Elevate your next trek with the best new high-performance hiking gear, gadgets and apparel from arc’teryx, Helly Hansen, lululemon and more.
What’s new in high-performance hiking gear and gadgets this season?
Even in this post-COVID era, hiking remains among the most popular mindfulness and stress reduction activities – particularly amongst the luxury set.
More than just a full body workout, hiking is also an excellent opportunity to spend time in nature, clear your mind and improve your sense of well-being. But the secret to finding joy in this outdoor activity may somewhat depend on the gear you use.
Elevate your next trek with the best new high-performance hiking gear, gadgets and apparel from arc’teryx, Helly Hansen, lululemon and more.
For example, the right footwear can mean the difference between smooth navigation or painful blisters. The right backpack that sits exactly where you want it and fits all your supplies makes everything easier. And the right apparel that moves with you can wick away sweat while keeping you warm and dry from the elements.
Get trekking with the best new high-performance hiking gear, gadgets and apparel from top brands like arc’teryx, Helly Hansen, lululemon .
What do you need for a proper hike?
Many people still seem to believe that you don’t need more than a comfortable pair of shoes and a trail for a great trek. While that may be true for the first few miles, for all-day trips or longer, you need to invest in the right gear.
Fortunately, this no longer means wearing frumpy khaki-style pants and oversized camp shirts. Because some of our favorite athletic and outdoor brands have started making female-friendly hiking apparel that is not only comfortable. But, dare we say, fashionable too.
Elevate your next trek with the best new high-performance hiking gear, gadgets and apparel from arc’teryx, Helly Hansen, lululemon and more.
Which is great news, because we all know that when we feel good in what we’re wearing, we’re more likely to get out there and enjoy our workout even more. So to help you get motivated and out on the trail, we’ve done a roundup of some of the cutest and most practical hiking looks right now. As well as a few additional tools to keep you safe and sound.
From the right tops, bottoms, boots and even backpacks and water bottles and sunscreens, here are the most stylish and smart essentials to keep you comfortable, chic and safe on the trails this season.
The best new high-performance hiking gear, gadgets and apparel
1. lululemon merino wool top
Invest in polyester, nylon or merino wool tops in lieu of cotton. Unlike cotton, Lululemon’s Merino Wool-blend Boxy T-Shirt ($98) will move sweat off skin and dry faster – reducing any chances of hypothermia.
BUY NOW – $98.00.
2. outdoor voices pants
Trails have twists and turns, so you need to be able to move freely. As tempting as yoga pants are, they don’t make for great hiking pants because branches and boulders can easily shred thin, stretchy leggings. The versatile RecTrek Zip-Off Pant ($118) from Outdoor Voices works just as well for warm days as they do for colder days as they feature zip-off sections that allow you to wear them three ways.
BUY NOW – $118.00.
3. arc’teryx jacket
Longer trips require layers – be it for chilly mornings, sunset finishes or for unexpected rainy or cold conditions. The breathable 3-layer gor-tex Arc’teryx Beta LT Jacket ($450) will keep you warm and dry if a sudden rain falls.
BUY NOW – $450.00.
4. helly hansen hiking boots
The most important part of hiking is having something comfortable on your feet, and nothing beats a quality pair of hiking boots. While they don’t need to be leather boots, your footwear should provide support, protection from rocks and roots and traction on both wet and dry surfaces. For a hybrid boot/sneaker we like the look of Helly Hansen’s Cascade Low Cut Helly Tech Hiking Shoes ($140) which offers great traction and is also waterproof so your feet stay dry through the entire journey. And don’t forget to wear wool socks to keep your feet extra dry.
BUY NOW – $140.00.
5. a well fitting north face backpack
Hiking requires a good backpack. You need one that is big enough to hold your extra layers and socks as well as the other essentials like water and snacks. The North Face Hydra 38 Backpack ($140) features a hydration sleeve and trampoline back panel for breathability and comfort. In addition to being made to fit a woman’s body, it clocks in at only 2 lbs so it will be easy to carry.
BUY NOW – $140.00.
6. black diamond walking poles
While not strictly necessary, a pair of trekking poles will help to improve your balance and traction, assist in a hiking rhythm, reduce pressure on your knees during descents and also help you test out water/mud depths on your trip. Black Diamond’s lightweight Trail Cork Trekking Poles ($130) are adjustable to match trail conditions and can be collapsed and stowed in your bag.
BUY NOW – $130.00.
7. lightweight hydro flask
Who doesn’t enjoy sipping ice cold water on a hike? Unlike plastic water bottles Hydro Flask’s Lightweight Wide Mouth Trail Series Water Bottle ($50) keeps your water cold throughout your whole trip, keeping cold for 24 hours with its TempShield double-wall vacuum insulation. And unlike typical stainless steel bottles, it’s 25% lighter in weight.
BUY NOW – $50.00.
8. sawyer squeeze water filter
Never be caught without fresh water with the collapsible, quick and easy to use Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter ($41) that not only removes viruses and bacteria, but sediment too. While you could use water purification tablets or droplets, they can take up to four hours to work on removing all bacterias and if the water is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, it takes even longer.
BUY NOW – $41.00.
9. adventure medical first aid kit
Even if you are going on a short hike you should always pack a first aid kit just in case of an emergency. File this Adventure Medical Kits UltraLight and Watertight Kit ($40) filled with moleskin for blisters, forceps for removing ticks and splinters, wipes, antibiotic ointment, medical tape, bandages and pain medication under things you should always bring and hope to never have to use.
BUY NOW – $40.00.
10. anker portable charger
Since there are no power outlets in the wilderness – trust us, we’ve checked – be sure to bring a small battery bank like the Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger ($26) to keep your phone topped up with power. This will ensure you can always stay in touch if you need help or have access to maps if you get lost.
BUY NOW – $26.00.
11. beats fit pro earbuds
Many people love listening to tunes while hiking, while others don’t. So it’s a good idea not to disturb the great outdoors. To keep the peace in nature we suggest investing in a pair of good earbuds like these Beats Fit Pro Earbuds ($200) that have integrated wing tips that help keep them secure during rigorous activities. They also have excellent noise cancellation, and their sound has just the right amount of bass and kick to keep you motivated.
BUY NOW – $200.00.
12. supergoop! sun balm
Always wear and pack sunscreen. Spending long hours outdoors can expose you to ultraviolet rays, the cause of sunburn, premature skin aging and skin cancer. Supergoop!’s Cloud 9 100% Mineral Sun Balm SPF 40 ($26) is a multipurpose sun balm for spot-soothing dry or cracked skin, with broad-spectrum SPF 40 UV protection. It’s ideal for windy and high altitude conditions.
BUY NOW – $26.00.
best new high-performance hiking gear, gadgets and apparel
There you have it, our top 12 picks for hiking essentials that are not only practical but stylish too, from top brands like arc’teryx, Helly Hansen and lululemon. Now you know what to wear and pack on your next outdoor adventure. We don’t know about you, but this list almost has this city girl ready to hit the trails running, er, walking we mean. Happy trails, dear reader.
