Hiking Gear – the basics
What is the best hiking gear for a beginner?
How do I get started hiking or bushwalking?
Is there a cheap or inexpensive way to start hiking?
Clare, our eldest daughter, has an Outdoor Education degree from La Trobe University Bendigo. She is an experienced bushwalker and has skills in climbing and kayaking. Her take on hiking gear is from a student’s perspective and from hiking with young people at Wollangarra for 12 months. She is the third guest poster in our beginner’s series.
Clare, pictured, somewhere in Tasmania, wearing her usual hiking clothes for that environment.
Boots, gaiters, polypropylene (thermal) leggings, shorts, thermal top, long sleeved quick dry shirt and a polar fleece vest. Her raincoat (Mountain Designs Gortex) will be in the back pocket of her pack for quick access. She will also have a warm hat that will be easily accessible.
In relation to equipment, here is Clare’s response to Megan’s question – Hiking Gear – What are the basics to get started?
I think to start off you really do need a good pack and sleeping bag. These two items last forever if you buy good ones. They also don’t tend to change too much.
I’ve just bought a really great One Planet sleeping bag but you really need to go into those camping shops (Paddy Pallin etc) and talk to the crew in there, re: sleeping bags and packs.
You can start off with a blue closed cell foam mat. It will probably set you back $10, and then when you finally get your hands on a thermarest you’ll really appreciate it. Or you could check them out on the internet, Dad uses the site Mickey’s Place, it’s really cheap, good service and great gear.
You’ll need a stove, probably the cheapest one going around is the Pocket Rocket, it’s great, Dad loves them. I’ve had one and it was really great. It’s also really light. It’s an MSR stove. Again, you can check stoves out on the internet, they might be cheaper than here.
Finally, the more hiking you do the more you will learn. Meeting new people with different gear is a great way to learn about what’s out there.
Have a great time, and good luck with your hiking.
Clare
Related topics:
Couple Hiking – Gear ideas for starting off on the right foot together
Starting off Hiking? John Chapman’s advice for beginners
Hiking gear – what are the basics to get started?
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Can I just ask, how come on most of the aussie hiking websites, no one seems to include a fixed blade or even a folding knife in their list of stuff they bring?
Obviously on american sites they all say bring a knife to slip firewood, but I’m not sure with Aus and all the fire bans.
Is it just that you don’t find a need for a fixed blade knife? or that it is banned, as they are legal to have on hiking tracks and camping. Or is it just extra weight that you don’t want?
just curious
Hi Matt,
Thanks for dropping by the site!
People (probably) don’t carry fixed blade knives for a couple of reasons
- Many of the areas we hike / bushwalk / backpack are in National Parks or World Heritage areas – a lot of them are “fuel stove only” so you risk a $5-10,000 fine if you light a fire in the outdoors.
- the second thing is no one wants to “stuff up” the bush and rip down tree branches etc – in National Parks again it is illegal to collect firewood!
- Finally, most people just don’t see a need for one and the extra weight might be a consideration.
We often take a Swiss Army folding knife (or something similar) – take it because of the blade AND the tools like scissors.
Thanks for the question.
Where about are you from?
Frank
Thanks for the reply, thats pretty much what I was thinking in regards to fires and such, however I do remember a couple of years ago I went with a large group with a guide and he started a fire up when we stopped for camp, I’m not exactly sure where it was, but it was on a mountain area taht if we kept following we would intersect the great dividing range.
Also I’m from QLD, and am pretty new to hiking, having only done it a few times, and am eager to get out more.
Also, what if something really bad happened, would a knife be beneficial then?
And regarding weight, I can see where a knife is a negative, but what if it was a relaly lightweight one, have you heard of mora knives.
but thanks for the reply, its just some people in shops have been saying take a fixed blade or folder and others say no need to, so I’m a bit confused