Hiking Gear Checklist: Essential Items for Women – Part 2

Hiking Gear Checklist: Essential Items for Women – Part 2
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Women’s Hiking Gear Checklist

Day Pack Options

Start with the pack you’re going to carry everything in. There are tons of brands, styles, and price ranges on the market vying for your money and depending upon how often you’ll go, the extent of your hiking trips, and how much you want to spend, you can find one that is right for you. Osprey makes an excellent model that has open air mesh compartment where you can store a hydration bladder bag or leave empty. Either way it circulates the air between you and the pack which is quite nice. For shorter hikes, when the weather is supposed to stay pleasant, a fanny pack will work for you.

Of course water is a top priority which you can carry in a bottle or for added convenience a hydration pack. A very popular type is known commercially as a Camel Back. Camel Backs and other brand name models are designed specifically for women to be more comfortable and incidentally, some have enough compartments and accoutrements that you could use it as a primary pack for a day hike. I’ll link you to one great source for these items below and then you can shop for the best prices yourself.

Essentials

The vital items to put in whatever you use for a pack are as follows; snacks that contain the energy you need to maintain your strength, endurance, and alertness such as trail mix, power bars, and jerky. They make energy shots, and capsules that give you a burst when you need it but be aware they usually contain a lot of caffeine. More food than necessary is always a good idea

Sun block and insect repellent are a must. A First Aid kit with at least band-aids, antibiotic ointment, tape, an Ace bandage, and anything else you know you’ll need. Bring a compass, a map, or a GPS. If you choose not to or don’t really know much about orienteering, don’t even think about getting off clearly marked trails.

More Hiking Necessities

Pack extra layers of clothing depending on the weather and your rain gear (light weight preferably) no matter what. Also include a headlamp, whistle, trail map, small signaling mirror, pepper spray or mace, some sort of fire starter, along with wind and rain resistant matches, and a multi-purpose knife.

The season and weather plus how far you’ll foray into the terrain your travelling are all factors to consider when packing some of the latter items. They won’t be needed on well-travelled trails close to civilization and are meant to have you prepared for the worst case scenarios. But you’re always better off safe than sorry and a little more weight in the pack gives your legs and core muscles a more intense workout.

There’s the list to get you ready for the trail and once you’re on it you’ll be glad you came.

Good reference for shopping for hiking gear:

https://www.backcountry.com/store/cat/12/Womens-Clothing.html?CMP_ID=PD_GOO001&CP=Google&CMP=KNC-Google&mv_pc=r101&gcid=S2000x137&keyword=&s_kwcid=women%20hiking%20clothes|2956203854