You have planned a walking holiday and are wondering about what hiking gear to pack for your journey. Day hiking gear does not need to be expensive; however there are seven pieces you should always consider:
1. Footwear – first a good pair of hiking boots, suitable for the terrain on your day hike will protect your feet. Your hiking gear needs to also include hiking socks to prevent blisters. Your footwear is the most important piece of essential gear for your day hike.
2. Backpack – your second piece of essential gear for your day hike comes in many different shapes and sizes. For a day hike your backpack can be lightweight, have pockets for equipment and your water bottles. A rain cover is a nice option.
Great selection of backpacks from Eastern Mountain Sports.
3. Food and water – high energy snacks such as trail mix, energy bars, bananas along with a light lunch. Sports drinks and water are also essential. A lack of hydration will cause cramps and loss of energy as well.
4. Map and/or guidebook – you need to know where you are headed so this is also an essential pick of hiking gear. If hiking in a wilderness area it is also recommended you carry a compass and have a basic knowledge on their use. Many hikers today are also using a GPS although it is not an essential piece of hiking gear.
5. First aid kit – always an essential piece of hiking gear on any hike. Your kit should contain materials to treat minor cuts, blisters and burns.
6. Safety items – a cell phone is handy in case of emergencies. Others recommend a whistle however it is only useful over short distance. Depending on the region of your day hike you may require bear spray or a snake bit kit. A flashlight is recommended in case you are still on the trails at dark.
7. Clothes – depending on the conditions your clothing needs to keep you warm, dry and comfortable. This can include a wind jacket, rainwear, hiking pants or shorts, long sleeve shirt and sun hat. Don’t forget to pack the sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent as well.
These hiking gear items are not essential for your day hike and will increase your enjoyment:
· A Digital camera to record your memories
· Binoculars to view the scenery and wildlife
· Hiking poles to take the weight off your feet and assist you
on hills
· Swiss army knife is always handy in emergency situation
· Toilet paper
Now that you are all packed for your day hiking with your essential hiking gear go out and have a wonderful time in the outdoors.
Gregory Jade 25 Pack
Price: $116.1
The ultralight Jade 25 Pack by Gregory combines their JetStream DTS Technology with a pecially designed harness and waist belt configured to fit a women’s body. The Jade 25 has plenty of pockets to keep your gear organized, a front panel pocket to keep necessities close at hand, and ventilated backpanel to keep you cool during all of your adventures.\n\nFeatures:\n\n* JetStream DTS Suspension\n* Women’s specific fit\n* Auto-Fit harness system\n* Dual hydration ports and sleeve\n* Top stash pocket\n* Expandable front pouch\n* Side and bottom compression\n* Quick access waistbel pockets\n* Side mesh pockets\n\nSpecifications:\n\n* Volume: Small – 1525 in / Medium – 1525 in\n* Weight: Small – 25 L / 2 lbs 11 oz / Medium – 25 L / 2 lbs 13 oz\n* Torso Length: Small – 14-16 inches / Medium 18-20 inches
Brand: Gregory
Originally posted 2009-08-26 17:24:59.
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Your hiking or walking boots are your most important piece of gear and selecting the best pair can make a difference in your comfort and safety too.
Tips for purchase hiking boots:
· First start with your socks, which are can wick away moisture to keep your feet dry. You will want to have a double sock or two pairs of socks to eliminate friction and prevent blisters. You should use these socks when choosing your hiking boots for the best fit.
· Measure your feet later in the day as they expand throughout the day and may during your hike as well. And remember to keep your socks on. Experts recommend you measure both feet and fit to the larger foot as it is common that both feet are not exactly the same size.
· What type of walking holidays will you be taking? There are hiking boots for different situations. Hiking shoes can be used on level or gently rolling trails while day hiking as they offer protection to the soles of your feet, but little protection for your ankles. For rough and rocky terrain you need hiking boots with ankle support.
· There are low, medium, high cut hiking boots. The tougher the terrain the higher cut boot is required. A high cut boot provides greater ankle support, important when walking over rocks and branches.
· The hiking boot requires cushioning on the insole to reduce the possibility of blisters and a good tread for walking on rocky and slippery ground
· Gore-Tex provides great waterproofing, with the ability to breath to allow quick drying when finished hiking. You will need to waterproof the boot exterior with appropriate products. Up to 30% Off Waterproof Footwear at Eastern Mountain Sports
· Leather hiking boots last longer and are most weather resistant, however boots made of lightweight synthetic materials at a lower cost.
Purchase hiking boots well in advance of your walking holiday and break them in on short local day trips for you feel comfortable using them.
Choosing the right hiking boots is an important part of planning your walking holiday,, so take the time to chose the right footwear.
Originally posted 2009-09-17 11:32:59.
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This essential piece of hiking gear goes by various names including hiking poles, walking sticks, trekking poles, walking poles to name a few. Have you ever been on an outdoor hike and casually wandered into the woods and picked up a stick where you then used as a walking stick? Most of us have and never really thought about it, but we are candidates for a hiking pole.
Why you need this piece of hiking gear?
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Like all hiking gear the purpose of to improve your safety or comfort. In the case of a hiking pole it does both
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Hiking poles improve your balance when crossing streams and walking on rough terrain and help prevent you from falling
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Hiking poles reduce the weight and relieve the stress hiking places on your knees, ankles and your back. In particular, when hiking down a steep hill there is a lot of stress placed on your knees and hiking poles help take off this pressure
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Hiking poles assist in pacing when climbing up or down a steep hill.
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They boost your confidence when on a hiking trails
How to use hiking poles?
Most hikers do not use the hiking poles correctly and therefore don’t always receive the advantages above. This piece of hiking gear has the look of ski poles and is thin and light weight so they don’t add weight to your hiking. First, always use two hiking poles for the best benefits, many hikers chose to only use one pole.
The wrist strap loop at the top should be snug around your hand with your thumb on top of the hiking pole. The hiking pole can telescopic to different lengths. When on level ground you should be able to stretch out your arms straight. When climbing a hills shorten the hiking pole and when descending lengthen the hiking poles. Many types of hiking poles also feature anti-shock springs to lessen impact with the ground.
When walking on the hiking trails remove the pole tip cap, it should only be used when in towns. If using this piece of hiking gear be careful around other walkers. Watch you do no hit their feet or swing the poles around and hit them.
A fun option is the traditional walking stick, see Walking Canes and Sticks
Whether you call them hiking poles, walking sticks or trekking poles this piece of hiking gear can greatly enhance your comfort and safety on your need walk.
Komperdell Trekking Poles – Anti-Shock, Pair
Price: $69.95
CLOSEOUTS . Anti-shock trekking poles from Komperdell of Austria give you the power of endurance in the palm of your hand. Lightweight, adjustable poles promote posture while carrying a pack and minimize swollen fingers by increasing circulation. Anti-shock Alloy shaft with shock absorber Steel tip Cork grip and handle Nylon wrist straps Adjustable 110-145 cm Collapsed: 68cm Length: 110-145cm Weight: 1 lb. 7 oz. pr. Sold as pair CLOSEOUTS . Austria.
Brand: Komperdell
Originally posted 2009-08-28 11:50:59.
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There are several methods of navigation while hiking: easiest is to just follow the trail blazes or signs; follow the sun; a compass or use a hiking GPS. Yes, you can also leave bread crumbs along the trail but if the birds have their say you will not have a return trail to found.
If you are not following a marked trail you should carry either a compass or hiking GPS. A secondary reason for a hiking GPS is that it can provide information regarding your distance travelled and the elevations you have climbed.
GPS is an acronym for Global Positioning system that can be useful to navigate when hiking in an unfamiliar area. The hiking GPS is really a satellite receiver with signals from approximately 8-10 satellites providing your location on a map display. It is still recommended that you carry a trail map or guidebook as a backup and to have an overall view of where you are heading.
Some of the features you should look for in a hiking GPS:
- Durability – it is essential you use a handheld hiking GPS of rugged construction, shockproof, compact and lightweight. It needs to be waterproof should as you as sure to be hike in the rain at some point. A GPS designed for auto use is not suitable for hiking
- Map Screen – your hiking GPS needs a screen that can be easily read in all light conditions including direct sunlight.
- Routes – ability to store at least 20 hiking routes and provide a bearing to the next waypoint. For example the Garmin Dakota can store up to 50 routes and 1,000 waypoints. A thick forest canopy has caused issues for hikers in the past with earlier GPS models however newer models no longer this problem.
- Maps – ability to upload topographic maps are a good option such as is found on the Garmin 60 CSC model to indicate the terrain contours, roads, etc. Fortunately most GPS units have a USB connection to enable you to download maps from your computer for your destination.
- Batteries – do carry spare batteries but it is best to use common batteries such as AA size that can be purchased during your walking holiday. Also long battery life is essential; some two battery models have a longer life than the models with four batteries.
- Ease of use – you need a hiking GPS that you can learn to use quickly and easily. Many models offer touch screens
There are many models of hiking GPS and new versions seem to arrive constantly. Many people consider the Garmin Oregon 550 with built in camera to be the best, and the Garmin Colorado is also a premium model, while the Dakota is an excellent entry level choice. The DeLorme Earthmate Handheld GPS
The handheld hiking GPS gives you the confidence to hike anyway and not lose your way.
Garmin Oregon 550 Touch-Screen Handheld GPS Receiver with Integrated Camera
Price: $549.99
The navigator with the photographic memory Garmin Oregon 550 combines rugged outdoor touchscreen navigation with a 3.2 megapixel digital camera. The result? A multipurpose device that will make your biggest adventures even more memorable. Also new is the addition of the 3-axis tilt-compensated com
Brand: Garmin
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Hiking Boot Birdhouse Price: $28.95 This Hiking Boot is for the birds! Birdhouse includes ventilation and drainage holes, deep nesting chambers, clean-out doors and do not include predator perches. Made of hand painted resin, it can either be hung or wall mounted Brand: Outside Inside 
So what gifts for the hiking enthusiast are you going to give this Christmas. You want something they can remember throughout the year, is fun and will not break the bank.
Besides the traditional Christmas gifts of backpacks and clothing here are 7 Christmas gift suggestions for hiking friends and family:
· Book or DVD – a good book about a hiking or walking holiday destination or even on proper hiking planning. This is a fun book A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
· Customized water bottles by Original Wraps Inc.– are different, you can have any picture applied to this water bottles so the memory remains during future hiking expeditions
· Swiss army knifes – everyone needs one of these on the trail
· Socks – There are some really interesting hiking socks that will keep people comfortable on the trail
· Picture frames – I have several around my home with fond memories of the some of the hikes I completed on previous years
· Adventure hats – keep off the sun (rain too) with these wide brim hats
· GPS – you your hiking friends will not get lost along the trail. Some watches are amazing as well with special features for the hiker.
This year provide a gift that your avid hiker will remember for the rest of the year
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