Essential Hiking Gear for Travelers

Black Diamond ReVolt Headlamp

Brian Eagen, an outdoor education instructor and owner of OutdoorBlueprint.com, vouches for the Black Diamond ReVolt Headlamp. He says: "I've been through a number of headlamps before I arrived at the ReVolt. I love it because it is rechargeable, has a red light mode (to preserve night vision), and it is bright enough for night hikes and climbs. Headlamp technology is evolving fairly rapidly. The ReVolt does a good job of staying up-to-date while keeping the price point low."

York Nordic Travel Folding Hiking Poles

I never really saw the appeal of hiking poles until I tried them on my first 6,000 footer mountain—and then I realized how much they help you to not destroy your joints on the downhill descents. I use the York Nordic Travel poles because they collapse to just 15.5 inches—but expand to a full, adjustable size. This is not only great for packing, the small size is also ideal for stowing in your backpack while hiking. Each pole is only 9 ounces, so they don't add too much extra weight.

Platypus Big Zip Hydration System

Kate Hamm of AnamBliss.com has been working as a hiking guide in California for the past five years. She stays hydrated on the hottest of hikes with the Platypus Big Zip. Hamm explains, "I find the bladders that have the large opening to twist don't always close well, leading to a wet pack and/or floor. Eventually the tread wears out and they need to be replaced.

"As a hiking guide, I have above average use of my Platypus Big Zip by using it 3 to 4 times a week about 50 weeks a year. I've never noticed a plastic taste in my water. The Big Zip has a detachable hose, which means you can leave the hose set up in your pack while you fill the bladder, and that helps to keep your pack dry. The large opening makes it easy to fill at any size faucet (or stream). The top folds over and the zip locks the water inside. I've used mine enough that the attachment has fallen off the zip, but it's still usable. This has also saved me money, as I used to have to replace my bladder about every 6 months when I had twist tops. The Big Zip is also easy to dry with a bladder dryer (I use the CamelBak Reservoir Dryer) and by removing the hose and mouth piece. I use mine enough that I rarely clean it and will usually just do it by soaking it in vinegar. The mouthpiece needs to be taken apart to clean, but if you lose it you can buy a new one. I've had my current one for over two years, and it's traveled with me across the U.S. and Indonesia. I think it'll last me forever."

Vasque Ultradry Hiking Boot

I got the Vasque Ultradry Hiking Boot (available for men and women) over four years ago, and I've worn them on mountain hikes, tramping through streams/wet conditions, and even on the steaming surface of an active volcano. They've held up beautifully without having any signs of wear, and they've never let me down by letting water inside or by causing pain or blisters. The Vibram sole gives me great traction on slippery surfaces, and they were comfortable right out of the box.

Hillbeberg Tents

Lisa Maloney, author of 50 Hikes Around Anchorage, is a travel and outdoors writer based in Anchorage, Alaska, so you know she's seen some tough weather conditions. Maloney's pick for the best tents: "Hilleberg's Akto and Enan tents for their combination of spaciousness, light weight and bomber strength. If they're good enough for Antarctica and if they survive Hilleberg's brutal strength, rip-proof, and wind tunnel testing, they can handle anything a backpacker wanders into ... even Alaska's worst weather. And they're small and light enough to stick in the side pocket of a big pack, just as the company advertises. They are super expensive, but once you factor in the fact that they'll last for decades and offer the sort of protection that can potentially save your life—or at least keep you comfortable—they actually start looking like a pretty good deal.

"Case in point: Last year I took a Hilleberg Akto tent up onto Kesugi Ridge, one of the most exposed, wind- and weather-prone hikes in Interior Alaska. We had sideways-blowing rain, temps down to 40 or lower (in July), and winds so strong you could hear them booming as they crested the ridge and came down at us. One of the tents in our group collapsed completely and another two had partial collapses ... one of those just barely survived, because the owner told me the pole snapped (!) when she brushed up against it about a week later.

"Meanwhile, I'd pitched the Hilleberg Akto broadside (the wrong way) into the wind to see how it'd perform. It was a little noisy, but otherwise completely stable and comfortable; I didn't have even a drop of water inside, and the vestibule was big enough that I offered to let the lady whose tent had collapsed sleep inside it! (She never took me up on it—it would have been cramped, but infinitely better than the puddle she ended up sleeping in.)"

Osprey Backpacks

Before embarking on a multi-month backpacking trip, I spent way too much time researching what the best pack on the market was. The clear verdict: anything by Osprey. For day hikes, the Daylite Backpack is lightweight but still fits a lot and while being ergonomic and comfortable. It's also designed to attach to most larger Osprey backpacks in case you're doing a longer trip. For bigger adventures, the Volt 75 can hold enough for a week on the trails and has nifty features like a trekking pole attachment, easy to adjust hip belt pad, and an internal reservoir sleeve for hydration.

Anker USB Solar Charger PowerPort

Managing Editor Josh Roberts recently took the Anker USB Solar Charger PowerPort on an eight-day trekking trip through the Andes Mountains. He reported: "It's lightweight and easily fit into my day pack. You can either attach it to your backpack for all-day charging or, like me, slide it out during lunch and snack breaks for a quick recharge of your phone. It's especially useful on long treks when you don't want to lug around multiple power bricks."

CEP Compression Dynamic & Outdoor Light Merino Socks

Every hiker knows that the right socks are key to happy feet. I wear CEP's Dynamic and Outdoor Light Merino Socks because the merino wool and silk blend keeps my feet from overheating, reduces friction to help prevent blisters, and is antibacterial (and therefore anti-odor). They're also thinly padded for extra comfort without affecting the fit of my boots.

Outdoor Research Ensenada Sun Hoody

SPF protection is important, especially when you're above treeline. I like to block UV rays with Outdoor Research's Ensenada Sun Hoody (available for men and women), which has UPF 50+ protection. In the summer, it's a great lightweight piece for when the weather gets colder as you climb. In the winter, the breathable, moisture-wicking fabric makes for a great base layer.

Columbia Convertible Pants

The weather can change quickly when you're on a mountain, which is why you should be prepared with clothing that can work in any temperature. The Columbia Convertible Pant (in men's and women's styles) let you switch from long pants to shorts and back again without the need for a changing room.