r/hikinggear

hi! my friends and I are going on a day hike in a few months; we'll be leaving early in the morning and getting back around sunset. I've never been on a proper hike before, so I'm feeling a bit clueless about what to bring... what are some essentials you guys would recommend for bringing on a hike like this? I'd especially appreciate to learn about the less obvious things that people don't usually mention :-)

(the weather's supposed to be quite warm and dry where we're going, by the way)

thank you heaps!

I'm just wondering how how many other women on here are wearing a hiking dress or a suitable regular dress when out on the trail. Any particular brand and what are your experiences?

At one time I wouldnt have considered a dress or a skirt as a viable option. But that was years ago and in the last few years I've pretty much moved over to always wearing a skirt/dress in regular life anyway. Not sure exactly why/when, it just sort of happened and I guess its just more me and I'm more comfortable that way. So it's always felt a bit odd and a downer on a warm summer day to have to switch from a comfortable skirt to shorts to just go hiking. And TBH I've never felt that I look good in shorts and they always seem to pull and bind a bit.

Last year I ditched the shorts and just wore skirts. The key for me was not to go too long. This was a big success and I wish that I'd done this before. This year being a nice summer here in the UK I been wearing dresses when hiking. Again the length seems to be key. No longer than knee length and better just on the upper side of the knee. That seems to be very practical for me. Nowdays there are a lot available for day to day wear which are in that category. I have not been wearing any which have been specifically marketed as "Hiking dress" or skirt. Just suitable every day ones.

I just competed a five day hike and wild camp along the Ridgeway long distance path here in southern England. The two I wore were.

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/ayacucho-womens-palisades-dress-B11DD90194.html

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/p/035129/mw/santorini-womens-uv-jersey-wrap-dress/coral/?UserID=21891836

I did take some leggings just in case but never needed them. They were just dead weight

I'm really happy that this has been such a success in practical terms and I can finally ditch the shorts which tbh I've never like that much. I interested to know what others are wearing both in dresses/skirts specifically marketed for "hiking gr "travel" or just regular wear? And your experience?

Finally there will come a time (fortunately a long way off yet) when the days will get cooler and summer dresses wont be appropriate any more. How to handle that? Suitable skirts? leggings or tights come to mind. Any thoughts?

With the above in mind I'm thinking perhaps this. I've always liked Fjällräven products. Maybe a bit longer than I would like but I could always hem up a bit. (also its on sale at a local store right now)

https://www.fjallraven.com/uk/en-gb/women/trousers/shorts-skirts/vardag-skirt-w/

Anyhow what are you wearing and experiences please.

Im in the market for a watch, and would enjoy one with a good step counter. Other smart watch features like GPS, solar, etc are bonuses, but not 100% necessary.

I work in an area where there's 0 wifi, so it has to at least work as a watch when offline. Thats the only real requirement. Thanks!

I recently got a pair of Scarpa Morraine GTX's as an impulse buy while on holiday. They fit great in the shop, and were incredibly comfy. Towards the end of my first hike in them however, I noticed a slight pain on the top of my big toe. I attributed it to just breaking in. However since then I have worn them 3 more times, and the pain is not going away. It seems to be being caused by a crease on top of the shoe where it digs into my big toe.

Unfortunately as I purchased these on holiday, returning them is not an option. Does anyone have any advice on what I could do to make these more comfortable. I have tried window lacing to create more space but this had the opposite effect, causing more creasing and pain, and have put in some good insoles which have mildly helped but after a full day they are still digging into my big toe. Any ideas?

Hi there, I could use some help building a wardrobe for a trip to Canada in mid-September.

We'll be exploring Vancouver Island, so I'm expecting roughly mid-40s at night and mid/high-60s° during the day. We'll be on the coast, so I'm planning for some rain, and I also tend to always run cold.

Right now I have:

• Capilene Cool Daily Long Sleeve
• Houdini
• Nano Puff
• Torrentshell rain jacket for actual rain

I'm looking for a midlayer that could also work well as a standalone piece when it's cool but not raining. We'll mostly be hiking and walking along the beach (nothing super strenuous).

I've been reading a lot, but can't decide between the Nano Air Light Hybrid and the Nano Air Ultralight Hoody. It also seems like the regular Nano Air that people often recommend isn't available anymore (at least I can't find it on the REI or Patagonia website).

I'd prefer something with a more relaxed fit rather than a slim, athletic fit.

Or should I be looking at something in the R1 lineup instead? I'd love to hear what people would recommend for these conditions. Thanks!!

Does anyone else have the problem with this shirt stinking to high heaven? I’m not generally that odorous after a day hike. At least, I can’t smell myself. With the Altitude sun hoodie, I can smell it before I even get to the trail!!

The first time I wore it, it was new and unwashed. I could smell my BO after just a couple miles on an open trail. I washed it per the instructions emailed to me separately and now I’m wearing it the second time and it smells already before I got out of the house. I’m going to wear it today because I’m solo and don’t expect to run into many people on the trail.

Has anyone else had this experience? Have you ever found that a particular material just didn’t work out with your body chemistry? Perhaps it’s just a biology vs technology problem.

Investing in a bag, i tend to just do day hikes in the UK - never overnight or anything. I usually use a levis backpack but want to invest in something better fitting. I was looking at the osprey 26 litre , i tried the 20litre but it sits very uncomfortable on my back. I am quite short, the 26 litre feels very big and I dont know if i need that much space.

I have ordered the 26 and am going on a hike tomorrow so im not sure if i should keep it and try it or return it.

I only want one bag for winter and summer so don't want to purchase any more bags, and i want to invest in a good quality one that will last me years.

My real question is what's out there that doesn't show the SWEAT between my legs so it looks like I pissed myself. I don't hike to cover distance, I stop a lot and kneel when taking pics, I crash through the underbrush off-trail, etc. I'm famous for my 2-1/2 hr mile. Need to be thorn-proof or at least mostly snag-proof, and not show a GIANT WET SPOT between my legs when I start sweating on very hot days! I love cotton, but it's not good in rainy or dewy conditions.
I've worn Kuhls for a long time but even black ones show that damn wet spot when it starts to get really brutal out!

Essentially, the title. My head gets uncomfortably warm in sun hats, ball caps, snap backs, etc.

Anyone have a recommendation for a hot head?

Thanks in advance.