Pack This: Essential Pieces of Hiking Gear

This 18-liter backpack is large enough to fit a few liters of water, a meal or two, and anything else you might need for a day on the trails. The back panel is designed for optimal ventilation so you don’t end up uncomfortably drenched. An integrated rain cover, trekking pole attachment, and removable hip belt make this one of the most well-equipped daypacks. Slip in a hydration reservoir and you’re ready to go.

A good pair of hiking boots is worth every penny and will last you decades if you treat them right. This pair from Vasque is perfect for everything from a quick single-digit outing to a multi-week trek. This Talus Extended-Terrain GORE-TEX is a waterproof leather boot that excels in the most challenging conditions. Go with confidence in a boot that’s built for it.

Stay safe while showing your park pride with our Shop Camp X Parks Project Masks. Each mask has a pouch for inserting microfiber cloth or other material for additional filtration. It is contoured to relieve pressure on your nose and has ties to prevent chafing and pressure behind your ears.

Note: These masks are not medical-grade, and we recommend washing thoroughly before wearing and after each use.

Socks can make or break a hike. Forget all about bunching, blisters, slipping, and wet feet with these quick-drying socks from Darn Tough. The Micro Crew is made in the US with merino wool and nylon to ensure they breathe easily and discourage odor even on the hottest days. The added cushion makes your boots fit snugly in all the right places and takes the pressure off the ball of your foot. Oh, and did we mention they are guaranteed to last for life no matter how hard you wear them?

Made of cotton canvas, this wide-brimmed sun hat has a beaded strap that can be worn to the front or back. Perfect for a day at the lake or day hike.

It doesn’t matter if you’re going off-trail or just cruising the campsite; these pants from Eddie Bauer will help regulate your temperature, protect against abrasions, and keep debris out. In addition to wicking moisture, the pants can be rolled up and secured at a capri length so you can change it up on the go. UPF 50+ sun protection and three secured zipper pockets make these pants great in the backcountry or the city.

Eddie Bauer Women’s Horizon Roll-Up Pants

This fleece has plenty of room for layering up. It’s fully reversible and extra soft, so you can cuddle up by the fire after a long day of exploring the great outdoors.

Cold mornings or unexpected temperature drops at the summit are no problem with this responsibly-made, lightweight padded vest. Made with synthetic insulation, the vest packs away easily and stays warm even when it gets damp. The two-way zipper means you can dial in the heat without fussing with pack straps.

Give yourself peace of mind with this small first-aid kit. The kit comes with the essentials for a day outside so you can take on sudden allergic reactions, cuts and scrapes, burns, bites, and blisters without missing a step.

This lightweight, BPA-free water bottle has filtration technology to ensure safe drinking water anytime, anywhere on the go. The best part? For every bottle purchased, one child receives a year of clean water.

Wool is the perfect material for a solid base layer since it will help keep you warm in the predawn hours, cool on the midday ascent, and dry all day. The raglan sleeves on the Merino 150 keep shoulders seam-free so you don’t have to worry about rubbing under a pack. It’s the ideal base layer in winter, the main layer when the temps rise, and gym tee all year round.

Whether you’re trying to catch the sunrise or sunset from the summit or get caught out a little later than expected, a headlamp is the most comfortable way to follow the path in the dark. The ReVolt is waterproof and rechargeable with a whopping 300 lumens at full power. It has multiple light modes including a bright spotlight, red light for effectively finding your way into your tent at night, and a strobe light to ensure you’re seen on the road.