Every hiking beginner always has questions about what gear to buy, so we decided to make a basic list – a starting point suggestion – for those who are starting out in the world of hiking.
It is important to remember that having the right gear for the right situations offers much more comfort and safety to the activity. However, that is not all. Knowing how to properly use these materials and knowing the environment you are visiting is critical.
The duration, time of year, and location can determine which gear to carry. However, we list here what is the minimum gear needed for any type of hiking.
Table of Contents
First Aid Kit
Accidents happen, never ignore this sentence. The important thing is always to be prepared and has enough information to do well in situations like this. It is therefore essential to carry a first aid kit for minor injuries or discomfort and to know minimally the first aid procedures.
Water
Staying hydrated is very important on a hike, especially if it’s a sunny day. If you use the water available on the river, for example, it is important to know how to purify the water. From the simplest canteen to the most elaborate, the important thing is that there is no shortage of water (or sports drinks or coconut water) during the tour. By the time we start feeling thirsty, our water (water) and electrolyte (sodium and potassium) balance have already been affected. Therefore a simple rule is to drink small sips (about 200 ml) every 40 minutes.
Communication and Navigation Gear
No matter where you hike, safety is always the priority. To be always on track and stay connected to your friends, it is essential to carry personal GPS tracker for you and your team members because your phone may be out of cell service coverage. With personal tracking devices, everyone can share real-time location on the phone app even when there’s no cellular service.
If you encounter an emergency, you can send SOS signals to others without cell service. GoFindMe is one of the best GPS tracking devices for personal use. The battery lasts as long as 72 hours, and the tracking range can reach up to 5 kilometers. Besides, there’ s no monthly subscription fee for this tracking device. moreover, it can be used as a car GPS tracker, which is added value.
Backpack
A comfortable backpack, sized to fit your needs, can prevent a day of discomfort as well as back pain. It is important to pay attention to the types of backpacks that exist for each situation. For a few hours hike a small backpack, for a trail of several days a hose. Here’s how to choose the right backpack and other tips. In addition to the model, the way to pack the backpack is also crucial.
Flashlight
Another item that cannot be missed inside the trailer’s backpack is a flashlight. Although the walk is short, it is light gear and can help a lot if something unforeseen happens (such as loss of time control, wrong fork or even an accident) and the ride takes longer than expected. A good flashlight with bad batteries is useless weight, so always have new alkaline batteries for the flashlight as well as spare batteries. And before leaving home, it costs nothing to check if the flashlight is working.
Appropriate Footwear
There are currently a wide variety of hiking boots on the market. Some lighter, some heavier, some with a short barrel, some with a long barrel, some with water-resistant protective layer, others with breathable mesh… What is important to know is that if you go for a trail you should wear appropriate footwear. that. The everyday footwear used in the city is usually not suited to the demands of the natural environment and would probably not support the uneven terrain found on the trails. But remember that it is important not only to be adapted to the external environment but also to the internal one, that is, your foot has to be comfortable in it.
Hat and sunscreen
To protect yourself from the sun, two essential items are cap and sunscreen. Even if the weather is cloudy or the sun seems weak, it doesn’t hurt to have these items in your backpack and avoid sunburn.
Toilet paper and trash bag
Two key items for the conscious walker. Respect nature and practice the principles of minimal impact on trails. Remember that you are the stranger in that space, so you must do everything not to change it. Always carry all your trash back on a walk, including toilet paper. And never evacuate near waterways so as not to pollute them. It is recommended to move away at least 30 meters and bury solid waste. Many climbers carry a small garden shovel (plastic or metal) for this purpose.
