Are you going on a hiking trip? Is it your first time getting into the great outdoors for more than just a walk in the park or nature trail?

Getting outside is great for your mind and body, and you’ll get to check out all of the local flora and fauna that your local hikes have to offer. But are you adequately prepared for this adventure?

What’s in your hiking survival kit?

If you’re not sure what you’re going to need on your first big hiking endeavor, you’re in the right place. We want to give you some advice from people who know how to have a great hiking experience.

Keep reading to learn all about what to bring when you’re going hiking.

The Basics: Proper Clothing

There are different kinds of hikes. Some experienced hikers think that a hike only counts if it goes over a day. Others have no qualms with the hikes that last only a few hours.

Either way, you’re going to have to find the right clothes for hiking. Clothing might not seem like survival gear, but the right clothes keep you safe from freezing in the snow or overheating in the sun.

Make sure you know the local weather patterns. You never know when things can change. Even if you’re only hiking for a few hours it’s wise to be prepared with an extra piece or two of clothing.

Your “main outfit” should be something that’s best for the current weather. On hot days you want breathable shirts and pants. You also want a hat to protect yourself from the sun and you should consider packing a jacket in case of rain or a chilly evening.

Always be sure to wear shoes that have good traction as well as socks that go above your ankles. This helps you avoid ticks and the risk of Lyme disease.

You want to pack clothing that’s water-resistant and it never hurts to have an extra pair of socks (even if you’re only out for the day) in case your socks get wet.

On cold days you should wear gloves and other warm items. You might warm up during the journey but it’s better to be too warm and have to remove clothes than it is to be too cold without clothes to add. Overpacking (within reason) is better than underpacking.

Food and Drinks

Having the right drinks and snacks, or even full meals for the hikers on long treks is key.

If you’re going on a short hike your focus should be on your water. Regardless of whether the day is warm or cold, you’re going to need to stay hydrated. Hot days may require extra water to make up for the water loss from sweating.

It’s good to bring a large water bottle with a spare one in your pack if you’re able. You may never touch the spare bottle but it’s better to have extra water than not enough. Avoid sugary and carbonated drinks. It may be a good idea to invest in a water filtration device so you can still get water from rivers or lakes in an emergency.

When it comes to drinks and snacks, you’re going to want something that’s nutrient-dense and energizing. We’re avoiding simple carbohydrates on this trip!

There’s a reason that trail mix includes dried fruit and nuts. These things have enough calories to keep you sated but they’re not heavy enough weigh in your stomach and slow you down or make you sleepy.

You want things like granola bars, fruit (though this can be inconvenient), or even pre-made meals with grains and protein.

You can find ready-to-eat meals at several online outdoor-focused shops such as Survival Pro Shop. These are great when you don’t have many resources for cooking but you know you’ll be on the trails for a long time. You get a full meal in a small amount of space.

Preventative Measures

There are plenty of items that make for an easier hike. They’re also important for keeping you safe and healthy on your trip.

Sunscreen is underappreciated by many hikers. You need it regardless of the weather as UV rays are ever-present when you’re outside.

Harmful UV rays are responsible for wrinkles, discoloration, and in a worst-case scenario, skin cancer. Even aside from that, no one wants a sunburn.

Bug spray will help you to keep annoying pests away. Some only work on mosquitos while others can be effective for ticks as well. Any bite from one of these bloodsuckers can turn into an illness if you’ve got bad luck.

You want standard hiking items like a flashlight and a compass. Even if you only intend on being out during the day, keeping a small flashlight alongside you will keep you safe in the event that the hike takes longer than you planned.

A compass will help whenever you lose track of where you are. Many digital maps are pre-equipped with compasses so you may be able to just use your phone.

Speaking of your phone, you should have it on you. It’s tempting to want to “get away from the world” on a hike, but our phones are valuable tools and they can save us in an emergency. Don’t forget to charge it and consider bringing a portable charger with you so that you never have to run out of power.

Fire-Building Tools

If you need some heat on your hike you’re going to need to build a fire. This is extra important if you end up staying overnight.

You can learn how to make a fire boy scout-style but in the event that you weren’t gifted with the ability or training to make a fire from nothing, it’s best to have a firestarter handy.

This can be something as simple as a lighter or a few matches (bring spares just in case). You can also use a flint or a handy magnifying glass if it’s daytime and you’re patient.

Look into the best formations for starting a fire so that you can get the most out of your flames.

Many people are spoiled by technology and don’t have basic fire building knowledge. Don’t get caught in a bad situation. Do your research before you leave the house, even if that research just means keeping photos of effective fire techniques on your phone.

Safety First

You never know what’s going to happen on the trails. Nature is unpredictable and hiking accidents aren’t uncommon. You want to pay attention to your safety and to be able to deal with any issues that might arise on your trip.

We’re going to divide this category into non-emergency and emergency items so that you can determine what’s best for your needs. Many of these items will be in pre-made kits while others make great additions to your standard first-aid kit.

Non-Emergency First-Aid Items

Not every cut and scrape is a big deal. It’s normal to get a bit scratched-up when you’re in the great outdoors.

For basic first-aid, you want to make sure that you have band-aids, gauze, and some kind of antibiotic ointment or scrape spray. It’s good to have cotton pads and extra water to clean any wounds.

It’s useful to have over the counter painkillers and allergy medications for mild aches and sniffles, though opt for non-drowsy options so that they don’t slow you down.

This is also a good time for rubbing alcohol or peroxide, or any more niche items like an oral anesthetic or anti-itch cream for mosquito bites or poison ivy.

Emergency First-Aid Items

Sometimes emergencies happen. You want to be prepared in case anything serious comes up. It’s easy to fall in the woods, and there are animals out there that may want to attack you. While you don’t need a full medical setup, you do need enough supplies that you can temporarily help in a stitch until you’re able to seek help.

It’s a good idea to have an EpiPen on you when you go into the woods. These are expensive in America, but it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. During the winter it may be a non-issue but during the summer there are bees and wasps lurking. If you have allergies you can’t take a risk like that when you know you don’t have accessible care.

Wraps and braces are good for any instance of a sprain or even a serious cut. You won’t be able to heal it and you will need to seek medical assistance but it’s a temporary fix that could save you a lot of pain or even your life.

If you take regular medication you should have it in your first-aid kit. It doesn’t hurt to bring an extra dose or two just in case you end up being stuck in the wilderness for longer than you expected. So be sure to have a well supplied emergency kit.

Self-Defense Tools

There’s no survival kit without a least one self-defense item. Again, there are animals in the woods. Worse, there are other people out there. You never know what you’re going to encounter out there so you have to be prepared for any event.

Bear spray and pepper spray are great for a compact self-defense tool. They’ll incapacitate your attacker and give you a chance to get away from the danger. Sprays work on animals or people, so be careful when you’re hiking with friends.

Knives are multipurpose when you’re on a hike. They’re good for opening packages, removing extra debris from your path, and for self-defense.

Knives are a melee weapon so you will have to get close to your attacker to use one, but it’s likely that if you’re in this situation your attacker has already gotten too close to you.

A whistle can also be a good self-defense tool, as well as anything else that makes a loud noise.

This notifies any other hikers of your location which is great if you’re in need of rescuing from an animal or from your own mistakes. If you suffer a fall when you’re hiking, for example, you can get stuck. A whistle can help people find you.

Animals also don’t love loud noises. Something loud may be what you need to get your attacker to move on and choose a different target.

Equipment for Shelter

If you’re staying overnight you’re going to need somewhere to sleep. Even if you’re not staying overnight it’s a good idea to keep some kind of sleeping gear on you just in case.

There are plenty of good tents on the market that start off compact and become roomy and secure once they’re set up. You want a tent that feels sturdy and has openings that are reinforced in some way. It should be waterproof and all seams should be covered or doubled so that water can’t come in.

Heavy-duty zippers will keep animals from getting into your tent. They’ll also keep you safe from the elements.

You also want to have some form of a sleeping bag. In cold weather, it’s important to have one that’s insulated. Freezing while you sleep isn’t ideal.

What’s In Your Hiking Survival Kit?

A good hiking survival kit will leave you prepared for any situation short of a massive natural disaster. You should consider how to keep yourself safe from animals, plants, insects, and other people on the trails.

Remember that nature will throw unexpected things at you. You don’t want to be in a position where you’re not ready for them.

If you’re worried that your pack is going to be too heavy, try to remember how much worse it would be if you needed something and didn’t have access to it. You want your hiking experience to be fun, not stressful.

Are you ready to hit the trails?

To learn more about hiking and all of our favorite hiking products check out the rest of the articles on our site!