Hiking Essentials For Beginners ~

Are you looking to break out of your comfort zone and immerse yourself into the wondrous world of hiking? I absolutely love to hike as I find it therapeutic and also a great way to stay fit and in shape as I grow older plus my dog loves to go with. Hiking is a wonderful activity that you can do solo or with a group of friends, plus it’s the perfect way to disconnect from technology and simply immerse yourself into nature. I have become an avid hiker since buying a home in The Pocono Mountains as there are hiking trails all around plus so many beautiful spots with waterfalls and more to explore. If you are like myself and looking to become an avid hiker, this post is for you. Keep reading to learn all about my favorite hiking essentials that every new hiker will need to have on hand when setting out to explore and if you have a suggestion to add to the list, simply leave a comment below telling me all about it. Now let’s take a look at the essentials you will need for your first hike…..

1) Hiking Boots

The most important item for me when it comes to hiking is having a good pair of hiking boots. Your hiking boots need to fit properly, comfortably and need to provide you the traction you will need for an array of surfaces…. think super dry to muddy and even rocky and slippery hiking surfaces. I know in The Poconos there are rocks and boulders everywhere and some of the trails I have been on are very rocky and when raining….slippery too. You also want to ensure the hiking boots provide you with proper ankle support, water resistance and all in a lightweight and super comfy boot.

It’s also important to have a great pair of comfortable and supportive hiking boot insoles to add to your hiking boots. A good pair of hiking insoles can protect and support your feet which is super important when trekking over rough and uneven terrains. It is also important to ensure that your new boots are properly fitted for your feet as poorly fitting shoes can cause issues that can be painful such as blisters. In most cases you can find a good solid pair of hiking boots at a reasonable price… they do not have to cost a fortune, so shop wisely.

2) A Sturdy Backpack

The second most important item to me when it comes to hiking is a sturdy backpack to carry everything you will and might need when on your outing. The hiking backpack is the key to your whole hiking outfit as it will hold all of the goodies….. think snacks, water, extra layers and clothing, sunscreen, first aid kit, a headlamp and more.

When choosing your hiking backpack, or daypack, it its important to figure out how big of a bag you will need. Remember that when going with a larger bag, you will end up with a heavier load but you will have room to carry more essentials with you. I also love finding a hiking backpack that has a built in sleeve to hold water or a water reservoir. They are super handy to have when hiking as the sleeve can hold up to 3 liters of water which allows you to stay hydrated easily via a tube in your bag that allows you to sip and hydrate while you hike. Also it is important to note that you should look for a backpack that hip belt that help to disperse the weight from your shoulders and upper back down to your hips and this is a life saver when it comes to making the bag comfortable to carry. Also…. if you use hiking poles, look for a backpack that has pole loops as they make it easy to attach your poles to the bag when you aren’t using them.

3) HeadLamp

An item that I always add to my hiking daypack when hitting the trails is a good solid headlamp, even if I do not think that I will use it. When out in the woods on those hiking trails, time can get away with you and you do not want to find yourself stuck on a trail in the dark without proper lighting…. which is =why a good functioning headlamp is a hiking essential.

Purchasing a good headlamp is a pretty simple thing but there are a few features to be on the lookout for when making that purchase. Look for a headlamp that provides multiple brightness levels, tilt adjustment, beam distance, beam type as well as a charging source. The amount of light that your headlamp gives off is most important so look for lone that provides 200 – 300 lumens which will ensure it is bright enough without being blinding.

4) Hiking Poles

Another item I did not think that I would need, but that I have fallen in love with since investing in them….. are a good pair of Hiking Poles. Hiking Poles or Trekking Poles are ideal for an uneven terrain, when hiking in the snow or inclement weather, or for when tackling a demanding elevation like climbing a mountain. A good pair of hiking poles will make all of the difference plus your body and your knees and legs will thank you.

5) First-Aid Kit

A first-aid kit may be an item you will never need BUT it is important to always have it on hand as you never know what will happen when out on a hike. If you are prepared…. you probably won’t need it but being prepared for just-in-case is so essential when hiking in the great outdoors. You may only need it for a bandaid here and there, or for alcohol wipes to clean a small scratch or cut…. but having a solid first aid kit for emergencies is a smart idea…. plan and simple.

I recommend buying a small-prefilled first-aid kit that contains all of the first-aid kit essentials that one might need. You can also make your own kit….. just make sure to include everything you might need and sunscreen and bug repellent too!

6) Safety Tools & A Compass

This is a category you may never need to use, but in the event you are lost, a compass can be a game changer and it is best to include this into your hiking backpack. More seasoned hikers may have handy satellite radios and navigation systems but there are a few simple tools that are perfection for beginners and that can provide the same results all at a fraction of the price.

Make sure you have a simple multi-tool knife, like a Swiss army knife. It is also crucial for any hiker to have a compass on hand for those just-in-case moments plus if your backpack does not include a handy whistle…. make sure you grab an inexpensive one to keep in your hiking backpack.

7) Snacks & Water

It is also important to make sure you have lots of water on hand for staying hydrated throughout the hike plus also snacks to help power you through your journey. As noted above….I have a hydration backpack built into my hiking backpack…. it has a 2 liter capacity and provides me with all of the water I might need. If you do not have this make sure you have a reusable water bottle filled to the max with water to sue throughout your hike. It can sit in the outside pocket of your backpack for easy retrieval while hiking too.

Snacks are also a must-have item for your hiking backpack. Looks to add high-protein, easy to enjoy snacks that can help to fuel you throughout your hike. I love protein bars and KIND bars plus you can include a bag of trail mix, nuts, dried fruit ad anything else you love to snack on.

8) Additional Items

You can also add extra items to your backpack if room allows. I like taking a small trash bag with me to put my garbage in as I do my hiking… this way I am leaving the forest clean just as I found it and not littering plus I also love to bring a book and journal…. to jot about my adventures and to read while I take my breaks throughout.

So what do you think of the above hiking essentials?! Do you have any suggestions that you also love to take with when you go on a hiking adventure?! Hiking is perfect for people of all ages and it is a great choice for families too. Leave a comment below telling me all about your hiking favorites as I may find that I need to add that to my hiking essentials list!

This is a collaboration between Deliciously Savvy & Responsival and all opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for stopping by and make sure you enter a giveaway or two before you leave! Good luck!