The most impressive thing about hiking is the fact that it doesn’t need a lot of gear as compared to many other sports. With a few essential gadgets, you are good to hit the trail and enjoy a great hiking experience. However, even though it’s not necessary to spend a fortune on hiking gear, investing on a few vital supplies will not only enable you to stay safe but you will also be more comfortable during your treks.
Interestingly, there are a wide variety of treks and trekking conditions around the world. All of them usually requires certain types of gear and that’s why it’s impossible to have an exhaustive list of the items every type of hiker should own. Over the same, if hiking is one of your favourite outdoor activities, then, there are vital hiking gear you should strive to own. Here are some of those items.
Appropriate hiking clothes
The first item you should own if you want to have enjoyable hiking experiences is proper hiking clothes. The season you plan to go hiking will help you determine the clothes you will need. It’s obvious you will need light clothes if you are trekking during hot weather and warmer clothes for colder seasons but some tips can help you to pack your clothes for any typical trekking experience and one of them is layering. Dressing in layers gives you the freedom to respect the weather changes. Meaning, it’s easy to remove some pieces of clothes such as heavy jackets and scarfs in case the weather changes from cold to warm and put them back when it becomes colder.
More so, investing in a good pair of hiking boots and socks is a great step for any hiker even if you are just starting. Good shoes will protect your feet and ankles when walking on those uneven terrains. The socks will keep your feet dry and provide the comfort you need to walk faster and further. Always remember to pack extra clothes. They can be a lifesaver when you need to change in case you get wet.
Shelter
If you are going to hike for more than a day, then you will need a place to rest for the night. The shelter must be comfortable and warm to enable you to enjoy a goodnight’s sleep. It’s the only way you are going to get back your energy for the next day’s trek. Hikers planning a day or half-day hike should also have an emergency shelter. You need to be prepared for any eventualities that may force you to turn your day trek into an overnight stay. Although an emergency shelter may not be very comfortable, it will protect you from wind and rain. When packing your emergency shelter, remember to include a blanket and a lightweight tarp. They may seem unnecessary, but in the case of an emergency, you will see how important they are.
First aid kit
A hiking pack without a first aid kit is not complete and you shouldn’t head out to the trail with it. A good hiking first aid kit should contain various sizes of adhesive bandages, OTC pain medication, blister treatment, adhesive tape, gauge pads and antibiotic ointment. You may also want to consider a snake bite kit if where you are going is infested with snakes.
Other essential gear may include:
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Water purifier
- Reusable water bottle
- Fire starters
- Sun protection hat
- Outer gloves
Factors that determine the type of gear you need for hiking
The above items are crucial for every hiking trip but some things can help you decide on the ones you need to carry during your various hiking experiences. Before packing for your next hike, consider this information.
The weather
The weather condition of the place you are intending to trek to will play a major role when it comes to the items you need to bring along. If you want to trek lighter, then schedule your trek in warmer months of summer although at high altitude during summer it is still cold especially during the night.
As for winter months, be prepared to pack enough cold-weather gear. Trekking during these months is not a joke and you are likely to experience the toughest trekking conditions. That’s why you shouldn’t consider this type of trek if you are a beginner.
It is also important to appreciate that weather can fluctuate rapidly especially at high altitude. Therefore, be prepared for such changes when packing for your trek. It is better to be safe than sorry. Even if you are planning a day hike in the middle of summer months, consider bringing along a few supplies that can cope with heavy monsoon rains, just in case. This is particularly important if you are planning to trek to high altitude. If you are sure your trek will not go beyond the sea level, you have done this before and you are sure of the conditions, then you may get away from packing those extra items.
The altitude
The altitude is another factor that contributes to the type of gear you will need to pack. The weather conditions at high altitude are volatile and so unpredictable. The usual cold is much colder at high altitude. This could be associated with the fact that your body needs to work harder to maintain core body temperature because the high altitude environment is oxygen-depleted. Hence, for high altitude treks, you must equip yourself with proper cold-weather gear. There are no two ways about it.
The length and type of your hiking trip
The longer the trek, the more the gear required. For instance, what you will require for a half-day hiking tour with family members is different from what long-distance trekkers in the Himalayas will require. If you are trekking on a frequented local trail on a bright sunny day, you will not need a lot of supplies as you would have needed if you were planning a solo trek in a remote location. Plus, you may require more supplies if you plan to trek even during the night. So, before you decide on the things you are going to pack, consider the location of your hike and the duration you intend to be away from home. However, it’s important to be prepared in case you end up staying longer than you had anticipated.
Trekking like the legend you are
Owning the right gear for your hiking will enable you to enjoy all your hiking experiences to the fullest. As long as you have all the necessary gear to cope with different weather conditions and other circumstances around the area you are trekking at, you are at liberty to pack as light as you want. Just ensure you don’t leave any important gear behind. A little extra weight can turn out to be a lifesaver while in the wild.
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