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!

Summary

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.

Conclusion

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.

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.

Cost

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 our top recommendations for men’s daypacks here and our top recommendations for women’s daypacks here.

Examples

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.

Upgrade When Ready

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.

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 our top rain jacket recommendations for men and our top rain jacket recommendations for women. You can find some excellent 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. You can also find our favorite rain pants for men here and our favorite rain pants for women here.

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 buying guide and check out the recommended hiking jackets linked to above 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.

Please leave a comment below and share this post.

This is the second post in a series, for people brand new to hiking, on some items for consideration and review before setting out on your first hike! In the last post we started by looking at where to go for a first hike.

Distance may seem simplistic when you’re first starting out but it’s something you’ve really got to consider as you only want to take on a hike that you’re capable of finishing comfortably.

What Distance?

I think this is something that is very unique to each person and most people can really only answer it for themselves.

For example, if you are a very fit individual who exercises regularly in other aerobic activities, like running, rowing, cycling, etc., you are probably more than capable of taking on a longer hike, say three to four hours, up relatively challenging paths and steep hills.

If however, you’ve just quit smoking and the most exercise you’ve been doing are jaunts from your couch to your fridge or into your car, you probably want to take on something much smaller at the start! Starting out by walking in your local park or in your local area for twenty minutes a few times a week and building up to a few hours, may even be the best way to get started before ever venturing onto any trails!

When trying to gauge how far you should go on your first hike always take the following into consideration.

Incline and Altitude

The hike may only be four miles but if the first two miles of that are up a steep incline it will take considerably more effort and take a lot more out of you than going along on a relatively even level.

Incline and altitude are things that can also be very deceptive, slow rises that go on forever can catch anyone out and if you’re not used to consistently walking upwards, you will feel it. Not only when you’re actually hiking but even more so the following day.

In general, altitude, in terms of being in a position where you will experience sickness as a result of it, is not something most newbie hikers need to be concerned with. You normally need to be getting to 11,482 feet (3500 meters) above sea level before that needs to become a cause for concern. If you’re attempting that on your first hikes, you’re either Superman or just plain crazy 😉

Going higher does bring some other challenges though, it can get a lot cooler as you go further up so do keep that in mind too.

Photo Credit: Horia Varlan

Pace and Speed

Will you be taking a nice easy pace or do you plan to go hard and fast? This is worth considering as you don’t want to do the latter and end up running out of steam halfway through your hike.

As you gather more and more experience hiking you will really start to notice how big an impact pace has on your hike. I hike with all sorts of hikers but my core group are FAST! We would do 4 miles (approx 6 km) in an hour quite easily. Of course, on the flat it would be faster and on steep ascents over rocky terrain it would be a bit slower but we’d comfortably keep that pace.

Now, here’s the thing. I know people in that group who can go even faster! Of course on the other side of the coin, I also know other groups who like to take a nice and easy pace. It really is a mixed bag and very personal but it is something that is important, especially in bigger groups as gaps can very easily form in bigger groups with slower folks being left behind. Not good in case people get lost, especially in bad weather.

In summary, when you’re starting out, find a suitable pace that you, and your hiking friends, are comfortable with. If you’re unsure, better to start slow and take time getting a feel for it. You don’t want to burn yourself out half way into the hike a remember, you’ve got the second half to contend with  🙂

You can also put the slowest person at the front and agree to always keep them as the pace maker. That way, your group should stay together and gaps won’t form.

Terrain and Climate

For a starter hike, I strongly recommend you stick to well-worn trails. However, even at that, it is worth considering what the trails are composed of e.g. a dirt trail when its wet will again take more effort than if it’s dry. If your trail is covered in ice or snow, again more effort will be needed.

Photo Credit: andyarthur

Again, it’s always best to do your research beforehand so check out your hike in advance, ask an experienced hiker or someone who has already done the specific hike a few times.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. If you’re new to hiking this is one of the basic things you need to seriously consider. Ask yourself these questions and be honest with your answers! How fit am I really? Could I walk 10 miles around my local neighborhood? If the answer is no, then you already have a good yardstick to use to help you make a reasonable estimation of what you’re capable of in a more mountainous environment.

Finally, it’s always better to undershoot than overshoot. That is, better to have found your first hike easy, so you can make adjustments to do more the next time out, than, as mentioned above, finding it hard and running out of steam in the middle of it! Next up we’ll start to take a look at gear, which is a very important part of your safety while out on the trail, even when you’re just starting out. Specifically, we’ll start with hiking pants first.

What do you think? Any tips on how best to decide how far you should go out on your first hike? I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!

Note: When making any significant change to your normal exercise routine, always consult your physician first. See what they advise but they probably will be very happy to hear you’re planning to take on some new hiking activities!

If you want to go to the start of this series of posts on hiking for beginners, please click here.

Today’s post is the start of a series on some of the basics to consider if you are new to hiking and want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable hiking experience from the get-go! I want to start to share some thoughts on areas for consideration for people who are completely new to hiking and want to give it a try. Some questions could, and should, be coming up for you like:

• Where should I go for a hike?
• How far should I go?
• What should I wear?
• What supplies should I bring with me?
• What safety considerations should I take into account?

Etc …

In this series of blog posts I plan to go into these and other areas in a bit more detail for the complete newbie to hiking. Today’s post will consider:

Where Should I go for a Hike!?

The short answer to this, is really anywhere you like that’s legal! However, if this is your first time going for a hike, here are some things you should consider before setting out!?

1. It is best to choose an area that is already well established for hiking i.e. one that is designated for hiking and outdoor recreational purposes. You do not want to wander onto private lands which could possibly get you into serious trouble with either the local law enforcement or an angry farmer with an angry dog! 

Photo Credit: istolethetv

Now, if you can’t get immediate access to mountains as they’re too far away, or if you’re not 100% sure of your fitness, it is perfectly fine to go out for a hike wherever you can find that may be suitable. Hiking in towns and cities isn’t really the same thing as being in the mountains but if you are new and want to either try out your fitness or need to wait to be able to get to actual trails and mountains in the countryside, it’s a fine option to get you going.

2. Try pick an area that that is as close to your home as possible. You have enough to be thinking about for your first hike without having to worry about:

• How to get to your hike by making it too complicated or
• Having to work out a route in an unfamiliar location (this should only ever be attempted by very experienced hikers – as a general safety rule, always stick to well established trails and paths until you know how to navigate your way comfortably.

3. When you’ve found a suitable public hiking area, the best and wisest thing to do before you start out on your first hike would be to pick a well-worn and clearly marked trail. For your first time out, you definitely DO NOT want to be venturing off into the wilderness without appropriate help and guidance from an experienced hiker or guide! A great way to get going safely is to join a hiking club or association.

Photo Credit: pocky

4. Ideally you want to pick a trail in an area that you are also familiar with. If you’re new to hiking it is better to start, if possible, in a place you know relatively well so you can be certain that you won’t get totally lost. The last thing you want on your inaugural hike!

5. It’s always hard to beat experience! Ask someone who’s done the hike, for any advice and tips on what to expect on the trail. Also, if you are in a well-known public park or recreational area, check if there is an information center where you can get advice and guidance.

6. Do your research well in advance and review all available information on the trail you plan to take. For example, how long is the trail and how much of it do you plan to hike? What altitude will you ascend to? Are there any noticeable landmarks you can expect to see on the trail? What terrain you will encounter on the way? And so on.

By doing this in advance you can have a good idea of what the hike will entail and therefore, if it is suitable for you. Also, by having an idea of what to expect, you have more chance of noticing if you’ve wandered off in the wrong direction!

Photo Credit: brittreints

7. For your first hike, wait for favorable conditions before venturing out. This may be tricky if it’s mid-winter but even if it is, aim to pick a day when the weather forecast and conditions are as favorable as possible and of course, always wear suitable clothing, good boots and rain gear are always a must!

8. Finally, it’s a good idea to go out with a few people when you first start out hiking. Hiking alone is great but should something happen, you could be in a tricky situation. IF you have some hiking friends with you, they can always go off and get help should it be required.

These are just some pointers for consideration when choosing where to go for a hike if you are new to hiking. If possible, always seek the advice of an experienced hiker or look online for as much information on your hike in advance as possible. Above all, be sure you are comfortable before you set out and don’t forget your fully charged mobile phone and to try stay in areas where you have coverage, just in case!

Conclusion

OK, now this post may seem to some like I am stating the obvious but to some folks who have never really been much further than their urban neighborhoods, there will be some new stuff to think about in this.

I never forget when I was in college in Pittsburgh and there were a few African students from Rwanda studying there. When winter came it, inevitably in Pittsburgh, started snowing. No big deal and something I had seen a thousand times before. Not for those guys! They ran outside and played in it for hours. Why? They had never seen it before. Being from Rwanda, you don’t see a whole lot of snow 🙂

You get my point though, some of the things written here will be new to many and that’s what this series of posts for folks new to hiking is all about. Next up we’ll look at distance and how far you should go on your first hike.

Do you have any other thoughts or suggestions for what to think about when choosing where to go for a first hike? If so, please let us know in the comments below!