The Essentials: 5 Must Haves For Your Next Epic Hike
Go get lost, it’s good for your glutes.
Photo: Wiki Commons
No one wants to hear it.
It’s been two years now and suffice it to say — we’re over the bug, or at least we’d like to be.
But for all the havoc that thing wreaked, it also conjured the champions in us.
We’ve had our asses handed to us as a race, and only a fool would deny that. But at the same time, there’s honour in making the most of a bad hand, knowing that when it all fell, you went from average Joe to you, version 2.0. A near global meltdown will do that.
For a new wave of hikers across North America, said bug was the impetus that sent them deep into her hinterlands to test their mettle, and in a way, they’ve never looked back.
Since (at least) that infamous summer of 2020, hiking sales of ever sort have seen untold spikes, from trail maps and camping guides to straight-up technical gear. And according to a 2020 ResearchandMarket.com’s report, everyone you know will buy hiking equipment through to 2025. Make no mistake, the pandemic’s played its part in the hike spike. But so have alarming levels of obesity and more disposable income among millennials.
Add to that all the recent store openings — like MEC’s new, 33,000 square-foot flagship in Vancouver’s Olympic Village (circa spring 2020) — and ambitious efforts like the Great Springs Project, a Texan non-profit on a mission to build America’s first 100-mile “hike and bike” trail that’d run from Austin to San Antonio.
In sum, more folks are getting their asses outside.
But like any scenario wherein nature calls the shots, ill preparation’s a fool’s game.
Everyone’s got a story of that one hiker who went awol.
Don’t hike without these five life savers, or you’ll make for good a story, too.
Let’s go.
1. XA Pro 3D V8 GTX Trail Running Shoes by Salomon
Fig. 1: All black, no fuss, just how you like it.
For the record, these lightweight Salomon’s were made for runs on tough terrain. But they’re just as at home on a casual hike thanks to the right amount of cushioning and two Contagrip outsoles that’ll keep you standing. And if it pours on your trek, that sweet GORE-TEX waterproof protection has your back.
2. A Classic Nylon Anorak by Reigning Champ
Among all purveyors of high-end sweats, Reigning Champ’s a top-three stud, easy. They do three types of weights for their terry line — light, mid and heavy. Plus their curation of sophisticated performance fabrics is something to admire (you runners should check out their super-breathable Deltapeak 90 mesh).
Fig. 2: Always look good, even in the woods.
But a classic anorak in Italian nylon feels unorthodox for the B.C.-based brand, albeit a most welcomed one, what with their pedigree for sportswear. They even added some key touches here, like an adjustable shock cord hood, micro mesh lining and a handy front flap pocket, while keeping things typically muted and beautifully on-brand.
Pick from either black or Sierra red (and if you’re into it, match them with this equally stylish pair of nylon track pants).
Handmade in Canada.
3. A Stainless Steel Travel Tumbler by Kinto
Water’s the mother of all sporting needs, and a hard-ass hike demands hydration.
Fig. 3: Who knew canteens could look so sexy?
And if it’s triple espresso time, that’s fine too since Kinto’s stainless steel, tough-as-shit tumbler keeps its contents either ice cold or piping hot for an optimal six hours.
But the clincher’s that genius anti-spill cap, a true thwarter of annoying coffee stains.
Comes in either 12 or 17 oz sizes.
4. A Fail-Proof, Ultralight and Waterproof First-Aid Kit by Adventure Medical Kits
We all know why we’d need one, so let’s skip to the contents of this one: You’ve got your anti-septic and anti-bacterial wipes, blister and burn dressings, adhesive fabric bandages, some sterile gauze and medical tape, a few wound closure strips, safety pins, plus a few more items that could just save your life. But remember, this kit’s good for one day’s worth of hiking, so don’t count on it for when you scale Mount Fuji.
Fig. 4: Think happy thoughts, but always be prepared.
5. A Brize 32 Backpack by Arc’teryx
Don’t skimp when it comes to the thing that carries your things. Instead, invest in a pack that’s light enough for a haul, but tough enough to last a life’s worth of hikes.
Fig. 5: When it comes to backpacks, keep it simple and earthy.
B.C.’s Arc’teryx (yes, we have a thing for B.C.) deals only in activewear of premium quality, hence that price tag (read: aforesaid “investment”). And while there’s a handful of brands that do backpacks well, the Brize 32 wins by balancing utility with sleekness; this thing’s got five pockets, including two side ones that’ll carry both water and trekking poles.