Outdoor gear for hiking: the big guide

Here is my overview of outdoor gear for your next adventure. My passion for outdoor life started with hiking, and the longer the trips got, the more I needed solid kit. Whether you are heading out on your first real trip or you are already a gear nerd, there is hopefully some inspiration to find here.

When it comes to outdoor gear, there is never anything that is completely right or completely wrong. Every person is different, so we do not have the same needs when it comes to hiking boots, sleeping bags, backpacks and trekking poles. Below I go through the categories I get asked about most often.

Backpack: find your new travel companion

Choosing the right backpack can almost be an art when you head out into the world, both on a single-day trip and on a trip that lasts many days. I have tried it all, from living out of my backpack for a whole year to using a light backpack on a long ultrawalk in a single day and on bike rides.

The need is very individual. See my in-depth guide to choosing size, material and features under backpack.

Hiking boots: your most important tool for going the distance

There is probably no question I have been asked more often than: which hiking boots should I use on the Camino? It is hard to answer, because everyone’s feet are different. The most important thing is to know yourself and try your way forward.

I have hiked countless kilometers in all kinds of footwear, and yet I recommend wildly different things to different people. Some prefer hiking boots, others walk in barefoot shoes, running shoes or sandals. If you are preparing for the Camino, the terrain is very varied over the roughly 800 kilometers, so ideally bring a spare pair of shoes.

Trekking poles: get ready for any terrain

As with hiking boots, I am a little ambivalent when it comes to trekking poles. Sometimes I love them, other times I do not like them, because I enjoy having my hands free on long walks.

The poles have still helped me many times to pick up the pace and to relieve my knees and back. There are a fair few sales tricks around trekking poles, but it is certainly nice when a friend lends me a pair just as I am at my most tired on the route. Read more under trekking poles.

Headlamp: it does not get more outdoor than this

A headlamp screams a bit of outdoor nerd, but it comes into its own when you cycle or hike after dark. Many people are also glad of it at the hostels on the Camino, where the lights go out fairly early but you want to lie and read. A headlamp has also saved me when I had to pitch a tent after a late arrival.

Sleeping bag: find the perfect comfort temperature

Are you unsure which sleeping bag to choose? There is a sea of them. If you are hiking the Camino, there is always plenty of advice about how warm or ultralight your sleeping bag should be. I go for a light model myself. See more under sleeping bag.

Sleeping mat: get the best sleep on the adventure

Outdoor life does not always go hand in hand with good sleep. If you sleep in a tent or hammock, a lovely sleeping mat can make a big difference. You can find both inflatable mats and the classic foam one, depending on whether you prioritize comfort or low weight.

How to buy the right hiking gear

Buying the right hiking gear can be a bit of a jungle. After I started hiking long distances and sleeping outdoors, I developed a huge passion for gear. I have experienced long nights with leaky tents, and once you are on the trip, you cannot change the gear you bought.

There are always good questions you can ask yourself before you set off. Research and testing are what work best. If you want a concrete place to start, read my Camino packing list, where I go through what you should and should not bring. Good luck finding the right outdoor gear for your next trip.