Essentials For Your Outdoor Adventures, Our Favorite Hiking Accessories

First thing I have to admit...I'm impulsive. I wish I could use the word spontaneous, because to be honest, it sounds better, like I'm about to embark on a whimsical journey filled with all the perfection. Whoa. Hold up. Gotta back that train up. Because in reality I'm hands down impulsive, and in the world of outdoor adventuring, being impulsive isn't a good idea. Believe me, or maybe learn the hard way like I did...😁🙃

The first real hike I ever took was insanely beautiful. I was asked to come along and thought it would be like a fun little walk in the park. When I showed up in slip-on Sketchers and a light jacket, well, the eyebrow elevation would've made the crest jealous. 🤨 It was cold, and it would get colder the higher we went. And the ice...who knew you could skate in between the towering trees along the trails?!? Needless to say, I was unprepared. Since then I've come up with ten must-have things that are essential to any outdoor excursion. The perfect hiking accessories. This list is by no means all inclusive, and you probably could come up with something even better, but it'll at least get your mind going and your heart planning. You'll be prepared, and being properly prepared for the adventure ahead is vital! ✅

1. Find a good pair of shoes. Hands down number one thing to purchase on your list. Remember that first hike I told you about? The one where I wore slip on Sketchers and got the eyebrow raise of the century? Well, same shoes. Second hike. I slipped on a dusty rock and came this close to snapping my arm in half. Bravo, Beck. Way to learn your lesson. Before hike #3 I went down to REI and grabbed a pair of Merrell Hikers. Guys, I've fallen in love. When you have a great pair of hikers, it's like having a constant giant hug for your feet. It's made a world of difference. We could go into brands and styles, but basics remain the same. Find a good hiker you like. Don't leave home without them.

2. Can't talk about shoes without mentioning socks. Don't go hiking on me with cotton on your feet. Most hiking socks are made with wool so they're comfortable, keep you protected from wearing against your footwear, and depending on the length you choose, can have some wicked cool designs to choose from. COOL SOCKS HERE If you get the right size, hiking socks will fit just as snugly as your hiking shoes, and they'll keep you warm and dry! 

3. Don't ever leave for a hike without a basic first-aid kit. Some of you may want to roll your eyes a bit🙄, but I mean it, and I'll get my stern momma voice out if I have to. Even on the easiest of hikes, you never know what you'll come across. Cuts, scrapes, bruises...yes some of these can be remedied back home, but say you slip (hike #2, remember!) and fall and slice a deep gash or worse. A basic first-aid kit shouldn't be too heavy, and in a world of unknowns, it really is essential! CHECK THIS ONE OUT

4. Food. Always, always, pack some food. Hiking is strenuous, no matter what path you take. Having something in your pack that'll get your blood sugars up and get you moving is so important. I love packing protein bars, cashews, and even a sandwich (to be honest, I'd pack a mug of coffee too if i could). HERE'S MY GO-TO PROTEIN BAR 😋 I always pack extra food just in case, and I make sure the food I take is something that will sustain energy over time. Skip the bad carbs full of sugary stuff. And if you're hiking with a buddy, it's always nice to share!

5. Water, water, water. Did I say water? 💧💧💧 We can't last without it, and we always need more than we think. Pack what you think you'll drink, and then pack some more. It may be the heaviest thing in your pack, but you'll be grateful you have it. And once you've packed it, don't forget to drink it along the way! REI has great hydration packs that are extremely durable. Our bodies get dehydrated faster than we think, so be kind to yourself and bottoms up!

6. Always bring along some sort of navigation. 🧭 Most people use the GPS on their smart phones or watches, and that's great! As long as you have some way to track where you're at, where you've been, and where that dang trail went to, you're in business. Plus, if you're a workout junkie like me, it's so much more fun to track all of your stats after you've been trekking around the mountainside all day! Either way you shake it, it's a very good idea to pack some sort of navigation tool.

7. Make sure your pack has some kind of light source packed inside. I've been on countless hikes where it took me so much longer to finish than I had expected, and the sunset was already getting down and dirty. You never want to be caught wandering the mountain at night, so make sure your essentials includes a flashlight 🔦 or headlamp or some other light source! 

8. Weather protection, don't leave home without it. Remember when I told you that being prepared was a good thing? Well, that will come in handy with this next thing on the checklist. Always be prepared for the weather you're gong to face. Is it going to be sunny and hot? Sunscreen and a hat. Will it be frigid and ice covered? Snow socks and a pair of Yaktrax will do. Having the proper weather protection is directly dependent on the weather ahead, and you'll want to be ready for whatever it is. One thing I always recommend? Add chap stick to your weather protection gear. The sun and wind can be unforgiving in the higher elevations, and chapped lips really are the bane of my existence. Bottom line, read the weather report, come prepared. 🌬🌞⛅🌧❄

9. Fire. Yes this might seem crazy, and I do think I've become waaayyy overly fascinated by fire lately 🔥🔥🔥, but choose a good fire-starter when you're going on one of those longer hikes. Mountains are cold. Fire is hot. Fire and smoke can be seen from a long distance. (Is my momma bear coming out?) It doesn't matter if you like the matches or the flint or the sticks. In fact, here's a link to some of my favorites, hope you have just as much fun poking around! FIRESTARTERS Pick one and bring it along.

10. Bring a camera. Need I say more??

This list really is generic, and one for those of us who are just starting out! The more advanced you get, the deeper this list will go. Let me know what you think, and if you've seen others I should add, contact me and let me know.

Hike on! 🤘