Hiking / Day Pack Essentials
The warmer weather will be here before you know it! Some of us on the Peregrine team will be a lot more motivated to get out on the trails once the daylight lasts longer and it’s not that cold or snowy out! When going on a hike, whether it's a short one or a full day hike, it is important to have the essentials. You never want to be caught in a situation unprepared. Below are some gear recommendations we love to have while hiking.
Firstly, you need a backpack. Backpacks from Peregrine range from 18 liters to 25 liters, which is a perfect size for a day hike. The Vanga 25 Dry Pack, available in blue/orange and black, has multiple pockets to put your belongings. The main compartment is great for larger items like a sweater/jacket or first aid kit. The external pocket and hip pockets are great for storing smaller items like a snack, phone, or car keys. This backpack is also made with fully seam-sealed nylon fabric that make it excel in rainy weather, if you stumble across some on the trail.
Depending on the terrain of the trail you’re hiking on, you might want some trekking poles! Trekking poles have many benefits for hikers. They help reduce the stress on your body while hiking, provide balance and stability, and help protect your knees when going downhill. The Uinta Carbon Trekking Poles from Peregrine are lightweight, adjustable, and built for all seasons! There are a couple versions: telescoping and folding, so you can choose which way you’d rather store the poles in your pack when you’re not using them. The telescoping version allows for adjusting the height of the poles and collapses down in itself. The folding version folds into 3 sections, collapsing just like a tent pole does. Before going on your hike, it's a good idea to check out the description of the trail, if available, so you can decide whether or not you think you need trekking poles. But, it's always good to bring them just in case!
A big essential for our blog writer Katie to have on hikes is snacks! "I seem to always be hungry, and food tastes better with a good view! I usually like to bring snacks that can provide me with some energy as I’m hiking, like Clif Bars or Honey Stinger Waffles." Going along with snacks, water is obviously very important to bring on hikes. A Nalgene bottle or two will work, but a water bladder works great as well! It's always better to bring extra water so you do not run out and become dehydrated. Trust us, you do not want to be on the trail when you're dehydrated, especially if it's hot out.
Safety is obviously important no matter what you’re doing. When hiking, it's a good idea to bring a few different items to keep you and others safe and prepared for anything. We recommend always having a small first aid kit your backpack. For small day trips, the first aid kit we recommend is one that has the basic materials you would use for common on-the-trail injuries like scrapes and blisters. Bringing a whistle and pepper spray for safety when hiking solo in case you need to defend yourself is a good idea.
If your day hike gets you to a beautiful location where you’d have time to relax and enjoy the area, consider bringing a hammock! We love hammocking because it’s just a great way to unwind, whether you’re alone or with friends. Hiking can be tiring, so what better way to take a break or relax after than to chill in a hammock! Peregrine’s Refuge Lite Hammocks come in a variety of colors and are lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about lugging around anything heavy on your hike.
No matter where you're going for you hike, from a city trail to the backcountry, always remember to Leave No Trace! Learn more about the Leave No Trace Principals here.
Share your hiking adventures with us @peregrineequipment. Bonus points if you’re rocking a Peregrine trucker hat. ;)
