Going camping and hiking is fun and not something that gets you racking your brain on which hiking and camping gear to buy. The beauty of camping and hiking is in the scenery, the love, and oneness it builds amongst campers. But these beauties can be hampered if, like a soldier going to war with a wooden stick, you take the wrong set of gears.
The effectiveness and durability of your camping and hiking gears are what either makes the hiking fun and exhilarating or a strenuous journey you can’t wait to forget.
In this post, we will unpack some of the top fifteen camping and hiking gears to help you and your loved ones have a wonderful time. We know that quality and durability are paramount when choosing hiking gears, but we also know that the right price is imperative. These gears are of high quality and are affordable.
However, before we give you the pros and cons, as well as what you should look out for when buying the top fifteen camping and hiking gears, we will explain what camping and hiking means.
What is Camping?
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity that requires participants to sleep inside a tent or a cabin. Unlike backpacking that lasts for a few hours, camping could span for a day or more. State parks, open territories and public owned lands are some common places people go to for camping. People often leave developed places to spend time outdoors, in a place that has lots of “nature” and freedom. There are different types of camping. Some of them include:
- Tent camping
- Car camping
- Survival camping
- Glamping
- Backpacking
- Canoe camping
What is Hiking?
Hiking is also a recreational activity that involves walking outdoors to enjoy nature. Hikers usually follow defined pathways and routes. Hiking can be strenuous and fun. Most people hike for health purposes. The path hikers follow is called a HIKING TRAIL. There are several health benefits of hiking, such as losing weight, decreasing hypertension, improving blood flow and heart rate and improving mental health. There are two major types of Hiking. They are:
- Short hikes
- Long hikes or treks
Now that we know what hiking and camping is, what are the necessary gears – not the top gears, but the must-have gears – for hiking and camping?
When you go hiking and then decide to stay in the mountains or the high heel areas for longer, you’ll need to camp. Hence, the need for having gears for hiking and camping.
EIGHT HIKING AND CAMPING ESSENTIAL GEARS
- Tents, Tarps, Poles, Tie Downs, and Stakes: When you go camping, you know you must sleep under a protected roof. Having a tent isn’t debatable. However, there are no one-size-fits-all when it comes to tents. The number of person camping, the weather of the camping site and the topography matters when choosing a tent. The other accessories such as the Tie Downs, Poles, Tarps are dependent on the type and size of the tent you choose. Most tents come in tow major types: three-season tents and Four-season tents. Three-season tents are awesome durable tents that can withstand rugged topography and weather, except chilly wintry seasons. The materials used to make three-season tents aren’t as strong to withstand the harsh winter cold and wind. Four-season tents, on the other hand, are stronger and can withstand wintry weather. Its materials are stronger and last longer than three-season tents. Now, when it comes to you and what type of tent you should go for, it depends on where you’re going to and how long you want to stay.
- Sleeping Bags and Sleeping Pads: For different temperatures, there are different sleeping bags and sleeping pads for you. These sleeping bags come in different weights – heavy and lightweight – depending on the place you’re camping and hiking. Also, for comfort, people go for sleeping pads to cushion some of the hardness of the ground. Take not of the size of these bags and pads.
- Hiking boots and shoes: There is no way you can go hiking on bare feet. When hiking in some mild places, you can use your sneakers, but most times, there is a need for a hiking boot. These boots come in different weights and levels of comfort on the feet.
- Headlamps, Lanterns, and Flashlights: LED lights are best for Headlamps and flashlights. Many people prefer headlights because it affords campers and hikers do other things while the headlight is strapped to the head.
- Water Filtration system: If you’re going hiking and camping, you’ll need clean water. Water filters are important for people who can’t bring large volumes of water.
- Backpacks: Backpacks are very important gears because they determine how much gears you can pack along on your hiking trip. Backpacks come in different sizes and weights. With regards to backpack size, there are three types: day packs, overnight packs and long-Haul packs. Dry packs are smaller and are used for short, less-than-a-day hiking and camping trips. Overnight packs, as their name implies, are used for overnight camping. These backpacks are bigger and can pack more camping necessities and some gears. And the long-haul packs are the biggest size. They are used for longer hiking and camping trips. You can pack all your other gears inside the over-haul backpacks. Heavy-duty backpacks are made from ultra-strong nylon materials and YKK-grade zippers and straps of nylon. For most bags, polyester and nylon are the preferred materials. But there are some made from leather.
- First Aid Kits: There is no debate here, you need a first aid kit! The regular drugs and other first aid kit necessities are must-haves. Moleskin for blisters, bug sprays and aloe Vera for burns.
- Trekking Poles: You can’t go hiking without the right trekking poles. No matter how tough or mild the topography is, you must come prepared with the right trekking poles. There are no universally best ones for you, it all depends on what works for you. Light, highly compatible models are the regular first choice for amateur hikers. Also, look out for the materials used to make the poles. Some of the made form sturdy carbon fiber.
SOME OTHER ESSENTIALS YOU NEED TO HAVE
- Biolite Powerlite Bundle
- GPS
- Sun protection
- Extra water and extra food.
- Knife to help with gear repairs.
You know what you should be packing as you get ready for your hiking and camping adventure. Now, it is time we looked at the best fifteen camping and Hiking gears for you. These picks cut across a wide range of brands. Please note, there are no hard and fast rules to these things, it all depends on your hiking and camping goal, as well as the duration of your camping and the place you’re going hiking.
THE BEST FIFTEEN CAMPING AND HIKING GEARS
- SAUCONY PEREGRINE ISO: These lightweight shoes are perfect for tough terrains. Saucony peregrine ISO comes for both men and women. The company has over a decade of experience with hiking and camping shoes. The traction is good, giving your feet a good grip on the ground. Also, the upper, middle, and outsole are made from PWRFOAM, which ensures the comfort of your feet when you wear them. The PWRFOAM gives your feet the right cushioning so that when you are hiking up those high hills, your feet don’t feel a thing underneath. It weighs 1 lb. 5 oz (pair)
Pros:
- Lightweight.
- great, rubber soles
- comfortable on the leg
- very affordable
cons:
- it isn’t waterproof
- ALTRA LONE PEAK 4: This roomy ‘foot shaped’ shoe is a top choice for people who want comfort and affordability. It has a zero-drop build, ensuring that the heel and ball of your foot will be the same distance from the ground. They are fashionable as they are durable. They are built for tough and rugged terrains.
Pros:
- Moderate cushion for your feet\
- It has a nylon lining, making it a perfect fit for different weather.
- The Gripper MaxTrac rubber outsoles with TrailClaw lugs help you stay stable on wet ground.
- The FootShape feature of all Altra shoes reduces overpronation, enhances stability, and creates powerful toe-off to maximize speed-hiking performance.
Con:
- The price is relatively high.
- REI CO-OP MAGMA 15 & 30: This sleeping bag offers warmth and space for campers. The materials used are of high quality and has a good warmth-to-weight ratio. The REI CO-OP MAGMA is also great on the skin, very comfortable, and has a well-shaped hood.
Pros:
- They are lightweight
- They are certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RSD)
- They are affordable, one of the most affordable with high quality.
- there are no-snag zippers.
- It is water-resistant
- The baffle spacing makes this sleeping bag temperature effective and reduces the weight.
Con:
- the material used is thin and it can be a little snug when fitted.
- WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING ALPINLITE 2O: If you’re looking for top quality materials, then this is your choice, easily. These sleeping bags offer warmth and are lightweight, weighing 1 lb. 15 oz. It also has a no-snag zipper which makes it easy to use by anyone. One outstanding feature is its water repellency which makes it a perfect choice even in rainy weather.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- It has a full-length draft tube
- Made from the best materials
- They are certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RSD)
- It has a 360o down collar
Con:
- They are quite expensive
- ENLIGHTENED EQUIPMENT REVELATION QUILT 1OO: They come is an array of weights, are ultralight, and are very affordable. Like a quilt, it is designed to be used with a sleeping pad to provide insulation between your body and the ground. It keeps you warm and comes with no full-length zipper, thereby making it ultralight. It has snap and drawcord neck closure that lets you fine-tune draft control
Pros:
- Made from 100% organic cotton
- Ultralight
- Affordable
- It is versatile, meaning it can be used for during different weather
- It is certified to Responsible Down Standard (RSD)
- GOSSAMER GEAR GORILLA 40: These are ultralight bags that are well-padded. They are designed for optimal quality and are durable. There is the unisex ergonomic hip belt shape that makes it fit for all gender. They can be used for longer trips and through hikes with itineraries.
Pros:
- 3 hip belt size options for a more custom fit
- It can carry loads of up to 30 pounds.
- Two sides mesh fabric on shoulder straps and hip belt for less friction, more cushion, and more comfort.
- Has trekking pole and ice ace holsters.
- Has a hydration sleeve.
Cons:
- Extra clips on the bottom of the shoulder straps.
- Trekking pole holsters are too far apart.
- Some of the straps are too long and hang down sometimes.
- THERM-A-REST NEOAIR UBERLIFE SLEEPING PAD: These are the best sleeping pads for summer. They are ultralight and comfortable. It has an incredible internal structure that provides stability and support for rest.
Pros:
- They are ultralight
- They can be shrunk to the size of a small water bottle; it doesn’t take space in your backpack.
- It has a pump sack, stuff sack, and repair kit.
- It has an R-value of 2.3, providing good insulation from ground temperature.
Cons:
- The price range is quite high for an ultralight sleeping pad.
- THERMA-A-REST NEOAIR XTHERM SLEEPING PAD: They are the 4-season backpacking choice for hikers and campers. They are crafted for winter camping and backpacking. They are lightweight, weighing 15 ounces. It provides a high level of insulation from ground temperature.
Pros:
- The pump sack included in the backpack provides faster inflation and deflation.
- Very thick and has a baffled internal structure that provides stability and support.
- Made with light materials that create an ultra-compact design.
- The Triangular Core Matrix helps to reduce convective heat loss.
- It has an R-value of 6.9 which makes it the perfect fit for hiking and camping in cold, wintry areas.
Cons:
- BLACK DIAMOND EQUIPMENT SPOT325: A headlight is one gear that isn’t negotiable. The spot325 is a bright headlamp with long battery life. The LED indicator shows how much battery life you have left, making it ideal for hikers climbing high landforms. Also, there are six different light modes to choose from. The waterproof feature is awesome.
Pros:
- The PowerTap technology toggles instantly between full brightness and dim modes.
- It has a high lumen.
- It has a high max distance, making it ideal to see far distances.
- The battery life is long, almost fours on highest brightness.
- It has 3 AAA batteries.
Cons:
- They are quite pricey.
- The weight could be a problem for some hikers.
- GERMIN FENIX 6 PRO SOLAR: A good watch if you’re going hiking and camping outdoors. It has onboard GPS, heart rate monitor, and pulse oximeter. It is a smartwatch that you can integrate with your phone.
Pros:
- It has sleep, step, and fitness tracker.
- It has topo maps, barometer, compass, and altimeter.
- It has a large screen and is thinner.
- It is lightweight.
- You can customize your map display.
- It has great battery power that lasts very long.
Cons:
- The price is quite high
Camping and hiking should be fun. With the right gear, you can have a swell time hiking. You don’t have to spend too much to have fun.
