What To Bring?

So, you finally decided to start hiking. It’s one of the best ways to keep your mind off of any matter that stresses you out while also being able to explore any place your vehicle can’t reach. It’s a great way to spend quality time with your friends and loved ones. So did you make a good choice? That’s a big freaking “YES!” Now you’re probably pondering what you should be bringing to a hike. That’s the whole reason you clicked on this article after all. Without any further ramblings, here’s a list of items you should bring along.

Navigation Tools

Well, you got to know where you’re headed. And that’s when navigation tools come into play. That means a map, a compass and a GPS. Most are really quick to say that a GPS is all you need, but that’s a big no-no and here’s why: batteries! You’ll never know what might happen and once your batteries are dead and have no way of navigating, that’s when the other 2 come in handy.

When all else fails, you may need to depend on nature’s indicators but that’s a story for another day…

Water

Your H2O is ESSENTIAL. Gotta keep your body hydrated for it to perform at its best after all. A liter or 2 of water should do you just fine for most short hikes.

As for multi-day hikes, you should consider bringing 10-25 liters of water depending on how many days you’ll be hiking. Hydration packs are great for this, and you can find them in our store here.

Food

This is important if you’re on 6-hour hikes or longer. Bellies need to be full if you want to keep going. Check out our rations if you’re looking for some. As for short hikes, snacks are good if you just want to have some fun with friends or family while enjoying the view.

Survival tools

When you’re outdoors, you have to be prepared for any situation. And that includes getting lost. To call for help? Whistles. To help you see at night? Headlights. To keep yourself warm or even create a signal fire? Fire starters. You’ll also need a knife to do anything from cutting fabrics to make bandages, to even starting a fire if your fire starter broke.

Speaking of which, you can find a multifunction survival bracelet that is a cutter, a compass, a fire starter and a whistle at the same time in our store here. This can come in really handy if you’re in a Bear Grylls situation.

Rain Protection

Sometimes, even the weather forecasts can be wrong. So you’ll need to prepare a poncho or a raincoat if you don’t want to get wet. As the Malay saying goes, “Sediakan payung sebelum hujan”, except it’s not actually a payung.

Trash Bag

What for? To clean up… trash. People can be irresponsible sometimes and tend to leave their trash around the trails. Helping to keep them clean and beautiful is our responsibility. If you’re up for it, you can do your part.

Bug Spray

Those annoying little buggers can definitely ruin your mood with their buzzing. Keep them away with insect repellents if you don’t wanna get bitten!

Toiletries

Sometimes when you gotta go, you gotta go (especially on long hikes). Be it a leak or a dump, you have to come prepared. Do so by bringing along hand sanitizers, toilet paper and waste bags. For a more detailed guide on this, click here. If you can’t find a toilet, make one!

Backpack

In order to store all of the things above, you’re going to need a backpack. It would be wise to choose one that is lightweight, high quality, comfortable and has a not-too-bulky frame so you don’t weigh a tonne.

When it comes to hiking with a backpack, never one-strap them. You don’t want to put excessive stress on your back and shoulders. You should ensure that your backpack is resting close to your body and high on your back for maximum comfort and ease while you’re hiking.   

And Of Course, Sun Protection

Getting barbecued by the sun is not at all fun, which is why sunscreens are essential in protecting your skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation and sunburn. Broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPF15 or higher are highly recommended if you’re hiking in sunny weathers. Do remember to re-apply them every 2-3 hours if you’re sweating a lot.

Even if the bright sun helps you see, it can be pretty blinding as well. Plus, you have UVs to worry about. So get yourself a pair of sunglasses that provide 99-100% ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B protection to shield your eyes. As an added bonus, you get to look cool! Click here if you’re looking for a pair (no pun intended).  

For more useful hiking tips, click here!

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