So, to avoid any of you making that mistake, we asked our staff what their backpacking and hiking essentials are! Some are more useful than others, but all of these items are guaranteed to make sure you’re well prepared for your next adventure.

A water bottle (and water!)

Now, this might seem like a silly reminder, but if there’s one thing you should definitely be taking with you on any backpacking or hiking trip, it’s a water bottle and a sufficient amount of water.

Snacks!

Obviously, snacks make every trip better, whether it’s energy bars, a packed lunch, or copious amounts of sweets and chocolate! Snacks will help you keep your energy up, make your trip more enjoyable, and if there’s an unexpected extension to your trip, you’ll be grateful they’re in your bag.

A backpack

No matter how straight forward your hike seems, how many times you’ve done it before, or how experienced you are, it’s better to be overprepared rather than underprepared. Taking a backpack lined with the essentials is a sensible choice, and you need somewhere to store those snacks!

Loose change

Taking loose change on one of your hikes or backpacking expeditions is handy as some campsites have shower facilities available for £1, and you never know what the farms and village shops you’ll pass will be selling. Treat yourself to some local jams or yummy treats!

Jetboil

For those longer walks or trips, a Jetboil is an absolute must for hot-drink lovers! A piping hot cup of tea in less than a minute is a win in our books, especially when you’re far from home. Compact and lightweight, the Jetboil allows you to make both food and drink easily and quickly!

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is always handy to have when hiking or backpacking, especially if the trails you’re following are remote. However, if you don’t want to take a full first aid kit, we definitely recommend at least taking blister plasters, ibuprofen and paracetamol, and a tick remover!

Midge Net

If you’re lucky enough to be exploring in Scotland, or somewhere prone to midges, then a midge net is a must have. You’ll be grateful for the head and neck protection when the pesky insects are around!

Hydration Tablets

Hydration tablets or sachets are extremely useful when on long hikes, or backpacking trips. It’s very easy to get dehydrated when you’re outside walking all day, especially in hot weather,  rehydration tablets will help to make sure that you stay healthy whilst enjoying your adventures!

Spare clothing

Packing a spare fleece and pair of socks is always a good idea! When hiking somewhere where you’re vulnerable to the elements, an extra layer to put on underneath your coat is sensible. You never know when you’ll get soggy feet or a blister! A pair of dry, clean socks can help to prevent a miserable mood dampening your trip.

Paracord

Paracord has so many different uses! You could use it to fasten a belt, as a clothes line, as rope, or  to make a tourniquet. With so many different uses, there’s so many ways it could come in handy! It’s always useful to have some with you when out adventuring as you never know when you’ll need it.

So, there you have it, 10 essentials, some obvious, and some obscure, that our staff recommend you should take with you when you’re out adventuring and exploring! We hope these tips come in useful, and also that you come and visit us in store to make sure you’re kitted out for your next adventure.