Best Hiking Fanny Pack

REI Co-op Trail 5 Waist Pack

My newest obsession, the REI Co-op Trail 5 Waist Pack, is a large fanny pack with multiple pockets, including a water bottle pocket and a secret valuables pocket. It’s designed to be worn in the back, resting on your lumbar region, but I prefer to wear it in front, kind of off to one side, for easier access to my gear.

The 5-liter carrying capacity of this large waist pack accommodates my second camera lens, a 20-ounce water bottle, cell phone, headlamp, small first aid items, lip balm, small sunscreen stick, snacks, car keys and ID. It even has compression straps that allow you to minimize the size of the pack and/or clip on extra gear like a small towel.

Made of ripstop nylon, the Trail 5 Waist Pack is water-repellent and abrasion-resistant, yet lightweight at 9 ounces. It’s the best hiking gear for short hikes or for increasing your carrying capacity on longer excursions.

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Best Hands-Free Dog Leash for Hiking

Nathan Hands-Free Dog Leash With Waist Belt

If you like to go hiking with your pup, a hands-free dog leash is a must. I picked up the Natahn Hands-Free Dog Leash with Runner’s Waistpack a year or so ago, and I use it every time I hike or walk with my dog. It clips to my fanny pack or backpack, with the clip on the opposite end attached to my dog’s collar.

I searched far and wide before deciding on this collar because I specifically wanted one shorter than the standard 6 feet. A 6-foot or even 4-foot leash attached at my waist is far too long and tangles up in my dog’s legs as she runs—and that doesn’t end well for anyone involved.

This leash is 3 feet in length and allows my dog enough leeway to adjust as needed, but doesn’t have so much slack it gets in the way. The included waist belt features a side-to-side glide for the leash, which is a nice touch. I typically just attach this leash to my usual hiking fanny pack or the waist strap on my backpack and find that it’s still long and adjustable enough thanks to the bungee design.

After more than a year of using the leash regularly, it’s still holding up perfectly and shows no signs of wear, other than the fact that the bright pink color is muted due to a few (or more) layers of dirt.

Heads up: This product includes a waist belt, not a waist pack, meaning it does not have carrying capacity. You can always clip the leash to a waist pack you already have, but if you need a waist pack, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

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What You Should Look For In Hiking Gear

Safety and comfort are paramount during hiking adventures, even short excursions. It’s impossible to be over-prepared, but always possible to be under-prepared, especially if you are hiking alone. Here are a few things to consider for the best hiking gear.

For clothing, look for a relaxed fit with enough stretch to comfortably and freely move all of your limbs through a full range of motion. This means some inclusion of elastane (often as spandex or Lycra) is essential. Abrasion-resistant fabrics like nylon are ideal for pants and shorts, and durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment is a must for wet-weather hikes. For tops, I typically recommend something soft but breathable and moisture-wicking, such as a blend of merino wool and elastane.

For hiking boots, the ideal fit is flexible in the forefoot but secure around the heel and ankle. An extended crash pad is key for added stability, and depending on the conditions, you’ll want an upper that is either breathable and quick to drain (like knit mesh) or waterproof. Deep outsole lugs are necessary for slippery terrain. Heel-to-toe drop is preferential. A more minimal drop and low stack height allow you to feel what’s underfoot, but a higher drop with more cushion is more comfortable for many people.

When it comes to the best hiking gear packs—daypacks, backpacking packs, and waist packs—the most important thing is that the pack comfortably fits you and has the carrying capacity for what you need. It’s best to go in-store and try them on. You can always order online after finding one you like. If you hike a lot of trails with widely varying distances, as I do, you may end up with more than one pack to suit different excursions.

For electronics, such as GPS devices and satellite phones, ensure that the battery life is adequate for the types of adventures you plan to take. A watch that only lasts three hours in GPS mode, for instance, won’t be of much help on a six-hour hike. It’s always a good idea to carry a portable charger or small power bank, too.

Why You Should Trust Us

I use every piece of gear that appears in this guide on a near-daily basis. I hike multiple times per week, with my excursions ranging from established trails and National Parks to (permitted) cross-country expeditions in wilderness areas. I’ve been hiking for years and have worn my way through multiple pairs of boots, pants and shorts. I’ve tried gear from dozens of brands and have learned lessons about proper hiking gear the hard way.

My hiking hobby began like most people’s: without any clue of what I was doing or how to prepare for it. Over nearly a decade, my love for this hobby has grown tremendously, and over time, I’ve invested in the best hiking gear to keep myself safe, comfortable and confident on the trail. Now, as a hiking- and outdoors-focused fitness coach, I even coach others to prepare for longer, tougher hikes, from beginners to advanced enthusiasts.

I recognize that gear preferences are highly preferential, but my top picks come from recognizable, reputable brands with a solid history of quality product production and strong warranties—because good hiking gear is designed to get beat up.

FAQ

What kind of clothing is best for a hike?

The best clothing for hiking depends entirely on the season and weather. For warm weather, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing with a UPF rating of at least 30 is ideal. For overgrown trails, wear long pants made of an abrasion-resistant fabric like nylon. Winter calls for warmer, heavier fabrics like wool and fleece. Rainwear is also essential. In all cases, some form of stretch is appreciated, so look for spandex, elastane or Lycra.

What not to take on a hike?

In my potentially controversial opinion, I think it’s hard to be over-prepared for a hike, especially when going solo. Even if you don’t end up needing everything you take, it is highly possible to encounter another hiker who didn’t bring enough water, food, sun protection, insect repellent or something else.

Even then, what to pack and what not to pack is a highly variable topic, considering different hike lengths and conditions call for different essentials. An ultralight hiker will have a different opinion about what’s essential for a given hike than someone willing to carry additional items for fun or comfort.

That being said, there are some things you don’t need to bring. For one, don’t bring any extra clothing that the forecast doesn’t call for. If you’re going hiking during the dry season in Arizona and there’s a 0% chance of rain, you don’t need to bring a rain shell “just in case.” If you’re not staying overnight, you don’t need a cot or a sleeping bag.

Check the detailed weather forecast, estimate the number of hours you’ll need to complete the hike, review the terrain and altitude changes, download the trail map and read reviews of the trail.