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There’s no better time than fall for a new hiking adventure, especially in my home state where the high desert meets the Cascade Mountains. The August heat is gone, the air smells fresh, and the trails are less crowded — it’s a perfect combination for a new hike or planning a big camping trip.
It’s also a great time to upgrade your hiking gear with a little extra tech and a few essentials that I’ve found to be useful, whether you’re hiking for days or just an afternoon. Below, I’ll cover my favorite hiking upgrades that I’ve made over the years. These add-ons are worth it for any hiker, even if you’ve never tried them before.
1. A GPS tracker and communicator
GPS communicators are a much-touted improvement over traditional GPS maps.
For serious hikers, a GPS device is a must, especially if you’re exploring the less traveled paths and recording your route afterwards. It also acts as a safety net if something goes seriously wrong or you lose your gear (climbers may even want a dedicated tracker for their extra supplies). I find the basics GPS trackers like this $30 LandAirSea modelbut it’s easy to upgrade to a GPS watch.
There’s a new GPS darling on the market today that combines GPS with a satellite communicator or two-way radio, like this $400 Garmin model. It’s pricey, but the communication features can be invaluable, especially for more serious off-trail or volunteer trips. You can also upgrade to a GPS mapping version, like this more affordable $200 Garmin version.
2. Folding walking sticks
Folding walking sticks are very useful for unexpected events.
Trekking and walking poles are generally associated with uphill trails and icy or slippery conditions, but I’ve found them to be much more useful than expected. Black Diamond Folding Poles or Trekology fit easily in or on your pack and only come out when needed. They are a lifesaver when you or a buddy unexpectedly run out of breath, hit a rough trail, or get injured and need a little help getting back to the side of the road. You’ll often be glad you brought them.
3. Filter straw or pump
LifeStraw is the best, but there are many filter options.
While LifeStraw has made the packable filter device popular, you can use these filters in all shapes and sizes for your hike. Some even include pumps to easily filter and add water to a bottle or bucket from a nearby river, lake, pond, or pool. With something as light and affordable as a LifeStraw, you can add it to almost any bag. But filter devices are especially important if you’re going away for more than a day or two.
4. Foldable water bottle
Collapsible bottles are easy to find and much easier to walk with.
While people love their Stanley Cups and Nalgenes (where i live we are Hydroflask people), those bottles are a bit too big and heavy to comfortably carry on any hike, especially if you’re carrying a backpack for a long time. And on longer hikes, when space is at a premium, they become even more of a nuisance.
My favorite alternative is a collapsible water bottle or a soft water bottle, like this $30 model from Hydaway. They are lightweight water bottles that are designed to save space when not full. As long as you rinse them out and keep them clean, you can store them with your hiking backpack so you can always quickly access water and grab a drink without it being too heavy.
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5. Daypack with battery pack
Small daypacks like CamelBak and similar brands are perfect for afternoon or evening hikes.
Even casual hikers should invest in a basic daypack to carry all the gadgets I’m talking about. A daypack is the smallest, most affordable version of a hiking backpack, popularized by brands like the bike-friendly Camelbak (with a drinking straw included). They have just enough room to stash the essentials and a few snacks, plus a design that helps reduce sweat when hiking in the heat.
There are many options for graduating to larger packs for longer hikes, but you should check out this Gregory pack for a more affordable upgrade. Whatever you choose, I highly recommend adding a small battery pack so you can charge your phone and devices when they’re low. Some of my friends love portable solar panels to charge, but they are not as convenient as carrying a battery in an extra bag.
6. Rechargeable headlamp
Today’s headlamps are lightweight, bright, easy to charge via USB and can turn into any color you want.
If you’re planning on camping at night, watching the sunset on the trail, or planning a moonlit hike, you’ll want a reliable headlamp to light up the dark while keeping your hands free. Today’s headlamp straps are easy to put on and quick to charge, making them perfect for these types of shorter excursions. Black Diamond has some of my favorite options for around $50, but you can find a wide variety of options, including more affordable choices.
7. An all-in-one pee cloth
Kula clothing is designed for women who want to walk outside the bathroom, but these pads are surprisingly practical.
Pee rags are traditionally for those who need to find a quiet place to squat, walk, and then clean up while they’re out and about, but these cleaning wipes are worth a look no matter what your bathroom plans are. Featuring decorative art, reflective strips, antimicrobial surfaces, and trusty hand protection, they can serve as coffee warmers, de facto “mitts” for wiping up messes, or potholders for hot soups, along with whatever else you need. The wipes can be surprisingly versatile, even if they never get used for bathroom use — just remember to clean them before using.
8. A reliable walking app
Today’s trail apps are far superior to the options of the past, so get one as soon as possible.
Finally, adding a hiking app to your phone can be incredibly helpful (although a waterproof map is always a good idea, too). Hiking apps, both national and local, excel at providing useful information and up-to-date trail conditions, as well as easy-to-zoom maps for navigation. They’re a great upgrade to any hike, and most can work offline if you want to download a map.
If there aren’t any notable hiking apps for your specific state, region, or mountain range, popular generic apps include: AllTrails And Gaia GPSboth with free download options. I personally like Gaia GPS better if you’re willing to sign up for a subscription, but AllTrails’ many filters are available for free, which is always a good deal.
If you’re willing to spend a little more, the latest updates to the Apple Watch and watchOS 11 include some excellent and intuitive GPS improvements for hiking and waypoint finding, without distracting too much from the experience.
Now that you’ve started your journey, continue with our recommendations for the best outdoor tech, the best outdoor security cameras, how to add essential security if you live in an RV, and our Editors’ Choice picks for the best AI and future tech.
