10 Essential Items to Take on a Walk or Hike

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In this blog post, we highlight the 10 essential items to take on a walk or hike, helping you make the most of your outdoor excursions.

Introduction

Taking a walk is one of the simplest yet most rewarding outdoor activities. Whether you’re exploring a local park, hiking a nature trail, or strolling through your neighborhood, a well-prepared walk can turn into a memorable adventure. To ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience, it’s important to pack the right essentials. With the list below, you’ll be set and safe on the trail.

Small Backpack

Best Small Backpack for Walking and Hiking: 4Monster Hiking Daypack

This is the coolest backpack ever. Weighing in at only 4 oz., it compacts into a pouch that fits into the palm of your hand for easy storage. Not only is it amazingly lightweight for the trail and for travel in general, made of waterproof nylon, it is shockingly durable.

Best Upgraded Small Backpack for Women: Osprey Tempest 20

Lightweight and perfect for day hiking, The Osprey Tempest 20 has external bungee tie-offs and Stow-on the-Go trekking pole attachment. The straps are supportive, and, despite the small size, there is plenty of space for everything you need for the day.

Best Upgraded Small Backpack for Men: Osprey Talon 22

At 1.98 pounds, The Osprey Talon 22 is more substantial than the 4Monster Hiking Daypack and is really the best in the hiking game for small backpacks. The pack is structured to distribute load efficiently for maximum comfort, and it has bells and whistles, like external bungee cords and sites for attaching things like trekking poles, as well as a scratch-free pocket for sunglasses.

Comfortable Footwear

The foundation of a great walk starts with your feet. Invest in a pair of comfortable and supportive shoes suitable for the terrain you’ll be covering. Whether it’s rugged trails or city sidewalks, proper footwear reduces the risk of discomfort and blisters, allowing you to focus on the journey at hand.

Walking shoes can mean anything from running shoes, to trail shoes, to hiking boots. Here we highlight the best overall in each category.

For everyday wear on pavement, walking shoes are ideal. They are versatile, lightweight, and comfortable.

The Best Overall Women’s Walking Shoe: Hoka Clifton

Endorsed by the American Podiatric Medical Association, the Hoka Clifton is the best walking shoe on the market right now. It has a 5mm heel-to-toe drop, weighs only 7.3 ounces, and is breathable. This shoe is a cushiony, bouncy dream. It is pricier than some walking shoes but is legit worth the cost.

The Best Overall Men’s Walking Shoe: Hoka Clifton

This Hoka is cushioned and light, an uncommon combination. Even with a higher stack height, it is somehow lighter than the previous version. It has rubber on the outsole to increase durability, so wear it at will all day. Your feet and joints will thank you.

Trail shoes are generally meant for running off-road. However, if you are a walker looking for something more lightweight than a hiking boot but with better traction than your basic walking shoe or if you plan to incorporate some running with your trail walks, then you should consider a trail shoe. Their lugged soles grip terrain, and their sturdy build helps protect your feet from impact with objects on the trail like roots and rocks.

Best Overall Trail Shoe for Women: Hoka Women’s Trekking Shoes

The Hoka Women’s Trekking Shoe performs on any terrain and is one of the best cushioned trail shoes out there. We’re never in a hurry to take them off and can spend the whole day in these shoes.

Best Overall Trail Shoe for Men is: Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX

Hoka is known for their heavily cushioned running shoes, and the Speedgoat 5 does not disappoint. Despite the cloud-like cushion, these remain surprisingly lightweight trail runners with grippy lugs that still provide all-day comfort.

If you are planning a more rugged outing or prefer a shoe for walking that offers the best support and traction, you should consider a hiking boot.

Best Overall Women’s Hiking Boot: Merrell Women’s Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot and Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Hiking Boot (Tie)

The Merrell Moab 3 is made of heavy-duty material but still feels lightweight. They are waterproof but definitely breathable, and mud and other debris wipes off super easily. They’ll tackle whatever terrain you choose, giving nice traction and stability. The purple accent definitely pops!

The Columbia has a special place in our hearts, as this has been our go-to boot this year. The Columbia looks cute on the trail and around town, so we’ve walked many a mile through European cities and villages in these boots this year. They are also less expensive than the Moab and easier to break in. They hold up on rocky footing during day adventures but look decent paired with jeans for a leisurely walk to the pub across town in the evening.

Best Overall Men’s Hiking Boot: Salomon Men’s Quest 4 GTX High Rise Hiking Boots

This is a lightweight yet rugged boot with great waterproofing. The high rise and sturdiness of the boot makes it an ideal choice to prevent ankle rolling. It does take some breaking in but after daily walks for a week or so or 2-3 longer hikes these are comfortable and provide superior stability. Their lighter weight means they are much less tiring than a heavy hiking boot.

Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is essential during any outdoor activity. Bring a reusable water bottle filled with fresh water to ensure you can quench your thirst along the way. Dehydration can affect your energy levels and overall well-being, so make it a priority to sip water regularly. When choosing the right bottle, it’s important to consider the bottle weight and whether the bottle is insulated or not. The less weight you have to carry, the better, and if a hot cup of coffee or a cool drink on a hot day sounds good, then you’ll want that insulation.

Best Overall Water Bottle for Walking: Hydro Flask Trail Series

Hydro Flask is an industry leader in insulated water bottles, and the Hydro Flask Trail Series is their lighter version for both daily and trail use. Weighing in at just 9.9 oz. for the mid-size bottle, the Hydro Flask Lightweight Wide Mouth Trail is easy to tote around. We also noticed no significant difference between the insulating capacity of this lighter Hydro Flask and the standard Hydro Flask.

Sun Protection

We all know sun-kissed isn’t a goal in 2023 like it was back in the day. Shield yourself from the sun’s rays by packing essential sun protection items. A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses with UV protection, and sunscreen with a high SPF will help prevent sunburn and keep you comfortable throughout your walk.

We know from experience that a hat will only protect you from the sun if you actually wear it. With this in mind we set our criteria with breathable and lightweight at the forefront. You don’t want a hat that is heavy or has annoying Velcro or straps that rub.

Best Sunhat for Walking: Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat

In additional to being lightweight and breathable, this hat provides top-notch visibility and reflective tape for times you start out early or leave the trail after dusk. It also has convenient holes for your sunglasses, so they don’t fall off your head when you bend over with them perched on top.

Best Sunglasses for Walking and Hiking for Women: Ray-Ban Erika

We love these glasses. They are excellent quality and look awesome. The Ray-Ban Erika has a wide variety of frame and lens colors to choose from. They give nice protection in bright light while remaining functional in the lower light of a forest canopy.

Best Sunglasses for Walking and Hiking for Men: Serengeti Bormio 8166 Sunglasses

The Serengeti Bormio have photochromic and polarized lenses with fantastic clarity. The curvature of the glasses means the frames wrap around your eyes and protect them from every angle. They perform great on the trail and are comfortable for everyday use.

Snacks

Maintain your energy levels with a selection of portable, nutrient-rich snacks. Trail mix, energy bars, fresh fruits, and nuts are great choices that provide quick and sustainable fuel, especially if your walk extends longer than expected. If you are headed out for the day, you’ll need to eat.

To make the outing more fun and your snack break more of an event, consider bringing a lightweight but sturdy blanket for impromptu picnics.

Best Picnic Blanket for Walking and Hiking: Matador Pocket Blanket

Our favorite picnic blanket is the Matador for its small size when folded and its durability. It seats 2-4 people and has stitching to help guide refolding for ease of storage when you’re done. The regular size weighs 3.5 ounces, and the mini size, only 1.3 ounces, so it’s really not even noticeable to tote around, and a waterproof spot to sit makes rest breaks that much more enjoyable. The regular size has built-in ground stakes for windy conditions.

Navigation Tools

Ensure you won’t get lost by carrying navigation tools such as a map, compass, or a GPS device. Even if you’re familiar with the area, unexpected turns or detours can happen, so having these tools on hand adds an extra layer of safety. Plus, it’s fun to see where you are on your hike, how much you’ve already accomplished, and how far is left to go.

Best Navigation Tool for Walking and Hiking: AllTrails

The industry leader in trail mapping is AllTrails. You should get this app on your phone immediately! It is absolutely awesome. You can easily search your area for walks and hikes and sort them by length, difficulty, or distance from your location. You can download the trails you like, and the app will let you know exactly where you are on the trail, so wrong turns aren’t a worry. There are also directions to trailheads and parking instructions as well as reviews of trails that give tons of helpful hints. AllTrails even tells you how busy you should expect your walk to be with other hikers and whether you can bring your dog along.

We have found so many beautiful and unexpected trails through this app. When we are traveling and have a few hours to kill, we jump on AllTrails and always find a unique experience waiting for us. We also use this app to plan our vacations when we know in advance that we’ll want to include some great walks and scenery in our adventure.

Multi-Tool or Knife

A versatile tool like a multi-tool or a small knife can come in handy for various purposes, from cutting through obstacles to opening food packages. It’s a practical item that can prove invaluable in unexpected situations.

Best Multi-tool for Walking and Hiking: Leatherman Skeletool CX

The Skeletool has all the essentials: a knife, pliers, wire cutters, a carabiner/bottle opener, and a screwdriver. It is lightweight at 5.2 ounces and can be clipped to a belt or backpack with a pocket clip or carabiner. The various elements unfold easily, and the pliers are precise enough for managing even small splinters.

Basic First Aid Kit

Accidents can happen, even on a leisurely walk. Pack a basic first aid kit with adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, and any necessary medications for minor injuries or discomfort.

Best Basic First Aid Kit for Walking and Hiking: Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight

This kit includes sterile bandages, bleeding and wound care, blister/burn care, fracture/sprain care, common medications, and essential tools, all in a high-visibility bag. It’s very light at 6.4 ounces and is easy to take on the go for walking, hiking, or general travels. It’s also waterproof.

Communication Devices

Carry a fully charged cell phone, along with a portable charger or extra battery.

Best Overall Portable Charger for Walking and Hiking: Anker PowerCore Slim 10,000 mAh

We love the Anker PowerCore Slim 10,000 mAh. It is light at only 8.4 oz and is slim for easy packing. It is will charge an iPhone twice.

If you expect to be hiking in areas with weak signal coverage, consider investing in a personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite communication device to call for help in emergencies.

Best PLB for Walking and Hiking: Garmin InReach Mini

The InReach has two-way testing to reach family and friends if need be when you are off the grid with no cell service, and it has an SOS feature to connect you to a 24/7 search and rescue center in case of emergency. It is also super-lightweight yet rugged, with a 90-hour battery life. I does require a satellite subscription to use it, which can get expensive depending on how often you use it.

Weather-Appropriate Gear

Check the weather forecast before heading out and dress accordingly. A light rain jacket, umbrella, or an extra layer can make a big difference in your comfort level, ensuring you’re prepared for unexpected weather changes. You should dress in layers to accommodate changing weather conditions. A moisture-wicking base layer, insulating mid-layer, and waterproof outer layer can help you stay comfortable and dry.

Best Overall Waterproof Outer Layer for Walking and Hiking: Mountain Hardware Stretch Ozonic Jacket

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the best waterproof layer. Comfort and weight rank high on our list, as does durability. The Mountain Hardware Stretch Ozonic Jacket is soft to the touch and very comfortable. It holds up to everyday wear but is also lightweight. The variety of colors to choose from is a great bonus.

Conclusion

A walk can be a therapeutic and enjoyable experience when you have the right essentials at hand. Whether you’re embarking on a short stroll or a more challenging hike, these 10 items will ensure you’re prepared for whatever comes your way. Prioritize comfort, safety, and enjoyment, and you’ll be well on your way to creating lasting memories during your outdoor adventures.