Okay lekker – you really like hiking, and you are willing to make the investment in the right gear to take the experience to the next level!
Here is our list of hiking essentials that you really need:
Cover Image Credits: Jaime Remier
SHOES SHOES SHOES! Our top pic!
The famous “one pound on your feet equals five pounds on your back” (every 500g on your feet is an extra 2.25 kg on your back) notion stemmed from Sir Edmund Hillary’s successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953. You spend about 2/3 thirds of your day on your feet. You could have the newest ultralight gear, but with bad shoes, you won’t really care about what’s on your back. Don’t skimp on buying the right hiking shoes. Find our guide here.
Hiking Essentials | backpack
A reliable, comfortable and multi-use backpack is crucial for carrying all of your hiking essentials. For multi-day hiking consider a backpack that has a capacity of at least 50-60 liters, with compartments to organize your gear. Make sure the backpack has padded straps and a waist belt to distribute the weight evenly and reduce strain on your back.
Hiking Essentials | navigation tools
The ability to navigate while hiking is critical. Bring a map of the area, a compass or a GPS device to help you find your way. You can also use hiking apps like AllTrails or Strava GPX files, which can assist you in finding trails, track your progress, and give you detailed route information.
Hiking Essentials | water and snacks
Hiking requires endurance, and staying hydrated and fueled up is critical. Bring plenty of water, and pack high-energy snacks like trail mix, energy bars, and biltong. The general rule for water is to bring at least 2 litres per person. Most people prefer a water bottle to a water bladder because of the assurance that the bottle won’t potentially pop in your bag.
Hiking Essentials | clothing and protective layers
Next on our list of hiking essentials, proper clothing! Weather can change instantly while hiking, especially at higher altitudes like the Drakensberg. Make sure to wear appropriate clothing based on the predicted weather forecast, and always pack extra layers that you can add or remove easily. Carry multiple layers – that way you control the heat and can also rest assured that if one layer gets wet, you have three others.
Hiking Essentials | a hiking crew!
This is probably not an absolute necessity – especially if you are doing a day hike within a marked-out area with multiple people hiking the trail during the day. But man, oh man – people make the experience so much more fun! Hiking is not a race, and nobody is going to ask what your PB was hiking up Lion’s Head. So, take it easy, enjoy the conversation and make the experience enjoyable for the people around you. Here are our top Hiking Club recommendations from around South Africa.
