We like gadgets, don’t we? Of course we do, we spend a lot of time following youtubers who have all sorts of gadgets on review, from things we care about to things which we will never use, but still like to read about. Gadgets are fun, but they are even more fun when they’re useful.
Hiking is a great activity that more of us should be doing, yet not all of us are going to do it, simply because we can’t be bothered to go outside and into nature.
Yet, for those who are, they should have some gear and gadgets to help them on a long hike and make their days more entertaining.
Here is the gear you really need to have.
Backpack
You can’t go hiking without one, otherwise you are going for a run. A backpack can be from 15 to 20 liters large, or larger if you’re going on a longer hike, something like 30 to 70, depending on the hike duration and distance.
Backpacks should be as light as possible, but as practical as possible. Most modern backpacks have rain covers and various pockets for easy access to water and food. They are also smartphone friendly, having holes for headphones (even though wired headphones are a premium accessory on today’s smartphones).
Footwear and Clothing
You need good clothing to survive in the mountains. The essentials are layers of clothing, preferably active clothing, to help you get dry sooner. You also need spares since you will get sweaty. A solid rain and windproof jacket is a must, which will change depending on the season. Summer vs fall vs winter, they are completely different regarding what clothing you need.
As far as footwear is concerned, we recommend trail running shoes, if you’re comfortable on your two legs and trust yourself to pay attention. Otherwise, hiking shoes are a decent choice if you’re not feeling too sure in your abilities. Depending on the season, you might need winter boots, but when you get to that level of hiking, you will know it.
Navigation
Another essential step in climbing. People used to have topographic maps and they still do, just in their phones and navigator handhelds or wearables, like Garmin products. Your phone will cut it, provided that you have battery life, though an actual navigator device is recommended, because they use satellite connection and not mobile connection.
You should have a physical compass because nothing beats those and they can easily fit in your pocket or your backpack without you even knowing it.
These are the hiking essentials that you should bring with you on every journey. Add some first aid kits, sunscreen and perhaps hygiene products and you’re set for a short or long hike.