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Hiking Essentials | Complete List from a Beginner

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.

I’ve been hiking around Ontario for over 10 years. I’ve done every trail in Gatineau Park, and plenty within a few hours of Ottawa. I was also a Girl Guide/Pathfinder growing up, and did a lot of outdoor activities with my family. After my trips to Portugal and Oregon, I’ve decided to venture more into the hiking world. I have absolutely loved hiking in different countries, and plan on including hikes in all my future trips. There’s something about the mountains, and feeling so satisfied after hiking. As I learn, and build my hiking portfolio, I thought I’d create a list of hiking essentials and update it as I go! I’ll focus on spring/summer/fall hiking and less on winter hikes/snowshoeing.

I also want to preface this entire post with the following. You don’t need to buy a whole new set of gear to start hiking. I started with workout clothes and running shoes: items I already had for other activities. Most of these are suggestions for items that have made harder/longer hikes more comfortable. Unless you’re venturing into difficult, technical and/or back country hiking, you likely have what you need to get started. You don’t have to spend a fortune on new outfits and gear to enjoy the outdoors! Thrifting is a great way to find gently used hiking gear. I’ve purchased or been gifted a lot of these hiking essentials over the last 10 years.

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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 Pack

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. I recommend finding a day pack with a hydration sleeve for a hydration pack, side pockets for extra water/snacks, and a small pocket to access things like keys. You really could use any type of bag, but I do like having the padded straps and back, sternum strap (helps relieve the weight from your shoulders), and the hydration pack.

I only just started using a hydration pack, and it’s a game changer! The mouthpiece is convenient and you don’t have to stop to drink out of your water bottle. You can take small sips throughout the hike to stay hydrated. Again, a simple water bottle/bottles will do and you don’t need the hydration pack, but it is very handy.

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. I love my Oboz Sawtooth shoes, and they are also waterproof. I was also gifted the Lululemon Blissfeel Trail Woman’s Shoes, and they are wonderful for less technical hikes. One of the big differences I notice with proper hiking shoes compared to sneakers is the sole: hiking shoes have a sturdy sole so you don’t feel rocks and branches as you’re walking. Trust me, your feet will thank you later.

Another big difference I’ve noticed when hiking is wearing proper hiking socks. I usually wear ankle socks on regular days at home, but hiking socks with padding and support help immensely. I also just like to look of crew socks over my leggings (and they don’t fall down as you walk). I love the Darn Tough ones (they have an unconditional lifetime guarantee). You can sort them by weight. Lighter weight socks for summer, heavier weight socks for winter.

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. If you’ve never bought hiking shoes before, I was given the tip to buy a pair 1/2 a size bigger than usual. This helps when you’re going downhill and your feet naturally slip to the front of your shoes.

Finally, one of the greatest things after a big hike is to take your hiking shoes off in the car! Bring any pair of shoes or sandals in your car to change into.

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

Natural fibres are the best (merino wool) for odor-reducing, moisture-wicking and comfort levels. I almost always wear layers, bringing a lightweight jacket for moments when I stop along the trail or at a summit. Even in the summer, after sweating along the hike, a small jacket will help you stay warm and not cool down too much.

I was gifted the Lululemon Hood Lite Jacket (seen below), and I genuinely love it. It’s lightweight so even on a warm spring day with a t-shirt, I am just comfortable enough with it. It also folds up into the hood so it takes up a small amount of space in your bag. 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 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.

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

Bring your favourite snacks, and consider electrolytes (especially for longer and more technical hikes). Remember to leave no trace and pack out everything you pack in: including things like apple cores or banana peels.

An emergency kit should also be an essential that is always in your day pack. You can find packs online that have all the necessary equipment like bandaids, gauze, wound care, blister packs, etc. They’re a great starting point and you can add to them as you need.

A hat. A simple baseball cap is perfect!

What other hiking essentials do you recommend?

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