7 Must-Haves for Hiking, Fishing, and Other Outdoor Activities

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According to a National Recreation and Park Association poll, 96% of Americans report spending at least some time outside every day. However, this survey also suggested that over half of people spend 30 minutes or less outdoors.

This is a shame, considering being outside provides a long list of physical and mental health benefits. It can increase immune function, reduce chronic disease risk, minimize anxiety, and improve sleep.

If you don’t spend enough time outside, consider incorporating hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities into your life. But first, pick up these must-have items!

Appropriate Clothing and Footwear

If you wear the wrong outfit for a hike or fishing adventure, you might not enjoy your time outside as much as you would otherwise. For this reason, selecting appropriate clothing and footwear for outdoor activities is essential.

Generally speaking, you should wear moisture-wicking clothing that will dry quickly if you sweat or get caught in a rainstorm. Even if the weatherperson says there isn’t any rain in the forecast, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

You should also dress in layers so you can remove clothing if you get too warm and put it back on if you begin to get cold. To be on the safe side, pack accessories like gloves and a warm hat, too.

Additionally, invest in a pair of high-quality hiking boots that provide the support and traction you will need while exploring the wilderness. These boots will protect your feet and reduce the chances of you accidentally slipping, falling, and sustaining serious injuries.

Durable Backpack

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Picking out the proper clothing and footwear for hiking, fishing, etc., is one way to ensure you remain comfortable while outside. However, it’s only half the battle. Strapping the wrong bag to your back could negatively impact your comfort and force you to cut your time outdoors short if you are not careful.

To avoid this, shop for a durable backpack that feels good when you put it on and wear it for several hours. In addition to being comfortable and strong enough to withstand whatever the elements might throw at it, you should also check to see that this bag is large enough to fit everything you want to bring along on outdoor adventures without weighing you down.

Navigational Tools

As long as you have a smartphone when you head out to enjoy nature, you might not think you need to worry about getting lost. But what will happen if you suddenly lose cell phone service?

To avoid getting stuck in this situation, always pack at least a few navigational tools, such as a map, a compass, and a GPS device. You should also let others know before you go for a hike or fishing trip and tell them where you plan to be, especially if you don’t have a good sense of direction.

Food and Water

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If you only plan to spend an hour or two hiking, fishing, or participating in another outdoor activity, you may not think to pack too much food and water. This could prove costly if you spend more time outside than anticipated or get lost.

Throw calorie-dense foods into your backpack and fill a high-quality water bottle with enough H2O to keep you hydrated. As a general rule of thumb, you should have at least half a liter of water for every hour you spend outside.

You might even want to plan for the worst by figuring out where you can obtain water from a natural source in the wild and learning how to purify it if necessary.

Tools and Safety Items

If you haven’t noticed by now, safety should stay at the forefront of your mind whenever you spend a significant amount of time outdoors. You never know what could happen while hiking, fishing, etc., so you should prepare for any possible scenario, including tossing tools and safety items into your backpack.

Here are some examples of things you should bring:

• Pocket knife
• Multipurpose tool
• Ferro rod
• Flashlight
• Whistle

First-Aid Kit

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Mother Nature will sometimes push you to your limits, and you could sustain injuries when she does. Unfortunately, you can’t seek immediate medical care if you’re ever hurt while hiking, fishing, or taking part in other outdoor activities, but you can equip yourself with a first-aid kit that includes everything you need to bandage a wound or wrap a sprained ankle.

Ideally, you won’t ever have to pull out this first-aid kit and tend to your own injuries, but having it on hand for emergencies won't hurt.

Adequate Shelter

If you plan to spend a night outside while on a hiking trip or fishing adventure, pick a tent compact enough to fit in your backpack. Even if you aren’t planning an overnight expedition, bringing adequate shelter is still smart.

Packing a tent might not always make sense, but a lightweight space blanket could do the trick if you’re ever in a bind. It will protect you from the elements if you get hurt or lost and serve as an extra layer of protection if you get stuck in a bad storm or if the temperature drops suddenly.

Stay Safe While Participating in Outdoor Activities by Picking Up These Must-Have Items

Are you tired of spending so much time indoors? Take up hiking, fishing, or another activity and explore the amazing outdoor spaces the U.S. offers. Just make sure you stock up on everything listed here before you do to make the most of your upcoming outdoor experiences.