Outdoor Preparedness - Be ready Before Going on Any Hike

For anyone planning on doing some hiking, either you're doing a short day hike of a few hours or a multi-day trek, you need to expect the unexpected. There are all kinds of things that can pop up, and being prepared for them is critical. Because of the range of things you might encounter, there are a amount of beneficial 'staples' that you should always bring along with you on any outing, regardless of length. We'll take a look at some of those 'must haves' here.

The first thing on your list needs to be a backpack, (or at least a decent sized fanny pack if you're only doing a short hike). Because there will be several things for you to have with you at all times, you obviously need something to carry them all in, and a backpack is the idea solution.

Poncho

Some kind of pack is a given, and most habitancy will remember it for sure. It just kind of goes hand-in-hand with hiking. However, it's naturally astonishing the amount of habitancy who head out with no sort of rain gear with them whatsoever. It doesn't matter if you're heading out on a beautiful sunny day with a clear forecast. In many places, weather can turn dramatically in an instant. Getting totally soaked in a downpour because you didn't think to pack some sort of rain gear is a real bummer of a way to be out in nature.

It is extremely recommended that you get yourself at least some kind of light weight rain gear or poncho to keep with your hiking gear - yes, even your day hiking gear - at all times. It will keep you prepared. Plus, you may even want to make an exertion to get out and hike on a day you know will be rainy so that you can be best prepared for the situation should it occur by surprise.

Another significant element to always have with you is a bit of food. Even if you have only scheduled a hike of a few hours, you never know when something unexpected may occur, keeping you out on the trail significantly longer than you initially expected. Having a bit of lightweight nutritious food with you can make a huge difference. So again, just get in the habit of packing a bit of food (and of course, plentifulness of water!)

The next thing to make sure of is your boots. Hiking after all is all about getting there and back with your legs and feet, so you need to make sure your feet are well protected and supported. At the same time you don't want to go overboard with your boots and wear some kind of mountaineering boot if you're going on a relatively mild terrain. After all, each pound of added weight in your boots is the same as adding 5 pounds of gear to your backpack. And that will get old quickly!

So make sure the footwear you pick is appropriate for the type of trail you'll be hiking on. Sometimes you don't need much more than a pair of good sneakers (with the emphasis on Good... If your feet aren't well supported because you're wearing some beaten up old pair of flats, you're going to feel it somewhere else in your body before you're done, no doubt). At the same time as selecting the right boots, you'll want to be sure you have the appropriate hiking socks to go with them.

Yes, you need socks that are specific to hiking (or at the very least, to outdoor performance beyond just basketball, tennis or hanging out with your friends). The thing about good hiking socks is that they have cushioning in areas where you're most likely to get blisters. In increasing to that, they will have good wicking properties. Any kind of thermal hiking sock will do well in both cold weather as well as hot weather by pulling sweat away from your skin, keeping it dry, and inspiring it to the exterior of the fabric where it can legitimately evaporate. This will keep your feet cool and dry in the hot weather and dry and comfortable in the cold. Do Not overlook the point of good thermal socks for any kind of hike. Blisters will ruin even the best day.

Outdoor Preparedness - Be ready Before Going on Any Hike