Build Your Own Hiking First Aid Kit

It is very easy to assemble your hiking first aid kit by looking around the house for a few common items and then supplementing your kit with a few extras to complete it. We’ve created a list of some important safety items to consider when putting together your own hiking first aid kit. We recommend that you add more items per your hiking group’s needs.

Adhesive bandage strips
Antibacterial hand cleaner
Antiseptic ointment
Cold pack
Cotton swabs, and cotton balls
Elastic-roll bandage
Emergency blanket
First Aid Guide book
Gauze pads
Lip protector
Moleskin (for blisters)
Scissors or pocketknife
Sterile wipe
Tissues
Tweezers

Also make sure to pack any needed medication like aspirin, antacid, asthma inhalers, allergy medication, or antihistamine, such as Benadryl, which can help treat reactions to allergies or insect bites and stings and for a severe life threatening reaction pack an epi-pen.

A Hiking First Aid Kit Is Essential

A hiking first aid kit should be an essential part of your outdoor gear and readily available for any hiking mishaps. While having a great time you must remember that hiking is a sport where you can easily get injured. It is a good idea to keep a large general kit for all recreational activities, as well as a smaller more specific one tailored to the event at hand. For instance, you don't need the same first aid gear for a softball game as you might carry on your back for a hike up an incline to a ridgetop. You will want to make sure your hiking first aid kit is lightweight and that it doesn't take up much space in your backpack.

When finding something to carry your hiking first aid kit in, think outside of the box. We recommend you keep an ID, emergency contact numbers and any medical instructions on your person at all times. You might want to have a few Band-aids handy in your pocket, since small puncture wounds are probably the biggest risk faced on wilderness trails and having an adequate supply of Band-aids to last the length of your journey is possibly the most important part of packing a hiking first aid kit. It’s a good idea to also keep aspirin or meds in a capsule attached to your carabiner, or to a lanyard about your neck with your compass and whistle.

You would then keep a more involved hiking first aid kit, such as a larger lightweight container (ziplock bag, soapbox, or soft sack) in your pack, which should contain more significant emergency items. It should offer convenient access and never be buried in your pack

Types of Hiking Backpacks: Internal Frames vs External Frames

Lightweight Hiking Backpacks
Hiking lightweight is not a new concept. Lightweight hiking backpacks, also called daypacks, weigh less than three pounds, and are suitable for shorter hikes. They often come in hydration styles which feature internal bladders and drinking tubes. The mesh outer pockets are a great idea for lightweight backpacks. You can stuff any wet articles of clothing in them and dry them in the sun later. Most lightweight hiking backpacks don't have frames. We’ve come to the conclusion that lightweight hiking backpacks are less about high-tech materials than they are about simple design. If there's a new fabric or lighter/stronger frame material it's been tried before, often without significantly lowering the weight. Although some manufacturers may use the newest and coolest of material developments and some may be remarkably traditional, that, when it’s all said and done, they all share the same lay out: single compartment top-loaders with no access zippers, molded back panels, multiple pockets, etc.

Internal-frame Design Hiking Backpacks
Almost all trail and hiking backpacks feature an internal-frame design as an option. The body-hugging nature of internal frame hiking backpacks enhance your balance and freedom of movement. This is ideal for many hiking backpacking activities, such as mountaineering, skiing, scrambling and hiking in rough terrain. An internal frame pack generally fits better. This means you will stay balanced because the load moves when you move and doesn’t sway or shift. Many people who use packs in light to medium applications value the comfort, versatility and balance of an internal frame pack. More people buy internals than externals.

External-frame Design Hiking Backpacks
External frame hiking backpacks cost less and are often purchased by beginners. External frame packs are better for carrying extra-heavy loads because they shift the pack’s weight to the appropriate areas of the body where large bones and muscles can manage the load more efficiently. External frames act as extensions of bones and muscles although you may have problems with the pack’s balance.

Proper Packing Methods Can Lighten Your Load
The use of all types of hiking backpacks can be made more comfortable by proper packing methods. Hard objects against the body will quickly become uncomfortable and spare clothing and other soft items should be used as padding between those types of items and the body inside the pack. Whether you are carrying an internal or external frame hiking backpack, you should load it with balance and the convenient location of gear in mind. Carry clothing, cooking essentials and food in the main compartment. The heaviest gear should be stowed toward your back and centered in the pack to provide proper balance. Midweight gear should be carried toward the top and outside portion of the pack. In order to make sure you keep essentials handy, carry sunglasses, guidebook, map, compass, water bottles, snacks, and camera in the outer pockets. If you consistently pack your essential items in the same compartment each time, you will avoid frustration during your hiking adventures.

The best reason to buy lightweight hiking backpacks is to spur you on to lighten the rest of your load. You will find yourself moving farther, faster, and in less pain. A lighter backpack can not only help propel one up that hill, save your back from bearing the burden, or help ones knees on the backside of that hill, but also can help one enjoy the overall venture even more.

Make It Uplifting
Well, now you’ve got your work cut out for you. It’s up to you how you want to feel after a day of hiking extravaganza…will you live to see another glorious upright adventure or will you find yourself ailing and bent with your hands on your hips, tail between your legs, stumbling back to civilization. Since you don’t want to miss out when nature summons you to her beauty, take your time in finding hiking backpacks that will be uplifting.

Hiking Colorado: Basic Essentials of Hiking Backpacks

Adjustable Straps
First of all, hiking backpacks should have contoured padded shoulder straps that are easily adjustable to fit your body frame. It is a must for any backpack to have tightening straps. The straps are used to take off stress from parts of your back and redirect it elsewhere. They will keep the pack from sliding to the side while hiking, not hold the pack tightly to your back.

Hipbelt
The pack should also have a hipbelt. The hipbelt allows the weight of the pack to be evenly distributed and keep the pressure off stress points. Without a good hipbelt, all the weight would end up on your shoulder, neck and back muscles instead of your stronger hips and legs.

Pockets
The next thing that hiking backpacks should have are plenty of pockets. From cell phones to water bottles, you will need places to keep each thing separately and be easily accessible. There are some hiking backpacks that have a significant amount of pockets – these backpacks will cost more money, especially if the pockets are hidden, so make sure you choose wisely.

Lumbar Pad
Quality hiking backpacks will also have a lumbar pad situated at the small of your back to keep the pack's frame or hard items packed inside from digging into your back. Most of the downward force ends up at this point, so a lumbar pad with high-friction fabric is nice because it helps keep the belt from slipping.


Waterproof
It is also very important that hiking backpacks be weather resistant so we recommend hiking backpacks that feature waterproof outer shells and protective inner compartments. The backpack should be able to withstand blaring heat and a cold rain. Thus, look for backpacks that have a nylon base. If you have had nylon products before, then you will notice that it does an excellent job at repelling water.

Hiking Colorado: Backpacks

Hiking backpacks should be lightweight and comfortable and be able to hold everything that you need them to hold! With this in mind, make sure you don’t compromise the construction of the pack. It should be made of a strong material that is abrasion resistant.

It may seem daunting when it comes to shopping for hiking backpacks, because as you will notice, there are many different styles available on the market. It is important that you choose the size of your pack based on the length of your trip. We recommend smaller-capacity day or lumbar packs for local nature hikes. For longer trips, a pack in the larger size range for this category would be recommended. Perhaps you want a hiking backpack that does not necessarily look fashionable, one that is practical instead and suitable for the length and ruggedness of the hike. Or, maybe you want a backpack that has both fashion and functionality. Whatever the preference, there are some basic things that all hiking backpacks should have.

Best Hiking Boots for Men, Women and Kids

Best Hiking Boots for Kids
When searching for the best hiking boots for women, first you’ll need to keep in mind that women's feet tend to be narrower than men's feet. This is often most noticeable in the heel. Some type of boot insert is also a worthwhile consideration, since women's feet often are not as well padded as men's feet. When choosing best hiking boots for women, it’s most important for boots to fit snug, yet comfortable, and should be both flexible and breathable. We have found through our numerous hiking excursions that waterproofed Nubuck leather and flexible nylon mesh uppers offer this ample durability for comfort on the go.

Best Hiking Boots for Kids
The best hiking boots for kids should be both practical and versatile, which make them great for the trail, school, and backyard play. Your child should love their support, comfort, and convenience. A water-resistant leather upper is recommended as it allows them to tromp through puddles unscathed. May we also recommend a moisture-wicking lining, so your child's feet stay dry, comfortable, and blister-free. If you prefer the lighter fare for the best hiking boots for your children, try the suede with nylon mesh lining.

Now if you’re just starting out and hiking mostly on smooth flat trails and dry terrain for short excursions, the best hiking boots for kids may very well be just a regular pair of sneakers or running shoes. If the terrain is a bit steeper or even muddy or icy, then the best hiking boots for kids will need to have more of a grip on the bottom sole in order to pull oneself up the incline safely.

Best Hiking Boots for Men
Since you’ll be hiking in and around mountains and hills, the best hiking boots for men should allow your toes plenty of room for those long ground-pounding sessions on extended downhill descents beneath a heavy pack. Many of the best hiking boots for men are made of Nubuck leather, or other full-grain leather material backed with a waterproof and breathable laminate like Gore-Tex. This waterproof protection is a necessity in questionable weather or when high alpine snowmelt transforms steep trails into slick and muddy drainage channels.

Congratulations, you are one step closer to a most enjoyable and breathtaking adventure, now that you’ve researched and compared our best hiking boots.

Choosing the Best Hiking Boots for the Type of Trail and Time of Year

Trail Shoes
We recommend Trail Shoes for walking on well established, smooth trails and are usually the best hiking boots for short hikes or day walks in dry climate. These boots, under 2½ pounds, are more commonly known as lightweights. They resemble a combination running shoe/boot, and are generally constructed of suede, fabric, leather or nylon mesh, which make them ideal for summer hiking adventures. Some lightweight hiking boots weigh in at barely more than a pound. These are less for protecting the feet and ankles from rocky terrain and more for providing protection to the bottom of the foot. These are the best hiking boots for comfort, cushioning and breathability. The casual hiker will love these as their best hiking boots, while the backpacker will limp into camp.

Trail Hikers
The best hiking boots for longer, more rugged trails, require something sturdier like Trail Hikers. They have the tread on the bottom, usually a vibram or lug sole, which is needed for rocky ground. This sole can provide better traction while ascending and descending inclines and even on muddy terrain. These higher-cut boots will provide added stability and ankle protection against protruding branches and rocks, or even snakes that may be encountered in the wild. Trail hikers, also called middleweights, weigh 2½ pounds or more and are usually made of all leather and have decent weatherproofing. These are the best hiking boots suitable for most light to moderate backpacking loads and winter hiking conditions.

Mountaineering Boots
If you have planned multi-day trips which may involve scaling steep mountain faces, you will need Mountaineering Boots. These durable alpine boots are the best hiking boots for rough or steep terrain where you may need to attach crampons for a better grip on glaciers or hard-packed snow. For this reason, you want a rigid boot with a stiff sole to give your ankles extra support and protection as you climb on extremely challenging terrain. These are the best hiking boots for on- and off-trail hiking with moderate to heavy backpacking loads.