Getting Started with Hiking - Coolhikinggear.com

Hiking in Summer

Broadly stated, there is usually no better time of the year to head out on the trail than in Summer. I like hiking all year round, but I thought it would be interesting to assess what I see as some of the benefits of hiking in Summer as opposed to other times of the year.

The Weather

First up, the obvious place to start is with the weather. The weather tends to be nicer, in many parts of the world, with more sunshine and less cloud in Summer. Of course, even if it is sunnier and hotter, you still need to be careful when it comes to the sun. It can cause as many problems as cold weather when you’re out hiking in the heat for a long period of time. Dehydration is not uncommon for example and although this can happen at any time of the year, a beating sun certainly increases the likelihood. The potential to encounter this problem is of course exacerbated in more extreme parts of the world, say hiking in a desert for example.

However, generally speaking, the warmer weather and nicer temperatures make for a much more pleasant hiking experience. I should conclude this section by saying that even in Summer, in temperate parts of the world, you can still get drenched in a downpour and caught out by the weather at any time. The advantage can be that you may get as cold as you might in Winter, however, I have hiked in the Summer and got drenched in various parts of the world and with a cool breeze and heavy cloud cover, it didn’t feel like summer at all, at times!

People are more Likely to Hike

Summer is the perfect time for a beginner hiker to get started as the better conditions mean one less thing for them to factor in when preparing and getting used to what’s involved. Similarly, there are plenty of fair weather hikers who only poke their heads out onto the trail in the Summer time. The thought of dragging themselves across mountains in cold and wet conditions is simply a no no for them.

That isn’t an issue in my world as I know plenty of all year round hikers. However, I know a couple of friends who would like to get out on the trail more, but they need to bring their wives out with them too as they only get to spend a day together here and there, what with kids and so on. Their wives would not even consider setting foot onto any trail if there was a threat of rain!

However, in Summer, it’s a much more viable option for many people and you of course tend to see many more people out on the trail in summer that at any other time of year.

Beautiful Views

This one ties in with the weather but it does merit a special point all of its own. Summer is really great when it comes to getting those panoramic views that every hiker hopes to get rewarded with after a long trek up a mountainside!

There is much more chance of catching amazing views, and that great photograph to show off to your friends, when the sun is out! Now, of course some places experience sun most of the year round, but for many, summer is the best chance of a blue sky photo opportunity.

I hasten to add that there are plenty of beautiful views to be had on cloudy days too, they can have their own mystique and qualities which are always worth experiencing, but much harder to catch on camera by an untrained photographer like myself!

More Options

In Summer, generally speaking, when you visit a national park or the like, all the various trails on offer tend to be open. Although it’s likely to be a busier time of year so there will be more people too, it does mean there are usually plenty more options to experience on the trail. If you plan ahead, you should get to do the hike you prefer.

At other times of year, due to the weather for example, many trails are closed as they are deemed to be too dangerous. Think of heavy snowfall threatening avalanche, or perhaps the Narrows in Zion National Park, where the river is too dangerous to hike in for periods of the year due to run-off from rainfall and melting snow. There are plenty of examples of this and overall, it’s more likely that in Summer, you have plenty more options to choose from when you hit the trail.

Less Gear to Carry

Again, broadly speaking, your gear bag will be a bit lighter in the Summer. While you always should have extra layers for warmth and suitable rain jacket and rain gear, in summer time, the necessary performance requirements are likely to be less. For example, as I move through the year, I go from wearing a very thick and heavy fleece in Winter, to a much lighter one in spring and Autumn, to an even lighter one in Summer. In fact in summer, many times, it just stays in my day pack.

Similarly, in winter, I will carry extra pairs of thick gloves and mitts but in Summer, when the temperatures are much better, I don’t need this kind of heavy artillery gear in my bag. I of course always have suitable spares for emergencies but there is definitely more leeway when the sun is shining and the temperatures are up.

Conclusion

So, there you have it, some of what I see as advantages to hiking in Summer, as opposed to any other time of the year. Now, as I said at the start, I hike all year round and love what every season brings in terms of experience and enjoyment.

However, Summer is a fine time to experience the mountains and it can be really sweet to hike when nature is in full bloom, and you can really see off into the distant horizon. Summer time certainly brings it’s own majesty to an experience on the trail, that is for sure!

What about you? Is Summer your favorite time of year to hike? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

How to Choose the Right Hiking Trail

For someone new to hiking, it can be a bit daunting when you are trying to get out on the trail for the first time. There is a fair bit to think about before you set out.

What clothes should I wear? Have I got the right hiking boots? What food is good for a hike and how much water should I take with me? Where should I go for a hike?

The day hiking checklist is extensive when you’re new to it all. In this post I want to look one of the many items on that list that a new hiker needs to take into consideration. That is, how to you choose the right trail for a hike.

This of course gets easier and easier with experience but it always plays a part in your planning, even for the most experienced hikers, you always need to be aware and check on many things to confirm that a particular trail or route is right for you. OK, although we’re going to assume that the hiker who is the subject of this article is new to hiking and so needs to start from the basics when picking a route, the same things apply to experienced hikers too. Let’s kick on!

Fitness

The trail you take on, will need to match up to your level of fitness and capability. If you never hike more than 3 miles in your normal run of things, setting out on a 10 mile hike is of course not a smart idea. Your body will not be able to jump to that kind of exertion.

Next up, in terms of fitness, take the activity itself into consideration. What I mean by that can be illustrated by a personal example. My ex girlfriend was a Pilates and Yoga teacher, so obviously pretty fit with good core strength. However, when she came out on hikes with me, she could often struggle at times and found the going, even on short hikes, tough.

Why would that be, she is very fit after all? Well, you need to factor in the activity. Being very fit from doing Pilates and Yoga, may not necessarily transfer over to hiking 10 miles. It’s a different kind of fitness. Another area I have seen this a lot in is people who are into strength training and weight lifting, as I am myself a bit. If you have good conditioning, it should be a good help to your hiking, but strength from doing weights does not necessarily transfer across.

We’re of course always looking at aerobic or anaerobic exercises which can deliver different things in terms of fitness. You’d be surprised how many people automatically assume their normal training transfers across to hiking. If you’re not used to hiking, your body needs to adjust, just like for any new activity. Some will do it faster than others of course, but most people have to go through some period of adaptation.

Bottom line, when you’re choosing your first trail for your initial hikes, choose something that is well within your comfort zone. It will give you a good feel for what you are capable of. It can be OK to push it a little bit, for example, say if you run 3 miles regularly, maybe try a 5 mile hike and see how you get on. That should be within your reach, but be sensible, only you know what works best for you 🙂

Location

Ideally, on your first time out, when deciding where to go for a hike, pick an area you know or at least near to you. Why does that matter? Well, you already know the climate, the temperature at the time of year (Although bear in mind it will get cooler as you gain altitude), what wildlife you may have to consider and so on.

Now, in saying that, you will likely be going into a more wilderness type area and with that in mind, you should still check up these same items as you may well encounter a whole range of different things in a more wilderness area. For example, as already mentioned, the weather can change significantly as you hike up a mountain, there may be wildlife that you don’t normally encounter that you need to think about, etc..

When thinking about location when starting out hiking, it’s a good idea to pick a place that is popular i.e. so you will encounter other folks on the trail. As you’re just starting out, you never know what may happen and so you want to be as safe as possible in the location you choose. If, heaven forbid, something was to happen to you and you couldn’t get help, if there are people around, there is more chance of being found and getting help if you need it.

Trail Difficulty

This kind of ties in with fitness, but assuming you go to a well established area for your initial hikes, there is a good chance there will be well established trails that are split out into levels of difficulty. An example is listed below:

Difficulty Level	Description
Easy	Hiking on obvious trails that are easy to follow and are well maintained, minimal height gain and less distance
Moderate	Longer distance with more ascent and potential off trail segments i.e. over tougher terrain
Hard	Longer trails with much more up and down with more height gain, potentially more off trail and challenging terrain to negotiate e.g. scree, rocky areas, etc.

Basic trail maps are also often available to buy in information stations so you can find your way around.

Of course, you may want a challenge but again, be sensible! Pick something that is well within your capability. It’s fine to push the boat out a bit and challenge yourself but just do it in a sensible manner.

If you’re unsure, start of on an easy level of difficulty and you can work up as you get used to the different challenges available. In fact, you may do a basic trail and find that you’re happy to stay at that level, no more difficulty required! That’s totally cool too.

Again, at the start, the best advice it to stick to well marked, even signposted, trails to be sure you don’t get lost. I do not recommend going off trail when you are only starting with hiking, you need to get some proper experience under your belt before even considering that.

By the way, just because trails are popular and well sign posted, it doesn’t mean they aren’t challenging. There are plenty of well marked popular trails all over the world that are challenging, even to experienced hikers!

Going Alone?

I am not against this is you have followed all the items listed above. If you’re in a well established area with decent foot traffic, you are probably safe to go out alone as long as you take sensible precautions e.g. tell people where you are going and when you should be back, etc.

Ideally, going out with a few people is better. If something happens to one or more of you, there are others there ready to act to get help. I don’t mean to flog a dead horse but it can’t be emphasized enough … be sensible about what you decide to do always keeping your safety in mind and you will most likely be fine.

Hiking Gear

This is a HUGE topic and one you need to spend time learning more about as you get more and more into hiking. If you’re just starting out, and getting a flavor for the trail and sticking to well known trails, you don’t need to spend a fortune on gear at the start.

Some things, like hiking boots and a decent rain jacket are non negotiable though. Again though, if the sun is splitting the trees where you plan to hike, you might be fine in a pair of shorts.

The overall point here is that if you’re choosing a hiking trail you should be sure you have appropriate gear with you for that trail. If you expect rain, have a good rain jacket and suitable hiking pants, if the sun will be strong, you need a good sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc. you get the idea, bring gear appropriate to the challenge of the trail and its location.

You will nearly always need some kind of good day pack too, to carry any spare gear as well as your food, water, a basic first aid kit, etc. so keep that in mind!

Safety

This should probably be first on the agenda but it really encompasses everything else that has already been listed, as at the end of the day, it’s all about staying safe! Whatever you do, don’t put yourself at risk and be sure you have a plan and know how to get help in an emergency.

Don’t take on more than you can chew and be sure to check out the basics like:

Weather on the day
The nature of the trail you are taking i.e. terrain, altitude gain, etc.
What gear you should have
You have a fully charged phone (There is hopefully reception)
You let people know where you are going, what route you will take and when they should expect you back, etc.
You have adequate food and water with you
Any other safety concerns you should think about e.g. wildlife, access restrictions, etc.

There is a lot to consider when it comes to staying safe on the trail for sure, but a little thinking and planning in advance becomes second nature in no time!

Conclusion

I hope you found this short article on how to choose the right hiking trail useful. While it is aimed more at the beginner hiker, as mentioned at the start, it is always relevant to all hikers, on all trails!

Always think safety first and how you can maximize the enjoyment of your day without taking any unnecessary risks. I think it is fine to push the boat out a little but only within your capabilities, in a safe and sensible (there’s that word again) manner.

I lead groups in the mountains and one of the biggest causes of people getting into difficulty in the mountains that I have come across, is bad preparation and lack of knowledge. I would guess that 95% of this is easily preventable, and there is plenty of information to keep you safe, that is freely available before you ever set out.

Get online and do some research about all you need to prepare for, or even better speak with someone who has hiked the trail you want to hike, hiking clubs and associations are an excellent resource for this.

To conclude, whatever you do, choose your initial trails to hike on wisely and be sure to always stay safe. I hope you found this useful, please like and share it if you did!

What is a Base Layer?

When you head out hiking, typically you wear your gear in layers. For example, you will have an outer layer which usually consists of your rain gear. This is the outer layer as it faces the outside. This layer typically involves protection from the outside in. So it protects you from the elements such as rain, snow, etc. As well as keeping you dry, it is also typically has a level of breathability, so any humidity inside, can get out to keep your mid layer, the next one, dry.

Moving further inwards, typically you will have one, possibly two, mid layers. These sit under your outer layer and above, you guessed it, your base layer. A mid layer’s primary function is to provide warmth. If your outer layer is rain gear, think of your mid layers as hiking pants, a hiking tee and a fleece as an example. Their main job is to keep you warm and comfortable. They may have some venting capability but their purpose is to keep you warm

Finally then, as we move another layer down, right next to your skin, we come to the base layer. An example base layer, the Smartwool Mens NTS Mid 250 Crew Base Layer, is shown in the image below.

What is the Purpose of a Base Layer?

The base layer has two main functions. The first function, is to wick moisture away from your body. In brief, as you hike along, your body will typically heat up from your exertion. Your body will react to cool you down by sweating. This sweat then has to be able to get away from your skin, otherwise it will cool you down too much as you will have cold damp on your skin.

That’s where the wicking capability of a base layer comes in. The function here is to provide an easy vehicle for the moisture, your sweat, to move away from your skin. Wicking fabric, typically merino wool or synthetic fibers like Polyester, in base layers are excellent at helping this process along.

The second main function of a base layer is to also provide warmth by not only keeping your skin dry from damp, but also to help keep your body heat in. So, in summary, base layers encourage humidity, sweat, to move out and away from your skin, while also keeping warmth in.

Now, you may not always want to keep heat in when using a base layer. For example, maybe you would like to keep your body a bit cooler as opposed to trapping heat in. This is where the differences between merino and synthetic base layers come into their own. From my experience, Merino wool is very warm and snug and so not only wicks moisture away from your skin to keep you dry, but also provides a very nice layer of warmth.

I also have synthetic polypropylene base layers. These are also excellent at wicking moisture away from my skin but they aren’t as efficient at keeping warmth in, in my experience. I find these can be better for use while hiking in Autumn, while the Merino ones are best for hiking in Winter, when I want that bit of extra warmth. That’s my experience with them anyway.

What Forms a Base Layer?

Normally, base layers are used to cover your torso and your legs. They also usually fit nice and snug to your skin to help the two main functions we touched on above. Personally, I never use a base layer for my legs, even when I was skiing in the Alps in Winter, I tried them one morning but they were far too warm for me. However, that is my personal preference only. Some people, who may feel the cold that bit more than me, may love to have the additional warmth of base layer leggings.

Conclusion

So, if you were wondering what a base layer is, I hope you found this short post giving a brief overview on it useful. If you are purchasing base layers, take your time to find out what you need them for and match up suitable ones to your needs.

I think both merino and synthetic base layers are excellent, I use both, so there is plenty of choice available to you. Merino wool base layers are usually pricier than their synthetic counterparts, but they are excellent in terms of warmth and functionality.

One final thing to think about is odor control. Typically, people find merino base layers easier to keep clean and fresh, synthetic base layers have a reputation for storing and holding odor from sweat, etc. Personally, I haven’t found this to be a big issue with my synthetic base layers but some folks do mention it as a problem so I wanted to flag it here. You will often see base layers that will have some form of odor resistance listed as a function of the material.

So, that’s it for today. Please leave a comment below if you’ve any questions on this. I’m happy to try answer them if I can.

Stuck for Folks to Hike With? Try These Suggestions!

This is a kind of funny topic to think about as I have never really had any issues with finding people to hike with. However, it can be pretty common for some. I remember it a little myself when I first started out hiking, I just didn’t know any hikers so I had to have a think about the best ways to get some folks out hiking with me.

So, in this article I want to make some suggestions to help get you out to meet like minded folks to get started on the trail and save you having to hike on your own.

Join a Hiking Club / Group / Association

Far and above the best way to get started on the trail and to meet like minded folks, is to join a hiking club or association. They are built for beginners and will have all the necessary things in place to help a new hiker get started.

For example, typically they will have graded levels of difficulty hikes, transport (possibly), experienced hike leaders and so on. Getting started this was is my number one recommendation and you will quickly make lots of new friends.

But What if a Club Doesn’t Suit?

When you’re just getting started hiking, maybe you feel it’s too early to go hell for leather and join a club or association. That may be too much of a commitment for you at the start and you just want to give it a try to see if you will like hiking as a pastime.

It could also be that there just aren’t any hiking clubs or associations in your local area so you have to work it out yourself. Having never been to the mountains before, you should always do plenty of research on what to expect, how to prepare etc. Check out the hiking for beginners guide for more information on that.

However, assuming, you have done your research and you are ready to safely hit a trail near you off of your own bat, you could find yourself stuck with no-one to go along with you on your adventure. If that is the case, fear not, as with anything in life, you can always get creative to try and recruit people to head out on the trail with you!

Your Buddies

Yes indeed, some of your friends may look at you like you have ten heads when you suggest to head to the mountains for a hike … for fun!

However, mixed in among them you may well be able to find some willing resources who just need a little bit of cajoling. You most likely already have fit and healthy friends who maybe get their kicks from lifting weights in the gym or running miles on a treadmill.

These are a good bunch to target. Already fit and healthy, they are probably not averse to a challenge. If you get rebuttals at the start some simple reverse psychology could easily do the trick.

For example, cajole your weight lifting friends that they probably wouldn’t be able to hike up a mountain as it’s a different kind of fitness than they’re used to … that can get a very swift ‘Yes I can’ reaction as no-one likes to be told they can’t do something.

Another example, you have a friend who is big into yoga. Tell them that there’s nowhere more peaceful and spiritual than the mountains with nature all around. This is of course actually very true and it may just appeal to their mindful nature!

For friends in general, always start with highlighting the benefits of hiking. Match up what they think they would like with their personality and what they already enjoy.

Work Colleagues

If you have no joy with your friends, you could always look to your work colleagues. This may not be a runner for some, I totally understand that. But for others it could be a winner.

Just think about it, a common pastime among work folks is heading for a few beers after a hard week at the office. What better time to put forward a suggestion to head for the hills over a weekend than when everyone is winding down after a relaxing beer or five 🙂 You could get a lot of takers!

Think about taking a wider initiative too. Does your workplace have a sports and social or some kind of extracurricular activities club? Why not put a hike in the mountains forward as a suggestion for them for their next big trip away? You can easily hire a guide to take you on a tour of a mountain or two in a range close to home. There are all manner of tour companies available too

If that’s not an option, just start to talk about a hike to help with team bonding and you could start to get people interested. What better way to get to know some of your work mates than to head out into a totally new and challenging environment for some team bonding!

Family

Are you not keeping in touch with your extended, or connecting with your immediate family as much as you should? Not enough family time going on? What better way to sort that out than to get a bunch of the relatives out on the mountains for a day out!

It could be novel … it could be hell … who knows until you try! Of course, similar to the work colleagues option above, this is possibly just a very bad idea for some. However, if you and your extended / immediate family get along (at least a bit) and you fancy a hike in the hills, it could be a great source of folks to get to head out with you.

Don’t be limited by age barriers either! My uncle still hikes in the mountains in his 80’s and at the other end of the age spectrum, what better kind of adventure can a kid have than heading into the wilderness and the mountains. A break from video games and the internet could be a winner!

Also, if you haven’t taken some time out with that special someone in a while, a romantic trip into the wilderness could be just the ticket!

Most couples and families like the idea of spending time together so this could be a great option to suggest to do just that!

Conclusion

As I stated at the start, if you’re stuck for people to hike with, it can be best to seek out a hiking club or association. Meetup is also another really good way to see if there are hiking meetups in your local area and a great way to meet folks.

If that isn’t an option, why not try and use one of these options to see how you get on. When you head out on your first hike into the mountains, I recommend that you don’t go out on your own if possible.

It’s nearly always better to head out with other folks when it’s your first few times out. Just to get comfortable before you get more adventurous. Heaven forbid that anything should go wrong but if you happened to get unlucky and take a tumble, there is safety in numbers, to get emergency help, for sure!

I hope you found this article lighthearted and useful! What do you think? Is there anyone else you could call if you’re stuck for a hiking buddy? Please let me know in the comments below!

New To Hiking – Gear Accessories

This is the final post in the area of gear for folks new to hiking. We’ve pretty much looked at most of the core essentials you need when getting started. Everything from hiking pants to hiking boots, from rain gear to day packs which we looked at last time out.

Today I want to take a look at some hiking accessories you may need for your first hiking trips out on the trail. Now, I want to reiterate this again lest there be any confusion as to the message of this series of posts for beginners on the area of hiking gear.

Photo Credit: Perfect Zero

The main thing I want to do with these posts is to point out the pieces of gear that you should have when you first head out on the trail. Now, hiking gear can be very expensive so when you’re just getting started, I think it’s fine to improvise with some kit you probably already have to save you having to have a big splurge in the shops from day one.

However, the main background context for all this is that your first hikes are:

Short hikes on very clearly marked trails
Made on a day and time of the year when the weather is good
When the temperature is favorable, warm and pleasant
You use these workarounds only for a few hikes at most before getting the proper gear

So with that in mind, lets move into the wonderful world of hiking accessories.

Hiking Accessories

Wow, where do I start! There are so many accessories and hiking gadgets that you can have for the trail that it’s difficult to know where to begin. From a hydration bladder to a good knife, from a GPS to trekking poles, there is a lot of great kit you can get to enhance your hiking experience.

However, in keeping with the thread of this series of posts I want to point out a few key ones for when you’re just getting started.

Hiking Hat

The background context to these posts is, as you know, starting out hiking at a favorable time of year when the weather is good. However, even in good weather, it’s a good idea to have a hat.

A hiking hat serves all manner of purposes. From protecting you from the heat and UV rays of the sun, to keeping your head warm when it gets chillier. There are all sorts of hiking hats available which you can take advantage of. Personally I use a sun hat or a baseball cap in Summer and a hiking beanie, see two of my beanies below, for colder weather.

There are other options too, like buffs and so on but generally speaking I stick with those hats most of the year round. In all likelihood, you already have a suitable hat to protect your head while out on your first few hikes so you shouldn’t need to get a hiking specific one right from the get go.

For Summer, a sun hat or baseball cap is how I roll 😉 so I recommend those if they suit the climate you’re hiking in. If you do want to get a hiking specific hat, check out the post on how to buy a hiking hat. It goes through a lot of different hat options and will give you some ideas if you are ready to purchase one.

Gloves

Now, if it’s a warmer time of the year, as I suggest for your first hikes, you may not need these. However, if it is a bit cooler or just a colder day, gloves are a good idea if not a necessity. For Winter I wear ski gloves and the rest of the year I have slim hiking gloves that enable me to use my fingers and operate my mobile phone. They are also purpose made functionally to help keep more heat in.

Again, you probably have something lying about the house that you can use when you first start out so again, you should be good to go with a workaround pair until you’re ready to purchase a hiking specific pair.

Sunglasses

I will do a post soon on the best sun glasses for the trail but when looking at them they fall into 4 categories, 1 to 4. Each level provides more protection than the lower one so 4 provides the most and 1 provides the least. Note I am saying protection in terms of that when you’re out on the trail you’re usually much more exposed and so in direct sunlight much more than you normally would be.

Photo Credit: Jen Durfey

Category 1 would be more for normal use whereas category 4 are for very high altitude snowy mountains where snow blindness from UV rays reflecting off the snow is a real hazard and very dangerous for your eyes. I needed category 4 sunglasses for my Mont Blanc climb for that very reason.

However, when you’re just starting out, any pair of decent sunglasses should do the trick. If you have sport / outdoor ones all the better but normal day-to-day ones will be fine for your first hikes out. I should add that sunglasses aren’t a necessity but can be nice to have a on a really bright and sunny day.

Trekking Poles

Now, you probably won’t have these when you first start hiking but trekking poles are a great investment if you choose to pursue hiking on an ongoing basis.

In the interim, you could opt to use a walking staff or stick if you normally use one. Not ideal for open mountain walking but should be fine on a well marked trail or path.

Water Bottles / Hydration Pack

It is very unlikely that if you’re new to hiking you will have a hydration bladder lying about unless you have one from other outdoor activities. It is even more unlikely that you will have a hydration pack compatible day pack to put said bladder in. However, I want to mention this as the way to go if you get more into hiking. It’s by far the best way to carry your drinking water in my opinion.

Pictured is the Platypus Big Lip Hydration Reservoir, the one I use. Click on the picture to learn more.

When you start, any water bottle will do, one from the store is just fine. You can get reusable hiking water bottles in any outdoor shop or online too. They’re cheap enough and I have several which I use in conjunction with my hydration bladder.

Hiking Socks

I think it’s a really good idea to get a good pair of hiking socks when you start out hiking, they’re not that expensive and they really make your feet that bit more comfortable and will keep your feet that bit warmer.

You can read the hiking sock buying guide here. If you don’t want to purchase just yet, choose a thick, warm and comfortable pair. Look for socks made from wool or synthetic material. They’re the best materials for wicking moisture away from your feet, and your feet will of course be more sweaty as you’re going to sweat more as you hike.

Sunscreen

Technically, not really a gear item but I am adding sunscreen in as it is one that is so easily overlooked and where you can easily pay the price for neglecting if you don’t respect the sun.

I have done so myself many times 🙂 As I am recommending you do your first hikes in fairer weather and ideally in Summer, I wanted to add this one in at the end!

Conclusion

So, that’s it on the hiking gear front for this hiking for beginners series. As you can see, if you’ve read every post, there is a fair bit of kit you need to get and we’ve only really touched on the basics in this series.

I think it’s fine to use some normal day-to-day kit for your first few hikes as long as they’re in a relatively benign environment with clearly marked trails and paths. However, you need to use your judgement in that regard. Some things, you just won’t get away with.

If you’re planning to head out to a National Park and walk some of the marked trails close to where you park up, you just might get away with wearing your sneakers on a good summers day. If however, you think heading up into open mountain in them is a good idea, you’re way off the mark.

Common sense is always critical when you’re in the great outdoors. If you’re unsure, ask an experienced hiker or someone who knows the area well. There will be a wealth of information on your chosen hiking area available online too no doubt.

Keep yourself close enough to your base camp or car so should something happen and you get drenched in a downpour, you won’t have too far to travel to get back to the safety of your car. It’s a good idea to keep some dry clothes in your car too, just in case.

I stress again, that this is only for when you’re getting started. If you find you like hiking, I recommend you start buying all the appropriate gear as soon as possible starting with a good pair of hiking boots and a decent rain jacket. For an extensive list of all the gear you will need, check out the complete day hiking checklist.

If you’re just starting out hiking, I hope you’re finding these posts informative and useful. Please share them around on your networks and if you’ve any questions on anything please leave a comment below.

Next up, we’ll look at some key hiking supplies you should take with you on your initial hikes when you’re just getting started.

If you’re coming straight to this post, you can go right back to start of this whole series for beginners by clicking here.

Getting Started With Hiking – All About Daypacks!

Well, we are drawing closer to the end of our short sojourn in the wonderful world of hiking gear for beginners. I think we’ve pretty much covered most of the clothes that you need to wear, we started with hiking pants and last time out we looked at rain gear with a few other bits and pieces in between.

Now, when you head out on any hike, you need to be able to carry some stuff with you. Even for short hikes when you’re getting started, you need to carry some essentials like water, some food, any extra gear, etc.

Photo Credit: Stig Nygaard

The simplest way to do this, is to use a day pack. Now, if you’ve been following this series of posts for beginners you know that the general gist, in the context of hiking gear, is to try and offer alternatives, where possible, to full on branded hiking gear when you’re just getting started.

Good hiking gear isn’t cheap so it may take you a while to acquire all the various bits and pieces as buying it all out right could easily move into the latter end of $1000+! That is not as big a problem over time. Good gear will last the course and so it is worth investing in it when you’re sure you want to commit to hiking as a regular pastime.

However, it usually takes time to get all the pieces together so having some other options when you’re just getting started, can only help. Now, I know I sound like a broken record at this point but in the context of gear, I want to list out the main assumptions I am making about your first hike or two. These are that your initial hikes will be:

Short hikes on very clearly marked trails
Made on a day and time of year when the weather is good
When the temperature is favorable, warm and pleasant
Only for a few hikes at most

With those things as the background and setting, it’s easier to bend a few rules here and there 🙂

OK, so on to daypacks!

If you’re coming straight to this post, you can go right back to start of this whole series for beginners by clicking here.

Day packs

Now, I guess I can pretty much take it for granted that anyone reading this knows what a day pack is. However, in case not, a day pack is a backpack that has enough space in it to accommodate all you need for a day. Simple enough 🙂

You can have any number of types of day packs. For example a small gym pack could be a day pack of sorts. A college book bag could also be a reasonable day pack and are very commonly used. However, in hiking terms, while a day pack fulfills the same essential function as these other day packs, it is of course specifically built for the trail.

What does that mean?

Well, I don’t want to go into the full list of functional specifications and capabilities in this post, you can read all that in the daypack buying guide. However, I will give a couple of examples below for illustration. If you’re ready to purchase a daypack you can go straight to the hiking day packs page to check out some really good hiking day packs.

Example number one! A hiking day pack will have very hiking specific features such as a hydration sleeve. This is a sleeve at the back of the pack into which a hydration pack can slide neatly into. A hiking day pack will also have all the required ports and so on to enable the drinking tube to feed through from the bladder to your mouth easily and securely.

Another example would be a built in rain cover. While you’re out on the trail, you are of course more open to the elements. With that in mind, rain will most definitely be on the cards at some point. A rain cover built into your day pack enables you to cover your pack with a rain protective outer layer which helps keep the contents of your pack dry.

The Good News

So, as most people have an old day pack for the gym or for their college books lying around, the question becomes this. Can I use any old day pack for hiking? In general terms, as with most hiking gear, I would advise you no and to get the proper day pack with all the functional specs and trimmings for the trail.

However, you’re just getting started here so I think it that scenario, it is totally fine to use an old day pack. Remember the assumptions above, at the start, you should be out in reasonable weather at a good time of year, so hopefully rain won’t be an issue and you can carry a bottle of water in your pack rather that use a hydration sleeve.

You will miss out on some of the extra trimmings like good ventilation to your back and trekking pole loops, but that’s fine when you’re just getting started.

When the time comes and you know you want to pursue hiking, I strongly advise you get a good hiking day pack that does the job. If you’re planning longer treks you will of course be moving into larger backpack territory but that’s a whole other world of things to consider and we are just getting started here so I’ll leave that for another time 🙂

Think of it in these terms though. As mentioned above, when you first get started with hiking and decide you want to do it regularly, you will probably have a long list of things you need to get. It won’t be cheap to get decent gear and kit so you will likely need to space it out over time.

Therefore, At the top of that list you need to put things like hiking boots, a rain jacket and good hiking pants. A proper hiking day pack can sit much further down the list and be substituted with a basic alternative until you’re ready to purchase.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you need some kind of daypack when you’re heading out on your first starter hikes but I think you will be OK using something you already have when you’re just getting started.

As you progress, I highly recommend you purchase a purpose built hiking day pack as well as all the add-ons like a rain cover, hydration pack, etc. All in good time though.

So with that, I think we are drawing close to the end of the gear element on this series on hiking for beginners. We’ve covered most of the stuff you need to wear and something to carry some necessities in. Next up, I think we’ll conclude by looking at some of the key gear accessories you need to think about when you’re just getting started.

I hope you found this introduction to day packs useful. It’s another key part of your hiking gear that you need to take into consideration.

What do you think? Will any old day pack do for a few hikes? I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.

Getting Started With Hiking – Rain Gear

Continuing in the series on getting started with hiking, the last time we looked at hiking footwear where we reviewed hiking boots and trail shoes. We’ve covered many of the key aspects of gear like hiking pants, shirts, baselayers and fleeces as well as boots. Today I want to move on to another key element of your hiking kit which is your hiking rain gear.

Photo Credit: Paxson Woelber

Broadly speaking you need a good rain jacket and rain pants. A rain jacket is a jacket that is both waterproof and breathable. Rain pants are similar and are not the same as your hiking pants. Rain pants are put on over your hiking pants as a full outer protection layer for your legs against the elements.

The thrust of this series, with regards to gear, for beginners is about getting the chance to get out and try hiking without having to buy a load of gear from the start. So where possible, trying to come up with workarounds or cheaper temporary alternatives to brand name hiking gear while you figure out if hiking is something you want to pursue.

Some of the main assumptions I am making for your initial hikes are that they will be:

Short hikes on very clearly marked trails
Made on a day and time of year when the weather is good
When the temperature is favorable, warm and pleasant
Only for a few hikes at most

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at what you need to think about with regards to hiking rain gear.

Rain Jacket

OK, ideally you want a proper rain jacket suitable for the outdoors. You want something that is both waterproof and breathable. If you don’t have something suitable but you’re ready to commit to a purchase check out the rain jacket buying guide and visit the hiking jackets page to get some examples of very functional and popular rain jackets.

If you’re new to hiking you probably don’t have hiking specific gear lying around. So, what alternatives could you use? Well, a basic rain jacket of some kind should do the trick for some initial hikes.

Most people have something of this nature. It probably won’t be breathable though but for a quick rain blast in fair weather, it will do the trick. try and pick something lightweight as you need to carry it when you’re not using it.

If you don’t have anything suitable in the rain jacket category you could invest in some cheap rain protection before buying a full on rain jacket.

A rain suit or poncho are some examples. Now, the cheaper versions of these aren’t ideal for the long term, although a poncho could be great for really heavy downpours in Jungles and that type of thing, but they can be sourced cheap and cheerful to get you started on the trail.

Rain Pants

Starting with the ideal, you want to get proper rain pants for hiking. I currently use the Berghaus Hellvellyn Pants (see image below) as I use them and they have served me very well. From the summit of Mont Blanc to local hikes, they’ve really held their own.

If you don’t like them, you can also opt for something similar but look for the same technical make-up and functionality. If you’re ready to buy rain pants, check out the rain pants buying guide to give you some tips on what to look for.

Rain Pants differ from a rain jacket I think in that they aren’t something that everyone has lying about. Therefore you may need to get purchase these if you need them.

However, remember the assumptions I made above. I am advising that for someone new to hiking, you pick days in a time of year when the weather will be fair to get you started. Therefore, you should probably be able to get away without rain pants for a hike or two. In summertime with a good forecast, I generally don’t carry them in my day pack.

Another option to consider is waterproof gear from other sports. Think rain gear for golfers and that type of thing. They will use rain pants although they may not be as breathable so you can expect it to be warm in them. Not a big deal if you just want to stay dry for a quick downpour.

Similarly, as with the poncho above, you can opt to get a cheap and cheerful pair of rain pants that will do the job at the start. I really think that, as long as the climate and weather is decent, you can probably get away without rain pants for a few hikes at the start. If you’re on well-marked trails and can easily get back to your car, the worst case is that you will get very wet, not a total disaster 🙂

Conclusion

Rain gear is a critical part of your hiking gear and if you choose to really get into hiking, you need to buy the proper gear that is suitable for the trail. If however, you’re just dipping your toes in the water on a couple of short hikes, I think you can utilize some of the alternatives suggested above until you confirm hiking is the thing for you.

If you’re sure hiking is the thing for you from the get go, take time to find a good jacket. Read the rain jacket uying guide and check out the hiking jackets page for some very functional and popular jackets. Similarly educate yourself about rain pants before buying them too.

Finally, I think you should always have a rain jacket with you but in warmer times of year, in good conditions on very safe hiking trails, you are probably fine to leave the rain pants at home. As always, use your common sense to make a judgement call.

I hope you found this post on rain gear useful. It is not meant to be a detailed trip into the world of rain gear, that is a much broader topic. Rather, it’s meant as an introduction for a newbie who may not know what gear they need to think about. Next up, we’ll take a look at day packs.

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Getting Started With Hiking – What’s The Best Hiking Footwear?

This post is part of a series for folks getting started with hiking. So far we’ve looked at picking a hiking location and what kind of distance you should aim for when you start. We’ve also moved into the wonderful world of hiking gear which we’re right in the middle of.

We’ve already had a short look into hiking pants, hiking shirts as well as baselayers and fleeces. Continuing on, today I want to look at another key part of your hiking gear, namely hiking footwear.

Now, the general Gist of this part of the getting started with hiking series on hiking gear, is to try and see how easily you can get yourself out on the trail for a hike or two without having to break the bank by buying a load of new gear from the get go.

Throughout these posts I have made it clear about that any suggested workarounds with regards to gear should only be used for a couple of initial short hikes to enable you to get a taste for it. Therefore these hikes, at most, should be:

Short hikes on very clearly marked trails
Made on a day and time of year when the weather is good
When the temperature is favorable, warm and pleasant
Only for a few hikes at most

Starting Point

OK, when you’re starting out with hiking, getting to grips with all the various bits and pieces of hiking gear can be a lot. Even within each specific gear item there are loads of different options to choose from.

For example, with regards to hiking boots, you can have leather or gore-tex boots. You could have a low cut ankle style boot or a very high cut alpine style boot. You could opt for a very expensive technical mountaineering option, or a classic leather model, etc. And on we go … You get the idea.

Now, I don’t want this post to be a guide for buying hiking boots as such, when you’re ready to purchase hiking boots read the post how to choose hiking boots and then go to the hiking boots page to get some ideas of good hiking boots available on the market today.

What I’m aiming to do with these getting started posts is see, where possible, if we can come up with some kind of workaround until you decide hiking is for you and you want to purchase a decent pair of boots.

The Bad and Good News

The bad news, I’m afraid, when it comes to footwear, I really think you need to get a reasonable pair of boots or trail shoes for hiking from the start. It’s the one area I don’t think is optional.

The good news, if you’re going out on very well defined and flat trails in summer and the weather is good, you might (and I stress might) get away with a pair of sneakers or tennis shoes for a short hike. I really don’t think it’s a good idea longer term though.

Also, do you have an old pair of work boots lying about the house? Never know, they could work a treat too. If not, you can also look at a cheaper pair of hiking boots for the short term which we’ll look at next.

Do I Need an Established Brand?

In short, long term, I think yes. There are so many brands and so many boot models it’s hard to give a definitive answer as to what pair to go for though.

However, with an established brand comes a certain level of quality. There’s no doubt about that and if there are lot’s of good user reviews on them, that’s a reasonable indication of quality and a good place to start I think. However, the downside is that well known brands will cost more for sure.

In the short term, you could opt to get a cheaper pair of hiking boots from a department store rather than a named brand. These will be cheaper but in many cases not as well made. However for a short period of time, say over spring and summer, they could really do the trick and be better than standard shoes or sneakers.

When you have decided that you want to get into hiking on a regular basis I recommend you invest in a good pair of hiking boots from a popular and established boot maker. User reviews are a great way to start your search but remember peoples feet are unique, so a pair of boots that work great for me may be a pain for you.

Hiking Boot’s or Trail Shoes?

This is one that is a regular debating point among hikers. Some insist on Hiking Boots as they provide more strength and stability. Others prefer trail shoes as they are lighter and generally more flexible.

Photo credit: blaircook

Me, I use both. However, in truth, I rarely use my trail shoes hiking as I am nearly always hiking in open mountain and for me, I prefer the extra ankle support element that hiking boots give me. If you want to invest in one good pair first, I recommend you invest in a good pair of hiking boots.

I use my trail shoes on very well defined trails for short hikes in hot weather. I also use them a lot for general purpose day-to-day use as I just find them really comfortable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I think that having good hiking footwear when you’re starting out hiking is one area, I wouldn’t try and cut corners on. Ideally, even for your first couple of hikes, getting a reasonable pair of hiking boots is the way to go.

Now, I think you can opt to get a cheaper brand or department store pair when you start out. They’re not ideal for the longer term but they will be cheaper and should do the job fine for a few months at the start when you are starting out on easier trails.

When you make the decision to take hiking up on a regular basis and venture further into more challenging terrain, I really think you need to get a decent pair of hiking boots as soon as possible. Unless you live in a really hot climate, I would get hiking boots first and you can opt to add trail shoes to your kit later on.

As mentioned at the start, check out the hiking boots buying guide to give you an idea of what to look for and also check out the hiking boots page to give you some good options to choose from.

OK, we’re moving along nicely. Next up in this getting started with hiking series we’ll continue on the hiking gear thread and take a closer look at rain protection. It’s another really important area of hiking gear that you need to consider when you start out hiking.

I hope you found this article useful. Please leave a comment and / or share this post.

Respect The Sun When You’re Out On The Trail

In many parts of the world, it’s that time of year where the spring is drawing to a close and the call of a long hot summer beckons. Well, hopefully a hot one with plenty of nice sunshine to soak up and enjoy.

The longer days of summer and the nice weather of course provide the hiker with lots more opportunity to get out on the trail. I like hiking any time of year but it is hard to beat hiking on a beautiful summers day. Not only is the weather a lot more amiable but the views can often be much better as your chances of a clear blue summers day sky increase.

However, as with all good things in life, you can have too much of a good thing and you need to remember to respect the sun when you’re out on the trail.

Drink Plenty Of Water

The first thing to mention is that when you’re hiking in a hot sun, you’re going to dehydrate a lot faster than normal. As a rule you should drink water regularly on the trail anyway but on a hot summers day, you should have some extra water supplies with you.

If you’re really heading out into the wilderness, it’s a good idea to know where your next available water source will be just in case you run into any problems.

As a separate note, would you like to have ice cold water with you out on your day hike on a hot summers day? If so, check out this post for a neat tip!

Use Sun Screen

Whether you’re hiking on a trail or lying on a beach, this is a given. Bring lot’s of sun screen with you to protect your skin from burning. Be sure to cover all exposed areas. Many times prime areas that are just ripe for burning can be omitted by accident. Places like the tips of your ears, your nose, that type of thing. Be sure to top up regularly too.

Having after sun with you is also a very good idea!

Wear A Hat

There are lot’s of different hat options you can choose from to protect you from the sun. This is especially important if, like me, you have a bald head.It will burn fast if you don’t cover it up properly with a hat as well as using sun screen. Hat’s also serve other useful functions too like keeping the sun out of your eyes or protecting your whole neck, depending on the hat you choose of course.

Wear Sunglasses

No, this isn’t to make a fashion statement but that can be a side benefit 😉

In bright sun, you can easily get blinded for a few seconds and that can lead you to lose your footing or make a bad call on a piece of terrain or the like. Also, if you’re hiking high up enough, you will possibly have snow to contend with and the sun reflecting from it can be too much for your eyes to handle.

This is wear sunglasses really play their part. You need the right kind of pair though so it is worth investigating to get the right ones. I might do a piece on this in the coming weeks to provide some more information on what to look for as I will be purchasing a pair for my Mont Blanc trip in the next week.

Cover Up Where Appropriate

Yes indeed, this can sound a little bit odd as surely when the sun is out you want to bask as much of your body in it as possible! Well, yes and no. If you’re out on the trail all day in the sun, you may be better off to cover up by wearing pants and a long sleeved shirt or tee.

I am of course referring to ones purpose built for wearing in the sun. These are loose fitting, moisture wicking, light colored, very breathable, lightweight and have some level of UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) protection in the material. Convertible hiking pants are also great for hiking in the sun as they give you the option of wearing shorts for a time. as and when you need.

Getting purpose built gear for the sun is important as it takes lot’s of issues you normally take for granted into consideration. Chaffing is one example that springs to mind. When you’re sweating that bit more in the heat, chaffing can be a real problem if you’re not in the right kind of gear.

Somewhat ironically, the hotter the environment you’re hiking in, the more you may need to cover up as you really need to protect your skin as it’s just too hot. I am thinking here about deserts and some places where the sun is particularly strong ( New Zealand is one example of where you can be out in not excruciatingly hot sun but you burn quite easily and very quickly.

This is apparently due to the ozone layer being that bit thinner further south closer to Antarctica, therefore the same would apply in other southern regions on the same latitude e.g. places in South America ).

Finally, and this would really be for the more adventurous hiker, you may not always be in hot environments when you have to contend with the sun. As referred to above, if you’re high enough, you’ll likely be surrounded by snow and need to cover up appropriately. The power of the sun will still take it’s toll whether it’s cold or hot.

Heat Exhaustion

You need to watch out for this one among yourself and fellow hikers. Often times people can just overdo it and not even realize before this starts to impact them, especially if they’ve been out in hot sun for several days. There are two things that can help cause this 1. water depletion and 2. salt depletion.

There are many symptoms to watch out for e.g. fatigue, excessive thirst, dizziness, nausea, headache, rapid heartbeat to name just some of them. To treat heat exhaustion, get out of the sun, drink plenty of fluids, remove any unnecessary clothing and try and cool down as much as possible.

If you don’t see signs of improvement within 30 minutes you should contact a doctor. If not treated it can lead to more dangerous problems like hyperthermia. I think this topic probably deserves a whole post of its own as there is a lot more to it.

In short, as mentioned above, drink water regularly and have some salty snacks to keep you ticking over to help avoid this.

Conclusion

Hiking in the sun especially in summer can be just stunning. You can enjoy some of the best views you’re likely to see all year round and it’s nice to be able to put the rain jacket into your pack for a while!

However, as with all good things, you can have too much! You need to respect the sun. It’s beautiful but very powerful, and it can cause you problems if you don’t prepare yourself properly. I hope these few simple tips will help you enjoy your hiking experiences in the sun all the more!

Remember, sometimes it can be just too hot and humid to hike in and it might just be better to leave your hiking trip for another day. As always, be sensible as while hiking in the sun can be beautiful, if it’s too hot, humid etc. you will get uncomfortable very quickly.

Have you any good tips for hiking in the sun? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below.