1. Load on Your Shoulders
Picking a proper backpack is all about support and comfort. Too many times, people think utility when they choose a backpack, only to go out on a hike and realize that the backpack is ripping their shoulders apart. Stability is also an important aspect of comfort; if the pack starts swaying back forth during the hike, a person can suffer a significant back strain and not have proper balance. This can lead to a safety problem.
2. Selecting Boots
Choosing hiking boots is all about comfort and traction. The sole needs to have sufficient traction, or you will risk injury from a fall during the hike. Selecting boots that fit correctly will not only help keep the feet comfortable and free of blisters, it will provide the hiker with better stability on the trail. You also want to select the boot based on weight and the length of the hike. If the boot is too heavy, your legs will weaken on a long hike and it will be difficult to walk comfortably.
3. Choosing Clothes for the Hike
Weather conditions should play a factor in choosing hiking clothing. Consider the difficulty and duration of the hike. If you choose clothes with too much insulation for the hike, then you will be carrying those extra clothes around in your backpack for the rest of the hike. In addition, if the hike is in cold or rainy conditions, you will need to choose clothes made for those conditions. Finally, select clothes, not only for the weather conditions, but also for how you can move in them. If the hiking clothes are too constricting, it can make a hike almost impossible to complete.
4. Sleepover Hike
If you are going on an overnight hike, then a tent becomes an integral part of the hiking gear. The criteria for selecting a tent includes, but is not limited to, size, color, weather proofing, ease of use, weight and ventilation. If you are housing more than one or two people in the tent, it will need to be larger; but then the weight factor comes in. If the tent is too heavy, it will be difficult to hike with. Weather conditions for the hike will dictate whether you need a waterproof tent with proper ventilation for hikes in warm temperatures. In addition, if you hike in a remote location, you may want a brightly colored tent that a rescue team can easily spot from the air.
5. Sleep Well
Another piece of hiking gear to select for the overnight trip is the sleeping bag. Again, weather conditions come into play, because if it's extremely cold or rainy, a hike will need a waterproof and insulated sleeping bag. It may be a better idea to select a sleeping bag that has a removable lining, so you can use it for winter and summer hiking conditions. Before you choose a sleeping bag, check the sleeping bag rating to make sure it will keep you warm in sub-zero conditions.
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