Take a Hike! – With the right hiking gear of course.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, having the right hiking gear is absolutely essential.

What’s more, the correct equipment is not only about having a good time; the right hiking gear—everything from shoes to a reliable hanger such as Tough Hook—also protects your safety. Let’s take a look at a few essential items for an enjoyable and safe hike, as well as some other tips for a top-notch trail experience.

Hiking Gear Essentials: Shoes and Clothing

Wearing the right equipment is the most important step you can take to protect your health while hiking. More goes into this than you might think, including air temperature and the elements you’re likely to encounter while on the trail.

No matter the weather, we highly recommend moisture-wicking fabrics close to your skin. Wear breathable fabrics such as cotton in warmer weather and insulating fabrics in winter and autumn.

After your base layer comes your hiking layers. Even in warm weather, consider wearing long sleeves and pants to protect your skin from scrapes and exposure to the sun.

Depending on the weather, you may need an additional layer of insulation on top of your hiking layers. Consider your ease of movement while wearing them as well as their weight. Even in warm weather, it is a good idea to bring along a rain jacket or some weather-protective gear if it’s cloudy or you’re going into higher elevations.

Finally, footwear is the most important piece of clothing for hiking. This includes socks and shoes. We recommend visiting a hiking or outdoor supply store with knowledgeable staff so that you can get advice on your needs as well as try shoes on in the store to make sure they fit perfectly. Be sure to bring along the socks you plan to wear while hiking or plan on buying those at the store as well.

Hiking Gear Essentials: Food and Water

You also need to make sure that you bring along an adequate supply of food and water for your hike. For food, most people need to consume about 200 to 300 additional calories for every hour of vigorous exercise. This is on top of your normal meals. There are many brands of tasty energy bars and granola bars available. Nuts and seeds also make great trail snacks since they are calorie-dense.

You need about half a liter of water every hour for a moderate hike in moderate temperatures. You should add to that if it is particularly warm or if your hike is more strenuous. You may want to consider a water treatment system or a bottle if you’re going to be hiking for long durations; carrying a lot of water is heavy.

Hiking Gear Essentials: Hangers and Other Items

There are a few other important items that you might want to consider bringing along on your next hiking adventure. One of those is a hanger, such as a Tough Hook. Tough Hooks are designed to hold up to 150 pounds of weight, and they can be hung from just about anywhere.

Tough Hooks were created with outdoor sports such as hiking and scuba diving in mind. One of the best features is their ability to flip over, which makes them incredibly useful for carrying heavy items more easily. If you’re headed out on a long hike or need to bring heavy equipment, a Tough Hook hanger is absolutely essential.

Another vital piece of hiking gear is a backpack. There are tons of hiking backpacks available for a variety of different types of needs. Serious hikers will often own more than one backpack, and use them depending on the length and difficulty of their hike. Many also come with a bladder for easy water-carrying and hydration on the trail.

Hiking Tips

Next, let’s finish up with some important tips to make sure your hike is as enjoyable as possible.

• Consider packing a first aid kit, insect repellent, sunscreen, change of socks, additional layers, and extra food and water, just in case.
• Bring toilet paper and a sealable plastic bag in case you need to take care of business.
• Be sure to bring a portable cell phone charger, but prepare to be without cell reception. Let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return.
• When on the trail, hikers climbing uphill have the right of way. Hikers usually have the right of way over bikers, but horses have the right of way before everyone else.
• If you’re going to bring a dog, make sure the trail is dog-friendly and keep them leashed at all times. Bring plenty of food and water for them, as well.

Perhaps most importantly, leave no trace. This means that when you leave the trail to head home, there should be no evidence left behind that you were there. Very often, having the right hiking gear, including a backpack, hanger, and clothing, along with you can help you do what’s necessary to preserve the pristine beauty of nature. Feel free to pass all of this advice along by sharing the article or letting us know what you think!