Hiking Gear
After many, many hours spent trudging through the outdoors. Relying on nothing but our bodies and determination to get up that mountain, you may have come to realise just how important comfortable, quality hiking gear really is!
Here is all the hiking gear I use personally on my adventures in the wild, as a solo female hiker!
All of these products can be found on Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/shop/bagsalwayspacked
Backpacks
Why I love it:
THE most comfortable backpack I have ever worn! A heat mouldable hip band is just one of the adjustable features of this pack which lets you get the perfect fit.
Along side its comfort, this pack has a handy attachment loop of pocket for anything you need to take with you on a trip!
Osprey’s life time guarantee also means you can bring it back to any authorised retailer for free repairs, meaning it’s an investment for life!
Why I love it:
The mesh insert in the back area means my back can sweat freely on those long hot day hikes.
Everyone hates the feeling of putting on a cold, sweat-soaked pack after a lunch break. No need for that with the amazing airflow this pack gives you.
A perfect size for day trips, with enough accessible compartments for phones and trail snacks!
Shoes / Boots
Perfect light weight, breathable shoe with great traction for day hikes in a warm climate.
Choose the Gortex option for complete waterproofing too!
For longer, more strenuous hikes, I need a bit more ankle support. In comes the Salomon Quest hiking boots.
These Gortex lined boots are great when you want a balance of waterproofing and breathability, whilst giving your foot the support it needs to carry a heavy pack, long distances.
These boots are my new favourites!
With a blister free guarantee, they are hike-able right out of the box.
Included with the shoe are a set of 3 stackable inserts to let you get the perfect fit for your foot. Perfect for narrow feet.
With a stiff sole and crampon compatible heel + toe pieces, these boots are perfect for days spent in snowy mountain, alpine conditions!
Hydration
A classic companion on most travellers adventures, this old faithful never fails you.
Beside the obvious liquid carrying capacity, my favourite thing about the Nalgene bottle is that is can hold boiling water without melting. Perfect for adapting into a hot water bottle for your sleeping bag on a cold night!
I bring this with me on all my travels!
Life straw filters out bacteria, parasites, and microplastics, making almost all water drinkable!
With the bottle adaptor kit you can make the LifeStraw fit most wide and small mouthed water bottles. I use mine in conjunction with my Nalgene bottle.
With the option to carry up to 3L on my back, I love the flexibility of not having to have the bladder filled the whole way, and still being able to drink every last drip.
The back plate and attachment clip keeps it upright no matter how your bag’s packed, plus the multiple attachment points on the hose, allow it to be removed from your pack for filling, without detaching the hose from your shoulder strap.
I also carry extra mouth pieces with me on my treks, as I managed to chew through one in a couple of days in Pakistan.
Cooking
So many pots and pans, cleverly stacked into one small portable container.
With multiple pans that double as bowls, there’s no need to bring extra with you.
The flame is contained within it’s own wind proof structure, meaning the heat doesn’t stop when cooking somewhere exposed!
Sleeping
This incredible warm sleeping bag will have you sleeping as snug as a bug in a rug!
With ventilation zips to allow extra airflow and a handy valuables pocked right near your face, this bag has comfort and convenience in mind for those cold cold temperatures!
This self inflating sleeping pad packs down to a light weight, small addition to your backpack, with a huge reward.
Who doesn’t love the comfort of arriving at your camp and being able to get an amazing nights sleep?
No need for carrying pumps or using your already exhausted lungs to manual blow it up. Just open the valve and let it fill itself!
Clothing
Arc’teryx Beta AR Shell Jacket
Why I love it:
This jacket is 100% worth the price tag. It’s incredible light and breathable whilst also being fully wind, and water proof!
Being able to squish this jacket down to the size of nothing, you will never regret bringing it along as soon as the weather picks up!
Why I love it:
This puffer jackets thin profile makes it perfect for layering.
Whilst it may not look it with i’s streamline design, this jacket is incredibly warm thanks to its Omni-Heat™ reflective lining. This silver insert helps reflect your body head and hold it in the jacket to keep you toasty all year round!
Why I love it:
This mid-layer is my rock! Coming with me everywhere, Patagonia really hit the mark with this one!
It’s R1 design makes it incredibly breathable when sweating your way uphill, whilst keeping you toasty warm when in cooler climats on top of the mountain!
This is the kind of fleece you can wear all day and be consistently comfortable!
Simond Mountaineering Trousers
Why I love it:
Stretchy, comfortable, lite mountaineering trousers.
Whilst these aren’t 100% waterproof, their comfortable, warm style wins out of any pants I own!
The North Face Paramount Convertible Hiking Pants
Why I love it:
My favourite thing about these hiking pants are their shorts!
These convertible wonders allows you to wear them as a full length trouser, 3/4 capris, or modern stylish shorts.
Unlike a lot of convertible hiking pants around, these shorts come to the mid thigh, rather than knee length. Much more modern and comfortable for a lot of people.
Why I love it:
Anyone notice how much I like to be comfortable?
Giving you warm insulation in cold climates whilst providing the support of compression leggings, these leggings are the real deal!
Sea to Summit Quagmire Canvas Gaiters
Why I love it:
Made out of durable material, these canvas gaiters are sure not to let you down.
With a sturdy structure, leather boot straps and an additional metal upper calf buckle, these babies wont move no matter how long you hike.
Why I love it:
Available in 3 warmth ratings, these ergonomic socks are made with both comfort and durability in mind.
Ice breaker even offers a life time warranty on their socks!
Gotten a hole? Take them into a icebreaker store to be handed a new pair, absolutely free!
Other
Whilst I was hiking to Everest Base Camp, I became super frustrated with having to stop and take off my pack to find my camera.
As there was an incredible view worth capturing around every corner, I ended up slinging my heavy DSLR around my neck for days at a time. Not Ideal.
The Capture Clip was my saving grace! Compatible with any tripod compatible camera, the Capture Clip allows you to carry your camera comfortably and safely, whilst giving you easy access at the click of a button!
Lightweight, packable poles!
If you are like me and hate carrying poles on easy terrain, simply tuck them away for when you really need them!
Their z shape design means they pack down small as easily as they are assembled.
Whilst I was hiking to Everest Base Camp, I became super frustrated with having to stop and take off my pack to find my camera.
As there was an incredible view worth capturing around every corner, I ended up slinging my heavy DSLR around my neck for days at a time. Not Ideal.
The Capture Clip was my saving grace! Compatible with any tripod compatible camera, the Capture Clip allows you to carry your camera comfortably and safely, whilst giving you easy access at the click of a button!
Lightweight, packable poles!
If you are like me and hate carrying poles on easy terrain, simply tuck them away for when you really need them!
Their z shape design means they pack down small as easily as they are assembled.
Heading into the outdoors? Experience the highest mountain on earth from Basecamp!
Kate Fletcher
Kate is the outdoor loving, mountain obsessed creator behind Bags-Always-Packed.com. Since the age of 18 she has travelled to 50+ countries in search of the tallest peaks, new cultures, and the most off the track experiences possible. With over 10 years of adventures under her belt, Kate is dedicated to sharing all her experience through this website, helping you to plan your own trips and experience the world, no matter your budget!
