When you start out hiking, you use what you’ve got. You can throw on your athletic shoes and exercise gear, grab a water bottle, and hit the trail. Eventually, you’ll fall in love with the outdoors and want some better gear. That’s where I come in. I’ve listed my favorite gear and links to ongoing sales. Yes, I am an affiliate for these stores, but I genuinely enjoy their products and use them when hiking. If you don’t believe me, check out my Instagram to see me wearing the gear.
HIKING SHOES
I bought the Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Shoes a few years ago and fell in love with them. They’re great for new hikers because they fit more like a shoe than a boot. You can find them on Backcountry.com.
MID HIKING SHOES
I use the Columbia Trailstorm Mid Waterproof Hiking Shoe when I need more ankle support, and there’s a few inches of snow on the ground. While now a winter boot, it has excellent grip and keeps your feet warm and protected from the elements.
BASE LAYER
For a base layer, you can’t go wrong with ViCherub Thermal Underwear. My skin is sensitive to many fabrics, but this microfiber-spandex blend is extremely comfortable. I loved it so much that I bought an extra pair and convinced my friends to buy one too. They’re affordable and have a 4.6-star rating on Amazon (with ~14,000 reviews).
PANTS
I use Wespornow’s Fleece Linked Hiking Pants. They’re water-resistant, windproof, and insulated. I’ve used them from 50° to below-zero temperatures, and they’re holding up strong. Nothing gets through these pants. They also have pockets!
JACKET
I bought this DLGJPA Winter Jacket before my trip to Iceland because I had heard about the strong winds there. This jacket kept me warm despite the wind, cold, rain, and snow.
NOTE: At this time, it appears it is unavailable, but I’ll update this posting when it’s back in stock.
WOOL SOCKS
The Wool Socks from Pleneal are my go-to for winter hiking. Going back to my Norwegian roots, I chose the Nordic design. Right now, they’re at their lowest price on Amazon, so be sure to add some to your cart soon!
BACKPACK
I have a deep love for Fjällräven because of its focus on sustainability. I use the Kanken backpack for travel. It’s durable and carries 16L. For my upcoming Europe trip, I plan to purchase the Skule pack, as it is a 28L pack with padded shoulder straps and is hydration system compatible-a must for hiking mountains!
CAMERA
I can’t imagine taking photos without my Canon EOS Rebel T7. I chose this camera because it’s good for nature photography without costing thousands. It’s a DSLR camera, and this kit comes with two lenses: EF18-55mm and EF75-300mm.
All of this gear is well worth the investment. Start with what is right for you, and build your equipment toolbox as you explore more.
Have gear that you love? Please share in the comments. I would love to know what brings you happiness on the trail.
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