Last modified on March 16th, 2020 at 9:25 am

5 Must Haves for Your Next Hike

Nature can be very relaxing and soothing for the mind. Getting away from our urban lifestyles and entering the beautiful natural environment of mountains and the countryside can be very therapeutic and beneficial for both the body and the mind. 

In my opinion, instead of looking at the scenery from an observation point, you should take a more hands-on approach towards experiencing the beauty of nature. The best way to do so is to go for a long hike. 

I am a huge fan of hiking, and many others tend to enjoy it as well, but I have seen many people have a very bad experience while hiking just because they did not have the right equipment. 

If you don’t have all the essential items for a hiking trip, it can be very hard to enjoy it. So, here is a list of some of the most essential and important items that you need to equip yourself with when you are going hiking.

    Hiking Gear

One of the most essential items that you need to have when you are going for a long hiking trip is a good quality and versatile hiking bag. Your backpack should have enough space to fit all of your gear. Most hiking bags come with a built-in hydration system that will eliminate the need for carrying an extra water bottle. 

Another essential part of your hiking gear is your shoes. Obviously, the objective of hiking is to walk and believe me; you will have to walk a lot. So, you need to be wearing proper shoes so that your feet don’t get tired. These days, you don’t have to wear bulky and heavy leather shoes while hiking. Using advanced fabrics, many shoe companies have made some very comfortable and lightweight hiking shoes that also let your feet breathe. These shoes will let you walk for a long while without hurting your feet. You can also take a couple of trekking poles with you if the hike is too long. 

    A High-Quality Camera

One of my favorite things to do when I’m on a hike is to take tons of amazing photos of nature. A good quality camera is a must-have item for a hiking trip. It will help you make some amazing memories and if you want, you can also make a vlog of your hiking experience and upload it on your YouTube channel. If you’d like to do so, you should also take a camera that is suitable for video production. If you take a drone camera, then you will be able to take some epic shots for your vlog.    

    Some Snacks and Food

When you are walking for a long time, you are bound to get tired and hungry. To make sure that the hunger doesn’t ruin your hike, you should carry some light snacks with you. Some trail mix, nuts and dried fruits can make for an excellent and nutritious snack while hiking.  

    A First Aid Kit

When you are hiking in the woods, or on mountainous terrain, you could easily get injured. So, it is very important that you carry a well-equipped first aid kit with you when you are hiking. Also, while hiking, you may go quite far away from the main roads, and in case of an emergency, an ambulance may not be able to get to you quickly enough. 

In all such situations, a first aid kit can make the difference between life and death. Therefore, make sure that you always have a first aid kit with you wherever you go hiking. 

    A GPS Device or a Compass for Navigation

Getting lost in the woods while hiking is very common, and I myself have gotten lost many times, but I ensure that I always carry a GPS device with me so that I can make my way back.

Firstly, you should try to familiarize yourself with the trails you will be hiking on before you leave home. Moreover, you should also bring a map with you in case you don’t have any service to use GPS in the area you are hiking. You should also keep a compass with you if you need to navigate without your phone.

About the Author:

Henry Taylor is an IT expert and a researcher. He is obsessed with all the digital accessories and photography. He takes a keen interest in Vlogging and loves to share his photographs on Instagram. He regularly posts at https://cameraseals.com/.