Hiking is one of the most enjoyable pastimes you could take up as an active person. It is not only a great cardiovascular exercise, but it also allows you to enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of nature. However, before you go on any hiking journey, you should make sure that you have the right equipment. Remember that no matter how experienced a hiker you are, you will still need key pieces of equipment to hike effectively and safely.
Here are 6 pieces of equipment that every hiker needs.
1. Sturdy Hiking Boots
If there is one piece of equipment that you should never put a budget on, it is your hiking boots. When you hike, you will use your feet most of the time. If you don’t have the appropriate shoes, your feet will get damaged in the long run. So before you purchase hiking boots, you should do your research first. Take the time to check each pair of boots.
You should also check their design and features, and make sure that they provide you with comfortable footing.
2. Compass
Before you go off on a hiking trip, you should always bring a compass with you. These small pieces of equipment have helped adventurers find their way for hundreds of years. They are specially designed to point north no matter what. This will show you which direction is which, no matter where you are.
3. Medical Kit
During a hiking trip, you never know what will happen. You could accidentally sprain your ankle, or even get scratched by a tree branch. Any number of things could happen, and it is imperative that you bring the necessary pieces of equipment that will help you stay healthy throughout your hikes. Here is some essential medical equipment you should always have with you.
- Bandages and Antiseptic
While on a trip, there is a chance you’ll get cut or scratched. Although these cuts seem shallow and harmless at first, they may get infected if left untreated. So it is imperative that you bring bandages and antiseptic with you during your treks.
- Blood Pressure Monitor
During a hiking trip, you will be pushing your body a lot, so you should make sure that you monitor blood pressure regularly. This is especially important if you have hypertension. Before you purchase a blood pressure monitor, you should check with a bp machines supplier like www.raycome.com. This will ensure that your blood pressure monitor is of the best quality possible.
4. Defensive tools
Although hiking is very enjoyable and it is a great way to see new sights, it could still get dangerous if you are unprepared. A majority of hiking trails are wild places, and they are filled with wild animals such as bears and cougars. Although you should not bring firearms on the hiking trail, it is still very important that you have the means to defend yourself. Here are some legal defensive tools that you could bring during a hunt.
- Taser
During a life and death struggle, you will need a weapon that is not only portable but potent as well. Tasers pack quite a punch and can incapacitate both humans and animals quickly. You should be careful how you use them though because they only have one shot, and it takes a long time to recharge.
- Bear Spray
If there is one creature that you should avoid during a trek, it is a bear. They are extremely powerful and could outrun humans easily. So it is imperative that you bring a bear spray with you. These sprays are designed to have a very unpleasant smell for bears and will deter them from coming near you.
5. Flashlight
Hiking trips could last for hours, and there will be times where the sun sets before you could get home. So it is imperative that you have the necessary lighting equipment. When you purchase a flashlight, it should be sturdy and waterproof. It is also a good idea to buy a head torch as well because it will allow you to light the way while leaving your hands free.
6. Emergency Rations
Hiking entails you to walk for miles, and you will be expending a lot of calories while hiking. So it is very important that you have ample rations with you. When you bring rations, you should refrain from bringing canned goods or any type of food that requires cooking.
Instead, it is better that you bring food that you could eat on the move. Here are some great examples of rations that you could bring with you.
- Granola Bar
This popular snack is a combination of nuts, oats, and berries. They are formed into bars and are mixed with honey. Nutrition-wise granola bars have a high-calorie count that will provide you with a great deal of energy throughout your hikes.
- Beef Jerky
During the trek, you will be expending a great deal of energy. Your muscles will also experience much wear and tear. So you will need to bring enough protein to heal your muscle fibers. One great protein option is beef jerky which you can buy at the shop buffalo jerky online. These snacks are made of dried and salted beef, and they can last for very long periods of time.
- Chocolate Bars
Although chocolate bars have a lot of sugar, and should not be eaten regularly, they are still a very handy snack to have during a long trek. They not only provide a much-needed sugar boost, but the cocoa inside the chocolate will also help you stay alert during your treks.
Conclusion
Being a hiker is a very enjoyable hobby that allows you to see the beautiful sights of nature. However, before you go on any hiking journey, you should make sure that you are prepared. With these 6 pieces of equipment, you will be able to hike as effectively and safely as possible.
