Best Hiking Gear On A Budget
With the weather getting nicer for more than a few days at a time, you can finally start planning a hiking trip in the country's national parks or beautiful mountains.
Even though you probably won't encounter snow, you still need to have the right gear to make the most of your trekking adventure. That includes everything from glasses to block the wind and sun to boots to keep your feet warm and dry.
Finding hiking gear is easy but the dilemma occurs when you have to pick certain items over others, because you don't want to break the bank. Everything that is essential, but not too expensive, for such a trip you will find on the following list.
1. Trew W'S Bewild Jacket - $229
The Trew W'S Bewild Jacket is one of the lightest 3-layer waterproof breathable jackets on the market. As explained in the product description, "it utilizes an ultrathin polyurethane membrane and an innovative 8-denier circular-knit backing." This means packable rain and storm protection without the crinkly, sticky, garbage-bag-feeling you get with most lightweight shells. You have enough freedom to stretch while moving.
2. North Face Women’s Litewave Explore - $110
These sneakers are ideal for day hikes that require you to move quickly. This waterproof and versatile hiking shoe supports your feet even when you're carrying a big bag. What people like about this North Face shoe is that it's light but very comfortable. It has dual mesh with closed mesh in the lower quarter and breathable mesh throughout.
3. Trew M's Up Jacket - $119
"This is the perfect solution for days when it's too warm to wear a hoodie or there is a little breeze. I wear this when going to the gym, traveling, bike riding, dog walking...pretty much any occasion that's not too cold," one review says. The superlight stretch nylon rip-stop fabric of the Trew M's Up jacket blocks wind and also makes the jacket very comfortable. It's perfect for shoulder-season hiking.
4. Helly Hansen M/W Loke Jacket - $100
People like the Helly Hansen jacket because it's waterproof, breathable and extremely light. "I wear this jacket during rainy days and also when I am deep hole shrimping during the spring and fall. Keeps me dry. Also like the snug fit so it doesn't get in the way of casting. Great all around jacket," one reviewer says.
5. FjallRavenAbisko Padded Vest W - $150
The vest comes in variety of sizes and colors. It's light and very easy to pack as it doesn't take up too much space in your bag. It's also insulated for extra warmth if you get chilly. The vest is made from polyester with four-way stretch and padded with 40 g/sqm G-Loft Supreme. It has two zippered hand pockets.
6. FjallRaven Keb Padded Jacket M/W – $250
The FjallRaven Keb Padded Jacket is so popular, it's already sold out. It's 100 percent polyester and it weighs just 350 grams. It has a two-way front zip with buttoned placket, two interior storage pockets, adjustable bottom hem with draw cord and elastic binding at sleeve cuffs. It's best used for casual hiking, trekking, backpacking and camping.
7. Thule Stir 35L Men's Hiking Pack - $140
People like the Thule Stir for its simple and clean design. It's adjustable around the torso and has multiple easy-access pockets. The rain cover makes this pack perfect for longer day hikes in different weather conditions. Other features include easy access lid with protective storm flap, removable hipbelt and sternum strap for around town use, front shove-it pocket for quick access and two attachment loops for hiking poles or ice axes.
8. Lululemon Inspire Tight II – $98
The Lululemon Inspire Tight II was designed for running, which means they will definitely do a good job during intensive and long hikes. You can store anything you have in the zippered pocket on the side or waistband pocket. The tights have reflective details so you can be easily noticed in the woods and in low light. "It's engineered to feel like a comfortable embrace throughout—it holds you close and moves with you."
9. Lululemon Run Swiftly – $68
"I love the super long sleeves, as it's nice to be able to pull them down over your palms if it's colder out. [...] I did get to wear it out running – 50 degrees – in the rain with the wind blowing. It was amazing! It kept me comfortable, even when I was wet," one review says. The mesh venting of the Swiftly shirt encourages airflow to keep you cool; the thumbholes help keep your sleeves in place and hands warm, the hi length layers easily, and the seamless construction reduces bulk to help prevent chafing.
10. Lululemon Men’s Metal Vent Tech Short Sleeve – $68
If you're looking for durability, this Metal Vet Tech Short Sleeve may be just for you. As one review says: "We were on long bus rides, walking around the desert, hiking in the mountains, cruising around the city and occasionally went out on the town for a nice evening. This shirt did the trick. It didn't get stinky, which was amazing, even though realistically it didn't get washed more than every two weeks."
11. Merrell Capra Bolt Mid Waterproof - $140
These hiking shoes get mostly 5 out of 5 stars by reviewers. The bright colors are just one reason why. Vegetarians like them because they are free from animal skin, others like them because they are light but last for a very long time. The soles have a good grip on various terrains. Some of the boots' features include synthetic and mesh upper, metal hook and lacing closure for secure lacing, bellows tongue keeps debris out, breathable mesh lining, and Molded nylon arch shank.
12. Merrell Geotex Wind Hybrid - $91
The vibrant colors will keep you visible even in low light. The Merrel Geotex Wind Hybrid features a contrast flatlock comfort stitching, lockdown center front full zip closure, hand pockets, one with interior cell phone pouch pocket, thumbholes, and lycra binding at cuffs, hem and hood.
13. Patagonia Men’s Nano PUFF® BIVY Pullover – $219
The Nano PUFF® BIVY Pullover is windproof and water-resistant. You should wear it during hikes in cold weather because of its warm, incredibly lightweight, highly compressible 60-g PrimaLoft® Gold insulation. "It has exceeded my expectations, and has changed a time-tested layering system to better accommodate the unplanned, or even just a break when I've been moving fast and need to dry layers from the inside out," one review says.
14. Patagonia Women’s CAPILENE® Midweiht Crew – $59
The Patagonia Women's CAPILENE® Midweiht Crew is ideal for trekking. "So nice to add a comfy, cozy, well-fitting long sleeve to the wardrobe. After only finding skin-tight clothes elsewhere I love this fit. [...] I wore this backpacking this weekend in the sierras and it was so comfy and I was never cold with this as my base layer," one reviewer wrote.
15. Patagonia Women’s Fleece – $99
People love the Patagonia Women's Fleece because it's warm, soft, comfortable, and relaxing. It fits very well on the body and leaves enough room to move freely. Some recommend the fleece of in-between season weather when it's too hot to wear a jacket but too cold not to. They use it for trekking as well.
16. Patagonia Ascensionist Pack 25L – $99
The Patagonia Ascensionist Pack is "ideal as a leader pack on done-in-a-day alpine routes." The streamlined backpack will do the job regardless of whether you're going on easy or long and deep hikes. "The shoulder straps, coupled with the thin waist cord, was sufficiently comfortable carrying about 15 lbs of water, food, and gear. This was a 15 hour day, so saying that it was sufficiently comfortable is saying something," one person wrote in a review.
17. ARC’TERYX Venta Glove – $79
These gloves are windproof, warm, breathable, highly weather resistant WINDSTOPPER®. They are ideal if you're going on a hike that requires warm but not bulky gloves.
18. ARC’TERYX Gamma AR Pant Women’s – $199
"Wore these pants for a week going up Kilimanjaro. They went through a lot! And worked great!" one review, similar to others, reads. The Gamma AR Pants are ideal for curling because they stretch with you, and keep you warm. Another person said the pants "withstood rubbing on trees and rocks" on a week-long hiking trip in Montana and Tennessee.
19. Icebreaker Women’s Lifestyle Ultra Light 3/4 Crew Spots – $18
People give the Icebreaker Women's Lifestyle Ultra Light 3/4 Crew Spots high marks for comfort. They are warm without the bulk so you can actually wear them with everyday shoes. They will fit.
20. Rudy Project –TRALYX SX – $275
The TRALYX SX large shield-style sunglasses feature brand new technology such as the unique PowerFlow™ ventilation system, Adaptive Tips™, and the latest Ergonose™ IX nosepiece. They are also available with ImpactX-2 lenses, Rudy Project's most durable photochromic lenses.