When we first started hiking a few years ago, we didn’t pack very well, nor were we very prepared for what we’d encounter. We hoped for the best and went from there! But as our obsession for exploring grew, we started investing in more stuff that made our adventures a little easier.
We know that if you’re new to hiking, it might be a little overwhelming to head to the trail without being completely ready. Don’t fret: we’ve got you covered with these tips for when you start your adventurous journey.
What to Wear:
1) Sturdy Footwear
Whether it’s a pair of running shoes or hiking boots, it’s important to make sure you have a sturdy pair of footwear. Some trails are easy on your feet but others can be filled with tons of rocks and tree roots that you can trip on. So, it’s much better to have shoes with support to help protect you from these hazards.
Don’t feel pressured to purchase an expensive pair of hiking boots if you’re just starting out. Any pair of runners will do the trick for a short hike. But if you’re doing long hikes in difficult terrain, then it might be good to invest in pair of quality hiking boots.
What we use: Salomon Waterproof hiking boots.
2) Pants/Shorts
This can be a pair of comfortable hiking pants, athletic tights or trousers. While pants will keep your legs protected from hazards like poisonous plants or insect bites, shorts are good to keep cool on hot days and offer more mobility.
3) Shirts
It’s ideal to wear shirts that are moisture wicking, but you really just need any comfortable top that offers flexibility. On some hikes, we find ourselves needing to use a rock or tree root to help us climb up the trail. Tops with more movement allow us to get around obstacles better!
4) Rain Gear
In cooler and rainy weather, it’s important to pack a jacket. Make sure it’s waterproof with a hood to help protect you from rain or hail. If you get one with pockets, you can keep your phone or camera in for easy reach!
If you don’t have a rain jacket, you can also use a poncho to keep dry, but it’s not as comfortable.
5) Hat
On sunny days, it’s always a good idea to bring a brimmed hat to protect your face from the sun. But personally, I usually just wear a headband to keep the hair out of my face.
What to pack:
1) A Small Backpack
You don’t need to invest in anything fancy, but it’s nice to have a small and lightweight backpack to carry all of your things. Having one with more pockets is useful for organizing everything, but not necessary.
2) Sunscreen and Insect Repellent
It’s important to protect your skin from the sun as well as insects. There’s nothing worse than coming home with a sunburn and insect bites all over your skin. It’s not fun.
3) First Aid Kit
It doesn’t hurt to keep a simple first aid kit on you. You can either buy one or make your own. We made ours with bandages, alcohol wipes, medical tape, scissors and gauze. Getting scrapes and cuts happen all the times, so we found it’s helpful to be prepared when that happens.
4) Electronics
Bring a camera or phone to take awesome photos from your hikes. Make sure your batteries are fully charged before you start. A phone is also extremely useful in emergency situations, should one come up.
5) Water and Snacks
Hydration is key for any hike! Always bring plenty of water on a hike, especially if it’s a hot day. On longer hikes, we like to bring snacks like fruits, nuts, peanut butter sandwiches, beef jerky or protein bars to keep our energy up. But if that’s not your taste, bring something that’s easy and tasty to munch on!