Everything You Really Need to Start Hiking

Spoiler Alert: You Probably Have Most of it Already!

Getting into hiking can be intimidating. There is so much stuff out there, and some of it looks so technical. People from every direction are telling you to buy this exact outfit or use this exact water bottle; how do you decide what you actually need and what's just fluff?

Fortunately, you likely already have the majority of items you need to begin your hiking journey! Until you have more experience under your belt to get into more difficult and technical trails, the hikes you start with don't need fancy gear.

In the hiking world, there is a concept called "The Ten Essentials," which distills the gazillions of potential items down to a simple list.

The good news is: there is no rule that you have to have a specific item! As long as you are prepared and safe, you can bring whatever fits the need of that particular essential.

I've created this collection of items for products you may want for hiking; HOWEVER, I would genuinely rather you use items you already have, borrow items from a friend/family member, or check secondhand outlets like thrift stores, REI's used section, or Facebook Marketplace.

This list applies for hiking in all seasons, all conditions!

The Ten Essentials: Making it Easy to Start Hiking

1: Navigation + Communication

For beginner and intermediate hikes (and even most challenging/technical hikes), it is very important that you stay on the marked trail. Beyond just keeping you on the right path, staying on trail prevents erosion. (Note: social trails, or unofficial trails that are clearly-marked paths made by multiple users over time, are not ok to use, as the continued use of them discourages vegetation growth and encourages more human use.) Additionally, traveling off the established trail is a good way to get lost.

There are multiple navigational tools that you can use. A lot of trail networks have boards with maps at the parking lot that you can take a photo of and reference at certain trail junctions. State and national parks often distribute physical maps for visitors to use. There are gpx files you can download to your smart watch. There are navigational apps you can use. For day hikes, my favorite, easy-to-use app is AllTrails. With the free app, you can reference the map any time you have service; with a paid subscription (AllTrails+), you can download maps to use even when you're offline. I personally use AllTrails+, but I wouldn't call it necessary. If you do want to subscribe, I'd appreciate if you used this link to sign up ☺

Communication starts well before your hike begins. Especially if you're going somewhere without cell signal, be sure to tell someone where you're heading to and when they can expect to hear that you're safely on your way home. If you have a satellite communicator (I personally use a Garmin inReach, but again, I wouldn't say that that's strictly necessary, especially if you're spending most of your time in the front country), you can sign up for a subscription plan and send messages without having cell service, assuming there's a clear view of the sky; heavy cloud coverage can impede the signal's travel. But, again, I think the main safety device in the "communication" department is how well you communicate to others your whereabouts so that they can call the proper authorities if something goes awry.

2: Sun Protection

Even on cloudy days, having protection from the sun is important. You probably already have sunscreen and sunglasses, but additional items if you're going to a place with really intense sun exposure can include sun-protective clothing (I wear a sun hoodie on most hikes in Colorado) and a sun-protective umbrella. My mom insists this is just a parasol, but it's sadly a lot less dainty.

3: Insulation

I carry a small backpack on almost every day hike, and this is the predominant reason why a smaller bag isn't good enough for me. Insulating layers that protect against variable conditions can keep you safe if the weather turns. I always carry at least a rain jacket and a fleece, if not more intensive layers, even if it's a hot summer's day. Again, these are likely items that you already have in your closet; even if they're not the most lightweight or packable, shoving them into your backpack may keep you comfortable if the weather shifts later in the hike.

A quick note: try to avoid cotton while hiking! Cotton absorbs and retains moisture, which can be annoying at best and dangerous at worst. If it's raining, or if it's really hot, or if it's snowing and you're overexerting yourself, the water and/or sweat held by your cotton layers can cool your body too quickly, leading to potentially hypothermic conditions. It's fine to start with a cotton sweatshirt at the beginning of your journey if that's what you have in your closet, but as you get more and more into hiking, it's a good idea to invest in fleece layers that dry out more efficiently than cotton.

Insulating layers also refers to hats and gloves! You don't want body heat to escape when you need it to keep you warm!

4: Illumination

There is nothing worse than hiking in the dark when you're not prepared for it. Sometimes, hikes run later than you expect them to. They're harder, or you get lost, or you got a later start than you had intended. No matter what, it's important to be prepared to navigate in the dark. Your phone flashlight is great if you have enough charge on it. I always use a headlamp so that both of my hands can be free. Honestly, a headlamp is good to have in general. I keep one in my car because I find it more effective than the overhead car lights when I'm rummaging around.

5: First Aid Supplies

This is definitely something you can scrounge up at home, especially because it's so personal. There are pre-made kits out there, and I keep the one I got when I first started hiking in my day pack, but you could just as easily toss some stuff in a Ziploc baggie and call it a day. I don't keep anything more advanced than scrape repair, pain medicine, and an ACE wrap for ankle rolls, because if something were worse than that, I'd use my satellite device to call for emergency services anyway.

The one thing I would recommend purchasing, especially if you leave out East, is a tick key. You have a finite amount of time between when a tick lodges itself on your body and when you can remove it before it can cause potential problems, and a tick key allows for full tick removal without leaving any of its limbs behind. (Gross, I know.)

Under the umbrella of "first aid" is preventative safety against animals. Don't forget bug spray, especially in the summer. If you're going anywhere in grizzly bear country, make sure you have bear spray, which is more effective against aggressive bear encounters than firearms.

6: Fire

Even though it's part of the 10 Essentials, I wouldn't actually recommend bringing matches or fire starter on a hike. Even as a means to attract somebody in the dark, I don't think it's worth risking starting a fire. For modern times, I usually interpret this part as bringing a small fuel canister and a small stove. To be honest, you can skip this part. But I will talk more about fuel canisters and backing stoves in a few sections.

7: Repair Kit + Tools

If you have a Swiss Army Knife and maybe a small thing of Duct tape, you're good to go. Don't overthink it.

Headlamps are good for hiking before the sun comes up, too!

8: Extra Food

In my opinion, one of the very best parts of hiking is the snacking options. It's really just an excuse for me to eat candy all day. Even if it adds weight, always bring more food than you think. It's better to have a few extra granola bars than realize you're in need of a sugar boost without anything to help. Foods that can provide a quick rush of sugar are great, but make sure you also bring some foods that are higher in fats and proteins to keep you more satiated on your hike.

If your hike is longer than you're used to, it's not a bad idea to bring some fuel, a backpacking stove, and some dehydrated food (some store-bought ramen or instant mashed potatoes are classics, or a pre-made meal like this one is always an option) to get some more calories in you.

But seriously, don't skimp on the Nerds Gummy Clusters. I'm basically an expert. Consider this a prescription.

9: Extra Water

Bring! Water!!! Use whatever water bottle you have on hand (I know you have a cabinet full of them), or even 2. I like to have a full one in the car for my drive home. Even though it's heavy, bring at least a full liter, but I'd recommend more if the hike is longer than an hour and you're just starting out.

If you know there's flowing water along your hike (like a creek or a river) that isn't labeled as chemically contaminated (you'd know), you can also bring some sort of water filter or purifying tablets to collect more water on the way. If you go this route, be sure to test the filter/tablets out in your kitchen so you know exactly how to use them.

10: Emergency Shelter

Even if your hike is short, even if you start early, even if you have cell signal, bring some sort of emergency bivy in your bag. Even something as simple as an astronaut blanket that you probably have in your car will work. If something were to happen and you had to stay on the trail overnight, you need to make sure you'd survive. Even I, someone who has backpacked thousands of miles and spends a ton of time outside, don't know how to make a shelter out of downed trees or whatever's around me, so I always carry an emergency bivy with me, just in case.

This isn't my emergency bivy, but I also often bring a small travel blanket with me to enjoy at the destination because I get cold easily, and a summit with a blanket curled around me just hits right for me.

A Few Things To Note Real Quick

While it can be tempting to purchase your way into a new wardrobe and gear bin to try to fit into the mold of one who does an activity you're aiming to get into, the best way to find what works best for your needs is to start with what you already have or borrow from people in your circle. It's not worth sinking a ton of money into a new activity, especially if you're not sure if you'll even like it or not.

Even as someone who's hiked well more than the average individual, I still aim to get most of my gear secondhand, and I try to use something until it no longer makes sense for me or no longer works right before getting a new (or new to me) piece. For example, I used my school backpack for day hikes for many, many years until the shoulder strap finally fell apart; afterward, I found a day pack that I liked on Facebook Marketplace, and I've used it for years now.

If my school backpack can make it up 14ers, your old backpack can work for you, too!

So, while I do appreciate you shopping through my affiliate links if you choose to do so, I would genuinely rather you not use them if there are ways for you to obtain these items in a different way that is more sustainable for your wallet and our planet.

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