15 Essentials for Fall Walking and Hiking

As the leaves start to change and the crisp air of autumn sets in, your walk or hike is a golden opportunity to explore the great outdoors in all its fall glory. We can practically smell the scent of apples right now.

However, embarking on a fall hike requires a bit more preparation than a summer trek, as the weather can be unpredictable and conditions may vary. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, here are fifteen fall hiking essentials that should be on your checklist:

Appropriate Clothing

Layering is key during fall hikes. Opt for moisture-wicking base layers to keep sweat away from your skin, insulating mid-layers to retain body heat, and a waterproof and windproof outer shell to protect against the elements.

Base layers need to be lightweight and fast-drying. It’s always helpful to have a short-sleeved base shirt for times when it turns sunny and warm or if you heat up on steep terrain. The Meriwool Lightweight Base Layer Tee and Merino.tech Merino Wool Lightweight Base Layer are great for trail and everyday wear.

Best Women’s Short-Sleeved Base Layer for Fall: Meriwool Lightweight Base Layer Tee

Best Men’s Short-Sleeved Base Layer for Fall: Merino.tech Merino Wool Lightweight Base Layer

For times when conditions are particularly chilly, you may opt for a long-sleeved base layer instead. The Meriwool Midweight Base Layer Long-Sleeve Thermal Shirt for both men and women is an excellent option for fall.

Best Women’s Long-Sleeved Base Layer for Fall: Meriwool Midweight Base Layer Long-Sleeve Thermal Shirt

Best Men’s Long-Sleeved Base Layer for Fall: Meriwool Midweight Base Layer Long-Sleeve Thermal Shirt

An additional layer, a mid-layer, to trap heat is a necessity. You’ll want something warm but lightweight. Here are the mid-layers we recommend:

Best Women’s Mid-Layer for Fall: Minus33 Merino Wool Woolverino Micro Quarter Zip

Best Men’s Mid-Layer for Fall: Columbia Klamath Range Half Zip

Fall hiking pants need to stretch with you and provide warmth and durability. The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants for both men and women check all those boxes and are fantastic for temperature regulation. They are also on the forefront of sustainability with 46% recycled fabric.

Best Women’s Hiking Pants for Fall: Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants

If you prefer leggings to pants, we recommend Eddie Bauer Women’s Trail Tight Leggings. Designed with hiking in mind, they are moisture-wicking, with sun protection and two cargo pockets. The low price-point also makes these leggings a good find.

Best Women’s Hiking Leggings for Fall: Eddie Bauer Women’s Trail Tight Leggings

Best Men’s Hiking Pants for Fall: Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants

Rain Gear

Rain showers are common during the fall season, and, with the cooler weather, can present more of an issue than in the summertime. You’ll want that waterproof and windproof outer shell jacket and pants to stay dry and comfortable.

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. Likewise, the Mountain Hardware Stretch Ozonic Pant is waterproof yet soft with all-over stretch for maximum movement.

Best Waterproof Jacket for Walking and Hiking for Fall: Mountain Hardware Women’s Stretch Ozonic Jacket

Best Waterproof Jacket for Walking and Hiking for Fall: Mountain Hardware Men’s Stretch Ozonic Jacket

Best Women’s Waterproof Pants for Walking and Hiking for Fall: Mountain Hardware Women’s Stretch Ozonic Pant

Best Men’s Waterproof Pants for Walking and Hiking for Fall: Mountain Hardware Men’s Stretch Ozonic Pant

Sturdy Hiking Boots

Fall is a cooler, and often muddier time, so you should consider a good pair of hiking boots. Invest in a pair with good ankle support and traction. The changing terrain and potential wet conditions demand footwear that can handle the challenges.

Best Women’s Hiking Boot for Fall: 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. We are fans of the purple accent color.

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 Men’s Hiking Boot for Fall: 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.

Warm Hat and Gloves

Sometimes a walk or hike is just chillier than you thought it would be, and it pays to come prepared so you can focus on the fun, not the cold.

A warm beanie will keep you cozy and the wind at bay. We recommend the Meriwool Unisex Merino Wool Cuff Beanie. It’s soft, warm and breathable, with no itch-factor.

Best Hiking Hat for Fall: Meriwool Unisex Merino Wool Cuff Beanie

You’ll definitely want to toss some gloves in your pack for those crisp fall mornings. We love the Outdoor Research Women’s Melody Sensor Gloves and, for men, the Outdoor Research Men’s Vigor Sensor Gloves. They are lightweight and quick-drying and are touchscreen compatible.

Best Fall Hiking Gloves for Women: Outdoor Research Women’s Melody Sensor Gloves

Best Fall Hiking Gloves for Men: Outdoor Research Men’s Vigor Sensor Gloves

Hiking Poles

Trails can be muddier and slicker in the fall, so having some extra stability on downhill slopes can help prevent injury.

For women, we recommend the Leki Jannu FX TA. This pole has a cork grip that molds to your hands for maximum comfort over time. This is an ideal pole for small hands. There are lighter poles, but the Leki makes up for this in durability. The straps are some of the most comfortable on the market.

Best Women’s Hiking Pole for Fall: Leki Jannu FX TA

The MSR Dynalock Ascent Carbon trekking pole for men feels remarkably light, and they pack down easily with a reliable length adjustment. Perhaps most importantly, the grip on this pole is supremely comfortable.

Best Men’s Hiking Pole for Fall: MSR Dynalock Ascent Carbon

Tools for Navigation

A detailed trail map, compass, and possibly a GPS device or smartphone with offline maps will help you stay on track and prevent getting lost. 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.

Sun Protection

Even in fall, the sun’s rays can be potent. Wear sunglasses, apply sunscreen to exposed skin, and bring lip balm with SPF protection.

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.

Backpack

You’ll need more layers for the cooler fall weather and something to carry those layers in when you shed them. A backpack is the most comfortable way to tote your stuff. You’ll want to choose a backpack with enough room to carry your essentials easily. We recommend finding a lightweight and spacious option that won’t hinder your movement, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable walk.

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.

Hydration

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.

First Aid

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.

Multi-Tool or Knife

A multi-tool or a reliable pocket knife can come in handy for various tasks, from cutting twine to preparing food.

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.

Headlamp

Days are shorter in the fall, and darkness can catch you off guard. Consider carring a headlamp for unexpected delays. We look for maximum light output and battery life in a headlamp and recommend the Petzyl Actik Core. It has excellent battery life, two beam patterns, and several brightness settings.  The redlighting feature prevents group members from blinding each other.

Best Headlamp for Fall: Petzyl Actik Core Headlamp

Communication

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. It does require a satellite subscription to use it, which can get expensive depending on how often you use it.

Snacks and Meals

Pack energy-rich snacks and a nutritious meal if your hike will extend over mealtime. Trail mix, energy bars, and lightweight, non-perishable foods are great options.

Trash Bags

Practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all your trash, including food wrappers. Carry extra trash bags to help keep the trail pristine.

As you prepare for your fall hiking adventure, remember that the weather can change rapidly, and it’s important to be flexible and adapt to the conditions. By packing these fifteen essentials, you’ll be well-equipped to enjoy the stunning fall landscapes while staying safe and comfortable on the trails. Happy hiking!