Intro

You’ve been traveling a bit and tried a few hills and maybe. Climbed a mountain or two here and there. You loved it, and you can’t seem to get to close AllTrails. Always seem to look for places to climb. Congrats, my friend, you’re hooked on hiking 👏

In this post I’ll share with you how you can get started hiking on a low budget. We’ll share our types of equipment and essential supplies.

Why Hiking

Hiking/trekking is simply the best way to explore and experience nature, everywhere in the world. It’s, without a doubt, the activity that stood the test of time, since our ancestors migrated between lands through walking. It still is, to this day, an ideal way to explore the most beautiful parts of the world. From coastal beaches, to country-side hills, to the highest mountain peaks, hiking is the passport to all of them.

Health Benefits

Outdoorsy people know this trick inside out. They use it in their low days. They know their mental health is improved due to hiking or even just walking. The brain and internal organs are exposed to so much clean air, it’s like cleansing the body, by oxygenating the blood. As a consequence, you’ll notice feeling a lot better after even a short hike.

What’s even more obvious, is the cardiovascular benefits that we get by physical movement in general. (resource) Hiking is a low impact, high-intensity activity which can get your bpms upwards of 160. That trains your heart to pump blood within your body with less effort. That’s like doing bycep curls, but for your heart.

Hiking Gear Essentials

In order to ensure you’re set for a successful day out on the mountain, you’ll need some bare minimum equipment in the rucksack with you:

• First-aid Kit: Although you’ll likely won’t ever need it, it’s not weighting too much and it’s a cheap way to ensure you’ve got the basic necessities under control, if bad things happens.
• Boots: Some might suggest foam trainers, but I think that’s overkill for most beginners. A good ol’ sturdy pair of waterproof boots should do the trick. What you need is ankle control and stability. Also the soles must provide deep grips to allow you to step on rocky and sharp surfaces with confidence.
• Socks: Supermarket hiking socks, cheap, durable and provide extra ankle support.
• Backpack: comes without saying you’ll need this to carry your water, snacks, food, etc. I recommend a waterproof budget one if you can find it in outdoor stores. Otherwise, if you live in a wet environment (i.e: UK) and you want your backpack insides dry, I recommend a waterproof cover.
• Water bottle: I carry at least 1.5L/person for a day hike.
• Waterproof jacket: especially if you know it’ll rain, a good waterproof jacket will give you the best bang for your buck. This is the only item I’d spend a little more if possible (£30-£40 in UK). Stay away from £10 ones, they do not work. Staying dry on a day hike is extremely essential, because it keeps you warm. Once you’re wet, the fun’s over.
• Head torch + Whistle: You’ll be surprised how fast dark comes after sunset. Almost like instantaneous. So having a head torch is crucial, don’t rely on your phone’s torch, you’ll need the battery.
• T-shirt: Recycled polyester t-shirts (the ones used at the gym). They absorb sweat well and dry out fast when taking breaks. I highly recommend them.
• Mobile Phone / Map + Compass: These days I use OS Maps in the UK. But AllTrails has offline maps too. All you need is the .gpx downloaded and prepped up on your phone/Garmin. The .gpx is a file that describes (to specific apps like OS Maps) the exact trail coordinates for every point, from start to finish.
• Long trousers if applicable: If you travel through nettle, or you’ll cross lots of insects, long trousers will do the trick. Again, if it rains, it’s totally worth getting a pair of waterproof trousers. Prices can be a little more forgiving here.
• Layering basics: In normal UK weather, a t-shirt, fleece and an insulated jacket should be pretty much what you’ll ever need. But in other parts of the world (or in stormy winters), you might need a base layer (i.e: leggings).
• Trekking Poles (for your knees): These were a life saver for me. Maybe not an actual life saver, but a knee saver. Going downhill is fun the first couple of times. But there’s only so much pressure your joints can take, so the tendons friction that happens downhill, causes pains. Sometimes it’s actually quite unbearable. Trekking poles will alleviate all that pain. Taking the pressure from your legs, into your upper body, which is hardly used in hiking anyway.

Hiking Supplies

If you plan on going on at least a few hours of hiking, you’ll most likely need to refuel your energy reserves. This is your chance to eat anything you wanted wanted. Well, maybe not anything, but a 300 kcal chocolate bar will give you enough energy for about 30 minutes of hiking, depending on the inclination, body weight, age, sex, etc. You burn a lot of calories while hiking, so here’s a list of essential supply we never ever forget:

• Water: goes without saying, just a reminder, never forget your water! Dehydration is a serious thing, regardless of the temperature.
• Food (sandwiches): If your hike goes for more than 3-4h, I’d suggest bringing some sandwiches with you. They’re lightweight and worth pack a ton of energy. Besides, who doesn’t like a sandwich on the summit. That’s an experience, not a single restaurant can equal. Because you’ve earn it!
• Carb Heavy Snacks: Go nuts here (pun intended), bananas, chocolate bars, crisps, whatever you crave you’ll burn the majority of it anyway. Ration it though, so you’ll have energy throughout the entire trail. I find I need the majority of my snacks uphill. Once I go downhill I need less and less energy.

Conclusion

Hiking is not expensive at all. As a matter of fact, most of the items on that list are under £30. With the exception of an insulated/waterproof jacket, boots, and trekking poles. What I’d recommend is taking this list as a guidance. they’re listed from most to least important. I wouldn’t go without the first ones (first-aid kit until waterproof jacket) as a complete beginner though.

Also, my recommendation is to keep it short in the beginning. Maybe 2-3h long hikes should do the trick. If you can do more, by all means, go for it. But leave your ego at the (car) door. Don’t overestimate your body, don’t underestimate the mountain. You can always increase the intensity and length as you go. Never step it up too much without knowing your limits (or the ability of those around you).