8 Life-saving Hiking Essentials Experts Say to Pack

It’s been almost two years since the traumatic day when I had to be rescued while traveling solo in South Africa. While I can’t remember what I ate for lunch yesterday, that sunny Monday morning in Table Mountain National Park is forever etched into my memory. I did a lot of things wrong that day—for starters, hiking alone on a dangerous trail. On the bright side, I met Blake Dyason, the founder of Love Our Trails and co-founder of Trail Search and Rescue, who rescues dozens of hikers every year (and even has to help recover bodies). I asked him which safety devices and outdoor products make his job easier and which should always be in hikers’ packs before hitting the trail.

I also spoke with my childhood friend, Creed Zibell of Central Montana Search and Rescue. As much as I adore Dyason and Zibell, I hope you never meet them, or their search and rescue colleagues, out on the trails. Fortunately, all you have to do to exponentially decrease your chances of ever needing to be brought down the mountain on a stretcher is pack a few handy products, like an emergency whistle and a waterproof headlamp. These expert picks start at just $8 at Amazon and could potentially save your life—or at the very least, save you serious money on astronomical ambulance and hospital bills.

Garmin inReach Mini 2 Satellite Communicator

With over 1,000 purchased in the last month alone, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 is one of Amazon’s best-selling handheld GPS units. Dyason named this particular model saying, “It gives you the ability to call for help in an emergency, even if you don’t have a cell phone signal.” Plus, unlike smartphones, it can go weeks between charges. The only downside is that you need an active satellite subscription, but it’s still worth every penny for the peace of mind.

“We ran into a ranger who said they were very glad to see we had one since they had just finished up a missing person search [for someone] who got separated from her hiking partner,” wrote one shopper, who brought their Garmin inReach Mini 2 on a five-day hiking trip in Isle Royale National Park.

Black Diamond Storm 400 LED Headlamp

Even if you’re only doing a day hike, Dyason recommends packing a headlamp. “Just in case you get lost, misjudge time, or someone gets injured, you want to be able to see in the dark,” he said. “It will also make it much easier for rescue teams to find you.”

He’s personally invested in the Black Diamond Distance LT 1100 Headlamp, but if that’s out of your budget, consider the Black Diamond Storm 400, which has more than 1,000 five-star ratings. It’s also waterproof, dustproof, and super compact. Why trust the Black Diamond brand? “They’re reliable,” said Blake before adding that if you don’t go with this one, make sure you opt for a headlamp with at least 350 lumens.

Anker Portable Charger

Dyason also recommended keeping a power bank within reach for easily charging devices and headlamps when needed. Ever since I discovered this Anker power bank that keeps my phone alive for days, I’ve been a big fan of the brand, which is considered among the most reliable.

About the size of a credit card, this mini powerhouse is ideal for hiking when size and weight are paramount. It has over 7,800 five-star ratings at Amazon, with more than 6,000 purchased in the last month alone. In particular, shoppers praise its speed: It can charge a dead iPhone 15 to 57 percent battery in 30 minutes.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Embrace your inner camel, because Zibell can’t stress enough the importance of having water on you when you hike. But in addition to staying hydrated, you need to make sure the water you’re drinking is clean. “Contaminated water will lead to sickness,” Zibell told me before starting to sing the praises of LifeStraw. He’s preaching to the choir—I’ve been using this popular water filter on my travels to remote places for years.

Because it filters out 99.99 percent of bacteria, parasites, and microplastics, it allows you to refill your bottle safely at streams and other water sources. Still on the fence about packing a plastic straw? Just know it’s reusable and boasts an impressive 4.8-star average rating from over 122,000 ratings on Amazon. 

Emergency Whistles With Lanyards

Because I didn’t have a phone, screaming saved my life and got my rescuer’s attention in South Africa. However, in hindsight, having a whistle—something Dyason never hikes without—would have been much more effective. For starters, I wouldn’t have lost my voice, and second, the sound travels farther. I like this emergency whistle because its sound can be heard up to a mile away. It comes with an adjustable, reflective lanyard, and it’s plastic, so it’s safe to use even when it’s cold out.

Pteromy Hooded Rain Poncho

It doesn’t matter how hot it is: “If it starts to rain and the wind picks up, hypothermia can quickly set in,” explained Zibell. That’s why he suggests packing this lightweight poncho to keep you dry, and most importantly, warm. It has over 6,800 five-star ratings at Amazon. “I like the fact that I could wear the poncho over both myself and my backpack,” noted one shopper, who used it while hiking the Camino Francés in Spain.

Having an extra pair of dry socks can be a serious game-changer, too. I personally hike with Darn Tough socks because they’re made of naturally moisture-wicking merino wool, and if you get a hole in them, Darn Tough will replace them for free.

Protect Life 100-piece First Aid Kit 

Both Zibell and Dyason can’t imagine hiking without a first aid kit. “It doesn’t have to be the top-notch pack that you would expect a doctor or EMT to pack in an ambulance,” explained Zibell. “But it should have the essentials.”

This 100-piece kit weighs less than one pound and fits in a water bottle pocket. The handy kit was designed by doctors and is a favorite among Amazon shoppers, with a 4.7-star average rating. One five-star reviewer keeps the kit in their purse for everyday use and called it “so useful,” adding that “it is also nice that it can go right through TSA.”

Osprey Rook 50L Backpack

Much like it’s critical to wear the right hiking clothes for comfort, it’s important to have a pack that fits. “You will be miserable if your back and shoulders are sore,” noted Zibell before adding that a comfortable pack is also essential for carrying the products on this list.

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