Gear

    SpiritBleach is supported through advertising and affiliate product links. We only add products we like and have used. The LIVSN pants were given as a gift and I've included them here because I have worn and loved them for many miles of hiking.

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    You don't have to spend money to go for a hike and enjoy nature. Take a look at what you already have. Basic day hike stuff could be whatever you would take on a comfortable stroll. Just keep your feet happy, bring water and snack and start with a short hike. The more you practice the easier it will get and you will find out what things you like (and need) to carry.

    If you are a planner, then first decide where you will go for a hike. Contact the group that manages the land where the hike is and ask about suggestions on what to take. What you take will depend on the weather, the conditions of the trail and other factors like whether filtered water and bathrooms are available and how crowded it can get. For an exhaustive list, review the 10 Essentials and consider what you have that can cover these. The National Park Service has a nice description of the 10 Essentials here.

    If you need to get stuff, see if you can borrow gear. Borrowing, if possible, is great because you can try it out first and the more we share things, the more we get out of the stuff we already have. That is a good thing. If you can DIY some gear, amazing! I know very little about DIY but I believe there are large groups and resources for this online. You can also rent! Check out the big box outdoor retail stores, like REI, and search for your local specialty outdoor shops. Those stores often have people working there who know the area and the best gear.

    Not only can you rent gear at some of these stores, but they also often have used gear for sale (that's my favorite). Other places to check for used gear is online at places like Facebook Marketplace, GearTrade and Out and Back Outdoor.

    While it would be nice to be able to afford buying a whole bunch of new stuff, having options to borrow, rent, buy used or just be creative with what you have around the house is often the best, most realistic and sustainable way to enjoy the outdoors.

My gear breakdown for day hikes on Silicon Valley trails:

My favorite cross country hiking shoes:

The Gear Lists

Get outdoors!