Are you a fan of outdoor activities? If so, there are 10 essential gears that every outdoor enthusiast should own. These gears are common for nearly all types of outdoor recreation whether you are a hiker, a backpacker, into camping, survival excursions or hunting or fishing trips. The gears we've chosen to highlight are items that can not only enhance your enjoyment of the outdoors, they can also save your life under certain conditions, so it's important to choose each gear with consideration to find the best product that will meet your personal needs, with consideration to the quality, durability, and dependability. Here are the essential items that every outdoor enthusiast absolutely must have.
A tent is an essential gear for anyone who is planning to spend the night in the outdoors. There is a huge variety of tent sizes, types, and styles on the market today and each is made for a specific purpose, such as camping, backpacking, and other purposes. Backpacking tents are made with lighter materials so they won't weigh you down when you're walking for miles. They usually come in sizes for 1 to 4 people. The larger backpacking tents are heavier so many backpackers choose to carry their own tents when going in a larger group to keep the weight of their packs down. Camping tents come in sizes from one person to as large and 10 or even 12 person tents. These are often heavy and more suitable for driving into camping sites. It's always a good idea to have a rain fly with your tent or to make sure that it is waterproof so you stay warm and dry inside. Tents serve as your shelter to protect you from the elements first and foremost, but some come with features that make them more comfortable and if you're camping with a larger group you may want to take into consideration the size, height, number of rooms for privacy, ventilation to avoid stuffiness on hot days and other features such as a light hook in the ceiling to hang a light source, side pockets to organize personal items and accessories, quality of construction and ease of setup.
Another essential gear to have for outdoor adventures is a sleeping bag. They come in a range of types and weights. When you shop for a sleeping bag, pay close attention to the temperature rating. Bags made for warmer conditions are suitable when being in warmer climates when the outdoor temperature at night doesn't get below freezing. Some bags are intended for sub-zero conditions and provide a higher amount of insulation and protection to keep your body warm. If you're going to carry a sleeping bag with you on a hiking or backpacking trip then weight becomes a consideration. Always go with the bag that is rated or the conditions that you will encounter on your trip to keep you warm and safe when you sleep.
Any outdoor situation that you'll be in requires taking on nutrition and it's a lot easier when you have the right eating utensils. If you're trying to minimize the weight of your gears, there are some great multi-utensil sets that combine a fork, a spoon and a knife in one product. Most hikers and campers go with lightweight eating utensils that either combine all functions in one or they choose a set that is included with a mess kit that includes a lightweight bowl, plate, cup and combination fork, spoon and knife that fit together in a compact set that doesn't take up much space in a backpack and weighs a pound or less.
Hydration is essential when you're in the outdoors. Each person needs to have 2 liters of water per day. There are different types of water containers made for backpackers which include expandable bladders that can be filled and shrink down as you consume the water to reduce the weight burden you're carrying. You can also purchase a water purifying powders and tablets to take advantage of wilderness water sources or carry a lightweight pan to heat the water to boiling to avoid becoming ill from drinking contaminated stream water.
All outdoor enthusiasts should carry a navigation kit to lessen the chance of getting lost in the wilderness. Your navigation tools should include a topographical map of the area you'll be in, stored in a waterproof container. You also need a magnetic compass, and an altimeter or GPS receiver. It's easy to lose your way, particularly if you're in an area that you're not familiar with.
Exposure to UV rays can be dangerous for prolonged periods of time. Take along a pair of quality sunglasses to protect your eyes, sunscreen for your skin and lips and a hat to cover your head. Choose the appropriate clothing to add an extra layer of protection over the skin.
Accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. You should carry a first aid kit whenever you're engaging in outdoor activities. If you're a backpacker, you'll want to keep it light but make sure that the essentials are included to prepare from the most common injuries. Disinfectant to treat scrapes and cuts, antibiotic salve, bandages, an ace bandage in case of a sprain, a sting kill pen in case you're stung by a bee and bug repellent to keep flying pests such as mosquitoes at bay.
Carry some type of fire starting resource with you. Even if you're just planning a day hike, you never know when you may get stuck in an emergency situation when you're away from civilization. Matches in a waterproof container a butane lighter or a flint if you're really good at starting your own fires is an absolute must.
Any time you're out in the wilderness you should have a source of light. At a minimum, you should carry a headlamp, and preferably a flashlight with an extra set of batteries. LED type light bulbs help to extend the life of a battery.
A multi-tool can save your life in a survival situation. You can put together a lightweight and compactly sized repair kit and tools in case your vehicle becomes disabled or your tent is damaged. You never know what will go wrong and having a quality multi-tool that comes with scissors, knives, a screwdriver, pliers and so forth can give you a valuable resource for fixing an essential that can break. In your repair kit, including duct tape, a few light cable ties, and a small portable trowel or shovel.
The outdoors is vast and awe-inspiring and being in nature can be healthy and rejuvenating for the body and mind, but it can also present dangers. Prepare for the unexpected and go fully equipped with these 10 essential gears to make sure that you're ready for any situation that might arise. Choose high-quality products with features that are useful and will make your experience safer and more enjoyable.
1. Shelter
A tent is an essential gear for anyone who is planning to spend the night in the outdoors. There is a huge variety of tent sizes, types, and styles on the market today and each is made for a specific purpose, such as camping, backpacking, and other purposes. Backpacking tents are made with lighter materials so they won't weigh you down when you're walking for miles. They usually come in sizes for 1 to 4 people. The larger backpacking tents are heavier so many backpackers choose to carry their own tents when going in a larger group to keep the weight of their packs down. Camping tents come in sizes from one person to as large and 10 or even 12 person tents. These are often heavy and more suitable for driving into camping sites. It's always a good idea to have a rain fly with your tent or to make sure that it is waterproof so you stay warm and dry inside. Tents serve as your shelter to protect you from the elements first and foremost, but some come with features that make them more comfortable and if you're camping with a larger group you may want to take into consideration the size, height, number of rooms for privacy, ventilation to avoid stuffiness on hot days and other features such as a light hook in the ceiling to hang a light source, side pockets to organize personal items and accessories, quality of construction and ease of setup.2. Sleeping Bags
Another essential gear to have for outdoor adventures is a sleeping bag. They come in a range of types and weights. When you shop for a sleeping bag, pay close attention to the temperature rating. Bags made for warmer conditions are suitable when being in warmer climates when the outdoor temperature at night doesn't get below freezing. Some bags are intended for sub-zero conditions and provide a higher amount of insulation and protection to keep your body warm. If you're going to carry a sleeping bag with you on a hiking or backpacking trip then weight becomes a consideration. Always go with the bag that is rated or the conditions that you will encounter on your trip to keep you warm and safe when you sleep.3. Eating Utensils
Any outdoor situation that you'll be in requires taking on nutrition and it's a lot easier when you have the right eating utensils. If you're trying to minimize the weight of your gears, there are some great multi-utensil sets that combine a fork, a spoon and a knife in one product. Most hikers and campers go with lightweight eating utensils that either combine all functions in one or they choose a set that is included with a mess kit that includes a lightweight bowl, plate, cup and combination fork, spoon and knife that fit together in a compact set that doesn't take up much space in a backpack and weighs a pound or less.4. Hydration Gear
Hydration is essential when you're in the outdoors. Each person needs to have 2 liters of water per day. There are different types of water containers made for backpackers which include expandable bladders that can be filled and shrink down as you consume the water to reduce the weight burden you're carrying. You can also purchase a water purifying powders and tablets to take advantage of wilderness water sources or carry a lightweight pan to heat the water to boiling to avoid becoming ill from drinking contaminated stream water.5. Navigation Gear
All outdoor enthusiasts should carry a navigation kit to lessen the chance of getting lost in the wilderness. Your navigation tools should include a topographical map of the area you'll be in, stored in a waterproof container. You also need a magnetic compass, and an altimeter or GPS receiver. It's easy to lose your way, particularly if you're in an area that you're not familiar with.6. Sun Protection Gear
Exposure to UV rays can be dangerous for prolonged periods of time. Take along a pair of quality sunglasses to protect your eyes, sunscreen for your skin and lips and a hat to cover your head. Choose the appropriate clothing to add an extra layer of protection over the skin.7. First Aid Supplies
Accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. You should carry a first aid kit whenever you're engaging in outdoor activities. If you're a backpacker, you'll want to keep it light but make sure that the essentials are included to prepare from the most common injuries. Disinfectant to treat scrapes and cuts, antibiotic salve, bandages, an ace bandage in case of a sprain, a sting kill pen in case you're stung by a bee and bug repellent to keep flying pests such as mosquitoes at bay.8. Fire Starters
Carry some type of fire starting resource with you. Even if you're just planning a day hike, you never know when you may get stuck in an emergency situation when you're away from civilization. Matches in a waterproof container a butane lighter or a flint if you're really good at starting your own fires is an absolute must.9. Illumination Gear
Any time you're out in the wilderness you should have a source of light. At a minimum, you should carry a headlamp, and preferably a flashlight with an extra set of batteries. LED type light bulbs help to extend the life of a battery.10. Repair Kit and Tools
A multi-tool can save your life in a survival situation. You can put together a lightweight and compactly sized repair kit and tools in case your vehicle becomes disabled or your tent is damaged. You never know what will go wrong and having a quality multi-tool that comes with scissors, knives, a screwdriver, pliers and so forth can give you a valuable resource for fixing an essential that can break. In your repair kit, including duct tape, a few light cable ties, and a small portable trowel or shovel.
The outdoors is vast and awe-inspiring and being in nature can be healthy and rejuvenating for the body and mind, but it can also present dangers. Prepare for the unexpected and go fully equipped with these 10 essential gears to make sure that you're ready for any situation that might arise. Choose high-quality products with features that are useful and will make your experience safer and more enjoyable.