As a hiker and keen adventurer, I can think of several times when I’ve thanked my lucky stars that I forked out more money at the register for quality gear. But is expensive hiking gear worth it? The short answer is: sometimes.
The reality is, if you choose to buy cheap gear over expensive or quality gear – you’re taking a risk. Cheaper gear is more likely to break, fray, degrade, and simply not do the job.
Experienced hikers will tell you that expensive hiking gear is worth it. Size matters. Quality matters. Comfort matters. And weight matters.
However, there are times you really need quality hiking gear, and times you don’t. Depending on whether you’re an explorer, a nature craver, a challenger or a Sunday stroller, you’ll need different things.
Sunday strollers only need to look like adventure goddesses in the latest trail fashions, stylish joggers and slim-line hiking vest-packs. If you’re only walking locally, buy whatever feels fabulous, because the worst thing that’s going to happen is you might get a bit cold.
However, if you’re an explorer, hoping to get out into the wild for some overnight or multi-day hikes, it’s wise to invest in quality gear. It could save your life. If a storm hits and you’ve got the right gear, you’ll be having magic moments rather than a shit sandwich.
Technical gear changes seasonally, so hiking is an opportunity to shop-til-you-drop to benefit from the latest fabulous features. It’s also a chance to fill your Christmas wish list with practical presents.
Things to spend up on
A quality back-pack that is fit for purpose
If you’re planning a day hike you’ll need a 20 – 35L backpack with a bladder. For overnight and multi-day hikes, you’ll need 55 – 65L that’s custom fitted for your size, weight and shape. For me, this means generous hip-pocket storage, a bladder pocket in the lower back, a light-weight frame and a comfy fit. I’m a fan of the Osprey packs in all sizes, but I’ve loved One Planet, Mountain Designs and Macpack packs over the years.
Waterproof raincoat
This is trickier than you might think because fabrics that are fully waterproof aren’t breathable. If you’re hiking in summer conditions, you’ll get sweaty in a fully waterproof jacket. If you’re in alpine environments, you might not, depending on how hard you’re puffing. For breathability, I recommend pit zips. For dryness, I recommend bottom coverage. Gortex usually requires regular re-waterproofing to stay dry. I like the Arcteryx raincoats for hiking but if you can’t afford $800, the RainBird raincoats are waterproof with back venting for $90.
Waterproof tent
This might seem obvious, but some tents aren’t seam-sealed because that adds weight, so make sure to check before you buy. I go for a quality light-weight tent that’s guaranteed to keep me dry in torrential rain. It’s also great to have a tent you can set up in the rain. This requires a separate fly to shelter you while you set up the inner tent. I adore my Mont Moondance 2, but it’s currently sold out. Mont has some other beautiful tents in their Moondance range which are worth checking out!
Waterproof boots
Your waterproof boots should have good ankle and foot support, good tread and should be super comfy.
Down Sleeping Bag
A down sleeping bad is best for weight-to-warmth ratio and you pay for what you get. But a good night’s sleep is a priority for most of us, so the only way to save here is to know what you want and wait for a sale. I love my One Planet mummy bag but many of my wild women love their Mont sleeping bags which come in some great colours. For car camping you can use synthetic bags which can be more water resistant, but heavier.
Sleeping Mat
Your sleeping mat needs to be light-weight and comfy. I’ve used Thermarest and Exped Down in the past but now I love my Nemo Ultralight.
Merino wool socks
Merino wool socks are just gorgeous. I treat myself to a new pair of Icebreakers or Bridgedales for every multi-day hike.
Trekking Poles
Don’t go dirt cheap with poles because they can break. You can pick up a good pair of Helinox or Leki poles for under $200. Black Diamond are snazzy but exxy.
Things to save on
Clothing
While technical clothing will help wick sweat away and generally keep you dryer and warmer, you can sometimes get a bargain, or indulge in your favourite colour or stylish fit with clothing.
Headtorch These come in all shapes, sizes and lumens. I love the Petzl Actik because it’s comfortable, has good visibility and has a red light for night vision.
Hiking mug and plates
You can get fancy and expensive, lightweight titanium crockery for hiking, but you really don’t need it unless you are carrying a full pack on a multi-day hike. I just take my mug from home and a plastic bowl.
Thermals
I generally don’t recommend buying hiking gear on sale (you’re limited with options and often pick things that aren’t perfect because they’re cheaper), but when it comes to thermals, I only EVER buy them when they’re on sale. Stock up.
To Wrap Up…
So is expensive hiking gear worth it? It depends. There’s no perfect shopping list for hiking and the best way to learn is to jump in the deep end and go wild. Every time you get into nature, you’ll take home a valuable lesson on what, and what not, to do.
Don’t forget to reach out to your hiking buddies or a hiking community online and you’ll be inundated with helpful tips. If you haven’t already, you can join us in our Wild Women Community on Facebook.
