Of all outdoor activities, hiking is one that blends fun, exploration, and connection to nature and others. As a hiker, you’re often trying to explore new pathways and areas that conventional roads can’t reach, be it a valley or a mountain. Hiking is supposed to be done without carrying the weight of stressful everyday life along the way. Whether you’re hiking alone or with close ones, you’d always want to take into consideration the equipment or gear that you need with you. Even though hiking is a magical outdoor experience, doing it without proper preparation can zap a lot of fun that you would’ve had. If you have limited hiking experience, it’s not odd to feel intimidated by the thought of preparation. In this guide, we’ll be giving you a brief overview of how you can prepare for a hiking trip.

Start Walking

If you had never hiked before, it’s always better to smoothly get into the activity to avoid shocking your body. Essentially, hiking is a pretty long walk, and there is no better way to prepare for a long walk than walking. Naturally, you’re going to want to start with small distances then increase them as you become more comfortable. This training is supposed to help you build enough stamina to enjoy long treks in the outdoors without panting every 5 minutes. As your body gets fitter, you’ll be much more comfortable during your hiking trips and you’ll get the most out of them.

The Right Clothes

Even if you’ve been following the weather forecast for the weeks leading up to the hiking trip, you can be easily proven wrong the moment you start. It’s hard to predict rain or a storm every time, so it might help you to prepare right. Bringing on rain protection gear will ensure that your hikes become more enjoyable instead of being extremely hard and agonizing. If you’re looking for an excellent weather protective and durable option, the Arcteryx Gamma LT hoody should keep you covered. Opt for layers that you can add or remove easily to adjust to temperature fluctuations.

Finding a Backpack and Training with it

Since you’ll mainly be walking, you’ll need to have a backpack that carries all the equipment and essentials needed on your trips. Keep in mind that no matter how big of a backpack is, you need to be more inclined towards ensuring that it’s lightweight and convenient for you to take on your hiking trips. Durability and sturdiness are also factors because the backpack needs to be able to take on the punishment of environmental factors and being thrown around.
If you really want to prepare your body and mind before hiking, take your backpack with you on your short walks to get used to how it feels. You’ll be able to determine what kind of weight would make you uncomfortable and the best settings for the straps. It’s even better if you take the stairs with it on your back, simulating the experience of getting up a hill. You’ll find your muscles more than ready after a week or two of this training.

Stocking Well

At first, the adrenaline and sense of adventure may make you feel like you don’t need to eat for a while, but this can quickly change once you sweat and feel the need to rest. Hydration is very important during hikes, so you need to make sure that you’ve brought enough water to last you the entire trip and extra. Even if you are packing light, you can’t neglect the importance of water and fuel. Bring with you some nuts, muesli, dried fruits, and some chocolate because they are full of energy while being easy to eat and carry.

Good Shoes

Your feet are going to carry you the whole trip, so there is no way to think that you can get by using shoes that aren’t designed for long walks or low-quality ones. You need to invest in water-resistant hiking shoes that can provide you with cushioned support and ventilation. Avoid wearing brand new pairs of shoes on your hikes before you wear them more than once, this helps them become more suitable and comfortable. You can wear them while taking regular walks or to work to break them in. Even if the shoes are good, if you don’t wear them a lot you may end up with blisters and injuries on your feet if you take them on long hike treks.

Getting all the right gear from the get-go is often harder than many people may think. Once you’ve gathered the essential gear and prepared your body, you can experiment with different options to see what complements your hiking trips better. Make sure to prioritize safety and comfort before you begin any trek.