Every adventure junkie knows how important their equipment is in the great outdoors. Even those of us who love getting down and dirty and roughing it on our adventures enjoy having a bit of assistance and comfort here and there, that can only be achieved through having the right stuff along with you for the ride. Whether you’re travelling as a lifestyle or simply enjoy your weekly camping and hiking trips, here are a few things that every outdoor adventure needs.
Reliable Vehicle
Nobody wants to be off-roading in their Mercedes. If you’re regularly travelling deep into the outdoors, hitting gravel roads, revving your way through the bushes and splashing across little rivers, you’re going to want to have the right kind of vehicle. The kind of vehicle you want will be personal to you and depend on your needs, where and how often you travel and the size of the party joining you. Whether it’s a motorhome, camper van, or just a truck, opt for something spacious enough and suited to your own travel needs. If you’re going for an RV, you’ll want to invest in a Lithium RV Battery which are much longer-lasting than your typical lead acid batteries.
Solar Powered Charger
Oftentimes, we head outdoors and away from the city as an escape from reality and the busy bustle of life. However, that doesn’t mean we want to be completely cut off from that reality. Staying in contact with those important to you is going to be a priority, especially if you’re leaving the wife and kids at home – they’ll want to be able to make sure that you’re safe and available to contact in case of any emergencies. Investing in a solar-powered charger for your smartphone is a great way to make sure you stay charged up and don’t fall off the grid while you’re out adventuring. Don’t ruin your trip by being buried in your phone all day, but try to keep it within arm’s reach, which will be helpful if you find yourself in need of help too.
Backpack
This is one of those things that you really want to splurge on. A great quality backpack can make a world of difference for someone who travels regularly. Just like with a vehicle (and most other things), this one is totally dependent on your personal needs. Some might want to opt for extra space for carrying extra equipment, food, weapons, etc. Others might want to find a backpack that’s lightweight and waterproof. The type of travel and adventures you find yourself in will determine which kind will best suit you and your lifestyle, but whichever type you find is best, try to opt for a long-lasting, rugged and good quality brand.
Footwear
This isn’t about looking fancy. Having the appropriate kind of footwear is very important for the health of your feet. Wearing the wrong shoes can be damaging to the muscles and even bones in your feet, especially if you’re regularly walking on rocky terrains, hiking and climbing. You can chat to a professional in a camping or outdoor recreation store to find out what kind of shoe will work best for you, but you’re unlikely to go wrong with a good standard trail shoe. In a similar vein, thick, durable socks should go hand in hand with this purchase to keep your feet warm, dry and protected during your adventures.
Water Filter
If your outdoor adventure trips are short, you’ll probably be fine getting away with a good insulated water bottle to take along the way. However, if you’re out camping and hiking for longer than a few hours, you might want to invest in a personal water filtration system to bring along with you. These devices will allow you to make any water stream clean and drinkable to keep you well hydrated for your entire trip. Pro tip: if you plan on relying on a system like this for your hydration, be sure to research the area beforehand to make sure that there are water sources available to you.
First Aid Kit
This may seem basic, but it’s often overlooked. Having a small but well-stocked first aid kit is crucial for any traveller. This doesn’t mean that you need to try and fit an entire pharmacy into your backpack. Bandages, gauze, a disinfectant spray or ointment and some basic pain and allergy medication should do the trick. If your illness or injury is dire enough that it requires any more than that, you’re likely going to want to head home as soon as possible.
Navigation
We all claim to dream of running away and escaping real life, but nobody really wants to get lost in the woods. Much like staying connected and on the grid via your phone, you’re going to want to stay on the grid in terms of knowing where you are and how to get out of there too. In that case, there are many smartphone apps that could do the trick just fine. However, if you happen to be beyond a signal, having a proper GPS device is your best bet. This will help you navigate your trip as well as help you find your way back to reality when it’s time to pack up.
Fuel Up
We don’t mean for your car this time. Adventuring can be a hard workout, and fuelling your body is an important part of the experience. If you’re camping, it’s important to either bring along some nutritious, easy to grab and eat foods, or invest in some camping cookware equipment, to prepare some balanced and delicious meals each day. More than this, packing healthy, high-energy snacks to take along on walks, fishing excursions or even hunting trips will help you to stay fuelled and active throughout the trip. You can opt for things like protein bars, granola bars, nuts and seeds or fruit to give you a good energy burst in between your main meals.
