Before you hit the trails, you want to make sure you have the gear necessary to make the most of your trip. Whether you’re going on a quick walk around your local state park or you’re going on a longer overnight hike, these picks are sure to make your trip all the better.
Carhartt Hiking Shoes & Backpack
The bare bones of any hiker’s arsenal is a good pack and some durable shoes. Carhartt’s been at it 127 years, so they know a thing or two about rugged gear. These pieces of gear are made with durable waterproof material, so you can keep going all day.
With this Garmin, you can keep track of the routes you take, mark waypoints, and it also features a trip computer, sunrise and sunset times, information about hunting and fishing, a compass and a barometric altimeter. It’s powered by AAA batteries. This particular GPS is configured to handle tracking through deep tree cover or inside canyons and has a feature that allows you to retrace your steps.
This Coleman stove is small enough to fit inside an 8-inch pan. It’s also easy to store: the burner and base separate making it even more portable. The large base makes stirring easy. The burner is adjustable and is optimized for fuel efficiency and performance under harsh conditions. One 16.4 ounce propane cylinder is good for up to 2.5 hours of cook time on high.
Sierra has a reputation for crafting products that last decades. This tent by Sierra Designs is a lightweight nylon and polyester three-season tent. This tent sleeps two people. Pitching is pretty easy, and there are only three poles. Storage and the rainfly are built in, so that’s a bonus.
The Leatherman is a great way to have almost every tool you’ll need in one small space. Weighing in at 6.9 ounces, this little guy is home to 18 different tools. When you’re watching the weight of your pack increase, you can thank your Leatherman for being so petite.
Nobody wants to walk all day long squinting. It’s important to keep your eyes from UV rays. In addition to your safety, these glasses will keep the path clear for you, and the polarized lenses are great for cutting down the glare. If you’re going to do any fishing, they’ll also help you see the fish in the water. A good pair of sunglasses can make the difference between a mediocre trip and a great one.
You’ve got to eat, and if you need to cook, it’s better to have something lighter than a cast iron skillet. This MSR cookset takes saving space to the next level. Everything in the set nests together and the whole thing is under 2 lbs.
Photive Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Sometimes you want to have an impromptu trail dance party, or you just like singing in the shower. These speakers are nearly indestructible and can sustain eight hours of play on one charge.
If you’re distance hiking or you’re hiking treacherous terrain, you’ll need trekking poles. These trekking poles are ergonomic and collapse down, making them rather portable. If you need good hiking poles, Black Diamond offers a great lightweight product that’s made of carbon, so you know they’ll last.
Whether you need a good water bottle or something to keep your pot of coffee hot, Yeti’s 64-ounce Rambler is a great option. It has a wide mouth, and the cap is great for clipping to your pack. The bottle is made of stainless steel, it’s got double-walled vacuum insulation, so your beverage will stay really cold or hot all day long.
If you’re camping overnight, you need a good sleeping bag. This bag from Kelty is rated for temperatures as low as 20°F. Available in regular and long sizes, this polyester bag featuring two blankets will keep you comfortable all night. It’s easy to store and it comes with a stuff sack. The total weight comes to 5 lbs 1 oz, so it won’t kill your back on a long day.
Mommy Hiker 