Gear to Buy First for Hiking as a Beginner (My Experience)

In this video, I share my own experience on which hiking gear you should buy first, and which items can be purchased later, when you already own all of your most important pieces of gear. In addition to that, I also share some cheap alternatives to expensive hiking gear

▼ GEAR MENTIONED IN VIDEO (affiliate links)

▼ TABLE OF CONTENTS
00:00 - Beginning
00:38 - Item #1
01:55 - Item #2
03:10 - Item #3
03:58 - Item #4
05:01 - Item #5
05:40 - Item #6
06:23 - Item #7
06:49 - Item #8
08:42 - Cheap alternative #1
09:00 - Cheap alternative #2
09:26 - Cheap alternative #3
09:51 - Cheap alternative #4
10:33 - Final words

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▼ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
In some of our videos and articles, we sometimes use affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking our affiliate links, we might get a small commission from the total purchase, at no additional cost for you. We participate in the Amazon Associates affiliate program and other affiliate programs.

[xsweetxvampirousx]

Solid advice. Take care of your feet over everything else I would say. Good socks and good boots that fit you well. For most starting out I would advise that waterproof is not really necessary. Unless you plan to hike through streams or very wet conditions. Waterproof boots are very warm in about 60-70°f plus. Especially if you already have warm feet in general.

[billb]

This is some of the actually-most-useful advice on packs and other gear for first-timers. Osprey Atmos is perhaps THE best first pack. They often go on sale. Osprey Aether can carry even more weight, but costs more. I didn't know about the Tetons, but they look excellent for the price. Thank you for doing this.

[-desertpackrat]

I had to get boots because my stupid ankles roll way too much in low shoes, but I got a pair at a thrift store for like $18 it was so awesome, they fit and are comfy, and even waterproof because I wore them in rain and so far they seem to keep my socks dry inside the shoe. The only issue is the left shoe the sole is coming unglued at the sides, but I think I could get that repaired, because they're really nice. The brand is Yukon or something like that.

2:38 that's really good because that's the exact one I got. Luckily I've used Amazon for so many years I've gotten good at reading every spec and review and sometimes I spend months deciding on an item, and that one seemed really nice. I haven't used it for a real backpacking but I use it to carry my personal things when I tent camp with my friend, and I sometimes bring it day hiking with some weight to practice. It's super comfortable, maybe a little too much because I forget I'm wearing it, forget my posture, and hurt my shoulders. But maybe when I get some trekking poles it will help, I always have really bad posture I need to work on. But I love that pack so far, and a nice color without being super bright or flashy. I like personalized colors on my stuff but some are too bright. (tbh I always bring something neon with me though, for safety reasons, usually just a hi-vis orange shirt, something that can be seen like a bright flag if I'm hurt or lost).

I always bring a knife with me, but it's because I live in mountain lion territory. The knife is only a last resort though, I mean if something is already on top of me. When I'm just hiking I usually put a few rocks in my pockets, because if a mountain lion approaches you and you throw rocks, they usually don't want to bother and they leave, but because they are stealth predators they can be on you before you can wave a stick or throw a rock, most other predators make noise, like dogs and such, so you can prepare to face them off without a weapon. But I can't go out there with a pocket knife if there are big cats, that's one exception, too many people get attacked out there. I'm not even worried about bears and things when I'm in the woods, or coyotes or even wolves, but mountain lions in the high desert, whew I can't mess around. They're perfect machines, the knife is only a comfort to me anyway and probably won't help XD but better safe than sorry. And as much as I hate to go there, I live in a rough area too, no matter how far out into the wilderness I go, I meet some real creeps and it's terrifying sometimes. I wanna just be trusting and enjoy nature, but I still have to keep that in the back of my mind sadly.

[solmyr]

I think the tent mat and sleeping bag should be the last things you buy as a beginner hiker. Usually bigginers don't spend the night in the wilderness. You should first get used to day hike. Maybe cook a delicious meal in the wild, experiment with everything, with your clothes in the rain wind, with the area and then when you get to know your equipment well you just add the sleeping system and do 2 days instead of 1 .

[PatagoniaTrekking]

Good advices. We agree on everything. It is not necessary to have the best equipment at the beginning and with some items you can save and even they last for years. Thanks!

[jonathancaron]

Cant wait for a new video!! Love your content!!😁 Hope you are doing well, cheers!!

[vozmediano]

Que bueno verte de nuevo!! Buenos consejos!!! Gracias 👍

[ervinslens]

Just perfect video man, thanks it helps a lot.

[blizzardseth]

The Mier Lanchsan 2 is a really good trekking pole tent that is 2.4lbs and $150. Pretty good budget option. I don’t recommend the pro version because it’s not sealed.

[Krylovix]

Wonderful video thanks for sharing your gear recommendations

[os-qthc]

I have never hiked with a tent. In my country it is forbidden to set up a tent pretty much anywhere apart from official campsites. I only go on one day hikes. But a couple of years ago my left knee started to hurt really bad. I would love to go to Picos de Europa to hike for a couple of days with a tent. Not sure, though, if my knee will handle it.. Sometimes I just hike in a forest for an hour and it starts hurting already on the first descent :-((

[kristophersteele]

Not sure I would buy the backpack second. I will would wait until they have their gear and get a backpack last - one that fits their gear.

[assifkhan]

Im buying my first tent.hillerberg nammatj 2 gt, £1300 British pounds.a radical two wheel braked trolley made in Holland.i have a British army ruck sack to strap on the trolley.the trolley is £750.with all my layers, shoe, slleping bags, slleping pad and cooking stuff and dried packets of food, knife and fuel, first aid kit and the mosquito net that Drapes over head covers the neck .this gear will end up costing me about £5000 British pounds .i think it worth it if i can survive the wild for a limited time to gain experience and lern from my mistake s

[karliszemitis]

Sveiks. Klau, ir kādas rekomendācijas Baltijā skaistiem pārgājieniem? Kā Cēsinieks daudz-maz zinu lielāko daļu Valmiera - Cēsis, kuru te arī biji dokumentējis, varbūt ir kādas rekomendācijas.

[kaleemjan]

How about to hike and camping in The Dolomites 4-5 daya in summer.. whata the necessary items i shall carry ...it will be my 1st time by the way ...

[Elliot-]

If you buy cheap first and then expensive later, you’re just spending more. Only gives the illusion of being financially wise because you’re spreading out the purchases over time.

[ewity]

I disagree about trekking poles. If you are feel strong you don’t need them at all. Waste of space money and time so many times. Usually my backpack weight about 12-15 kg and I never had any problems to walk up. They totally useless on flat surfaces. Going down I will never trust them to put my weight plus backpack. Everything else good 👍 nice movie ☺️

[michaelanderson]

You are missing your personal protection weapon