Exploring the great outdoors and connecting with beautiful mother nature is one of the best activities you can engage yourself in today’s screen-focused modern world. You immerse yourself in the experience and put all your worries aside, and this is one of the best things one can do for their mind and body.

Talk about hiking, which does wonders for your overall health and wellness by oxygenating your heart, enhancing brain power, keeping the mind sharper, building endurance and stamina, and boosting your overall mood. With that said, there are some essentials to consider when exploring the outdoors. As amazingly invigorating as hiking can be, a wilderness adventure can be a potentially risky activity, and you may need more than just luck to get back home safely.

That makes it pertinent that you do not ignore your safety and be well prepared for the unexpected at all times. Here are six necessary gadgets you must carry along with yourself when going on a hike in the wild.

1. Solar Power Bank

While many of us go hiking to get away from the busy and digitally-driven world, not many of us can entirely cut ourselves out from technology. Everyone loves to take pictures, or listen to their favorite tunes to keep them motivated, entertained, humming as they hike. Unfortunately, it is impossible to keep your electronic devices running for too long, as electricity is not readily available in wilderness settings.

A solar power bank will provide you with the electricity you need at your fingertips and keep your devices powered up. Small, portable, and lightweight, this energy-efficient, off-grid power source can charge multiple devices simultaneously, making it the ideal option for long hiking adventures.

2. A Powerful Headlamp

You never know when a hike can take longer than planned. Tracking your route at night can be quite intimidating, especially in unknown surroundings. Being stuck in the dark on a moonless night can be a scary experience when hiking on an unfamiliar trail.

A rough terrain, unexpectedly harsh weather, a wild animal lurking around in search of a potential meal, or at worse chances of stumbling downhill all render it necessary that you have a reliable source of light at hand to keep your surroundings illuminated at all times.

Equipped with a headlamp, you can significantly diminish the risks associated with hiking after sunset and be able to carry out other tasks like cooking without letting darkness impede your adventure.

3. A GPS Device

While a map and a compass are the traditional and most reliable sources to help hikers navigate their way in unknown lands, you can make your hike a bit easier and perhaps safer equipped with GPS. A watch with navigation features and long battery life can be a convenient and useful safety tool while out on a multi-day hiking adventure and a much more superior alternative to a cell phone. There are lots of GPS watches out there that do a lot more than just helping you find your way around, with additional features like a pulse oximeter, altimeter barometer, thermometer, and heart rate monitor, that add a whole new dimension to them.

4. Filtered Water Bottle

Carrying large water bottles in your backpack can be quite tedious and burdensome, and you can only have as much water. It may seem like overkill, but having your water filtration system can be very advantageous while hiking, as you can never have too much water when walking so vigorously. You can stop by any water sources you come across along the way like rivers, streams, and lakes to quench your thirst when you are out and about, without worrying whether it is drinkable or not.

A water purifying bottle filters out waterborne bacteria, chemicals, and distinctive tastes present in different water sources, ensuring you stay hydrated on the trail.

5. A GoPro

GoPros have the industry-leading features of outdoor action photography and video recordings. Equipped with a GoPro camera, you can capture beautiful shots of nature during your hiking adventure. Lightweight, rugged and waterproof, its wide-angle lens lets you shoot those picturesque and breathtaking landscapes in 4k resolution and record priceless memories on the trail that you will cherish for long.

You may want to check out the GoPro Hero 8, which has blown everyone out of the water since its release due to its in-camera image stabilization and other impressive features.

6. An Emergency Satellite Communicator

This is one of the most useful gadgets that you could carry along on a hike, as it could be a lifesaver should there be an emergency.

The inReach Mini by Garmin is a palm-sized communication device that allows you to text any recipient you choose. More importantly, you can contact an emergency response team even when is no cellular network within range. Its built-in GPS notifies rescuers about your exact location, and you can also message them until help arrives. The device tracks your journey and provides weather forecast updates, making it a must-have gadget for your next hiking adventure.

Hiking is a remarkable way to see the beauty of the great outdoors and stay fit and healthy. However, it is not a stroll like you would take in a park. There are some vitally important equipment and gadgets you must carry along to ensure utmost safety and enjoyment.