15 Smart Hiking Essentials to Pack for a Safe Trek

There’s something truly special about hiking; the air feels fresher, the world feels quieter, and you feel wonderfully small. But as awe-inspiring as the great outdoors can be, it also carries some real risks.

“You’d think natural disaster situations or wildlife encounters would be the biggest danger to people in the wilderness,” says Claire Ramsdell, a seasoned backpacker and adventure consultant. “In reality, people are probably the biggest danger to themselves.” 

While it might be tempting to just grab a water bottle and go, Ramsdell says the most common risks and pitfalls when it comes to hiking are associated with preparedness and lacking essential safety gear. Weather can change quickly, navigation tools can fail, ankles can roll — the list goes on. Doing basic research on the area you are hiking in and being prepared with the right hiking gear can go a long way to making every outing a success — and not a struggle.

Here are 15 hiking essentials to consider bringing with you to stay safe on the trail, whether you’re out for a peaceful afternoon hike, climbing a major mountain peak, or going on a weekend-long backpacking trip. 

CamelBak Crux 3-liter Water Reservoir

There hasn’t been a hike in the past five years that I haven’t packed this hydration bladder. Dehydration is a preventable, yet often overlooked, problem while hiking. As a general rule of thumb, the American Hiking Society recommends planning for half a liter of water per hour in moderate temperatures and terrain. Compatible with every daypack I own, this water reservoir’s three-liter size gives me the flexibility to fill it more or less depending on how aggressive my hiking plan is. With no drips or leaks, the hands-free sipping couldn’t be a simpler way to stay hydrated on long hikes. 

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

If you’re planning an all-day (or multi-day) hike, you don’t have to schlep all your water with you. Luckily, today there are many simple and convenient ways to purify water from running streams and lakes along the trail. Case in point: this little game-changing gadget. Small, light, and easy to use, the LifeStraw protects against 99.99 percent of bacteria (including E.coli and Salmonella), parasites (including Giardia and Cryptosporidium), silt, sand, and generally unappetizing cloudiness. And while the filter will last for 1,000 gallons, you never have to stress or guess how many you’ve gone through: water will simply stop flowing once it reaches the end of its lifetime.

Garmin Inreach Mini 2

You never want to think anything bad is going to happen on a hike. But it’s a lot more comforting knowing that if the worst happens, you’re ready for it. That’s why Ramsdell always packs an emergency communication device like a Garmin Inreach Mini on every hike. This handy device allows you to send and receive messages or call for help in the event you need to be rescued (or if you just need to check in because you’re running late). It also has a super helpful TracBack routing feature that navigates you back to your starting point — right on your device. In areas with no cell service, this can be a lifesaver.

Gregory Juno Day Hiking Pack

Obviously, to bring a bunch of safety essentials, you’ll need some kind of bag to carry them in. When it comes to the best size for a daypack, the sweet spot is usually around 18 to 30 liters, making this Gregory Juno hiking pack perfect for a long day hike. It will give you plenty of room to hold food, clothes, and all your extra essentials (and honestly even your non-essentials — this bag is big enough for overpackers). The female-specific fit and harness system is extremely comfortable for hours on end, and the ventilated back panel helps keep you noticeably cooler and drier during sweaty hikes. The wraparound padded hip belt is not only brilliant at redistributing the weight of your pack, but it’s also convenient, with a clutch pocket to store your phone (so you can easily grab it for pictures). 

Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex Hiking Boots

The right pair of hiking shoes can be a game changer on the trail. If you’re looking for a boot that can handle easy day hikes as well as extra-adventurous weekends in the woods, these are a trusted staple. Tapping into Salomon’s trail-running expertise, the cushy EVA midsole gives it a running-shoe feel that makes it comfy straight out of the box (and after long, double-digit treks). And despite being designed like a much burlier boot — it has a high ankle collar, waterproof membrane, bomber toe bumper, and tough rubber outsole — it still slides in under the two-pound mark. 

Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks 

Socks might not seem like a “safety item,” but all it takes is one gnarly blister from an ill-fitted cotton sock to show you how much this simple accessory can seriously slow down your progress on the trail. Year after year, I reach for these shrink-treated merino wool socks more than any others in my sock drawer for hiking. Dense without being bulky, they never sag, slip, or chafe, and their underfoot cushioning is noticeable but not distracting, whether you’re hiking through 90-degree desert temps or frigid winter trails.  

Arc’teryx Beta LT Jacket 

We all know that weather reports don’t always get it right. But we can give them a break on this one because the weather can change fast in the outdoors. “I always bring a rain jacket even if the forecast isn’t predicting rain,” says Ramsdell. “In Colorado, for example, afternoon thunderstorms often arrive and leave quickly. You could have a beautiful, clear hike up, but suddenly get caught in a hailstorm at the summit.” This simplified, lightweight rain jacket is made with a breathable three-layer Gore-Tex shell that keeps you dry and comfortable while hiking, and it can be rolled up and packed away easily when the weather turns.

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hoodie 

Speaking of shifting weather, a lightweight puffer is also a clutch addition to any hike. Temperatures can swing when you’re out in the sun versus down in a valley, but you’ll also feel a change if your hike has some decent elevation gain (the higher you go, the chillier it will start to feel). This down hoodie weighs less than 7 ounces and can squish into the smallest of spaces, yet it’s packed with 800-fill-power down that resists moisture and retains its warming loft even when wet — you’ll stay comfy, warm, and not at all weighed down.

Goal Zero Flip 36 Portable Phone Charger

“I always bring a portable charger in case I run my battery down on either my phone or my Garmin Inreach Mini,” says Ramsdell, noting that the Garmin typically lasts quite a long time. “This can end up being a safety item as well if you get lost and have to use your devices a lot longer than intended.” Word to the wise: don’t forget to pack the charge cords for all your devices, because there’s no greater bummer than having the charger without any way to connect it to the things that need charging. (Been there, done that.)

MSR DynaLock Ascent Foldable Carbon Backcountry Trekking Poles

Trekking poles may seem like something you only need for serious backpacking or long-distance thru-hiking adventures. But they can come in handy for newbies, as well. “They help steady you on uneven terrain and really help with river crossings,” says Ramsdell. These lightweight poles are made with kevlar-reinforced carbon fiber, which delivers incredible durability and strength (you don’t have to worry about putting your whole weight into them). Plus, they fold up small so you can easily stash them in your pack when you don’t need them.

Nitecore NU25 400 UL Ultra Lightweight Headlamp

Ramsdell doesn’t often expect to need a headlamp, but she still always carries one with her on a hike. Most headlamps are overbuilt and clunky, but this affordable one from Nitecore is simple, ultralight, and recharges with USB-C. It’s everything you need and nothing more.

Dune Suncare ​​The Bod Guard Sunscreen

Regardless of temperature or cloud coverage, sun protection is a must. This Dune sunscreen became my absolute favorite this summer: I wore it on every hike. Smooth, cooling, and not at all sticky, it’s a sunscreen you actually enjoy putting on. (How often can you say that?) While some sunscreens feel thick or leave visible residue on my clothes, what I love most about this one is how quickly it melts into the skin, absorbing without a trace. It will be a staple in my daypack from now on.

Hart Outdoor Day Hike First Aid Kit

Again, the hope is that you go on your hike and return without a scratch. But even the most experienced hikers have slipped, stumbled, and skinned a knee while trekking. This kit fits in the bottom of your daypack, doesn’t take up much space, and has all the essentials. The clear, roomy pockets and elastic hook-and-loop closures make it easy to quickly find what you need. And there’s enough space to add a few extra first aid items you think you might need. 

OnX Backcountry

“I know most people say you really need paper maps, but I’ll show my millennial bias here and also advocate for downloaded offline maps,” says Ramsdell. Using a navigation app like OnX makes navigating unknown terrain much easier (and safer). You can save unlimited offline maps of the area before you head out in case you lose service on the trail. When you are in cell signal range, the app can give you crucial intel about your surroundings, like hyperlocal weather, recent trail conditions, locations of active wildfires, and air quality. Plus, you can get a year subscription right now for only $9.

Plenty of Snacks

There’s nothing worse than feeling your energy start to fade on the back half of a big hike. “The main thing that changes for me with the duration of a hike is the quantity of food and water,” says Ramsdell. If you’re heading out for more than two hours, make sure to stash some lightweight calorie-dense foods to help fuel your hike. And while you’re at it, pack an extra portion or two in case you are out longer than expected. Granola bars, trail mix, and dried fruit are all excellent options. I often find myself craving crunchy and savory foods when I’m hiking, so I love packing protein-rich snacks like Moon Cheese Bites and The New Primal beef sticks.

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