Beginner's Hiking Guide: Travel Tips for First-Time Hikers

Beginners Hiking Quickstart Guide: What to Pack and How to Prepare for a Day Hike

Hiking is one of our favorite travel activities, whether we’re exploring a new country or simply looking for a nature excursion close to home. If you’re physically capable of doing so, we highly recommend taking a hike on your next trip and have developed this Beginners Hiking Guide for those new to hiking. This guide gives the basics of hiking to equip you with the knowledge you need to set out on a day hike and enjoy new scenery. For those looking for more detailed hiking tips, we’ve also recommended some of our favorite hiking blogs. So first off. . .

What hiking is and why you should try it

You might be thinking, wait hiking is basically just walking, what do I need to be prepared for? While, yes you are technically walking, depending on the trail you choose, you could be in for unfamiliar terrain, elevation changes, fluctuations in temperature, insects, and more. But don’t let that discourage you- with the right preparation, hiking can reward you with beautiful views, encounters with flora and fauna, and an enhanced connection to nature. Generally, hiking is also a great way to avoid crowds- it’s a great social distancing travel experience!

If you’re a beginner hiker, chances are you’re only looking at a day-hike, hikes that can be completed in less than a day, usually in a few hours or less. So, we’ve written this guide with day- hikes in mind. Even if you’re considering a multi-day hike, we highly recommend trying a few day hikes first to make sure that you a) enjoy it, b) are in the physical condition to handle a longer hike, and c) can practice with you gear.

What to wear hiking

Our typical hiking attire includes moisture wicking shirts, wool socks, comfortable and quick drying pants, and hiking boots. Rain coats optional!

Despite the prevalence of specially made ‘hiking clothing’ on the market, you do not need to run out an purchase a new outfit in order to go hiking. In most cases, day hikes can be done wearing clothing that you already have in your closet. To make sure you’re comfortable on your hike you’ll want to wear:

Good, moisture-wicking socks

I can’t stress enough how important it is to wear comfortable, supportive, and moisture-wicking socks on your hike. If you decide to invest in anything for hiking, make socks your top priority. Even in colder weather, chances are, your feet are going to sweat, and your comfort will depend on your sock’s ability to pull moisture away from your skin. Moisture equals not only discomfort, but can cause blisters as well. Cotton is notorious for trapping moisture and holding it against your skin, so we avoid cotton socks for hiking.

We usually wear wool socks, but any moisture wicking synthetic fabric will do. It seems counter productive to wear wool socks in the summer time, but wool does a great job at keep your feet cool and dry.

We like Smartwool socks and these Bombas are great too.

Supportive footwear

Like your socks, your choice of footwear can make or break your hike. If you’re a beginner hiker, it might not make sense to run out an purchase a new pair of hiking shoes right away. In that case, you can probably get away with athletic shoes so long as you’re not attempting a really technical hike (with lots of rocks, inclines, slippery surfaces, etc.).

If you think you will be hiking longer distances or doing it more often, I highly recommend investing in footwear designed for hiking. True hiking shoes or boots are more supportive than typical sneakers, have more rugged soles good for gripping slippery surfaces, and are make of more durable materials that stand up to scuffs and tears.

While it’s a matter of personal preference, I recommend investing in hiking boots over shoes. I wore hiking shoes (cut below the ankle) for many years because I was convinced they were lighter-weight and took up less luggage space. I eventually caved and purchased hiking boots that supported by ankles, and I don’t know if I can ever go back. I’m convinced that the extra ankle support has saved me from a rolled ankle more than once.

I also recommend going waterproof if you can. You never know when you will encounter a large muddle, mud, or even a shallow stream that you’ll need to go through.

I wear these: Ahnu Sugarpine II. They’ve held up incredible well, are lightweight, and waterproof. I have found that the support is lacking, and my feet get tired on hikes longer than five or so miles. So, I’ve added insoles to give a little extra cushion, and it’s really helped.

Mike wears these: Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gore-Tex. These boots have also held up really well and he’s worn them in multiple climates, from the snow (with warm socks) to a tropical jungle (got a little sweaty :). )

Quick drying, moisture-wicking clothing…hint: no cotton!

There is really no need for beginners to run out an buy a new hiking outfit. Most athletic/ exercise clothing will work well for hiking so long as its comfortable.

AVOID wearing cotton (sensing a theme?) as it traps moisture against the body and becomes uncomfortable. If the temperature suddenly plummets, wearing we clothes can leave you susceptible to exposure.

We wear quick dry fabrics that wick away sweat for the most comfort. Most athletic clothes nowadays are made of these wicking fabrics, so chances are, you already have something in your closet that you can wear. If you’re not into synthetics, try wearing wool. Both Mike and I really like the shirts from Woolx.

As for bottoms, whether you wear shorts or pants is a matter of personal preference. We usually try to wear pants if possible, in case we encounter overgrown brush, and it gives a little extra protection against bugs and poison ivy.

Leggings (as long as they aren’t cotton), joggers, and other athletic-type pants will work fine in most cases. I sometimes see people wearing denim on the trails, but I’d personally avoid it unless it’s a very lightweight and stretchy fabric. If it’s really hot, we will both wear shorts. Most athletic shorts, such as running shorts, will work just fine.

If you think you’re really going to get in to hiking, investing in a pair of true hiking pants might make sense. We’ve found that many outdoor clothing companies now make hiking pants styles are are stylish and tailored and don’t look like you’re headed off into the wilderness.

My go-to warm weather hiking outfit is:

Atheta Trekkie shorts- My pair is several years old, but I’ve heard good things about the latest model.

Woolx t-shirt

Mike loves his Prana Brion pants (and regularly wears them off the trail as well).

What to pack for a day hike…

Hiking backpack — Day hike on the Olympic Peninsula with our trusty Osprey Daylite packs.

Water and snacks

Bring plenty of water and some snacks even on short hikes, especially if it’s a new trail. It’s better to over prepare and ensure you have plenty of water and calories in case you get lost or are hurt and can’t make it back. Worse case scenario, you don’t eat the snacks or don’t drink that water.

We usually keep our snacks simple and grab a couple of protein bars or nuts.

On short hikes (under four hours), we bring our 22 oz water bottles and that will usually suffice unless it’s extremely hot, in which case we’ll bring an extra bottle to top off our individual water bottles.

On longer hikes (more than four hours), we bring our Osprey 2L Hydration Reservoirs that fit neatly into our Osprey day packs. This really isn’t a necessary purchase for beginner hikers, but if you’re starting to venture out on longer hikes, it’s a good investment as they keep you hands free and allow you to transport plenty of water.

Extra Layers

If you’re headed out on a longer day-hike or are in a region susceptible to rapid temperature changes (like the mountains or even in the midwest!) it’s a good idea to bring a extra layer. That usually means bringing a long sleeve shirt or a rain jackets as they are lightweight, waterproof, and really seal in the warmth. I’ll also often throw in an extra pair of socks.

I really like my North Face Resolve 2 Raincoat

Bonus Tip: After you’ve finished your hike, your socks are likely to be sweaty and your feet tired. If you’ve driven to your trailhead, where the trail starts, and keep a different pair of socks and shoes to change into after you’re finished hiking.

Bug spray and sun protection

I recommend wearing sunscreen even if you’ll be hiking in the woods and will be under tree cover. You never know when there will be a break in the tree cover! We live in the Midwest, so we also always bring insect repellent that protects against mosquitoes, chiggers, and ticks. I carry these Off wipes with me as they’re nice and portable and we don’t have to worry about the bottle leaking. I know some people are anti-DEET, and we do try to avoid it whenever possible. While essential oils and other natural insect repellents can be effective at a backyard BBQ, I just haven’t had luck with them out in the wilderness. Mosquitoes really like me for some reason, and I get large welts from their bites that last for hours and are irritated for days. For that reason, I break out the chemicals on longer hikes, but please use whatever insect repellent you like.

Backpack

For any hike longer than a hour or so, you may want to bring a backpack to carry your extra water, snacks, and extra layers. We like backpacks because they leave your hands free, but you could also use a cross-body satchel or other bag. Just keep it lightweight!

We both use Osprey Daylite packs and have found them more than big enough for a day hike.

How to find hiking trails

This hiking ‘trail’ outside of Lucerne, Switzerland led us through cow pastures and across streams, but gave us a remarkable view of the Swiss Alps!

Check trail guides

Many parks and reserves have dedicated trail guides written by experienced hikers.

We often use the All Trails app to find hikes in new places. There is a paid version of the app that allows you to download maps and have access to other premium features, but we’ve found the free version to be helpful.

Consider your fitness level and any physical limitations

Hiking trails can vary greatly depending on the location and terrain. Some hikes are leisurely strolls along flat surfaces, sometimes paved or groomed trails; while other are highly technical involving uneven, rocky surfaces, and perhaps even including some climbing or fording of streams and rivers.

It’s really important to pick trails that match your physical capabilities and not bite off more than you can chew to avoid injury. If you’re really new to hiking, consider starting with a short, accessible hike 1-2 hours long to see how you do before taking off on a longer trail.

Leave plenty of time

Many hiking trail guides will provide an estimate for how long the hike will take. If you’re a beginner hiker, it’s best to a lot for the high end of the estimate to allow yourself time to stop for breaks, take in a beautiful view, or have a snack. The journey is half the fun of the hike, so it’s best not to rush it.

Bonus Tip: If your hike involves ascending a hill our mountainside, remember that while the ascent is usually the most challenging and often takes longer than the descent. For example, if a guidebook says a hike takes 2 hours, you might take 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the top, but only 45 minutes to reach the bottom because you have gravity and momentum working to your advantage. Of course, it depends on how tired you are too!

Pick the right day and time for your hike

Part of the charm of hiking is to get away from the crowds and into nature, but popular trails can become busy and overcrowded. When we’re on vacation, we often try to plan our hikes for weekdays in order to avoid weekend crowds which often draw locals as well as tourists. If we do end up hiking on the weekend, we often try to head out earlier in the morning when less people are on the trail and temperatures are cooler (especially in the summer heat).

How to stay safe on a hike

Observe hiking etiquette

Just because you’re out in the wilderness, it doesn’t mean you can act uncivilized on your hike! Trails are shared spaces, so it’s important that you are considerate of your fellow hikers and well as mother nature.

If you’re hiking more slowly than a group behind you, it’s polite to step off on the side of the trail and allow them to pass.
Keep your voices low so you don’t disturb the wildlife or other hikers. You don’t have to use your ‘outside voice’ just because you’re outdoors. Avoid playing loud music and just enjoy the sounds of nature.
Follow trail signs and avoid going off the trail. You could damage fragile plants and small animals if you venture off the established path or inadvertently travel onto someone’s private property.
Leave no trace- Your goal should be to leave nature like you found it. Learn more about the seven principles of leaving no trace here.

Go with a buddy

If you can’t go with someone (or don’t want to), it’s a good idea to let someone know where you are going to be hiking and approximately when you’ll be done. If something

If you want to learn more about hiking….

There are a ton of more in-depth resources on hiking and entire blogs dedicated to the subject. If you’ve really enjoyed your first hike, and are looking to invest in new gear or explore longer hikes, check out the following resources:

All Trails– A great resource to find reviews of nearby trails from your fellow hikers.
Car & Tent: What To Wear and Bring on a Day Hike- While our tips should get you through most shorter day-hikes, this more comprehensive list of gear is worth a read if you’re planning a full-day hike or one over more difficult terrain.
Miss Adventure Pants: Seven Essential Hiking Apps– Hiking is a great way to disconnect from technology, but a phone along with some carefully selected apps can definitely come in handy on the trail! This blog shares some top GPS, stargazing, and mapping apps for the techie hiker.
52 Hike Challenge: Best Exercises to Do Before a Hike– If you’re brand new to outdoor physical activity or are prepping for a more intense hike, check out these recommendations for exercises to get your body ready. We strongly recommend the lower body exercises if you’re considering a hike with a steep incline. Your thighs will thank you!

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