Are you preparing for a trekking adventure? To ensure you have a safe journey, you’ll need certain trekking essentials. Even if it is a short trek or hike, you should be ready to face potentially harsh conditions.
Many items are important for a trekker, from a small night light to thermal clothing. If you are a first-time trekker, you may be unsure about the things needed for trekking.
To help you, we have made a list of the 5 best items for every adventure lover.
Read this guide to make sure you make the right purchases.
Top 5 Things Needed for Trekking
1. Venture Pal 40L Travel Hiking Backpack
A backpack is handy for a day hike or trekking adventure. The Venture Pal 40L travel hiking backpack can hold several essentials and is available in vibrant colors.
The backpack has a spacious main compartment, a waterproof pocket, and a zipper on the backside for easy access to the internal wet pocket.
With multiple compartments, you can keep your towels, sweaty hiking clothing, and other personal things separate.
Made of durable nylon fabric, the backpack will last long, includes a metal zipper, and has a double-layer bottom that provides added strength. Additionally, the shoulder straps have mesh so they are breathable.
The straps also ensure consistent distribution of weight, which provides added comfort.
This backpack should be the first item on your hiking checklist.
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Safety is extremely important for hikers and trekkers, so the Everlit 250-piece survival first aid kit should be included in your hiking gear.
The kit includes a tactical flashlight, safety pin, cotton tip, metal tweezers, antiseptic wipes, knuckle bandage, fire starter tactical knife, gauze pads, bandages, emergency poncho, glow stick, and several other items.
You also get a military-grade, water-resistant nylon bag with multiple straps and large compartments. You can attach the kit to the vest or backpack panel.
Since hiking and trekking can be risky, emergency circumstances may arise. This bag was designed for this purpose because it includes survival kits and first-aid gear. You also get medical supplies like disinfectant wipes. Another great feature is that the bag has extra space so you can store personal items in it.
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These entry-level trekking poles are the right choice for novice trekkers. While moving uphill through a hiking trail, you can use these lightweight carbon fiber trekking poles.
The Quick-Lock system includes a cork grip designed to fit the contour of your hand.
Users with medium and small-sized hands have described these poles as having a comfortable grip due to the rubber covering. Other features for comfort include grooves and wrist straps.
Carbon fiber shafts have impact force absorption capacity. Overall, these hiking poles have a compact and lightweight design and weigh around 7.8 oz. Depending on your needs, you can adjust the pole height.
The Quick-Lock system is available with various tips, including small tips, snow baskets, mud baskets, and boots for rocky trails. Due to the rubber tip protector, the soft rocks do not get scratched.
However, the adjustment lever is rather bulky and large and the lower lever could be a bit higher. Still, you can buy these poles as one of the essential items for trekking.
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Designed by Teflon Sports, the Leef Mummy sleeping bag has satisfied users by providing comfort. We have found no complaints about the material quality of this sleeping bag.
The ultra-light sleeping bag has a 3-piece hood that can be pulled tightly around your face so your head will stay warm during cold nights.
The water-resistant ripstop shell is another amazing feature of this sleeping bag. It also includes an interior pocket where you can store your wallet.
The zipper baffle of this sleeping bag prevents the chill air from entering it. The double-brushed, soft, multi-polyester lining also gives you comfort. The compression sack is highly durable and helps with maximum compressibility.
After long hours of outdoor activity, the sleeping bag ensures a sound sleep when you feel tired.
The bag is available in different sizes and temperature ratings. It weighs around 4.2 lbs, which is somewhat heavier than other sleeping bags.
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A water bottle is one of the most important things needed for trekking. Finding good water sources during trekking or hiking is challenging, so you must have a water carrier in your backpack.
LifeStaw Go water bottle is different from regular bottles as it comes with a filtration system and straw so you can refill the bottle from a stream and let the system filter it.
Although the components take up space, the bottle’s design is unique.
Fitted to the top of the container with a push-fit connection, the filter comprises two parts. The fiber membrane is hollow and has 0.2-micron micropores with an activated carbon filtration system.
The innovative filters can remove more than 99% of impurities and microplastics so you will enjoy better-tasting water. However, you may need to replace the membrane filter after a year.
The manufacturer has used durable materials to design this water bottle. However, one drawback is that the filter adds weight to this high-tech bottle.
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Guide to Buying the Things Needed for Trekking
You can buy your trekking or hiking gear based on your personal preference. Here we have made a list of the most commonly chosen things needed for trekking to get you started.
Water Bottle
During your hiking adventure, your body should be hydrated. In mountainous regions, it is not always easy to find a tap on the roadside so you should have plenty of water with you at all times. Some sturdy, leak-free bottles have built-in filters to filtrate the water collected from natural streams.
Backpack
A 45-55L backpack is essential to keep your day hiking gear organized. The best backpacks won’t make you feel the strain on your back, shoulders, and neck. Some models come with a detachable smaller bag which can be handy for extra belongings.
We recommend buying waterproof backpacks that will keep your things dry during wet weather, including your cell phone and clothing.
Trekking Shoes
Buying a pair of premium-quality hiking shoes is a good decision. While trekking in rugged terrain, these shoes will be your lifesaver.
Waterproof, ankle-high trail shoes will make you feel comfortable and prevent you from twisting your ankles. You may also want to carry an extra pair of shoes like rubber sandals or sneakers.
Clothing
When out on a trail, you should dress in layers to feel comfortable in all types of weather. Wear a long-sleeved t-shirt under a fleece jacket.
You may also want to wear thermal underwear and a waterproof outer coat for extra layers if it’s really cold. Other essential clothing includes scarves, hats, socks, heavyweight pants, and proper shoes.
Snacks and Other Foods
Be sure to have plenty of food for your trek. Consider bringing nuts, dry fruits, chocolates, and energy bars. Some trekkers also like to have cooked food like noodles and soup.
Medical Supplies
Antiseptic lotions, gauze pads, and other medical kits are essential during an emergency. You can treat burns, cuts, and bruises using your first-aid kit and your backpack should also have over-the-counter medicines for fever and the common cold.
Other things valuable to every trekker are trail maps, headgear, walking poles, swiss knives, sunscreen, flashlights, and raincoats.
FAQ
Should I wear special gear or clothing during trekking?
You should have proper clothes to feel comfortable in various weather conditions when trekking. Sleeping bags, hiking shoes, and a sleeping mattress are also essential for comfort.
What should I drink and eat during a trek?
You can decide on your dinner and lunch depending on the local foods of the trekking destination. Bring snacks in your backpack like nuts, chocolate, energy bars, and any other personal favorites.
When out in nature, it’s typically only safe to consume properly boiled water and well-cooked food.
Should I undergo training before enjoying a trekking journey?
You do not need to be a professional athlete to enjoy trekking, but it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the necessary survival skills, just in case you encounter an emergency.
You can also practice swimming, biking, and running to get ready and stay active.
Can I wear running shoes during my trekking?
Yes, you can wear running shoes for trekking only if you’re going to stay on smoother trails. If you go on more difficult treks, it’s a good idea to upgrade your footwear to hiking boots for comfort and safety.
Conclusion
Checking weather conditions is the most crucial step before planning a trek. If the weather is favorable, you can start your journey. To get ready for any adventure, you’ll first need to buy some things needed for trekking to ensure you have a safe and fun journey.
Many trekkers continue trekking for several days and weeks, so they need to carry essential hiking equipment, first-aid kits, food, and other basic items.