Greetings, friends! And welcome to Caroline Finds It: my weekly newsletter where I reply to submissions from YOU for objects and products you need recommendations for.
Tomorrow, I’m taking 24 people on a walking marathon of NYC. Yes, a whole marathon, on foot, organized by me, an inexperienced endurance activity coordinator. But while I may be inexperienced at coordinating, I’ve gotten pretty good at being prepared for such endurance tasks. And though I’ve hiked all over the world, in all sorts of climates, I’m not here for anything hardcore like multi-day backpacking, mountain climbing or anything that might be extremely uncomfortable. I just like having a light backpack and dry, clean socks, okay!? This week’s submission was well-timed because hiking gear is already on my mind:
Zaid in Mississauga: “Not a specific item but a sort of essentials list for a beginner/new hiker! Been getting a lot of conflicting information on what to bring and what’s high quality so!!!”
Dear Zaid,
Congratulations on becoming a hiker! I hope that you’ll find your future forays into the wilderness especially fulfilling and enlightening. Hikers are adventurous and brave, but also tend to be particular about their gear. I’m not surprised that you’ve been getting conflicting information because if my experience tells me anything, it’s that every outdoorsperson thinks they know best! Well, I probably don’t know best, but I’m glad you asked me because I can get you outfitted with some basic tried-and-true essentials to help you feel confident moving forward. To make this a little less overwhelming, I’m going to break it down into three categories: Clothes, Feet and Gear.
Note: all of these items have been chosen based on the assumption that you’re doing day hikes in non-extreme climates.
Clothes
Light layers are the way to go! Especially if you’re gaining elevation, the temperature can change drastically so it’s best to be prepared. My preference is always to wear long pants so I don’t get scratched by anything, a tank of a non-cotton sort, a long sleeve hiking shirt for sun protection, and perhaps I’ll throw a packable windbreaker or waterproof jacket in my bag depending on the climate. You can find good hiking clothes at any outdoors shop, but I have a few points to consider:
Choose water-wicking, quick-drying fabrics in case you get sweaty, or caught in the rain. Try to avoid cotton as it is heavy when wet!
Wear pants with pockets so you can store small essentials for easy access without having to get into your backpack.
You don’t need a whole new wardrobe. Check your closet to see if you have anything that’d be safe and comfortable to hike in as it is.
Great brands with hiking clothes:
Topo - Topo is well-known for their cool backpacks, but did you know that they also sell clothes? Aside from normal sportswear, they also have some great outdoors-y threads, including my favorite hiking pants.
Cotopaxi - Cotopaxi makes the most colorful gear on the market and have especially good wind/rain jackets.
Two Important Essentials
If I’m going to recommend any two things for hiking, it’s these. Generally, you can’t go wrong with Eddie Bauer for outdoors gear, but I especially love their hiking shirts. They’re breathable, dry quickly and protect you from the sun without making you feel like you’re wearing too much. the Men’s Upf Guide 2.0 Shirt ($85), or the Women’s Ripstop Mountain Shirt ($70) will do the trick.
The single most useful piece of gear I’ve ever bought is a Tilley Hat. It’s protective, fits securely, breathable and comes with a lifetime guarantee. I wear a classic LTM6 Hat ($99).
Feet
Appropriate footwear the the most important thing you’ll buy for your future hiking adventures! There are two big choices to make, first:
Waterproof or not? - Waterproof shoes are not breathable and can be quite uncomfortable if you don’t actually need their waterproofness. Most hikers don’t need them regularly. Most hiking shoes will at least be water-resistant.
Boot or shoe? - Boots go above your ankle while shoes stop below your ankle. Boots are useful because they prevent your toes from sliding forward and provide more stability, and less ankle rolling. I keep a pair of both because I think shoes are more comfortable for lighter treks, but if you’re going to pick just one got for a boot.
Merrell Moab 3 is a great model to start with. They’re extremely popular, easy to break in and have tough Vibram soles. Sure, there are fancier, higher tech hiking boots but these ones are especially beginner-friendly and will help you learn what you do and don’t want in a boot as you grow as a hiker. I love this recent collab with Unlikely Hikers:
And of course, you’ll need good socks. Wool socks are the best and will give your feel support while regulating their temperature and keeping them dry. My personal belief is that the best, most durable ones come from Darn Tough:
Foot-wise, I’d also recommend always having a few Compeed Blister Bandages on hand. If you know that your shoes have a tendency to rub in a certain place, be sure to apply them before your hike. They also make an anti-blister stick, which is awesome for lubricating your feet to prevent blisters before they happen.
Gear
For day hikes, you really don’t need a lot of stuff in your bag. Make sure you carry a comfortable, lightweight backpack that’s only as big as you need it to be. Topo and Cotopaxi (linked above) are both great for this. Here are some essentials that you will find useful to pack inside:
Leatherman or Multi-tool knife - If you need to cut away brush, or want to get into some (responsible!) foraging, this can be useful.
Head lamp - Not totally necessary, but you’ll look like a total badass to your hiking pals when you whip out your headlamp as it starts to get dark.
Hiking Poles - Also not necessary, but will help you navigate tough terrain.
Water bottle - Don’t buy a fancy water bottle! Use what you have, just make sure it’s big enough.
Sunscreen - Very very important! I have been loving the mineral version of Vacation’s cult favorite SPF lately.
Hydration tablets - These will help supercharge your hydration, and are especially helpful if it’s really hot. There are lots of great brands like Nuun or Liquid IV, but I’d give newbie PLINK! a try.
Tissues - For bathroom emergencies, allergies, etc.
Plastic bag - In case you need to carry wet clothes or for gathering trash to take back with you.
Small med kit - Better safe than sorry! Something like this will do.
Bug repellent - Nothing ruins a hike quite like an irritating itch. Find some natural options, or steal my recipe here.
Lip balm with SPF - It’s shocking how much such exposure can chap your lips! Make sure you have a good lip balm with at least SPF 30.
Anything else is likely superfluous. Shop your own home first, take a deep breath and enjoy your hike. And most importantly: don’t forget to pack snacks! :)
QUICK ANSWER
Patricia in Washington DC: “I’m looking for a laptop sleeve to love. The standard sleeves are OK but I want something a little more upscale, but not necessarily with a ton of branding. Keeps the laptop slim enough to slide into a big purse but looks nice enough to feel good carrying it on its own. If there’s one that includes a solution for carrying the cord and mouse - even better.”
Patricia, I’m not sure what size your laptop is, but if it’s a standard 13” Macbook, I’d recommend the Senreve Envelope Laptop Sleeve ($245) for you. I love this particular model because it’s fancy without the branding or designer price tag, and has storage sleeves in the back so you can slide in your phone and notebook. This sort of leather envelope-style laptop case is the most sophisticated option around, but I’ve yet to find one with more storage capability than this one.
FAVORITE PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
The original pocket notebook isn’t what you’d expect. No, it’s not the soft little staple-bound book popularized by Field Notes. The Kokuyo Sketch Book has been around since 1959 and was originally made for use by engineers in the field. With its slim pocket-friendly shape, tight gridded paper and hard cover, it’s designed so you can fold the cover back and write in it easily while standing. My days for the past year have been spent primarily walking around and collecting data, and my tattered little Kokuyo book has been a daily essential for gathering notes. It fits perfectly in my jacket pocket and offers a sturdiness that is unattainable by equivalent soft cover books. Consider it an essential for the analog explorer. You can find a variety of colors and versions at Yoseka Stationery for $6.
Is there a product you’re looking for? Submit your request here. See you next week for a fresh recommendations. xo Caroline
A bit odd you didn't recommend sunglasses, in my mind they are essential but it does depend where you are hiking too.
also make sure to get a map if you can, phone reception isn't the best when hiking and its not hard to get lost.
I might also add some light snacks, just be sure to clean up.