Hiking is one of the easiest and most accessible outdoor activities, and we could all probably use a calming walk in the woods right about now. However, hiking can seem a bit daunting if you’ve never done it before, which is why we reached out to expert hikers for tips and advice for your first time out. We also asked them what to look for when buying new hiking gear so you can comfortably hit the trails all season long.
As with most outdoor activities, the experts we talked to say planning is key. “When planning to hike for the first time, do some research on some great beginner hikes in your area to dip your toes into the water and not get overwhelmed,” Melissa Benjamin, a gearhead at Backcountry, says. “There are a lot of great resources with a quick search online and even apps like AllTrails to find hikes in your area. Start small with only a few miles, [and] be sure to account for the trip back!”
Campspot ambassador Tyler D. Way echoes this sentiment and says you should always have someone back home who knows where you are. “Do enough research beforehand while you still have reception, including checking the weather, pulling up directions and downloading trail maps,” he says. “It’s always a good idea to text someone where you’re going and when they should expect to hear from you after your hike.” Benjamin also encourages everyone going into nature to learn and follow the Leave No Trace principles, which will help you have a minimal impact on the environments you visit.
What not to pack for hiking
Once you’ve found the perfect trail, you’ll want to think about what to pack — and what not to pack — for hiking. While it won’t be as exhaustive a list as you need for camping or backpacking, there are still pieces of essential hiking gear that you should always have with you whenever you go outside.
“When getting ready to buy gear for hiking, think about the terrain and conditions you’ll be hiking in,” Benjamin says. “How rocky or steep is the hike? Are you going in spring or fall? How far do you plan on hiking? Remember that the elements can at times be unpredictable.”
Dennis A. Vásquez, bureau chief of field operations at New Mexico State Parks, says even though you should prepare for any situation, you don’t need to shell out loads of cash for the latest and greatest gear. “It’s not necessary to buy the fanciest or most expensive equipment,” he says. “Start with basic, solid, modestly priced equipment. If you get hooked on hiking, you can upgrade as you go along.”
A good place to start is the 10 essentials, a short list of basic hiking gear you should have on every hike or camping trip, just in case things go wrong. However, you might have to bring other pieces of gear depending on your hike.
When you’re packing, try to keep the weight of your pack to a minimum. There are certain things that are always going to be heavy like food and water, but do you really need to add that hardcover book to your hiking gear list? Probably not, and your knees and back will thank you when you’re slogging uphill.
What do you wear hiking?
What you wear hiking, particularly in hot summer and freezing winter months, can make a huge difference on how comfortable and fun your trek is. In the summer, you’ll want to wear light, sweat-wicking clothing to help keep you cool. You can wear a synthetic workout shirt you already have or buy one that’s made of performance materials like merino wool. Just avoid cotton at all costs, since it holds on to moisture much longer than other materials.
One piece of gear that you shouldn’t cut corners on, however, is a pair of sturdy boots. “The No. 1 essential is a good pair of shoes or boots,” Benjamin says. “To ensure you give yourself the best chance at having a good time on your hiking adventures, you want to make sure you are comfortable from head to toe, but especially consider your footwear when starting out.”
Keep reading for more recommendations and advice from our experts, and remember to go outside respectfully and responsibly. “With more and more people getting outdoors comes greater responsibility for each of us to take better care of it,” Way says. “If we all can pack out what we bring in, pick up any loose trash and be mindful of others along the trail, then everyone will be able to enjoy the great outdoors for generations to come.”
Hiking boots and shoes
When looking for footwear, you’ll want to decide if you want shoes or boots. “Shoes are great for shorter distances,” Benjamin says. “They are lighter, so they are great when starting out to not feel weighed down by your footwear. However, shoes won’t provide as much support and typically aren’t as durable.” If you’re going for short hikes or want to travel light and fast, these trail running shoes from Altra are a super-comfortable option.
Kendra Clapp Olguín, Campspot ambassador and Way’s partner, loves these trail runners from Nike for lighter walks. They’re made with Gore-Tex, a waterproof membrane that will keep your feet nice and dry even in wet conditions. And when we tested 14 different trail runners ourselves, these came out on top.
These are Olguín’s go-to boots when the weather gets cold and she needs more ankle support. Their wide toe box allows your feet to splay out and stay comfortable, all while staying supported and dry.
“If you plan to go for longer hikes on more rugged terrain, boots will be the best choice,” Benjamin says. “They will provide nice ankle support and are a must-have for wet or muddy terrain.” Way uses these high-top boots for intense hikes where he needs ankle support. Plus, they have high-traction rubber on the bottom and a waterproof and breathable membrane so you can hike more safely.
If you’re looking for a middle-of-the-road boot that offers plenty of support but doesn’t feel like a cement brick on your foot, check out the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II boots. They’re lightweight yet super sturdy and some of the most popular shoes on the market.
Hiking socks
“Getting a blister will ruin your hike, so a good pair of socks and shoes are a must,” Way says. “Make sure to break your shoes in around the neighborhood a few times before you hit the trail.” These socks will help your feet stay protected and comfortable all hike long. Made from a merino wool blend, their moisture-wicking abilities will also help keep your feet from feeling hot and sweaty. A men’s version is also available.
A shorter sock option, this pair from REI is made from a fabric that comes from recycled water bottles. They’re breathable and have lightweight cushioning to keep your feet supported.
Save your feet and help out the planet with these Smartwool socks that are made with materials repurposed from old socks.
These socks are made by one of our favorite outdoor brands, Paka. Made from 33% baby alpaca fiber and a blend of Tencel, recycled nylon and spandex, these socks are lightweight, moisture wicking and odor resistant. We put them to the test by wearing them for four days in a row (which included two sweaty runs), and they still smelled just like new.
Hiking backpacks
The next piece of day hiking gear you should look into buying is a backpack. “There are several sizes to choose from depending on how much you want to carry and how far you plan on going,” Benjamin says. “A go-to size for everyday hiking is around 15 to 20 liters. Look for packs that have water-bladder compatibility; some bags will even come with a water bladder, so that’s a win-win! This way you can have your water easily accessible during your hike.” This 20-liter pack from Osprey includes a 2.5-liter bladder, and it comes with Osprey’s lifetime warranty. It also comes in a men’s version, the Osprey Skarab 22.
An ideal piece of hiking gear for begginers, this 25-liter bag has tons of hiking-specific features to keep you comfy on the trail. Ventilation in all the right places, a padded foam back panel and tons of nifty pockets make this one of our favorite hiking packs for shorter hikes.
This pack is Olguín’s favorite, as it has two hefty side pockets that can carry large water bottles. It also has a detachable waist belt and chest strap, so you can use the extra support or take them off to shed weight.
A small, lightweight daypack that can also double as your carry-on for a flight, this bag is the ultimate travel companion. Plenty of pockets make it one of the most versatile backpacks we’ve tested.
Another stellar pack option from Osprey, this pack (and its counterpart for men) fits everything you’ll need for a long day of hiking. Plus, its super-supportive shoulder straps and waist belt will make all your gear feel light so you can hike longer.
Hiking clothes
“Weather can change quickly, so be sure to bring layers. For your next-to-skin layers, consider merino wool,” Benjamin says. “When active, it is extremely breathable and moisture wicking.”
While it’s not merino wool, this base layer’s polyester and spandex blend still promises sweat-wicking properties to keep you cool on the trail.
Some of the best and most versatile hiking pants, we’ve ever tried, Outdoor Research’s Ferrosi Pants have a cult following for a reason. We loved them and think you will too.
“Be on the lookout for clothing with Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF),” Benjamin says. “This will provide you with sun protection built right into your clothing.” This simple shirt from Patagonia features 50+ UPF protection and has a moisture-wicking, stretchy fabric so you can stay comfortable even under the hot sun. A men’s version is also available.
This hoodie is made with 100% Ibex merino wool, which is astoundingly warm, light and versatile. It’s the ultimate mid-layer to throw in your bag for when the temperatures dip. We have one and wear it nearly every time we go outside, whether that’s on a shoulder-season hike or a winter trail run. It also comes in a women’s version.
If you get sunburned easily and don’t want to bother putting on sunscreen every couple of hours, you need to try this super-lightweight, incredibly breathable hoodie. It protects your skin from the sun but is breezy enough to wear on the hottest of days. A women’s style is also available.
“Consider a packable light jacket that can stuff down into itself so you can easily carry it or toss it in your bag,” Benjamin says. This is one of our favorite packable jackets, thanks to its great weather resistance and incredible warmth-to-weight ratio.
You’ll also want to pack a rain jacket in case the weather turns bad. This option from Patagonia is extremely waterproof so you’ll be ready for even the worst downpours.
Hiking poles
“If [you’re] hiking on long, steep trails, trekking poles are great,” Vásquez says. “It might take a few minutes to get used to using them, but you’ll soon come to appreciate trekking poles.” Take some weight off your joints with this set from Black Diamond.
These lightweight, aluminum trekking poles collapse for easy storage, and each pole features a cork and foam handle that’s incredibly comfortable to hold.
Other hiking essentials
Of course you’ll want to bring plenty of water while you’re hiking. If you don’t already have a water bottle, you can trust this classic Nalgene to do the trick.
If you want to be able to filter your own water in the backcountry, look no further than LifeStraw’s Peak Squeeze bottle. It’s one of our favorite filtered water bottles, thanks to its minuscule size and weight.
“A cotton bandana can have many uses on the trail,” Vásquez says. You can use it as a napkin after your mid-hike meal or as a sweat rag, or you can even tie it on your head to help protect it from the sun.
An ultra-absorbent, antimicrobial pee cloth to make wiping after you pee in the woods more sanitary, the Kula Cloth is a must for any hiker who squats when they pee.
“We’ve started to bring small Moleskine sketchbooks with us to find a quiet spot and sketch what we see,” Way says. “It’s become a helpful prompt for us to be in the moment and is also a personalized way to look back through some of our different adventures.”
Dog hiking gear
A durable harness is a great way to safely keep your dog attached to you while you hike. With little risk of your pup squirming out and a back clip to more easily attach a leash, this harness is a must for the trail.
You’ll want to keep your hands free when hiking so you can hold your trekking poles or use them to balance. That’s why a waist leash is critical for any hike with your dog. This option has multiple rings so you can attach two dogs at once.
Leave your bulky bowl at home and bring this collapsible water bowl instead. It’s got a nifty carabiner so you can clip it onto your backpack for quick and easy access when your furry friend needs a drink.
If you’re going on a longer hike and don’t want to carry all your dog’s treats and supplies, you need this dog pack, which has pockets on both sides so they can carry their own gear.
If you’re planning on hiking on rough terrain or hot asphalt and concrete during the summer, keep your pet’s paws protected with these grippy dog boots. Just be sure to measure your dog’s front paws and back paws, as they tend to be different sizes.
And if you want to go hiking in the winter, you’ll want to pick up these waterproof dog boots to keep their paws safe from the cold and wet.