Getting Ready for Your Next Hike? Here’s What to Prepare

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Hiking is a fun and enjoyable way to explore the outdoors with family and friends. It also provides several health benefits which include weight loss support and reduced anxiety. When you have never hiked before, you may be overwhelmed by the thought and worried you are not in shape to hike. Guaranteed that there is indeed a type of hike suitable for anyone to admire the wonders of nature. Some of the basic things to prepare for a hike are shelter, clothing, first aid kit, food, and water. 

In this article, we are going to give you tips on what to prepare for a hiking trip.

Hiking Apparel

The apparels of clothing you need to wear are jackets, boots, gloves, and hats that protect from heat, cold, water, or fire. Such items shade the body and shield it from injuries and biting of insects. Do not forget to include nylon or polyester pants and it is wise to wear a waterproof jacket no matter the weather forecast. For most weather conditions, wool and polyester fabrics work relatively well but specifically offers some waterproofing while being wet. Layered clothing helps the body temperature to be changed perfectly. The coating at the inner base will wick off moisture. The mid-layer is used for the proper insulation, and the outer shell layer protects against wind and rain. Also, use a good ankle supportive hiking boots. Ensure they fit properly to avoid blisters. 

Shelter

An outdoor shelter may be as basic as a wool blanket and tarp inside a waterproof tent. Trekking poles may be used to build a shelter, as they can be used as tarpaulin poles. Many tents are designed to use trekking poles instead of carrying extra poles, which is a strategy popular in ultralight backpacking. But being able to share one tent between three is a perfect way to save weight so you can use it on other things, and it is suitable for a family hike. When trying to find a camping tent that is right for you, it can be hard to know where to start, as there are a wide variety of tents out there. The tent to go for depends on your particular activity so you can search online guides for items to look for when you weigh up your choices.

Emergency Relief Kit

Develop a customized first aid kit which could include blister cream, gauze, tape, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, and any medicines you might need. Another important hiking essential is a knife as you never know when cutting fabric to make bandages may require it. When you need to build a fire a knife could also be useful. Do not forget to cover your eyes from UV rays by using sunglasses, and carry sunscreen to protect your skin from sunburn. When you are sweating a lot, reapply sunscreen after two hours.

A short walk is ideal for beginners, and then slowly up to hill trails or rugged terrain. Long-distance backpacking presents an additional set of challenges and has an expanded need for self-reliance as well as the capacity to adapt to changing unexpected circumstances. For a long trip, you have to be in a relatively strong mental and physical condition. We hope these have been helpful and good luck in planning your next hiking adventure!