10 Essentials for Hiking Safely Outdoors

There have been a few instances where I’ve been out hiking and forgot a very important piece of gear, like my headlamp or rain jacket. It happens to the best of us, we’re human! 

Knowing the 10 essentials for hiking helps us feel more prepared and confident when hiking outdoors. It’s common for the weather to shift suddenly in the mountains and you might need a rain jacket or the desert sun is beating down on you and it’s time to reapply the sunscreen. No matter what the scenario, the 10 essentials have you covered on your hike!

So where do we start and how do we prepare for a hike? In this blog post you’ll find all the details on what the 10 essentials are and how to prepare for your next adventure out on the trail!

Read next: 

• How to Snowshoe: A Beginners Guide
• Perfect Road Trip Planning Guide
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Packing the 10 Essentials for Hiking

I can’t stress enough how important it is to have the 10 essential when you’re out on a hike. Anything can happen when you’re exposed to the elements so it’s important to be prepared! There have been many moments where I wished I remembered my rain jacket or headlamp on a hike. Don’t forget the essentials below!

Navigation

Similar to the first aid kit, you might not think you need navigation on your hike, but when a situation arises where you need that trail map… you’ll be very thankful!

A paper map works perfectly fine for those on a budget. You can print out a trail map or buy a guidebook to keep you on the trail. If you decide to choose method of navigation, be sure to print a piece of paper with your name, trail name, and start time/end time of the hike on it. Place this piece of paper under the front seat of your car in case of an emergency. Don’t forget to let a friend or family member know too!

AllTrails is a great app to use for hiking trail maps! I have AllTrails Pro and can download my maps for offline use. This app has helped me stay on the correct hiking trail multiple times. You can also share your trail trips with others, which I highly recommend when heading out on your hikes. 

The Garmin inReach is the perfect device for outdoor enthusiasts who plan on venturing off to more difficult and remote territory. I bought this device for long distance treks that span multiple days. Typically these areas don’t have cell service and the Garmin inReach has the capability to use satellite communication, download maps, SOS signaling, and more! It’s worth the money if you find yourself hiking in remote areas. 

Having reliable navigation is one of the most important 10 essentials for hiking!

Headlamp

Don’t forget your headlamp at home! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone on a sunset hike and forget it (it’s not a good feeling). You’ll definitely want to bring one with you on a sunrise or sunset hike, but there could be an instance where you weren’t planning on staying until sunset, but you wanted to. If you have your headlamp on you then you’ll have that extra light to get you safely back to the trailhead. 

Sun Protection

Whether you are hiking a volcano on a sunny day in Hawaii or you’re in a foggy rainforest on Vancouver Island, you will always need sunscreen. Of course we know we need sunscreen in direct sunlight, but those sun ray also shine through on an overcast day! It’s important to always protect your skin when you’re out on the trail. 

Some like to hike with full bottles of sunscreen, but I prefer to bring a sunscreen stick with me. They’re lightweight and easy to carry around in your backpack or crossbody bag. The application of the sunscreen stick is quick, easy, and your hands don’t get greasy! I highly recommend grabbing one for your 10 essentials kit.

If you prefer to use regular sunscreen, try putting a smaller amount into a travel sized bottle so that you don’t have to bring a large bottle of sunscreen on your hike. By doing this you’re also cutting the amount of weight your hiking with, which will feel nice if you’re hiking for awhile. You can also buy travel sized sunscreens if you’d like the convenience of just throwing a small bottle in your bag. 

Don’t forget your sunscreen at home, you’ll thank me when you don’t have a sunburn!

First Aid Kit

You might be questioning me and thinking, “Ashley, how can I carry a first aid kit during my hike?” Fear not, there are first aid kits that are lightweight and pack easily into your bag. You can buy first aid kits for day hikes or multi-trek trips. It’s important to have one of these on hand because you never know when you, a friend, or stranger can get hurt on the trail and need something in the bag. Don’t forget this one!

Knife or Multi-Tool

A knife comes in handy more than you would think on a hike! Maybe your gear needs a repair while on the trail or you cut a piece of clothing because your foot is stuck. There are a lot of situations where a knife or multi-tool can be useful when outdoors. The multi-tool is our preferred piece of gear to bring on our hikes. 

Fire or Heat Source

There may be a moment where you’d like a little extra warmth on the trail. Maybe the temperatures dipped cooler than you thought on a sunset hike or your hands are extra cold when snowshoeing… either way, it’s important to have these items on hand to keep you toasty on the trail!

Hand and foot warmers are great to keep on hand when hiking. They’re a quick and cheap way to bring the warmth back into your body. If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly option then grab an electric hand warmer! Just don’t forget to charge it before you head out.

A good, warm drink at the viewpoint of the hike is my favorite way to warm up. You can make it ahead of time and hike it up in a thermos or bring a backpacking camping stove with you to make the drink once you get there. Don’t forget your insulated mug. Eating a nice backpacking meal at the top is great too!

I always bring a lighter or matches with me on the trail and a small fire starter. If there’s a need for an emergency fire you’ll always be prepared. My friends and hiking buddies bring space blankets with them on colder evenings. They are typically used in serious or dangerous situations, but you can open them up if you’re chilly on a hike too! 

If you can fit a packable down blanket with you on your hike then I highly recommend bringing one! It’s a warm blanket that can be used by two people once you reach the viewpoint. Drink that warm beverage and snuggle up in a blanket while you watch the sunset or sunrise.

Shelter

A shelter may seem a little over the top for some, but it’s essential when a life threatening situation occurs. Bring a tarp, space blanket, or bivy sack with you on your hikes. A tent isn’t necessary, but having something to protect you from the elements will help drastically. Being dry and warm when exposed to the elements is important to stay alive when in a tricky situation. Don’t skip out on this one!

Light Layers or Extra Clothes

There may have been a time when I got caught in the rain while hiking, but didn’t have my rain jacket on me. Layers are important to pack and you should definitely have them listed on your 10 essentials when hiking! Each climate is different and the layers will vary depending on where you are, but I’ll give a short version of what to bring below. 

In any environment you’ll want to start with your base layer. This should be a merino wool short sleeve shirt or long sleeve shirt. You’ll want merino wool because it’s moisture wicking and will dry quickly if wet. 

The next layer is a fleece 1/4 zip. I bring and wear this layer on almost every hike I go on. This layer adds a little extra warmth when you’ve reached your viewpoint and want to stay to take in the views. 

If you live in a colder climate, the third layer is a down jacket. This layer is necessary for colder temperatures. I typically bring my down jacket with me on all my sunrise and sunset hikes in the Pacific Northwest as well as backpacking trips. The temperatures tend to dip in the evening and it can get cold. Temperatures can dip at night in the desert as well so keep that in mind while you’re out there too. 

Depending on the time of year I won’t bring my down jacket on every trip, but I will always bring my rain jacket or shell. It’s important to find a jacket that is gore-tex or waterproofing, not water resistant. You want a jacket that will keep you dry when the weather turns and there is a high possibility the weather will turn. Definitely bring a rain jacket with you! And maybe some rain paints if you really don’t want to get wet. 

Extra Water

Being dehydrated when you’re not out in nature is the worst, but being dehydrated when you’re trying to climb a mountain is terrible. When you’re dehydrated the world gets dizzy and you start to feel groggy and slow on the trail. 

A well hydrated hiker has loads of energy and your focus is geared towards getting to your final destination! I typically use a water bladder on my hikes and hook it into my backpack. I drink a lot of water so the 3L bag is perfect for me. You can also bring a Nalgene bottle with you on the trail and hook it to the outside of your bag or in the side pockets if it fits.

Hiking Snacks or Extra Meals

I’m the queen of bringing a whole charcuterie board up a mountain so snacks are a high priority for me when hiking. Plus you want to have enough energy and be fueled for whatever the day has ahead of you! It’s important to be prepared and bring extra food on your hike in case of emergency. 

Good snacks to bring include granola bars, trail mix, dried fruit, and nuts. Salty foods can give you energy in a New York minute so check those out! If you have the room you can bring your backcountry camp stove and a freeze dried meal with you, but I always prefer to hike a hard cheese and cured meat with me to make a little snack board at my viewpoint.

Bonus Items

High Quality Hiking Boots

I’ve had some pretty great hiking boots, but I’ve also had some terrible hiking boots that made gnarly blisters on my feet too. Having a high quality pair of hiking boots are great if you plan on being a consistent hiker that will wear the boots on longer treks. If you find yourself gravitating towards hikes that are low elevation and are shorter distances, you can probably get away with wearing your tennis shoes or trail runners. 

Headphones

I love to listen to music when I’ve reached the top of my hike. It feels so therapeutic and calms me down. Grab your headphones and use them at the viewpoint, but don’t wear them when hiking! It’s important to be able to hear your surroundings when you’re hiking. Who knows when a bear or rattlesnake might jump out at you.

Summit Beer

I’m not one to judge if you want to enjoy a nice drink at the top of your hike, you deserve it! Bring a summit beer with you to cheers and enjoy with your friends or hiking buddies. My favorite non-alcoholic option is Athletic Brewing Co. They have the best non-alcoholic beers and they’ll leave you feeling good afterwards! Not that an alcoholic one won’t, it just might feel a little more tipsy. 

Final Thoughts on The 10 Essentials for Hiking

Be prepared when you’re hiking! There’s nothing worst than getting to the trailhead and forgetting your headlamp (I know this from experience). Grab a checklist of the ten essentials and always check it off before you head out the door. I promise it’ll be worth it in case of an emergency. If you have any questions, let me know! I’m happy to help if you reach out on Instagram. Happy hiking everyone!