The Ultimate Hiking Starter Pack For Under $150

Just getting started hiking? Here’s how to do it on a dime.

This summer more than ever, the cabin fever is real. As COVID lockdowns are finally becoming a thing of the past, the mountains, rivers and beaches are calling. And we must go. When it comes to getting outside, there’s no easier beginner activity than hiking.

Ultimately, yes it’s just putting one foot in front of the other...but doing so in really cool places, with a sense of accomplishment and it’s free. That being said (especially the free part), you’ll have a much better time with any level of hike if you purchase some basic gear first. Now I’m no hiking life coach, but I’ve hit enough trails and National Parks to know where to spend some dollars and where to hoard my hard-earned cash.

Here is the ultimate list of gear every hiking beginner should have, for under $150.

A Map - free

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Learn from my mistakes and never fully rely on cell service or trail markers. Get yourself a map. Almost all civilized hiking trails will have a free map at the trailhead, either old-school printouts or a poster where you can snap a picture on your phone #savetheplanet. If you want to upgrade your map game, All Trails Pro lets you download and use maps offline for a $30 annual subscription.

Decent Shoes or Boots - $45

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Nothing will ruin a great hike faster than boots not made for walking. However, you don’t have to spend a month’s salary to buy a good set of hiking shoes. I bought my $45 Coleman hiking boots four years ago and have worn them caving, winter mountain hiking and scaling one of the most dangerous hikes at Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park.

Hiking Socks - $12

Dickies / Via dickies.com

When it comes to the best bang for your buck, Dickies are my go-to’s. These socks are built for durability and comfort, and they absolutely deliver. They’re thick enough that there’s no friction between your boot and foot. They retain heat, even on winter hikes. And, like everything else on this list, they’re affordable.

Water Pack - $30

Scheel's / Via scheels.com

“Thousands have lived without love, none without water.” - W. H. Auden. Water is life. And that’s truer than ever when hiking. Good hydration is an absolute necessity when you’re getting your sweat on. There’s really no more explanation needed.

Plastic water bottles are a hard pass because, again, #savetheplanet. Filtration water bottles like LifeStraw are nice but you may not always have a source of water for refills. So, my affordable pick for staying hydrated has always been my $30 High Sierra water pack. The chest and waist straps do an excellent job of distributing weight so you barely feel like you’re wearing a pack. Also, I love all the extra pockets and compartments where I can store all the other gear on this starter pack list.

Multi-Purpose Hiking Knife - $19

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While I’m the farthest thing from a knife enthusiast, you better believe I bought one approximately 60 seconds after watching the viral video of a hiker being stalked by a mountain lion. In all reality, this could be a piece of hiking gear you may never use. But you’ll be thanking yourself for packing this if you ever do need it. I especially love this set because it also comes with a fire starter, compass, emergency whistle and paracord. Have I actually used any of these? No. Would I ever hike without them? Also no.

First Aid Kit - $14

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Better safe than sorry, hiking fam! You can build your own first aid kit at home but I love the convenience of online kits. Most first aid kits also come with a CPR and first aid guide, which is nice to have on-hand if there’s no cell phone service and panic mode hits.

Pain-Killers (over the counter) - $4

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The one thing first aid kits don’t come with is over the counter pain-killers. I can’t count the number of times Ibuprofen has saved the hike when a friend or I felt a headache or other low-level pain coming on.

Snacks - $15

Let’s talk snacks. Whether you’re hypoglycemic or just get hangry, it’s a good idea to have snacks on-hand. Depending on where you’re hiking, you may need melt-resistant food. My go-to’s are typically something salty, something sweet and something heavy. My pack is usually stuffed with a variety of granola bars, fruit leathers, beef jerky and fresh fruit. Pro tip: Did you know that M&M’s were specifically created with a hard shell to prevent melting? Perfect for hiking!