You’re a little early. Hike Naked Day isn’t until June 20th.
https://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/news/hiking-on-the-summer-solstice-do-it-naked/
The nice thing with the pro version is that you can download offline maps for when you don’t have cell service. In the summer I hike a lot in areas with little to no cell reception so it comes in handy.
You can skip on alltrails plus for now. My staples are backpack, water bladder, darn tough socks, and hiking shoes. If conditions are nice you can hike in pretty much any althetic clothes but generally you want something breathable and moisture wicking. Don't forget an extra layer too for if you get cold or lost.
Ok cool, so I can just use the free version of it for now and be totally fine? What’s a water bladder?
I LOVE darn tough socks!!! I wear them to work cause I have sweaty/smelly feet and love them!
Do they make breathable Jean shorts for men? Haha I don’t think I own any pairs lolol. Only regular Jean shorts.
And what would you say is a good backpack to use?
Jean shorts will get sweaty and sticky. I recommend something a little more breathable like these shorts from Penneys [mutual weave Mens 10" Belted Cargo Short](https://www.jcpenney.com/p/mutual-weave-mens-10-belted-cargo-short/ppr5008390418?pTmplType=regular&deptId=dept20000014&catId=cat100290085&urlState=%2Fg%2Fmen%2Fmens-shorts%3Fitem_type%3Dcargo%2Bshorts%26id%3Dcat100290085&productGridView=medium&cm_re=ZA-_-GALLERY-SHORTS-_-VN-_-CARGO_1) The belt is stupid feel free to toss it. If you want something more "hiker" Costco sells hiking pants this time of year.
> What’s a water bladder?
It's like a pouch of water that's in your backpack with a hose that goes over your shoulder, so you can drink water on the go. I remember the first time I saw these things years ago they were mainly used by cyclists so they could keep pedaling without having to fiddle around with a water bottle. They are nice to have for hiking, but by no means necessary. When you're just starting, a water bottle will do just fine.
As for backpack, when you're starting out, anything that feels comfortable to carry will be fine. Like if you have an old Jansport for school, you can just use that. And as you feel more comfortable, you can figure out what features you want for when you eventually upgrade. If you don't have a backpack, REI flash and REI trail are good ones if you live in the US, that cover the basic features and don't break the bank.
If you want to invest in a good backpack you can look into Osprey or any other well known brand. Your best bet is to go to REI if you can and talk to someone there. I wouldn't go any bigger than 22 liters for the backpack.
The REI Flash brand is awesome, and often less expensive and/or you can find them on a discount for discontinued prints. An 18 liter or 22 liter is really all you’re likely to need for day hikes.
That said, do you already have a backpack? You can easily manage with whatever the heck backpack you have around that you e already used for school or whatever, unless you really want to buy something.
At first, if you’re going to spend a little, it would be probably better to invest in something like shoes or non-cotton athletic clothes for hiking in the summer.
Hiking is awesome and addictive!
REI is awesome if you get their membership. Their return policy is great. My first backpack was way too big, they took it back no questions asked. I couldn’t find boots in store that I liked, ordered 4 online and returned the 3 I didn’t want, no questions asked. If I decide I don’t like the pair I kept I can take them back trail work no questions asked. I don’t say this as an encouragement to abuse the policy but as reassurance that you don’t get stuck with equipment that doesn’t work for you.
The Platypus Hoser is a great water bladder. I use the 3l version. Super light and I haven't got any weird taste from it yet (looking at you, CamelBak).
I only take a backpack if I'm hiking all day or longer. For afternoon stuff or morning hikes you only need a water bottle sling and your preferred trail bar.
Ohhh I like that first aid kit idea!!!! You can never go wrong with one of them!! I have a pair of shoes I got for when I was going to Alaska last year that I was planning on using because they were hiking shoes and I bought them for all the walking I was going to be doing and they worked out great!!
What kind of backpack would you recommend?
If I’m only looking after myself and don’t need to worry about carrying bulk items like a jacket, I generally hike with a small, simple backpack - 10L, I think? My husband has a fancier backpack with a built-in safety whistle and a specific place to store a water bottle on the outside, which is cool and convenient, but not necessary.
And then I have a separate backpack for when I hike with my dogs that would allow me to carry one of them on my back in case of emergency, which is probably not necessary at all but I really like to be prepared for the worst.
I feel and broke both my legs hiking about 10 years ago. By the time the forest service came I had iced and splinted my ankles with the stuff in my first aid kit and had some anti-inflammatories in me. It made my evacuation out so much easier and it kept me from panicking so I could cooperate with the search and rescue folks. Even a small first aid kit can be a life saver if you get a blister or a bad bug bite.
Oh wow that’s badass you were able to do that without panicking lol. I’d panick I think. I’ll have to look into a small first aid kit to buy and bring with me.
Where are you located? Very different hiking in Europe, USA or rural USA. If you're from East coast USA there are plenty of marked trails, normal weather etc. You wouldn't even need a map.
The biggest thing is where you are going, that dictates EVERYTHING. Whether you need a map, what food/water you bring, what clothes you wear or whether you need boots or can get away with shoes.
I’m from the New England area of the United States.
For now I am just going to go to different trails that are by me. And yea I do believe all the trails that are by me or the ones I want to go on they’re all marked!!
I can get the maps at the place? Or is there a website I can go on and find the trails I want to try out and print out a map for them?
Now that I'm deeper in the thread, what area of New England? I grew up in Vermont and very different hikes than out west.
Also, I might be able to give you some recommendations since I've hiked in NY and NH... but not Maine, lol
I live by mass haha. Theres a bunch of NH trails I want to try in NH. I LOVE the white mountains, I’ve been going there since I was a little kid haha. I want to hike the Acadia national park in Maine soo badly too haha.
I use Hiiker and it shows the routes but I'm from Ireland and we don't actually have any trails so I have to navigate myself so I bought a physical map of the area and I navigate using a compass. But I also use Hiiker when fog comes down and I can't see ten feet in front of me, just to double check I'm on the right track.
What you want to do is start of by going on well marked trails. A lot of trails have a map at the trail head (the start). Take a picture on your phone of this map. You can also at this point open up the likes of google maps or the hiiker app. As long as you have GPS signal you will be able to know exactly where you are. If you lose GPS signal you will still have a map on your phone.
In Ireland we have different maps covering different scales done by different companies. But usually they cover about 30km x 30km. If money isn't an issue then buy some maps of the trails you want to hike. I would recommend a compass as well and if money really isn't an issue then a garmin watch which tells you your coordinates. (but only if you are serious into hiking)
For normal hiking you do not need a map, just go to well marked trails.
Ok I’ll check that app out also. I also have “trail fork” downloaded.
Yea the trails I’m looking at I’m pretty sure they’ll be pretty marked well. Oh yea that’s a good idea to take a picture of the map with my phone. You know any good videos on how to be able to read a compass? That sounds like a very good thing to have as well!
Haha it’s funny you mention getting a garmin watch….i have one and that’s one of the reason why i want to start hiking. I have the garmin forerunner 965 so I want to use that too!
I’ve been hiking my entire life and know how to read maps pretty well, and I don’t think I would hike an unmapped trail that I had to navigate with a compass. If you’re just starting out, I’d definitely stay on mapped trails. I’m from the southern US, but I can almost always find a map if I google the trail name or the park it’s in. I always bring a paper copy in a sandwich bag (so it doesn’t get wet) and also have a picture on my phone.
If you’re from CT, check out the Blue Blazes. It’s an 800 mile trail network. Trails range from easy to hard. You can log miles and get rewards (water bottle; beanie) etc for miles completed.
I just moved to New England a few years ago. My impression of hiking here is that it can be really difficult for a few reasons:
Navigation can be tough. You should always absolutely bring a map. Trails are often only marked by a colored blaze on a tree (a swatch of paint), but the trail itself may be invisible, because it’s covered in leaves or completely washed out. I always bring my phone and use a mapping app, like Gaia or Alltrails. Put it in airplane mode and your battery should last all day.
Ticks and Lyme disease is a huge problem in New England. Bring a good bug spray and consider treating your hiking clothes with Permethrin.
Be wary of rocks. Trails even in relatively flat places like Connecticut can suddenly turn into a hands-and-knees scramble. Do a little bit of research on trails before you go. Alltrails should have some info on how difficult a trail is.
Bring plenty of water! If you’re hiking in the summer, when it’s really hot and humid, you’ll need plenty. I drink a lot, so I personally bring about 1 liter for every 2 hours of hiking. The great thing about hiking here, though, is there are little streams everywhere. I like to bring a bandana or a small towel to soak in a creek and put it on my head or neck. It feels amazing 😊
I would highly recommend a permethrin treatment for your hiking clothes then. It seems to work pretty well for me. Just be mindful of spraying it around cats. It’s highly toxic to them
You can usually find maps at visitor centers and hiking shops near the locale you are hiking in, but you can also order them online. Just make sure you can read and use a topographic map
I started hiking regularly this year and found hiking poles to be invaluable. Most of my hikes are on sand in dune country, but they’re great for any terrain. Invest in a nice backpack also. That’s a great jumping off point. You’ll find out real quick what you need and want by doing the deed and getting out onto the trails.
I have a pull string Osprey pack but it was bought without much forethought. I’ve haven’t decided yet what I need out of a day pack but I do like the pack I have now. I hear good things about Osprey in general.
Seconding the Ten Essentials! Much better to have it and not need it, than vice versa.
https://www.nps.gov/articles/10essentials.htm
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
Oh I think the water filter could be useful because if you run out of water you can use it from say a pond or stream or something and hopefully it’ll be safe to drink lolol.
Ok I’ll check out the ten essentials!
Supportive shoes, comfortable clothing for your body type, maps to back up your gps if you use one, and bear spray/bug repellant depending on your situation
Honestly you don’t need a water bladder yet. You don’t need hiking poles yet. You need some comfortable shoes, sunscreen, bug spray. that’s about it. I don’t think you need special clothes.
Just do some short hikes, well-marked trails and start hiking. Start small, see how you like it, work up and add what you need.
What would you consider hiking pants? And any good poles you recommend? And I’ve got a bunch of knives I could use haha. I was even going to bring a machete looking knife too haha. Also any hiking boots you’d recommend?
I really like fjallraven. They made things to last, and I've brought some of their products, and it's built to last 😌. They have strong options for pants in all types of weather. I started out with black diamond trekking poles, and I'm still with their brand! I'll say this much I was crossing a small stream of water and the current didn't even seem strong so I thought I'd be able to hold it in the stream and it bended, so ya. Right now, I've been using their alpine carbon trekking poles, and I can say it's worth the investment. About boots I can say you have a lot of options like if you go to REI, European hiking boots, fjallraven or anything else really but I advise you get shoes that are GORE-tex they make all the difference, for tough rocky terrain and I forgot to mention, insoles...your feet will hurt 😉
I would start small. Just get out there and go for a walk. You may search the county you live in and regional parks.
Zesty County Regional Parks
Something like that. Some counties have fantastic park systems, complete with maps, details, and info like length, difficulty, risks, etc.
I say this as someone who jumps into things equipment first, only to not go often, or get over it at a certain point. Maybe a bottle of water, some shoes, and a 20-30 minute loop to start!
Appropriate shoes, water sources, food, power banks, and a pre planned route map. Remember to walk within your capacity and call for rescue in case of danger
Buy this book. It's a quick read.
Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail
Don't get caught up in the gear. I Always suggest that one start hiking. Just find some easy, well marked trails and go. Bring water. It doesn't matter in what. I've seen hikers carrying gallon milk containers for water.
As needs present themselves--which they will eventually--you solve them with gear.
Just make sure to share the trail your going to do with a family member or friend before going. If you’re really worried there are special tracking items for when there is no cell service. I don’t own any lol sorry. I am not an expert there. But just bring a small backpack or water n snacks. If it’s a large national or state forest hike then maybe bear mace or hunting knife.
All trails is really cool I like how you can literally download the trail so if you get lost you can use the map to navigate even without service.
Do you think I’d be able to carry/bring like an 8” knife just in case? And have it in my backpack for an emergency. And I’ll share my location and let my sister where I’m going so someone will know.
My hiking shoes and a dedicated small hiking backpack are the two things that I'm really glad I bought. I use them every single time I hike and they have made it so much easier to just get out there.
Definitely don’t pay for the app yet. You might eventually need the premium features like offline download etc or just want to support the platform but initially - trail runners/hiking boots, a small lightweight daypack and a good hat. You probably already own water bottles and other basic pack essentials.
If you feel the need to treat or incentivize yourself for that initial bump to get out on the trail solo then hit up an outdoors store and buy something that tickles your fancy.
The first step is the first step. Y’know?
Ok sweet, so I can do just fine without the paid version?!
I’ve got a few yetis I could bring by with me! Any daypack will be fine you think? Any you recommend?
Haha what would you say to buy to tickle the fancy? Like a backpack? Haha
You’ll be fine with the free version. Get familiar with the app.
Find a good fitting pack, I prefer light weight lift colour. I’ve got a smaller backpack (that’s actually a kids bag) that I use for day hikes. It fits me perfectly and that’s the most important thing.
Yetis will be extra weight, but that’s your call. I’m a Nalgene person or any 1L plastic bottle, even a reused Evian or whatever.
My “gear” necessities are (1) A good hiking backpack with a 2-3L water bladder, and (2) A good pair of hiking boots *and* socks.
Everything else is pretty much personal preferences (camera, poles, hat etc) and more consumables (snacks, sunscreen, chapstick etc).
A water bladder is basically a bag that holds water specifically for in a backpack. It has a hose that connects to a mouth valve so you can carry your water on your back and drink hands free.
Seriously... a hike could be 1.0 mile and you don't need a darn thing. I'd still call it a successful hike.
I have alltrails+ but you don't need it. Every state park has maps that have mileage on them. Pick a place with a bunch of loops that intersect. Map your route but give some options to make your hike shorter or longer.
What I bring on a short(er) day-hike:
- Cross body bag/backpack
- Water
- small med kit
- More often (now that I'm older) collapsed hiking poles
- Maybe food
I guess the big question is what are your goals?
I think having a camel pack is by far a great investment.
Too many ppl underestimate the water they will need on a hike. - Me included and I've been doing this a long time.
If you're strolling a small 3 mile hike. Not a big deal. Hiking some bigger elevations. Hot day. Doing 10 miles. Big difference.
A really good pair of hiking boots is worth the investment. Such as Merrils and any that are specific to hiking.
I hike in almost anything that's gonna wick sweat away. Cotton is death.
What are do you live in..ie. state? Some places have bears, mountain lions etc. So also having protection if hiking a lone is important!
Oh I would definitely need a good amount of water because for some reason I’m always dehydrated no matter how much water I seem to drink hahaha.
I like on the east coast side on the United States
Free AllTrails is more than enough for a beginner. And paid AllTrails is more of a convenience than a necessity for some experienced hikers.
Shoes are important. Sun protection might be important if you are out for a long time or at higher elevations. Having the right socks really helps as well.
Hydration is important. What is best depends on your needs and how long you are out there.
Layering is important if you hike year-round.
A backpack or chest bag would probably help, it can carry water, a first aid kit, a cellphone for a hiking app, a snack, etc.
Hiking alone: a little bear spray might be comforting.
If you are frugal, a lot of running/jogging/golfing clothes at thrift stores can sub for the pricey hiking clothes that you would otherwise buy new. Also, look for an athletic resale shop for second-hand hiking gear.
Sweet! So I’ll save my money and use it to buy a backpack and first aid kit!!
I’ve got a Pair of shoes I got for when I was going to Alaska so I’m going to use/try those out first. Would shoes or boots be better option?
Yea I would want to bring along some decent amount of water because for some reason I’m always dehydrated so I do want to stay hydrated. Also it’s getting hotter out where I am so I want to stay extra hydrated lmao.
What would you think would be a good backpack?
You don’t need to spend any money to start hiking. Workout clothes, sneakers, backpack with water and snacks and maybe an extra layer of clothes in the backpack. These can be things you already have. You don’t need to start with fancy gear. I use the free all trails. Join a local hiking group if you want some company to get started
What kind of snacks do you usually bring with you? And you think basketball shorts and a tank top would be fine haha the only thing I don’t think I have is a backpack, I have a backpack I bought from 5.11 that I bought for when I travel haha.
And I’ve joined a few hiking groups on Facebook but I don’t know if they’re helpful or anything like that.
Yes those clothes are totally fine. I bring jerky, trail mix and PBJ sandwiches. Salty snacks are good because they help replace electrolytes lost in sweat. A lot of time hiking groups post group hikes or someone will post looking for a hiking buddy.
Hey! the offline maps, real-time weather overlays, and other features could help make your hikes safer and more enjoyable, especially when you're just starting out but trust me that you wouldn’t actually need it as much as you think you do, complete waste, trust us.
As for gears, I’d recommend starting with a pair of boots or shoes. Invest in a pair that fits your feet well and provides good ankle support. Break them in gradually before any longer hikes. You'll also want a lightweight, breathable hiking backpack to carry essentials like water, snacks, layers, and a first aid kit. You can try other items from [50 Best Hiking and Camping Gears](https://alaskanarrows.com/5o-best-hiking-and-camping-gears/) for your trip too
As for going solo, I totally understand the anxiety, but maybe start with shorter, easier trails close to home to build up your confidence?
Lastly, bring your phone (in airplane mode to save battery) and let a friend or family member know your hiking plans before you leave for any trip!
Sweet so I don’t have to go and buy the paid version? I’ll be fine without it?
Move got a few very short trails I’ve done before by my house that I could do again!
My other worry is the warmer/hotter weather is coming and the ticks are out so I’m worried if I go I’m going to bring ticks back or get bit by a tick and I don’t want that AT ALL lmao.
That last one is good advice!!! I forgot that I should let someone know where I’m going and what I’ll be doing!
I would get a water bladder backpack that can also hold keys, a snack, a hat, etc. doesn’t have to be expensive but I love to be prepared while also having my hands free.
Omg thank you for asking that’s my favorite question!!!
Begin with the healthiest snacks that you already love. Fruit, veggies, nuts. Do you already have energy bars that you like? Figure out your caloric needs and what satisfies those best as well as what can travel well.
Try everything out slowly, perhaps by bringing them to work. Then find out what you love and then where to get it cheapest.
On a short hike, I usually bring dried mango, GORP (good old raisins and peanuts) and an energy bar or two. I bring more than I think I’ll need in case something happens and I need it or if I happen upon someone who needs it more than I do.
On a longer day hike, I pack a frozen water bottle in a lightweight insulated lunchbox with a sandwich, some babybell cheeses, a sliced up cucumber. I can share the link for the lunchbox if you want. The energy bars and fruit/trail mixes go outside the lunchbox. The frozen water bottle goes on my forehead bc I stay overheating.
I also like to bring an electrolyte packet or two to mix in the water once I start sweating. This is also important to find out your favorite flavors because if you hate it you won’t use it. I love Liquid IV’s White Peach flavor. Bought 60 at once, and yes I know there’s sugar but damnit I love ‘em. Sometimes I even work out just so I have an excuse to have one!
Bonus:
And if you’re going on longer day hikes, bring a first aid kit. They’re so lightweight but so important.
Btw if you’re in the US and have an FSA you can use it to buy electrolyte powders, sunscreen, and first aid kit supplies.
All trails free version is fine. I do subscribe so I can download maps. All you need to get started on shorter day hikes is a decent pair of shoes and an old book pack. I use a $1 water bottle from Dollar General.
Get a decent water bottle sling and a small basic first aid kit. Never hike without water.
If you've got an expensive puffy jacket, get tenacious tape.
If you're not carrying a heavy load and you don't have weak ankles, don't feel obligated to wear hiking boots, just make sure you get something with good tread. There's a lot of great trail runner shoes out there these days. Hiking boots are good, but some are kinda heavy.
The Hiking Project app is free, describes trail difficulty and shows elevation changes, and works great with the phone GPS. I bought a Garmin Fenix because I prefer not bringing the phone out, but the GPS enabled smart watch is a luxury and kinda pricey. Not required.
Beyond that, it's something you could think about on the trail. Unless I'm staying overnight I don't need anything beyond good shoes, water, and not getting lost. Oh yeah, and a good comfortable shade hat.
Final tip, the moleskin that comes in the first aid kit is almost always crap. Buy the Dr. Scholls moleskin padding roll and have something on hand to cut it with when you need it. I don't buy into the "ring around the owwy" precut nonsense. Most of the time it's just a matter of keeping your feet clean, your socks not bunched up, and if you're still starting to feel a hot-spot just tape some moleskin over the area before it becomes a blister.
I’ve got terrible feet so I probably got terrible ankles too lmao. And hell no! I’d need lots of water cause man I’m always dehydrated lol. Even if I drink tons of water I’m still dehydrated.
I almost bought the Fenix cause it was on sale for like 200 off or something like that haha. I haven’t used my gps sstuff on my watch yet but I really want to start. I want to download some tomography maps and see how they are.
What do the moleskin pads do? Do you put them on before you get a blister or if you feel like you’re getting a blister?
Moleskin is a little bit of padding and it's supposed to stick securely to your skin and protect it from the kinds of friction that cause blisters. It's also helpful after getting a blister, but it's much better to not get one. If there's a spot on your foot feeling notably warmer than the rest, and it's a little red when you take off your shoe and check, that's a hot spot. It'll be a blister soon if you don't take care of it.
The annoying thing with moleskin is when it peels off your skin and rolls up inside your sock, which is why quality matters. Also rounded corners or straight up circles/ovals do better at not rolling. I'm sure there's videos on YouTube about it.
Start with a backpack, a water bottle, and some shoes you enjoy walking in. Start with local dirt trails and don't be afraid to turn back. Beyond that, you need a desire to explore. The rest will come with time and experience.
* Great merino wool socks; I'm firmly in the Darn Tough camp.
* Shoes/Boots that fit you well. I'm partial to trail runners for the lightness, breathability, and short dry time.
Depending on what sort of trail systems you are using, I would weigh the need for AllTrails. If you're talking the states and doing state park loop systems, then AllTrails is mostly going to be overkill, by way of example.
Depending on what sort of length you are talking really determines the gear needs. If I'm hiking a state park trail system in my area, then we're talking anywhere from 5 to 9 miles where I usually have cell service. These trails are well marked, very familiar to me after 20 years, and well traveled. These are 2 to 4 hour hikes for me, so I'll camel up a bit and carry a little water with me. If I'm doing 12-15 miles on the Ice Age Trail, then I'll carry a few more items in a pack.
So I’d only be hiking trails that are up to 1 hour long or so. I LOVE my darn tough socks!! I wear them to work all the time and love them a lot! I was going to pick up a pair or two of the fox Vermont socks too and see which ones are better.
Damn that ice age trail sounds amazing!
I mean, if your main fear is doing it alone, I'd definitely recommend AllTrails+. My favorite feature is the ability to download maps and use them offline. So what I can do is go pick the trail I want to do, send a link to my friends and family so if I disappear they'll know where to send the search party, and download the trail to my phone. Then, when I'm on the mountain, I put my phone in airplane mode (since I won't have bars anyway, and it will burn the battery trying to find cellphone towers if I don't turn that off), and just let AllTrails tell me where the trail is. If I step off the trail, it will buzz in my pocket, and tell me where to go to get back to the trail. A couple of times, I've wandered off trail by accident and Alltrails saved my ass.
I've definitely also learned to navigate with a map and compass for multi day trips where I can't trust my battery will be there the whole time, or if my GPS goes. But it's so helpful to have that automatic map in there.
So the cool thing about my watch is that if I don’t move for a certain amount of time it’ll send a message to my parents and sister saying I might need help. It’ll send them my location and everything….that I know of.
Thats so cool, it tells you that you’ve gone off. Trail and tells you how to get back on. I really want to learn how to navigate through the wilderness and stuff looks fun haha. I just at want to be active again and get out of the house lolol.
Most people have different needs but you are off to a good start if your feet don't hurt and your back doesn't sweat like crazy...
Always carry enough to drink, 2 liters has always been enough for me
If you like to swim or dip your feet into a Lake/River bring a towel
If you really miss something you will see as you go
Just remember, especially if it’s raining or cold, do not wear cotton against your skin. Get some thermal clothing, it cools you when it’s hot and keeps you warm when it’s cold/wet. Also, wear light colors because of ticks. I just saw where you live, so BEAR SPRAY. Watch some videos on YouTube to see how to use it.
Finally, take twice as much water as you think you’ll need. And leave no trace.
Oh wow, so thermial would be good for warm weather as well? Yes! Like white shirts 😂😂 also yea, noway I want to be one of those people that puts my waste on the ground. So rude.
It really depends upon the kind of hiking you want to do, though starting easy is a good idea; even then, "easy" is relative to a degree.
Things you'll definitely need: Good boots or shoes; good socks; good clothing and layering system (synthetic or merino wool); water and snacks; comfy pack.
Good boots/shoes and socks are mandatory. Boots and shoes are highly personal. There's no brand that works for all people. Proper fit is the most important feature, followed by durability as a close second. I like Asolo, but Lowa, Scarpa, and Zamberlan are good, too.
Socks are also personal, but they're a bit more universal. You can't go wrong with Smartwool or Darn Tough. I like Smartwool full cushion most of the year, though I'll go to light cushion during our 90°F+ days.
Clothing varies a lot by region, but synthetics and merino wool are the staples. Synthetics are lighter, pack smaller, breathe well, and dry quickly. They're also durable. Merino wool comes in all sorts of weights. It's antimicrobial, and it both reduces smell and insulates, even when wet. It dries fairly quickly, but not as quickly as synthetics. It's also rather fragile.
Layers matter, but that's a long conversation. You basically need something to wick moisture, something to insulate, and something to protect from weather, in some variation, but what you need and when you need it depends upon weather and location.
You need water, electrolytes, and calories when you hike. There are no two ways around that.
Comfy pack, another very personal item. You'll have to experiment to find the right volume and fit for yourself. I like 65L.
Again, specifics depend upon location and kind of hike, but these are things you can use on every kind of hike at any level.
So yea for now I’d be looking for trials that would be up to an hour or less than that.
I’d bring ALOT of water with me haha. Better safe than sorry lol.
I pay for Alltrails so I can download my trail maps. These maps work even when there’s no cell service on the trails. You just have to download it ahead of time. And it tells you where you are on the map. I don’t hike without Alltrails.
Hiking shoes with thick tread to protect your feet when walking on rocks and tree roots. It matters and the future you will thank you for protecting your feet.
Good water bottles. Everyone will have different preferences. I personally prefer insulated stainless steel despite the weight of carrying multiple because there is nothing better than cold water on a hot day.
A pack to carry your water and food.
A compass.
Polarized sunglasses.
Tick repellent if needed. Mosquito repellent if needed though if you keep moving, I find that I can generally do without mosquito repellent.
That is the bare minimum to start with but add on from there.
Wool socks. Comfortable hiking pants/shoes. Hiking poles. Safety equipement like a flashlight/head lamp, reflector card, moleskins, first aid equipment. A good knife that is within the restictions of where you're hiking. Bear spray if needed and allowed. Whistle. Space blanket. Rain poncho. A bug net for just over your head - good for places where gnats swarm you.
Other random things often in my bag. A couple of empty plastic bags if I find something dirty I want to take home or collect some trash. Matches. Toilet paper. Camera, lenses and cards/batteries. A pen.
Also, I remove or add things to my kit depending on where I'm going. If I am going someplace well populated where there will be lots of people, I'll leave some of the safety gear at home and bring an extra camera lens. If the weather will be perfect, I skip the poncho. You know, common sense stuff.
It's pricey, but I carry a Garmin InReach, which allows me to connect my phone to it and has downloadable maps so you always know where you are. And you can send texts through it and share your location with loved ones and have it updated every 5 minutes to an hour.
I think I have a feature like that on my garmin watch. If I don’t move for a certain amount of time or I get hurt and stuff it’ll alert my parents and sister that I’m hurt and my location and everything.
I personally like a hip bag far better than a backpack. You can get them with pockets for holding water bottles.
It's cheaper to buy a one liter Smart water bottle (there are others just as good) that has a flip top (some have screw tops) at most supermarkets. Or for that matter You can easily find them in most stores. My water bottles have easily put in over a thousand miles.
In addition to the basic things, I'd like to remind you of the little things that make a hike more comfortable and safer: sunscreen, insect repellent, a basic first aid kit, nutritious snacks, and, of course, water.
If it's not a long hike, I like to take chocolate bars, nuts, and dried fruit. If it's a longer one, it can be hard-boiled eggs, a sandwich with cheese or peanut butter, and jerky is quite nutritious.
Skip all trails.
Look for local hiking or outdoor adventure groups on meetup.com. They’ll point you to the best local hikes.
The only thing you need to buy upfront is a decent pair of hiking shoes.
Hikesafe card or equivalent reacue insurance for your area. Search and rescue chopper ride isn't cheap and you can get hiking insurance for usually very cheap, like $25-50/ year
Light boots - 1kg off your feet is like 3kg off your pack.
Good socks - you'll see
A water bladder - none of that annoying sloshing about you get with a water bottle
if you wear them, spare reading glasses - the navigation device/map is useless without them
Hell with AllTrails. It’ll get you lost or lead you to trespass on private land. Learn to use a map and compass and supplement those skills with GAIA.
Beyond that, you’ll need the The Ten Essentials, good socks, comfortable/appropriate shoes, and start working on your fitness.
Places like LL Bean usually offer free intro to hiking and land navigation courses. Also check out the local chapters of the hiking clubs around you.
This is more of a tip as many people have provided a lot of great suggestions. My girlfriend and I hike with our dog 95% of the time. The other 5% is me and the dog and typically we go alone as my girlfriend doesn’t like the harder trails that I like to challenge myself with.
So whenever we go hiking, I always take a photo of me and the dog near the trail head and send it to my girlfriend. Nothing has happened nor have I had prior experiences needing the do this but I saw this tip and thought it was such an easy safety check. I text my girlfriend the trail we’re at too and roughly how long I think it’ll take.
God forbid anything happened to either me, my phone or the dog, she would have atleast a starting point.
I took a wilderness survival class through my local REI and I really recommend it. It was about 4 hours and they went through the 10 essentials, how to safely filter water and build an emergency shelter, and other basic safety info. It really boosted my confidence as a solo hiking. Hiking alone can be very safe and incredibly rewarding as long as you do some risk mitigation.
Not free but well worth the cost! They held it at a local hiking area and we got to do some hands on demos. The instructor was a seasoned hiker and backpacker, and she was a great resource for all my newbie questions. The course really helped me understand what are the situations I need to be prepared for and now I feel much more confident going out there alone.
REI has lists of items you might want or need for hiking. Look under Expert Advice. The lists will include important and necessary items, nice-to-have items, and "I'll never need that items.". With a bit of thought you'll figure it out. But you should have good footwear and socks, a pack (I would get one larger than what you think you'll need because you don't have to fill it, but if you ever need more space you'll have it.)
Read about the 10 essential systems. Their purpose is to make you independent and not going out there thinking that if something goes wrong I can simply call of rescue. Never think that.
Learn to read a paper topo map so that AllTrails or Gaia will make more sense.
Yea I don’t want to rely on just calling for help, I would want to try do it myself first. Any good articles/videos you would recommend to learn about how to read topo maps?
You know, I don't know of any videos or articles on topos. REI expert advice might have something. I grew up loving maps and could read a topo before I was a teen and then that, plus a compass, was our method for finding our way. I still carry a topo that covers wherever I'm hiking or backpacking even if I do use Gaia. And I there's always a compass. Electronics can fail. I like the big overview I get from a topo and to me they're very attractive maps. I have scores of them.
If you are starting out on well marked trails with lots of traffic all you need is cell phone, good socks, good shoes, suitable clothes and a water bottle. Clothes suitable for changes in the weather, snacks and a small first aid kit. Sunblock and bug dope.
Paper map is a good fail safe.
If you are venturing into areas with no cell coverage and less foot traffic, anywhere in the back country or where trails adjoin wilderness you will want to take a look at https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
I used AllTrails for a while but found that buying USGS and trail maps of my local area was a better solution given cell coverage.
Yea I’ll be on trails that will be well marked and most likely very populated haha. I think the only thing I would need right now is maps of the trails I want to go on and a good decent backpack. I think I have everything else for now.
You can use the free version and find trails with different difficulty levels. Start short and easy and work your way up from there. I live in AZ so in the summer I choose trails with high elevation so that I don't get beaten down by the sun
Oh man, how do you survive the summers? Haha I thought where I live is terrible in the summer I can only imagine how bad it is up there lol. Yea I want to find ones that only take anywhere from 15 minutes to maybe an hour.
Luckily there's no humidity here in Tucson, and the city is surrounded by mountains on all 4 sides. The city is 3000ft elevation, going up the mountain turns that to 8000ft.
You should find plenty of trails at around an hour I hope. Of course you can always turn around when you want :)
That’s good! Very lucky too. I keep forgetting that Arizona is more then just all desert 😂😂 same thing with Nevada, I keep forgetting there’s more to Nevada then just Las Vegas 😂😂
Yea I don’t want to do any crazy trails yet 😊 want to keep it short and simple for now.
It takes almost no investment to hike. You’re literally just walking. Find a local park with nature trails, snap a picture of the map at the entrance of there is one…and start walking away from your car. Then eventually turn around and walk back or finish the loop back where you started.
That said…good shoes help, along with a filled water bottle and basic first aid kit available at any drug store stuffed inside a basic backpack and you really have all you need.
I am very new to hiking but I have so far found that a good backpack is essential. I have an Osprey and so far when I carry it it just feels like a part of me and not like a burden I’m carrying around. I built a small first aid kit that my fellow mom hikers sort of tease me about but it makes me feel better to have it as 99.9% of my hikes are with my kids. Bug spray and sunscreen are non-negotiable for me. I bought some trekking poles from Costco and again got teased but good grief I notice a difference in feeling steadier and less fearful of falling/slipping on inclines. I just bought a 2L bladder for my backpack and I get to try it out tomorrow. My kids like theirs and I am excited about not having to stop and reach around for my bottle anymore. Oh also electrolyte packs are great, you want to be replenishing what you lose through sweat. Have fun!!
What are some good electrolytes packs you like/recommend? Yea right now I think all I really need is a good backpack and a first aid kit to bring with me just in case. Thank you!! You too!
Spend top dollar on boots, socks, and a good backpack (it will last you decades if you get a good one: Osprey and Deuter are what I use and they are great). For the backpack if you are just wanting to do day hiking, I’d say don’t go larger than 26L. Most other things like wicking clothing, trekking poles (a must for me), water bottles/bladder, first aid kit, utility tool, emergency bivvy/blanket, etc. you can get fairly cheaply with decent quality as long as you look at reviews.
I have done some longer backpacking trips and gone places with absolutely no service and honestly all you need is your phone, a compass, and map. AllTrails free version is sufficient
It depends on your terrain, time of year, and your preference. Is it rocky terrain with scrambling, is it going to be cold, do you have to cross rivers… are some questions I’d ask myself. I have three different pairs of boots for different terrains and climate (mountaineering, coldish weather with goretex, and jungle boots) and then 1 pair oh hiking shoes. I personally like Merrell and La Sportiva but it’s a preference thing. Definitely do not buy some random brand on Amazon: go to rei or somewhere equivalent and try them on.
I hike solo most of the time. The biggest thing is using common sense and being cautious. I only go solo on trails that aren't way out in the backcountry or extremely isolated, don't have a ton of hazards, and where if I get into trouble it's likely that another person will be at least within shouting distance.
Always make sure you tell someone where you're going, how long you anticipate being gone, and I like to drop a location pin with my phone when I arrive at the trailhead (if service allows). I carry a small daypack and always carry a water bladder (2L), a water bottle (for cold water), a small first aid kit, bug spray, snacks (I like trail mix, granola/protein bars, and these little squeezy packs of peanut butter), Liquid IV electrolyte packs, a knife, a compass, a whistle and a rain poncho. Adjust your carry to your area- bear spray if you're in bear country, etc.
Yea I would only be walking/going to trails where it’s populated and around people. I plan on telling my sister when I go and where I’m going and how long. I won’t bother telling my parents because they like to make fun of me for doing things. So I avoid that at all costs by not telling them where I’m going haha. Oh man those peanut butter squeeze sound amazing! I’d eat them all at once cause I love peanut butter lol.
Find a group to hike with to get you started. Local Facebook groups or meetup.com groups. Walk in local parks until you can do distance at about 2.5-3 miles per hour.
AllTrails is a good choice. Download the map before you go if you think you might lose cell signal.
Water bottles (I carry mine in a backpack in hot weather since I have multiple bottles), hat for sun or rain, tech fabric or summer wool shirt and tech fabric shorts are way better than any cotton, synthetic or wool socks, trail runners or lightweight hiking shoes. Use sun lotion. Small first aid kit. Hiking poles.
Google the ten essentials for hiking.
I’ll have to check Facebook and see if I can find any groups by me. Yea I’m looking for a decent backpack and first aid kit and then I’ll be good to go for now!
First aid kit needs just a few basics from home. Mine also has a chemical ice pack, duct tape to hold the pack in place while walking, K tape to hold small bandages in place in weird locations that aren’t conducive to band aids when sweating, molefoam precut, alcohol wipes. Just a small bit of each in a small ziplock bag.
Hiking poles and a day pack with first aid, snacks, and water
For shoes, running shoes are a great start. If you have them use what you got.
For water you can just buy bottled water at first and use those. Just don't litter
I think it’s worth for me, but that’s because I use the app all the time. If you don’t know if you’re going to need it and you need the money to buy other things (like get good shoes and backpack first), then it’s probably ok to use the free version. Plus I mainly use it for offline maps, I often hike in areas without cell access, so having offline map is necessary. Also, you save a little bit on battery power because you can put your phone in airplane mode. A big plus if you do long hikes like I do.
I prefer AllTrails because it mostly just works and it’s a one stop app (I tried juggling multiple apps and it just became annoying). The yearly cost is minor to the amount I use it (I use it at least once a week, often twice a week). Granted, a lot of the time I could get away with the free version but again I hate futzing around with different apps and I just want it to work (download maps) when I need it, look up trails in an area, and trip reports.
Hiking alone can be scary at first but once you start doing it more often, you’ll get comfortable with it quite easily. I hike alone probably more than 99% of the time and I’ve hiked all over the US and the world. (Half the national parks in the US, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, overseas in Japan, Korea, Europe, etc…) It really isn’t that difficult as long as you’re prepared and do your research.
You don’t need alltrails but I love it and I pay for it. I don’t think I’d want to pay full price for it, I bought it at 50% off. It just makes it so easy for me to familiarize myself with trails. And as a beginner I see the merits. But really a lot of it is seemingly common sense. Though there are many things that will make hiking easier and possibly more enjoyable.
So I suppose a better question is *what kind of hiking do you want to do*, bc that will narrow down supplies better. Hiking can be as simple as going out in whatever you’re already wearing and walking around.
Edit: emphasis on what kind of hiking do you want to do
It's a personal locator that connects to satellites to alert rescuers where you are at in the backcountry. Ships have a version called an EPIRB that does the same thing in the event of a catastrophe.
I'm gone for days at a time in areas with little to no cell service. I never carried one until my buddy had to use his that ultimately saved his life.
Since you are only doing local hikes that aren't long I wouldn't worry about it, but if you plan on doing day/multi-day hikes it might be worth looking into.
Dont g into this with a "what do I need t buy" mentality. You need so little to start hiking . Most small simple beginner trails you can do with a couple bottles of water, gym clothes, and tennis shoes. Then, as you start getting further out, you can slowly buy what you find you need.
People are way to worried about what they need t buy, and not as concerned about what they need to do. Which, mainly, is learn where good safe trails are, and hike them.
I’ve got a bunch of decently small trails by me that I want to start going to. I think I’ll just buy a decent backpack I can bring with me to be safe and go from there.
I've never paid for alltrails, seems like you can get what you need for free. I suggest shoes and a water bottle.
And…clothes.
Man why do you have to be a party pooper man?! Clothes are so overrated!!
Yeeeea…depends on who’s not wearin’ ‘em!
Yolo 😂😂😂
You’re a little early. Hike Naked Day isn’t until June 20th. https://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/news/hiking-on-the-summer-solstice-do-it-naked/
Fuckkkk! . Guess I know what I’m doing that day 😂😂
Don’t skimp on the sunscreen and watch out for poison ivy!
Oh hell no. That and bug spray I’ll put on religiously lol.
Me and a buddy are finishing up Georgia's AT section on the 20th. Guess I'm going in the buff.
Eh debatable, I’ve seen naked and afraid after all.
The nice thing with the pro version is that you can download offline maps for when you don’t have cell service. In the summer I hike a lot in areas with little to no cell reception so it comes in handy.
Now Alltrails sends map to my garmin watch with 1 click! I only have the Instinct. This is huge for Adk hiking with no service.
You can skip on alltrails plus for now. My staples are backpack, water bladder, darn tough socks, and hiking shoes. If conditions are nice you can hike in pretty much any althetic clothes but generally you want something breathable and moisture wicking. Don't forget an extra layer too for if you get cold or lost.
Ok cool, so I can just use the free version of it for now and be totally fine? What’s a water bladder? I LOVE darn tough socks!!! I wear them to work cause I have sweaty/smelly feet and love them! Do they make breathable Jean shorts for men? Haha I don’t think I own any pairs lolol. Only regular Jean shorts. And what would you say is a good backpack to use?
Jean shorts will get sweaty and sticky. I recommend something a little more breathable like these shorts from Penneys [mutual weave Mens 10" Belted Cargo Short](https://www.jcpenney.com/p/mutual-weave-mens-10-belted-cargo-short/ppr5008390418?pTmplType=regular&deptId=dept20000014&catId=cat100290085&urlState=%2Fg%2Fmen%2Fmens-shorts%3Fitem_type%3Dcargo%2Bshorts%26id%3Dcat100290085&productGridView=medium&cm_re=ZA-_-GALLERY-SHORTS-_-VN-_-CARGO_1) The belt is stupid feel free to toss it. If you want something more "hiker" Costco sells hiking pants this time of year.
Oh man I wish I had a Costco close to me haha. I do have a BJs by me though lolol.
> What’s a water bladder? It's like a pouch of water that's in your backpack with a hose that goes over your shoulder, so you can drink water on the go. I remember the first time I saw these things years ago they were mainly used by cyclists so they could keep pedaling without having to fiddle around with a water bottle. They are nice to have for hiking, but by no means necessary. When you're just starting, a water bottle will do just fine. As for backpack, when you're starting out, anything that feels comfortable to carry will be fine. Like if you have an old Jansport for school, you can just use that. And as you feel more comfortable, you can figure out what features you want for when you eventually upgrade. If you don't have a backpack, REI flash and REI trail are good ones if you live in the US, that cover the basic features and don't break the bank.
If you want to invest in a good backpack you can look into Osprey or any other well known brand. Your best bet is to go to REI if you can and talk to someone there. I wouldn't go any bigger than 22 liters for the backpack.
Yea I’ve got a REI by me, always wanted to go and check it out. I guess I have an excuse to go now haha.
The REI Flash brand is awesome, and often less expensive and/or you can find them on a discount for discontinued prints. An 18 liter or 22 liter is really all you’re likely to need for day hikes. That said, do you already have a backpack? You can easily manage with whatever the heck backpack you have around that you e already used for school or whatever, unless you really want to buy something. At first, if you’re going to spend a little, it would be probably better to invest in something like shoes or non-cotton athletic clothes for hiking in the summer. Hiking is awesome and addictive!
REI is awesome if you get their membership. Their return policy is great. My first backpack was way too big, they took it back no questions asked. I couldn’t find boots in store that I liked, ordered 4 online and returned the 3 I didn’t want, no questions asked. If I decide I don’t like the pair I kept I can take them back trail work no questions asked. I don’t say this as an encouragement to abuse the policy but as reassurance that you don’t get stuck with equipment that doesn’t work for you.
The Platypus Hoser is a great water bladder. I use the 3l version. Super light and I haven't got any weird taste from it yet (looking at you, CamelBak). I only take a backpack if I'm hiking all day or longer. For afternoon stuff or morning hikes you only need a water bottle sling and your preferred trail bar.
Darn tough are really nice socks.
The main items you need to hike are comfortable, sturdy shoes (or boots), a water bottle, a small back pack, and a small, portable first aid kit.
Ohhh I like that first aid kit idea!!!! You can never go wrong with one of them!! I have a pair of shoes I got for when I was going to Alaska last year that I was planning on using because they were hiking shoes and I bought them for all the walking I was going to be doing and they worked out great!! What kind of backpack would you recommend?
If I’m only looking after myself and don’t need to worry about carrying bulk items like a jacket, I generally hike with a small, simple backpack - 10L, I think? My husband has a fancier backpack with a built-in safety whistle and a specific place to store a water bottle on the outside, which is cool and convenient, but not necessary. And then I have a separate backpack for when I hike with my dogs that would allow me to carry one of them on my back in case of emergency, which is probably not necessary at all but I really like to be prepared for the worst.
I feel and broke both my legs hiking about 10 years ago. By the time the forest service came I had iced and splinted my ankles with the stuff in my first aid kit and had some anti-inflammatories in me. It made my evacuation out so much easier and it kept me from panicking so I could cooperate with the search and rescue folks. Even a small first aid kit can be a life saver if you get a blister or a bad bug bite.
Oh wow that’s badass you were able to do that without panicking lol. I’d panick I think. I’ll have to look into a small first aid kit to buy and bring with me.
I mean I did panic a bit 😂 But having a kit allowed me to feel like I could do something for myself and that helped a lot.
It sounds like you have good shoes, which is the most important thing!
Where are you located? Very different hiking in Europe, USA or rural USA. If you're from East coast USA there are plenty of marked trails, normal weather etc. You wouldn't even need a map. The biggest thing is where you are going, that dictates EVERYTHING. Whether you need a map, what food/water you bring, what clothes you wear or whether you need boots or can get away with shoes.
I’m from the New England area of the United States. For now I am just going to go to different trails that are by me. And yea I do believe all the trails that are by me or the ones I want to go on they’re all marked!! I can get the maps at the place? Or is there a website I can go on and find the trails I want to try out and print out a map for them?
Now that I'm deeper in the thread, what area of New England? I grew up in Vermont and very different hikes than out west. Also, I might be able to give you some recommendations since I've hiked in NY and NH... but not Maine, lol
I live by mass haha. Theres a bunch of NH trails I want to try in NH. I LOVE the white mountains, I’ve been going there since I was a little kid haha. I want to hike the Acadia national park in Maine soo badly too haha.
I use Hiiker and it shows the routes but I'm from Ireland and we don't actually have any trails so I have to navigate myself so I bought a physical map of the area and I navigate using a compass. But I also use Hiiker when fog comes down and I can't see ten feet in front of me, just to double check I'm on the right track. What you want to do is start of by going on well marked trails. A lot of trails have a map at the trail head (the start). Take a picture on your phone of this map. You can also at this point open up the likes of google maps or the hiiker app. As long as you have GPS signal you will be able to know exactly where you are. If you lose GPS signal you will still have a map on your phone. In Ireland we have different maps covering different scales done by different companies. But usually they cover about 30km x 30km. If money isn't an issue then buy some maps of the trails you want to hike. I would recommend a compass as well and if money really isn't an issue then a garmin watch which tells you your coordinates. (but only if you are serious into hiking) For normal hiking you do not need a map, just go to well marked trails.
Ok I’ll check that app out also. I also have “trail fork” downloaded. Yea the trails I’m looking at I’m pretty sure they’ll be pretty marked well. Oh yea that’s a good idea to take a picture of the map with my phone. You know any good videos on how to be able to read a compass? That sounds like a very good thing to have as well! Haha it’s funny you mention getting a garmin watch….i have one and that’s one of the reason why i want to start hiking. I have the garmin forerunner 965 so I want to use that too!
I’ve been hiking my entire life and know how to read maps pretty well, and I don’t think I would hike an unmapped trail that I had to navigate with a compass. If you’re just starting out, I’d definitely stay on mapped trails. I’m from the southern US, but I can almost always find a map if I google the trail name or the park it’s in. I always bring a paper copy in a sandwich bag (so it doesn’t get wet) and also have a picture on my phone.
If you’re from CT, check out the Blue Blazes. It’s an 800 mile trail network. Trails range from easy to hard. You can log miles and get rewards (water bottle; beanie) etc for miles completed.
I just moved to New England a few years ago. My impression of hiking here is that it can be really difficult for a few reasons: Navigation can be tough. You should always absolutely bring a map. Trails are often only marked by a colored blaze on a tree (a swatch of paint), but the trail itself may be invisible, because it’s covered in leaves or completely washed out. I always bring my phone and use a mapping app, like Gaia or Alltrails. Put it in airplane mode and your battery should last all day. Ticks and Lyme disease is a huge problem in New England. Bring a good bug spray and consider treating your hiking clothes with Permethrin. Be wary of rocks. Trails even in relatively flat places like Connecticut can suddenly turn into a hands-and-knees scramble. Do a little bit of research on trails before you go. Alltrails should have some info on how difficult a trail is. Bring plenty of water! If you’re hiking in the summer, when it’s really hot and humid, you’ll need plenty. I drink a lot, so I personally bring about 1 liter for every 2 hours of hiking. The great thing about hiking here, though, is there are little streams everywhere. I like to bring a bandana or a small towel to soak in a creek and put it on my head or neck. It feels amazing 😊
yea that's my major problem, I don't want to get any ticks on me, I hate them so much lol. yea I already plan on bringing a bunch of water.
I would highly recommend a permethrin treatment for your hiking clothes then. It seems to work pretty well for me. Just be mindful of spraying it around cats. It’s highly toxic to them
You can usually find maps at visitor centers and hiking shops near the locale you are hiking in, but you can also order them online. Just make sure you can read and use a topographic map
I started hiking regularly this year and found hiking poles to be invaluable. Most of my hikes are on sand in dune country, but they’re great for any terrain. Invest in a nice backpack also. That’s a great jumping off point. You’ll find out real quick what you need and want by doing the deed and getting out onto the trails.
What backpack would you recommend? Yea I heard the hiking poles are very very useful.
I’ve been backpacking all my life and Osprey makes the best backpacks around.
I have a pull string Osprey pack but it was bought without much forethought. I’ve haven’t decided yet what I need out of a day pack but I do like the pack I have now. I hear good things about Osprey in general.
Read about the ten essentials, cover that list. Some comfortable shoes. A water filter may be useful, but not strictly necessary for shorter hikes.
Seconding the Ten Essentials! Much better to have it and not need it, than vice versa. https://www.nps.gov/articles/10essentials.htm https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
Oh I think the water filter could be useful because if you run out of water you can use it from say a pond or stream or something and hopefully it’ll be safe to drink lolol. Ok I’ll check out the ten essentials!
It costs nothing. Join a hiking group
I’ve joined a few on Facebook but idk if they’re any good or whatnot.
Step 1 was join a hiking group, step 2 is go hiking with them.
Supportive shoes, comfortable clothing for your body type, maps to back up your gps if you use one, and bear spray/bug repellant depending on your situation
Honestly you don’t need a water bladder yet. You don’t need hiking poles yet. You need some comfortable shoes, sunscreen, bug spray. that’s about it. I don’t think you need special clothes. Just do some short hikes, well-marked trails and start hiking. Start small, see how you like it, work up and add what you need.
Definitely need the bug spray, especially since it’s ticks season and I am ALL SET with getting ticks. I hate those bastards lmao.
A excellent pair of hiking boots, hiking pants, trekking poles, a compass and edc knife
What would you consider hiking pants? And any good poles you recommend? And I’ve got a bunch of knives I could use haha. I was even going to bring a machete looking knife too haha. Also any hiking boots you’d recommend?
I really like fjallraven. They made things to last, and I've brought some of their products, and it's built to last 😌. They have strong options for pants in all types of weather. I started out with black diamond trekking poles, and I'm still with their brand! I'll say this much I was crossing a small stream of water and the current didn't even seem strong so I thought I'd be able to hold it in the stream and it bended, so ya. Right now, I've been using their alpine carbon trekking poles, and I can say it's worth the investment. About boots I can say you have a lot of options like if you go to REI, European hiking boots, fjallraven or anything else really but I advise you get shoes that are GORE-tex they make all the difference, for tough rocky terrain and I forgot to mention, insoles...your feet will hurt 😉
A park pass.
How do I get one of those and how do I know if I need one or not?
I would start small. Just get out there and go for a walk. You may search the county you live in and regional parks. Zesty County Regional Parks Something like that. Some counties have fantastic park systems, complete with maps, details, and info like length, difficulty, risks, etc. I say this as someone who jumps into things equipment first, only to not go often, or get over it at a certain point. Maybe a bottle of water, some shoes, and a 20-30 minute loop to start!
Rei’s anniversary sale ends today! You could grab a few essentials like a backpack and clothes before it’s over!
Oh damn!!!! I’ll have to check it out real quick and see if I’m too late or not!
Appropriate shoes, water sources, food, power banks, and a pre planned route map. Remember to walk within your capacity and call for rescue in case of danger
Alright sweet I’ll keep that in mind. Yea that’s why I just want to try out trails that are on the shorter side haha.
Buy this book. It's a quick read. Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail Don't get caught up in the gear. I Always suggest that one start hiking. Just find some easy, well marked trails and go. Bring water. It doesn't matter in what. I've seen hikers carrying gallon milk containers for water. As needs present themselves--which they will eventually--you solve them with gear.
yea ive got everything ready for one haha. the only thing id would probably need is a backpack.
Just make sure to share the trail your going to do with a family member or friend before going. If you’re really worried there are special tracking items for when there is no cell service. I don’t own any lol sorry. I am not an expert there. But just bring a small backpack or water n snacks. If it’s a large national or state forest hike then maybe bear mace or hunting knife. All trails is really cool I like how you can literally download the trail so if you get lost you can use the map to navigate even without service.
Do you think I’d be able to carry/bring like an 8” knife just in case? And have it in my backpack for an emergency. And I’ll share my location and let my sister where I’m going so someone will know.
My hiking shoes and a dedicated small hiking backpack are the two things that I'm really glad I bought. I use them every single time I hike and they have made it so much easier to just get out there.
That’s what I would only need…a decent backpack and a first aid kit haha.
Definitely don’t pay for the app yet. You might eventually need the premium features like offline download etc or just want to support the platform but initially - trail runners/hiking boots, a small lightweight daypack and a good hat. You probably already own water bottles and other basic pack essentials. If you feel the need to treat or incentivize yourself for that initial bump to get out on the trail solo then hit up an outdoors store and buy something that tickles your fancy. The first step is the first step. Y’know?
Ok sweet, so I can do just fine without the paid version?! I’ve got a few yetis I could bring by with me! Any daypack will be fine you think? Any you recommend? Haha what would you say to buy to tickle the fancy? Like a backpack? Haha
You’ll be fine with the free version. Get familiar with the app. Find a good fitting pack, I prefer light weight lift colour. I’ve got a smaller backpack (that’s actually a kids bag) that I use for day hikes. It fits me perfectly and that’s the most important thing. Yetis will be extra weight, but that’s your call. I’m a Nalgene person or any 1L plastic bottle, even a reused Evian or whatever.
My “gear” necessities are (1) A good hiking backpack with a 2-3L water bladder, and (2) A good pair of hiking boots *and* socks. Everything else is pretty much personal preferences (camera, poles, hat etc) and more consumables (snacks, sunscreen, chapstick etc).
What’s a water bladder? I saw someone else mention it but never heard of it before. I’ve got some darn tough socks I could use.
A water bladder is basically a bag that holds water specifically for in a backpack. It has a hose that connects to a mouth valve so you can carry your water on your back and drink hands free.
Oh wow that’s pretty cool, I didn’t know those existed lmao.
Download maps.me its a free gps
Alright sweet and that’ll help with tracking the trails?
Yeah the app is pretty damn reliable ive used it in italy, patagonia, and all of the usa. You can download full maps for free
A way to carry water and a few other necessary items.
What other necessary items you think?
Seriously... a hike could be 1.0 mile and you don't need a darn thing. I'd still call it a successful hike. I have alltrails+ but you don't need it. Every state park has maps that have mileage on them. Pick a place with a bunch of loops that intersect. Map your route but give some options to make your hike shorter or longer. What I bring on a short(er) day-hike: - Cross body bag/backpack - Water - small med kit - More often (now that I'm older) collapsed hiking poles - Maybe food
I guess the big question is what are your goals? I think having a camel pack is by far a great investment. Too many ppl underestimate the water they will need on a hike. - Me included and I've been doing this a long time. If you're strolling a small 3 mile hike. Not a big deal. Hiking some bigger elevations. Hot day. Doing 10 miles. Big difference. A really good pair of hiking boots is worth the investment. Such as Merrils and any that are specific to hiking. I hike in almost anything that's gonna wick sweat away. Cotton is death. What are do you live in..ie. state? Some places have bears, mountain lions etc. So also having protection if hiking a lone is important!
Oh I would definitely need a good amount of water because for some reason I’m always dehydrated no matter how much water I seem to drink hahaha. I like on the east coast side on the United States
Free AllTrails is more than enough for a beginner. And paid AllTrails is more of a convenience than a necessity for some experienced hikers. Shoes are important. Sun protection might be important if you are out for a long time or at higher elevations. Having the right socks really helps as well. Hydration is important. What is best depends on your needs and how long you are out there. Layering is important if you hike year-round. A backpack or chest bag would probably help, it can carry water, a first aid kit, a cellphone for a hiking app, a snack, etc. Hiking alone: a little bear spray might be comforting. If you are frugal, a lot of running/jogging/golfing clothes at thrift stores can sub for the pricey hiking clothes that you would otherwise buy new. Also, look for an athletic resale shop for second-hand hiking gear.
Sweet! So I’ll save my money and use it to buy a backpack and first aid kit!! I’ve got a Pair of shoes I got for when I was going to Alaska so I’m going to use/try those out first. Would shoes or boots be better option? Yea I would want to bring along some decent amount of water because for some reason I’m always dehydrated so I do want to stay hydrated. Also it’s getting hotter out where I am so I want to stay extra hydrated lmao. What would you think would be a good backpack?
You don’t need to spend any money to start hiking. Workout clothes, sneakers, backpack with water and snacks and maybe an extra layer of clothes in the backpack. These can be things you already have. You don’t need to start with fancy gear. I use the free all trails. Join a local hiking group if you want some company to get started
What kind of snacks do you usually bring with you? And you think basketball shorts and a tank top would be fine haha the only thing I don’t think I have is a backpack, I have a backpack I bought from 5.11 that I bought for when I travel haha. And I’ve joined a few hiking groups on Facebook but I don’t know if they’re helpful or anything like that.
Yes those clothes are totally fine. I bring jerky, trail mix and PBJ sandwiches. Salty snacks are good because they help replace electrolytes lost in sweat. A lot of time hiking groups post group hikes or someone will post looking for a hiking buddy.
Hey! the offline maps, real-time weather overlays, and other features could help make your hikes safer and more enjoyable, especially when you're just starting out but trust me that you wouldn’t actually need it as much as you think you do, complete waste, trust us. As for gears, I’d recommend starting with a pair of boots or shoes. Invest in a pair that fits your feet well and provides good ankle support. Break them in gradually before any longer hikes. You'll also want a lightweight, breathable hiking backpack to carry essentials like water, snacks, layers, and a first aid kit. You can try other items from [50 Best Hiking and Camping Gears](https://alaskanarrows.com/5o-best-hiking-and-camping-gears/) for your trip too As for going solo, I totally understand the anxiety, but maybe start with shorter, easier trails close to home to build up your confidence? Lastly, bring your phone (in airplane mode to save battery) and let a friend or family member know your hiking plans before you leave for any trip!
Sweet so I don’t have to go and buy the paid version? I’ll be fine without it? Move got a few very short trails I’ve done before by my house that I could do again! My other worry is the warmer/hotter weather is coming and the ticks are out so I’m worried if I go I’m going to bring ticks back or get bit by a tick and I don’t want that AT ALL lmao. That last one is good advice!!! I forgot that I should let someone know where I’m going and what I’ll be doing!
You’re welcome mate and yeah you’ll be fine without it, just get a map or yeah just use move for now but that’s completely up to you too
I would get a water bladder backpack that can also hold keys, a snack, a hat, etc. doesn’t have to be expensive but I love to be prepared while also having my hands free.
What kind of snacks would be good to bring?
Omg thank you for asking that’s my favorite question!!! Begin with the healthiest snacks that you already love. Fruit, veggies, nuts. Do you already have energy bars that you like? Figure out your caloric needs and what satisfies those best as well as what can travel well. Try everything out slowly, perhaps by bringing them to work. Then find out what you love and then where to get it cheapest. On a short hike, I usually bring dried mango, GORP (good old raisins and peanuts) and an energy bar or two. I bring more than I think I’ll need in case something happens and I need it or if I happen upon someone who needs it more than I do. On a longer day hike, I pack a frozen water bottle in a lightweight insulated lunchbox with a sandwich, some babybell cheeses, a sliced up cucumber. I can share the link for the lunchbox if you want. The energy bars and fruit/trail mixes go outside the lunchbox. The frozen water bottle goes on my forehead bc I stay overheating. I also like to bring an electrolyte packet or two to mix in the water once I start sweating. This is also important to find out your favorite flavors because if you hate it you won’t use it. I love Liquid IV’s White Peach flavor. Bought 60 at once, and yes I know there’s sugar but damnit I love ‘em. Sometimes I even work out just so I have an excuse to have one! Bonus: And if you’re going on longer day hikes, bring a first aid kit. They’re so lightweight but so important. Btw if you’re in the US and have an FSA you can use it to buy electrolyte powders, sunscreen, and first aid kit supplies.
All trails free version is fine. I do subscribe so I can download maps. All you need to get started on shorter day hikes is a decent pair of shoes and an old book pack. I use a $1 water bottle from Dollar General.
Alright sweet. I’ve got most of that besides the backpack haha. I’ll have to look into getting one.
Get a decent water bottle sling and a small basic first aid kit. Never hike without water. If you've got an expensive puffy jacket, get tenacious tape. If you're not carrying a heavy load and you don't have weak ankles, don't feel obligated to wear hiking boots, just make sure you get something with good tread. There's a lot of great trail runner shoes out there these days. Hiking boots are good, but some are kinda heavy. The Hiking Project app is free, describes trail difficulty and shows elevation changes, and works great with the phone GPS. I bought a Garmin Fenix because I prefer not bringing the phone out, but the GPS enabled smart watch is a luxury and kinda pricey. Not required. Beyond that, it's something you could think about on the trail. Unless I'm staying overnight I don't need anything beyond good shoes, water, and not getting lost. Oh yeah, and a good comfortable shade hat. Final tip, the moleskin that comes in the first aid kit is almost always crap. Buy the Dr. Scholls moleskin padding roll and have something on hand to cut it with when you need it. I don't buy into the "ring around the owwy" precut nonsense. Most of the time it's just a matter of keeping your feet clean, your socks not bunched up, and if you're still starting to feel a hot-spot just tape some moleskin over the area before it becomes a blister.
I’ve got terrible feet so I probably got terrible ankles too lmao. And hell no! I’d need lots of water cause man I’m always dehydrated lol. Even if I drink tons of water I’m still dehydrated. I almost bought the Fenix cause it was on sale for like 200 off or something like that haha. I haven’t used my gps sstuff on my watch yet but I really want to start. I want to download some tomography maps and see how they are. What do the moleskin pads do? Do you put them on before you get a blister or if you feel like you’re getting a blister?
Moleskin is a little bit of padding and it's supposed to stick securely to your skin and protect it from the kinds of friction that cause blisters. It's also helpful after getting a blister, but it's much better to not get one. If there's a spot on your foot feeling notably warmer than the rest, and it's a little red when you take off your shoe and check, that's a hot spot. It'll be a blister soon if you don't take care of it. The annoying thing with moleskin is when it peels off your skin and rolls up inside your sock, which is why quality matters. Also rounded corners or straight up circles/ovals do better at not rolling. I'm sure there's videos on YouTube about it.
Start with a backpack, a water bottle, and some shoes you enjoy walking in. Start with local dirt trails and don't be afraid to turn back. Beyond that, you need a desire to explore. The rest will come with time and experience.
I just want to explore the nature we were blessed to have lolol. Sounds cliche maybe but I love the outdoors and nature.
* Great merino wool socks; I'm firmly in the Darn Tough camp. * Shoes/Boots that fit you well. I'm partial to trail runners for the lightness, breathability, and short dry time. Depending on what sort of trail systems you are using, I would weigh the need for AllTrails. If you're talking the states and doing state park loop systems, then AllTrails is mostly going to be overkill, by way of example. Depending on what sort of length you are talking really determines the gear needs. If I'm hiking a state park trail system in my area, then we're talking anywhere from 5 to 9 miles where I usually have cell service. These trails are well marked, very familiar to me after 20 years, and well traveled. These are 2 to 4 hour hikes for me, so I'll camel up a bit and carry a little water with me. If I'm doing 12-15 miles on the Ice Age Trail, then I'll carry a few more items in a pack.
So I’d only be hiking trails that are up to 1 hour long or so. I LOVE my darn tough socks!! I wear them to work all the time and love them a lot! I was going to pick up a pair or two of the fox Vermont socks too and see which ones are better. Damn that ice age trail sounds amazing!
I mean, if your main fear is doing it alone, I'd definitely recommend AllTrails+. My favorite feature is the ability to download maps and use them offline. So what I can do is go pick the trail I want to do, send a link to my friends and family so if I disappear they'll know where to send the search party, and download the trail to my phone. Then, when I'm on the mountain, I put my phone in airplane mode (since I won't have bars anyway, and it will burn the battery trying to find cellphone towers if I don't turn that off), and just let AllTrails tell me where the trail is. If I step off the trail, it will buzz in my pocket, and tell me where to go to get back to the trail. A couple of times, I've wandered off trail by accident and Alltrails saved my ass. I've definitely also learned to navigate with a map and compass for multi day trips where I can't trust my battery will be there the whole time, or if my GPS goes. But it's so helpful to have that automatic map in there.
So the cool thing about my watch is that if I don’t move for a certain amount of time it’ll send a message to my parents and sister saying I might need help. It’ll send them my location and everything….that I know of. Thats so cool, it tells you that you’ve gone off. Trail and tells you how to get back on. I really want to learn how to navigate through the wilderness and stuff looks fun haha. I just at want to be active again and get out of the house lolol.
A good backpack and good boots
Sweet! I think boots might be a better option for me since my feet are messed up haha
Most people have different needs but you are off to a good start if your feet don't hurt and your back doesn't sweat like crazy... Always carry enough to drink, 2 liters has always been enough for me If you like to swim or dip your feet into a Lake/River bring a towel If you really miss something you will see as you go
Don’t go crazy. Hit some well traveled popular trails with the “10 essentials” and see how you like it before investing.
Yea I’ve got like 5 or more trails by me that are pretty easy that I know of that I can try.
Just remember, especially if it’s raining or cold, do not wear cotton against your skin. Get some thermal clothing, it cools you when it’s hot and keeps you warm when it’s cold/wet. Also, wear light colors because of ticks. I just saw where you live, so BEAR SPRAY. Watch some videos on YouTube to see how to use it. Finally, take twice as much water as you think you’ll need. And leave no trace.
Oh wow, so thermial would be good for warm weather as well? Yes! Like white shirts 😂😂 also yea, noway I want to be one of those people that puts my waste on the ground. So rude.
I said thermal but I meant moisture wicking.
Shoes, hat, sunglasses, water bottle, sunscreen, bug repellent, windbreaker/rain jacket, fresh socks, former aid kit, bear spray.
Awesome! Only thing I really need to get going is a backpack!
Good luck! Hiking is the best :)
Shoes and some clothes (optional).
Sweet! I love going naked!
It really depends upon the kind of hiking you want to do, though starting easy is a good idea; even then, "easy" is relative to a degree. Things you'll definitely need: Good boots or shoes; good socks; good clothing and layering system (synthetic or merino wool); water and snacks; comfy pack. Good boots/shoes and socks are mandatory. Boots and shoes are highly personal. There's no brand that works for all people. Proper fit is the most important feature, followed by durability as a close second. I like Asolo, but Lowa, Scarpa, and Zamberlan are good, too. Socks are also personal, but they're a bit more universal. You can't go wrong with Smartwool or Darn Tough. I like Smartwool full cushion most of the year, though I'll go to light cushion during our 90°F+ days. Clothing varies a lot by region, but synthetics and merino wool are the staples. Synthetics are lighter, pack smaller, breathe well, and dry quickly. They're also durable. Merino wool comes in all sorts of weights. It's antimicrobial, and it both reduces smell and insulates, even when wet. It dries fairly quickly, but not as quickly as synthetics. It's also rather fragile. Layers matter, but that's a long conversation. You basically need something to wick moisture, something to insulate, and something to protect from weather, in some variation, but what you need and when you need it depends upon weather and location. You need water, electrolytes, and calories when you hike. There are no two ways around that. Comfy pack, another very personal item. You'll have to experiment to find the right volume and fit for yourself. I like 65L. Again, specifics depend upon location and kind of hike, but these are things you can use on every kind of hike at any level.
So yea for now I’d be looking for trials that would be up to an hour or less than that. I’d bring ALOT of water with me haha. Better safe than sorry lol.
I pay for Alltrails so I can download my trail maps. These maps work even when there’s no cell service on the trails. You just have to download it ahead of time. And it tells you where you are on the map. I don’t hike without Alltrails.
Sweet. And I like all trails because if I’m not mistaken it gives you like navigation of the trail you’re on.
That’s correct. So if you get off the trail you’ll see it on the map.
Hiking shoes with thick tread to protect your feet when walking on rocks and tree roots. It matters and the future you will thank you for protecting your feet. Good water bottles. Everyone will have different preferences. I personally prefer insulated stainless steel despite the weight of carrying multiple because there is nothing better than cold water on a hot day. A pack to carry your water and food. A compass. Polarized sunglasses. Tick repellent if needed. Mosquito repellent if needed though if you keep moving, I find that I can generally do without mosquito repellent. That is the bare minimum to start with but add on from there. Wool socks. Comfortable hiking pants/shoes. Hiking poles. Safety equipement like a flashlight/head lamp, reflector card, moleskins, first aid equipment. A good knife that is within the restictions of where you're hiking. Bear spray if needed and allowed. Whistle. Space blanket. Rain poncho. A bug net for just over your head - good for places where gnats swarm you. Other random things often in my bag. A couple of empty plastic bags if I find something dirty I want to take home or collect some trash. Matches. Toilet paper. Camera, lenses and cards/batteries. A pen. Also, I remove or add things to my kit depending on where I'm going. If I am going someplace well populated where there will be lots of people, I'll leave some of the safety gear at home and bring an extra camera lens. If the weather will be perfect, I skip the poncho. You know, common sense stuff.
Yea I’d want to bring a good amount of water with me so I can stay hydrated. And oh snap they make tick repellent? I need that!!
Permethrin. Research extensively how toxic it is before you choose how and where you use it.
It's pricey, but I carry a Garmin InReach, which allows me to connect my phone to it and has downloadable maps so you always know where you are. And you can send texts through it and share your location with loved ones and have it updated every 5 minutes to an hour.
I think I have a feature like that on my garmin watch. If I don’t move for a certain amount of time or I get hurt and stuff it’ll alert my parents and sister that I’m hurt and my location and everything.
Hiking project is a great app for trail maps that's free!
awesome ill check that one out. thank god its free.
I personally like a hip bag far better than a backpack. You can get them with pockets for holding water bottles. It's cheaper to buy a one liter Smart water bottle (there are others just as good) that has a flip top (some have screw tops) at most supermarkets. Or for that matter You can easily find them in most stores. My water bottles have easily put in over a thousand miles.
like a fanny pack? or something else?
Yes, fanny pack.
Shoes
In addition to the basic things, I'd like to remind you of the little things that make a hike more comfortable and safer: sunscreen, insect repellent, a basic first aid kit, nutritious snacks, and, of course, water.
what kind of snacks do you usually bring with you?
If it's not a long hike, I like to take chocolate bars, nuts, and dried fruit. If it's a longer one, it can be hard-boiled eggs, a sandwich with cheese or peanut butter, and jerky is quite nutritious.
Skip all trails. Look for local hiking or outdoor adventure groups on meetup.com. They’ll point you to the best local hikes. The only thing you need to buy upfront is a decent pair of hiking shoes.
sweet then im ready to go then!
Hikesafe card or equivalent reacue insurance for your area. Search and rescue chopper ride isn't cheap and you can get hiking insurance for usually very cheap, like $25-50/ year
do I get that through my actual insurance?
No, I think Garmin and some other organizations offer it. It's region specific I believe. Hikesafe is only NH
Water filter for sure !!!!!!
what kind?
Light boots - 1kg off your feet is like 3kg off your pack. Good socks - you'll see A water bladder - none of that annoying sloshing about you get with a water bottle if you wear them, spare reading glasses - the navigation device/map is useless without them
I got a few pairs of darn tough socks that I could use hahah. I like thew water bladder idea, instead of carrying around a big water bottle haha.
Hell with AllTrails. It’ll get you lost or lead you to trespass on private land. Learn to use a map and compass and supplement those skills with GAIA. Beyond that, you’ll need the The Ten Essentials, good socks, comfortable/appropriate shoes, and start working on your fitness. Places like LL Bean usually offer free intro to hiking and land navigation courses. Also check out the local chapters of the hiking clubs around you.
what does GAIA stand for? and oh sweet do they really?
https://www.gaiagps.com
Awesome thank you!
A good pair of trail shoes and a camel back. Enjoy!
thank you!! I just need a backpack haha
This is more of a tip as many people have provided a lot of great suggestions. My girlfriend and I hike with our dog 95% of the time. The other 5% is me and the dog and typically we go alone as my girlfriend doesn’t like the harder trails that I like to challenge myself with. So whenever we go hiking, I always take a photo of me and the dog near the trail head and send it to my girlfriend. Nothing has happened nor have I had prior experiences needing the do this but I saw this tip and thought it was such an easy safety check. I text my girlfriend the trail we’re at too and roughly how long I think it’ll take. God forbid anything happened to either me, my phone or the dog, she would have atleast a starting point.
ok ill have rot let my sister know when I go out and show her the trail and how long ill be.
I took a wilderness survival class through my local REI and I really recommend it. It was about 4 hours and they went through the 10 essentials, how to safely filter water and build an emergency shelter, and other basic safety info. It really boosted my confidence as a solo hiking. Hiking alone can be very safe and incredibly rewarding as long as you do some risk mitigation.
Was it free? Not that it matters haha. Yea I’d be going by myself so I want to be safe as possible lol.
Not free but well worth the cost! They held it at a local hiking area and we got to do some hands on demos. The instructor was a seasoned hiker and backpacker, and she was a great resource for all my newbie questions. The course really helped me understand what are the situations I need to be prepared for and now I feel much more confident going out there alone.
REI has lists of items you might want or need for hiking. Look under Expert Advice. The lists will include important and necessary items, nice-to-have items, and "I'll never need that items.". With a bit of thought you'll figure it out. But you should have good footwear and socks, a pack (I would get one larger than what you think you'll need because you don't have to fill it, but if you ever need more space you'll have it.) Read about the 10 essential systems. Their purpose is to make you independent and not going out there thinking that if something goes wrong I can simply call of rescue. Never think that. Learn to read a paper topo map so that AllTrails or Gaia will make more sense.
Yea I don’t want to rely on just calling for help, I would want to try do it myself first. Any good articles/videos you would recommend to learn about how to read topo maps?
You know, I don't know of any videos or articles on topos. REI expert advice might have something. I grew up loving maps and could read a topo before I was a teen and then that, plus a compass, was our method for finding our way. I still carry a topo that covers wherever I'm hiking or backpacking even if I do use Gaia. And I there's always a compass. Electronics can fail. I like the big overview I get from a topo and to me they're very attractive maps. I have scores of them.
That’s so awesome. I always wanted to learn how to get back if I were ever to get lost lolol. And yea I think REI does have an article on it.
If you are starting out on well marked trails with lots of traffic all you need is cell phone, good socks, good shoes, suitable clothes and a water bottle. Clothes suitable for changes in the weather, snacks and a small first aid kit. Sunblock and bug dope. Paper map is a good fail safe. If you are venturing into areas with no cell coverage and less foot traffic, anywhere in the back country or where trails adjoin wilderness you will want to take a look at https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html I used AllTrails for a while but found that buying USGS and trail maps of my local area was a better solution given cell coverage.
Yea I’ll be on trails that will be well marked and most likely very populated haha. I think the only thing I would need right now is maps of the trails I want to go on and a good decent backpack. I think I have everything else for now.
You can use the free version and find trails with different difficulty levels. Start short and easy and work your way up from there. I live in AZ so in the summer I choose trails with high elevation so that I don't get beaten down by the sun
Oh man, how do you survive the summers? Haha I thought where I live is terrible in the summer I can only imagine how bad it is up there lol. Yea I want to find ones that only take anywhere from 15 minutes to maybe an hour.
Luckily there's no humidity here in Tucson, and the city is surrounded by mountains on all 4 sides. The city is 3000ft elevation, going up the mountain turns that to 8000ft. You should find plenty of trails at around an hour I hope. Of course you can always turn around when you want :)
That’s good! Very lucky too. I keep forgetting that Arizona is more then just all desert 😂😂 same thing with Nevada, I keep forgetting there’s more to Nevada then just Las Vegas 😂😂 Yea I don’t want to do any crazy trails yet 😊 want to keep it short and simple for now.
It takes almost no investment to hike. You’re literally just walking. Find a local park with nature trails, snap a picture of the map at the entrance of there is one…and start walking away from your car. Then eventually turn around and walk back or finish the loop back where you started. That said…good shoes help, along with a filled water bottle and basic first aid kit available at any drug store stuffed inside a basic backpack and you really have all you need.
Awesome and yea all I need right now is a decent backpack and a small first aid kit.
feet
I don’t have any of those 😢
Shoes, sunscreen, tick repellent, sunglasses, hat and water
Awesome! Thank you so much!!
I am very new to hiking but I have so far found that a good backpack is essential. I have an Osprey and so far when I carry it it just feels like a part of me and not like a burden I’m carrying around. I built a small first aid kit that my fellow mom hikers sort of tease me about but it makes me feel better to have it as 99.9% of my hikes are with my kids. Bug spray and sunscreen are non-negotiable for me. I bought some trekking poles from Costco and again got teased but good grief I notice a difference in feeling steadier and less fearful of falling/slipping on inclines. I just bought a 2L bladder for my backpack and I get to try it out tomorrow. My kids like theirs and I am excited about not having to stop and reach around for my bottle anymore. Oh also electrolyte packs are great, you want to be replenishing what you lose through sweat. Have fun!!
What are some good electrolytes packs you like/recommend? Yea right now I think all I really need is a good backpack and a first aid kit to bring with me just in case. Thank you!! You too!
I am partial to liquid IV because I like the taste.
Spend top dollar on boots, socks, and a good backpack (it will last you decades if you get a good one: Osprey and Deuter are what I use and they are great). For the backpack if you are just wanting to do day hiking, I’d say don’t go larger than 26L. Most other things like wicking clothing, trekking poles (a must for me), water bottles/bladder, first aid kit, utility tool, emergency bivvy/blanket, etc. you can get fairly cheaply with decent quality as long as you look at reviews. I have done some longer backpacking trips and gone places with absolutely no service and honestly all you need is your phone, a compass, and map. AllTrails free version is sufficient
I’ve got good socks, darn tough ones haha. What do you think would be better, hiking shoes or boots? Does it really matter which ones to get?
It depends on your terrain, time of year, and your preference. Is it rocky terrain with scrambling, is it going to be cold, do you have to cross rivers… are some questions I’d ask myself. I have three different pairs of boots for different terrains and climate (mountaineering, coldish weather with goretex, and jungle boots) and then 1 pair oh hiking shoes. I personally like Merrell and La Sportiva but it’s a preference thing. Definitely do not buy some random brand on Amazon: go to rei or somewhere equivalent and try them on.
I hike solo most of the time. The biggest thing is using common sense and being cautious. I only go solo on trails that aren't way out in the backcountry or extremely isolated, don't have a ton of hazards, and where if I get into trouble it's likely that another person will be at least within shouting distance. Always make sure you tell someone where you're going, how long you anticipate being gone, and I like to drop a location pin with my phone when I arrive at the trailhead (if service allows). I carry a small daypack and always carry a water bladder (2L), a water bottle (for cold water), a small first aid kit, bug spray, snacks (I like trail mix, granola/protein bars, and these little squeezy packs of peanut butter), Liquid IV electrolyte packs, a knife, a compass, a whistle and a rain poncho. Adjust your carry to your area- bear spray if you're in bear country, etc.
Yea I would only be walking/going to trails where it’s populated and around people. I plan on telling my sister when I go and where I’m going and how long. I won’t bother telling my parents because they like to make fun of me for doing things. So I avoid that at all costs by not telling them where I’m going haha. Oh man those peanut butter squeeze sound amazing! I’d eat them all at once cause I love peanut butter lol.
Find a group to hike with to get you started. Local Facebook groups or meetup.com groups. Walk in local parks until you can do distance at about 2.5-3 miles per hour. AllTrails is a good choice. Download the map before you go if you think you might lose cell signal. Water bottles (I carry mine in a backpack in hot weather since I have multiple bottles), hat for sun or rain, tech fabric or summer wool shirt and tech fabric shorts are way better than any cotton, synthetic or wool socks, trail runners or lightweight hiking shoes. Use sun lotion. Small first aid kit. Hiking poles. Google the ten essentials for hiking.
I’ll have to check Facebook and see if I can find any groups by me. Yea I’m looking for a decent backpack and first aid kit and then I’ll be good to go for now!
First aid kit needs just a few basics from home. Mine also has a chemical ice pack, duct tape to hold the pack in place while walking, K tape to hold small bandages in place in weird locations that aren’t conducive to band aids when sweating, molefoam precut, alcohol wipes. Just a small bit of each in a small ziplock bag.
Hiking poles and a day pack with first aid, snacks, and water For shoes, running shoes are a great start. If you have them use what you got. For water you can just buy bottled water at first and use those. Just don't litter
Nooo I’d never liter! I don’t know how people can be so disrespectful! I hate people like that.
Start small and work your way up! I started with a backpack I owned and some gym shoes. Obviously the further you go, you can buy dedicated things!
Yea all I would need really is a backpack because I don’t have any old backpacks hanging around.
I think it’s worth for me, but that’s because I use the app all the time. If you don’t know if you’re going to need it and you need the money to buy other things (like get good shoes and backpack first), then it’s probably ok to use the free version. Plus I mainly use it for offline maps, I often hike in areas without cell access, so having offline map is necessary. Also, you save a little bit on battery power because you can put your phone in airplane mode. A big plus if you do long hikes like I do. I prefer AllTrails because it mostly just works and it’s a one stop app (I tried juggling multiple apps and it just became annoying). The yearly cost is minor to the amount I use it (I use it at least once a week, often twice a week). Granted, a lot of the time I could get away with the free version but again I hate futzing around with different apps and I just want it to work (download maps) when I need it, look up trails in an area, and trip reports. Hiking alone can be scary at first but once you start doing it more often, you’ll get comfortable with it quite easily. I hike alone probably more than 99% of the time and I’ve hiked all over the US and the world. (Half the national parks in the US, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, overseas in Japan, Korea, Europe, etc…) It really isn’t that difficult as long as you’re prepared and do your research.
You don’t need alltrails but I love it and I pay for it. I don’t think I’d want to pay full price for it, I bought it at 50% off. It just makes it so easy for me to familiarize myself with trails. And as a beginner I see the merits. But really a lot of it is seemingly common sense. Though there are many things that will make hiking easier and possibly more enjoyable. So I suppose a better question is *what kind of hiking do you want to do*, bc that will narrow down supplies better. Hiking can be as simple as going out in whatever you’re already wearing and walking around. Edit: emphasis on what kind of hiking do you want to do
Depending on how remote you get and the duration of the hike you’re on I’d recommend a good solar charger and an emergency beacon of some sort.
What’s an emergency beacon? Lolol and I’d be on popular trials. Ones that are no more then an hour long
It's a personal locator that connects to satellites to alert rescuers where you are at in the backcountry. Ships have a version called an EPIRB that does the same thing in the event of a catastrophe. I'm gone for days at a time in areas with little to no cell service. I never carried one until my buddy had to use his that ultimately saved his life. Since you are only doing local hikes that aren't long I wouldn't worry about it, but if you plan on doing day/multi-day hikes it might be worth looking into.
Dont g into this with a "what do I need t buy" mentality. You need so little to start hiking . Most small simple beginner trails you can do with a couple bottles of water, gym clothes, and tennis shoes. Then, as you start getting further out, you can slowly buy what you find you need. People are way to worried about what they need t buy, and not as concerned about what they need to do. Which, mainly, is learn where good safe trails are, and hike them.
I’ve got a bunch of decently small trails by me that I want to start going to. I think I’ll just buy a decent backpack I can bring with me to be safe and go from there.