Gear
Mountain Hiking Gear
Modern hiking gear is a fantastic mix of old and new — compasses & GPS devices, knives & smartphones, wool socks & space blankets. A backpack full of cool hiking gear is one of my favorite things about mountain hiking.
Upgrade: More Backpack, More Fun
I switched my backpack from a 34 liter model that’s great for day hikes to a 65 liter model that’s more suited to overnights. I’m really happy with the upgrade.
Winter Hiking Gear: Survive & Thrive in the Cold
Winter hiking in the Catskills is spectacular. Make sure you have the best winter hiking gear and know how to use it.
Winter Gear: Neck Gaiter / Buff
Sometimes small tweaks yield big benefits, and that’s exactly what wearing a neck gaiter does.
Backpack Basics
Your backpack is a fundamental and very personal choice. There are lots of excellent brands to choose from. Here’s the skinny.
Basic Mountain Hiking Gear
While hiking gear can change from trail to trail, and from season to season, the following items will serve you well on every hike. They are a fleshing out of The Ten Essentials (the absolute bare minimum you should pack for every hike). This hiking gear list focuses on day-hiking.
