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1. An Osprey Daylite pack so you can carry all of your day hike essentials comfortably and conveniently. Its 13-liter size should be just right for plenty of water, snacks, and emergency first aid.
2. A Columbia sun hat with breathable mesh vents, an adjustable fit, a UPF 50 sun rating, and moisture-wicking fabric, making it the ultimate lid for your hike.
3. A pair of adventure shorts made of a ripstop fabric to ensure they'll endure pretty much anything and look darn cute while doing it.
4. A Lifestraw personal water filter that allows you to safely drink from any water source. It's always good to have reassurance that you won't run out of clean water.
5. A BioLite headlamp so you're covered if the sun goes down while you're hiking or you're simply down for a night hike. This one is super slim and unobtrusive — it even tilts downward so you can have a better view of right where you're walking.
6. An anti-blister balm that prevents your heels and toes from succumbing to that dreaded, painful state. Definitely still try to break in your boots before a big trip, but I'd grab this too just to be safe.
7. Black Diamond trekking poles made of lightweight aluminum to help get you up and down steep terrain no problem. They have a comfort grip, are collapsible, and can be adjusted to match your height for maximum effectiveness.
8. A pair of Vasque Breeze LT boots that will cradle your feet as you hike. I have these and adore them — they're the perfect boot/sneaker crossover and have ample support without feeling too bulky.
9. A reliable external battery to ensure your devices have all the juice they need in case of emergency. This one even has attached connecting wires so you don't have to concern yourself with bringing ones from home!
10. Smartwool hiking socks that are cushioned to help absorb impact but not so cushioned that they make your boots feel tight. Smartwool products are notoriously long-lasting and durable, and in my experience they live up to the hype.
11. A pair of Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX hiking shoes for anyone who wants the grip and durability of a hiking boot without the bulk. Perfect for short hikes or hikes you may need to travel to, as these are way easier to pack than a boot!
12. A sun protection shirt that's super lightweight, moisture-wicking, and has a UPF 50+ rating — the right choice for when you want to be outdoors but have had enough of the sun.
13. A thong made of a breathable mesh to keep your nether regions nice and sweat-free as you climb every mountain in sight.
14. A pair of binoculars for getting a closer look at the flora and fauna you come across. Is that a cardinal?! Oh, nope, just a weird leaf.
15. A Helinox ultra-light chair if, when you picture yourself taking a nice rest along the trail, you don't envision sitting on an uncomfortable rock.
16. A collapsible dog bowl with a carabiner so your pup is always hydrated on the go. Gotta keep your #1 hiking buddy ready for adventure!
17. A child carrier that lets you comfortably tote your kiddo along on long day hikes. You'll have so many adjustable straps so you can dial in the perfect weight distribution and a ton of storage pockets, and the child being carried has a sun shade, mirror to see you, adjustable foot rests, and a little pillow!
18. A 32-ounce lightweight Nalgene — my love of Nalgenes is well-documented, and this particular one fits the bill for utilitarian water storage while hiking.
19. A T-shirt that may appear basic but is actually a moisture-wicking master, as well as UPF 30 sun protection rated and antimicrobial so you can wear it for days without causing a stink.
20. A pair of Teva sandals if you're one of the real ones who does long hikes while letting your tootsies breathe. No shame if you prefer something with more coverage — hello that's also me — but to all the people I see hiking in sandals, you're so cool, more power to ya.
21. An active bralette with a thick bottom band, moisture-wicking material, and an antimicrobial treatment that'll work together to keep you secure and fresh while sweatin' it out.
22. A small medical kit, because you should ALWAYS have first aid supplies on-hand when you're out in the wilderness.
23. Bandier's Center Stage leggings, which are currently my favorite pants for hiking. They're so stretchy and truly move with you — they never stretch out, fall down, or get snagged on brush, and they protect me from the bug bites that I'm normally so very prone to.
24. A pair of polarized sunglasses to reduce glare and eyestrain while hiking or trail running. That's right, these are perfect for runs since their nose piece is made of a material that actually becomes grippier when wet — no more glasses sliding off of your face!
Have some gear you totally recommend? I want to know about it! Drop any recommendations below!
