Gear to get you outdoors
Get out on that hike!
You want to get to a view like this. You want to spend quality time with friends. You want to get the health benefits of being in nature. But you ask: What should I bring on the hike? If this sounds like you, read on.
I get asked these questions a lot so this post is one in a series of posts about gear. And let me tell you, I love outdoor gear! That said, I also admit to wearing hiking pants that are 20 years old, which also speaks to the durability of some outdoor gear. One thing that can seem intimidating is the lingo. I’ve added definitions to help with that.
The basics: water, shoes, the right clothes, map or app.
Water. Hydration packs are the way to go for anything over an hour (if it’s cool outside) or anytime in the heat.
Wait. Hydration pack?
Basically, either a hip back or small backpack that has a bladder that holds water and a hose with nozzle to drink it. The bladder goes into the hydration pack and the hose will come around your shoulder (or waist). Here is a good article on the kinds of packs for different outdoor activities.
Shoes.
When I started hiking, there were just hiking boots. They were big and bulky. Hiking shoe options have since expanded to light hikers, trail runners, boots. Which one you choose depends on the kind of hiking you’ll be doing. If you’re carrying weight, like a heavy backpack, you may want more support. If your trails are rocky, you may want thicker soles. That said, a friend of mine hikes on rocky trails wearing minimalist or barefoot shoes. The bottom line here is to wear something comfortable that has the level of support you prefer. And be sure to break them in before doing any major hikes. Wear them around the house and on short walks to be sure they don’t hurt and won’t create blisters.
Clothing.
Some essential pieces are: windbreaker and/or lightweight rain jacket that doubles as windbreaker; base layers (lightweight, midweight and/or heavy weight depending on your locale and time of year); ear warmers (my ears always get cold!); good socks for the season.
In summer, it’s pretty simple because where I am, it’s hot. A tank top and running shorts should do. You may consider wearing mid calf socks if you will be walking through grasses or brush. I also prefer a lightweight sun shirt and hat. The sun shirt has SPF protection so I don’t get sunburned. In the spring where I live, a rain jacket is pretty essential. I also have rain pants for hiking any distance in the rain. In spring, fall and winter, layers are essential. Base layers for winter (central Virginia winters are not extreme so I go with light to mid-weight layers), a windbreaker, lightweight fleece, ear warmers, gloves, gaiter (has lots of options) and warm socks. You may need more depending on where you are.
Map or app.
I use the app Trailforks because I also mountain bike and it works for both hiking and mountain biking. I also have paper maps of the areas I hike in. It lets me highlight a given trail and see the elevation gain, distance and topography. The bottom line is that you should know where you are going. Many trails are well marked so you don’t get lost. Some are not. If you are new to hiking, consider getting comfortable hiking the former.
The rest.
Of course there are many other items you should consider carrying. Here is what I have in my pack for a short to medium length hike: small first aid kit, Kula cloth, pocket knife, snacks (like a bar, crackers, nuts).
I hope you are able to get out on a hike soon!