Me and my wife are planing to do a lot of hiking and camping in 2025. Starting off with just the trails around Austin, TX and expanding as we go.

Got the basics:

  • Hiking Boots
  • light day pack w/ bladder
  • simple first aid kit
  • downloaded maps

I used to go all the time when I lived near a trail head, but I would never go much further than 4 miles in before turning around. We won’t be that far from civilization most of the time, nothing too intense.

Thanks y’all!

Edit: thank for the advice y’all!!

Can’t believe I forgot hats, definitely picking up some. Will also pack my leatherman too.

And I agree hiking boots are probably a little overkill for most the trails we’ll be doing at first. But we want to get used to them and break them in for longer and rougher hikes we’re planning later this year.

  • burble@lemmy.dbzer0.com
    2·
    2 days ago

    I see where you’re coming from with a lot of this, but I want to clarify a few points that i think are more about personal style.

    I hike with two random 1l water bottles in my backpack’s side pockets and a 2l pouch / flexible bottle inside that can be ignored or filled depending on how much water is in the area. I have another 2l pouch to add for longer/dryer trips. It’s a great system for me because I can always track what I use by knowing what’s left on the outside and whether there’s a full refill or two inside.

    I think you’re wrong on phone use. I use Garmin Explore because I have an Inreach, but Gaia, Alltrails, Caltopo, BCNav, etc. all let you download maps to use offline, then use with your phone in airplane mode but with the GPS on (yes, you can do that).