You may not know this, but I used to work in the outdoor industry. I actually wrote product descriptions for a large outdoor retailer. As a result, I know a LOT about hiking gear.

And I know that lately the buzzwords for hiking and camping gear have been “eco-friendly”, “sustainable” and “recycled”. Unfortunately some of the time it’s just marketing – basically, it’s greenwashing.

BUT… lots of the time it’s great companies trying to make a more sustainable product and/or helping their customers replace disposable items in their lives with more eco-friendly ones. Many of those companies also give back to environmental or sustainable non-profits too. And that’s so great to see! 

Here’s my list of eco-friendly gifts for hikers and campers. I already own a lot of the items on this list and can vouch for their awesomeness. Each of these items has its own sustainability story and many will help us move towards a zero-waste lifestyle. Progress, not perfection, right?

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Cotopaxi Batac Del Dia 24L Backpack

Cotopaxi’s Del Dia collection uses left-over fabric scraps that would otherwise go into the garbage to make their backpacks. Their team of sewers gets to choose which fabric goes where, so each pack is totally unique.

And while the Batac backpack looks fun, it’s also totally functional. It has minimalist yet comfortable mesh shoulder straps, a zippered pocet with a sleeve for your phone, and side water bottle pockets. Another thing to feel good about: Cotopaxi also donates 1% of profits to alleviating world poverty.

Darn Tough Hiking Socks

I’ve had a few pairs of Darn Tough hiking socks for about 3 years now, and honestly, they look almost brand new. Which is great for Darn Tough, since they offer a lifetime guarantee on their socks. I love a company that makes durable products!

Darn Tough has also pledged to source all of the merino wool in their socks from farms that meet the Responsible Wool Standard for animal welfare, sustainable land management, and supply chain traceability. Another plus: Darn Tough makes all their socks at their small factory in Vermont.

Humangear GoBites Reusable Utensil Set

On road trips, my husband and I end up eating take-out food more than we’d like. And that means we use a lot of plastic forks and spoons.

That didn’t sit right with me, so we picked up a couple of GoBites reusable utensil sets. We keep them in our car so they are ready to use when we’re on the road. I can’t believe we didn’t get them sooner and I think they’re a great option for eco-friendly gifts for hikers.

Kula Pee Cloth

My Kula Cloth has definitely changed the way I pee outdoors. It’s a reusable and hygienic pee cloth for women. One side is absorbent and anti-microbial while the other side is waterproof. Fold it in half and close it with a snap to keep the dirty side from touching anything else, then clip it onto the outside of your pack to let it dry out in the sun.

Some of the versions even have original prints from female artists! Using a pee cloth takes a bit of getting used to, but it’s so much easier than packing out dirty toilet paper all the time. As a Leave No Trace Master Educator, I recommend the Kula Cloth to women in every workshop I teach.

Hydro Flask Water Bottle

Single-use plastics are a huge problem. Skip the throw-away water bottle and carry a reusable one instead.

Hydro Flask makes the Cadillac of water bottles. They’re made of high end stainless steel that won’t absorb flavours or odours. And the double-walled construction is vacuum sealed so your water stays cold (or your coffee stays hot) for hours. I carry mine around everywhere and joke that it’s my emotional support water bottle.

Through their Parks for All initiative, Hydro Flask supports non-profit organizations focused on providing better access to parks for everyone. These bottles last forEVER so they are great environmentally-friendly gifts for hikers.

Patagonia Re-Tool Snap-T Fleece Pullover

Patagonia is pretty much setting the gold standard when it comes to eco-friendly apparel for hikers. Their Re-Tool Snap-T fleece is a great example of their commitment to sustainability: it’s made of recycled polyester, it’s sewn in a Fair Trade factory, and the fabric is bluesign approved. (Bluesign is a textile standard that seeks to remove harmful chemicals from the manufacturing process.)

This cozy pullover is my go-to for chilly nights at the campsite or fall hikes. Honestly, I wear it all the time for working from my home office or casual beers with friends too. The stand-out feature for me is the hidden kangaroo pocket. It holds my phone and keeps my hands warm. I actually own two of these… and I kinda want to get another one.

Tent Lab The Deuce Trowel

I’m pretty passionate about Leave No Trace. Unfortunately, one of the ways that people leave a trace in the outdoors is human waste. Yup, poop. However, it’s a really simple problem to solve if you’re prepared. (Here’s more info about how to go to the bathroom in the woods if you’re curious.)

I carry this tiny and lightweight Deuce Trowel on most hiking trips so I can dig a quick cat hole when I have to go to the bathroom. At only 17g (0.6oz) it’s practically weightless.  And since it’s made of aluminum, it digs waaay better than plastic shovels.

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hoody

For years, Mountain Hardwear’s Ghost Whisperer Jackets have been the favourite puffy jacket for ultralight hikers and backpackers. They’re feather-light, pack down really small, and are super warm.

Recently, Mountain Hardwear gave them an eco-friendly overhaul. The exterior fabric is now 100% recycled. And the 800-fill down interior meets the Responsible Down Standard for animal welfare. That means the geese were never force-fed or live-plucked, both practices that are shockingly common in the poultry industry. The whole jacket is still staggeringly light at just 250g (8.8 oz).

YETI Rambler Tumbler Reusable Mug

Sadly, paper coffee cups are one of the main sources of litter found on our trails, beaches, and streets. And it takes a lot of trees to make all those cups. Pick up a reusable coffee mug and be part of the solution.

I’ve been using my YETI Rambler mug for the last few years and I can’t believe how well it insulates! I’ve picked up iced coffee in it in the morning, then still had a bit of ice in it 12 hours later! It’s made of double-walled 18/8 stainless steel with a vacuum seal that keeps hot things hot and cold things cold for hours!

The magnetic sliding lid is easy to use and the lid is made of BPA-free plastic. And thankfully, the whole thing can go in the dishwasher.

Organic and Fair Trade Chocolate

Chocolate is one of my favourite hiking snacks. But the chocolate industry has been plagued with unethical labour practices and unsustainable farming.

A few companies are aiming to change that. Theo Chocolate and Zazubean make chocolate that is certified Fair Trade, organic and non-GMO. It’s also amazingly delicious.

Humangear GoToob Refillable Squeeze Bottles

I used to buy travel-sized toiletries to take camping, but then I discovered GoToobs.

They are refillable silicone squeeze bottles that come in a bunch of sizes. They even have a folding loop that locks the cap in place so it can’t leak. Originally I bought them for sunscreen, but I realized they are great for using in my camp kitchen too. Hot sauce anyone?

Buff Multifunctional Headwear

It’s no secret that I love Buffs. I bring one on pretty much every hike since you can wear it as an ear warmer, neck gaiter, headband, beanie, and lots more options. A buff is one of my picks for the best stocking stuffers for hikers.

Buffs are made with recycled polyester from single-use plastic bottles, which helps reduce the amount of plastic trash in our world. They come in a seemingly infinite number of colours and patterns too.

Tenacious Tape

It’s easy to get tears and rips in your hiking jackets, tents, and sleeping bags. Instead of throwing them away, repair your hiking gear instead. I always carry a small roll of Tenacious Tape. It sticks to all kinds of high-tech outdoor fabrics (even better than duct tape) and lasts a long time. Its a great way to give old gear new life.

Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Old-school sunscreens are full of things that we now know are not great for our bodies and are pretty terrible for the planet. Lately I’ve been loving Sun Bum sunscreens, especially the easy-to-use face sticks.

They are water-resistant so they stand-up to sweat and swimming. And they also don’t contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, the two ingredients banned under Hawaii’s Bill 2571 since they damage fragile coral reefs.

Hiking App Subscriptions

Help keep them on track with a subscription to a hiking app – they are great no-waste gifts. AllTrails Plus has tons of trail options all over the world. With a subscription, you get access to offline maps and can get alerts when you make a wrong turn.

For navigation, you can’t beat Gaia GPS. It’s my go-to app for easy-to-read maps with tons of overlays like satellite photos, slope angle, and more.

Outdoorsy Books

Books are always a great gift. (And if you want to avoid giving paper, you can always get them an ebook.) One of my favourite book genres adventure memoir. If you’re looking for recommendations, check out my list of the best Canadian adventure books or my list of the best adventure books by female authors.

I’ll also take a minute to plug my books, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and Backpacking on Vancouver Island. They each have details for dozens of backpacking trips. I might be biased, but I think they are awesome books.

Plan an Adventure Together

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “Collect memories, not things”. (Soooo many Instagram captions, right?) It’s easy to get caught up in a shopping frenzy during the holidays.

Give the gift of an adventure rather than a thing. Plan a hike together. Make a camping reservation. Sign up for that rock climbing course you’ve both always wanted to take. Register for a photography class. There are tons of options!

Make a Donation

Give back this holiday. Many non-profit organizations rely on donations to keep doing their important work. Find an organization with a cause that matters to the person you’re shopping for.

Here are some great outdoor-related non-profits to support: Leave No Trace (or Leave No Trace Canada), the American Avalanche Association (or Avalanche Canada), Protect Our Winters, She Jumps, the Sierra Club, and the Nature Conservancy. As well, consider donating to local organizations such as your regional search and rescue team or the advocacy group for your local park.

Final Thoughts

I hope you found some great gift ideas for the hiker on your list. I’m sure they’ll enjoy one of these eco-friendly gifts for hikers. Do you have any sustainable outdoor gift ideas? Leave them in the comments.

More Gift Ideas for Hikers:

• 40 Best Gifts for Backpackers
• 25 Stocking Stuffers for Hikers Under $25 (That are Totally Useful)
• Best Gifts for Snowshoers (20+ Ideas)
• 10 Best Canadian Hiking Gear Gifts
• Romantic Valentine’s Gifts for Hikers and Campers
• Black Friday Deals for Hikers and Backpackers

More Gear Advice

• 17 Ways to Save Money on Hiking Gear
• Canadian Hiking Gear Brands to Support
• Which Women’s Hiking Gear is Actually Worth Buying?

The post The Best Eco-friendly Gifts for Hikers appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I’ve lived in the Vancouver area all my life and I’m an avid hiker. I have written two hiking guidebooks and done volunteer work with several local outdoor advocacy organizations regarding park advocacy and access. I’ve also scoured the BC Parks website and chatted with BC Parks staff so I know everything there is to know about BC Parks day passes.

Quick Summary: In winter 2025/2026, you need a vehicle day pass to visit Mount Seymour Provincial Park. In summer, you need a vehicle day pass to visit Garibaldi and Golden Ears Provincial Parks and you need a trail pass (for each adult) to visit Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. In some parks, you don’t need a pass on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

In this guide to day passes in BC parks you’ll find:

• Which parks require a BC Parks day pass
• How much does a day pass cost
• Who needs to get a day pass and when you don’t need a pass
• How to get a day pass and when you can get one
• How to use your day pass
• Day passes at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park – everything you need to know
• Day passes at Golden Ears Provincial Park – everything you need to know
• Day passes at Garibaldi Provincial Park – everything you need to know
• Winter day passes at Mount Seymour Provincial Park – everything you need to know
• Tips and tricks for getting a day pass
• Why do BC Parks require day passes – what problem are they trying to solve?
• BC Parks day pass FAQ – all your questions answered

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Which Parks Require a BC Parks Day Pass?

In summer 2025, you need a day pass to visit Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, Garibaldi Provincial Park, and Golden Ears Provincial Park. More details on each of these parks is below – click the links to jump to those sections.

In previous years, BC Parks day passes were required at other parks. However, in summer 2025 you do NOT need a day pass to visit Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, Mount Robson Provincial Park, Mount Seymour Provincial Park, or Cypress Provincial Park.

In winter 2025/2026, you needed a day pass to visit Mount Seymour Provincial Park. More info on winter day passes is below – click the link to jump to that section

How Much Do Day Passes Cost?

BC Parks Day passes are totally free. There is no cost.

Who Needs a Day Pass? When Don’t You Need a Pass?

Summer Day Passes

Most visitors to Joffre, Garibaldi, and Golden Ears Provincial Parks in summer 2025 will need a day pass.

However, there are a few situations where you don’t need a day pass:

• If you have booked a day trip with Park Bus to Golden Ears, Garibaldi, or Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, you do NOT need a day pass. Note: Park Bus did not operate in summer 2024 and does not seem to be running in summer 2025.
• If you have a front-country (drive-in) camping reservation for Golden Ears Provincial Park you do NOT need a day pass.
• If you have a backcountry camping reservation (Garibaldi or Joffre), OR a backcountry permit registration (Golden Ears), you do NOT need a day pass. (Read my guide to booking backcountry camping in BC for more info.)
• If you arrive at the park outside of the hours/days that day passes are required. This varies by park by is typically before 7 am or after 4 pm every day for summer passes. Some parks do not require passes on weekdays during some time periods. As well, day passes are not required in the spring, fall, and winter in some parks – read park specific rules below. Note: This does not apply to Joffre Lakes – you need a pass 24 hours a day at Joffre.
• If you plan to visit part of Golden Ears or Garibaldi Park that is not covered by day passes. (Unpopular parking lots and trailheads do not require a day pass. See park details for Garibaldi and Golden Ears below for specific information.)
• If you arrive by bike or on foot at Garibaldi, Golden Ears, or Mount Seymour. Only motor vehicles need a pass at these parks. At Joffre, each person requires a pass no matter how they arrive.
• Kids do NOT need their own trail pass at Joffre as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

Winter Day Passes

Most visitors to Mount Seymour Provincial Park in winter 2025/26 needed a day pass.

However, there are a few situations where you don’t need a day pass:

• If you have booked the Mount Seymour shuttle bus in winter 2025/26, you do NOT need a day pass
• If you have reserved paid tickets to ski, snowshoe, or snow-tube at Mount Seymour Ski Resort, you do NOT need a day pass – You only need a day pass for the free BC Parks trails outside the ski resort.
• If you arrive at the park outside of the hours/days that day passes are required. This means arriving after 4pm or on a weekday (outside of the Christmas holiday period).

How to Get a BC Parks Day Pass? When Can You Get a Day Pass?

You need to book on the BC Parks Day Pass website. This is the only way to book – there are no phone bookings.

Passes are available to book starting at 7 am two days before your visit. For example, if you want to visit on July 22, you can book your pass online starting at 7 am on July 20. Be sure to book early because passes get booked up in the first few minutes for summer weekends.

How to Use Your Day Pass?

When you book a pass, it will be emailed to you. Either print it out or take a screenshot. There is no cell service or bad cell service at most parks so you won’t be able to access your email once you arrive.

When you arrive at the park, a staff member will ask to see your pass. They will confirm that it is valid for the right park, day, time slot (morning, afternoon, or all day) and parking area. For Joffre Lakes, they will confirm that you have a pass for each adult. (Kids under 18 don’t need passes.) They will also check your ID to make sure that the person who booked the pass is present.

For Garibaldi, Golden Ears, and Mount Seymour, this check happens on the park entrance roads. For Joffre, this check happens at the trailhead.

Day Passes at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park

Joffre Lakes Day Passes Quick Facts

• Required daily starting on May 17, 2025 (They haven’t announced when the day pass season will end yet, but it will likely be in mid-October.)
• Each adult requires their own pass. Kids under 18 don’t need a pass.
• There are no parking passes for Joffre Lakes. Day passes here are per person.
• Passes are valid for an entire day and are required 24 hours a day – you need a pass even if you plan to arrive at 2 am when there won’t be anyone checking passes.
• You can book up to 4 passes at once for the same day.
• Passes are available on the BC Parks day pass website starting at 7 am two days before your trip.
• The park will be closed to the public from April 25 to May 16, 2025, June 17 to 27, 2025, and September 2 to October 3, 2025 to support Indigenous harvesting and cultural practices.
• You don’t need a pass if you have a backcountry camping reservation. (Read my guide to booking backcountry camping in BC for more info.)

Info For Visiting Joffre Lakes

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is one of the most popular parks in BC. The small park is home to three gorgeous turquoise lakes, all accessed from the same trail. There are no other trails or destinations in the park.

My Joffre Lakes hiking guide has all the details you need to visit. The first lake (Lower Joffre Lake) is just 0.2 km (5 minutes) from the parking lot on a flat and easy trail.

It is a much harder hike to reach Middle Joffre Lake, Upper Joffre Lake, and the campground at the far end of Upper Joffre Lake. If you hike to the campground and back you will have hiked about 10 kilometres with 370 metres of elevation gain. Allow 4 hours for the hike, and more if you want to stop for lunch or photos.

All trails beyond the campground are unofficial mountaineering trails that lead into steep terrain prone to rockfall and glacier collapse.

READ NEXT: Joffre Lakes Hike (By a Local)

Day Passes at Golden Ears Provincial Park

Golden Ears Provincial Park Day Pass Quick Facts

• Required from May 16 to September 1, 2025 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and holidays. You do NOT need a pass on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
• Each vehicle requires a pass. You can have a max of 12 people (of any age) in the vehicle.
• You must have a day pass to park at Alouette Lake South Beach, Alouette Lake Boat Launch, Gold Creek Trailhea, and West Canyon Trailhead. You do NOT need a pass to park at Spirea Nature Trail, Main Corral, or Mike Lake (but those parking lots are not close to the lake or the most popular hiking trails)
• For most parking areas, you have to book an AM (7am to 1pm) or PM (arrive after 1pm) pass. You can book an all day pass for the Aloutette Lake Boat Launch parking lot.
• You can book one pass per time slot per day
• Passes are available on the BC Parks day pass website starting at 7 am two days before your trip
• You don’t need a pass if you have a reservation for drive-in camping.
• You don’t need a pass if you have a backcountry camping permit registration. (Read my guide to booking backcountry camping in BC for more info.)
• You don’t need a pass if you arrive after 3:30 pm. (This is slightly earlier than the 4 pm cut-off in previous years.)

Info For Visiting Golden Ears Provincial Park

There is one road in and out of Golden Ears Park (called Golden Ears Parkway) and all of the parking lots that require day passes are along the last part of this road. The road is open from 7 am to 11 pm. The gate is locked and you can’t drive in at night.

To help you decide which day pass to book, here’s a quick run-down of the areas at the park:

Alouette Lake South Beach Day-Use Area: This is a huge beach at the south end of Alouette Lake. It has a beach, swimming area, canoe rentals, picnic area, and washrooms. If you want to hang out at the beach, you want this pass. This is by far the largest parking lot in the park.

Alouette Lake Boat Launch: This parking lot is a short walk from South Beach day-use area and is designed as a parking lot for people with boat trailers. It is a smaller lot so it could be harder to get a pass.

West Canyon Parking Lot: This small parking lot is a good place to park for hikes to Golden Ears Summit or the loop of Gold Creek Canyon. However, those are long hikes. You can also use this parking lot for the short hikes to North Beach or Lower Falls, but the Gold Creek Parking lot is much closer to those.

Gold Creek Parking Lot: This parking lot is the best place to park for the short hikes to Lower Falls (aka Gold Creek Falls) or North Beach. This parking lot is also a good place to park for the loop of Gold Creek Canyon or the summit of Golden Ears.

Other parking lots (no pass required): Three other parking lots near the park entrance don’t require day passes: Spirea Nature Trail, Mike Lake, and Main Corral. Main Corral provides access to a network of horseback riding trails. The Mike Lake parking lot is a good place to park for the short hike around Mike Lake or the long and challenging hike to Alouette Mountain. Spirea Nature Trail is a short wheelchair accessible trail with a small parking lot.

Day Passes at Garibaldi Provincial Park

Garibaldi Provincial Park Day Pass

• There are three trailheads that require passes: Diamond Head (Elfin Lakes), Rubble Creek (Garibaldi Lake) and Cheakamus. Each one has different rules.
• At Diamond Head and Rubble Creek, day passes are required from June 13 to October 13, 2025 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and holidays. Unlike in previous years, passes are not required on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
• At Cheakamus Lake, day passes are required every day between June 13 and September 1, 2025. From From September 2 October 13, they are required Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday only. You can book an AM pass (arrival and departure before 1 pm) or a PM pass (arrival and departure after 1 pm). You can only book one time slot per day, but you can book both AM and PM passes if you want to stay all day.
• Each vehicle requires a pass. You can have a max of 12 people (of any age) in the vehicle.
• Passes are available on the BC Parks day pass website starting at 7 am two days before your trip
• You don’t need a pass if you have a backcountry camping reservation. (Read my guide to booking backcountry camping in BC for more info.)

Info For Visiting Garibaldi Park

Garibaldi Provincial Park is huge and has several access points between Squamish and Whistler. Only some of the trailheads require day passes.

To help you decide which day pass to book, here’s a quick rundown of the areas at the park:

Diamondhead (Elfin Lakes) Trailhead: Located up a 2WD accessible gravel road near Squamish, this parking lot is the trailhead for hikes to Elfin Lakes and beyond to the Rampart Ponds. It is a 22 km round trip hike to Elfin Lakes with 600 m of elevation gain. The hike takes 6-8 hours. My Elfin Lakes hiking guide has more info.

READ NEXT: Elfin Lakes Hike in Squamish (By a Local)

Rubble Creek (Garibaldi Lakes) Trailhead: Located on a short paved road between Squamish and Whistler, this trailhead leads to Garibaldi Lake, Taylor Meadows, and beyond to Panorama Ridge and Black Tusk. The hike to Garibaldi Lake is an 18 km round trip with 820 m of elevation gain. The hike takes 6-7 hours.

Cheakamus Lake Trailhead: Located on a 2WD accessible gravel road at the south end of Whistler. From here you can hike the flat and easy 7 km round trip to Cheakamus Lake which only takes 2-3 hours so you could do it on a single AM or PM pass. Or you can continue further down the lake to Singing Creek for a total round-trip distance of 16 km. You can also hike up to Helm Creek campground (17 km round trip with 700 m of elevation gain) or beyond to Helm Pass. You will need BOTH an AM pass and a PM pass for Singing Creek or Helm Creek.

Singing Pass Trailhead (no pass required): This trailhead is right in Whistler Village and you don’t need a day pass. It is a 31 km round trip to Russet Lake with 1280 m of elevation and will take 9-10 hours. You can also pay to take the Whistler Gondola up, then hike to Russet Lake via the High Note or Musical Bumps trails. My Russet Lake trail guide has more info.

Wedgemount Lake Trailhead (no pass required): This trailhead is on a somewhat rough (but 2WD-accessible) gravel road just north of Whistler and you don’t need a day pass. The hike to the lake is 13 km return with 1160 m of elevation gain. Allow 7 hours.

Day Passes at Mount Seymour Provincial Park

Day passes are required in winter 2025/2026 at this park.

Mount Seymour Provincial Park Winter Day Pass Quick Facts

• Required every day from December 19, 2025 to January 4, 2026. Required only on weekends and holidays from January 9 to March 29, 2026.
• Each vehicle requires a pass. You can have a max of 12 people (of any age) in the vehicle.
• You can book an AM Pass (valid 7 am to 12 pm) or a PM pass (valid 12 pm to 4 pm)
• You do NOT need a pass if you arrive after 4 pm.
• You can book one pass per time slot per day. If you want to do a longer hike, backcountry ski, or snowshoe, you will need to book BOTH an AM and a PM pass.
• Passes are available on the BC Parks day pass website starting at 7 am two days before your trip
• If you are backcountry camping, you only need a pass for the day that you enter the park. You don’t need a pass for the second (or third, etc.) day.
• If you take the Mount Seymour Shuttle bus, you do not need a day pass.

Info for Winter Visits to Mount Seymour Provincial Park

There is one road in and out of Mount Seymour Park (called Mount Seymour Parkway) and all of the parking is at the end of this road. The road is open from 7 am to 10 pm. The gate is locked and you can’t drive in at night or early in the morning. Between October 1 and March 31, you need winter tires (M+S or snowflake symbol) to legally drive the road.

There are two main areas for winter recreation at Mount Seymour Provincial Park. One is free and requires day passes. The other is paid since it is inside the ski resort. There are different rules for each, here’s a run-down to help you decide whether you need a day pass:

Mount Seymour Resort Ski Area: You NOT not need a day pass for this area if you buy tickets for downhill skiing/snowboarding, the resort’s paid snowshoe trails, or the resort’s tube park. Your tickets include parking in Lots 2, 3, and 4 (the closest lots to the mountain).

BC Park Trails: You NEED a free day pass to access the BC Parks trails to Dog Mountain and Mount Seymour. These trails are popular with backcountry skiers and snowshoers. See my guide to snowshoeing in Vancouver for more info and trail descriptions. If you have a day pass you must park in Lots 1 or 5 (furthest from the mountain).

Pro tip: Mount Seymour is the ONLY place you need a day pass to go snowshoeing. If you’re looking for a place to go snowshoeing without a day pass, check out my guides to snowshoeing in Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler, the Fraser Valley, and Manning Park. I’ve got tons of other options for you – no pass required!

Tips and Tricks for Getting a Day Pass

On sunny summer weekends, especially long weekends, it can be tough to get a pass. Here are a few tips and tricks for getting a BC Parks day pass.

• Visit the day pass website in advance so you can get familiar with how it works.
• Be online at 7 am two days before your trip and click right away.
• Have everyone in your group try to get passes at the same time to increase your chances. Use a voice chat to coordinate so you don’t end up booking more passes than you need.
• If possible, use a computer instead of a phone as the system works a bit better on desktop.
• If you didn’t get passes, keep checking back as sometimes people cancel and passes become available again.
• Check back at 7 am on the day of your trip – sometimes BC Parks releases more passes at that time.

Why Do BC Parks Require Day Passes?

What BC Parks Says

The short answer is that BC Parks website says that day passes are needed to manage large numbers of visitors who have negative impacts on the environment and the enjoyment of other visitors. But the long answer is much more complicated than that.

Initially, BC Parks said that the Day Pass system was a “Pilot Program”. But they have quietly made it permanent with no officially announcement. They have changed it a little bit each year, and removed it in some areas.

My Opinion

I volunteer on the advocacy committee for the Friends of Garibaldi Park Society and the Southwestern British Columbia Recreation and Conservation Committee of the Federation of Mountain Clubs of British Columbia. I’ve spent a lot of time talking to parks staff, politicians, and other outdoors folk about day passes. Below is a summary of what I’ve learned.

The Day Pass System Costs Tax Payers Millions Each Year

BC Parks introduced the day pass system in summer 2020 as a response to the pandemic and a way to promote social distancing. That year, the BC government spent $900,000 to implement the day pass website software and hire staff to check passes at parking lots and trailheads.

In 2021 and 2022, BC Parks changed the wording around day passes, saying they were needed to protect park environments and reduce large crowds. In summer 2021 and winter 2021/2022, the cost of implementing day passes was $1.3 million. BC Parks hasn’t released costs for more recent seasons, but we can assume they are similar.

BC Parks Has Almost No Budget to Maintain or Build Trails

The reality is that BC Parks is grossly underfunded and has been for decades. That means that trails are in terrible condition because they have not been maintained. It also means that even though the population of the metro Vancouver area has grown by about 1 million people since 1990, almost no new trails have been built in provincial parks near Vancouver in that time.

It’s not surprising that our trails are busy if there hasn’t been any money to build more trails so that more people can get outdoors.

As well, almost no money has been spent on upgrading trails to handle more traffic (or even to withstand the traffic they already see.) If BC Parks were so concerned about the environmental degradation of increased traffic, they would spend money on long overdue trail maintenance to prevent erosion and reduce trail braiding. But they just don’t have the budget.

In the last few years, the BC government has made a few big announcements about funding for BC parks. However, only a small fraction of that funding is going towards trail maintenance. And so far, none of the funding has gone towards new trails in the Vancouver area.

BC Parks Has No Budget to Increase Parking Lot Sizes

BC Parks also does not have the budget to upgrade gravel parking lots to install parking stall lines (which would allow for more efficient parking), or to increase parking lot size.

Yes, in a few places, trails in BC’s provincial parks truly are overcrowded. But in most places, BC Parks day passes are not about crowding or environmental impact – they are about parking lots being too small. Once you leave the crowded parking lot and go for a hike, there is plenty of room on the trails for everyone.

In fact, BC Parks acknowledges that the reason they stopped requiring day passes at Stawamus Chief Provincial Park was that it has enough parking.

Day Passes Have Negative Knock-On Effects on Other Trails

In general, many news stories have demonstrated that hikers in Vancouver are not in favour of day passes. As well, a survey of hikers and outdoor folks from the Friends of Garibaldi Park Society concluded that 67% of respondents did not support day passes.

Day passes also have other knock-on effects. They push trail users out of provincial parks into other areas where trails are volunteer maintained or in many cases, have no maintenance at all. Day passes also mean that many hikers may choose trails that are outside their ability, increasing search and rescue call-outs.

Make Your Voice Heard

The money spent on the day pass system could fund so much trail maintenance and build so many new trails. It could also expand parking lots to increase capacity at many locations. BC Parks doesn’t have enough money to do basic trail maintenance, so it is a shame that the little money they have is being used for a system that shuts people out of parks.

If you agree with me that the money spent on the day pass system should be used for trail maintenance and building new trails, make your voice heard. Send an email or a voicemail to Premier David Eby at premier@gov.bc.ca or the Minister of the Environment and Parks, Tamara Davidson at ENV.Minister@gov.bc.ca. You should also email or call your local MLA.

BC Parks Day Pass 2025 FAQ

Final Thoughts

So now you have all the info you need about BC Parks day passes. If you have more questions, leave them in the comments – I’m happy to help!

READ NEXT:

• Joffre Lakes Hike (By a Local)
• How to Make Backcountry Camping Reservations in BC
• Camping Near Vancouver, BC: 40+ Best Campgrounds
• The 10 Best Hikes in Vancouver – A Local’s Guide
• The Best Hikes in Squamish, BC (From a Local)
• The Best Hikes in Whistler: A Guide to All the Trails
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Vancouver

The post BC Parks Day Passes 2025 – Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Different conditions and preferences call for different hiking pants. In this guide, I’m just going to focus on regular hiking pants – you won’t find any waterproof hiking pants or winter hiking pants. And if you’re looking for hiking tights, check out my hiking leggings guide.

In this post, I have everything you need to know about women’s hiking pants, including:

• Details and reviews for 9 different pairs of women’s hiking pants
• Best women’s hiking pants in several categories including petite, tall, plus-size, high-rise, with big pockets, and lots more
• Hiking pants vs. hiking leggings – which is better?
• How to choose hiking pants – tips on fit, fabric, and features

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

How I Picked

I’ve been hiking and backpacking for over two decades and I’ve written two hiking guidebooks. I also worked at an outdoor store for three years and writing marketing materials for a large outdoor retailer for seven years. I spent a ton of time learning from their design team so I got really familiar with the properties of outdoor fabrics and garment construction.

For this guide, I drew on my outdoor industry experience as well as my personal experience with hiking pants both on day hikes and backpacking trips.

But since hikers come in all shapes and sizes, I also asked other adventure travel writers, talked to friends, asked for reviews on Facebook and Instagram, and read dozens of online reviews.

I was tired of reading reviews of women’s hiking pants that were all written by slim, athletic women of average height. Those reviews aren’t that helpful to huge segments of the population!

There are lots of hiking pants out there, so it can be difficult to choose. In this post, I’m going to focus on pants with features and fabrics designed for hiking. For a run-down on how to choose hiking pants, skip to the bottom of this post.

You also won’t find any hiking leggings in this post. That’s because I have an entire guide to the best hiking leggings. If you’re curious about the pros and cons of hiking pants vs. hiking leggings, you can find that at the bottom of this post.

Best Women’s Hiking Pants: Quick Picks

Best Petite Women’s Hiking Pants: REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

Best Tall Women’s Hiking Pants: Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants

Best Plus Size Women’s Hiking Pants: REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

Best Curvy Women’s Hiking Pants: Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

Best High-Waist Women’s Hiking Pants: Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

Best Elastic-Waist Women’s Hiking Pants: The North Face Aphrodite 2.0

Best Zip-Off Convertible Women’s Hiking Pants: REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

Best Women’s Hiking Pants That Roll-Up Into Capris: Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up Pants

Best Women’s Hiking Pants With a Phone Pocket: Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants

Best Women’s Jogger Hiking Pants: prAna Halle II Joggers

Best Lightweight Women’s Hiking Pants: Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants

Best Durable Women’s Hiking Pants: Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Trousers

Best Budget Women’s Hiking Pants: REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

Best Splurge Women’s Hiking Pants: Arc’Teryx Gamma LT Pants

REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

Best Petite Women’s Hiking Pants (More petite recommendations)

Best Zip-Off Convertible Women’s Hiking Pants (More zip-off convertible recommendations)

Also great for: Tall women, plus size women, curvy women

Pros: Elastic waist in back; petite and tall size options; lots of pockets

Cons: Some people preferred the older version without an elastic waist. Women with larger thighs say the convertible shorts zippers dig in.

Fabric: Stretchy and quick-drying nylon with a water-resistant DWR finish and UPF 50 sun protection

Features: Convertible to shorts; ankle zips; elastic waist with zippered fly and drawstring adjustment; lots of pockets

Fit: Mid-rise, straight leg

Sizes: 0-26 in petite, regular, and tall lengths

Heather Kasvinsky from This Noshtalgic Life says “The REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants offer the perfect fit for shorter active curvy women such as myself. I’m middle-aged, 5′ 1″, with a 27” inseam. Size 2 petite fits me like a glove with no need to hem them! I recently wore my Sahara Convertible Pants while on a backpacking trip in McCarthy, Alaska. They were ideal to wear while hiking across the Root Glacier. The pants kept me comfortable and protected me from the fluctuating elements while allowing for agility and flexibility throughout the glacier camping trip.”

On Instagram, Amanda (@amanda.tuey) messaged me to say “I have big hips/thighs (size 10-14). I find pants generally are tight in my hips/thighs and loose in my waist. The Sahara Pants fit me well as they have adjustments in the waist and legs. I found the zipper in other convertible pants would dig in, but these don’t do that.”

The REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants are my pick for the best petite women’s hiking pants as they get consistently good reviews amongst petite women. With a 28.5″ inseam and a rise adjusted for petite women’s shorter torsos, they provide the best fit.

The Sahara pants are also my pick for the best zip-off convertible women’s hiking pants. Reviewers found that the zippers didn’t dig in and were easy to use. They also liked the mid-length inseam on the shorts (6.75″ in petite, 7.5″ in regular; 8.5″ in tall).

Check prices:

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants

Best Tall Women’s Hiking Pants (More tall recommendations)

Also great for: Petite women, plus size women, curvy women, durability, zip-off convertible pants

Pros: Durability; available in tall sizes, great fit for curvy figures

Cons: Stretch-out on long trips (but tighten up after washing)

Fabric: Quick-drying, water-resistant nylon and spandex stretch woven with UPF 50+ sun protection

Features: Zippered fly with internal drawcord and brushed waistband, lots of pockets, drawcord hem

Fit: Standard fit with articulated knees

Sizes: 0-24 in short, regular, and tall lengths. There is also a convertible version.

Carrie from Trains, Planes and Tuktuks says “I hiked and backpacked over 1,200 miles last year – and almost every step I took, I wore Outdoor Research’s Ferrosi pants. They’re lightweight, insanely breathable, and dry literally within minutes. They’re my go-to pants for everything from backpacking on the Appalachian Trail to creek walks and bushwhacks to remote waterfalls. As a stubby-legged woman, the 4 short fits me perfectly – it’s the only pair of outdoor pants I own that doesn’t run too long. Plus the button/drawstring combo means I never have to wear a belt, even at the end of a 100-mile backpacking trip when I’ve dropped a few pounds.”

Lots of other women on Instagram and Facebook raved about how well these pants fit their curvy figures and accommodated people who have a small waist and bigger butt.

The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants are my pick for the best tall women’s hiking pants because multiple women reached out to me on Instagram to recommend the Outdoor Research Ferrossi pants since they come in a 34″ inseam.

Check prices:

Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

Best Curvy Women’s Hiking Pants (More curvy recommendations)

Best High-Waist Women’s Hiking Pants (More high-waist recommendations)

Also great for: petite women, tall women, plus size women, hiking pants with a phone pocket

Pros: Great fit for lots of body types, big pockets, often on sale

Cons: Stretches out over time

Fabric: Nylon with a bit of spandex for stretch, a water-resistant DWR finish and UPF 50+ sun protection

Features: Two zippered cargo pockets are large enough to fit your phone

Fit: Curvy fit through hip and thigh. Regular version is mid-rise, but a high-rise version that sits at the natural waist is also available.

Sizes: 0-24 with some sizes available in petite and tall lengths.

Kiran Basra (@bkazra on Instagram) says: “Eddie Bauer’s Guide Pro Pants are pretty good. I run warm so I appreciate how breathable and light they are. They also fit people with hips! Hip, hip, hooray! Expect the downside is they tend to stretch out, so now the waist is quite loose and I could use a belt.”

When I asked for recommendations on Instagram, lots of women messaged me to say how much they loved these pants. The through-line in their responses was how much they liked the fit – and the comments were about so many different body types since they have tall, petite, and plus sizes as well as a high-rise option.

I own the shorts version of these and like how they fit my curvy waist. I also love the big side pockets, which fit my phone.

The Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants are my pick for the best curvy women’s hiking pants. I can personally attest to their great fit for women who have big hips. And hundreds of reviewers agree.

Since they come in a dedicated high-waist version with great reviews, these are also my pick for the best high-waist women’s hiking pants.

Check prices:

The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants

Best Elastic Waist Women’s Hiking Pants (More elastic waist recommendations)

Also great for: petite women, plus size women, curvy women, lightweight hiking pants

Pros: Comfortable waist, breathable fabric, great fit for curvy bodies

Cons: Tend to run long, even in short length

Fabric: Quick-drying nylon stretch with water-resistant DWR finish and UPF 40+ sun protection

Features: Rib knit elastic waist with drawcord, zippered pockets, drawcord adjustable cuffs

Fit: Standard fit, straight leg with articulated knees

Sizes: XXS-3XL in short and regular lengths

Jody Phifer from My Travel Obsession says “The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 pants are one of the most comfortable pairs of pants I own (including pajama pants). These pants dry super-fast and are thin enough to wear in warm, humid climates. This came in handy when we were hiking in the rain on Kauai! I have a small waist and bigger hips. These pants fit great because they have a drawstring to cinch up the waist & they are a little stretchy, so they will work for just about any body type. I also like the straight leg because they fit well over hiking boots.”

I agree with Jody – I also have a pair of TNF Aphrodite 2.0 Pants. They work well for my curvy, plus-sized figure. And since they don’t look that technical, I also love them as casual pants for travelling.

I think that the elastic waist on these is so comfortable, and lots of reviewers agree, which is why The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants are my pick for the best elastic waist women’s hiking pants.

Check prices:

prAna Halle Pant II

Best Jogger Hiking Pants (More jogger recommendations)

Also great for: petite women, tall women, plus size women, curvy women, hiking pants that roll-up into capris

Pros: Comfortable, stretchy fabric, good fit for curvy women

Cons: Pockets are too small, inseam in regular and tall sizes runs short

Fabric: Nylon stretch with a water-resistant DWR finish and UPF 50+ sun protection

Features: Zippered fly with internal drawstring, lots of pockets, snaps to roll up into capri length

Fit: Mid-rise with a boot cut

Sizes: 00-22 in short, regular, and tall lengths. Also available in straight-leg and jogger cuts.

Chelsea from Adventures of Chels says: “As a 5’4 woman with an average body type, these pants fit me like a glove. They’re comfortable, made of quick dry material, and (my favorite part) can be rolled up at the bottom and secured with a snap to create capris pants. I packed these pants for a trip on the Trans Siberian Railway. They came in handy for hiking up dunes, riding on camels, and exploring rock formations in the Gobi Desert.”

Melissa on Instagram says: “I love these pants. I wear size 12 and have large hips. They have a bit of stretch so they are very comfortable, and that along with the articulated knees is great for hiking/scrambling. They are durable too – I still have my first pair from 2014. I also like that water beads off them.”

The prAna Halle II Pants are an all-around favourite for so many people. Lots of women also love the jogger version for a less technical-looking fit that translates well to travel or apres, which is why they are my pick for the best women’s jogger hiking pants.

Check Prices:

ArcTeryx Gamma LT Pants

Best Splurge Hiking Pants (More splurge recommendations)

Also great for: petite women, tall women, durability, hiking pants with a phone pocket

Pros: Great water resistance, stretch, and durability. Thigh pocket fits a phone.

Cons: Expensive, stretch out over time, slim cut is not for everyone

Fabric: nylon and spandex stretch woven softshell with a water-resistant DWR finish and a bit of wind resistance

Features: Zippered fly with integrated webbing waistbelt, zippered hand pocket, adjustable cuffs

Fit: Fitted and close to the body with a straight leg

Sizes: 00 to 16 in short, regular and tall lengths

Dinah from my Facebook group, Backpacking in BC says: “They feel so comfortable and are light and airy. I’m 5 ‘1” with big thighs, butt and calves, and I purchased the short length in size 8. Wore then backpacking the Juan de Fuca Trail and it was so muddy. They dried quickly and they didn’t seem to hold on to the mud. Love them so much I’m gonna get them in more colours! LOL”

A few other women on Instagram and Facebook praised the durable fabric and big zippered pocket that fits a phone.

Like all Arc’Teryx products, the Gamma LT Pants certainly aren’t cheap. But the durable fabric and impeccable design make them my pick for the best splurge women’s hiking pants.

Check prices:

Mountain Hardwear Dynama/2 Pants

Best Women’s Hiking Pants with a Phone Pocket (More pants with a phone pocket recommendations)

Best Lightweight Women’s Hiking Pants (More lightweight recommendations)

Also great for: plus size women, jogger hiking pants, elastic-waist hiking pants, high-waist hiking pants

Pros: Comfortable, elastic waistband; stretchy lightweight material; pocket holds a phone

Cons: Some reviewers feel they run big and are too baggy, others don’t like the low rise

Fabric: Stretchy nylon and spandex with a water-resistant DWR finish, anti-odor treatment, and UPF50 sun protection

Features: Wide and flat stretch waistband, lots of pockets

Fit: Standard fit with a mid-rise that is on the low side. Available in a straight leg version, a jogger version, an ankle version, and a high-waist version.

Sizes: XS-3X. The straight leg version is available in petite and tall lengths.

Kristen from Bearfoot Theory says: “The Mountain Hardwear Dynama/2 Ankle Pants have been a staple of mine for hiking and backpacking trips for a few years now. They are lightweight and super comfortable due to the soft, wide waistband and loose fit. I’m curvy up top and have thinner legs so these are a bit baggier on me than they might be for others. They pack down small making them easy to bring along on any adventure. I also love that these pants have just the right amount of stretch for easy mobility but are also plenty durable. I most recently wore these on a 6-day backpacking trip in Sequoia National Park and they held up very well. Plus they have hand pockets, are UPF 50, and water-resistant.”

When I asked for women’s hiking pant recommendations on Instagram, a few people reached out to say how much they loved the Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants. Most mentioned how much they liked the smooth elastic waistband that is much more comfortable under a hip belt than a traditional zippered fly.

A few people also mentioned that the fabric was thin and breathable, so they felt cool. As well, they didn’t smell after a few days in the backcountry. That’s why they are my pick for the best lightweight women’s hiking pants. (Psst! Read my guide to getting the smell out of hiking clothes.)

The big zippered pocket that fits a phone was also a big selling feature – so many women’s hiking pants have tiny pockets! The Mountain Hardwear Dynama2/Ankle Pants are my pick for the best women’s hiking pants with a phone pocket.

Check price: $85

Kuhl Freeflex Roll-Up Pants

Best Women’s Hiking Pants That Roll-up Into Capris (More roll-up into capri recommendations)

Also great for: petite women, tall women, curvy women

Pros: Soft, comfortable fabric that dries quickly

Cons: Small pockets don’t fit a phone, some reviewers find the waist too low-rise

Fabric: stretchy and soft polyester with a water-resistant finish and UPF 50+ sun protection

Features: Zippered fly, snap-closure cargo pockets, roll-up to convert to capris

Fit: Mid-rise at the front, contouring to a high rise at the back. Fitted through hip and thigh, relaxed lower leg

Sizes: 0-16 in 30″, 32″, and 34″ inseams

In my Backpacking in BC Facebook group, Naomi said “I recently bought a pair of Kuhl Freelex Roll-Up Pants. They are perfect for hiking and kayaking. I am 5’10” and I have a 34” inseam. I wear a size 8-10. Finding pants that are long enough but not oversized has been an issue my entire life.”

I also have the Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up pants and love how soft the fabric feels while also being durable. I also like how easy it is to roll these up into capris – which makes them my pick in that category.

Check prices:

Fjallraven Abisko Trail Trekking Trousers

Best Durable Women’s Hiking Pants (More durable recommendations)

Also good for: curvy women, splurge, petite

Pros: durable fabric that breathes, big pockets

Cons: heavy, expensive

Fabric: Stretchy nylon and elastane with Fjallraven’s super durable and water-resistant G-1000 polyester/cotton fabric in high-wear areas.

Features: Ventilation zippers from hips to knees; lots of pockets; adjustable cuffs with boot hooks

Fit: Mid-rise with higher cut in the back, tapered legs, technical cut

Sizes: 26″-37″ waist and 30″ or 32″ inseam

Hannah from That Adventurer says “As someone with a slightly bigger waist-thigh ratio, I often find it tricky to get pants that I can get past my thighs that aren’t super loose on my waist. The Fjällräven Abisko trekking pants have a stretchy fabric that’s both perfect for people with a bigger hip/thigh yet isn’t then too loose on the waist. Plus there a belt loops so you can add a belt if needed. With many years living in BC and more recently hiking in the Lofoten Islands in Norway and Scotland, the water resistance and windproof factors are very valuable to me and make them my favourite hiking pant over leggings for sure! Plus, there are large pockets (some with zips) which are great for snacks!”

Fjallraven’s gear all has traditional Scandinavian styling, which lasts a long time. That’s why the Abisko Trail pants are my picks for the most durable women’s hiking pants.

Check prices:

Best Women’s Hiking Pants by Type

Best Petite Womens Hiking Pants

REI Co-op Sahara (28.5″ inseam)

More Petite Women’s Hiking Pants:

• Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants (29″ inseam)
• prAna Halle II Pants (30″ inseam)
• Arc’Teryx Gamma LT Pants (29″ inseam)
• Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants (29″ inseam)
• Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up Pants (30″ inseam)
• Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants (30″ inseam)
• Fjallraven Abisko Lite Trousers (30″ inseam)

Best Tall Womens Hiking Pants

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants (34″ inseam)

More tall women’s hiking pants:

• REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants (34″ inseam)
• prAna Halle II Pants (34″ inseam)
• Arc’Teryx Gamma LT Pants (34″ inseam)
• Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants (35″ inseam)
• Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up Pants (34″ inseam)
• Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants (34″ inseam)

Best Plus Size Womens Hiking Pants

REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants (sizes 0-26)

More plus size women’s hiking pants:

• Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants (sizes 0-24)
• prAna Halle II Pants (sizes 00-22)
• The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants (sizes XXS-3XL)
• Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants (sizes XS-3XL)
• Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants (sizes 0-24)

Best Curvy Womens Hiking Pants

Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

More Curvy Women’s Hiking Pants:

• REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants
• Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants
• prAna Halle II Pants
• The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants
• Kuhl Freeflex Roll-Up Pants
• Fjallraven Abisko Lite Trekking Trousers

Best High-Waist Womens Hiking Pants

Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

More High-Waist Women’s Hiking Pants: Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants

Best Elastic-Waist Womens Hiking Pants

The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants

More Elastic Waist Women’s Hiking Pants: Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants

Best Zip-Off Convertible Womens Hiking Pants

REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

More Zip-Off Convertible Women’s Hiking Pants: Outdoor Research Ferrosi Convertible Pants

Best Womens Hiking Pants That Roll-Up Into Capris

Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up Pants

More women’s hiking pants that roll into capris:

• prAna Halle II Pants

Best Womens Hiking Pants With a Phone Pocket

Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants

More Best women’s hiking pants with a phone pocket:

• Arc’Teryx Gamma LT Pants
• Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants
• Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

Best Womens Jogger Hiking Pants

prAna Halle II Joggers

More Women’s Jogger Hiking Pants: Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants

More Best Lightweight Womens Hiking Pants

Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants

More Lightweight Women’s Hiking Pants: The North Face Aphrodite 2.0

Best Durable Womens Hiking Pants

Fjallraven Abisko Lite Trekking Trousers

More Durable Women’s Hiking Pants: Arc’Teryx Gamma LT Pants

Best Budget Women’s Hiking Pants

REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

Best Splurge Womens Hiking Pants

Arc’Teryx Gamma LT Pants

More Splurge Women’s Hiking Pants: Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Trousers

Hiking Pants vs Hiking Leggings – What’s the Difference?

For a long time, most running or workout leggings weren’t durable enough for hiking, so hikers had to wear pants. However, that changed a few years ago.

Now, you can buy leggings specifically designed for hiking with durable fabrics and a fit designed for the trail. Some of them even have great pockets. Check out my hiking leggings guide for all the details.

Whether you choose to hike in pants or leggings comes down to personal preference for fit and features. Here’s a brief look at hiking pants vs. leggings

How To Choose Hiking Pants

Not all hiking pants are created equal. Here are a few things to keep in mind while you shop for hiking pants.

Fit

Fit is the most important factor to keep in mind when choosing hiking pants. If your pants are falling down or rubbing you in a weird way, you won’t have a good hike. On a multi-day trip, this can slow you down or cause painful chafing and rashes.

Read reviews and look for hiking pants designed for your body type. Many brands make pants in petite and tall lengths, as well as plus sizes. Some also have both a curvy and straight fit.

Expect to try on a few pairs of hiking pants before you find the perfect ones. Go to a good outdoor store with a wide selection. Or order a bunch to try on at home.

When you try on hiking pants, be sure to walk around in them and see how they feel. Do some squats and lunges. And try climbing up onto a bench or chair. You want to make sure they are comfortable doing all sorts of movements.

Fabric

Most hiking pants are made of woven nylon or polyester with spandex or elastane for stretch. The stretch means that the pants move well as you hike or scramble. But too much spandex can mean that the pants get saggy and stretch out between washes.

Nylon and polyester are durable, moisture-wicking and fairly breathable. However, more durable pants are usually thicker, which means they will be less breathable.

Hiking pants usually have a DWR finish applied to add water resistance. This means that splashes of water will bead up and run off and that they dry quickly. It doesn’t mean they will keep you dry in a rain storm – you need waterproof rain pants for that.

Some hiking pants have an additional odor-resistant treatment. On their own, nylon and especially polyester can hold on to smells. This can be a problem on backpacking trips. (Have stinky pants? Read my guide to getting smells out of hiking clothing.)

Most hiking pants provide good sun protection due to the durable fabric. Some brands chose to have their pants certified to get a UPF sun protection rating. But even unrated pants should offer good sun protection.

Waistband

The most important place that hiking pants should fit is your waist. Make sure they aren’t too tight or too loose. And make sure that the rise works for you – some people and body types find that a high rise or low rise works better for them.

There are two main types of waistbands – elastic and adjustable. Elastic waists sit flat under your hip belt and don’t have any buttons, zippers, buckles, or drawstrings to chafe. However, pants with elastic waists often come in small-medium-large-etc. sizes rather than numerical sizes, which means it can be harder to find the right fit.

An adjustable waist is helpful for a precise fit. It is especially useful on multi-day hikes where your pants might stretch out with multiple wears between washes. Most hiking pants have a standard zippered fly and belt loops.

However, many pants also add an internal drawstring so you can cinch them without a belt. A few hiking pants have a built-in belt or even a hook and ladder adjustment system.

Pockets

Like most women’s pants, women’s hiking pants often have terrible and tiny pockets. If you have been hiking awhile, you likely have a system for where you carry things and have an idea of what kind of pockets you are looking for.

I typically don’t carry much in my hiking pants pockets since not much fits in there! I want to make sure I have enough room for lip balm, and that’s it. My phone and snacks go in the hip belt pockets in my backpack to hold my phone and snacks.

Read reviews of pockets carefully and bring the things you want to store in them with you when you try on the pants. Be sure to walk, bend, and stretch to see if the pockets actually work when you’re moving. Sometimes stuff falls out or the fit is too tight.

Do You Want Convertible Pants?

Hiking pants often come in a convertible version with zip-off legs. And some hiking pants have buttons, snaps, or tabs to roll them up into capris. Whether you will like or use these features comes down to fit and personal preference.

Zip-off pants are great if you don’t want to carry both shorts and pants on the same trip. However, the zip off aspect can be hard to get right. For some women, the length of the zip-off shorts is too short or too long for what they prefer.

As well, sometimes the zippers can chafe or rub your thighs. I’ve never found a pair of women’s zip-off hiking pants that work for me!

A feature that lets you roll or cinch up the pants into capris can be a nice feature. But you can roll up any pants and they usually stay put – you don’t need the added fastener to keep them there.

Final Thoughts

I hope this post helped you find some hiking pants for women that will work for your body, whether it is petite, tall, plus-size, or curvy. If you have questions or other hiking pants to recommend, leave them in the comments.

MORE WOMEN’S GEAR POSTS:

• 19 Best Hiking Leggings
• How to Get the Smell Out of Hiking Clothes
• Best Hiking Underwear For Women and Men
• Which Women’s Specific Hiking Gear is Actually Worth Buying?
• How to Camp and Hike on Your Period

The post Best Women’s Hiking Pants (Picks for Every Body Type) appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I’m a plus size hiker and it’s a struggle to find things that fit me. In this article, I’ll give you the low down on where to find women’s plus size hiking clothes in sizes up to size 22 and 3X. It includes a list of the best plus size hiking clothing brands and tips on where to buy them.

While there are a few niche and cottage brands, unfortunately they seem to crop up and then go out of business regularly – it’s a tough industry. While I encourage you to support niche brands, especially in the plus size space, in this post, I’m going to focus on brands that are widely available.

Hey there: Some of the brands mentioned in this article sent me clothing to try. You will find only my honest opinion below. As well, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

What Sizes are Plus Size?

In general, sizes larger than size 12 are considered plus size in the outdoor industry. Some brands may carry up to a size 16. Traditionally, most hiking clothing companies have not made apparel in size 18 or larger.

However, a few companies now recognize that plus sizes make up a huge part of the clothing market. From what I’ve read, nearly 70% of American women wear a size 14 or larger so it makes sense that outdoor brands are beginning to offer clothing in extended sizes. This is in part because of the work of plus size outdoor activists like Mirna Valerio, Fat Girls Hiking, and Unlikely Hikers.

I want to be clear that I recognize that as a size 16 to 18, I still hold a lot of privilege in the plus size community. Many companies make hiking clothes in my size. The fit and style may sometimes suck, but at least my size is offered.

Active Wear Isn’t Designed for Hiking

In this article, I’m going to focus mainly on brands and companies that make plus size women’s clothing designed specifically for hiking. There are lots of places to source plus size activewear, from big box stores like Walmart and Old Navy to niche small businesses.

Thankfully, it’s much less challenging (although still not easy) to find plus size leggings and quick dry tops, mostly designed for working out or yoga.

Active wear pieces work fine for casual hikes, but they will rip on sharp rocks or pointy branches. And for all-weather hiking you will need base layers, a waterproof rainjacket and warm layers made of fleece, down, or synthetic insulation. And it’s MUCH more difficult to find those in plus sizes.

So that’s what I’m going to focus on here: a list of brands that make quality women’s plus size hiking clothes and info on where to find them.

Just a quick note: I recognize that hiking clothing can be expensive. But it doesn’t have to be! Check out my tips for saving money on hiking gear.

The Best Women’s Plus Size Hiking Clothing Brands

REI

In 2017, REI committed to offering more sizes in an effort to fit more women. Since then, they have had a dedicated plus size section on their site that usually includes over 1000 items of clothing from lots of different brands in sizes up to 26/5XL.

They also offer over 100 plus size items in their own REI Co-op brand including everything from hiking pants to rain jackets to quick dry shirts to base layers in sizes up to 5XL

For the full selection, you’ll have to shop online, but some of their larger stores do have a good plus size selection. Every time I’m in Seattle, I go to the giant downtown REI store. I’ve found great plus size hiking shorts there, as well as long-sleeved trekking shirts.

MEC

If you’re in Canada, MEC is probably your best bet for women’s plus size hiking clothing. They have been quietly expanding their assortment from a few different brands.

They used to just carry up to a size 14 or XL in most things, but in the last few years they’ve added a LOT of styles in size 16, 18 and XXL and a few up to size 4XL. However, most things over size 16 are online only. They’ve also started to offer a bigger size range in their house MEC brand.

Outdoor Research

Outdoor Research launched a huge extended size collection in 2021 with input from plus size outdoor influencers including Sam Ortiz and Kaila Walton. And unlike some brands that started offering plus size and then scaled back production, OR has kept making plus sizes every year since then.

Their range is available up to size 3X and up to 24W. They are also committed to charging the same price for all sizes, which is great.

They make all kinds of technical clothing in plus sizes, including the popular Echo sun hoodie – one of my favourite sun hoodies.

prAna

prAna used to make quite a few plus size styles, but in the last few years they have scaled back their extended size collection.

I’ve been a fan of their Halle pants for hiking for years. They used to stop at size 16 but now they are available up to size 22 as well! Find them on my list of the best women’s hiking pants.

Patagonia

After years of offering a pretty small range of sizes, Patagonia has quietly launched an extended size collection with sizes up 3XL. I have the Capilene Cool Daily Hoody, which I wear as a sun shirt – the fit is great.

Smartwool

If you’re looking for cozy warm base layers, Smartwool makes awesome ones made of moisture-wicking and antimicrobial merino wool. They offer plus sizes in a few of their styles up to size 3XL.

Their patterns are really cute too! I love my snowflake-patterned long underwear! I also love their merino wool hiking tops.

Columbia

Columbia is a great source for women’s plus size hiking clothes with over 200 items in their collection! S

Columbia has everything from rain jackets to snow pants to hiking shirts in extended sizes. Compared to some other brands, their clothing is pretty reasonably priced too.

The North Face

The North Face has an extended size range that includes jackets, tops, and pants in sizes up to 3X.

I have their Aphrodite Motion 2.0 Capris. They are meant for hiking, but I love them for travel too since they look a bit more like casual pants. They are stretchy and they breathe really well. I wore them a LOT during my trip to Australia. They are on my list of the best women’s hiking pants.

Helly Hansen

Scandinavian sailing brand Helly Hansen also makes great hiking clothing. They have a plus size collection that includes rain jackets, base layers, fleece, and ski clothing. I have the Helly Hansen Daybreaker Fleee. It’s a great basic.

Eddie Bauer

While Eddie Bauer makes lots of great casual clothing, they also have a huge selection of plus sized hiking clothing. So far I’ve tried their Trail Tight leggings, Guide Pro shorts, and the MicroTherm down jacket and love them all.

Athleta

Athleta is The Gap’s athletic apparel brand. They have a huge selection of clothing available up to size 3X. They make lots of work out clothing, but they also make great hiking pants and fleeces.

My favourite winter hiking tights are their Altitude Stash Tights are my favourite. (They made my list of the best hiking leggings.)

The Best Plus Size Hiking Gear Brands

Gregory

Gregory has been making backpacks since 1977. A few years ago they a launched a series of plus size backpacks. They have shoulder straps and hipbelts that are designed to fit bigger bodies. The packs also have lots of adjustability since people’s bodies come in lots of different proportions. The plus size collection includes both day packs and backpacking packs.

Osprey

Osprey also makes a handful of plus size packs as part of their extended size collection. They offer a few day packs, backpacking packs, and waist packs with lots of adjustability, longer straps, and repositioned pockets.

Marmot

While they aren’t labelled as plus-size, Marmot makes lots of plus-size-friendly sleeping bags. Just look for their sleeping bags available in “wide” sizes – they have a few extra inches around the hips and shoulders to fit bigger bodies.

REI

In addition to making lots of plus size clothes, REI also makes plus size sleeping bags. Their popular Magma sleeping bags, along with a few other models, come in wide sizes that will fit most plus size people.

Plus Size Sleeping Pads

While you won’t find them labelled as plus-size, many brands make plus-size-friendly sleeping pads. Look for pads labelled as wide or long. In general, look for pads that are over 22″ wide.

A few brands to consider are NEMO, Therm-a-Rest, Big Agnes, and Sea to Summit. I love my long and wide Sea to Summit Ether Light XT pad.

Final Thoughts

So there’s my list of the best places to find plus size hiking clothes for women. I hope you find it helpful. If you have a women’s plus size hiking clothes brand to recommend, please tell me in the comments. I’d love to add more resources to this list!

READ NEXT: MORE ADVICE FOR FEMALE HIKERS

• Which Women’s Hiking Gear is Actually Worth Buying? (and which can you buy unisex?)
• 12 Best Women’s Hiking Pants (Picks for Every Body Type)
• How to Camp and Hike on Your Period
• Best Hiking Underwear For Women and Men
• 17 Ways to Save Money on Hiking Gear
• 18 Best Hiking Leggings

The post Where to Find Women’s Plus Size Hiking Clothes and Gear appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I started out as a Leave No Trace Trainer back in 2006. In 2019, I got certified as a Leave No Trace Master Educator (now called a Level 2 Instructor). In this post I’ll help you understand the basics of Leave No Trace including:

• What is Leave No Trace? What does it mean?
• Why is Leave No Trace important?
• The 7 principles of Leave No Trace and how to implement them

What is Leave No Trace?

After noticing increased impacts like trash and campfire scars on heavily used trails in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, the US Forest Service developed the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace in the 1960s. Since then, Leave No Trace (often shortened to LNT) has become a registered non-profit with chapters around the world.

The idea behind the principles is to leave nature as unchanged by our presence as possible, so that future generations can enjoy it too. In essence, the purpose of Leave No Trace is to keep the wilderness wild.

I’ve heard people dismiss the idea of Leave No Trace as pointless since it’s impossible not to leave tiny traces wherever we go. However, those people are missing the point – we are looking for progress, not perfection. The principles of Leave No Trace guide us to leave as little impact as we can.

Why is Leave No Trace Important?

As more and more people chose to hike and camp and camp in wilderness areas, lessening our impact is becoming more important. In many areas some trails are getting loved to death by large crowds, garbage and environmental damage. This was especially true during the pandemic.

I firmly believe that nature is for everyone. Both experienced outdoors-people and newbies deserve to experience the outdoors.

But in order for that to happen, we all need to learn a bit more about how to be responsible hikers and campers. Remember that we were all beginners once.

My Introduction to Leave No Trace

On one of my first backpacking trips I washed the crusty noodles out of my pot… into a tiny alpine stream. I was surprised when they just sank to the bottom instead of magically flowing away (like they would in my sink at home).

I knew I was doing it wrong… but I didn’t know what else to do.  It was an important moment for me. I realized that I didn’t know what I didn’t know.. and that I needed to learn more about how to treat the wilderness. I did some research and learned about the Leave No Trace principles.

Maybe you’ve had a similar a-ha moment. Did you see trash in a campsite? Were you concerned about overcrowding in a National Park? Did you come across unburied human poop?

We all start somewhere in our Leave No Trace journey. It’s ok to admit you didn’t know. But we can all take a bit of time to learn how to do better next time.

The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace

It’s important to know the seven principles of Leave No Trace. When I teach people about LNT, I find that the info sinks in better if they know the “why” and “how” behind each principle.

Remember that the 7 principles of Leave No Trace are not rules – they are guidelines that we can look to when we make decisions about how to behave outdoors.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

What Does Plan Ahead and Prepare Include: Research trail info, weather forecasts, park rules, and trail conditions before your hike.

Why: When you do some research before your hike, you are more likely to have a fun and SAFE hike. You will also minimize damage to nature.

How:

• Check the weather forecast and trail conditions to make sure you have the right gear and you are up to the challenges of the trail. (Read my guide to best weather apps for hikers.)
• Check local regulations to find out about closures, permits, fire regulations or other policies.
• Bring a first aid kit and the 10 essentials in case not everything goes according to plan.
• Avoid getting lost: bring a map and compass, a GPS and a trail description to stay on track.
• Repackage food to create less waste on the trail.

READ NEXT: 16 Things to do Before a Hike

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

What Does Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Mean? Hike and camp on durable surfaces like rocks, gravel, and snow.

Why: Some surface like alpine meadows, marshes and bogs are just too fragile to withstand much impact. The vegetation in those areas can take years to grow, and then be destroyed by a few boot-prints.

How:

• Stay on the trail to prevent trampling vegetation. Walk through mud, not around it to avoid widening the trail. Don’t cut corners on switchbacks since that causes erosion.
• In areas with no trails, spread out your tracks to spread out the impact and avoid creating a new trail.
• Camp in a designated campsites or ones that have been used before. Remember the best campsites are found, not made. (You don’t need to dig trenches or cut trees.)
• If there are no designated or previously used campsites, camp on gravel, bare dirt, snow or dry grass to minimize your impact.
• Try to camp at least 200ft/70 m from water sources. The plants by lakes and streams very fragile. Animals need to access water to drink and your presence may scare them off or cause conflict.

Dispose of Waste Properly

What Does Dispose of Waste Properly Mean? Pack out all garbage and food scraps. Learn how to poop and wash the Leave No Trace way.

Why: Animals who learn to eat people food or human waste may stop eating their natural food or may attack people. It can also make wildlife sick. Garbage, poop and soap can pollute water, making it unsafe to drink or killing plants and fish. Plus garbage and poop on the trails looks disgusting!

How:

• Pack out your trash, including fruit peels and eggshells. They can take months to biodegrade and in the meantime they attract animals. I like to say “It it doesn’t grow there, it doesn’t go there.”
• Never burn your trash in a campfire. Some materials don’t burn very well so you might leave a mess.
• Wash dishes and yourself in biodegradable soap using your largest pot as a sink. Strain out any large particles then dump your dirty dishwater 200ft/70m from a water source. (Just because soap is biodegradable doesn’t mean it’s good for fish or plants so it shouldn’t go directly into the water source.) Try going without soap – sometimes a wet cloth or a scrubber is all you need.
• When possible, use an outhouse or pit toilet.
• If you have to poop and there is no outhouse, pick a spot 200ft/70m away from trails, campsites and water sources. (This keeps water sources clean so people won’t get sick.) Use a small trowel, a tent peg or a stick to dig a hole 6″/15cm deep, then bury your poop.
• Pack out your menstrual supplies. Learn more about how to camp and hike with your period.
• Pack out your dog’s poop in a plastic bag or bury in it just like you would human poop. Wild animals like to eat dog poop but it is full of bacteria and parasites that they aren’t used to. (Get more Leave No Trace tips for hiking with dogs.)
• Bring a ziploc bag to pack out your used toilet paper. If you packing it out grosses you out, be sure to bury it with your poop.  Another alternative is to use natural TP like moss, leaves, rocks or snow. (Snow is particularly refreshing!)

Leave What You Find

What Does Leave What You Find Mean? Leave natural and historical items like flowers, rocks, pictographs, artefacts, etc. where you find them. Don’t move them or bring them home with you.

Why: Leaving the trail the way you found it lets others enjoy it too. It also keeps ecosystems intact.

How:

• Leave flowers, rocks and historical artifacts where nature put them. Take a photo and then leave them for others to enjoy. If we all picked a flower or brought home a rock, there wouldn’t be any left.
• Good campsites are found, not made. Avoid building structures, cutting trees or digging trenches.
• Graffiti is never acceptable. 
• Don’t build extra inukshuks, rock stacks or cairns unless they are necessary as trail markers. Building rock stacks can confuse hikers who might they are trail markers. (Did you know many insects and animals live under rocks? When you move them you destroy their homes.)

Minimize Campfire Impacts

What Does Minimize Campfire Impacts Mean? Plan to cook over a stove, not a fire. If you do build a campfire, learn how to minimize your impact.

Why: Campfires can have negative impacts. They damage the soil and can lead to excessive firewood harvesting in sensitive areas. Plus forest fires are pretty terrible.

How:

• Always bring a stove instead of planning to cook on a fire. It’s quicker, more fuel efficient and has less impact on the wilderness.
• Consider having a campfire-free night by using a small lantern instead.
• Check regulations before you go to find out if fires are allowed. Many areas have fire bans in place during dry spells or to protect sensitive ecosystems like the alpine or grasslands where fires are not appropriate due to fragile soils, short growing seasons for plants, the ease of wildfire spreading and/or a lack of firewood.
• If you do make a fire, use an existing fire ring and avoid building new ones.
• Keep your fire small.
• Use dead wood that is already on the ground to avoid harming trees. (It burns better too.) Choose small sticks that you can break up with your hands.
• Put your fire out completely when you are done.

Respect Wildlife

What Does Respect Wildlife Mean? Give animals some space, and make sure your dog does too. Don’t let animals have human food.

Why:  The wilderness is the animals’ home and it deserves respect. They need enough space to maintain their natural behaviour and may attack if provoked. Dogs love the outdoors too but their prey-drive means they may harass wildlife.

How:

• Never feed animals. Your human food isn’t healthy for them and if they develop a taste for human food, they may lose their ability to find food naturally. Some cute animals like squirrels and whiskey jacks have learned to beg for food. Don’t give in!
• Don’t let animals have access to your food. Never leave food unattended. When camping safely store your food for the night inside a food locker or bear canister or learn how to properly hang it in a tree.
• Observe animals from a respectful distance. Use binoculars or the zoom lens on your camera to get a better look.
• Keep your dog on a leash and under control so they don’t chase or bother wildlife. You might think that it’s not a big deal for your dog to chase a squirrel… but if they chase a bear both you and your dog might think it’s a big deal! Research local rules before you go to find out if dogs are allowed and if leashes are required. (Get more tips for Leaving No Trace with your dog.)

READ NEXT: Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

What Be Considerate of Other Visitors Mean? Keep the experience of other visitors in mind so that your actions don’t negatively impact someone else’s experience. Learn and follow trail and camp etiquette.

Why: We all need to share trails and campsites in order to let everyone experience the wilderness. Some people go hiking for fitness, others to socialize and others hike to spend time in nature. Respect the way that other people wish to experience the wilderness and try not to let your experience negatively impact theirs.

How:

• Yield to other users on the trail. Step off the trail to take breaks so you aren’t in someone’s way.
• Give other groups space at viewpoints or in camp. If there’s a popular photo spot, snap a few pics, then move aside so someone else can have their turn.
• Keep your voice low and avoid yelling. Keep your group together to avoid shouting back and forth. (You’re safer that way too.)
• Leave the music at home (or wear headphones if your life requires your own personal soundtrack). Most hikers and campers want to hear the sounds of nature, not music.
• Keep your group small to create less impact, take up less space and make less noise. A good guideline is no more than 8-10 people.

READ NEXT: 15 Ways to Avoid Crowded Hiking Trails

Final Thoughts

This is just a broad overview of how to Leave No Trace when hiking and camping. If you are interested in learning more about Leave No Trace you can visit leavenotrace.ca or lnt.org. On those sites you can also find listings for Leave No Trace awareness course providers in your area.

Keep Leave No Trace in mind when hiking and camp so we can all keep the wilderness wild.

READ NEXT:

• How to Leave No Trace With Dogs
• 16 Things to do Before a Hike
• Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers
• Tips for Safe Hiking in Wildfire Season
• The Best Weather Apps for Hiking

The post How to Leave No Trace (And Why it’s Important!) appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Some of my family is pretty outdoorsy (no surprise there), so I have some experience choosing gifts for hikers. I try to pick things that are high quality, fairly cheap and actually useful. Absolutely no gimmicks! No silly 6-in-1 gadgets! Because nothing is worse than getting stuff you don’t need and will never use. (And it’s so bad for the planet too.)

So here’s my list of stocking stuffers for hikers under $25. They’re all totally useful and I think every hiker would be happy to find these things in their stocking on Christmas morning.

Note for Canadians: Everything on this list is under $25 USD… which means a few things are over $25 CAD. Sorry, I tried.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Mini Thermometer

Mountain weather is notoriously fickle. While you can’t change it, you can at least measure it. I often bring along a mini thermometer to check the temperature so I can see if it is actually excruciatingly cold… or if I’m just being a wimp.

Check prices:

Upgrade pick: A few years ago I got the Thermoworks ThermoDrop thermometer. It’s a tiny instant-read digital thermometer. It’s a higher end option, but it’s still under $25.

But the real reason a thermometer is a game changer is because it records the highest and lowest temperature since the last time it was turned off. I use this feature to assess whether the gear I brought was optimal for the conditions. This tiny thermometer made my list of my favourite gear of 2022.

Check prices:

Signal Whistle

As soon as I get a new backpack, I pick up a Fox 40 Classic Whistle to attach the shoulder strap. They’re super loud, come in lots of colors and cost only a few bucks.

A signal whistle is a super simple safety device you can use to call for help in an emergency. (And it’s actually part of the 10 Essentials – things you should bring on every hike.)

Did you know: this tiny whistle is was invented in Canada and is still made by a Canadian company? It’s on my list of the best Canadian hiking gear gifts.

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Goodr Sunglasses

I’ve been wearing Goodr sunglasses for the last few years. (They made my list of my favourite gear of 2023.) So far I’ve been really impressed. They are durable, have polarized lenses, and stay on my face even when I’m sweating a ton. I’m shocked that they are only $25!

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Wool-Blend Hiking socks

Quality hiking socks can be the difference between happy feet and horrible blister-covered feet. (Trust me. I’ve been there. It’s not pretty.) Durable, wool-blend hiking socks are the answer, and every hiker will be happy to add another pair to their collection.

I love Smartwool socks. My favourites are the Smartwool Run Targeted Cushion socks. They’re actually designed for trail running, so they are made with thin merino wool that doesn’t make me overheat and has never given me blisters.

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Tenacious Tape

Old-school hikers carry duct tape. New-school hikers carry Tenacious Tape. It sticks to pretty much everything (including silnylon) and doesn’t leave a sticky mess like duct tape does.

I’ve used it to repair down jackets, sleeping bags and tent flies on hikes. I always carry a small roll of it on trips and I think it makes a unique stocking stuffer for hikers.

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Mini-Size Travel Towel

I don’t go anywhere without a mini-size quick-dry microfibre towel. There’s great for wiping sweat off my brow, drying my feet after creek crossings, washing camp dishes and so much more. I like the PackTowl Personal Towel in the Face Cloth size.

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Kula Cloth

If you squat to pee and haven’t tried a pee cloth, you’re missing out. Kula Cloths are a reusable and hygienic alternative to toilet paper.

This simple square of fabric is absorbent and anti-microbial on one side and waterproof on the other side. It folds in half to keep the dirty side contained and clips to your pack.

I’ve been using these for years and recommend them to everyone. Plus they are made by a small, women-owned company.

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Collapsible Water bottle

Sometimes you just need to carry extra water, but you don’t want the weight of another bottle when it’s empty. Enter the collapsible bottle.

I love these Platypus SoftBottles since they weigh almost nothing and roll up small when I’m not using them. Plus they come in fun colours so they are a great option for stocking stuffers for hikers.

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Cork Massage Ball

Like a lot of hikers, I frequently have sore and tight muscles. Stretching helps, but using trigger point massage to target my tight calves and glutes has been revoluntionary for me.

At home I use a bulky foam roller. But when I’m backpacking or camping I bring a tiny cork massage ball. It’s super light, but firm enough to really dig in to tight spots.

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Electrolyte Drinks

Sometimes water alone just isn’t enough. I like to bring electrolyte mix on long hikes to help prevent dehydration. Plus they make your water taste better. My favourites electrolyte is Nuun. It comes in dissolvable tablets that are way less messy than powders.

Lately I’ve also been loving Liquid IV since some of their flavours use real sugar – sometimes artificial or alternative sweeteners don’t agree with me.

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Fun Hiking Snacks

Trail mix is so 10 years ago (although it still tastes pretty good). These days there are tons of weird and wonderful hiking snacks on the market. Surprise the hiker on your list with a fun snack they’ve never tried before.

Some fun ideas: astronaut ice cream, freeze dried fruit, stroop waffles, peanut butter squeeze tubes, olives in a snack-sized pouch, or high end jerky. (And please skip the gas station jerky, it’s terrible).

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Buff

Fabric tube scarves, often known as Buffs are pretty awesome. You can wear it as a scarf, a hat, an ear warmer, a headband, a balaclava and more. I take one on all my trips – in the winter I bring a wool one, in the summer a wicking lightweight polyester one.

They also come in all kinds of colours and patterns so it’s easy to find one that your loved one with appreciate.

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Pocket knife

Every hiker needs a good basic knife. It doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. Opinel’s inexpensive single blade knives have had the same simple design for decades. They’re great quality, compact and lightweight. Plus they their classic wood-handled design is pretty cool too.

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Instant coffee

Just because you’re backpacking doesn’t mean you need to go without coffee. Grocery store instant coffee is gross. Thankfully a few companies have solved that problem. My favourite is Alpine Start Coffee. They also have an instant latte that includes coconut creamer.

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Spork

You don’t need to pack both a fork and a spoon when you can pack a spork instead. I like the fancy titanium sporks from Snow Peak since they save weight in my pack. I have a blue one and my husband has a green one so we always know whose is whose.

If the hiker on your lists eats directly out of freeze-dried backpacking food bags all the time, get them a long spork. The extra length makes it easy to reach all the way down into the corners of the bag.

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Rope Tightening Caribiners

Getting a taut pitch on a tarp can be hard – it requires lots of adjusting and knot-tying. I started using the Nite Ize Figure 9 caribiners with rope tighteners on the ends a few years ago. OMG. So. Much. Easier.

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Sunscreen Stick

It’s easy to get sunburned while hiking but it can be tough to remember to reapply on the go. I like the portable convenience of a tiny sunscreen stick. You can keep it in your pocket and quickly rub it on your nose and cheeks without getting your hands all sticky. Sun Bum makes a great SPF 30 stick that is water resistant and designed for the face.

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GoToob Bottles

These little GoToob bottles are great at carrying pretty much anything and come in a bunch of sizes. And they don’t leak! I’ve used mine to carry pesto sauce, sun screen, olive oil, shampoo, peanut butter and more. They’re great for hiking, backpacking or travel.

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Mini Condiment Packets

Every time I get take out or fast food, I save the mini packets of condiments. I bring them backpacking to add to my meals. Be a hero and order a whole bunch of packets to put in your hiker’s stocking. Popular choices: hot sauce, mayonnaise, peanut butter, or soy sauce.

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Blister Bandages

Unfortunately, blisters happen (despite our best efforts to prevent them). Every hiker needs some blister bandages in their first aid kit, so add some to their Christmas stocking. My favorite are the Band-Aid ones.

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Pot Scraper

Nobody loves doing camping dishes, especially on backpacking trips. I’ve owned this tiny GSI pot scraper for years and despite its small size, it make a big difference. One side is hard to scrape up stuck on food while the other is soft like a spatula to wipe surfaces clean.

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Water Treatment Tablets

What happens if you run out of water on a hike? Is the water safe to drink? (Hint: probably not.) I keep some emergency water treatment tablets in my first aid kit just in case. These aren’t most exciting of the options for stocking stuffers for hikers, but they are super practical. 

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Foam Earplugs

Backcountry camping isn’t always quiet. Sometimes your tent-mate snores, the group across the way parties too late or those damn frogs croak all night. I always bring a pair of foam earplugs camping. They help me get a good night’s sleep.

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Upgrade pick: Last year I got a pair of Loop Quiet earplugs. They use silicone tips like the ones you get with earbuds and I find them so much more comfortable to sleep in that foam ear plugs. They are a few dollars more than the $25, but they are worth it!

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Rainwear Waterproofing Treatment

Every hiker owns a rain jacket, and every rain jacket needs re-waterproofing every year or two. I like Nikwax TX.Direct. It’s an easy to use wash-in and one bottle is enough to treat a few jackets. (My post about why rain jackets wet out explains how important re-waterproofing is!)

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Energy Bars

Grocery store granola bars are packed with sugar and not much else. Quality energy bars make great stocking stuffers for hikers. There are tons out there to suit every palette. (One year I put 10 different peanut butter flavoured bars in my Dad’s stocking so he could do a taste test. He LOVES peanut butter.)

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Handwarmers

Are you stuffing the stocking of a hiker with cold hands? Tuck some handwarmers into their stocking. They can make a big difference on cold days.

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Reusable Silicone Bags

I love these Stasher reusable silicone bags carrying snacks and keeping small items dry and organized. They’re a bit beefier than Ziploc bags, but they’re totally dishwasher safe so they’re easy to re-use over and over and OVER. They come in a bunch of sizes too.

Check prices:

A Gift Card

If all else fails, get them a gift card to their favourite gear store. It’s something you KNOW they’ll use, and that way they’ll get to pick out the gear themselves. I love REI, but Amazon has a pretty good selection of outdoor gear these days too. (And if you’re in Canada, the hiker on your list definitely wants an MEC gift card.)

Check prices:

Final Thoughts

So there’s my list of totally useful stocking stuffers for hikers. What other totally useful items would you put in a hiker’s Christmas stocking? Tell me in the comments?

More Gift Ideas for Hikers:

• 40 Best Gifts for Backpackers
• 10 Best Canadian Hiking Gear Gifts
• The Best Eco-friendly Gifts for Hikers
• Best Gifts for Snowshoers (20+ Ideas)
• Romantic Valentine’s Gifts for Hikers and Campers
• Black Friday Deals for Hikers and Backpackers

The post Stocking Stuffers for Hikers Under $25 appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

That was two decades ago, and while gear is still expensive, I’ve developed lots of different tricks for finding hiking gear on a budget.

I’ve been hiking my whole life and backpacking for 20 years. I spent three years working in an outdoor store helping people choose gear and then seven years at the head office of a big outdoor retailer writing product descriptions, how to choose guides, and staff training materials. I’ve also written two backpacking guidebooks and countless blog posts. At this point, it’s fair to say that I know quite a bit about hiking gear!

So here it is, my big list of 20 ways to save money on hiking gear. Read on for lots of ways to get deals on used gear, save money on new gear and even get some gear for free! I’ve also got pointers for what kind of gear you should look for with each method.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Borrow Gear

If you’ve got a a friend with extra gear, see if they’ll let you borrow it. If you join a hiking club in your community or at a university, they also might have gear you can borrow.

I did lots of my first backpacking trips with borrowed tents, backpacks, sleeping bags and sleeping pads. It was a great way to try out gear and see what I liked. (And what I hated, like that too-big backpack that rubbed an oozing sore onto my collarbone).

Be sure to clean and dry gear before returning it. And if you want to borrow gear again, bring your friend a 6-pack or some cookies to say thanks.

Gear to Look For

Unless your friend is the same size as you, borrowing boots or a backpack won’t be comfortable. You’ll have a bit more sizing leeway with clothing, but to set yourself up for success, stick to tents, sleeping bags, and stoves.

Shop Your Closet

Check your closet: chances are you might already own some workout gear or gear from other sports that will work for hiking.

Gear to Look For

Workout tops, shorts, and tights made of synthetics like polyester and nylon (avoid cotton) make great hiking clothes.

I bet you already have some gloves and a warm hat you could throw in your pack.

And speaking of a pack, if you’ve got an old book bag around, it will do fine as a day pack when you’re first starting out.

If you’re doing an easier hike on mellow trails you might not need hiking boots: you can wear your regular running shoes that you wear to the gym.

Rent Gear

Gear shops often have rental programs, especially in locations near popular trails. It’s a great way to try before you buy, and sometimes you can apply the cost of the rental to the purchase of equipment. A quick google will usually find gear rental programs in your area.

Renting doesn’t make sense long term, but it’s a good idea if you aren’t sure you want to invest in expensive gear.

Gear to Look For

Most gear rental shops rent out tents, sleeping bags and backpacks. Some might also have stoves and sleeping pads too. In the winter you can usually rent snowshoes too.

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Visit Second Hand Sporting Goods Shops

Many larger cities and trail towns have second-hand sporting goods shops. These stores are usually cluttered with cheap bikes and skis from three seasons ago. But if you’re lucky, you can score a deal.

Gear to Look For

Lightly used tents, sleeping bags and backpacks. You can often find good deals on hiking boots and jackets too.

Bookmark Discount Gear Websites

Websites dedicated to selling discounted brand-name outdoor gear are a great way to find budget hiking gear.

Steep and Cheap, the bargain arm of Backcountry.com, has killer prices (up to 70% off) on big names like Patagonia. They also have a Current Steals section where products are offered at crazy cheap prices for a short period of time. I think my very first online gear purchase was from Steep and Cheap: I scored a merino wool Icebreaker sweater for 70% off way back in 2006.

If you’re in Canada, check out The Last Hunt. (They are the bargain arm of Altitude Sports.) Everything on the site is at least 30% off and some is up to 80% off!

Gear to Look For

You can get pretty much any gear or clothing on these sites from socks to sleeping bags. Check back often as deals change daily. Keep in mind that return policies can be strict or non-existent on deeply discounted gear so check before you buy.

Scour Thrift Stores

It can be worth checking out the selection at your local thrift store, particularly if you are in an outdoorsy city.

Gear to Look For

Head to the clothing section for brand name hiking pants and fleece jackets at great prices. Wool sweaters also make great warm layers for hiking.

Check Facebook Marketplace, Craiglist, eBay, etc.

Online buy and sell websites can be a great place to find lightly used gear. Craigslist, Kijiji, and eBay are a good place to start. Facebook Marketplace is also awesome, as are outdoor gear buy and sell groups on Facebook – a quick search will usually find ones in your area.

Gear to Look For

Big ticket items like tents and sleeping bags are your best bets. Be sure to ask for lots of photos and a description of the current condition if you can’t see the item in person before you buy it.

Be careful when purchasing items that need to fit you like boots, backpacks or jackets. Ask if you can try it on first or stick to buying brands that you already know fit you.

Find an Outfitter Selling Off Rental Gear

At the end of the season many outfitters and rental shops will sell off used rental gear to make space for newer gear. These end of season sales can be hard to find, so its worth asking local outfitters if they have a rental sale at the end of the season.

Gear to Look For

The most common items items to find at rental gear sales are snowshoes, skis, snowboards, bikes, canoes, and kayaks. You can sometimes also find deals on tents, backpacks and sleeping bags.

READ NEXT: Which Women’s Specific Hiking Gear is Actually Worth Buying?

Go to a Gear Swap

Attending an outdoors gear swap can be a great way to find cheap used gear. Many ski towns have annual ski swaps where you can find great deals. Some outdoor clubs and non-profits organize swaps to raise money.

As well, some outdoor stores also organize their own swaps. Pre-pandemic, REI and MEC ran legendary gear swaps at many of their stores. Both retailers have switched away from this model in recent years, but some stores may still run these events.

Gear to Look For

At ski swaps look for high end waterproof breathable backcountry ski jackets or puffy jackets since they work great for hiking.

At gear swaps look for pricey items like tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, jackets, and boots.

Hit Up Big Box Stores

You can get find some crazy cheap prices on gear at big box stores like Walmart or Target.

In general, I don’t advise purchasing backpacking gear at big box stores since you’ll likely want to replace it with better stuff after a few trips since it’s so heavy and the quality is often terrible. However, in a pinch, their stuff usually works fine.

Gear to Look For

Big box stores often have a camping section with tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, stoves and backpacks.

Their clothing sections can also be good for things like cheap fleece jackets and workout clothing that can double as hiking clothing.

Go to the Mall

You can also consider hitting up mall stores to save money on hiking gear, especially hiking clothing.

Gear to Look For

Fast fashion stores like Old Navy and H&M often have super cheap workout gear, fleece and insulated jackets that can double as hiking gear. I have some Old Navy sports bras that are great for hiking.

Uniqlo has great puffy jackets and their HeatTech line can work as lightweight base layers.

Decathlon is also a great place to check. They are a French budget sports store that has recently expanded into some North America cities, mostly at malls. They mostly carry things for running, working out, tennis, etc. but they do have some outdoor gear. Their Forclaz and MT100 puffy jackets are amazing for the price.

Check out Discount Stores

Discount stores like Marshalls, Kohls, TJ Maxx, and Winners often have name brand workout clothing at super cheap prices.

Gear to Look For

You can usually find wicking t-shirts, shorts, sports bras, and tights that make great hiking clothing. They sometimes have puffy jackets and fleece too.

Sort Through the Clearance Section at an Outdoor Store

Every time you go to your local gear store, check the clearance rack. You might score a great deal.

You can also find way more selection on the clearance and sale sections of gear store websites. Usually these sections are full of last seasons models and colours at cheap prices.

REI and Backcountry both have good deals sections. In Canada, check out the deals sections at MEC, Altitude Sports, and Valhalla Pure Outfitters.

Most gear brands also have clearance and sale sections. For example, check out Patagonia’s Web Specials section or Outdoor Research’s Past Season section.

Gear to Look For

While there might be promotions around big sales times (e.g. Black Friday), in general, clothing and footwear go on clearance each year at the end of the season when new colours/styles are introduced and old ones are cleared out.

Only a small amount of tents, sleeping bags and other gear ever go on clearance since each model is usually carried for a few years before being updated or discontinued.

If you see a good deal on gear in the clearance section, grab it because it won’t last long.

Wait for Sales

If you can wait long enough, most gear will eventually go on sale. The outdoor industry runs on a seasonal cycle. Typically winter gear goes on sale in the spring and summer gear goes on sale in the fall.

Many stores have big Black Friday and Boxing Day sales (typically selling left over summer merchandise). REI has its famous Anniversary Sale in May. MEC runs its Mountain Days event in July.

Gear to Look For

In the fall, look for discounted summer hiking clothes, hiking boots and maybe even tents and sleeping bags.

In the spring, look for deals on puffy jackets and snowshoes left over from winter.

Get Canadian Outdoor Gear Deals in your inbox!

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Look for a newsletter every Friday or Saturday with

• Info about the latest deals and flash sales
  
• My picks for specific gear deals
• Exclusive discount codes
• My honest opinion about whether deals are worth it
  

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Qualify to Get Pro Deals

Outdoor gear and clothing brands often provide industry pro deals where they sell gear at wholesale prices (usually 30-60% off). The thinking is that if people buy their gear on pro deal and like it, they are likely to recommend it to other people who have to buy it at full price. 

There are a few ways to qualify for pro deals. One of the easiest ways is to get a job at an outdoor store. If you work as a hiking guide, a ski patroller, with search and rescue, in law enforcement or for the military, you might also be eligible for pro deals too.

High end brands like Patagonia, Outdoor Research, and Darn Tough Socks all have pro deals. Lots of other brands do too – just check their websites to find out.

I worked at an outdoor store and at the head office of an outdoor retailer and got lots of my gear through pro deals. If you’re serious about getting in to backpacking, a part-time job at an outdoor store is definitely worth it, just for the pro deal access!

Gear to Look For

Almost every brand you can think of has a pro deal program.

Be sure to do the math on the discount before you purchase and factor in shipping costs, exchange rates, and duty – not all pro deals are actually that great of a deal.

Also keep in mind that you usually can’t return, exchange, or resell what you buy on pro deal so make sure you’ve got the correct sizing info.

Go to Sample Sales or Factory Sales

Gear brands often have sample sales or factory sales once or twice a year to clear out gear. Typically these sales take place in the cities where the brands have their headquarters or sales offices. They aren’t well advertised so they can be tough to find out about.

The clothing and gear at sample sales may have already been used for photo shoots or sales meetings, but they are often in brand new or near new condition. 

At factory sales, the clothing and gear often have small imperfections that make them unsuitable for sale at the full retail price. These imperfections are often cosmetic and don’t affect function, such as incorrect colours, uneven stitching or tiny stains. 

Sometimes the stuff at sample sales or factory sales is just extra stock that the brand wants to sell quickly at a cheap price.

Gear to Look For

While some sample sales will have a range of sizes, you’ll have the best luck if you wear a size 2-6 in women’s clothing or a medium/size 32 pants in mens.

At factory sales pretty much anything could be on offer. Be sure to look over the gear carefully before you buy and make sure you are ok with any imperfections.

Check Amazon

Is there anything Amazon doesn’t sell? You’ll find all the usual big gear brands on there, and sometimes they have a slightly better price (and usually lightning fast shipping). It can also be worth waiting for Amazon Prime Day for insane deals.

However, Amazon also has smaller gear brands as well as some cheap knock-off brands you might never have heard of. The quality can be questionable on these knock-off brands, but the prices can be insanely cheap.

A few years ago, I bought this cheap folding table on Amazon to take on camping trips. It was over $100 cheaper than the Helinox table it’s a knock-off of, and it seems to be equivalent quality!

Gear to Look For

Be sure to read lots of reviews on any gear from a brand you don’t recognize. Not everything on these sites is exactly as described. There’s tons of choice out there for everything from tents, to sleeping bags to rain jackets. But as always, buyer beware.

Work at an Outdoor Store

I worked at an outdoor store for three years during university. It was a great way to make more outdoorsy friends and help pay for school. But the big reason to work in an outdoor store is the staff discount.

Discounts vary depending on where you work, but between 10 and 30% off most gear is the standard. You might get even bigger discounts on some brands.

Gear to Look For

Literally everything! Ask your manager if discounts stack for sales and if there are any annual events where staff get a larger discount (for example around the holidays) to help plan when you will buy gear.

Shop the Used Gear Section at Outdoor Retailers and Brands

In an effort to be more environmentally responsible and keep gear out of the landfill, some outdoor retails and brands have begun reselling used gear. They clean and repair the gear, then put it up for sale on a dedicated section of their website. Prices are usually pretty good and there is often a warranty too.

For example REI offer used gear on their REI Re/Supply site. Patagonia does something similar with their Patagonia Worn Wear program.

Gear to Look For

Patagonia has lots of gently used outdoor clothing, especially jackets and fleece. REI focuses mostly on gear like sleeping pads, tents, skis, and backpacks.

Become an Outdoor Content Creator

I’ve been an outdoor writer and content creator for about 10 years. Many outdoor companies send me free gear. Sometimes it’s in exchange for a post on social media or a mention in a blog post. But sometimes they just send it to me and “post about it if you like, no worries if not.” (And of course I always disclose when I get something for free or am being paid to talk about it.)

In the beginning I had to reach out to brands to ask to work with them, but now that I’m more established, lots of brands contact me. I actually turn down a lot of free gear since I don’t need it.

Gear to Look For

I’m careful only to accept gear that I will actually use and that I feel comfortable recommending to my audience.

Often gear brands (or more often their PR agencies) want to send you the latest thing that they are promoting. If it’s not something your audience will appreciate, say no. Your audience knows when you are shamelessly selling to them to make a buck or get free gear and they don’t like it. Keep your brand partnerships authentic.

Get Canadian Outdoor Gear Deals in your inbox!

I’ll send you a heads up on sales and discounts on outdoor gear from Canadian retailers – no ridiculous international shipping or import duties required!

Look for a newsletter every Friday or Saturday with

• Info about the latest deals and flash sales
  
• My picks for specific gear deals
• Exclusive discount codes
• My honest opinion about whether deals are worth it
  

You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

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Final Thoughts

Unfortunately there a lot of barriers to getting into the outdoors, and the cost of gear is one of them. I hope this list of ways to save money on hiking gear helps you get the gear you need to get outside and have fun.

MORE GEAR POSTS:

• Which Women’s Hiking Gear is Actually Worth Buying?
• 25 Stocking Stuffers for Hikers Under $25 (That are Totally Useful)
• Is Merino Wool Worth It? Pros and Cons
• My Favourite Hiking Gear – 2023 Edition

The post 20 Ways to Save Money on Hiking Gear appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

But it definitely could. No one expects to get lost, get stuck hiking in the dark or hurt themselves, but they do. (It even happens to super-prepared people.) So what can you do?

Thankfully, it’s fairly simple: you can bring a few pieces of gear that will help you survive if you get into trouble. Most of these items are ones you are likely carrying anyway, and they all fit into a small day pack.

This list of crucial gear is often called The 10 Essentials since there are ten items – or at least 10 categories of gear. (More on that later.)

In this post I’ve got a quick overview of the 10 essentials… plus one more thing that I think is definitely required (my 11th essential). I’ve also included a complete list of the ultralight and compact gear I carry as part of my 10 essentials. 

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support! -Taryn

What are the 10 Essentials?

The 10 essentials are a list of important gear for emergency situations. The list comes from the 1974 edition of the classic (and still best) outdoor how-to manual: Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. While it is designed for mountaineers, it’s still a helpful resource for hikers – I refer to mine every once in awhile to refresh.

The list of essentials started out as simple gear list, but over time it has evolved into a set of systems that encompass types of gear. For example it used to break out map and compass separately, but now they are grouped together as navigation.

While the original 10 essentials list is still the most common (and the one I use) you can also find other lists of essentials from groups like Scouts or hiking clubs. And as you’ll see, my list actually includes 11 items since I think that including a communication device is really important.

Leave a Trip Plan

The 10 essentials should come with you on every trip, but that shouldn’t be the only pre-hike preparation you do. One of the most important safety measures you can take when hiking is to leave a trip plan with a friend or family member. That way if you get lost or injured, search and rescue knows where to look for you.

Adventure Smart has a great online trip planning template you can use. Planning ahead and preparing is one of the seven principles of Leave No Trace, so it’s an important way to ensure we keep the wilderness wild.

Check out my full checklist of things to do before every hike.

The 10 Essentials

1. Navigation

A trail description from a guide book or website is great, but that won’t help you when you take a wrong turn, lose the trail or get lost in a maze of unmarked junctions.

I’m old school, so I always carry a paper map. If possible, I like to carry a trail map that shows all of the trails in the area. That way I can adjust my route on the fly if I need to. Government issue topographic maps are great, but they don’t always have all the trails.

Although I rarely use it, I also have a compass stashed in my pack. Get some practice using it and make sure you adjust the declination.

If you want to learn how to navigate with a map and compass (or if you have no idea what I meant by declination in that last sentence), consider taking a course. I also find this book about Wilderness Navigation really helpful for learning map and compass navigation.

I used to use a handheld Garmin eTrex stand-alone GPS unit for navigation. However, these days I use the Gaia GPS app on my phone for navigation. It does everything the old stand-alone units did and is easier to use.

The only thing to keep in mind with using your phone for navigation is battery life. Carry an external battery (I like the Anker ones), shut down any apps you aren’t using, turn down screen brightness and put your phone in airplane mode to save as much battery life as possible.

2. Sun Protection

Getting a sunburn can be really debilitating. The sun is harsher in the mountains, especially when you add in the reflection off snow.

The original 1974 list of the 10 essentials included an entry for sunscreen and sunglasses, but the modern version groups those together along with things like long sleeves and hats to form the sun protection system.

That makes a lot of sense to me because in the last few years I’ve stopped wearing as much sunscreen and switched to sun hoodies instead. I sweat a lot so I find it a challenge to keep reapplying sunscreen. When I wear a sun hoodie, I just have to reapply to my face and hands.

I keep a small stick of Sun Bum sunscreen in my pack. It comes in a stick form that you can just rub directly on your face so your hands don’t get greasy. 

I have really sun sensitive eyes so I wear sunglasses on every hike. Polarized lenses are awesome, since they produce colours that are truer to nature and they work much better at cutting glare on water. I wear Goodr sunglasses since they are a great price for polarized sunglasses and don’t slip down my nose. (Also – fun colours!)

I also wear a baseball cap with my sun hoodie to shade my face. My favourite baseball cap is the Ciele GoCap. It’s designed for trail runners so it doesn’t absorb sweat and dries quickly. It’s also super light.

Before I switched to sun hoodies I sometimes wore the Sunday Afternoons Ultra-Adventure sun hat to shade my face and neck. It has a wide brim in the front and neck flap in in the back, which I love since hats with a wide brim all the way around bump into the top of my multi-day pack.

3. Insulation (Extra Clothing)

Even if the sun is shining in the city, it’s often cold and rainy (or even snowy) on the trail. I won’t go on a hike without a lightweight rain jacket in my pack, just in case. I often stuff my Mountain Hardwear Minimizer Rain Jacket into the corner of my pack. It’s Gore-Tex Paclite but it folds down to the size of a big orange.

If the forecast calls for cold or wet weather, I might also bring a pair of waterproof breathable rain pants. I also bring a layer like a fleece jacket or thermal shirt for extra warmth. 

Since they are the farthest from your heart, your extremities (that’s your hands, feet and head) will usually get cold first. I always have a warm hat or a wool buff in my pack. I pack a pair of lightweight fleece gloves too.

A spare pair of socks is also awesome. You can change your socks if they get wet from rain or sweat, which helps to prevent blisters. Plus they double as mittens in an emergency.

4. Illumination (Headlamp or Flashlight)

One of the easiest ways to get lost or injured is to end up hiking after dark. Most of us don’t mean to finish the trail in the dark, but stuff happens. You hike slower than you thought, the trail is harder than your thought, or you just spent waaaay too much time at the summit admiring the view.

Pack a headlamp or flashlight (also known as torch if you’re British) just-in-case situations I carry the Petzl Bindi because it’s so tiny. But it isn’t that bright so winter trips or time where I know I’ll be out later, I use the Fenix HM50R, which is still quite compact but is really bright.

Don’t rely on your phone for light. Using your phone as a flashlight drains your battery really quickly which can leave you without a light AND without a way to call for help.

Make sure you pack spare batteries for your light too. Both of my headlamps are USB rechargable so I don’t have to worry about carrying AAs. Instead I just carry an Anker power bank to act as a spare battery for my headlamp, phone, any other USB rechargeable devices I am carrying. Just make sure you remember to pack the right cables!

5. First-Aid Supplies

You never plan for things to go wrong. But they do. I always carry a small first aid kit on every hike. I have a lightweight kit from Adventure Medical Kits that comes with the basics. But you can always put together a kit yourself at the drug store.

Whichever route you choose, make sure you know what’s in your kit and how to use it. And ensure the kit includes everything you think you’ll need, including pain killers and other medications that sometimes aren’t included.

I always keep my kit in a waterproof bag so it can’t get wrecked. (A cheap Ziploc freezer bag works great.) If you use up some first aid supplies, remember to replace them before your next trip.

The contents of each person’s preferred first aid kit varies. The most common injuries for hikers are small cuts, blisters, and muscle pain, so make sure you have supplies to deal with those issues.

My kit contains bandaids and adhesive bandages in a few different sizes, medical tape, ibuprofen, antihistamines, antiseptic wipes, moleskin, blister dressings and some safety pins. 

6. Fire

In an emergency, the ability to start a fire could be the difference between life and death. The warmth of a fire can save you from hypothermia and the smoke can be used to signal for help.

I always carry a simple Bic lighter or some stormproof matches in my bag. But it wasn’t until I took a wilderness survival course that I realized how difficult it is to start a fire in the woods. Most things are pretty wet and don’t burn well!

There are lots of commercial fire starters on the market, but one of the key things I learned in my course was how to make my own. They are super easy to make and cheap too: just cotton balls with some vaseline rubbed into them. I store them in a tiny Ziploc bag.

7. Repair Kit and Tools

In an emergency, you need something to cut with. That might be cutting twigs for kindling to start your fire, cutting a branch to act as a splint, cutting up bandages, or maybe just opening a stubborn package of trail mix.

I carry a small multi-tool that includes pliers and scissors as well as a small knife. Mine is the Leatherman Squirt, which is discontinued, but the Gerber Dime is similar.

I also carry other repair supplies to fix broken gear including as Gear Aid Tenacious Tape (better than duct tape), zip ties, and a tent pole repair splint.

8. Nutrition (Extra Food)

Hiking is hard work, so you probably bring some water and snacks or a lunch on most hikes, right? But it’s also a good idea to bring a little bit extra in case you are out longer than you planned. Or in case things go really wrong and you need to spend a the night while waiting for help.

In addition to lunch, I always have a couple extra energy bars or gels stashed in my pack. These days Gu energy chews are my favourite. They taste and look like gummy candy, but have the same electrolytes and carbs as energy gels.

Remember to check the expiry dates on snacks that have been in your bag for awhile so they don’t go bad on you.

9. Hydration (Extra Water)

I bring a reusable water bottle or hydration pack on every hike. I also carry a few water purification tablets with my emergency supplies. That way if I run out of water, I can treat stream water that I find along the way.

On longer hikes in hot weather I carry my Katadyn BeFree filter. It’s lightweight and compact. And the filter bag gives me an extra litre of water carrying capacity. Before my hike, I check maps and trail reports to make sure I can fill up on water along the way.

10. Emergency Shelter

If you get lost or injured (or your hiking partner gets hurt), you might need to spend the night on the trail waiting for help. A simple and lightweight emergency shelter can make all the difference.

The easiest form of shelter you can carry is a really big garbage bag. You can cut a hole in it and wear it as a jacket. And if you bring a bright orange garbage bag, you can use it to signal for help too.

Mylar space blankets are also a good option. They are very light, compact and inexpensive. But they are also really flimsy.

I carry a more durable (but still really light) SOL emergency blanket that comes in a waterproof pouch and has survival instructions printed right on the blanket. SOL also makes an emergency bivy bag (basically a mylar sleeping bag).

I also carry a short length of cord (actually a tent guyline) to help with shelter construction in an emergency. I can use the cord to rig up a tarp shelter with the emergency blanket.

11. Communication

It kind of bugs me that communication is not one of the 10 essentials. It’s important to be able to call for help in an emergency.

You are probably already carrying a cell phone, so you can definitely use that to call for help (if you have enough battery left – bring a power bank!) However, there is no cell reception on many hikes, especially in valleys or dense forest. (While newer iPhones have satellite messaging included, most people are still hiking with older phones without this technology.)

You should make sure you have a second method of communication as well.

I attach a small and loud whistle to the shoulder strap of every backpack I own. The sound of a whistle carries much better than the human voice, and you can keep blowing a whistle much longer than you can keep yelling. I use the Fox 40 whistle which is loud and has no moving parts that can break.

If you have the budget, consider investing in a satellite messenger device like the Garmin inReach Mini2. Since I often hike solo or in remote areas, having a device like this gives me and my family a lot of peace of mind.

The InReach lets you push a button in an emergency to summon first responders. Or you can send messages to friends or family, just to let them know you’ll be late. It’s not cheap and requires an annual subscription, but I think it’s worth it.

My Lightweight and Compact 10 Essentials Kit

Carrying the 10 essentials doesn’t have to be bulky, heavy or difficult. I carry most of my essentials in a single Ziploc freezer bag that I keep in my hiking day pack so I’m always ready to go. It takes up a small corner of my pack and I don’t even notice it’s there until I need something out of it.

Over the years I’ve refined the gear I use as part of my 10 essentials to make them lighter and smaller, but you can cobble together a 10 essentials kit with budget items and things you probably already own.

Here’s my complete 10 essentials kit:

• Navigation: Paper trail maps, Suunto compass, Gaia GPS app, and Anker power bank
• Sun Protection: Sun Bum sunscreen, Goodr sunglasses, Ciele GoCap, and a sun hoodie
• Insulation: Mountain Hardwear Minimizer Jacket, MEC Hydrofoil Stretch Rain Pants, fleece jacket, Merino Wool Buff, thin fleece gloves, merino wool socks
• Illumination: Petzl Bindi with Anker power bank
• First Aid Kit: Adventure Medical Kits ultralight first aid kit with bandaids and adhesive bandages in a few different sizes, medical tape, ibuprofen, antihistamines, antiseptic wipes, moleskin or other blister dressings and some safety pins. 
• Fire Starter: stormproof matches, plus vaseline soaked cotton balls
• Repair and tools: Multi-tool with scissors, Gear Aid Tenacious Tape, zip ties, and a tent pole repair splint.
• Nutrition: Gu energy chews
• Hydration: hydration bladder, water purification tablets and Katadyn BeFree filter
• Emergency Shelter: SOL emergency blanket
• Communication: Fox 40 whistle, cell phone, Garmin inReach mini2

Final Thoughts

I keep my essentials together in a small stuff sack or a ziploc bag so they are easy to transfer from one backpack to another. That way I don’t end up out on the trail without the gear I need in an emergency.

What’s in your kit? Do you always carry the 10 essentials? Tell me in the comments.

READ NEXT:

• 16 Things to do Before a Hike
• Backpacking for Beginners: Tips for Getting Started
• How to Leave No Trace (And Why it’s Important!)
• Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers
• How to Find Trail Conditions
• Backpacking Checklist: Gear You Need To Go Backpacking

The post The 10 Essentials: Things You Should Bring on Every Hike appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

It’s easy to hear about wildfires on the news and freak out. While wildfires are a real danger and should be taken seriously, with a bit of planning, you can avoid hiking near dangerous wildfires and smoke.

Thankfully, I’ve never encountered a wildfire on a hike. But recently, I talked to a fellow hiker who had to evacuate from the Skyline Trail during the 2024 Jasper National Park wildfires. Between my research and her boots-on-the-ground experience, I’ve put together lots of resources for hiking in wildfire season. This post includes:

• Tips on where to check wildfire and smoke conditions before you go
• How to make a safe hiking plan including trail choice and emergency preparedness
• What to do if there is a wildfire nearby – tips for how to escape and how to shelter in place
• How to prevent wildfires – Most of this is common sense, but I bet you could still learn some things.

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Check Conditions Before You Go

Check conditions before you go so you know what to expect. The sources you check will depend on where you plan to hike, but in general, they fall into a few categories. I’ve got details on each below.

State and Provincial Wildfire Agencies

Look up the local state or provincial wildfire service to see if there are any fires in the area you plan to hike. Most agencies have an official website that lists wildfires, often with a map, fire bans and other resources to help you decide if it’s safe to go on your trip. Many also have official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (now X) to announce breaking news.

I like to look at these official map sources to figure out how big the fires are, and what trails or roads they have burnt or threaten to burn. Looking at where the fire actually is helps me plan.

Some official maps don’t have enough detail for hikers, so I often use Gaia GPS. It has two helpful layers you can add. The “Wildfires (Current)” layer pulls data from official government sources and the “Wildfires (Satellite Detection)” shows a matrix of dots over an area where satellites have detected heat.

This lets me overlay the fire maps on top of the trails and roads in the area I plan to hike. I’ve also heard that CalTopo has a good “Fire Activity Layer”.

State and Provincial Wildfire Agencies I use often:

• British Columbia Wildfire Service, especially their Wildfire Situation Map.
• Alberta Wildfire Status website and Wildfire Status Dashboard
• InciWeb Wildfire Map shows the status of major wildfires across the U.S.

Park and Trail Websites

If there are trail closures or alerts, you’ll find them on official park and trail websites. Sometimes they are on the home page, but in other cases, you’ll need to look for current conditions pages or things marked “advisories” or “important bulletins”. You can also check their official social media pages.

If you don’t see the info you need on a park website, you can try calling them. This works best with National Parks and National Forests – provincial and state parks often do not have the resources to have phone lines. If you call, try to ask for the backcountry ranger office. People answering general info lines usually are unfamiliar with backcountry trails and are not helpful.

Don’t rely on All Trails, Google Maps, or other apps. However, the info in these places is often crowd-sourced and might not be officially verified. So a trail that is listed as open on All Trails or Google Maps might actually have a fire nearby.

Park and Trail Websites I use often:

Government Transportation or Highway Websites

In wildfire season, roads are often closed in dangerous areas. Check your travel route to the trailhead to make sure it is open. If your trip is multi-day, be careful if the road is open now but if a fire is close – the road might close while you are backpacking, trapping you.

Transportation websites I use often:

• Drive BC
• 511 Alberta
• Washington State DOT

Weather Forecasts

There might not be a fire near where you are hiking, but the upcoming weather could change wildfire conditions. Check the weather forecast to see if thunderstorms are on the horizon. I also check to see if the forecast calls for hot, dry weather with high winds since that’s a situation where fires could spread quickly.

My guide to weather apps for hiking has details on where to find the best weather forecasts.

Air Quality Reports and Smoke Forecasts

Even if there isn’t a fire nearby, hiking in smoke is really bad for your health. It’s also really unpleasant. In recent years huge fires in northern Canada have blown smoke as far away as the Eastern United States, so wildfire smoke can affect hikers anywhere.

I use FireSmoke to check the smoke forecast. It uses computer models to predict the ways that fire growth and winds will push smoke around. In my experience, it is usually pretty accurate.

It’s also important to check air quality reports. Many states, including Washington, have an air quality map, sometimes with a smoke forecast. There is also a national U.S. air quality report. Canada has a local air quality index, but it only covers major cities and towns.

I also like PurpleAir’s Real-time Map. It uses citizen science air quality monitoring stations so it has data from smaller towns. (We have a Purple Air reporting station at our house.)

Make a Safe Hiking Plan

After you’ve checked to see where the fires are and what the smoke is doing, it’s time to make a plan for your hike.

Choose Your Trail Carefully

Checking conditions to see if fires are nearby is just one way to stay safe while hiking in wildfire season. Look at the trail you plan to hike. Does it head into forest fire danger terrain like thick dry brush or ridge tops? (More on danger zones in the Shelter In Place section below.) Is it a dead-end with no escape routes if a fire crosses the trail?

In the months/weeks/days leading up to your trip it’s also important to have a flexible mindset and a backup plan. If fire and smoke conditions aren’t right when it’s time to leave for your hike, switch to your backup plan or postpone your trip.

After you’ve chosen your trail, make sure you familiarize yourself with other trails in the area in case you need to hike out another way. Also look for places where you would be safe in case of wildfire such as lakes, meadows, or marshy areas. (More on these in Shelter in Place below.)

Bring a paper map or extra batteries for your GPS so that you can navigate on the fly in an emergency.

Inform Your Emergency Contact

Make sure you have an emergency contact who knows your trip plan including what trail you plan to hike and when you expect to be back. That way if you don’t return as scheduled, they can call Search and Rescue to look for you.

Your emergency contact should also be proactive about finding out fire info for you. If you have to contact them during an emergency, they can tell you which directions are safe(r) to hike to get away from a fire.

Register Your Hike

In some areas, wilderness permits or backpacking reservations are required. In other areas, there are optional trailhead registries. They often have a spot where you can fill out emergency contact information. Make sure your emergency contact person knows where you are going and has your trip plan.

In the devastating 2024 fires in Jasper National Park, rangers called the emergency contacts of backpackers to see if they had evacuated on their own and to get a handle on how many people still needed help in the backcountry.

Write Down Key Phone Numbers

Some parks have an emergency phone number you can call if you need help or info. Having this number could be crucial in an emergency. If the park doesn’t have an emergency number, having the phone number for the park info centre or backcountry ranger office is also great.

When I talked talked to Carol May, a hiker who evacuated from the Skyline Trail during the 2024 Jasper National Park fires, she said when they got to the trailhead and had cell service, they didn’t know which way was safe to drive. She says she wished the park had a dedicated emergency phone number to call like others she had visited. Instead, they flagged down a passing ranger on the road who gave them info.

Pack the 10 Essentials

You already bring the 10 essentials on every hike, right? Right?? These are key items you should pack for every trip in case you get lost or have an emergency situation. Your version of the 10 essentials doesn’t have to be heavy, bulky, or expensive – mine isn’t.

My guide to the 10 essentials explains each of the 10 items, plus one more I always carry. I also have specific gear recommendations.

Carry a Satellite Messenger

There is often no cell service on hiking trails. A satellite messenger could be the difference between life and death. I carry a Garmin inReach Mini 2 so I can check in with my emergency contact each night to let them know I am safe. They can also message me if there is any new fire info I need to know.

In the past, I’ve turned my inReach off each night to save battery. Now I’ve realized that I might want to leave my inReach off overnight in case I need to receive an emergency message. (But I’ll reduce the tracking frequency and turn off Bluetooth temporarily to save battery.)

Newer iPhones (iPhone 14 or later) have texting via satellite. I’ve tried it in the backcountry and it seems to work pretty well. However, my iPhone battery drains quickly and the inReach lasts for days, so I’m going to continue to bring my inReach on long trips.

During the Jasper wildfires, park rangers contacted hikers’ emergency contacts. Those people then messaged the hikers on satellite messengers. The hikers who received messages were crucial to spreading the word in campgrounds and on trails that they needed to evacuate.

Carry a Battery Charger

In an emergency you are going to want a fully charged phone so you can call for help. Even if you don’t have cell service on the trail, once you get back to the trailhead, you are going to need a phone to figure out which way to drive. It’s also good to have a way to charge your satellite messenger and headlamp.

Carol told me she was glad her phone was charged because during her evacuation, they stopped at a cafe near the trailhead at 4:30 am. It was closed, but they were able to access the wifi from outside to look up info on the fires online and decide whether it was safe to keep driving to continue their evacuation.

Bring a Reliable Headlamp

I often pack an ultralight headlamp on backpacking trips because I typically only need it to light the way to the outhouse in the middle of the night. I’m not worried about how long the battery will last or how charged it is.

But Carol recommends bringing a fully charged headlamp with a long battery life. She was glad her headlamp was charged when she had to evacuate at 2 am. She said charged headlamps were “absolutely critical if evacuating in the middle of the night. We needed them for hours.” She told me that other hikers they met were having trouble with theirs and she was lucky that hers was charged.

In a wildfire evacuation, you may have to hike in the dark for hours, so a fully charged headlamp with a long battery life could be crucial.

Pack a Mask

An N95 mask weighs a few grams and could make a huge difference if you end up hiking in thick smoke. Thanks to the pandemic, they are easy to source at pharmacies or online. In a pinch, putting a bandana or buff over your nose and mouth can also help.

What To Do If There is a Wildfire Nearby

If you’ve done your research before a hike, you shouldn’t be hiking anywhere near an active fire. However, fires can start quickly, so a new fire could pop up while you are on the trail.

Wildfires Spread Quickly

Wildfires can spread incredibly quickly. According to sources, fires often spread at up to 10 km/6 miles per hour. They can move even faster if they are going uphill or if there are strong winds. You can’t outrun most wildfires.

As well, large fires make their own weather with high winds that spread the fire faster. Fires can also cause pyro-cumulonibmus clouds, which create thunderstorms, and therefore more fires from lightning strikes. For an informative (but terrifying) read, I recommend the book Fire Weather by John Vaillant about the devastating wildfires in 2016 in Fort McMurray, Alberta.

That means that if you spot a fire, you need to get away from it fast!

Which Way to Run?

Try to figure out where the wildfire is, then get away from it. That will be easy if there is smoke (or flames) in the distance. But if you find yourself surrounded by smoke, it’s a bit trickier – try to see if you can see which way the smoke is flowing.

Since fires travel uphill faster than downhill, avoid the tops of ridges and peaks. If there is smoke in the distance, assess which way the wind is blowing. If it is blowing towards you, the fire will be coming towards you too. Travel over recently burned land if you can. Just watch for falling trees and hot ash, which can melt your shoes.

Use your GPS and paper maps to assess the trails near you and decide which ones will take you to safety away from the fire.

Take enough supplies with you to stay safe. If it seems like speed is essential, you might want to ditch some gear so you can travel faster. Be sure to take the 10 essentials including food, water, water filtration, first aid supplies, a jacket, your phone, your satellite messenger, and and some form of shelter.

During Carol’s evacuation she says she wasn’t sure whether to leave her pack. “We took a few minutes to filter water and get snacks ready because we really didn’t know what the next hours or days would bring,” she said. She hiked the 12 km trail out to the parking lot in about 2 hours, but says some inexperienced hikers took substantially longer. Having the snacks and water definitely helped.

Get Help

If you have a cell service or are carrying a satellite messenger, use it. You can message your emergency contact if the fire looks like it is far away and have them look up info about the fire to help you decide how to proceed.

If the fire hasn’t been reported yet, report it by calling 911. You will need info about where you are and where you think the fire is. If possible, give the names of trails and geographic landmarks nearby. GPS coordinates are ideal.

If the fire is close, skip right to pressing the SOS button or calling 911 for help. You can also try signalling to passing planes and helicopters – they will be looking for hikers in the backcountry. This is also a good technique if you have been in contact with Search and Rescue and they are looking for you.

Direct a signal mirror or flashing headlamp at the aircraft. Move to an open area and use bright colours (especially red and orange) to attract attention. You can spread out your tent fly, tarp, or several bright jackets to attract attention.

I hate to say this because I hope it’s obvious, but don’t start a signal fire to help rescuers find you. You might just start another wildfire by accident.

Work Together With Other Hikers

Group up with other hikers to share information and supplies. During the 2024 Jasper National Park wildfires, hikers with satellite messengers alerted other hikers that the fire was getting closer (even though in some campgrounds it wasn’t smokey yet) and told them they had to evacuate even though it was 2 a.m.

If possible, try to keep track of how many hikers are with you and their names. You can give this info to park rangers after you evacuate. That park staff will know which hikers evacuated and which ones they still need to locate.

Shelter in Place

If the fire is close, you will need to shelter in place. In general, get low to the ground to avoid the smoke. You can dig a hole in the dirt for your face. Hide behind something big (like a rock) that won’t catch fire.

Here are some tips on good places to shelter versus bad places to shelter.

Good Places to Shelter:

• Places with less vegetation like rock fields, swampy areas, and meadows – but avoid these areas if they are next to a place with dense vegetation
• Flat areas
• Lakes – you can get into the water and hide behind rocks or islands. Murky water is better than clear water because it is better at blocking radiant heat.

Bad Places to Shelter:

• Thick forests
• Steep areas (because fire travels uphill)
• Chutes, ravines, and saddles (low spots on a ridge) – these are natural travel paths for fire
• Ridge tops (because fire travels uphill and you won’t have an escape route)

How to Prevent Wildfires

Unfortunately, humans cause many wildfires – in BC about 40% of wildfires are human caused. Most of the time, people don’t mean to start a fire. With a bit of knowledge and preparation, you can avoid being part of this statistic.

Skip the Campfire

With frequent fire bans, I rarely have a campfire anymore. I know many people feel like they have to have a campfire when camping to have the full experience, but if you skip it, you might find that you’re not missing out on much.

On hot summer days, campfires aren’t needed for warmth. Compared to a camp stove, campfires are unreliable for cooking (everything comes out charred or raw when I try it!). The smoke gets into everything – your clothing, hair, and eyes – and the stink lingers. And spending tons of time chopping firewood and tending the fire takes away from time you could be hiking, swimming, or relaxing.

Instead of campfire, I like to bring a simple battery powered lantern to gather around. Card games or portable board games can be fun too. And you can make s’mores in a skillet on your campstove.

If you must have a campfire-like experience, invest in a propane fire pit. They allowed during fire bans in most jurisdictions are are much easier to use and safer than a campfire.

Check for Fire Bans

Before you have a campfire, check to see if it is allowed. Many provinces and states have websites that show where campfires are allowed and not allowed. However, you should also check park and local municipality websites since some areas have stricter regulations about fires than the province or state. For example, Garibaldi Provincial Park, near where I live, bans fires year round since the park has a sensitive alpine ecosystem.

State and Provincial Fire Ban resources I use often:

• BC Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions
• Albert Fire Bans
• Washington Burn Restrictions

Have a Safe Campfire

If you do have a campfire, check the weather first. Avoid having a campfire on windy days when embers can blow into grass, trees, or buildings and ignite them.

Keep your campfire small. Small campfires are less likely to get out of control.

Use a metal fire ring to keep your fire contained. If you build your fire on bare ground, you can ignite underground root systems, which can spread the fire to the surrounding trees and bushes. Underground fires can smoulder for days or weeks, emerging into flames much later.

Only build a campfire if there is a reliable water source nearby. If your fire gets out of control, you will need a lot of water to put it out. The water in your water bottle won’t be enough. You’ll need running water or a nearby lake or stream to put it out.

Make sure your fire is out. Many people let their fire burn out and think that is good enough. It isn’t. Coals and embers can ignite hours later. When you’re done with your fire, douse it with water, then stir. Keep dousing and stirring until the coals are cool to the touch.

Be Careful When Smoking

Cigarette butts and other smoking materials can cause wildfires, especially in dry and windy conditions. We recently had a fire about 1.5 km from my house in Squamish. The local rumour is that is was started by mountain bikers smoking weed on a dry grassy section of trail.

Dispose of cigarette butts and joint roaches safely. My friend used to smoke and had a fireproof ashtray pouch to pack out cigarette butts. You can also use an Altoids tin or similar.

Drive Cars and ATVs With Care

Hot mufflers and sparks from vehicles can ignite dry grass and other flammable natural materials. Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained to avoid throwing sparks from dragging parts or chains, which can throw sparks. And avoid driving in tall grass, which can catch fire when it touches a hot muffler or exhaust pipe.

Final Thoughts

While it can be devastating to have a trip you’ve planned for a long time get cancelled due to wildfires or smoke, the forest will grow back and you can hike it another time. Don’t risk your life (or your lungs) and the lives of first responders by hiking near wildfires.

READ NEXT:

• The Best Weather Apps for Hiking
• Tips for Hiking in Hot Weather
• How to Find Trail Conditions
• The 10 Essentials: Things You Should Bring on Every Hike
• 16 Things to do Before a Hike

The post Tips for Safe Hiking in Wildfire Season appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I’m really heat-sensitive, but I always want to go hiking even if it’s way too warm out. After years of experience (and some not-so-awesome trips where the heat really beat me), here are my tips for hiking in the heat.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Acclimatize to the Heat

If you aren’t used to the heat, it can decimate your energy levels. You will hike much slower and get tired earlier than usual. That means that you can’t just jump into your regular hikes when it is hot out. You have to start easy until you have acclimatized to the heat.

Depending on where you live, you may be able to go hiking just gradually acclimatize by ramping up to longer and harder hikes. It can take about two weeks to get used to hot weather. But that doesn’t work if you live in a place that is usually fairly cold.

You can also deliberately expose yourself to heat to acclimatize yourself ahead of hot weather. It’s possible to work on your heat tolerance through sauna, hot tub, or hot yoga sessions.

Pick the Right Hike

If it’s really hot out you will get tired more easily, so you may also want to pick a shorter or easier hike than normal. Heat also saps your energy, so your hiking pace will likely be slower than usual.

A hot day with lots of sunshine may not be the best day for ridgeline or mountain top hikes that get full sun. In scorching weather, pick a forested hike with lots of shade.  

When it’s really warm out, I also like to pick a hike near a river or lake. Often the air is cooler near the water, which can be refreshing. Plus, the best way to cool down is to jump into chilly water… which leads to my next tip, below.

Get Wet

Cool water is a great way to reduce your body temperature. I like to dunk my hat in every stream I pass. Some hikers also like to wear a wet bandana or buff around their neck or even soak a shirt in a stream, then put it on.

A swim is also a great way to beat the heat when hiking. You can pack a swimsuit, go in your underwear, or just jump in wearing your hiking clothing.

Leave No Trace Tip: Make sure you wipe off any sunscreen or bug spray before you go swimming to avoid harming plants and fish.

Cool Down with Snow

Snow can be both a blessing and a curse on a hot day. Unfortunately, the bright surface of snow reflects light, which can give you a wicked sunburn. (The reflections from snow can burn some strange places like the inside of your nose and the roof of your mouth!)

But on the upside, hikes with patches of snow can be a great way to cool on when hiking in hot weather. Stop to do snow angels! Have a snowball fight!

I like to put a snowball under my hat or in the hood of my sun shirt. Rubbing a snowball on the pulse points in your wrists or the base of your skull can also help lower your body temperature.

Avoid Hiking at the Hottest Times of the Day

It’s usually the hottest in the afternoon, around 3 or 4 pm when the heat of the day really begins to build up. Instead of hiking when it’s super hot out, plan a sunrise hike so you are off the trail in time for lunch. Or head out after dinner for a sunset hike. For either option, don’t forget a headlamp!

Drink Lots of Water

It’s easy to get dehydrated when it’s really hot out. Your body cools itself through sweating, so if the temperature is high, you are going to sweat a lot. Unless you replace that sweat by drinking water, you’ll get dehydrated.

At best, the symptoms of dehydration include increased thirst and peeing less often. At worst, you might experience headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, confusion, and vomiting. Not fun.

Bring lots of water with you. How much to bring depends on how hot it is out, how far you plan to hike, and may also vary by person. However, keep in mind that while hiking in hot weather, some people will need to consume up to 1L of water per hour. That’s a lot!

If I am planning to hike  in hot weather I will often plan to get some water along the way instead of carrying it all with me. (Water is heavy!) Do some research and pick a trail with a reliable water source. I bring my Katadyn BeFree water filter so I can treat the water before I drink it.

I also keep water purification tablets in my first aid kit for times when I don’t have my filter with me. They are pretty cheap and last for years. However, I find that they add a little bit of a chemical taste to water and take 30 minutes to work, so I save them for emergencies.

Pro tip: Know before you go. You don’t want to get to a stream and discover it has dried up. Find out how to check trail conditions online before you go.

I use a hydration reservoir so that I can take small sips of water as I hike. I use a Platypus Big Zip EVO reservoir. Sometimes I also bring collapsible Platypus SoftBottles to hold extra water since they pack down easily when empty.

Keep Your Electrolyte Levels Up

Drinking water is not be enough to keep you hydrated. We all know that sweat contains salt (aka sodium) but did you know it also contains potassium and other minerals known collectively as electrolytes?

When you have depleted electrolyte levels you may experience similar symptoms to dehydration plus the bonus of muscle cramps. Definitely no fun.To ensure you don’t end up with low electrolytes, drink a sports drink that contains added sodium, potassium, and other minerals.

Bottled sports drinks are heavy, expensive, and often full of sugar. Powdered or tablet alternatives can be much cheaper. They are also easy to carry with you so you can add them to water on the go and customize the strength of the mixture.

There are lots of options out there including Gatorade, Nuun, DripDrop, and more. Lately, my favourite is Liquid I.V. They have flavours that use real sugar, which I appreciate since I don’t like the taste of artificial or alternative sweeteners, and some of them do bag things to my guts.

Prepare for Low Appetite

When it’s hot out, many people don’t feel hungry. It’s also common to get indigestion or nausea. I often have to force myself to eat when it’s really hot out because I know from experience that if I don’t eat, I’ll feel even worse.

Over time, you will figure out what foods work for you in hot weather. I often bring a variety of things in the hopes that something I pack will appeal to me. Salty snacks like trail mix are great for replenishing salt.

Snacks that have lots of electrolytes are also a good idea. If I’m feeling really off, the one thing that I can reliably eat is energy chews, like Gu Energy Chews, Honey Stinger Energy Chews, or Clif Shot Bloks. They have lots of electrolytes and are a good source of quick-to-digest carbs.

Wear Sun Screen

Getting a sunburn is a surefire way to feel even hotter than you already do. Wearing sunscreen is always a good idea when you’re hiking, but it can be challenging on a really hot day since your sweat will wash it off.

You can try using sweat-resistant sports sunscreen, but you’ll still have to reapply it often. I like Sun Bum Sunscreen since it stays on fairly well and is reef safe. Their hands-free sticks are great for putting more sunscreen on your nose on the go.

Wear Sun Protective Clothing

Instead of having lots of exposed skin and relying on sunscreen, you could choose to wear a wide-brimmed hat and a lightweight long-sleeved shirt for sun coverage instead. When your sweat soaks your hat and shirt, it actually helps to keep you cool!

My favourite sun hat is the Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat. It has a wide brim in the front and a cape in the back to protect your neck. It’s made of really light fabric and the brim folds so it’s easy to stuff in your pack. And the best feature – it has slots in the brim to hold your sunglasses!

Lately, I’ve been wearing a long-sleeved sun hoody to avoid having to reapply sunscreen as often. The Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Long Sleeve Hoody provides UPF 50+ sun protection but is made of lightweight fabric so it doesn’t feel too hot.

I’ve got more sun hoody reviews and a full guide to how to choose a sun hoody in my guide to the best sun hoodies for hiking.

Use an Umbrella

This tip might sound strange, but it’s a popular strategy with desert hikers: use an umbrella for shade. When I trekked to Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal the weather at lower elevations was so hot and muggy that I found using an umbrella for shade helpful. It looked dorky, but it really worked!

You can figure out a way to attach an umbrella to your backpack straps MacGyver-style to keep your hands free. Thru-hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail often use specialized ultralight umbrellas for both rain and sun protection. (They aren’t a good choice for windy days or brushy trails though.)

Manage Your Sweat

When it’s hot, you’re going to sweat. As I already mentioned, sweating depletes your electrolytes and washes off your sunscreen. But there are a couple of other ways that sweating can affect your hike.

Firstly, it gets in your eyes and that stings, especially if you wear contacts like me! I use a face cloth-sized PackTowl to mop my forehead. It’s a microfibre travel towel that dries quickly and has a snap loop so you can attach it to your pack for easy access. I always bring one when hiking in hot weather.

Secondly, if you get sweaty feet, you can be prone to blisters. Wear well-ventilated hiking shoes if possible (you don’t need those big waterproof leather hiking boots on hot dry days). I wear Salomon XA Pro trail runners when it’s hot out.

Choose synthetic and wool blend socks that breathe well and don’t absorb moisture. Bring an extra change of socks to swap out at your halfway point. My favourites are the Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew socks.

Pack extra bandaids and blister dressings and be sure to stop and tend to your feet at the first sign of a hot spot. Don’t wait until you have a giant disgusting blister! Need more blister tips? I’ve got a whole post on How to Prevent Blisters When Hiking!

Prevent Chafing

If you’ve never chafed on a hike, consider yourself blessed. Chafing happens when your skin and/or clothing gets damp from sweat or rain and then rubs together. Common places to get chafed include butt cheeks, crotch, and feet. All the fun places!

To prevent chafing choose hiking clothes made of synthetic fibres like polyester or nylon that don’t absorb as much water as cotton or wool. Of course, this applies to your underwear as well! For underwear and sports bras look for seamless options or a version with flat seams. My guide to the best hiking underwear has lots of options.

If you are prone to chafing you may also want to get some anti-chafe sports lubricant like Bodyglide. Apply it before your hike as a preventative and maybe even bring it along with you to reapply. This stuff has literally saved my butt on more than one occasion 🙂 (TMI? Sorry, not sorry!)

If you do end up getting chafed, get some zinc oxide cream, sold as diaper rash cream. Babies know what’s up – it works fast to soothe chafed skin. I often carry a tiny travel size tub of this on backpacking trips.

Know the Signs of Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is no joke. It can actually kill you or damage your organs. Heat stroke happens when your body temperature gets too hot (over 104F/40C).  

Symptoms of heat stroke include headache, dizziness, lack of sweating despite the heat, skin that feels hot, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat and breathing, and confused behaviour. At its worst, it may lead to seizures and unconsciousness.

I had mild heat stroke during my trek in Nepal. I felt weak and dizzy and started to vomit. It was a bit scary, but at the time I didn’t realize how dangerous heat stroke can be.

If you think someone has heatstroke, seek medical attention immediately. Get off the trail if possible and/or call for help. Move the patient into the shade and try to lower their temperature. Pour cold water over the patient and have them drink liquids with electrolytes as dehydration and heat stroke often occur together.

In Nepal, our guide poured cold water over me, then helped me hike a short distance to a teahouse where I sat in the shade and drank Coke and a sports drink. I rested for a few hours and my temperature came down enough to continue trekking, even though I felt weak.

Use Caution at Creek Crossings

Hot weather can cause snow to melt rapidly, turning formerly placid creeks into raging torrents. Research the trail before you go to see if there are unbridged creek crossings that could be dangerous.

If you arrive at a fast-moving creek, be prepared to turn around in case it is not safe to cross. And remember that a creek you crossed in the morning may be running MUCH higher in the afternoon when you have to cross it again on your return journey.

Skip the Hike If It Is Really Hot

Every year hikers die in extremely hot temperatures in places like Death Valley National Park. If the forecast is for temperatures over 100°F /38°C, consider skipping the hike. Hiking in weather that hot can be dangerous. Save the hike for another day – it’s not worth your life. (Psst – my guide to weather apps for hikers has tips for accurate backcountry forecasts.)

Final Thoughts

It can be tempting to stick to your normal hiking plans when it’s really hot out. But it pays to be a bit cautious. When the temperature soars, I dial back the intensity, pick a forested hike to a lake, and wear sun protection. I know if I don’t, I’ll feel awful and won’t enjoy my hike.

What are your top tips for hiking in hot weather? Let me know in the comments.

READ NEXT:

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• The Best Weather Apps for Hiking
• Best Sun Hoodies for Hiking
• 16 Things to do Before a Hike
• The 10 Essentials: Things You Should Bring on Every Hike
• How to Prevent Blisters When Hiking

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