You don’t want to go on a hike without the right hiking gadgets and gear, whether you’re heading off on a multi-day trek or a day hike. What you’ll need, completely depends on the type of hike your’e going on, what time of year it is, altitude, and weather forecast.
There are a lot of cool gadgets for hikers, but some of them can actually make a huge difference in weather you have an enjoyable and safe hike or not.
After hiking for years all over the globe, I’ve tested quite a few. To make it easier for you, I’ve put together the most useful things to bring hiking in this posts, so that you can make sure you don’t forget anything.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Andalucia Hiking. I’m an avid hiker and after calling Andalucia home for over 10 years, I’ve covered my share of peaks, ravines, rivers, and valleys across all 8 provinces. I’m here to help you navigate this incredible region with thorough hiking guides, hiking tips, and gear recommendations.
Table of Contents
Gear and gadgets for hikers
Backpack
Whether you go on a day hike or a multi day trek, you need a good backpack to carry your water, food, and other hiking gadgets.
There is a myriad of backpacks to choose from out there, but some brands are leading the way in both quality and sustainability.
One of these brands is Osprey. They focus on recycled materials, a sustainable production chain, and reducing the chemical usage in their products. Here are a couple of their best alternatives for day hiking backpacks and packs for multi-day treks. You can also read my complete Osprey Sirrus 24 review here.
Osprey Sirrus 24 Women’s Hiking Backpack
Osprey Packs Exos 58 Backpacking Pack
Hiking boots
Good hiking boots is incredible important when going on challenging hikes. Finding boots that support your feet and ankles in a good way while hiking is crucial. It can be the difference between aching feet, legs, and back pain. I’ve used Salomon hiking shoes for years and they are not only comfortable, but they also support my feet during multi-day treks.
Hiking boots for men
Hiking boots for women
Hiking socks
Comfortable hiking socks that breathe and are warm are essential on long hikes in high altitude and in colder weather conditions. On warm coastal hikes you need short socks to be comfortable. Here are a couple of cruelty free, vegan alternatives. You can also read my complete guide to finding vegan hiking socks here.
Thick padded Thorlos hiking socks
Balega Enduro hiking socks
Water bottle
A good water bottle is a must on any hike. Especially when you hike in warm weather, you’ll need a water bottle that keeps the water cool all day. I love the bottles from Greens Steel. They’re a sustainable brand and the water stays cold for up to two days. Tried and tested.
Hydration bladder
Whenever you’re going on a challenging day hike, in hot temperatures, or a multi-day trek where you need to drink regularly, a hydration bladder is a lifesaver.
First of all, it’s extremely comfortable to have all the heavy water weight concentrated right by the back instead of having water bottles stacked all around the backpack.
But there’s nothing better than sipping water while you walk without having to stop, take off your backpack, take out the water bottle, and put it back in again before continuing the walk.
Water filter
Whenever you go hiking in areas with natural water sources, especially on multi-day treks, you need a water filter so that you can safely fill up your water bottle along the way and don’t have to carry too much weight at the time.
One of the best water filters on the market is LifeStraw. These filters surpass EPA filter standards, which means your water will be more than safe to drink.
First aid kit
It’s always a good idea to have a small first aid kit in your backpack, especially when you go hiking in less frequented areas. It’s important that it’s lightweight and doesn’t take up too much space, while it should include the basics in case of an injury.
Knee brace
If you struggle with knee pain while hiking, a knee brace can make a big difference, especially when walking downhill. By supporting your knee and putting the right pressure on the right places, it alleviates pain. I’ve written a complete guide to how to find the best knee brace for you here.
Headlamp
A headlamp can come in handy in many different situations. First of all, if you go on a multi-day hike, you’ll need to see at night, but also if there is a chance that you won’t get back from your hike before dark. It’s better to have it in your backpack than getting to the point where you wish you had it. Also if you go on cave hikes, it’s necessary with a headlamp.
Personal locator beacon
Especially if you plan on hiking in remote areas, solo, or go on long multi-day treks, a satellite locator comes in handy in case of emergency. This device can load up maps and weather forecast so you can plan your trip accordingly. The lightweight one from Garmin is great value for money. *Note that not all hiking areas allow satellite communications devices, so check the laws before you head out.
GPS watch
One of the most popular gadgets for hikers are the GPS watches with compass and barometric altimeter. This one from Garmin is made in U.S. Military standard and survives rough weather conditions, shock, and is water resistant. You can also monitor your activity and heart rate, etc. with it.
Trekking poles
Trekking poles come in really handy when walking in steep rugged areas and should not be underestimated as some of the most useful hiking gear you can get. It alleviates knee pain by taking some of the weight off while walking and it’s a good way of exercising your arms in a healthy way while walking. This can even turn an achy back or shoulder into something a bit more bearable. See my top recommendations and tips here.
Multi-tool knife
There’s no denying a multi-tool knife is one of those cool hiking gadgets that always comes in handy, whether it’s an emergency or you’re cooking on your camp stove. This is a must have for anyone out on the trails.
Solar charger power bank
One of the absolute best gadgets for hikers is a solar charger power bank. How many times haven’t you ran out of battery on your phone where you had the map of the trail. Or you just missed the picture of the peak you hiked for hours to reach because your phone died. With a solar charger power bank, you don’t have to worry about that, because it’ll charge in day light and you’ll always have battery for your hiking gadgets.
Windbreaker
A good, lightweight windbreaker makes a huge difference when hiking in changing weather. It’s the perfect piece of clothing that you can dress in adequate layers under so that your body temperature stays comfortable. Here are some good ones from Marmot for women and men.
Neck gaiter
One of the best hiking gadgets is a neck gaiter. It’s great to use as a headband to cover your ears, cover your head, or even cover your neck and face. Depending on the weather and temperature, this is one of my favorite hiking accessories.
Emergency blanket
An emergency blanket is one of the best gadgets for hiking for many reasons. It’s super lightweight, which means you won’t notice you carry it at all. One thing is if you get stuck in bad and cold weather, it can actually save your life. But even as an extra blanket to keep warm in the sleeping bag if it gets colder than anticipated works wonders.
Sunscreen
When hiking in places that are exposed to the sun, it’s important to have a good sunscreen to protect your skin. Especially when hiking in high altitudes, the sun can be unapologetically strong. Using a zero-waste, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free sunscreen benefits both your skin, nature, and animals. This option from Raw Elements is all that you need.
Caps
Wearing a cap or a hat while hiking protects your head from overheating during warm, sunny hikes. But if it’s a bit windy too, you can find the benefits of this cap with an ear warmer that you can pull down.
Bluetooth speaker
If you like music, a Bluetooth speaker can be a great companion, especially if you plan on camping. A sturdy, lightweight speaker with a long battery life is important, and why not make it waterproof in case of rain?
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Conclusion on hiking gadgets and gear
Finding the right hiking gadgets and gear can be a daunting task so I hope I’ve managed to help you narrow it down for you with my experience and research.
After all, the most important thing is to have the right gear so we can enjoy our hikes the best way possible!
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