What To Pack For Your Hiking Trip: A Beginner’s Guide

An active lifestyle is essential for a good quality of life. Aside from that, there are so many benefits to adopting an active lifestyle. This type of lifestyle reduces your risk of contracting diseases, boosts your mood, and improves your quality of sleep.

It is also medically proven that regular physical exercise can lower your risk of getting depressed by about 30 percent. Therefore, an active lifestyle is good for both your physical health and mental health.

There are multiple ways of adopting an active lifestyle and reaping these benefits. Believe it or not, it can be as simple as taking the stairs instead of the lift. You can take up a sport, yoga or exercising. Long walks also count towards an active lifestyle.

If you like the outdoors, then hiking and rock climbing would be perfect ways to stay active while also enjoying nature. The different types of hikes you can try include day hikes, multi-day backpacking trips, and thru-hikes.

As the name suggests, day hikes are completed in a day while multi-day trips take a few days. Thru-hikes on the other hand take a couple of months depending on the route. Such a hike would require months of planning and getting into shape.

One of the most important parts of planning for a hike is getting the right gear. The quality of your hiking gear may make or break your hiking experience. For example, the wrong type of shoes will result in discomfort, blisters, or possibly an injury.

When getting your gear look for comfort, durability, functionality, and weather resistance. Get a pair of Oakley prescription sunglasses for your hikes instead of using your daily-use eyeglasses. They are more comfortable and durable in the harsh conditions you may encounter on your hike.

What you pack for your hike also affects your hike. You should not pack a lot of unnecessary stuff that you will barely use. These items will just wear you down and take up space for essential stuff. 

Your backpack needs to be lightweight but also house all the essential items for your hike. So, what should you pack for your hiking trip?

Navigation Tools

It is quite easy to get lost while on your hike. Therefore, you need to carry navigation tools in your backpack. This includes tools such as a map and compass or GPS devices. Also, consider packing a physical map even if you have a GPS device. It will come in handy if the GPS loses signal or runs out of battery.

Sun Protection

People often prefer to hike in warm breezy weather compared to rain or snowy conditions. Therefore, you will spend long hours exposed to the sun, which will harm your skin. You may get sunburns and increase your risk of skin cancer.

Therefore, ensure you pack sun protection like sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Oakley prescription sunglasses are great for outdoor environments and are durable. If it is possible, try hiking in areas with a lot of shade. You can also wear long-sleeved undergarments to protect your skin.

Food

Hiking expends a lot of energy, and your hike may go on for an extended period. Also, you need to maintain your sugar levels and keep them from dropping. Low blood sugar levels can cause irritability, anxiety, and anger.

Therefore, you need to pack enough food to fuel your body, even if it is a day hike. The food will help maintain energy levels and help you hike longer. Go for lightweight and high-energy foods like energy bars when packing.

Water

You are bound to sweat from the rigorous exercise while on your hike. Also, the heat will make you sweat and lead to dehydration if you do not take water. Staying hydrated is essential on a hiking trip, so ensure you pack enough water. 

Clothing

You will need a change of clothes if you plan on hiking for several days. The clothing you pack should be appropriate for the weather conditions and terrain. Remember, your hike may cut across different altitudes, and the temperatures will change.

The best approach to this would be to use a layers system. The system has 3 layers of clothing that can be removed or added when needed. Pay close attention to the materials used to make your clothes. Clothing made from moisture-wicking materials helps in keeping you dry and comfortable.

Also, get a good pair of comfortable hiking boots for the different terrain you will encounter on your trip. If they are new, consider breaking them in before you hike. Also, carry gloves to keep your hands warm in low temperatures. If it’s cold and the wind looks like it’s picking up, a ski mask or balaclava might be useful for your face to avoid the biting wind.

First Aid Kit

Anything can happen while on the hike, so you need to be ready. Therefore, ensure you pack a first aid kit. The kit helps in treating minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes, and blisters. 

Also, consider including bandages, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers if you are hiking longer. You do not have to cut your hike short because of an injury. However, you need to ensure your wounds do not get infected.

Tools

You will need tools to make your hiking experience easier and conditions manageable. You need tools like flashlights, a lighter, a knife, or a multi-tool. Headlamps and flashlights are vital when hiking in low-light conditions. They also come in handy when setting up camp at night. 

Look for a headlamp with adjustable brightness settings and long battery life for your hikes. You should also ensure it is functional before your hiking trip. You may also need a trekking pole for hikes on uneven terrain. Also, carry around an emergency whistle to alert people in case you need help.

Conclusion

An active lifestyle offers multiple benefits to your life, and there are many ways to stay active. You can take walks, exercise, play a sport or do yoga to stay active. Hike allows you to stay active while also enjoying time in nature.

You need to pack the right items to ensure you have a pleasant experience on your hiking trip. The essential items include tools, food, water, and first aid equipment. Also, you need to protect your body from the sun, so carry sunblock, hats, and sunglasses.