29 Useful Products Hikers Actually Swear By

🎶I made it through the wilderness, somehow I made it through. 🎶

1. A bug repellant spray to give your outdoorsy fabrics an insect-warding shield that lasts for six weeks and through repeat washings.

Amazon

This spray is meant for clothing, tents, backpacks, etc. and shouldn't be applied directly to your skin. It won't stain or distress clothing, and you won't be able to sweat it out! Plus, you can use it on your dog, to protect them from fleas and ticks for up to 35 days. If you aren't into spraying your clothes, check out this bug repellent you can apply directly to your skin!

Promising review: "I hike with a wonderful lunatic who thinks nothing of taking shortcuts through waist-deep, flowing, prickling, itching grass, and other places pretty much deemed tick central. I sprayed this stuff on my pack, pair of leggings, and hiking boots, two weeks prior to my hike (everything but the tank top I was wearing). When it came time to exit tick land, all my hiking guys had ticks on them; one pulled about seven off his legs. I had NOT ONE. I'm beyond impressed with this stuff." —Tammy

Get a 12-ounce pump spray bottle from Amazon for $9 (also available in larger sizes and as an aerosol).

2. A lightweight water-filtration system so you don't have to lug around gallons or frantically boil river water just because you're thirsty.

Amazon

The filtration system comes with a 16-ounce reusable pouch you can drink directly from, and all components of the system should be cleaned/sanitized after each use. It screws onto most disposable water bottles, and can be attached directly to hydration packs.

Promising review: "If you are looking for a small, light, compact, and (most importantly) easy way to filter your water, look no further. Sawyer makes this EXCELLENT unit that won't break the bank. I bought this filter a few months ago, to add to a survival/camp pack, and have since filtered about 40 liters of water through it. This filter cleans anything from questionable garden-hose water to murky lake water into perfectly clear and crisp drinking water. I was skeptical at first, but rest assured, this filter is a powerhouse and continues to go above and beyond." —Joe Long

Get it from Amazon for $19.97+ (available in six colors, and in a two or four-pack).

3. An ultra-bright headlamp that lights your path while you high-five any low-hanging branches you might pass.

Amazon

This headlamp has five light settings (including a flashing strobe, which can double as a distress signal), and you can adjust the level of its beam. It comes with three AAA batteries (needed for operation) and a carrying pouch.

Promising review: "I've only gone on a 2.5-hour hike with this lamp and it served me well! The white light was just as bright as those of fellow hikers, who had much more expensive lamps." —oaklife

Get it from Amazon for $10.99.

4. A Swiss Army multitool, because carrying all these tools individually would mean having to leave behind that (second) bag of marshmallows.

Amazon

This multitool features a large and small blade, a three- and six-millimeter screwdriver, can opener, bottle opener, wire stripper, reamer, Philips screwdriver, toothpick, tweezers, and key ring. No way to guess what'll happen in the wild, and this multitool could be invaluable for small repairs and whatever else you need to do to make it through!

Promising review: "This is a very satisfactory knife/multitool. I used it extensively while hiking in Maine, last summer, and it worked like a charm!" —Adam Sweet

Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in 14 colors).

5. A pack of biodegradable body wipes you can bury after using, so the local wildlife won't smell you sneaking up to take a picture of them.

Amazon

Each of these wipes are 8x12-inches, so they're large enough to wipe down your whole tired body!

Promising review: "Just got back from an eight-day hiking adventure to Kilimanjaro. These wipes rocked and were just what I needed; large and heavy-duty enough to wipe off the day's dirt and grime. They're scentless, so I wasn't attracting any bugs or other unwanted friends. Perfect, just perfect. Because of these, I survived eight days without showering and wasn't killed by my tent-mate.

AND, I hit the summit, so there's that!" —kristin

Get a pack of 32 wipes from Amazon for $8.97.

6. A 12-pack of protein bars for the macronutrients you need to hike one more mile before setting up camp.

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It's smart to pack a few of these before you head out into the unknown, but you shouldn't plan to soley subsist on bars. Really, you should try to eat as responsibly as you would at home, while prioritizing dense macronutrient supplies and dry ingredients. In addition, you don't want to pack much more than you need, but it is wise to pack a bit more than you need.

Promising review: "Can you say 'obsessed?' I purchased a box of the Pro Bar Base Mint Chocolate bars as I was looking for a good-tasting and good-for-me protein bar to carry on several-day hikes. These bars were perfect. They didn't melt in my pack, were so yummy, and had great ingredients! After my hiking trip, I had half a box left, or so I thought! My husband and 11-year-old started taking them, in place of their regular granola bars, to school and work. Now, I order a box every two weeks, and hide one." —Amy Quest

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in seven flavors, and in a 12-count variety pack or seven-count variety pack).

7. An all-weather fire starter kit to end your days of starting fires with two sticks and appeals to The Forest God.

Amazon

This kit includes a Magnesium fire starter stick, large scraper, compass, whistle, and lanyard. It's good to have a whistle for emergency situations, because just yelling for help will tire you out and the sound won't travel as far. If you prefer to get your fire from tiny sticks, I recommend this 30-pack of typhoon matches.

Promising review: "This is a great tool, and I carry one in my hiking backpack and one in my car (you never know, right?). Strike me up!" —Meagols

Get it from Amazon for $7.95.

8. A collapsible water bottle so practical, it's bound to impress anybody you might meet on the trail.

Amazon, amazon.com

That elephant is probably considering buying their own, look at them! This bottle is dishwasher-safe and has a multi-function strap attached, which secures the bottle in its folded position and makes it easy to carry when you're on-the-go. Speaking of always being on the go, check out this list of products for people who can't stop and won't stop.

Promising review: "Now that I've used it for hiking and on a trip, I'm sooo glad I picked it. I walked all over New England and took this bottle everywhere. It's very sturdy, stands up on its own, and it holds hot/cold liquids. It can be a little tricky to roll up, but the bottle does collapse well enough to stick in my carry-on, when I'm going through airport security, or in your backpack when it's empty. I really like its strap, too, which was a selling point for me. I went to the sporting goods store and got a little S-hook and attached that to the strap, so I can hook it on my luggage or my fanny pack when hiking." —WriterGirlNM

Get it from Amazon for $23.95 (available in four colors).

9. And a dog bowl water bottle to rehydrate your Outdoor Pup, especially since they decided to wear a fur coat for your hike together.

Uncommon Goods

"I told you it was going to be sunny out and you should dress accordingly, gosh."

Promising review: "Trying to water dogs on hikes can be messy and inconvenient, but this makes it much easier. No more bringing a bowl, or pouring water into your hands, or trying to pour water into the dog's mouth!" —JLC

Get it from Uncommon Goods for $15.

10. A 120-piece first aid kit with a bonus mini kit, because the nearest doctor is miles downstream (unless you're some type of ~woodsy~ medic).

Amazon

The main kit and the 32-piece travel kit have all the bandages and medical supplies (including gauze pads, trauma shears, an instant ice pack, etc.) you'll need for any scrapes you might pick up on the trail, all packaged in lightweight cases!

Promising review: "My son took one of these on an overseas trip during summer break. He said it was handy, because one of the boys he was traveling with hurt his ankle during a hike, and they used the kit's ice pack to ease the pain and the kit's bandages to tie the pack to his foot. They even gave him painkillers that were included, and this kit was the best thing he took with him." —annie

Get it from Amazon for $27.95.

11. A zero-degree sleeping bag so you can tell your hiking party, "Good morning, everyone. I'm the meat of a well-rested burrito," when you wake up at the campsite.

Amazon

This sleeping bag can rolled and stowed in an accompanying bag, and it has pull-strings so you can really cinch yourself in tight. If you're having trouble finding the bag of your camping dreams, check out Amazon's sleeping bag buying guide!

Promising review: "People's reviews are like: 'I decided to test my new sleeping bag out by sleeping naked three-quarters of the way up Mt. Everest in the winter. I felt slightly colder than I would have if I had been at home. Two stars.' BUT, I love my new sleeping bag; it'll have me rockin' and rollin' with warmth and comfort on the trail." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $35.96+ (available in three colors).

12. Or a packable emergency sleeping bag that does much more than just protect you from the elements when you're taking a nice nap on the ground.

Amazon

This sleeping bag comes in its own carrying pouch, and it's made of a tear- and water-resistant fabric. If necessary, you could carry other equipment in this sleeping bag (to protect that equipment from rain), use this bag as a sun shield, a signal flag, or an insulating layer for another sleeping bag (in particularly cold conditions).

Promising review: "This product deserve more stars than I can give. Having about several hundreds of miles of hiking/camping trips under my belt, and sleeping through several different scenarios, I would never leave home without one of these! Honestly, if one was dressed in layers and literally forgot their sleeping bag, this backup would easily get you through that first night, even with temperatures dropping down to the mid-40s. I'm certain this product could save someone's life, if used correctly!" —Seng

Get it from Amazon for $9.49+ (available in bundles with pocket knives and compasses).

13. An ESEE survival knife for an instant transformation into a Woodland Champion, the type of person anyone would trust to lead them into the trees.

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All ESEE knives come with a lifetime warranty, so you'll always be able to trust their edge. Though this particular knife might seem a bit long, its length will allow you utility beyond making cuts (like chopping small branches for firewood, or cutting a path through brambles).

Promising review: "Came as described and razor sharp. I took it camping and put it to work, and it did exactly what I wanted it to. The size is perfect for me and the 6.5'' blade length is large enough for good, deep chops. And should you ever somehow damage or break this knife, ESEE has an unlimited owner-independent warranty to replace the damaged knife for just the cost of postage." —Nicholas Lemon

Get it from Amazon for $111.99+ (available in four colors).

14. A roll of Gorilla tape so you can cover tears in your tent you otherwise don't have the ability to mend and generally patch up your entire (outdoor) life.

Amazon

Besides being a quick patch, duct tape has a nearly-infinite amount of uses for hikers, only limited by your imagination! A few standout uses for this tape, though, is using it to mark a trail or as a fly-trap inside your tent.

Promising review: "Back in summer of 2008, I was hiking and camping in Belnap, CA. I only brought one pair of shoes, and the sole separated from the rest of the shoe on both shoes (on the first day). CRAP SHOES! Unfortunately, they were my only pair. I used my friend's duct tape to tape the shoe together, and they held up for a little bit, but the duct tape was shredded and worthless after a few hours of hiking. Luckily, we also packed Gorilla Tape, which held up the whole weekend of me hiking through mud, dirt, streams, and lots of rocks. A great tape that saved my camping trip experience." —Wiz Dood

Get it from Amazon for $8.47 (also available in a two-pack or all the way up to a pallet of tape).

15. A propane-fueled coffee maker, because the meme, "Don't talk to me before I've had my coffee," still applies on the trail.

Amazon

This coffee maker needs a 16.4-ounce propane cylinder to start brewing, so go ahead and buy a two-pack! Some reviewers noted this weren't too fond of the glass carafe this comes with, and bought a stainless-steel carafe to use with it.

Promising review: "I bought this as a gift for a friend that had broken theirs while camping last year. It makes the best coffee at camp and works great. I love camp coffee, but this makes the nice, clear coffee you would normally drink at home. You can make coffee early in the morning outside your tent without waking everyone else; when they do wake up, they'll have the great surprise of freshly-made coffee!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $64.

16. A quick-drying towel to get all the creek water off you before you catch a cold. Nobody wants to sniffle on the mountain, no thank you.

Amazon

Promising review: "We bought several of these towels for a family vacation to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. We had several hikes planned, some that ended up at swimming holes, and wanted to be able to dry off on the trail without hauling a lot of extra bulk with us. These worked PERFECTLY! They take up no space, and fit easily into small backpacks. They work as advertised, drying us off very quickly after a dip in the water. And the towels themselves dry fast. And as an added bonus, this may be the only product I've ever ordered that comes in a bag and actually goes back easily into that same bag! So happy we found these, and we really could not be happier with them!" —Cathy

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in seven colors, and in sizes of 12x24 inches to 40x72 inches).

17. A survival bandana with a handy amount of information printed on it (including navigation tips and instructions for useful knots) that's big enough to use as a makeshift sling.

Amazon, amazon.com

"Waah, I want to go back to the city, where the only thing I have to worry about tripping over is a delicate ecosystem of interpersonal relationships and/or plastic chip bags people threw on the sidewalk." This bandana measures 39x39x52 inches and also comes with two safety pins.

Promising review: "This is a very large bandana and has tons of possible uses. You could use it as a sling, head cover, sweatband, pre-filter for water sources, and immobilizer of injured limbs. It's a bright orange color, which is great to use for emergency signaling, and also difficult to lose in the woods if dropped. Its best feature, though, is the wealth of information on the bandana itself!" —Jennifer Morphis

Get an orange survival bandana from Amazon for $5.95 (also available in gray).

18. A pair of sport sunglasses to keep your eyes sharp for the Bounty Of Nature you're out here to behold.

Amazon

These sunglasses are made with a lightweight polycarbonate frame, ergonomically shaped to stay on your head without you noticing them there. Plus, the AcuTint coloring of its lenses will shade your eyes without warping all the colors you left your cozy room to see. The sun is a mighty Hiking Antagonist, so protect yourself with sporty sunscreen, SPF lip balm, and perhaps a hat that suits the hiking occasion.

Promising review: "I purchased these sunglasses to use while backpacking/hiking and I LOVE them. They're very lightweight and the stress-resistant frames are perfect for stuffing into a backpack and not having to worry about them." —Jujubeast

Get it from Amazon for $23.97 (available in five colors).

19. A pocket blanket so you can turn every inch of the Earth into a seat that won't dirty up your pants.

Amazon

This blanket is water-resistant and can be folded into a pouch that clips onto your keychain. If you want to get really serious about your outdoor blanket, pick up a high-performance Rumpl.

Promising review: "This pocket blanket is exactly what I was looking to add to my ultralight backpacking system. So far, I've taken it out on a kayaking trip, to sit at the edge of the lake and to use as a ground sheet to put gear on. It's just the right size for personal use and it just makes sense to bring it every time I go out hiking and backpacking. I do feel that the material is pretty thin, but it's not a concern at all, knowing how well ripstop nylon handles rough environments." —Backcountry Exposure

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

20. A pair of Darn Tough hiking socks that might be the difference between getting to that summit or asking your friend if the two of you can stop for another break.

Amazon

Check out one BuzzFeeder's review of these socks! Also, check out my review of these socks, right here: they're the best and you should buy them.

Promising review: "These are really comfortable and functional trail socks, the kind you buy one pair, then another, and another, until you're only wearing these. They're padded in the right spots, durable, breathable (but warm), dry quickly enough, and somehow seem to avoid most of the stink associated with sweaty feet living in hiking boots for several days. I own several other brands of wool socks, but that number is dwindling, because these are far and away my favorite." —Brian Grzymkowski

Get it from Amazon for $16.16+ (fits men's sizes S–XXL, and available in eight colors).

21. A six-pack of travel-ready toilet tissue so you never have to use a leaf that way ever again.

Amazon, amazon.com

While you're preparing to keep it clean outdoors, I also recommend picking up some hand sanitizer, because the wilderness doesn't have many sinks and hand soaps.

Promising review: "These are great for travel and hiking, with a nice little dispenser that also protects the tissue. I also keep one in my glove compartment for 'emergencies.'" —CabinWoman

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in a 24-pack).

22. An Osprey hiking pack, because you weren't planning to carry all your supplies in your hands, were you?

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Your backpack is likely your most and important piece of hiking equipment, so it makes sense to spend extra money for quality packs. Imagine trying to save a few bucks by purchasing a cheap pack and having it rip while you're on the trail; what a nightmare! Check out this extensive review from someone who's hiked over 2000 miles with this backpack! Use Osprey's Packfinder service or Amazon's hiking backpack buying guide to figure out which pack best suits your outdoorsy needs!

Promising review: "This is the last pack you'll ever need to buy. Seriously, with the lifetime warranty offered by Osprey, you're good until your last backpacking days. I tried this on in my local outdoor store and was blown away by the fit; they measured me and found that I'm a medium, which surprised me since I'm a big guy. The waist strap seriously hugs you and fits your body like a glove. I loaded it with over 30 pounds and couldn't even tell I had weight in the pack. Plus, this online price is great, because it was $50 more (plus tax) at my local outdoor store." —B-Bear

Get it from Amazon for $260+ (fits S–L, and available in three colors).

23. And set of trekking poles to add more stability to your hike and really take advantage of the hands your backpack freed.

Amazon, amazon.com

These poles have an adjustable height of 25–53 inches; they come with a carrying bag and accessory kit (which includes different pole tips for different terrains).

Promising review: "I purchased these poles almost two months ago and have since then used them to hike over 50 miles. They are very lightweight. Each pole weighs about 8.5 ounces and have very comfortable grips with wrist straps to prevent losing them if dropped. These poles have been great for stability during several wide-creek crossings. Without them, I'm sure I would have gone for a swim. They are great on uphill and downhill climbs, climbing over fallen trees, and walking across rocks. I like them so much I purchased a second pair for my daughter, to use when she comes to visit and goes hiking with me." —Sue

Get it from Amazon for $29.97+ (available in six colors).

24. A camping stove so your campsite food choices don't have to be limited to lukewarm beans and bags of almonds.

Amazon, amazon.com

Please send me pictures of decadent meals you made in the woods. This stove burns clean and it's attachable to a broad range of fuel canisters!

Promising review: "If you're looking to get started into backpacking, this is the stove for you. If you need something as a back-up in an emergency kit, this is the stove for you. If you have a Boy Scout in the house, this is a great gift. Bottom line, this stove will NOT disappoint. Have fun experimenting with this stove in the back yard before taking it out on the trail, and you won't be disappointed!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $13.99.

25. A high-capacity power bank to extend the battery life of your iPhone while you're snapping pics to post on Instagram when you get back on the grid.

Amazon

If you're worried about keeping this power bank, and your phone, safe from sudden rain, you should buy this two-pack of waterproof phone pouches!

Promising review: "Best charger ever! I've used to it charge my girlfriend's phone three times on a hike, and to charge both of our phones while we were playing Pokemon Go!" —Jacob P.

Get it from Amazon for $45.99.

26. A packable Arc'teryx rain jacket that earns you some serious Trail Cred while also ruining your willingness to wear other jackets.

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It's made out of Gore-Tex, so this jacket is my aesthetic. It might be a bit pricy, but hiking is a demanding activity (in and out of rain) and it's best to use gear you can rely on. Deciding what to wear for a hike is an artform in itself, and I recommend consulting the experts.

Promising review: "Basically, when I wear this jacket, I feel invincible. It's great protection and it fits; you put it on and it just fits. Arc'teryx thought of everything. It feels good AND it looks good. I've read this same kind of comment about other Arc'teryx products and there's no way to explain it other than their use of engineering excellence and quality material." —B Wade

Get it from Amazon for $247.20+ (fits women's sizes XS–XL, and available in 10 colors).

27. A three-person tent perfect for your home away from home, a patch of grass in the middle of nowhere with a magnificent view of the sunrise.

Amazon

This is more of a budget-option tent, so it's not as lightweight as premium tents, but it will still get the job done. Buying a tent is like buying a home, so it's a good idea to get some insight; check out Amazon's tent buying guide and REI's article on the tent selection process.

Promising review: "I've had the opportunity to use this tent twice, and I'm pleasantly surprised at its quality and features. Compared to tents at REI that cost three times as much, this is a quality bargain. Tent assembly is easy, and you won't need to refer to the directions (which are attached to the carrying bag). All of the needed parts were included, and there were several extra spikes included as well. The spikes are cheap metal that bend fairly easy, and I think I will probably need to purchase better ones in the near future. But, the tent poles are composite and shock-corded together, just like the more expensive brands. It sleeps two 6-foot-plus people comfortably, with space in the center for storage. Some nice touches this tent includes are the mat that keeps debris out of the tent, the two pouches inside that keep phones and valuables handy, and the center strap that can hold a small LED lantern. The two times I've used it included episodes of torrential downpours, and the tent kept the water out from the top and the bottom." —fuel98rider

Get it from Amazon for $51.94+ (available in two colors).

28. A pair of lightweight Salomon hiking boots so you can hit the ground running, for the next hundred miles, possibly uphill and downhill.

Amazon

Because of how demanding the activity is on your feet, it's difficult to choose footwear for hiking, so look through guides on the different kinds and do your research. These particular boots are made by Salomon, and they also make a trail-runner I've had my eye on for a while!

Promising review: "I owned, loved, and wore out two pairs of the previous edition of these boots, but these boots have exceeded my expectations. Very minimal break-in required, perfectly adjustable fit and the same breathable, waterproof performance as before. But, with the Ultra 3, I have improved traction, particularly on descents. These are about as light as I can imagine a full-support boot being. I put in lots of miles in the Rockies and the Ozarks and these boots are the best I've worn." —D. Scot Linton

Get it from Amazon for $139.95+ (fits men's sizes 5–14, and available in 10 colors).

29. And a cocktail shaker, because the angle of sunlight cutting through a seemingly-endless expanse of untamed wilderness tells you it's 5 o'clock somewhere.

Amazon

This stainless-steel shaker comes with a citrus reamer and jigger cap, and it's designed with a nesting system that allows you to store its accompanying cups inside the empty shaker.

Promising review: "I really love bringing this along for day-hikes, because margaritas on the trail are always a treat!" —Tonefish

Get a shaker with two glasses from Amazon for $35.99 (also available with four glasses).

Well, why don't you take a hike, buddy?

Wild

The reviews included in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.

We've still got a lotta ~outside~ left to see:

- 35 Gifts For Outdoors Lovers

- 27 Camping Products That Will Make The Outdoors Greater

Shopping for something specific? Check out BuzzFeed Reviews to find the best things for every budget!

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