Out For An Excursion: Hiking

There are many different places to go hiking, whether it is up in the mountains for a camping trip or down rugged seashores, and can be done in every season of the year. Depending on the type of hiking a person does, there is different equipment that is needed, from clothing to camping gear.

Types of Gear

When planning for a hiking trip, there are different types of clothing to think about, especially if the trip is overnight. If the camping is done in warmer weather and around water, then flip flogs or other sandals that can be used in the water are important in addition to a bathing suit (although shorts and t-shirts work as well.) If the weather is colder, there is more gear required, such as long underwear, extra socks, fleece jackets, rain gear, hats and gloves or mittens. In addition to these wearable items, clotheslines for drying things and a dirty clothes bag to keep them separate from the clean ones in the pack are also helpful hiking gear items.

Hiking boots are essential gear since everything is done by walking, including carrying packs that can be cumbersome if not done in a lightweight manner. There are different types of boots or even hiking shoes that can be worn depending on the hiking that will be done. Day trips in easy terrain usually only require hiking shoes that do not have as much protection or support as boots. Overnight trips in more rugged terrain require a boot in most situations, but it does not have to be as supportive or tough as mountaineering boots which have to be able to support crampons.

In addition to clothing and boots, hiking gear for overnight trips also includes cooking materials, such as camp stoves, eating utensils, pots, plates and fuel. All of these materials should be as lightweight and stackable as possible, so that they fit securely in the pack without wasting space or much weight. In addition, food and water must be packed in, which can add a lot of weight to the pack, although the weight diminishes as the trip progresses. Water weight can be reduced by bringing a water purifier rather than packing in the water itself.

Overnight hiking trips also require tents and sleeping gear, which should be lightweight and very compact so that they easily fit into the pack or can be strapped onto the back of the pack. There are many lightweight tents on the market which are easy to assemble and sleep anywhere from two to ten people, depending on the trip. Sleeping pads and sleeping bags are also lightweight and made for the weather conditions that the person thinks they will encounter on the hiking trip.