Best Hiking Shoes – Read our guide to choosing the best hiking shoes and boots

Hiking trips are all about survival in the outdoors, and if one is to succeed in this endeavor you should always be prepared to face the elements with the right set of hiking gear.

Tip #1: Choose the correct backpacking gear

Depending on the amount of time you plan on spending on your hiking trip, your bag pack should have the following items included in it: a tent, sleeping bag, clothing, food and cooking stove. The current trend among popular backpacks is the use of internal frames, which are able to keep loads stable and hikers balanced as they walk on unpredictable terrain. They create a narrow profile for backpacks, which allows hikers to swing their arms freely and minimize pack snag when going through brush.

Tip #2: Include a First Aid Kit

Bring a pain reliever pill and ointment, bandages, gauze, antibiotic ointments (some brand names: Neosporin, Ultra Mide), butterfly tape or special adhesive strips, paracetamol, and stomach irritation medicine. If anyone gets an open wound, the best cleaning agent is cold water. Don’t use alchohol and resist using hydrogen peroxide.

Tip #3: Consider How You Plan To Navigate The Terrain

Modern technology has made this part of hiking a breeze, thanks to multiple GPS navigation devices are available to hikers these days. But to safe guard yourself from the possibility of technical failures, by electronic navigation equipment, make sure to pack a map and compass. Also, remember to inform people where you are going and when you are expected back. Ask them to call for rescue if you aren’t back in time.

Tip #4: Bring A Wilderness Survival Knife

A survival knife is a handy tool to have while on a hiking trip. They can be used on day to day tasks and also in emergency situations. A good survival knife should have fixed blade that is strong enough for cutting, carving, skinning and copping. It should also have a solid handle with a firm grip under extreme weather conditions. It should also have a strong blade, able to sustain a lot of pressure and hold an edge longer.

Tip #5: Bring A Pocket Survival Kit

This kit should have instruments you are likely to need should lose hold of your backpack. It should be small enough to fit in your shirt pocket and should contain the following items: waterproof matches, artificial flint striker, tinder, button compass, wire saw, water purifying tablets, condoms for water storage, fishing kit and snare wire.

Tip #6: Bring A Whistle And Other Seemingly Useless Items

Bring a whistle so you can call on to your friends when you accidentally get separated or lost. Bring colored tissue so you can leave tracks without thrashing the environment. Bring glow sticks, Fireworks Smoke Flare Distress Signals, flashlights and batteries.

Tip #7: Include Food Bars

Bring high energy food bars or something high on sugar. Gummy bears make good trail food because it is high on sugar and handy.

Tip #8: Wear The Right Clothes

Don’t hold back on your shoes, get the best hiking shoes you can find and break it in weeks before the hike.

Tip #9: Know Where You are Going

Get the latest map, ask other hikers, research what you expect to find there. Know what are the wild animals you may find, dangerous parts in the area, and things hikers might be able to share that websites and maps may miss.

Tip #10: Consider your Sleeping bag

There are two basic types of sleeping bags: synthetic and down. Synthetic are designed for use in wet conditions whereas down are meant for use in dry weather conditions.