5 Essentials You Should Take on Your Next Trekking Holiday

Are you an avid trekker or a novice? You need to think about the essentials to pack before your next trek. Doing so ensures that you are ready for everything and gives you time to buy the supplies that you do not have. Here are the five essentials that you need for your next trekking holiday:

Shoes

Shoes determine the quality of your trek, as a good pair of shoes will feel like a natural extension of your feet. There are different kinds of shoes that you can buy for trekking, including:

Hiking shoes – these are the most important part of your trekking outfit. If you have to invest in one thing only, make sure that you invest in a good pair of hiking shoes and break them in before your trip. You should find out whether you need high-cut or mid-cut shoes that will support your ankles during the trek. If your ankles are weak, you should opt for high-cut shoes as they provide additional support.

Trek boots – these are the higher-end versions of hiking boots. They provide additional support for your ankles and feet. Trek boots are ideal if you plan to take longer treks because they offer excellent leg muscle support on rough terrain. The boots are moderately water resistant and good on rain and snow.

Expedition boots – if your trek involves tricky glacial traverses and pass crossings, these are the ideal shoes. They have an in-sole padding to cushion your feet and their fabric is robust. Although expedition boots are more expensive, they will be worth every penny. You should visit sites such as outdooractivities.co.uk that focus on outdoor activities to find the best boots for trekking.

Clothes

If you are going on a weeklong trek, you should pack the following:

Underwear – you should carry as many pairs of underwear as you wish.

Trekking pants – these pants have additional secure pockets that you can use to store phones, tissues, and money within reach.

Socks – you should carry several pairs of moisture-wicking socks to keep your feet dry no matter how hot it gets.

Thermal underwear for top and bottom – you can opt for a pair of long johns if you want to keep yourself warm throughout the day.

If you are taking a short trek, you can cut back on all the above clothes. However, if your trek is longer than a week, you can still carry the same number of clothes and recycle them – wear them again after washing. Make sure that you carry separate clothes for sleeping and trekking. To keep your clothes from getting wet, you should store them in a Ziploc bag before putting them inside your duffel bag or backpack.

Outerwear – you should layer on your clothes and remove them when you get hot. You will need a waterproof jacket, fleece jacket, and a windbreaker for your outerwear. You should also buy a pair of waterproof pants to protect your clothes when it starts raining; you do not want to walk around in wet clothes.

Food/Drink

Trekking is no doubt a fun and adventurous activity that provides your whole body with a thorough workout. If you are a novice, you need to know the right foods to take when going trekking. Here are the best food and drink items to take when going trekking:

Water – it is one of the most essential items that you should take with you. Figure out how long your trek will last and carry enough water to last the entire period.

Energy drinks – if you are going on a long trek, energy drinks will help you to stay energetic. To avoid contamination, make sure that you pack energy drinks that are sealed in bottles.

Trail mix – you can mix some nuts and dried fruits together to create a nutritious snack that will keep your stomach full as you trek. This lightweight snack is easy to make and does not take up much space.

Chocolates and nuts – you should pack snacks such as nuts to ensure that you have a rich source of proteins, minerals, and vitamins. Apart from quelling your hunger, protein powders will provide you with plenty of energy for hiking.

Bread with peanut butter – this simple snack will keep you energized and fill your stomach quickly. All you have to do is whip out the jar of peanut butter and spread it on slices of bread.

Sun Protection (Sunglasses and Sunscreen)

When doing outdoor activities in the summer, you will need to buy some sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. When you expose your skin to direct sunlight, you increase your chances of getting skin cancer and make your skin prone to premature aging. Sunscreens have SPF, which is the protection that you will receive from the sun.

SPF ranges from 2 to 50+: the higher the sun protection factor, the more protection you will get. There are different types of sunscreen, including:

Sunscreen with insect repellent – although this one will kill two birds with one stone, you should be weary because its effectiveness will be lower.

Facial sunscreen – this is a moisturizer with SPF for delicate and sensitive skin. When going out in the sun, you will have to reapply it every two hours.

Sunglasses are essential for blocking dangerous UV rays from your eyes. Exposing your eyes to UV rays causes eye problems such as cataracts later in life. Moreover, sunglasses come in handy for protecting the sensitive skin around your eyes from the sun. Glasses Direct offers a variety of sunglasses with polarized lenses and UV protection to keep you safe from the sunlight, while you can also go online to get some great vision glasses as well.

Toiletries

Toilet paper – you will need one roll of toilet paper or more for your bathroom needs. To make the toilet paper easier to pack, you can remove the inside tubing and flatten it.

Pills and medication – if you are on any prescription meds, you need to pack them alongside a few painkillers and antihistamines.

Pocketknife – when going on a trek, you might need a knife for preparing your meals.

Hand sanitizer – because you will not get to wash your hands as often as you would like, you should carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer to keep your hands germ-free.

Small shovel – instead of taking dumps in the open, you should carry a tiny shovel that you can use to dig holes. Once you finish relieving yourself, you should cover up the hole.

Toothbrush and toothpaste – you will need a travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste to maintain your dental hygiene.  However, it’s equally crucial to schedule regular check-ups with your dentist to address any underlying concerns. Finding the right dental professional is key, and in places like Rego Park, it’s advisable to seek out the expertise of the Rego Park dentist has to offer. Regular visits to the dentist not only aid in early detection of potential issues but also provide valuable guidance on maintaining optimal oral health.

Wet wipes – you might have to clean your arms and legs at the end of the day before retiring to bed. Wet wipes will also come in handy for freshening up the sensitive areas of your body.

Comb – to keep your hair neat and tidy, you should carry a small comb.

Bug spray – a bottle of bug spray will keep the annoying bugs at bay when you are on the trail or trying to sleep.

Whether you are a seasoned trekker or a beginner, you must pack the above essentials for your next trip. If you are a beginner, it is advisable to take somebody else with you instead of going alone. Just make sure that you pack enough food for yourselves if you do not want to starve when going off the beaten path.