Hiking Essentials for Women

I love hiking – for as long as I can remember this has been one of my most favorite things to do. My most memorable vacations as a kid were vacations where we went to the mountains and went hiking. In college I studied Recreational Therapy and one of the courses I took was called “Adventure Programming”. Adventure Programming or therapy is an action-centered approach to therapy where you engage in physical adventure activities (think of those whitewater trips that kids in rehab take, etc). Part of the curriculum for this class was to plan an adventure trip from Ohio to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Needless to say it was one of the best experiences of my life – a 20 year old planning a tent camping trip the week of Thanksgiving (aka when it was freezing!!) Since that trip (many many moons ago) my hiking pack has stayed exactly the same – and I have never needed more! I’ve also been featured on WBTV News sharing my top hiking and camping tips! which you can watch below!

This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure here

Hiking Essentials for Women: 

These are all items that I personally carry with me on each hike

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.

KEEN Women’s Targhee II Hiking Shoe –  I used to wear Merrells for years but when we traveled to California I bought these and am in love with them!!!)

Hiking Backpack  (this is what I took to Germany as my only luggage!) or as I prefer Hiking Day Pack (and love beyond measure!!  p.s. all of these items below fit into this little day pack!!)

Pocket Knife – with several different multi tools attached. You seriously never know when you will need one of those odd attachments!

5 in 1 Tool (has a whistle, compass, holder for keeping matches dry and a mirror)

Fitbit – track your trip from start to finish. This is great especially on out and back hikes when you need to know where the half way point is. *Update: I’ve since upgraded my watch. I had a Nike Apple Watch, but unfortunately it was swiped in Europe. I am currently using a Garmin Vivioactive 3 and LOVE it! It has a GPS system and the battery is phenomenal and lasts several days!

Vapor Shades Foldable Water Bottle – I can’t say enough about these water bottles. They fold up and take up no space at all and have a great hook that can attach to your packs! These water bottles have been all over the world with us!

Sawyer Products PointOne Squeeze Water Filter System – this is actually usually in Lover Boy’s pack but I wanted to share it with you because 1. it’s amazing 2. you can drink water from any fresh body of water…therefore you don’t have to load yourself down with 1,294 bottles of water! Run the water through the filter and then fill up your Vapur Bag!

Highlighter Pen Combo for writing and tracking on your trail maps

Pepper Spray – I keep this one me for a few reasons: bears or bad guys (haha)

Emergency Mylar Blankets – hey, you can never be too safe! Plus these are so super tiny they don’t take up much space at all!

If you’re going to be camping I highly suggest the sleeping bag I have – again, I’ve had this since my college Adventure Programming trip and I totally love it!

Lumberjack Sleeping Bag 20 Degrees- Lover Boy bought this for me in college for my trip mentioned above and I still love it! (my sleeping back is no longer available, but this is a great alternative option! Kelty Cosmic 20 degree 550 down sleeping bag.

I was featured on WBTV News in Charlotte, NC sharing about all of my favorite items!

Enjoy your time hiking!