In recent years, hiking in the wilderness has become such a popular activity in Australia that if someone told you they didn’t like doing it, you’d be taken aback. Who could say no to disconnecting from reality and recharging your batteries at the same time? There’s hardly anything better. There’s an unprecedented sense of freedom that comes with feeling the fresh air hitting your face and the sun beaming down on you as you walk across the trail.
But, as is the case with virtually everything, there are a few bumps along the road. With hiking, the issue lies in the fact that you’re so far removed from everyone and everything that you can’t ask for help of any kind if the need arises. It doesn’t have to be an emergency per se, maybe you’re just trying to cut open some canned food. At first glance, it seems like a simple task, but if you don’t have the resources to pull it off, it all goes down the drain. And you can‘t exactly go buy one in a nearby shop. For this reason, you need to be fully equipped with all the basic survival tools that will ultimately make your hiking experience so much easier. Luckily, we’ll be making a checklist of all the essentials so that you don’t have to.
What Hiking Accessories Do You Need?
The point here is to pack smartly. When you’re out hiking, you’ve already got a lot of things you need to carry around with you as it is. You certainly don’t need any unnecessary weight bringing you down because you’ll get tired more quickly. So lo and behold, here are all the handy and compact things you should have.
Multi Tool
This is basically a fancier version of a pocket knife. Most of them have a plain and serrated knife, coupled with a bottle and can opener, pliers, wire cutters, knife sharpeners and the list goes on. Essentially, you’re getting multiple tools all in one, hence the name. This is quite practical because you never know what you might need it for. So why would you want to carry a whole box of equipment when you can carry just one tool? All things considered, it’s not surprising that hikers don’t leave the house without packing durable multi tools Australia outdoor enthusiasts recommend.
In any case, there are many different types of multi tools so you need to choose wisely. First and foremost, you should decide what you’re going to be using it for to make sure you have the necessary resources to complete your task at hand.
Another important factor you should consider is how the multi tool feels in your hand. Is the size appropriate? Do you feel any discomfort when you grasp onto it tightly? Since you’ll be doing quite a bit of work with it, your multi tool needs to be a good fit for you. The good news is that manufacturers ship multi tools Australia wide so you won’t even have to go through loads of shops until you find the right one.
And last but not least, don’t overlook the material your multi tool is made of. We’d recommend going for stainless steel, titanium or aluminium models since they’re quite sturdy and non-corrosive.
Navigation
Even the most experienced hikers will admit that you’ll lose your way at least once during your outdoor expeditions. If back in the day they had to follow the position of the sun to figure out where they are, these days you can turn to modern navigation systems that will help you out much more quickly.
Sure enough, you can buy one of those GPS systems that are specifically designed for adventures in remote areas but it’s not compulsory in any way. Most phones have their own integrated tracking software that should do the job just fine.
Outdoor Torches
Who says that you should put a stop to all the hiking fun when it gets pitch black outside? In most cases, when people hear about illuminating camping torches, their minds immediately go to those chunky models that are somewhat on the heavier side. But these days, even the bulkiest tactical torches designed for preppers and survivalists wouldn’t weigh you down as much as you’d expect. Plus, they’re pretty practical to use when camping because their robust build contributes to a more secure grip. In other words, it won’t slip and fall to the ground just because your hands are wet or covered in dirt. When you’re outside in all sorts of weather conditions, this can be a real deal-breaker.
If you’re still keen on something more compact and extra light, then you might want to have a look at penlights as a more convenient alternative. These types of camping torches closely resemble, you guessed it, a pen. This means that you can easily store it in your pocket or pouch and it won’t take up too much of your space.
Apart from the make and model of the torch, you’ll also want to take into consideration its lumen output to make sure it’s enough to satisfy your needs. The larger the number of lumens, the brighter the light will be. In general terms, most people would say that a lumen output of about 150-200 is more than enough to get them through the day. In any case, it’s good to pack an extra pack of batteries or power bank in case your torch runs out of juice.
First Aid Kit
Imagine this for a second – you’re out for your regularly-scheduled stroll through the nearby woods when one or two clumsy steps result in a big cut on your left calf. It’s nothing life-threatening by any means but there is quite a bit of blood pooling in the area. The next logical step would be to call the nearest emergency centre but as it turns out, you have no service. Even if you did have a full bar of service, it would probably take them a while to reach your specific location. So you’re just supposed to sit tight and hope for the best? Nope, definitely not.
There is a way for you to go about risky situations such as this one without waiting on first responders to reach the scene. Your best bet at navigating those difficult waters would be to pack all the necessary life-saving first aid kit accessories that will allow you to treat the place of injury right then and there. In cases like that, time is definitely of the essence so you need to act fast to prevent potential complications.
Bear in mind that your first aid kid doesn’t have to be elaborate – even the most basic elements should do. To make things easier, you can just buy a full kit with all the essentials without having to worry about whether or not you’ve taken everything you need. But if you’re planning on compiling your own first aid kit accessories, then don’t forget to stock up on healing gels, cotton swabs, bandages, adhesive tape as well as hand sanitiser.
Hiking Backpack
Last but not least, you should get a durable backpack to store all of your tools and equipment. When buying a tactical backpack, make sure you consider how much storage space you’ll need so that you shop accordingly. In any case, it’s a good idea to get one of those models with multiple pouches and zipped portions that will help you organise all of your things much more efficiently.
