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“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind, and find my soul.” – Unknown
I started hiking about seven years ago. When I met my husband, he took me to several state parks in New Jersey. My husband grew up in the country, so he had all the gear required for an easy to moderate hike. For example, he had hiking shoes while I wore regular sneakers. He had hiking pants where I wore leggings. He wore a backpack that carried necessities like food and water, and I carried a hand bag with my cell phone and wallet. (Little did I know there was no service in the middle of the woods and that there were no purchases to be made).
After blisters and bitching, he took me shopping for some hiking gear. The gear I have collected in the past seven years has gotten me through shorter, easy hikes as well as long, strenuous hikes like Cascade and Porter Mountain, two of the 46 High Peaks. I hope the gear helps you as much as it has helped me…
Hiking Boots
I have two pairs of hiking boots.
These boots are not lightweight, but waterproof, and give me my ankles the stability they need to get through a strenuous, super rocky hike. I wear these for a more difficult, moderate hike.
2. Oboz Women’s Sawtooth Low Bdry Hiking Shoe
Hiking Socks
No more blisters or sweaty, nasty feet! I wear Smartwool Women’s Hiking Light Crew Socks.
Hiking Pants
I purchased the Columbia Women’s Saturday Trail Stretch Convertible Pant
Hiking Backpack
My husband and I wanted a unisex backpack as we usually alternate the pack throughout the hike. We selected the Gonex Polar Trekking Daypack. It has a 40L capacity, comes with a waterproof cover, and easily holds everything we need for a day hike. The straps are easy to adjust and it fits both my husbands tall, muscular build and my shorter stature without issue.
Water Bottle
Water BottleI bring plenty of water when I hike. The most important thing is that the vessel in which the water is held keeps the water cold. For that reason, I use the Contigo Autoseal Chill Stainless Steel Water Bottle.
Food
Often times, when my husband and I reach the summit, we enjoy a few snacks. We sit and take in the scenery and acknowledge what we accomplished on our way to the top. (We also snap a few pictures!) I enjoy a few different snacks including Chocolate Chip Clif Bars,
Final Thoughts
I hope that next time you go on a hiking adventure, you remember to bring some of these items with you.
If you hike, what is your favorite item to wear or bring? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Namaste.
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Realm of Vibes 
I’ve been thinking about getting more into hiking. We occasionally go on hikes during holidays but not really at any other time – great ideas of things to get to prepare
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Socks! People always forget to list socks on these lists. If it’s a true hike, you should be wearing specialty socks.
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Great tips! I’m not much of a big hiker but these are some important essentials.
Emma | Seeking the South
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personally I loved the hiking shoes and socks..they have to be so apt to complete the hike successfully.
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Comfort is everything! Thanks for reading and commenting! 🙂
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Great post. I will have to go on a hike once it cools down around where I live. Its just too hot and sunny to do it right now.
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Where do you live, Luci? I am in NJ and it is very humid. Thanks for reading and commenting! 🙂
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I love to go on hikes! Two items I always make sure I have with me are food and water! I should go on another hike soon 🙂
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Food and water are essentials! Thanks for reading and commenting! 🙂
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These are great essentials! Thanks for the tip on the lightweight hiking shoe, mine are so heavy!
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Absolutely. Which do you have? I really like the Oboz. Thanks for reading and commenting! 🙂
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I do a lot of family friendly hikes with Boo 🙂 I always bring a backpack with plenty of water and healthy snacks ! Also, even though I turn my phone off while we hike, I bring it and a portable charger in case of emergencies.
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I have a safe place in our backpack for the phone but it is only on to snap a few pictures and like you said, in case of an emergency. Glad you enjoy hiking, too. Thanks for reading and commenting! 🙂
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I have the boots and the socks, that’s about it. I’m sorry to say the boots are quite old and haven’t been used much. They are quite bulky. The newer, lighter weight ones you mention seem like they would be much better.
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New, lightweight boots would certainly be helpful. Thanks for reading and commenting, Karla.
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Smart Wool socks are the best!! And I like Larabars! 🙂
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I alternate between Lara and Cliff bars. Depends on my mood. 🙂
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I love hiking!! I actually do bring cliff bars with me because it keeps me fueled and full!
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Glad you like hiking too! 🙂
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I haven’t been hiking in a long time but these tips are going to come in handy! My boys will love hiking (little bundles of energy) so I will make sure I have some decent shoes, socks and pants like you have listed above. Thanks lovely!
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind, and find my soul… This speaks to me on so many levels. I love it.
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great post! I use roadeavour for my water bottles.
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