7 Essential Gears for a Branson Day Hike

Many of the essential gears for hiking can easily be found on the internet, but many of these hiking essential gear lists have items that most hikers never take with them on the trail. From the hiking layers to a comfortable pack, to healthy snacks, here are the seven essential gears that you need for a day hike in Branson.

1. Backpack

A decent backpack is the first thing that you need to take for your day hike. If you have an old JanSport in your closet or any other old bag, use it if you are packing light, but if you are a serious hiking enthusiast, you may need something more robust. For a typical day hiking pack, the size will range from 20 to 35 liters. This can hold extra layers and all the other day hiking essentials.

Your backpack must feature an interior pocket for a water bladder; a hip belt that will take the load on your hips rather than your shoulders; and a sternum strap which stops the backpack from shifting when you are hiking. If you want to become comfortable with your backpack, try it on the store so you can be sure it’s a good fit for your torso and body type.

2. The Right Hiking Layers

One of the essential gears for your day hike is the one that you wear. No matter what the season is, wearing layers out on the trail is necessary when you want an easy and safe hike. A sweat-wicking base layer, such as wool, is ideal wear which is breathable and regulates body temperature. Avoid cotton layers. Wet cotton doesn’t provide insulation during the cold, and when it’s summer it traps warmth, so try not to wear this kind of fabric if you can. In the summer, it’s advisable to layer a t-shirt on top and wear a heavier long-sleeved shirt.

Don’t forget to pack a lightweight raincoat, a hat, and gloves to stuff in your pack if you think you might experience chilly weather. Some hikers wear bandanas or a buff, which are multi-purpose items that work well for wiping off sweat, protecting from the sun, or keeping your neck warm if you encounter cold.

Choose a pair of durable hiking boots and wool socks for your feet that can handle whatever type of terrain you’re hiking. If it’s an easy trail, go for lightweight trail shoes with high-rise, thick-soled boots as it can protect your ankles on more stringent and more challenging surfaces.

3. Gears for Sun Protection

When you take a day hike, it’s vital to protect your skin from the sun. So you may need to bring a bottle of sunscreen with at least UPF 30 and won’t come off when you sweat. Pack also a breathable brimmed hat and sunglasses that aren’t fragile for eye and face protection. During sunny hikes, the scorching sun can cause you sunburn. During winter hikes the sun reflects off the snow, and it sends some intense rays back at you. Sun protection is a day hiking essential whatever the season as it will help you to prevent injury.

4. Map/Navigational Tools

You will find a lot of apps in the net for finding trails. Hikers are highly encouraged to have a few of these apps downloaded on your phone. For navigation, try the Gaia, a favorite GPS app that allows you to see your location in real time on your smartphone.

There are already many people that rely on their smartphone’s advanced GPS when they navigate on the trail. It’s essential to have a backup as there are still many places that have no WiFi connection or cell reception and the battery can die unlike if you have a map or a compass. It could be a safety concern if you happen to get lost and your smartphone is dead. So, always pack a waterproof and tear-proof map, plus, a compass, don’t rely on battery-operated gear so that you can find your way out.

5. A lot of water

When you want your body to function at its very best, then you need to take with you a lot of water. Always bring extra water on your day hike, and even water purified for a long walk. Staying well hydrated during a long hike can help you avoid dehydration or even altitude sickness, but moreover, a well-hydrated hiker always enjoys a great time while having fun.

Some daypacks feature a space for a hydration reservoir that can be filled with water and allows you to sip water from an attached tube. Since it’s inside the pack, it’s easy to carry and is an excellent option for staying hydrated on-the-go.

6. Energizing Snacks

Food is one of the essential things that you need for a day hike, so you stay full and keep your energy up, plus some extra to be safe. Take nutritional snacks that come with protein and fiber, like granola bars, jerky, sturdy fruits like apple or carrots that won’t get squeezed in your bag. Or bring a jelly sandwich or peanut butter.

On a long day hike, it’s crucial always to bring enough food, and having extra can be of great help in case of an emergency. And while you’ll be burning more calories, you may need that extra food.

7. First Aid Emergency Kit

Investing in a portable and lightweight first aid kit is an excellent idea to take with you for your day hike. You can keep this in your backpack along with your other hiking essentials. While it’s unlikely that will meet an accident, things like cramps, blisters, and minor cuts can happen on an exhaustive hiking adventure in a harsh weather condition. If you bring the first aid kit, make sure it has the basics for dealing with minor injuries.

So, if you want to get ready for a fascinating day hike, you must bring with you these seven essential gears when you plan to spend a whole day hike adventure in Branson.

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