In this blog post, you will find a complete list of hiking essentials that you will want for any hike in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.
Hiking Checklist
I have many miles ahead of me, but I have learned a thing or two about hiking in the ground I’ve covered. Here are a few of my must-pack hiking essentials for all your hiking adventures you decide to embark on!
Water Bottle / Water Reservoir
Honestly any water bottle can work, but some good features a water should have is good insulation, a straw for sipping, lightweight, and a handle for easy carrying. This is my handy dandy hiking water bottle and honestly I use it for traveling as well.
OR
A water bladder works just as well, if not better, depending on how long your hike is. As a rule, you should bring around half a liter of water for every hour you plan to hike. For example, if you’re planning a two-hour hike, you should bring one liter of water.
Hiking Shoes
The hiking shoes I wear usually depend on the type of hike. If it is a lighter hike, I generally use these trail shoes from Altra. For a more rugged, rocky hike, I will wear these shoes for more support. And then if it’s a trail that includes water, I generally wear my Teva Sandals. I have also had friends that love the Hoka Challengers for steep trails.
Hiking Socks
A good pair of quality hiking socks makes all the difference in the world. Having the correct socks helps you prevent getting blisters. Smart Wool is probably my favorite brand out there. Why wool socks specifically? Wool socks wick the sweat off your feet, keeping them nice and dry even on sweaty hikes. These are my favorite hiking socks.
Blister Bandages
I will never forget my first blister I got while hiking, because it was so painful. From now on, every time I hike I don’t leave without blister bandages. These blister bandages are awesome, they are thin, waterproof, cheap and they come in different sizes and shapes. They have prevented blisters for every kind of hiking that I have been on!
READ MORE: 3 National Parks, 1 Road Trip: San Francisco to Sequoia National Park
Snacks
Snacks, my favorite hiking snacks are nuts, healthy fruit roll up , luna bars and a bunch more.
Rain Jacket
You are at the mercy of mother nature, when you’re hiking outdoors and you never know when it may rain, so best be prepared with a raincoat. Here is My Favorite Rain Jacket, that is a waterproof, breathable, self-packable rain shell with full seam sealing, breathable mesh lining, and super cute.
High SPF Sunscreen and Chapstick
If there is one thing you don’t want to forget, it’s sunscreen with SPF. As you climb higher in elevation, the sun gets stronger. Wear a hat and wear lots of sunscreen. Even in the winter, the sun is super strong and you will definitely want to wear sunscreen . Oh, and don’t forget chapstick.
