Looking for new hiking gear?

Below we picked a few of our top recommendations.

In This Article

So where do you start with choosing which hiking gear is essential?

best-hiking-essentials

Overlooking Los Angeles from the peak of Griffith ParkJBLumix/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Johnson recommends theoutdoorsexperts at REI, or reaching out to ranger stations and other outdoors-oriented visitor information centers.

And that goes for even casual hikes, too.

For longer hikes, however, youll want to double-check to pack some additional items.

Just dont forget food and plenty of water, too.

Its portable enough to stash in your bag or large jacket pocket.

Skechers GO RUN Trail Altitude 2.0

$100

Prefer a low-top style?

The shoes are durable and waterproof, yet super lightweight.

Choose from multiple colors and sizes online.

These under-$50 poles made byYukon Charliesare solid options, complete with wrist grips and adjustable designs.

These hiking kicks from the pros atOnwill do the trick, providing the traction you need for any terrain.

Bonus: They can tackle wet conditions, too.

We lovePatagonias jacketsfor their comfort, style, packability, and lightweight design.

Patagonia Mens 5 Baggies Shorts

$65

We love wearing thesePatagonia shortson warm-weather, casual hikes.

They dry quickly, look cool, and feel comfortable all day long.

Put simply, theyre an essential piece of gear for any situation.

Crocs Classic Boot

$44.99$59.9925% off

You havent seenCrocslike this before.

Bonus: They look pretty badass.

For under $20, you could score a solid, reliableBlack Diamond lampon REI.