Favorite Hiking Gear

Here at Dirt In My Shoes, we believe that the best way to see the national parks is by hitting the trail! If you’re hoping to do some hiking on your next national park adventure, you’ll love this list of my favorite hiking gear.

I never hit the trail without these important pieces of equipment, so today, I want to show you what I wear and what I bring to make my time on the trail fun and enjoyable!

This post about hiking gear may contain sponsored or affiliate links.

What I’m Currently Hiking In

Hiking Boots

Finding the right hiking boots is such a personalized experience, so you’ll want to stop in at a store to try things on and get a feel for which brands feel the best on your feet.

That being said, now that I’ve been consistently hiking all over the national parks for over 20 years (and after working as a park ranger for the NPS), there are definitely features that I always look for when I’m ready to purchase new hiking boots. I have learned from experience that I prefer a waterproof, mid-rise boot with good ankle support.

I am currently hiking in Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots. They are supportive and waterproof without being too clunky or stiff.

Insoles

When it comes to life-changing hiking gear, insoles are at the top of my list. When I started replacing the factory insoles that come standard with hiking boots, it was a game-changer. Before investing in high-quality insoles, my feet would always start aching by about mile 4 of every trail I tried to hike. After investing in insoles, I can hike and hike and hike without aching feet.

I recently went backpacking for a week in Peru with this exact setup, and my feet have honestly NEVER felt better after a long trek. They were tired, but they didn’t hurt — it was amazing!!

I am currently using the SuperFeet Hike Support Insoles for Women (there is also a men’s version). The arch support is awesome, and I will never hike without these insoles again. I was hesitant to pay so much for insoles, but they are 100% worth the investment!

Socks

A good pair of wool socks will make all the difference as you hone in on your necessary hiking gear. With the right socks, your feet will stay dry, and you’ll avoid getting blisters. I also love that my socks stay in place really well and don’t slide around in my shoes while I’m hiking.

I am currently hiking in Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Socks. I’ve been using these socks for about eight years now, and I can’t recall the last time I got a blister while hiking. I prefer the Light Hikers because my feet tend to run hot, and these socks are thinner. When you’re purchasing your socks, look for the phrase “light cushioning” if this is important to you. If you want more cushioning, look for the phrase “medium cushioning” in the product description.

My Favorite Hiking Backpack

The right backpack is an essential piece of hiking gear that can be the difference between loving and hating your hike! You definitely don’t want to have neck, back, and shoulder pain every time you hit the trail, so you’ll want a high-quality backpack that provides support and helps you carry the weight in a healthy way.

I have tried so many different daypacks over the years, and I finally found a brand that is consistently comfortable — Gregory Packs. They are well-made, super comfortable, and have lots of storage.

I am currently hiking with the Maya 20 for shorter outings and hikes and the Jade 43 for longer day hikes (or if I need to carry gear for my kids). If you are a woman, definitely try on/purchase a women’s style backpack — the torso height of the pack is typically more comfortable, and the shoulder straps are curved and closer together so they contour better to a woman’s body shape.

The 10 Essentials for Hiking

You never know what can happen to you during your hike, so it’s wise to be prepared with the 10 essentials for hiking. This hiking gear doesn’t take up a ton of room in your backpack but could be the difference between life and death out on the trail.

As you pack up your hiking bag, be sure to include these items. I’ve had plenty of close calls over the years and have learned the hard way why it is so important to carry these 10 things with you when you’re out on the trail:

1. Navigation

Sometimes trails aren’t well marked, sometimes trails get washed out, and sometimes you just take a wrong turn. DO NOT rely solely on your phone for navigation.

Paper maps may seem old school, but they don’t have batteries that can die if you get lost, so be sure to have one with you that covers the area you are hiking in. Bring and know how to use a compass. A GPS device can be used on top of these things, but similar to your phone, make sure it isn’t your only navigation tool.

I generally use National Geographic Topographic Maps for hiking in the national parks.

2. First-Aid

Always carry a basic first-aid kit with you on your hikes. Even if you don’t need it, you never know who you might run across that you can help if you’re prepared!

Look for a small kit that you can easily throw in your backpack — I hike with this one, but there are a lot of options out there. If you are going backpacking, you’ll want a more comprehensive kit. But for dayhiking, it’s sufficient!

3. Food

Bring more food than you think you’ll need! If you were to get stranded or lost out on the trail, having extra food is so important. Focus on calorie-dense foods like nuts, dried fruit, jerky, or energy bars.

4. Water

Not only do you want to pack enough water to get you through your hike, but you’ll also want to have something with you that can purify water in case you run out. I have run out of water before, and it’s a scary experience!

I hike with a Sawyer Mini (this can be used as a straw or can filter directly into a water bottle) or a Lifestraw depending on where I’ll be hiking. I also recommend getting some iodine tablets and throwing those into your backpack as well. It’s good to have a couple of different water purifying options with you.

5. Shelter

If you were to get stranded or lost while hiking, you may need to spend a night outside until help arrives. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to bring something that can be converted to an emergency shelter.

I recommend hiking with this emergency bivy, or for longer trails or more emergency preparation, this emergency shelter.

6. Lighting

I love to hike in the evenings, but that means that I occasionally get caught in the dark when I don’t hike quickly enough to complete my hike before the sun goes down! For that reason, I have gotten used to always carrying an extra headlamp with me just in case.

I have a couple of these simple Black Diamond Headlamps that I always store in my hiking backpack for emergencies. Don’t forget to bring extra batteries as well!

7. Firestarter

Carrying a small book of waterproof matches and a firestarter is just good emergency prep when you’re hiking. If you get lost or injured and are forced to spend more time outside than you were planning, you can start a fire to stay warm or cook food. Be sure to check the local fire regulations before you head out, though!

I keep these Zippo Waterproof Matches in my hiking bag at all times, and I know they’ll work if I need them.

8. Sun Protection

Bring what you need to protect yourself from the sun while you’re out adventuring. I recommend sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection, sunscreen, a hat, and a long-sleeved shirt for sun protection. Side note on this — don’t forget to bring a small bottle of bug spray as well.

9. Insulation

It’s always a good idea to bring a little more clothing than what you’re wearing, especially pieces that can add insulation and keep you warm when the sun goes down.

I always hike with at least a warm hat and gloves, especially for those early morning hikes that start before sunrise. I also like to bring a jacket that packs down really small and doesn’t take up much room in my pack.

Remember, when it comes to hiking clothes, nothing needs to be fancy, but you will want to stay away from cotton and go for polyester or spandex fabrics instead. It’s important to have quick-drying clothes that don’t hold on to moisture if you want to avoid hypothermia!

A simple hat and a small pair of gloves are easy to find, and you can buy them anywhere. For a small, packable jacket, I like to hike with this one.

10. Knife or Multi-Tool

A good multi-tool hardly takes up any room or weight in your backpack, but it will definitely come in handy to have one! If you have a little extra room, throwing in a small repair kit and some paracord is also a good idea.

I generally prefer a multi-tool over a knife because I like carrying a variety of options!

I hope this list of my favorite hiking gear helps get you outfitted for your next adventure. Need some inspiration? Pick your next national park destination and start trip planning.

I’ll see you out on the trail!