What kind of hiking gear should I take on a hike?

Whether you’re going on a simple dayhike or an extended backpacking trip, there are certain items you should take with you on your trip.  Nine times out of ten, you probably won’t need any of these items, but it’s always that one time that gets you.  The items are:

1. Water  This is the most important thing you can bring with you on a hike.  Even if you’re just taking a short ½ mile jaunt, bring some water with you.  It’s better to bring too much water than not enough, especially in a hot, dry climate, such as the Southwestern desert.  Dehydration and heat exhaustion is no fun.

2. Compass  A compass can be your very best friend.  Even if you’re just going for a little two-mile walk down a well-worn trail, take a small compass with you.  Know how to use it, too.  Most compasses come with instructions on how to use them.  The most important thing is, they point north (the North side of the needle is usually red).  Say you’re just out for a little nature hike, then see something off the side of the trail and you go to investigate.  Suddenly, you can’t remember where that dang trail is.  A compass can be very handy in getting you back, if not to the trail, at least to the parking lot where you parked your car, a major road, or anywhere there’s people who can help you out.

3. Cell phone If your cell phone carrier has good coverage, there’s usually a good signal somewhere…Even if there’s no coverage, at least you gave it a try!

4. Footwear Having good footwear on your hike is essential.  Your feet are the things getting you out of there!  You don’t have to go out and buy the most expensive pair of hiking boots, but wearing flip-flops on an outdoor excursion probably isn’t that smart.  Pick shoes that fit your feet well, aren’t going to give you blisters, and are going to be sturdy enough to stand up to whatever trail you’ve picked.  For some trails, running shoes may be just fine, while a sturdier hiking shoe might be required for a rougher trail.

5. Clothing Bring the appropriate clothing for your hike.  I always hike in long pants, even if it’s warm, but that’s my personal preference.  That’s just for extra protection for my legs.  Generally, if you’re hiking in a hot and dry climate, you’re probably not going to need that winter coat.  But if you’re hiking a trail that has a large gain in elevation, where the weather may change at the drop of a hat and get cold and stormy, you’ll be glad you brought an extra layer or two.
 

6. Hat  Technically, the hat could go under clothing, but a lot of people may not think of it in that category.  A hat will keep the sun off your face and neck, and help to protect against sunburn.

7. Sunscreen Again, this is to protect you against sunburn.  Sure, I got my share of sunburn when I was a kid too, but now I prefer to protect myself against skin cancer.  This will make the after-effects of a bad burn at bay.

8. Food  Now, you don’t need to drag your whole refrigerator with you.  However, taking some food with you even a short hike will help keep your energy up.  Foods such as fruit, or maybe some energy bars, are preferable to things such as candy bars.  You want energy to keep that body going.

9. Knife  I always have a knife with me while hiking, even if it's just a short 1 mile trip.  A good Swiss Army type of knife, one with many different uses, can come in handy.  You never know what you might need.

10. Camera  Okay, a camera isn't really necessary.  I almost always take one with me though, just to remember and document my hikes! Strictly up to personal preference though.

Usually, these items can be carried in a simple, well-fitting day pack.  If you’re only going on a short jaunt (maybe half a mile to a mile) you can most likely get away with not carrying anything but a small bottle of water and your cell phone.  If you’re going longer, do consider packing at least the essentials listed above, if not more.  It’s much better to have a safe, enjoyable hike with the proper hiking equipment than to be wheeled out by the search and rescue team.