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The Ultimate Beginner Hiking Gear Guide for Ontario and Beyond

As I learn, and build my hiking portfolio, I thought I’d create a list of hiking essentials and update it as I go! Keep in mind: you don’t need to buy a whole new set of gear to start hiking.

View of mountains and the forest. The sky is blue with white fluffy clouds. The mountains are snow capped, with the shadow of a cloud over part of the forest below in Kananaskis.

Are you looking to start hiking in Ontario or prepare for your next big adventure? Whether you’re tackling scenic trails near Ottawa or exploring international hikes, having the right hiking gear can make all the difference. After hiking in Ontario for over a decade, including every trail in Gatineau Park, and recently venturing into hiking internationally, I’ve put together this beginner-friendly hiking essentials guide to help you feel confident on the trails. From day packs to hiking socks, I’ll walk you through my go-to gear, tips for comfort, and how to get started without spending a fortune.

💡 Beginner Tip: You don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe to start hiking. I began with workout clothes and running shoes I already owned. Most of the gear I mention below simply makes longer or more technical hikes more comfortable. For easy day hikes, what you already own is often enough!

Table of Contents
Woman walking along a path in the woods. The left side of the path is protected by a wooden railing as tall as the woman, and the right is a rock cliff. Tree branches reach out over the path and woman.
Woman standing on a rock overlooking Lake Louise and the Chateau Lake Louise from the Little Beehive lookout
Woman standing on a rock in front of cloud inversions during sunrise. The sunrise is orange and pink.

Day Packs and Hydration

I’ve started bringing a day pack on every hike, even short ones! A day pack is great to store water, snacks, an emergency first aid kit, and layers. I hiked around Ontario for about 8 years before picking up a day pack and now I can’t imagine hiking without one. I have a small 18L daypack from MEC and so far I’ve loved it. You can often find it on sale for under $40. Look for:

  • A hydration sleeve
  • Side pockets for water bottles or snacks
  • A sternum strap for comfort
  • A small compartment for essentials like keys or sunscreen

I only just started using a hydration sleeve, and it’s a game changer! You stay better hydrated by taking small sips throughout your hike. For travel or backcountry hikes, I love my Grayl Geopress Waterbottle. It filters out bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals. Perfect for destinations where the tap water isn’t potable.

Woman in a blue jacket, white ball cap, and a purple MEC Hiking daypack standing on a sandy ledge. She is looking out at a waterfall in the distance, falling into a river that winds in front of her. The area is surrounded by green trees and foliage.
Woman in a purple MEC day pack, pink puffer jacket and blue leggings standing on a rock in front of a lake. She is facing away from the camera. Daypack hiking essential
Woman walking on a trail on a rainy day in Oregon. There is a waterfall in the background and a rock cliff on the left side of the photo.

Hiking Shoes and Socks

You can definitely get away with just sneakers while hiking. However, I’ve been finding that hiking with proper hiking shoes makes a huge difference for me. My go-to shoes/boots:

I could probably share a ton of recommendations for hiking shoes and boots, but it’s so preference based! I recommend heading to your local outdoor store and trying on a few pairs.

💡 Beginner Tip: Buy 1/2 a size up for downhill comfort. Your feet will naturally shift forward and your toes will thank you!

Equally underrated? Hiking socks. You can go with any brand, but I love Darn Tough socks for their support, comfort, and lifetime guarantee.

💡 Comfort: Bring a pair of sandals of comfortable shoes for after the hike. That post-hike removal of your hiking shoes is euphoric.

Photo of white shoes with orange soles. The view is looking from a Point of View with a woman's legs coming out from the bottom of the photo with the shoes in the centre. Her feet are on a rock with trees in the background of a hike.
Photo of grey hiking shoes. The view is looking from a Point of View with a woman's legs coming out from the bottom of the photo with the shoes in the centre. Her feet are on a rock, looking out over a forest with a lake. Hiking Essential

Hiking Jackets and Tops

Layering is your best friend.

  • Natural fibres are the best (merino wool) for odor-reducing, moisture-wicking and comfort levels.
  • A lightweight jacket for stops at the summit. Even in the summer, after sweating along the hike, a small jacket will help you stay warm and not cool down too much.
  • A down-filled puffer jacket for cooler days. Layering with a jacket, like this Patagonia Down Sweater, is ideal. You can often find amazing thrifted Patagonia items.
  • A vest is also a great option for those in-between seasons. It keeps your core temperature warm, but your arms cooler.

When I started hiking, I wore leggings and old t-shirts (you know the ones you get for free at events?). You can absolutely wear whatever you like. However, if you’re getting into more technical or multi-day hikes that work up a sweat, natural fibres really do improve your comfort. A sweaty shirt, especially when you take breaks, cools you down which isn’t the best in colder weather. You could bring a second shirt, or invest in good natural fibre pieces.

💡 Budget Tip: I’ve found great thrifted Patagonia and MEC pieces over the years. Arcteryx also has a REsale section online for gently used pieces.

Woman standing on a boardwalk, leaning against the side of the wood railing. She is looking at the camera and smiling. The woman is wearing a blue jacket, dark grey leggings and hiking shoes. The boardwalk is through a marsh with trees in the background.
Woman in red sweater standing on a rock lookout overlooking woods and a river. The Rideau River cuts through islands of trees in autumn colours and the woman is standing in the foreground of the photo.
Woman in a blue jacket and white ball cap, with her blonde hair in a ponytail, looking out at a waterfall. She has her hands on a wood railing that is wet from the mist from the waterfall. The waterfall in the background is falling from a rock canyon with people walking behind it.

Hiking Bottoms

I exclusively hike in leggings. Not only does it help with ticks in Ontario, but I like the compression and comfort of pants, even in the summer. However, there are plenty of bottoms for people who like pants, crops, or shorts! Wear what you feel most comfortable in.

Women posing at rock lookout in lululemon
Woman in yellow jacket sitting on a rock by a waterfall and ruins
Friends with their arms around each other looking out to a waterfall

Leave No Trace

There are 7 Leave No Trace principles:

  • Plan Ahead and Prepare;
  • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces;
  • Dispose of Waste Properly;
  • Leave What You Find;
  • Minimize Campfire Impacts;
  • Respect Wildlife; and
  • Be Considerate of Others.

It’s important to familiarize yourself with these principles to help respect nature, the outdoors, and others while enjoying nature.

Other Hiking Essentials

Here are a few extra items that always make my packing list:

  • Snacks & electrolytes: Think trail mix, fruit, or granola bars. Electrolyte tablets are great for long hikes.
  • Emergency kit: Bandaids, blister pads, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, etc. You can buy pre-made kits and customize them.
  • Hat: A baseball cap or sun hat offers shade and protection.
  • Bug spray & sunscreen: Essential in Ontario’s buggy summers!
  • Trekking poles (optional): Great for steep or technical terrain.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need fancy gear to explore the outdoors. Start with what you have, upgrade gradually, and most importantly: just get out there and enjoy the journey.

Have a favorite hiking essential I didn’t include? Let me know in the comments!

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