Growing up, all my vacations involved hiking with family at national parks (Yellowstone! Arches! Acadia!). When I think of my purest and deepest idea of my happy place, it’s trekking on a desert or mountain path—so much so that now, as an adult, it’s my favorite way to hang out with friends. The issue? Not everyone has multiple decades of hiking under their belt, and the idea of being out in nature with (shudder) all the bugs is a hard no for plenty of people. So naturally, I’ve made it my mission to turn all my friends into hiking converts—and a few essentials have been key in making that happen.
The most important factor is comfort, and to that end, I avoid insect annoyances with OFF!® Deep Woods® aerosol or spritz (which helps repel mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, and chiggers). With these smart additions, I’ve been able to reap all the benefits of hiking with my BFFs and spend many happy weekends on the trails of upstate New York with my crew. Here’s your blueprint on how you can do it, too.
Shop Hiking Essentials
OFF!® Deep Woods® Insect Repellent V Aerosol
Only a third of Americans consistently take measures to protect themselves from ticks, according to OFF!® brand survey data—and ticks live in habitats from grassy backyards to, of course, the woods. To counteract ticks, EPA-registered repellents containing the CDC-recommended* active ingredient DEET is the way to go to help deter not just ticks, but also mosquitoes, biting flies, gnats, and chiggers.
*Please note that the EPA and CDC do not recommend or endorse any commercial product, brand, or manufacturer.
OFF!® Deep Woods® repellents are formulated with DEET to provide you with long-lasting protection from insects while hiking or camping, with OFF!® Deep Woods® Insect Repellent V offering mosquito protection for up to eight hours with 25-percent DEET.
“The percentage of DEET you see on the label refers to the concentration of the active ingredient in the repellent, which coincides with the amount of time you’re protected from insects,” says Dr. Beachgem, a pediatric ER doctor and champion of OFF!® brand’s insect repellents.
Ziploc Endurables Container 2 Pack — $23.00
A fact that surprises absolutely no one: Snacks are usually the answer to keeping your energy up and making the trek a little more enjoyable. When you sense fatigue from the group, announce it’s snack time, find a comfy log, and plop this handy, reusable snack container down using its nifty standup feature. For a fun, crowdsourced take on a classic that will ensure everyone gets a taste of their faves, invite your friends to bring ingredients (think: pistachios, chocolate, dried cherries…) and DIY your own trail mix.
Kodak Disposable Camera — $21.00
Hiking is arguably one of the world’s last analog activities, which can be a trigger for your friend who never goes without 5G. My advice? Lean into it. Make the nostalgia the point with a disposable camera to capture snaps along the way, giving you all something to look forward to once you get your pics developed. Delayed gratification—much like summiting a switchback trail for an epic view payoff—is a lost art we can all celebrate more.
iNaturalist Plant Identification App
Hiking with a group is a great way to reconnect, both with your friends and with nature—but yes, that round-trip route can be long. For those moments when you need a break on a steep incline, try engaging with plant life. This free app helps you easily identify all manner of flora via photos, so you can figure out what that mushroom is. It might surprise you which one in your group gets particularly engrossed, and voilà: a plant nerd is born.
Teva Women's Hurricane XLT2 Sandal — $76.00
One of the best parts of a hike is the chance to kick off your hiking boots and dip your toes in a babbling brook or roaring waterfall. That said, for those squeamish about what might be on the bottom of said body of water, having a pair of water-friendly shoes in your backpack is the solution. For that, I recommend these Teva sandals to all my friends—they’re podiatrist-approved and double as a fashion statement (yes, utilitarian shoes are cool again). Matching shoe photo on your disposable camera? That’s just a bonus.
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