
- Made with 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel to ensure durability, pure taste and no flavor transfer
- Flex Cap is leakproof when closed, to transport without worry
4. Hiking hats and sun protection 🕶
Wearing sunscreen is essential for any hiking trip, even in the winter. If adequate precautions are not taken to protect oneself from the sun, the consequences of sunburn, chapped lips, and chafed skin may cause you to cancel your subsequent hiking trip.
Wear polarized sunglasses and hiking hats, apply plenty of sunscreen before beginning the hike, always remember to bring extra, and, if possible, wear a hoodie.
Use lip balm, preferably one with SPF, and remember to apply it. If you’re a woman, consider purchasing a hiking hat made specifically for women to protect you from the sun.
- Face sunscreen for oily skin with broad spectrum SPF 60 protection; Sunscreen absorbs pore clogging...
- This oil free sunscreen provides advanced protection while absorbing pore-clogging oil, even in heat...
- Non-comedogenic sunscreen for oily skin provides broad spectrum SPF 60 protection. Oil-free...
5. Backpack 🎒
This is the ultimate basic hiking equipment. Whether you’re going on a short or long hike, your hiking backpack will, to a large extent, determine how successful your hike will be.
A good hiking backpack should be lightweight, strong, made of breathable material, large enough to hold everything you need on your walk, and should grant you easy access to your hydration bladder or water bottles.
From the material to the strap length, the size, compartments, and fitness, it is very important that you pick the right backpack. If you’re a woman, we suggest that you use a backpack made specifically for women rather than one made for men. Women’s backpacks are designed to rest on a different part of the back, so they would therefore be more comfortable for you.
- Internal padded laptop sleeve
- Dual zippered hipbelt pockets
- Blinkie light attachment
6. Trekking Poles🚶
Every type of hiker, even novices and experts, can benefit from using trekking poles or hiking sticks. They are beneficial for a number of reasons, including relieving pressure and tension on the joints; aiding in balance, particularly over rocky or uneven terrain; making excellent splints in the event of accidents, and serving as a deterrent to wild animals.
As a beginner, you should invest in a solid pair of trekking poles that are adjustable, have a good grip, and have replaceable carbide tips. Three materials can be used to make trekking poles: carbon fiber, aluminum, or the heaviest option, wood.
Although somewhat heavier than carbon fiber poles, aluminum poles are more durable and less expensive. On the other hand, carbon fiber poles are the most shock-absorbing yet are prone to breaking under pressure. Choose a trekking pole based on your needs.
- Built to Last: Made of 3k 100% Carbon Fiber, each pole weighs only 7.6 oz allowing you to keep your...
- Added Comfort: We use moisture-wicking ergonomic cork grips that conform to your hand shape for...
- Premium Stability: With our flip lock lever technology, our hiking poles are easy to adjust & lock...
7. A Headlamp or Torchlight 🔦
One of the most dangerous hiking mistakes you can make is going without a light source. Headlamps or torchlights, whether battery-powered or high-powered, are required, especially if you plan to stay until the sun goes down.
Never play with your torch; without one, you won’t be able to see when it gets dark, and getting lost in the dark is no laughing matter. Bring a torch even if you only intend to hike for a few hours, because you never know what might happen.
If you plan to spend the night or hike at night, bring a sleeping bag, insect repellent, and a fire starter (or another source of ignition). Keep extra batteries on hand if your torch is battery-powered.
- LIGHT FOR EVERYDAY ADVENTURES: The Petzl TIKKA (300 lumens) has three white lighting levels:...
- LIGHTWEIGHT and COMPACT: At only 82 g 2.9 oz, the TIKKA will light your path on the trail, on the...
- HYBRID CONCEPT: Petzl headlamps can run on either the CORE rechargeable battery or three AAA...
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