Lugging a giant backpack filled with gear isn’t ideal when spending all day hiking or climbing. Sure, if you’re camping out for a couple of days, you’ll likely want to stock your home base with everything you think you’ll need, but when hitting the trail or day hiking, you won’t have that same luxury of space. To help you stay prepared while also packing light, we’ve compiled a guide to the best EDC essentials for spending time in the great outdoors.
Adidas TERREX Free Hiker GORE-TEX 2.0 Hiking Shoes
Few hiking boots are as versatile as the Free Hiker from adidas TERREX, with a soft yet sturdy mesh upper that gives you the support of a boot without any of the restrictions. Featuring a gusseted tongue and seamless overlays, the shoe is also lined with a GORE-TEX membrane to keep your feet dry and ventilated. It also sports a Continental Rubber outsole, PRIMEKNIT collar, and EVA stabilization frame.
Frog & Co. Tough Tesla Lighter 2.0
Frog & Co.’s Tough Tesla Lighter isn’t just an extremely durable EDC firestarter but a solid emergency option as well. Built from waterproof and shock-resistant ABS plastic, the unit uses a unique dual-arc technology to light up 5x faster than single-arc versions. Unlike fluid-based lighters, this one uses an electric battery that can be used 300 times before recharging. It also features a built-in emergency whistle and flashlight.
MiiR Insulated Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is vital in any aspect of life, but especially when wandering into the oft-unpredictable woods. Luckily, MiiR made a vacuum-insulated stainless steel water bottle perfect for the job. The 23-ounce unit sports a carabiner-friendly lid, a powder-coated exterior for wetter conditions, and a slim profile for fitting into camp chairs.
Pelican G5 Personal Utility RF Field Wallet
Pelican makes some of the toughest outdoor coolers and cases on the planet, so you’d expect it would also know how to make the definitive waterproof wallet for the outdoors. The G5 Personal Utility RF Field Wallet is virtually crush-proof and IP67-rated for waterproofness. Holding over 4 cards with bills and a couple of keys, the inside features an equally-intuitive design with a mesh pocket and elastomeric strap for organizing.
Arc’teryx Mantis 2 Waistpack
Not everyone has the same EDC loadout each day. To handle the ever-changing load, Arc’teryx made its Mantis Waistpack larger for this second edition. Made with 100% recycled polyester, this 2.5-liter bag can be worn around the waist or across the shoulder. The interior features pockets for better organization, while the hidden back compartment is great for stashing your smartphone.
VSSL First Aid Stash Light
First aid kits aren’t meant to be sleek and sexy — that is, unless it’s this tubular unit from VSSL, whose cylindrical kits always know how to pack a lot into a compact space. This First Aid Stash Light is no different, made from military-grade aluminum and equipped with four refill tins to hold your essentials when hiking. Weighing just 9.6oz, it even doubles as a four-mode LED flashlight for emergencies.
Leatherman Signal Multi-Tool
Have the most essential tools at your fingertips with Leatherman’s Signal Multi-Tool, equipped with 19 different items in a single 7.5-ounce frame that fits right in your pocket. The unit features a 420HC stainless steel combo knife, pliers, wire cutters, a ferro rod, a bit driver, a bottle opener, and more.
Nocs Provisions Field Issue 10×32 Binoculars
Head out on the trail with a quality pair of binoculars such as Nocs Provisions’ Field Issue with 10x magnification and a 315-foot field of view for scoping out upcoming peaks and observing wildlife from afar. This model features a compact profile and comes in several attractive colors for fitting right in your pocket or bag.
Julbo Explorer 2.0 Sunglasses
You’ll need a quality pair of shades when venturing into the wilderness, such as these Explorer sunglasses from Julbo, which boast the fastest-changing photochromatic lenses available thanks to the brand’s ZEBRA Lenses, which are made from the same shatterproof material used for helicopter windshields and bolstered with removable side shields.
G-SHOCK Master of G Mudmaster GWG2000-1A3
What better watch to accompany your most rugged adventures than one from G-SHOCK? The Japanese brand’s Master of G Mudmaster boasts all the qualities of the finest G-SHOCKs, made even better with a forged carbon bezel, carbon core guard case structure, silicone buffers, and buttons that are literally made to resist mud.
The Best Hiking Sunglasses
If you want to explore more options when it comes to quality outdoor eyewear, head over to our guide to the best sunglasses for hiking.
