9 Essentials to Bring With You On Every Hiking Adventure

Hiking trails and running down mountains has been a part of my happiness for years now. Getting into nature to find healing has been with me since I was a child.

But, I will be the first to admit that I do not prepare for these hikes or adventures nearly as much as I should have or could. And because of this, I have been limited in the distance, type, location, and conditions that I am comfortable with for hiking or trail running.

But all of that limited potential mentality is about to change. With the official beginning of the 1000 Mindful Miles Challenge in 1 year, It is time to level up the hiking gear game!

With the right hiking gear and preparation, summiting peaks, solo-traveling and backpacking to beautiful destinations, and thru hikes with overnights under the stars are entirely possible.

So, I dove into research and discovered tips and reviews that give us (from beginners to advanced) the best gear to take with us on our hikes or outdoor explorations in 2025 and beyond.

Click below to shop the highest rated products and gear from top brands and to get an inside look into what I will be taking with me, on the longer hikes, from now on.

The Best Backpack Essentials for comfort, safety, and hydration.

• Wear comfortable Shoes. Yes, I know that shoes don’t go in your backpack. But, without good shoes, what’s in your backpack really doesn’t matter. I specifically remember hiking in Hawaii. Getting a gnarly blister. And having to be treated by a doctor when I returned home. Now, I wear trail running shoes from both Hoka and Brooks. Both give stability and grip for slips. A great tip from my local running shoe store: if you like to run down mountains, buy a half size up. This gives your toes some room to breathe.
• Choose a lightweight backpack. I turned to Gearjunkie for their reviews of the best ultralight backpack for 2025 to know what to order. They chose the 40L ULTRALIGHT BACKPACK BY HYPERLITE MOUNTAIN GEAR for many logical reasons and I also like the style of it!

• Socks, socks, and more socks. When you are hiking, there is nothing worse than getting your feet wet, which makes your socks wet, which leads to blisters. Long story short, pack extra socks! I found the Darn Tough Light Hiker Socks through the NY Times Wirecutter review of the Best Hiking Socks of 2025. Although I haven't tried them yet, I am excited to love my feet up through them.
• Hydration and Nourishment. The amount of times I have ran out of water and have been ravenously hungry at the end of a hike, I can't count. But, the Squeeze water filter with 2 canteens not only makes natural sources of water safe to drink, but also refillable. And, who doesn't love a good bar or a few when on a hike. Kate''s Real Food Bars not only taste great, but they actually contain real food, which is great for energy and nutrients.
• Safety First. What makes for a truly mindful hike? Where you can let go, get lost in being present in nature, and leave the fears and worry behind? Knowing that you are safe! That means, you can call SOS if you need to, you have navigation that will help you find your way out of the woods, you have spray for any animal attacks, you have that first aid kit to bandage yourself up if necessary, and the ability to light a fire for warmth. My choices all come highly recommended. First is the inreach Mini 2. It is a compact satellite communicator, allowing you to message, send an SOS, and share your location. Next, is the must have bear spray. Animals like to avoid us, but for peace of mind and that rare occasion, carry something with you to protect yourself. A water proof first aid kit is necessary. And finally, carry this Stormproof Matchstick Kit with you, if the need to start a fire to warm yourself up ever occurs, you have the ability in your pack.

For full disclosure and trust, I have carefully chosen to partner with and feature brands in this article because of their excellence and proven experience. I may earn commission if you choose to shop from the links above.

I would love to hear the gear you use and love! Please comment and share your wisdom below.