Hiking equipment
Hiking equipment is the equipment taken on outdoor walking trips. The duration, distance, planned activities, and environment impacts equipment selection. For example, a short day hike across flat farmland versus
Planning
According to
Considerations for selecting hiking equipment:
- Length and remoteness of trip
- Weight hiker can carry
- Capacity of equipment
- Medical needs
- Weather (e.g., temperature range, sun/shade, rain, snow, ice)
- Terrain (e.g., trail conditions, cliffs, sand, swamp, river crossings)
- Shelter
- Clothes
- Water
- Food
- Protection from animals (e.g., insect repellent, mace, bear spray, bear-resistant food storage container)
Henry David Thoreau and several other early outdoor authors were some of the first individuals to publish examples of items to carry while hiking {{Citation needed}}.
- Navigation (map, compass)
- Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen)
- Insulation (extra clothing)
- Illumination (headlamp, flashlight)
- First-aid supplies
- Fire (waterproof matches, lighter, candle)
- Repair kit
- Nutrition (extra food)
- Hydration (extra water)
- Emergency shelter (tent, plastic tube tent, garbage bag)
Carrying methods
A pack's capacity to carry items is determined by {{Citation needed}}:
- Carrying methods on the body
- Bag volume
- Construction strength, design, materials, and construction quality
Commonly used carrying means include {{Citation needed}}:
- A wristband, belt loop, a thin neck lanyard, or clothing pockets for carrying lighter contents
- A body pack or tactical vest
- A single-shoulder pack
- A waist pack
- Day packs: small to mid-sized backpacks that have two shoulder straps
- A harness system
- Larger cargo backpacks
Apparel
Apparel provides insulation from heat, cold, water, and fire. It shades the body and protects it from injury from thorns, insect bites, blisters, and UV rays.
Basic outdoor clothing materials are goose down, wool, polyester, and polyolefin, which provide similar degrees of insulation when dry.[6] Wool and polyesters perform reasonably well for most weather conditions and provide some insulation while wet.[7] Cotton and linen wicks moisture, which is good for hot or humid weather.[7]
Natural fabrics, such as cotton, linen, and wool have high burn temperatures, and they char instead of melting when exposed to flame.[8] When a fabric melts onto skin it is difficult to remove, unlike a material that chars. Nomex is used for fire-resistant clothing.[9]
Shoes with traction reduce the chance of slipping. Shoes that support the ankle may also prevent injury. Breathable and waterproof hiking boots are general-purpose hiking shoes. Mountaineering boots provide more specialized protection. Waterproof gaiters are used in cold or wet conditions to protect the lower pants and upper part of the shoes and reduces the amount of water, snow, and debris that gets into boots.