As many of you are aware, I enjoy living a healthy life. My fitness journey has not been perfect and I have gotten pretty far off track, but I have been doing a lot better lately. I know that exercising is not often described as fun, but I believe that there is something out there for everyone, whether that’s dancing, boxing, weight lifting, or running. I quickly fell in love with weight lifting as well as hiking, and after doing this combination for quite some time now, I have learned quite a bit about what to wear and what to bring for both occasions. Today I am sharing some of my hiking essentials (some of these may not be seen as a necessity to some of you. These are just some things I like to have with me. I like to be prepared for anything). Hopefully, if you’re hiking with a friend, they can carry a few of these items as well. These are some items that I believe everyone should carry in their hiking bags.
- Hand Sanitizer
Some people may not feel that this is necessary, but I definitely do! You never know what you may end up touching, and the bathrooms at public parks are not always incredibly clean. If you are anything like me, I suggest keeping a small hand sanitizer in your bag.
- WATER
Never ever forget to bring water on your hikes! It doesn’t matter if it is cold or hot out; I always bring a couple water bottles with me. Not only should you be drinking 8 cups (or more) of water a day, but you should especially drink water when exercising; this includes hiking.
- Snacks
Unless you plan on camping overnight or having a picnic, you do not need to bring a ton of food. A few simple snacks such as nuts, granola bars, or fruit should suffice. I always bring a couple snacks just in case. The hikes that I go on are not always very strenuous or too long, so it is not always an essential but you never know what may happen! Also, if you’re bringing a furry friend on your hike, make sure to have some food and water for them!
- A portable charger
If you are going hiking, especially on a longer hike, I recommend taking a portable charger. I never really use my phone on hikes unless I am taking photos, but if your phone were to die, or if you were to get lost, it is important to have a charged phone. I like to let other family members know where I am just in case, but you should make sure to start your hikes with a fully charged phone and a portable charger.
- Headphones
As I mentioned, I really do not use my phone when I am hiking, but if you do, and if you’re alone, you can always bring headphones to hear some of your favorite music to get you through those difficult hikes.
- Hair ties
I always like to have my hair up and out of my face when exercising, whether that’s in the gym or on a mountain. You will rarely see me without a hair tie on my wrist! I always bring one with me anywhere I go in case mine breaks or it gets lost somewhere!
- First aid
When you’re out hiking, there is always a chance of injury. Even if you just got a cut on your leg or finger, you should make sure to take care of it quickly in order to avoid infections and for it to heal sooner. I would recommend at least carrying a few band aids with you. It is better to be prepared, plus, band aids won’t take up any space and they won’t weigh you down.
- Personal hygiene products
I really do not bring many personal hygiene products with me when hiking, but if you are the type of person to sweat a lot, bringing a small deodorant may be useful to you. Also, for all my ladies out there, bringing a couple feminine hygiene products with you is always a smart move.
- Sunscreen
I think we often forget just how important it is to wear sunscreen daily, I know I do! To be completely honest, I really only wear sunscreen when I am going to be outside for a long period of time in the summer. I am trying to wear it more often all year round, but even moreso when it is sunny out. When I am hiking, I could be outdoors for anything from an hour and a half to three hours, and I want to protect my skin as much as I can. You do not need to carry this in your bag, but you should make sure to put some on before you leave the house!
Thank you so much for reading! Leave me a comment below and tell me what your hiking essentials are!
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