Are you planning a vacation? Some people are enthusiastic about going to beaches, while others want to explore nature and mountains. Similarly, for some people, holidays seem incomplete without a hiking trip. It is not only thrilling but an adventurous sport of climbing mountains to catch a different sight of the world.

If you are looking forward to it, prepare yourself with the right tools and gear to make it fun. Otherwise, you can end up injuring your feet or peeling your skin. Honestly, no one wants to ruin an amazing trip because of mistakes and the lack of knowledge regarding hiking.  So, let us dive-in to learn some genius hacks for a hiking trip, helping you enjoy your trip to the fullest.

1.   Pick Clothes with Pockets

Hiking trips can be tiring, especially with heavy backpacks, putting weight on your shoulders. You have to climb mountains by walking straight for five to six hours, which means you have to ensure you feel comfortable. Don’t go fancy with your clothes, grab a tracking suit and a hoodie with interior and exterior pockets.

Besides, helping you store essentials, your backpack would feel lighter, and you won’t have to dig into it for finding a sunscreen. People usually feel hot while hiking, but you have to wear full clothes to keep the ticks away. Tuck in your shirt inside the pants, and pants inside the socks, closing doors for any attack by ticks.

2.   Wear Comfortable Boots

Hiking becomes easy when your feet are resting properly. Those heavyweight joggers can make hiking a challenge because you will have to use a lot more power to take steps. Thus, you need to grab boots specifically for hiking. You might think it is not worth investing in an expensive pair of hiking boots since you don’t go hiking often, but it can be money well spent – especially if you are looking for hiking gifts for him. New boots could be the perfect solution!

You can look for budget hiking boots made out of quality materials without causing holes in your pockets. The important thing here is to ensure the shoes fit you perfectly. A good indicator that the shoe might cause some trouble in the future is your pinky toe. If it feels squished or in an awkward position just don’t buy them. Another thing to check with budget boots is the insoles. Sometimes companies that make them won’t pay that much attention to the insole and that might be a huge problem. Causing blisters on your feet and even ruining your posture. To avoid this you should always invest in quality insoles, companies like Protalus make high-grade insoles from only the best materials. 

3.   Carry a First-Aid Kit & Power Bank

Believe it or not, hiking sounds fun, but climbing mountains is no easy feat. You come across wild bushes and poisonous plants, leaving you at the risk of injuries. Therefore, always carry a first-aid kit in your bag pack. You can either purchase one from a nearby pharmacy or make your own. Get a small box and fill it with band-aids, antiseptic spray, aspirin, and petroleum jelly.

You will be using your mobile phones throughout the trip because you need to find your way through GPS. Well, even though your phone has sufficient battery, it would run out after some time. Thus, you have to carry a fully charged power bank to avoid any problem of lost signals or connections. Besides, consider getting a solar power bank since it uses solar energy to charge your phones. After all, conventional ones might exhaust in the middle of your trip.

4.   Test Your Backpack

Although backpacks have limited space, people end up stuffing loads of things inside them. You need to understand that you would be carrying this bag for many hours. Hence, instead of overloading it with things, you need to check how much weight your shoulders can bear easily. So, prepare your bag with everything you need and carry it on your back to check how much it weighs. You can keep doing this until you feel it is light enough to take it for a hike.

5.   Stick to Essentials

You are going hiking to have fun, right? It won’t be possible if you don’t carry essential things for your trip. Sometimes, people think they won’t be needing extra clothes or a towel, but it is not worth taking the risk. Look below for some essential items to fully enjoy yourselves.

• Take flashlights or headlight along if you are planning to go for hiking at night. Headlamps are portable and feasible since it offers hand-free operation. Likewise, you need to ensure it has a long battery life to show you the way throughout your journey.
• Sunglasses and sunscreens are a must to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun. If it is hot, consider using a 30 SPF sunscreen to escape any sunburn.
• Always carry some extra food and snacks, especially ones with high nutritional value. You have to keep your energy levels up during the trip.
• You might be going with a bunch of friends, but it is crucial to know your trail. Use a GPS device or any map to determine where you are going. It would show you nearby landmarks while locating your position.
• Usually, in mountainous regions, the weather is very unpredictable. The sun might be shining bright one moment, and it may start to rain the very next minute. Thus, prepare yourself beforehand by carrying raincoats and extra clothes.

Final Word

Hiking enthusiasts know the hike is only fun when you go prepared. It is about prioritizing essential things. In short, you have to be smart while packing things for hiking. If you are looking for advice or guidance, have a look above to see genius hacks for a hiking trip, allowing you to have a joyous and wonderful experience.