Having the right gear can completely change your experience on the trail. Trails can be steep, rocky, hot, cold, muddy, and unpredictable. Whether you’re hiking ridgelines in Glacier, navigating desert heat in Zion, or exploring Olympic Coastline, having the right hiking gear can keep you safe and comfortable.

Packing proper gear can also save time while preventing common issues like blisters, dehydration, navigation and surprises in the weather. Additionally, good gear doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does need to work.

We are avid hikers, and we are constantly trying out new technology, boots and gear. We use that experience to help other hikers figure out what gear they need. The following list is Our Personal Gear List. These are the actual items we take on a hike, plus a few items that apply to certain situations.

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1. Hiking Footwear

Why Footwear Matters: Good footwear is the single biggest comfort and safety upgrade on a hike. Quality boots give you grip on loose rock, support your ankles on uneven trails, and keep your feet from getting wrecked by blisters or bruising. For national parks with rocky, rooty, or wet trails, bad shoes can be the difference between an epic day and a miserable slog.

Shoes vs. Boots: Some people like hiking shoes and trail runners. These shoes are lighter, but in our experience, they don't offer any other upside. Our hikes normally come in between eight and ten miles, so we like to have the extra ankle support and water protection offered by boots. We don't like the idea of rolling an ankle four miles from the trailhead, because we wanted slightly lighter footwear. 

• Our Choice: Hoka Anacapa 2 Mid GTX
  
• Budget Option: Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof

2. Hiking Socks

Why Socks Matter: Socks seem like a small item, but wool or synthetic hiking socks wick sweat, reduce blisters, and keep feet warmer when wet. Cheap cotton holds moisture, which leads to hotspots, cold feet, and stink. A few pairs of quality socks are a small investment that dramatically boosts comfort on every trail.

• Our Choice: Smartwool Merino Socks

• Budget option: REI Co-op Merino Wool Lightweight Hiking Crew Socks

3. Day Pack

Why this matters: A good daypack keeps water, layers, and snacks organized and easy to reach. A hiking-specific pack carries weight comfortably, with hipbelt and sternum straps, so your shoulders don’t get wrecked. It also gives you a dedicated spot for first aid, emergency gear, and maps so items don't get lost.

A Third Option: Aside from "official" hiking day packs, photographers can also consider getting a good hiking camera backpack. These backpacks offer extra protection for camera gear, and there is normally room left over for all of the necessities.

• Budget option: REI Co-op Flash 22 Pack

• Our Choice: REI Co-op Trail 25 Pack or Osprey Talon/Tempest 22

• Our Camera Backpack: ThinkTank Mindshift 18L

4. Hydration (Bottles and Bladders)

Why this matters: Dehydration is one of the most common issues on national park trails. Simple, bombproof nalgene bottles are cheap, nearly unbreakable, and beloved by hikers. Hydration bladders are water bags that fit in a backpack, but they have a tube that stretches to the front so hikers can drink water throughout the hike, instead of chugging at breaks. Filter bottles also offer a convenient option. These bottles have built in filters, so hikers can scoop water from a stream and drink it immediately.

• Our Naglene Choice: Nalgene 32 oz Wide-Mouth Bottle

• Our Bladder Choice: Nalgene 32 oz Wide-Mouth Bottle

• Our Filter Bottle Choice: Nalgene 32 oz Wide-Mouth Bottle

5. Trekking Poles

Why this matters: Poles take stress off your knees on descents, help with balance on rock, snow, or stream crossings, and reduce fatigue on steep climbs. Reddit day-hiking gear lists almost always mention poles for longer or steeper trails.

• Budget option: Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 Trekking Poles

• Quality option: MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon or Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z

6. Headlamp

Why this matters: If a “short afternoon hike” runs long, darkness comes fast in canyons and forests. A headlamp lets you hike hands-free, manage emergencies after sunset, and navigate campgrounds safely. Phone flashlights drain batteries and are awkward—dedicated lighting is a staple in Ten Essentials lists.

• Budget option: Black Diamond Astro 300-R

• Quality option: Black Diamond Spot 400-R or Petzl Actik Core

7. First Aid Kit

Why this matters: Even mellow hikes can mean blisters, cuts, or twisted ankles. A pre-built hiking kit gives you gauze, bandages, meds, blister care, and sometimes an emergency blanket, all organized and ready to go. It saves time vs. DIY and gives peace of mind, especially for families or groups.

• Budget option: Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker

• Quality option: Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Backpacker or Hiker Medic Pack

8. Multi-Tool

Why this matters: Multi-tools shine when you need pliers, scissors, screwdrivers, or a saw for on-trail fixes—trekking pole repairs, stove tweaks, or fixing sunglasses. They’re overkill for ultralight purists but incredibly handy for family trips, car-camp-plus-hikes, or longer road trips between parks.

• Budget option: Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD (tiny EDC backup)

• Quality option: Leatherman Wave+ multi-tool

Unique Situations

1. Bear Spray

Why this matters: In grizzly and black bear country (Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, many Alaska and Canadian parks), bear spray is widely recommended by rangers and guides as a non-lethal last line of defense. Bear spray is not allowed on major airlines, so many adventurers will need to buy or rent bear spray once they arrive at their destination.

2. Water Treatment

Why this matters: Not all streams in national parks are safe to drink from—giardia and other nasties are common. A compact filter lets hikers refill on longer routes, carry less weight up front, and still stay safe. Higher-end filters flow faster and are easier to clean, which matters on group hikes or longer days.

• Budget option: Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System

3. Traction Devices

Why this matters: Popular hiking trails can be covered ice in winter and early spring. Microspikes add metal teeth underfoot so you don’t slip on icy switchbacks or at viewpoints. They open up shoulder-season hiking and make otherwise sketchy conditions manageable.

• Budget option: Yaktrax Pro Traction Cleats or Hillsound Trail Crampon

• Quality option: Kahtoola MICROspikes or MICROspikes Ghost