A curated selection of essential footwear and gear designed to handle Hawaii's unique hiking terrain, from muddy ridgelines to valley hikes with rocky streambeds. Please note that the links below are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commis...
Sections
3
Footwear
Apparel and protection
Essential accessories and safety
Footwear
In Hawaii, your footwear is your most important safety gear. Trails here vary from slick, red-clay mud and tangled rainforest roots to razor-sharp lava rock and steep volcanic ash. For most ridge and valley hikes, trail runners with deep lugs (treads...
A balanced favorite for tropical humidity.
Cascadia Trail Running and Hiking Shoes
Works well in wet, muddy terrain
Salomon Thundercross
Current choice for my wide feet and affordable price
New Balance T410 Trail Runners
Waterproof and made for wet conditions.
Brooks Cascadia GTX Trail Running Shoes
A fav of many Hawaii hikers
Hoka Trail Running Shoes
Used by many who vouch for Merrell brand
Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid
Good tread and durable as heck
Keen Targhee
Apparel and protection
In Hawaii, the humidity and sudden tropical showers mean you’ll likely get wet, whether from sweat or rain. The golden rule is avoid cotton, which stays heavy and cold when wet. Instead, opt for lightweight, moisture-wicking synthetics or breathable ...
As the brand suggests, they're darn tough (and used by many Hawaii hikers).
Darn Tough Socks
Used by many to more easily ascend and descend muddy, wet, slippery terrain.
Microspikes
Using a hiking pole(s) is a move made by a good number of Hawaii hikers.
Trekking Poles
Works well for most Hawaii dayhikes
Osprey Daylite Cinch Backpack
Capilene is a good choice for a hiking shirt, top. Remember, cotton kills.
Capilene tops
Good to wear to keep debris out of your shoes on brushy, overgrown trails such as along the Koolau Summit, upper Waimano, Manana, etc.
Gaiters
Blister prevention and “defeeters”
SQHT Heel Protectors
Rain shells are better than rain jackets. Don't go hiking without one
Men's Shell Jackets | Softshell and Lightweight
Essential accessories and safety
Good to have, just in case…
Emergency Whistle
Good to have on long hikes
MOMAX 5000mAh Magnetic Wireless Power Bank
Lightweight and highly regarded light
Black Diamond Storm Headlamp
Highly regarded go-to for hydration
Osprey 3 L Reservoir Backpack Hydration
I don't use microspikes (yet) but many swear by them for steep ascents and descents on muddy terrain.
Yaktrax microspikes
Keep your devices powered up.
Nitecore NB10000 Gen 3 Ultra-Slim USB-C Power Bank
