6 Useful Essentials to Pack For Your First Hike
My hiker husband, Kaush, convinced me to join him on a three-day hike to Truchas Peak in New Mexico. We enjoy day hikes and used to spend as much time as we could outdoors before the pandemic. But I wasn’t sure if I could do three days in the wilderness without a shower and carrying heavy loads on my back.
Kaush tried for months to convince me, and when I almost said yes, he got me all the essential hiking gears to seal the deal. As a baby hiker, who has only done one big hike so far, there are things that really helped me throughout the trip and things that I wish I had planned better.
So I wanted to share my experience, and hopefully, it will help those who might be considering starting hiking or just spending a day in the wilderness.
Good Hiking Boots
Initially, I was planning to order them online, but Kaush recommended to visit a local REI store to check out a few essentials, especially the hiking boots. I didn’t know much about REI or other sporting/outdoor goods stores, so I didn’t have expectations. I just knew he bought most of his hiking gear from them, and he liked the quality of products they carry. Also, their knowledgeable staff and flexible return policy was a big plus for him.
So we headed to a nearby REI store to check out some essentials and other cool gear. At first, I was simply browsing around to find the right size for my feet. I thought wearing the shoes snuggly on my feet would make me feel more secure while walking on unpaved terrain. Kaush was touching my toe area with hiking boots on and said that it seemed too tight for hiking shoes, so he asked one of the associates for help.
The associate explained why having some space around your toes is important on a hike. But I was concerned about stumbling on the trail while wearing shoes with extra room around the toes. The associate understood my concerns and took me to the area with a miniature mountain-shaped structure where people could test walking with new hiking boots.
He brought a couple of closely matching sizes for me to try and helped me to find the size with just enough room around my toes. He checked how much room I had between my toes and the shoe and tied the shoelace while teaching me how to tie it properly. Then he asked me to try to go up and down the miniature mountain to get a sense of how it felt. Surprisingly, walking in those shoes felt light and comfortable, and they had a decent hold on the ground while going down the sloppy hill.
He then suggested that I wear the same hiking boots, but in the size that I normally use with my daily shoes, and walk around the miniature mountain again to compare the feels. This time around, the shoes definitely felt more restricted. Going up didn’t feel much different, but going down on a rough slope felt a lot different. As I walked down, my toes were continually in contact with the shoes. It was just a few steps down, but I could imagine how much pain and injuries it would cause my toes if I walked through the hills all day.
Then I realized what he meant when he said that having enough room around the toe area to help minimize pain and injuries while walking up and down the unpaved ground. And how secure the hiking shoes are with all the paddings and ties in the right places.
So wearing the right hiking boots made a huge difference for me in completing a long hike without any major foot or ankle injuries or pain. I usually emphasize that having good running shoes is important to avoid injuries, and of course, I mainly say that when I want to buy a cute pair of running shoes. But honestly, I had no idea how big of impact shoes may have on the overall performance of physical activities until this hike.
Unscented Wet Wipes
This is definitely a must if you are a beginner and not used to just having a small amount of water to do everything, including cooking, cleaning, and eating. During the day, it came in handy for wiping away dirt and sweat or cleaning my hands after snacking on chocolate bars. After a long day of hiking, these wet wipes are perfect for wiping away sweats and dirt before changing into clean, dry clothes.
Kaush is an experienced hiker, and he prefers using small towels that are reusable. But he had to admit how useful it was to have it around, especially when we had to clean something off our skin quickly on the trail and were exhausted after a long day of hiking.
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind while using wet wipes on the trail. One is to have a small trash bag handy, so you can quickly grab it while on the go. Two, use unscented wet wipes to avoid attracting animals or unwanted bugs, especially if you’re hiking in bear country. To keep things safe at night, seal the wet wipes well along with food and keep away from the sleeping area.
Honestly, I love having unscented wet wipes with me wherever I go, and it is one of the essential items I pack for any traveling I do.
Lip Balm with Sun Protection
Lips, like your face and body, should be protected from the sun, especially when you’re spending the entire day outdoors. While hiking, your lips might get dry or burn from the heat and wind, so it’s a good idea to have an SPF lip balm in your pocket to reapply often.
I was unaware of it, but Kaush learned it from his previous hikes and had one in his pocket, which we used every now and then in case it came off with sweat or when we were snacking or drinking water.
Hats and sunglasses
Hats and sunglasses are essential whether hiking in the sun or on ice. Wide-brimmed hats protect eyes from the sun and rain and, in some cases, provide enough cover for the back of your neck. Choose a hat that has polyester mesh on the sides for extra ventilation. Mine had a few small mesh holes, which I think helped to keep my head cool and dry most of the time. I also found the chin strap very useful when the wind picked up unexpectedly or when I wanted to take it off to enjoy the nice breeze.
Thermoregulating arm sleeves
During the daytime, I opted for a short sleeve shirt with thermoregulating arm sleeves. I didn’t like the idea of sorely relying on layering while hiking because I know how it can get difficult to stop constantly to layer up and down. Also, layering meant I would have to apply sunscreen on my arms, and I didn’t like the idea, especially because I knew I would be sweating a lot.
So the arm sleeves were the ideal choice for me, and it turned out to be a great decision for this hike specifically. It helped me keep comfortable during the hike since we had to hike throughout the day with strong sun and a cool wind from time to time. It also protects you from harmful UV rays and absorbs sweat away, and dries out quickly, making it ideal for hiking in hot weather.
Neck Gaiter
If your skin burns easily like mine, you’ll want to cover yourself as much as possible while hiking. Right before we started hiking, Kaush felt my neck was too exposed and handed me one of his neck gaiters to protect it.
I thought I had covered my skin pretty well with arm sleeves, full pants, and a wide-brimmed hat, and I don’t like anything touching my neck, so I didn’t wear it but kept it in my pocket just in case. After about an hour of hiking, I began to feel the sun on the bare skin around my neck. So I quickly put on the neck gaiter to cover.
