How to Choose Your Hiking Essentials

By: Kach Howe

For lovers of the outdoors, there’s no better experience than hiking. Getting yourself outdoors and experiencing the natural beauty that is found all around you is a great way to spend your time as it brings peace to your soul and enriches your spirit.

For those that are new to hiking, knowing what to bring with you is the key to avoiding the issue of finding yourself in a sticky situation and allows you to make sure that you’re prepared no matter what happens.

Here, we take you through the essential steps in preparing yourself for your journey:

1. Know the route

One of the keys to hiking success is being completely prepared for the route you are going to take. Without conducting research, you may find yourself in unexpected terrain that challenges you too much, which can result in lack of enjoyment and even cancellation of the hike midway. Knowing what time of year to tackle your route will help you to understand the obstacles you may face, such as surging rivers or icy conditions. This information will be readily available after a quick search on the internet, so there’s no reason to go into any hike unprepared.

2. Pack the ten hiking essentials

Thanks to the popularity of hiking, there is an already established list of hiking essentials that will help you get through any situation. From food, water, navigation, sun, and cold protection and first aid, to a knife, torch, shelter, matches and first aid, these essentials will ensure that you can get out of an unexpected situation safely no matter the hike. While you may not think that you’ll need some of these items, leaving them out of your pack can lead to disastrous results, so it’s better to err on the side of caution.

3. Wear comfortable footwear

Hiking means that you’ll be on your feet for an extended period of time, and to ensure your success, you need to wear comfortable footwear that offers you protection from difficult terrain. Though hiking has always been popular, hiking sandals have come a long way in the past years, offering you flexibility and a range of choices when it comes to protecting your feet. A good pair of sandals is key in ensuring that your ankles are kept stable if you find that you have trouble keeping balance, and hiking in sandals is very sensible for people who want the added comfort of hiking without restriction across the

terrain of all types. Be sure to get fitted for your new sandals, so that you don’t experience excess rubbing and so that you can hike for longer.

4. Layer up

Your hiking clothes will be different depending on where in the world your route is located, but for most people, having a set of clothing that can protect you in any climate is one of the key factors in enjoying your hike. While you may start off in the warmth, conditions can change in an instant, particularly when your route takes you through elevation changes. By layering your clothes, you can be prepared for any type of weather, so you can hike for longer.

Hiking is one of the most enjoyable and exciting pastimes that anyone can take up, regardless of experience or age. Being prepared for all aspects of your hike, however, is essential in your success and safety. By using our guide, you can ensure that you are prepared for all the obstacles and challenges presented by your hike.

The original content (article & images) is owned by Kach Howe. Visit the site here for other interesting stories.