There’s no better time than fall to embark on a new hiking adventure. Especially in my home, where the high desert meets the Cascade Mountains. The August heat is gone, there’s a crisp scent in the air, and the trails are less crowded. The perfect combination for planning a new trek or a big camping trip.
It’s also a great time to upgrade your hiking kit with a little extra technology. Whether you’re hiking for multiple days or just an afternoon, there are some essentials I’ve found that come in handy. Below, I’ll discuss some of my favorite hiking upgrades I’ve made over the years. These add-ons are valuable to all hikers, even if you’ve never tried them before.
1. GPS tracker and communicator
GPS Communicators are a much-lauded upgrade to traditional GPS maps.
For serious hikers, a GPS device is a must-have, especially if you want to explore off-the-beaten-path trails or record your route for later. It also acts as a safety net in case something serious goes wrong or you lose your belongings (climbers may also need a dedicated tracker to store additional essentials) . I like the basics GPS trackers like this $30 LandAirSea modelHowever, upgrading to a GPS watch is easy.
Recently, new GPS favorites have emerged that combine GPS with a satellite communicator or transceiver, like this $400 Garmin model. Although expensive, the communication capabilities are invaluable, especially for serious off-trail expeditions and volunteer trail work. You can also upgrade to GPS map versions such as: This more affordable $200 Garmin version.
2. Foldable trekking poles
Collapsible hiking poles are very useful for unexpected events.
When we think of trekking or hiking poles, we typically associate them with uphill climbs and icy or slippery conditions, but they turned out to be much more useful than we expected. Black Diamond folding pole Or Trekology can easily fit into your pack and be removed only when you need it. They’re a lifesaver if you or your companions get hit by an unexpected wind, find yourself on a rough trail, or get injured and need a little help getting back to the side of the road. You’ll probably be glad you brought them along.
3. Filter straw or pump
LifeStraw is at the top of its game, but there are many filtration options.
LifeStraw popularized easily packaged filtration devices, and these filters come in all shapes and sizes to suit your hiking needs. Some even come with a pump to easily filter water from a nearby river, lake, pond, or pool into a bottle or bucket. Something as lightweight and affordable as the LifeStraw can be added to almost any pack. However, a filtration device is especially important if you’re going to be out for more than a day or two.
4. Collapsible water bottle
Collapsible bottles are easy to find and very easy to hike.
People love the Stanley Cup and Nalgene (Where I live, we are Hydroflask people), these bottles are a little too big and heavy to carry comfortably on every hike, especially if you’re carrying your pack for long periods of time. And it becomes even more of a nuisance on long distance hikes where space is limited.
My favorite alternative is a collapsible water bottle or soft water bottle. Like this $30 model from Hideaway. A lightweight water bottle designed to save space when not full. Once washed and kept clean, you can store it with your hiking pack so you can always stock up on water and drink without strain.
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5. Daypack with battery pack
A small daypack like a CamelBak or similar brand is perfect for afternoon or evening hiking plans.
Even if you’re a casual hiker, you should invest in a simple daypack to carry all these gear I’m talking about. Daypacks are the smallest and most affordable version of the hiking backpacks popularized by brands like bike-friendly Camelbak (complete with straw). It has enough space to store your essentials and a few snacks, plus it’s designed to reduce sweat when walking in the heat.
There are plenty of options to size up to a larger pack for longer hikes, but for a more affordable upgrade, consider this Gregory pack. Whichever you choose, we highly recommend adding a small battery pack so you can charge your phone or device when it runs low. some of my friends I love portable solar panels While convenient for charging, it’s not as convenient as slipping a battery pack into a spare pouch.
6. Rechargeable headlamp
Today’s headlamps are light, bright, easily rechargeable via USB, and can be changed to any color you like.
Whether you’re camping in the evening, watching the sunset on a trail, or planning a moonlit hike, you’ll need a reliable headlamp that can light up the darkness while keeping your hands free. Modern headlamp bands are easy to put on and charge quickly, making them perfect for these types of short trips. Black Diamond has some of my favorite options for around $50, but you can find a variety of other options, including more affordable picks.
7. All-purpose pee cloth
Kula’s fabrics are designed to support women’s hikes beyond the bathroom, but these pads are surprisingly practical.
Pee cloths are traditionally reserved for people who need to find a quiet spot to squat, go, or clean while on the trail, but this cleaning pad is perfect for those who need to find a quiet place to squat, go, or clean while on the trail, but this cleaning pad is perfect for anyone who wants to use it no matter their bathroom plans. , it’s worth it. With decorative art, reflective strips, antibacterial surfaces, and reliable hand protection, these are the essentials for coffee coziness, virtual “gloves” for handling stains, or potholders for hot soup. It works as everything. Even if you’re not called to bathroom duty, pads can be surprisingly versatile. Just, uh, remember to clean it before use.
8. Reliable hiking app
Today’s trail apps are far better than any option from the past, so adopt them as soon as possible.
Finally, adding a hiking app to your phone can be very helpful (though waterproof maps are always a good idea too). National and local hiking apps are great at providing helpful information, up-to-date trail conditions, and easy-to-zoom maps for navigation. These are a great upgrade for any hiking endeavor, and most work offline if you want to download maps.
If you don’t have a prominent hiking app for a particular state, region, or mountain range, there are popular general-purpose apps like AllTrails and Gaia GPS, both of which are free to download. If you’re looking to sign up for a plan, I personally prefer Gaia GPS, but many of AllTrails’ filters are available for free, so it’s always a good deal.
If you’re willing to spend a little more, the latest Apple Watch and WatchOS 11 update includes great and intuitive GPS improvements for hiking and finding waypoints. You don’t have to sacrifice too much experience in doing so.
Now that you’ve started your journey, why not continue with our editors’ picks for the best outdoor tech, the top outdoor security cameras, how to add essential security to your van life, top AI and the future. technology.
