In wildness is the preservation of the world – naturalist Henry David Thoreau
On hikes and treks, preparing for what may lie ahead is as important as having your wits about you.
Say you’re on an exploration and you encounter rugged terrain on which one wrong step can be pretty dangerous. Or you’re enjoying a serene hike in a winter month but the weather takes a turn for the worse and your toes start feeling painfully cold.
You can be proactive about staying comfortable and not taking anything for granted. You can also react to sudden events and emerge unscathed when you’re out in the natural world. All you need are the best tools for hiking listed below.
If your hike takes you to remote areas, a topographic map is useful. It shows information about the terrain, roads, points of interest and distances. Learning to read a map properly is also a helpful skill when you’re looking for and trying to reach different places of interest in foreign countries.
Along with the map, a compass will help you identify the direction you should take to reach your destination. Using a compass involves knowing how the magnetic needle, and orienting lines and arrows work.
You can swap traditional maps with your smartphone, a handheld GPS device or a watch with built-in GPS. However, if they run of out battery or signal, old-school tools will come in handy.
A flashlight is necessary for night trails or when you’re lost and find yourself in a ‘survival’ situation. You can rig it to your hip or use strap attachments to use it like a headlamp. So, a flashlight is a versatile tool, but for a hands-free experience, you may want to use a headlamp.
A headlamp is useful when you need to look at a map or administer first-aid. You can hold the headlamp in your hand if you so wish. It is also useful on those occasions when your flashlight falls out of your hands and goes rolling down a hill.
Not being able to walk long distances or struggling on uphill climbs because your feet are sweaty and tired – or worse – your socks feel super sticky and uncomfortable, can suck the joy out of the hike.
What makes a great pair of hiking socks? A high level of breathability. Moisture management. Less friction. The right amount of compression that promotes blood circulation.
Our 3-in-1 proprietary socks tick all the right boxes. Additionally, they keep odor out and offer anti-bacterial protection. Have a look at the innovative socks here.
These hiking essentials deserve your focus, especially if you’re planning a long, night-time or otherwise extreme adventure out in the wild.