8 Essentials That You Must Have With You While Hiking

Are you someone who absolutely loves being outdoors, and is always on the lookout for your next adventure opportunity? Maybe you have never been on a long rigorous hike before, and are looking for a few tips to help get you through the day? Perhaps you are already an avid hiker, and are looking to improve your hiking kit and equipment so that you are more well prepared for anything?

If any of this sounds familiar, then read on for some helpful tips and tricks. This article will discuss a couple of essential things that you must have with you while hiking anywhere. Being prepared will ensure that you are ready for anything that comes your way, whether good or bad. You can not put a price on having the right tool exactly when you need it to resolve an issue.

Portable Shelter

When planning a hiking trip, one of the most important decisions to make is whether to bring a bivy sack or a tent. While both provide shelter from the elements and will keep you warm and dry during your hike, they each have their unique advantages. Bivy sacks are lighter and easier to set up than tents, but tents provide more space for sleeping and gear storage. If you are looking for the best bivy sacks for the mountains, look for bivys made of lightweight and breathable fabrics, with taped seams to keep out water and wind. A hooded design helps protect the face from the elements, while elastic drawcords give the bivy an adjustable fit. Built-in mosquito netting can also be a great addition if bugs are an issue in your area. With the right gear, you’ll be ready for whatever the mountains throw at you!

Boots

A major consideration that you should keep in mind when getting ready for a hike is the type of footwear that will be appropriate to wear. If you are planning on going for a hike in a mountainous area, then you will probably want to make sure that you have a quality pair of boots to help keep your feet safe and comfortable for the entire duration of your hike. There are actually quite a few different varieties of hiking boots that are made for different terrains, so it is important to make sure you get the correct ones. Some hiking boots even include things like spikes on the bottom, which can give you extra grip on slippery on uneven terrain.

Water

One of the most important things to make sure you have with you when going on a long hike is an adequate supply of water. Humans need water in order to survive, and this need is increased when you are doing an activity that requires lots of physical efforts, such as hiking. There are a huge number of different types of water bottles that have been designed to have the durability required when going on a hike. Every person who is going on the hike should make sure that they have enough water to last them through the entirety of the trip, plus a little extra just in case something happens.

Sun Protection

If you plan on being outdoors all day long while on a hike in the woods, mountains, or desert, then you will always want to make sure that you have some kind of sun protection plan in place. Skin cancer is incredibly common in people who do not take the proper measures to protect themselves from harmful sun exposure. Some people like to use hats for sun protection, while other people prefer to use a combination of clothing and sunscreen. Be sure to always take precautions, look at the UV index for the day, and have some different sun protection plans ready to implement at a moment’s notice.

Backpack

Something which you will definitely want to bring with you on your hike is a backpack that can hold lots of equipment and supplies. There are actually many types of backpacks that are made with hiking in mind, so they contain some pockets and pouches that will benefit you greatly. Backpacks that are made for hiking are also usually manufactured using more durable materials than conventional bags are. You should also do your best to find a bag that offers some kind of waterproof so that you can put important supplies or equipment inside which would be ruined from exposure to water.

Camera

Many people who like to go on hikes into the wilderness also enjoy taking pictures of the beautiful landscapes that they see. This allows hikers to share their adventures with their friends and family, and even make a career of nature photography.

There are lots of different cameras and camera products that have been created to be durable enough to use on rough terrain while hiking. Be sure to check out some popular options such as the GoPro, which has been popularized by its use in many different viral videos on social media. Explore some different options to see which will be the best fit for your hikes.

Food

As anybody who goes on frequent hikes knows, you can get quite hungry as you expend energy traversing the terrain and surrounding wildlife. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you bring some kind of food with you on your hike, so that you do not get too hungry and run out of energy. You should try and bring light portable foods that will not spoil or get ruined when you have them in your hiking bag. Things like granola bars, trail mix, nuts, and other preserves are all snacks that many hikers like to keep in their backpacks.

Emergency Kit

One of the most important things you should always have on hand when hiking is an emergency first aid kit. You never know when something is going to happen that might require a bandage, some disinfectant, or a splint. It is always better to be prepared when an accident happens, rather than having no first aid supplies and end up making your injury worse.

Compass/GPS/Device

Unless you are hiking through a small area that you are very familiar with, then you could probably benefit by having some kind of map or GPS-compatible device to help guide your hike. It can be extremely easy to get lost hiking unfamiliar territory, so you should always make sure that you have a plan to get out.

After exploring a few of the different suggestions included in the previous paragraphs, the hope is that you have discovered a few essentials that you must have with you while hiking which you may not have previously considered. In order to be truly successful at any activity, you must constantly be looking for new ways to innovate in what you do. The real pros make sure that they are always properly prepared with whatever gear or supplies will be most appropriate to help them at any given time. Don’t get caught out on a hike without all the essentials to ensure that you are safe and able to enjoy your time in the woods to the fullest.