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the non-essential essentials that i keep in my hiking bag
10
items I am no pro-hiker by anyyyyy means, but I like to think I know what a good hiking bag contains. however! a small DISCLAIMER: this list isn't about the hiking essentials like water (duh), first aid (also duh), and all the other 10 essentials – those are a given, my friend! this list is of the things that you don't technically *need* to bring, but are helpful and fun to have! aka the non-essential essentials :)
Sections
3
BAGS
HELPFUL
FUN
BAGS
the various bags I use for hiking! as always, you don't need these *specific* bags – you can always buy or thrift something similar :)
I love this bag!!!! the side pockets are stretchy so you can fit a Nalgene in, there’s a hip belt and shoulder clip (with a whistle), two small pockets on the hip belt, and a sleeve for a bladder if you want! great backpack for longer day hikes (5-10...
Osprey Sportlite 25L | for longer day hikes
I think this is intended for kids, but I love it hahah. I love that I don’t have to carry a water bottle and it has just enough space to carry the other essentials — first aid, snacks, etc.
Hydration Pack | small & functional with 1.5L bladder
I like to wear a little hip pack for easy access to my phone/camera, lip balm, and a snack!
Hip Pack | for easy access
HELPFUL
these items aren't “essential” but definitely help me out on a hike!
love this sunscreen for quick and easy application
Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Stick
If you end up hiking in the dark — this is a must-have!!
Headlamp
so many cute colors! also it's a known fact that these sunglasses make you go faster…
Polarized Sports Sunglasses
super lightweight tripod! I'm always grateful when I have this with me in case there's no one else on the trail to take a photo.
Travel tripod so YOU can be in the pic!
FUN
extra items that make your hike just a liiiiitle more fun!
a fun and easy card game to keep on hand! you can play at the lake you hike to or at the top of the mountain :)
Monopoly Deal
for bird watching or any wildlife that you might see from a distance. it's always fun to be the person to be like “oh guys can't see the moose? here, use my binoculars” … ;)
Small binoculars to watch wildlife
I love these!! They have them for other regions of course, but these are the best foldable, laminated, compact field guides for bird watching :)
PNW birdwatching foldable field guide