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12 Hiking Gear Essentials
You need these 12 hiking gear essentials for your day hike. Spending the day on the trail is a great way to relax and exercise.
Hiking is an excellent way to spend time with family and friends or just enjoy some time alone. When you get away for the day, you need some hiking gear essentials that include:
- Boots or Shoes
- Packs – Choose the appropriate pack.
- Daypack
- Waist pack
- Extra food
- Water
- GPS, Compass, Map
- Extra clothing
- Rain jacket
- Safety Items including fire starter, light, and a whistle
- First aid kit
- Multi-function tool
- Sunglasses and sun screen
- Small trash bag
Hiking Boots or Shoes
Among the 12 hiking gear essentials, choosing Boots or Shoes is an important decision.
Hiking Boots
Choose Boots when you hike rough trails. Rough trails have rocks, exposed roots, small holes, or have debris on the trail. A boot reduces the chance of twisting your ankle.
If the trail is very steep, a boot supports your ankles and back. Most boots provide traction to prevent injury from slipping.
Wear a boot when you hike a wet trail so your feet stay dry. If you hike during the winter, wear a boot, because you want warm feet.
Hiking Shoes
Wear Shoes on a day hike, for trail running, and where the trail is well maintained and even.
Daypack or Waist Pack
Why do you want a Daypack or a Waist Pack? Modern daypacks are convenient, comfortable, and allow you to carry more hiking gear. Waist packs are also convenient, and they are compact.
Daypack
Why do you want to wear a Daypack?
Wear a daypack so you have the ability to carry enough food and water for a full day. A daypack allows you to carry rain gear and extra clothing so you can stay dry. A daypack gives you room for your safety items, first aid kit, multi-function tool, sunglasses, sunscreen, GPS, compass, and map.
Waist Pack
Why do you want to wear a Waist Pack?
Wear a waist pack if you want a very lightweight hiking experience. This avoids sore shoulders and fiddling with backpack straps. Walking is easier since you have better balance.
A waist pack is smaller so you pack just what you need. Finally, you avoid the perspiration on your back that comes from carrying a backpack so you stay cooler.
Enjoyable and safe day hiking is a fairly economical sport. When you are prepared on the trail, you will have a lot of fun getting away from it all.
Summary
You need to be prepared when you hike. Whether you are hiking for the day or longer, you need the right gear so that you are safe and have fun.
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