How To: Day Hike Edition
Have you ever been“that person” on the trail: the one losing traction every two minutes in their sneakers, or caught miles from their car in a downpour, or dehydrated and low energy because they didn’t bring enough snacks? Have you been too scared to try hiking at all?
We’ve all been that person, we’re not here to judge you, and, if you’ve decided you’d like to level up your hiking experience or learn how to get started, then we ARE here to help!
Here are the items we think are the most essential for any beginning/average day hiker:
1. A good pair of hiking boots
We can tell you from experience that a good pair of boots goes a long way! Go lightweight with minimal ankle coverage for trail running, mid-weight and mid-ride for regular use-age, or durable with high ankle support for longer hikes and backpacking trips. We personally love mid-rise boots with GORETEX to keep our feet dry for everyday use.
2. Water and snacks
Whether your water is in a bottle or hydration bladder, don’t forget to bring enough. Research the length of the trail (and check out our sun exposure ratings) to see how much you’ll need to stay hydrated. In addition to snacks like trail mix, beef jerky and dried mangoes, we always have a couple of emergency energy bars stashed in our bags too.
3. Backpack
It doesn’t need to be fancy, but you’ll want some type of bag to carry all the water and snacks you’ve remembered to bring. Having your hands free on the trail will be useful in many ways and it also gives you a place to store your phone, your keys and any trash from your snacks!
4. Dark Sky weather app
We check Dark Sky religiously before any hike. We’ve gotten caught in rain clouds, snow storms and 30 mph winds…and it’s not fun, especially without the proper clothing. We also use Mountain Forecast but find Dark Sky to be a bit more location specific. Pack layers accordingly.
5. AllTrails PRO!!
Not only is AllTrails great for finding trails nearby and perfect for reading up on trail conditions before you head out, it also allows you to download an offline trail map that tracks your progress in real time so you get lost on your hike. Never assume that a trail will be easy or straightforward to follow! This app has saved our butts countless times and the PRO membership is worth the peace of mind it provides.
In addition to remembering to bring these hiking gadgets and gear with you, please also remember to always:
1. Tell someone where you’re going
It’s always a good idea to tell a friend or family member which trail you’re headed to. You can also utilize the Lifeline feature on AllTrails so your loved ones can track your progress on the trail and receive status updates.
2. Leave No Trace
Whatever you pack in, make sure you pack it out! And always leave the trail in the same (or better!) condition you found it in.
With these basic gear items in hand and principles in mind you should be ready to hit that trail and feel fairly confident doing it. Keep in mind, no amount of gear can replace experience — so go ahead and get out there! If you’re curious about any of the specific gear we use on our hiking adventures, be sure to check out Our Picks for detailed information and links.