Outdoor adventurers know the importance of good preparation. If you’ve ever been on a hike, camping, or other outdoor activity, you may have experienced unpleasant situations just because you didn’t have some much-needed essentials. That could have been everything from snacks to a rain jacket and knife. Not having something that you need, especially in situations where there’s no way how to get it, can ruin the entire experience. For this reason, you want to be well prepared the next time you head out in order to fully enjoy your outdoor journey.
A Rechargeable Torch: Handy and Versatile Piece of Equipment
The first thing that you must have is a good rechargeable torch. These are ubiquitous tools that can come in handy in various situations. It should be rechargeable because it’s the most convenient option for the outdoors. You won’t have to carry around batteries or be left without a source of light in case you lose them. Torches come in numerous sizes, and many stores offer you to order a quality rechargeable light online.
Small, hand-held torches are efficient and powerful. They’re lightweight and don’t take up much space. This is an important feature because you don’t want to lug heavy equipment around. They can be made of rubber, plastic, and metal. You’ll need something durable and tough that will survive every accident. If you go with plastic, make sure it’s shock-resistant since regular plastic is light but breaks easily. There are rechargeable flashlights made of titanium or aluminium alloy, which are both strong and lightweight. Some other things that you need to consider when choosing a torch are its surface, switching mechanism, light output, and run time.
The first two are important for your convenience. You’ll need something that won’t slip out of your hand even when you’re wearing gloves, and you should be able to switch it on and off with ease.
The light output is the intensity of the light, measured in lumens. If you search for a rechargeable light online, you’ll see that every model has its output written next to the name. Usually, outdoor torches have greater light output.
The run time tells you how many hours you’ll be able to use the torch until you’ll have to recharge it. Which one you’ll choose depends on your needs.
Most modern torches feature LED technology. The reason for this is that they’re low energy and more efficient than other bulbs. Also, a rechargeable led torch is brighter than a regular halogen torch, and it can come in different colours as well.
A Lightweight Tent: The Item that Can Be of Great Help
A bit obvious but still worth mentioning is a lightweight tent. Even if you don’t plan to spend the night outdoors, you don’t know what might happen, so having a tent that you always carry with you can be of great use. You’ll need a quality tent with the appropriate accessories to get the most out of your outdoor experience. There are several things that should be taken into account when choosing a tent.
The first one is the weather conditions. Most tents are 3-season tents, which means that they’ll withstand rain and somewhat light snow but aren’t made for heavy storms. For harsh conditions, 4-season tents are chosen. They’re stronger and provide you with more warmth.
The second thing is its weight. This depends on its size, livability, and components. You should choose according to your needs and budget.
The third thing is durability. Typically, lighter tents are less durable since they’re made of materials that aren’t as strong. You’ll have to set priorities so you can choose the best tent.
Suitable Footwear: Spend the Day with No Pain
Footwear is often disregarded but it’s the single, most important aspect that you should take care of first. Never set out without appropriate boots because you’ll regret it. You’ll be on your feet the entire time and the uneven terrains won’t be easy on you. You wouldn’t want to walk in pain and ruin the entire day just because your feet don’t have the support that they need.
There are different materials used for making hiking shoes, like full-grain leather, split-grain leather, synthetics, and others. Full-grain leather is used for durable footwear that can withstand all kinds of different conditions but it’s not as breathable as split-grain leather. Synthetics are commonly used and they’re more affordable, but these shoes won’t last as long.
Some features that you might want to consider are waterproof membranes that will keep you dry and insulation, which is used for greater warmth in harsh conditions. Most importantly, make sure that the footwear you choose is comfortable and fits you perfectly.
Drinks with Electrolytes: Staying Hydrated Is Essential
You already know that you need plenty of water to stay hydrated, but have you heard of electrolyte water? Electrolytes are minerals, like sodium, magnesium, and calcium that your body needs for moving nutrients, balancing fluids, proper function of the muscles, and regulating blood pressure. We lose electrolytes when sweating and the body needs to replenish them. Electrolyte drinks are enhanced with the minerals that we need. Small amounts of electrolytes can be found in tap and bottled water, except for the distilled one.
Electrolyte drinks can boost exercise performance, rehydrate you, prevent heat stroke, and support overall nervous system function. You need all of this when spending a lot of time outdoors and losing valuable electrolytes.
Sports drinks usually have added electrolytes but they contain sugar and other substances that aren’t the healthiest option. Instead of them, you can opt for coconut water, milk, fruit juices, smoothies, and even make an electrolyte drink yourself. In this way, you’ll know exactly what you’ve put in your drink without the unnecessary sugars and added flavours. Take your drink in a durable stainless steel bottle that won’t break down during the first fall, and you’ll stay fresh and hydrated during the entire journey.