The 11 Essentials Of Hiking (10 Essentials + 1)
Last Update 05/09/2022
With hiking, it is important to have the necessary gear needed for the actual hike and for emergencies. A day-hike might not sound perilous at first but, in the event you find yourself in an unforgiving environment or a precarious situation, it is wise to be prepared.
Most people are familiar with the 10 essentials of hiking. Any outdoor site will contain a good 10 essential item list. However, we are going to take it one essential item further with 11. And number 11 is vital!
The 11 essential items for hiking are:
Headlamp
Sun protection
Extra clothes
Extra food
Fire starter
Knife or multi-tool
First aid kit
Extra water and water purification system
Shelter
Navigation
Whistle or signaling instrument
Headlamp
When hiking, a headlamp is the most convenient form of illumination. As dusk falls, natural light is no longer abundant. This proves to be problematic when attempting to find, build, or fix anything. A headlamp allows you to keep both of your hands-free while doing any work that needs to be done around your camp or during a late, low light, hike.
Sun Protection
Sun protection is vital during a hike session, especially during the summer months. However, you can still be afflicted with sun damage in the cooler months as well. My recommendation is that you apply sunscreen before every hike and reapply every couple of hours. It is best to use a SPF-15 or higher for adequate protection against the sun’s harsh rays.
Don’t forget a pair of sunglasses either. Sunglasses can protect your eyes from the sun’s rays as well as prevent you from experiencing a squint headache!
Finally, get yourself some SPF-rated clothing. Your local REI is the best place to obtain UV protection clothing.
Extra Clothes
Your hiking clothes will need to be more durable than your everyday clothes because you could find yourself hiking through brush or over low-grade rock faces. Be prepared for:
Warmer than expected temperatures
Cooler than expected temperatures
Rain and thunderstorms
Snow (depending on your location and the season)
Crossing rivers and creeks that may dampen or soak clothing
Being prepared for different conditions will ensure that your hike is as enjoyable as possible!
Extra Food
Always, always, always bring at least an extra day’s worth of food on your hiking trip. Sometimes plans change and you may want to stay an extra day on the trail. Sometimes you may be behind on the miles you planned to hike on a given day and may need extra portions to sustain high levels of energy to complete your hike. Again, extra food will also come in handy if you find yourself lost and in a survival situation. Foods that are high in proteins and contain salt are a good choice; this is why many hikers pack trail mix containing peanuts. If you want to start a hike on an empty stomach that is your prerogative but, please, do bring extra food for your hike so you replenish your energy levels.
Fire Starter
Fire is one of the best psychological enhancers in a survival situation. It’s no surprise that a fire starter makes the list. Many hikers will have their own preference for starting a fire. We will list a few options and some tinder options as well.
Fire starting tools:
A standard lighter
Refillable butane lighter
Matches
Ferro rod
Accelerants and Tinder:
Cotton balls infused with Vaseline
Doritos or Fritos - the oil in the chips are great for catching a spark
dryer lint
Purell
Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and glycerin can be used to spawn a chemical reaction that creates a flame.
Knife Or Multi-tool
A knife can be used for many tasks during a hike. It can help create tinder, be used for cooking, assist with repairing gear, etc. Some knives on the market today even contain other tools as part of the tool. Ideally a blade of 3-4 inches should cover you in most hiking and survival situations.
First Aid Kit
The first aid kit is your insurance policy on the trail. We recommend starting with a basic first aid kit and then add items as you see fit. It is always best to review expiration dates on items and include any instruction manuals for handling emergency situations if you are not privy to handling those situations.
Related Post: Is it Cheaper to Make Your Own First Aid Kit for Hiking (Table Included)
Extra Water - Water Purification System
Staying hydrated is the most important thing you can do while hiking or backpacking. Physical exertion leads to sweating which, depletes your body of the ever important electrolytes. Electrolytes are crucial for brain function and if you find yourself in a dire situation, water will be one of your top priorities. It is always best to take extra water for your hike but we recommend bringing a water purification system so you can draw from the natural resources in your area. There are plenty of options to choose from; here are some light weight low volume options:
Water purification tabs
LifeStraw
Sawyer water filters
Water bottles with a UV light
Grayl water bottle
For further reading on water guidelines during your hike, check out the post Can You Go Hiking Without Water (Know the Guidelines).
Shelter
Even if you are just going out for a day hike you should always bring emergency shelter. It does not have to be a robust shelter, something lightweight will suffice. A bivy, tarp, space blanket, or the obvious tent will do just fine. Lately, hammock camping has been growing in popularity and there are some tremendous lightweight options if you decide to go down that path.
Navigation
Here is what you will need for navigation:
Topographical or relief maps
Compass
GPS
Pro Tip: Leave an itinerary with a friend. In the event you do become lost having another person know your general location can go a long way to ensure a successful rescue.
Whistle or Signaling Instrument
Sometimes you will find a whistle within a first aid kit. However, a good majority of basic first aid kits do not contain a whistle. This item is so important that we listed it as one of the essentials. Another option would be a pocket mirror to reflect sunlight in the direction of a rescue team Additionally, a laser pointer could be used in a similar fashion. A nice bright piece of clothing is recommended as well. a bright bandana is an excellent choice!
Conclusion:
These items are listed as essential because not only will they be useful during a day hike, they could end up being a literal lifesaver if you were to become accidentally stranded and unable to find immediate help. Please remember to always carry these 11 essentials even if you anticipate the hike only taking a short amount of time. You really never know what could happen and what you may encounter.
Popular Posts:
Who doesn’t love a good hike? It gives you the chance to get outdoors, ingest some nature, calm your mind, and…build your butt?