Essential Hiking Gear for Cross-Training on Trails

At first glance, this wide, flat-looking shoe might look goofy, but trust me when I say it’s one of the most comfortable long-distance shoes you’ll ever wear. Altra’s FootShape toe box, which is wider than standard trail shoes, allows your toes to splay out and provides more grip on inclines and descents.

The zero-drop shoe encourages a more natural stride, helps strengthen muscles in the feet, and can reduce calf fatigue for some people. The Lone Peak has out-of-the-box comfort, comes with either standard or waterproof uppers, has excellent wet and dry traction, and will last a solid 500 miles.

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For a full-day hiking pack, 20 to 24 liters is a good baseline size, with more than enough space for layers, snacks, and water for longer outings. This pack hugs close to your back with a multi-layer perforated mesh over a foam back sheet for stability without getting sweaty, and stretchy water bottle pockets you can reach without taking the pack off.

This has a wide-mouth design that makes for easy packing, and comes with a 2.5L reservoir. This pack has a minimal hip belt made from webbing, which adds enough stability for lighter loads, but we’re missing the hip belt pockets from the larger-capacity Skarab 30. The Skarab doesn’t come in a women’s version, but for a comparable pack with a women’s-specific fit, we love the Sirrus 24.

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The Salomon Adv Skin 12 was designed for runners, which means you probably have something along these lines in your closet already. This pack pulls double duty for day hikes as well as runs, and has the benefit of being bounce-free for added comfort on jolting descents.

The 12 liters is more than enough space for hiking essentials, including a wind layer, hat, gloves, water, and snacks. It comes with two soft flasks for easy-access water, and is reservoir-compatible for longer outings where you’ll need more water.

This has an incredibly precise fit for a unisex pack, and comes in sizes XS-XL. The front and side pockets are easy to reach without taking the pack off, and the open top and side pockets are convenient for layers and snacks.

Foldable smaller brim means slightly less protection rain jacket, available in sizes up to 3XL for men and 3X for women. The men’s medium weighs just 6.3 ounces, only a few ounces more than a non-waterproof wind layer.

Outdoor Research installs a 2.5-layer Pertex Shield waterproof, breathable membrane that lets you dump heat through micropore evaporation without letting water in should the skies open up. The high neck and fitted hood provide excellent protection against blowing rain, and a slightly longer hem fits well under a pack without pouring water down the back of your shorts.

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When it comes to hiking tops, you don’t need to buy the most expensive brand-names at specialty stores. Any loose-fitting, sweat-wicking shirt will work just fine. The airy nylon-spandex blend in the Power Flex (also used in the men’s Short Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt) stayed remarkably odor-resistant, dried quickly, and didn’t cling or stick to my body under a pack.

The longer hemline on both the racerback and the short-sleeve also stays put under a pack’s hip-belt, so you won’t be adjusting bunching fabrics. These are affordable, stretchy, fit true to size, and hold up well for during full seasons of heavy use.

Related: Health & Injuries

Whats one must-have gear that you always hike with socks on the market, and this recently updated sock is no exception. The Hike Light Cushion blends wicking, temperature-regulating Merino wool with sturdy nylon, and the result is a sock that won’t stretch out, shift, or soak through so your feet stays dry and blister-free. Articulated arches lend support, and reinforced toes and heels ensure long-lasting durability.

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The Session are my go-to shorts for day hiking as well as backpacking, and they survived a 500-mile trip this past summer in excellent shape. They are made of a barely-there four-way stretch fabric that is durable, stretchy, lightweight, and dries quickly.

They also have an antimicrobial liner that doesn’t cause chafing, and a light, not-too-compressing waistband. The women’s version has a 2.5-inch inseam, and the men’s version comes with a choice of 5- or 7-inch inseam.

This is one of the best sweat-wicking mid layers I’ve worn. It works well providing insulation while not getting soggy during ascents. Credit to the microgrid construction that saves weight without losing warmth and the ActiveTemp fabric, Outdoor Research’s thermoregulating fabric treatment.

I’d love to see a zipper chest pocket or side pocket on this, but the kangaroo pocket does fine for keeping my hands warm or stashing items I want to keep accessible. It features a high neck for added draft protection, and the moderate cut easily fits over a base layer as well as underneath an insulating or outer layer.

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With the longest pair still weighing under 15 ounces, these trekking poles are a sturdy, lightweight option for stability and muscle support on day hikes. These are easy to deploy thanks to the internal cordage and the z-fold construction that locks securely in place and collapses in seconds.

These poles come in four sizes and fold down to 13 to 17 inches, with fully extended lengths between about 30 and 51 inches. While we love carbon, we chose an aluminum set of poles for this recommendation. Aluminum has a minor weight penalty, but is more durable for rocky terrain where you’re more likely to get your pole tip wedged between rocks.

Weighing less than 2 ounces and folding into your pocket, this UPF50+ hat is the perfect on-trail companion. This hat has a sweat-wicking brim for the hottest days and a DWR finish for keeping the rain off your head, as well as a clever “Sunglass Lock” that holds your shades in place.

This is a durable, lightweight trail hat that won’t take up extra room in your pack, but realistically, most running-style caps (or even trucker hats) will do the job on trail.

Just make sure you have a sweat-wicking band and the hat material is breathable. If you’re looking for full-coverage, you can always opt for a bucket-style hat like the Outdoor Research Bugout Brim hat preferred by many alpine hikers and desert hikers.

We know, convertible pants are very much giving 1990’s dad-at-a-barbecue vibe. But hear us out: these wicking nylon pants have a soft brushed fabric that feels like cotton but breathes like polite gear, and they have a classically relaxed fit that doesn’t bunch or sag.

These pants zip off into 10-inch shorts, the perfect length for warmer-weather hikes. Kuhl even advertises their zip-off system as “stealth” because we know most people don’t want to be advertising their full-leg zippers. Kuhl doesn’t make these in a women’s model, but the Freeflex is a close model.

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