Chris Hikes

Trip reports and information, mostly about hiking in the Northeast United States.

Tips for Choosing Day Hiking Gear

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to start being a hiker. In fact, you may already have much of what you need. My suggestion is to buy little or no gear for your first few hikes, then decide what is most important for you to buy. Check out the links below for suggestions on specific types of hiking gear.

View my Disclaimer and General Information about Hiking.

Two backpacks leaning against a tree

Backpacks

Start out with what you have, then upgrade to a fancier backpack.

photograph of hiking boots and sneakers on a rock

Shoes

(More details coming soon!) Good traction is important, especially if you are hiking on wet rocks.

photograph of clothing hanging over an Adirondack chair

Clothes

(More details coming soon!) Avoid cotton. Inexpensive fitness clothing works great for many hikes in spring, summer, and fall.

Do you have questions about hiking gear or how to hike? Send me a message!

For ideas on where to go hiking, check out the trip reports in my blog.