These handy hiking products will perfect your trek

Photo collage of various hikers, and a hydro flask

Hiking made safer, more comfortable and less sunburnt

(Image credit: Illustration by Julia Wytrazek / Getty Images)

published 12 June 2024

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For a day hike, you want to pack light and with intention. Maybe those streamlined options include stabilizing aluminum trekking poles, a compass designed to lead you down the right path and an ever-handy tick remover.

Keep bugs at bay with these wipes from Adirondack Fragrance Farm in New York. Infused with a blend of essential oils that repel mosquitos and black flies, they come in small pouches that can easily be tucked in your backpack (after use, be sure to throw the wipe away in the nearest trash can or put it in your bag — leave no trace!). Each package of wipes is handmade to order. ($12, Adirondack Fragrance Farms)

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Skin protection is important on the trail, and slathering on sunscreen and wearing a good hat go hand in hand. Block harmful UVA and UVB rays with the Columbia Bora Bora Booney hat, made of lightweight nylon with an adjustable chin strap and three-inch brim. It provides "impressive" defense "without causing you to overheat," Travel + Leisure said. The mesh paneling allows air flow while the moisture-wicking headband "absorbs sweat from your skin and disperses it throughout the material" to keep you cool. ($30, Columbia)

Trekking poles are invaluable. They provide stability while going across rugged and uneven terrain, help you power up steep hills and keep you balanced during the eventual descent. For year-round trekking, the aluminum Makalu Lite Cork poles are a "solid pick," Popular Mechanics said, with locks that are "easy to adjust and lock on the fly." The cork handles are also "incredibly comfortable," with thin wrist straps offering "enough slack to fit even the largest hands." ($149.95, Amazon)

When hiking, you want a good backpack that can hold up step-by-step, mile-after-mile. The Osprey Hikelite passes the test, with 18 liters of storage and a hydration sleeve that can hold up to three liters of water. It has smartly thought-out attributes, like a mesh back panel, trekking pole attachment, integrated rain cover and anti-scratch pocket for sunglasses, plus supportive straps that let you breathe. ($100, Amazon)

On a long hike, avoid relying on a smartphone for directions — if you lose service or the battery dies, you are on your own. Always bring a map and a compass, like the Suunto MC-2. This device packs a punch, with a "wide range of tools and uses" that work for "any need and any level of navigational skill," Outdoor Life said. Features include an integrated clinometer to measure slope gradient, a baseplate with magnifying lens and adjustable declination correction. For a less comprehensive but more economical option, consider the Suunto A-30 compass. ($70, Amazon)

This is an object you hope to never use while hiking, but are glad to have at hand. In case of emergency, grab the Tri-Power whistle and blow. The sound it emits reaches 120 decibels, so it can be heard above emergency sirens and roaring wind. The whistle is designed so you can hold it with wet, cold or gloved hands or use it hands-free and comes with a clip so you can attach it to your backpack. ($7.95, REI)

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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.