For the hiking enthusiast, there are never enough reasons to spend more time in the great outdoors. While you may have found solace in the quiet of nature during the challenges of the past year, you’re likely ready to hit the trail again as soon as you can.
Every hiking trip has a set of essentials you need for the journey. Before you begin your next excursion, you’ll need to make sure you are prepared. Here are 5 must-haves to pack for your next hiking trip.
First Aid Kit
As fun and relaxing as a hike can be, sometimes accidents happen. You may fall and scrape your knee or cut your hand. Prepare yourself for any emergency, big or small, with a first aid kit. From band aids and pain relievers to nasal spray or non-drowsy allergy medicine, these go-to health essentials can be easily assembled ahead of time using OTC delivery. If you make sure you’re more than prepared before you leave you can skip the inconvenience of potentially having zero reception in the middle of an allergy attack.
A well-packed first aid kit that is easily accessible can make all the difference during your wilderness adventure. Taking these steps now can pay off later no matter how extreme your emergency. Better to be safe than sorry.
You should also pack sunscreen in your kit, even if you applied a healthy dose of your trusty SPF before you left. Spending long hours in the sun can lead to skin health issues later on. Better to take some with you and reapply throughout your adventure.
Healthy Snacks
If you’re going to be hiking or camping, the chances of keeping food chilled for extended periods of time are pretty slim. Moreover, packing unhealthy foods will only slow you down.
Try one of our Let’s Go Packs filled with our signature superfood bars. Looking to mix things up? Why not build your own box with a variety of flavors? Having a healthy and convenient snack readily available in your pack will keep you energized for those all-day trips.
Animal Repellent
The first thing that comes to many people’s minds when it comes to hiking is the beauty of nature. For others, it’s the dangers. While it’s important to keep a larger animal repellent on hand, most hikers will only need to protect against a smaller enemy: bugs.
If you or a hiking partner are insect magnets, make sure you pack some insect repellent. While the smell of DEET may not be to your liking, most harmful insects don’t like it either. If you’re going into an area with standing water where mosquitoes might be present this is a must-have.
Fresh Water
Many hiking packs now come equipped with hydration bladders that can hold as much as 3 liters of water at a time. A good rule of thumb for staying hydrated during your hike is to drink 1 liter of water for every 2 hours of hiking. Keep that in mind when you pick out your next hydration bladder.
If you’d rather drink from all-natural sources, make sure you have a purifier in your pack. On those long excursions and/or emergency situations where your only water source is a natural stream or lake, a water purification system can help you stay hydrated while also filtering out any harmful chemicals or organisms that might be in the water.
A Knife or a Multi-Tool
You never know when you might need to defend yourself or cut through something while on your hike. A knife is great for these situations, but a multi-tool can be even more useful. Most multi-tools come equipped with a standard blade, a serrated blade, a couple screwdriver heads, even a bottle or can opener. Check out these different options to see which tool best suits your hiking or camping needs.
Honorable Mentions
While the 5 must-haves listed above will get you started, here are a few honorable mentions to keep in mind for your next adventure:
- A flashlight for seeing deep into the forest or for those long excursions.
- Glow Sticks are a great light source alternative. Plus, if you freeze them after use you can use them again.
- A firestarter. Whether you like a box of matches, a pocket lighter, or a firestarter kit, this is a great tool for camping and emergency situations.
- Collapsible cookware is great to have if you’re hiking overnight and are looking to cook your next meal.
- Personal items. Everything from feminine products to toilet paper can come in handy.
- Basic electronics. While you’re likely hiking to get away from it all, it’s good to pack a phone charger, a battery backup and a crank radio or walkie talkie in case you need to contact someone.
Everyone has their own set of favorite hiking accessories. Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned veteran, take some time to think about what you actually need for your next hiking trip. You’ll be thankful you did.
