One of the silver linings of 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic is the fact that more people have been taking to the outdoors as a safe and relaxing way to get some exercise. National park attendance has been especially popular, with more people camping and hiking. That being said, if you wouldn’t have considered yourself particularly outdoorsy before the pandemic began, you might not have all the materials you need to really enjoy hiking.
The right gear and equipment can make a significant difference in the hikes you take. Advancements in technology also provide you with new ways to add excitement to your trips through various national or state parks. While some of the items on this list are the sorts of things you’d expect to need on a hiking trip, others can really take your hiking up a notch.
One of the great things about getting outdoors is the exercise it offers you. Especially if you’re feeling like a couch potato after months of quarantining or working remotely, having a device to bring with you on your hikes that helps you track and analyze your health can be a welcome way to combat a more sedentary lifestyle. The Fitbit Versa 3 is one of the best fitness smartwatches on the market and comes packed with features to make your hikes (and everyday life) a little more exciting.
In addition to counting your steps and tracking your heart rate, the Fitbit Versa 3 also comes with GPS features and can help you know when you’re in a fat-burn zone. The Versa 3 also has some of the smartwatch features of the Apple Watch, such as the ability to receive messages and voice assistant capabilities compatible with Alexa as well as Google. All of these features combine to provide you with a useful tool to wear when you’re hiking as well as in everyday life, allowing you to more fully invest in your health goals this year.
A walking stick might not be the sexiest piece of gear to buy, but they actually have a valuable purpose depending on where you’re planning on hiking. For example, in mountainous regions of Arizona or Tennessee, it’s important to have something that provides a little bit more stability while you hike, and the TrailBuddy trekking poles are ideal for navigating rocky or uneven terrain.
Constructed from tough aluminum, these trekking poles can withstand a lot of pressure and abuse, making them ideal for hikes in all climates. At the same time, their aluminum construction makes them lightweight enough that they won’t unnecessarily weigh you down while you’re hitting the trails. Featuring comfortable cork handles to grip onto, TrailBuddy’s walking sticks are suitable for all weather. You can even pick from eight different colors in case you’re buying a set for you and your partner and don’t want to get them mixed up.
Bringing along enough water for your hike is a no-brainer; however, selecting the ideal water bottle can be challenging. While there are hundreds of options on the market, all at various price points, the 40-ounce water bottle from Embrava offers a great middle-ground for people new to hiking or those looking to replace an old bottle after years of use.
Embrava’s water bottle comes with a few key features that help it stand out from other options in the $20 to $30 price range. For starters, it has a larger volume than other options at this price point, meaning that you’ll be able to keep hiking without filling it up as often. Beyond its 40-ounce capacity, a leak-resistant cap prevents you from spilling water all over the inside of your backpack. Better yet, you can even use the carbon steel carrying ring to clip it to the outside of your pack or belt loop to avoid spills.
Although it might sound blasphemous if your goal in getting outdoors is to stay away from screens, a travel charger is an important device to toss in your gear bag before you hit the trail. Especially if you’re hiking alone, a travel charger serves as a vital tool in emergencies where you need to use your phone or another piece of tech in order to get help. When it comes to travel chargers, 4Patriots’ Patriot Power Cell is an ideal option, combining affordability with a few key features to create one of the more valuable options out there.
The 4Patriots power cell is a solar-charging lithium-ion battery pack that is small enough to fit in your pocket. Being able to charge it with solar energy is great since it means that you’ll be able to continue using it on a long three-day weekend without having to find an outlet. Featuring two USB ports, you can charge multiple devices at once, so if you’re hiking and have your phone and Fitbit with you, you won’t need to worry about alternating between which device is charging in the middle of the night.
A great complement for your travel charger is a hiking daypack like the one made by Bojly. As stylish as it is comfortable, the Bojly backpack is ideal for hiking trips thanks to its large storage capacity, multiple pockets, and universal USB port and headphone jack. The water-resistant fabric is great for all types of weather, while still being lightweight enough to keep your hiking going for many miles—the backpack alone weighs less than a pound.
Unlike other hiking packs on the market, Bojly’s daypack is more adjustable and customizable. For example, the water bottle pockets are adjustable, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not your water bottle (like the above-mentioned Embrava) will fit in the pocket. Plus, with strong seams, stitching, and stainless-steel zippers, you’ll get plenty of years of use out of this pack. If you care about the colors you can buy your gear in, you may want to keep searching; however, for hikers who are happy with the timeless look offered by a basic black backpack, Bojly should definitely be considered.
Having a few pairs of socks on hand is never a bad idea when you’re spending the day or weekend hiking in the wilderness. For starters, your socks might get damp or wet from sweat, puddles, or mud, which can really make your hike less enjoyable. That being said, not all socks are created equally when it comes to the demands of hiking, which is why investing in a few pairs of Smartwool socks is a great idea if you’re serious about keeping your feet comfortable and dry on the trail.
Smartwool’s trekking crew socks, for example, use a durable material that still lets your feet breathe and keeps them insulated. The blend of 29 percent Nylon, 70 percent Merino Wool, and one percent Elastane make them as comfortable to wear as they are long-lasting. As a performance sock with extra cushioning, Smartwool socks are ideal for a wide range of activities, including hiking, skiing, running, and bicycling. Once you wear a Smartwool sock, you’ll see why they’re one of the most recommended performance socks on the market.
Just like it’s important to have the right socks when you go hiking, it’s crucial to have the right boots as well. Hiking boots come in a variety of styles, so it’s hard to recommend a specific boot that will be suitable for all of your specific needs. Even so, it’s widely known that Salomon is one of the most recommended brands in hiking and they have a few different styles of hiking boots to serve your needs.
The Quest 4D 3 GTX boot, for example, has an advanced chassis to help you keep your footing even on unstable terrain. At the same time, they’re made with a material that is excellent at gripping the ground, whether it’s grassy, sandy, or rocky. Another popular Salomon hiking boot is the Cross Hike Mid GTX, which offers waterproof materials to keep your feet dry (great in combination with your Smartwool socks!) while still offering grip for all terrains.
Another item to put in your hiking pack that straddles the line between emergency-use and entertainment is a hand-crank radio. If an unanticipated weather system or storm is coming your way, having an emergency radio is a great way to stay informed while you’re out in the wilderness. That being said, if you have AM/FM bandwidth, you can also pick up some talk radio shows or music stations, too, which could be a nice complement to your hike.
The RunningSnail emergency hand-crank radio is one of the best due to its portability and affordability. It functions as both a crank and solar-powered radio and comes with a long-range antenna. Newer models of RunningSnail’s emergency radios also feature an emergency high-powered LED flashlight and a USB power bank for charging other electronic devices. With so much additional functionality offered at under $20, RunningSnail’s radio is ideal for long trips into the wilderness.
A useful gadget to toss in a pocket of your pants for quick and easy access is a multipurpose tool. Granted, you won’t always need to have such a tool on hand, but it’s always better to have something and not need it than need something and not have it. Especially when you’re in the wilderness camping, hiking, or hunting, having access to the tools in Rose Kuli’s portable tool, such as an ax, hammer, pliers, wire cutters, and screwdriver can be incredibly handy.
Keep in mind that the tool isn’t just for emergencies, either. Especially if you love fishing, you’ll get extra use out of this tool in other parts of your life as well. It even comes with a carrying pouch to keep it safe and dry, or you can attach it to your belt loop for convenience. Made of high-quality materials, you’re bound to get plenty of use out of it for as long as you plan on continuing to enjoy the outdoors.
If you’ve watched any season of CBS’ hit reality show, Survivor, you’re probably already familiar with the Buff. This multifunctional garment can be worn in a variety of ways on your head and face, making it incredibly useful to have when you’re out on a hike.
For example, you can use your Buff as a face covering if you’re in dusty or windy weather and want to keep your nose and mouth safe from debris or airborne particles. You can also use your buff to keep your hair back, wipe away excess sweat, and protect you from excessive sunlight or windburn. Some Buffs even come treated with insect repellant, which can keep mosquitoes and other pests like ticks away from you while you traverse wooded areas. Especially considering how lightweight and useful they are, Buffs are a great addition to any camping or hiking bag.
