Day Hiking Essentials
- Garmin inReach Mini 2
There are some exciting new satellite communicators on the market, and having tested them all, I can tell you that the Garmin inReach is the gold standard and one you can feel comfortable relying on to save your life. The Mini 2 model is rugged, tiny, and has a long battery life. - HOKA Speedgoat 5
Hiking with the Speedgoat is like hiking on air. They’re well-cushioned, lightweight, and dry quickly. They run small, so I recommend getting a half-size larger in a wide. When you size up, the toe box is wide enough not to smush your toes together. If I need a more rugged choice, for example, in heavy mud or off-trail, I hike with the Terraventure 4. - Zpacks Sub-Nero Ultra 30L Backpack
After many trail miles, I’ve moved from traditional daypacks to a lighter, more durable option, the Sub-Nero 30L. It weighs less than ten ping-pong balls and is built from one of the most durable fabrics on the market. I’ve had a choice of many daypacks, and this is the one I keep returning to. I’ve been using it with the water bottle holder, a favorite of PCT hikers. If you’d like a more affordable and traditional option, I think the Osprey Stratos (men) - Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles
I don’t always use trekking poles, but these are my solid choice when I do. The cork grips are excellent when I’m sweaty; they’re lightweight carbon fiber and work well after repeated use and abuse. - Nitecore NU25 Headlamp Most headlamps are overbuilt with button combinations that are easy to forget when caught out after dark. The NU25 is simple, ultralight, and recharges with USB-C. It’s everything you need and nothing more.
- Smartwater Bottle + Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System
After years of using a hydration bladder, I’ve finally 100% switched over to using Smartwater bottles. They’re simple, light, durable, and easy to pick up at any gas station in the USA. The Sawyer Squeeze just screws on the top of the Smartwater bottle, allowing me to fill it with untreated water and simply squeeze filtered water into my mouth. - Smartphone Navigation
My primary navigation when conditions are good is on a smartphone. AllTrails is a great beginner’s app, Gaia GPS premium has many map layers for power users, and OnX sits somewhere in between. The smartphone touchscreen is unreliable when wet or in extreme conditions, so then I’ll use my Garmin GPSMAP 67 , which only works with buttons. - Garmin Epix Pro
These watches are pricey, but I use them 24/7 for sleep tracking, workouts, heart rate, and tracking my hike. It has preloaded hiking maps that help me navigate the trails and is a backup to my smartphone navigation. The Epix Pro has a great battery life, a screen similar to an Apple Watch Ultra, and works in harsh conditions when just using the buttons. - Lightweight USB Battery Charger
The nice thing about carrying USB devices like my phone, GPS, camera, and headlamp is that I just need one battery pack to charge them. New technology has made these smaller and lighter than ever. As an iPhone user, the Anker 622 is Magsafe and snaps on my phone, but it also allows me to charge USB-C devices with a small cable. I use the larger but still lightweight Nitecore NB10000 when I’m out on longer trips. - Paper Maps
As good as electronic navigation is these days, it depends on having power and your device not breaking. As a backup, you should always carry a paper map. Paper is also handy when you want to make some decisions in a larger format—spreading out a paper map and understanding the landscape as a whole blows away scrolling a screen any day. Put your map in a Ziploc bag to keep it safe. - Nutritionally Dense & Healthy Snacks
I’ll generally bring a bag of salted nuts and fruit, which take care of cramping and nutrition simultaneously. I also like Probars, which are sweeter than nuts but full of healthy calories. And I’ll carry a few Muir Energy Gels, a healthy and tasty equivalent of your standard (nutritionally horrible) gels.
More Off-Grid Camping Essentials
Decent tent
While many individuals understand the necessity of having a tent while camping, it is important to consider that the typical camping tent may not possess the required durability for off-grid camping.
When camping off-grid, it is important to consider that there will be no access to electricity or sources of heat. As a result, your tent should be capable of shielding you from extreme temperatures. Additionally, it is advisable to use a tent constructed from thicker materials due to the potential risks one might encounter while off-grid.
Protection against animals
Regardless of the location of your camping trip, it is highly probable that you will come across various wild animals while camping in the wilderness. Therefore, it is important to be ready and equipped to defend yourself in case you encounter any hazardous creatures.
While certain animals, like rabbits, are more afraid of humans than we are of them, there exist numerous wild animals that pose a significant threat.
In order to deal with certain animals, you may just need to frighten them away. Monkeys, for instance, can be scared off by making a loud noise with clashing pots and pans. However, for more dangerous animals, you will need to take more extreme measures. For instance, if you happen to be in an area inhabited by bears, it is crucial to have bear mace at hand.
Bug spray
When it comes to safeguarding oneself from animals, as you venture deeper into the wild, you will come across a greater number of insects.
While some may claim that bug spray is a luxury and should not be brought on an off-grid camping trip, we believe that avoiding mosquito bites is a risk that should not be ignored.
When you are far away from doctors, the last thing you want is to get seriously ill from certain insect species, in addition to the itchiness and general discomfort of insect bites.
To ensure a peaceful night’s sleep, use a good quality insect repellent to keep insects away.
First aid kit
Putting your health at risk is not advisable just because you are going off-grid.
When engaging in off-grid camping, the main objective is to abandon urban possessions, however, it is essential to retain access to medical supplies as a crucial luxury, even when venturing into the wilderness.
We’re not suggesting that you carry a bulky bag with every possible medication, but having the most frequently used medicines along with some necessary items such as bandages and antiseptics can have a significant impact.
Flashlight
You can trust our words when we tell you that you won’t truly understand darkness unless you have camped in the wilderness, far from any signs of civilization.
The darkness that permeates your body is the kind that makes it impossible to see your hand when it’s directly in front of you. Although it may appeal to those desiring a break, it can be extremely challenging to navigate when you have no visibility. For this reason, a flashlight is absolutely necessary.
Having a flashlight will make it easier for you to locate things, making tasks such as cooking or going to the bathroom much simpler. In addition, a flashlight will enable you to easily identify any potential hazards.
If you have a sufficiently bright flashlight, it is possible to utilize it as a signal for help in an emergency situation.
Fire-making kit
We commonly state that individuals venture into the wilderness in search of tranquility, yet endeavoring for hours to ignite a fire does not seem serene at all.
If you are unable to start a fire naturally and do not have any alternatives, it can put you in a difficult situation. Without a fire-starting kit, you will be unable to produce heat or cook a meal, both of which are necessary for your survival in the wilderness.
Sleeping bag
In the same way as the tent, your regular sleeping bag will not suffice. You will require a sleeping bag that can effectively shield you from freezing temperatures.
While a thermal sleeping bag may have a higher price compared to a regular one, its value is certainly worth the expense.
