Hiking Checklist: Your Guide to Prepare for the Trails

So, you wanna go on a hike? Awesome! If you’ve never gone hiking before, but you’ve always been interested in trying it, there’s never been a better time to start than now.

The whole experience can be invigorating. It’s all about turning off the phone for a while, getting some casual (or vigorous, if that’s your thing) exercise and enjoying beautiful scenery and weather.

But doing something for the first time can be intimidating, even if it’s not an overnight camping trip. The planning part can be especially confusing when you have no prior experience with the activity.

Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a helpful checklist to prepare for an amazing day trip of hiking on the trails.

Food

Sometimes people fall into the trap of thinking they won’t need food. It’s only a couple of hours, right? Stop right there. It’s better to be overprepared than underprepared. 

You might not be camping overnight, but hiking can take up a lot of energy. You will most likely get hungry, so just plan as though you’re going to need all the snacks. Here are some great ideas:

Jerky

You can make it more fun with sweet and savory Korean Barbecue pork jerky. That’ll get you some delicious flavor with 80 calories and 7 grams of protein per serving.

Granola and Protein Bars

This is a filling option that’s individually wrapped and portable. They’re perfect to slip into a pocket quickly and keep on trekking.

Trail Mix

If this isn’t a perfect snack for hiking, what is? The word “trail” is right in the name! Toss together a bag of nuts (for that helpful protein), raisins, chocolate chips or whatever you’re craving, and enjoy it whenever you’re taking a quick break.

Fruit

When you’re outside working up a sweat on a hot summer day, a nice bite of fresh, juicy fruit can really hit the spot to help keep you going.

On the flip side, dried fruit will last longer and is easier to carry without making a mess. Whether you go with fresh or dried fruit, you’ll get a nice kick of sweetness during a break in the action.

Crackers

Carbs are always appreciated after exercising all day. Crackers are a great choice by themselves, but you can also bring toppings for them for added nutrition. Some ideas include individually packaged tuna or peanut butter.

Water

It gets hot during long days in the sun. You need to make sure you have a big enough supply of water to last you until you get back to your vehicle.

Some of the best types of water bottles for hiking include large insulated stainless steel bottles. You can even be like a camel and go for a hydration pack (like a backpack that holds water).

First Aid Kit

Even if you’re not planning on hiking a challenging mountainous terrain, there’s always the possibility that you could trip or accidentally swipe a branch and cut yourself.

A light, portable first aid kit can come in handy and possibly save your life. Though, let’s try to keep things chill and stay safe. No need to suddenly become a parkour expert out there!

Sun & Bug Protection

UV rays aren’t a joke. You can get sunburned pretty quickly depending on the day. Also, sometimes bugs decide they like you more than your friends, which sucks.

Sunscreen and bug spray are small and easy to bring. Stick them in your pack and apply them before venturing out to avoid burns and bites.

Hiking Clothes

Fashion isn’t everything, but wearing the right clothes can make the whole experience more enjoyable. Think of technical or tactical clothing that will keep you cool and protect you from the elements.

Look for clothing that has moisture-wicking qualities to help keep the sweat away from your skin. This will keep you cooler but also help avoid chafing. Also, consider bringing items for layering in case the temperature drops or the weather gets bad.

Hiking Boots

Please, PLEASE do not assume that standard sneakers or running shoes will be good enough. You want to wear hiking boots so your body gets the right amount of support throughout the day. Your feet, legs and back will thank you later!

Backpack

All this stuff has to be carried around somehow, and what better way to do it than with a backpack? There are plenty of low-profile outdoor and camping backpacks available at various price points.

Or, you can stick with the one you already have at home! Just use whatever will be comfortable for you to carry on your back all day and still transport all the stuff you’ll be bringing along.

Navigational Tools

You’re probably planning on turning off your phone for the hike already. But sometimes it doesn’t matter what your plan is when it comes to cellular technology.

Phone signals aren’t always reliable, especially when you’re out in the wilderness. This is when an old-school paper map and a trusty compass can be huge in navigating the trail.

Multi-Tool

It’s impossible to predict everything, which is why a multi-tool is so valuable. Suddenly need a tree branch? The multi-tool has a saw. Have to cut up some food? There’s a knife available.

Flashlight

You’re not planning on this being an overnight trip. You’re not even intending to start early in the morning or go into the early evening. But sometimes plans change.

Whether your day goes longer than anticipated or you have car trouble and need to sleep in it overnight, darkness can become an unanticipated part of the trip. A bright flashlight with new batteries can be a huge relief in these types of situations.

Take on Your Next Hiking Trip With Golden Island Jerky

Whether it’s your first time on the trail or you’re a seasoned wanderer, snacks are necessary to keep you moving. Golden Island pork jerky and snack bites can help you kick into the next gear.

Our products are made with 100% pork and fire-grilled to perfection. The Korean Barbecue flavor is a mouthwatering sweet and savory delight thanks to a recipe that includes soy sauce and brown sugar.

Shop our products today and get ready for your next adventure!