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Half Day Hiking essentials
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items I have picked up hiking during the covid pandemic. The hikes I do is typically 4-9 miles, roughly 3-6 hours. 1-2 times a week. Here's a list of essential items to consider for a half-day hike to ensure your safety, comfort, and enjoyment. If you are new to hiking, always hike with a buddy. I have joined a hiking group and this is the best way to discover new trails.
Sections
4
Hiking Clothing and Gears
Sun protection
Safety
Extra
Hiking Clothing and Gears
I love LaraBar. I get the peanut butter chocolate chip. Each bar is around 200 calories. It is sweet and high in sugar content from date fruit; something you should be aware of
LÄRABAR Variety Pack, Gluten Free Vegan Fruit & Nut Bars, 1.7 oz, 16 ct
Reasonably priced BPA free water bottle. Straw is easy to clean. I have mine for years now!
CamelBak Eddy+ BPA Free Water Bottle
If you are going to sweat a lot, it does not hurt to add a tablet in your water bottle for electrolytes replenishment. A lot electrolyte supplements have too much sugar and this one is only 1g/'tablet.
nuun Hydration Sport Drink Vegan Tabs - Tri-Berry - 10ct
Some of the hikers in my hiking group like to carry hydration packs so that they can sip water as they are hiking. This is a decent and resonably priced one that can hold 2L of water plus storage for snacks and light clothing. So it is a dual functio...
Teton Sports Oasis 18L Hydration Pack with Free 2-Liter Water Bladder
Lightweight, versatile and compfortable.This is a pack that works almost equally well for hiking and for carrying your work supplies like a laptop
Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack, Deep Peyto Green/Tunnel Vision, One Size
Did you know using trekking poles gives you more cardio and burns more calories than without poles? 💪They also provide more stability, especially going downhill. I like the collapsible ones since I can also pack them easily for out of town trips. Th...
Montem Ultra Strong Trekking, Walking, and Hiking Poles - One Pair (2 Poles) - Collapsible, Lightweight, Quick Locking, and Ultra Durable
I like high tops because they give me the ankle support that I need. This is the pair that I have now and I have no comlaints. It is well constructed and also light weight at the same time.
Salomon X Ultra Pioneer Mid CSWP
Ideal for weekend adventurers who enjoy fast packing, casual hiking and weekend backpacking. GORE-TEX® lining for ultimate climate comfort and waterproof protection. Great for someone with wide feet as the width goes up to E. My husband loves these!
Lowa Renegade GTX Mid
This was the pair of hiking boots that I had before. They were really good. I bought a different brand when they were worn out just to try something different. Still highly recommend this one.
Oboz Sawtooth X Mid B-DRY
Any wicking t shirt to keep you dry in the summer. This is an example
Nike Women's Legend Short Sleeve Shirt
Versatile piece to have for layering. ON SALE NOW while supplies last
Patagonia Down Sweater Vest
This is a best time to buy down sweater. It is 50% off! Believe or not, I am still wearing a down sweater where I live even in the middle of summer for early morning hike. Down sweater is great to have in the SF Bay area because it is light weight an...
Patagonia Down Sweater
The Deloro™ Down Jacket is an indispensable lightweight layering piece that fends off the chill and packs into its own pocket. The hoody's 650-fill down and weather-resistant Pertex® Quantum shell have you covered whether you wear it alone in milder ...
Women's Deloro™ Down Jacket
Great for layering
R1® Fleece Pullover - Patagonia
These are the best selling hiking pants on Amazon currently. I am going to get a pair for myself 😊They seem to check off my boxes for a good pair. A tip for hiking pants: try to avoid dark color pants. I live in an area that ticks are prevalent, it ...
BALEAF Women's Hiking Pants Quick Dry Lightweight Water Resistant Elastic Waist Cargo Pants for All Seasons
slim fitting and stylish for hiking or run everyday errands
Patagonia Quandary Pants - Mens
59% Merino Wool, 39% Nylon, 2% Lycra Spandex Made in the USA. Guaranteed for Life - Darn Tough's famous guarantee - if these socks wear, tear, or develop holes, Darn Tough will replace them no questions asked. No strings. No conditions. 🤯 That is a ...
Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Sock with Cushion - Women's
63% Merino Wool 35% Nylon 2% Lycra Spandex. Made in Vermont, USA. Fast drying, all weather performance that keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Guaranteed for Life!
Darn Tough Men's Merino Wool Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks
there is a free version for navigation on the trail and if you upgrade to the plus (with fees), you can download offline maps, print maps as backup, send routes to Garmin and a lot more,
AllTrails app
Sun protection
I like this because it is fragrance free with SPF. It is also very mosturizing.
Aquaphor Lip Repair Lip Balm with Sunscreen, Lip Protectant, Lip Balm SPF 30, 0.35 Oz Tube
Sunscreen stick is easy to carry and you don't have to worry about spilling. Also it is very easy to apply while hiking. Oxybenzone free
Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
UVA and UVB protection. Oxybenzone Free. I love the La Roche-Posay brand. Suncreen gets absorbed quickly. Reapply suncreen every 2 hours for best protection
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Activewear Lotion Sport Sunscreen for Body and Face, Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 60, Oxybenzone Free, Oil Free Sunscreen, Sun Protection for Sensitive Skin
Suitable for men and women. Decent price. 100% UV protection, multiple frames and lenses to choose. Made in Italy.
Ray-Ban Rb4171 Erika Round Sunglasses
Love the Maui Jim Brand. The frame is very stylish. Polarized lens; great for people sensitive to glare.
HO'OKIPA Rimless Sunglasses
Safety
you can probably put together a first aid kit for hiking without buying one. When you don't have time to gather your supplies , you can purchase a pre-made one online. I will probably streamline this kit to make it lighter.
Mini First Aid Kit - 120 Piece Small Waterproof Hard Shell Medical Kit for Car, Home, Office, Travel, Camping, Sports, Outdoor, School - Emergency First Aid Supplies and Survival Kit
Compact and light weight. Very useful to keep in backpack. You probably dont need a big knife for a 1/2 day hike
Victorinox Classic SD 7 Function Pocket Knife
Always pack pain medication in the backpack just in case you sprain your ankle or hurt youself. I picked ibupofen because it also has anti-inflammatory property. The downside is that you have to take it with food because it can cause stomach upset.
Amazon Basic Care Ibuprofen Tablets, Fever Reducer and Pain Relief from Body Aches, Headache, Arthritis and More, Brown, 200 Count
Great for cushioning blisters during the hike!
Dr. Scholl's Moleskin Padding Strips, 3 Strips // Thin, Flexible Cushioning & Pain Relief - Cut to Any Size - Doctor Recommended - Strip Size 4 1/8 Inches X 3 3/8 Inches
Extra
If you live in SF, you'll know why we still wear beanie in the middle of summer. It is windy and cold here!
Brodeo Beanie - Patagonia
Gloves are your best friend when it is cold since your hands are exposed. I like this pair because you can still use your phone without taking them off.
Outdoor Research Women’s Backstop Sensor Gloves - Windproof Thermal Fleece Gear
I usually pack a seating pad if I know I am going to stop somewhere for lunch on the trail
Northeast Products Therm-A-SEAT Sport Cushion Stadium Seat Pad
Useful to bring if you are going to explore places that needs illumination. Avoid using cellphone flashlight to save battery life
Black Diamond Equipment Astro 300 Headlamp
Poison Oak is everywhere on the trail I go on and it is the last thing you want to get a bad reaction from it. This stuff works, just make sure you leave it on long enough to neutralize the oil and then wash it off. If you think you are exposed to po...
Tec Labs Tecnu Original Poison Oak & Ivy Outdoor Skin Cleanser - First Step in Poison Ivy Treatment, 12 Fl Oz
I keep this in my car. I spray this on my hiking pants near my boots to deter ticks
Cedarcide Topical Flea & Tick Spray