Many people go on treks to unplug from technology and connect with nature but certain gadgets enhance your journey and make it more convenient.
Some trekking gadgets also make your hike safer as they help you handle unexpected situations, such as getting lost or running out of drinkable water.
To make the most out of your trek, we have curated a list of the 10 best-hiking gadgets that you should bring with you on your next trek.
10 Best Hiking Gadgets 2021
#1. Handheld GPS Navigation Device
GPS Navigator is highly useful in hiking especially when you are going to unknown places. The GPS device has a direct satellite connection to get the user’s location, unlike mobile devices that use mobile tower signals to utilize the inbuilt GPS.
Most terrains have poor or no mobile signals, so your smartphone is useless in that case. You can avoid getting lost in unknown terrain with a dedicated GPS device.
The best handheld GPS navigation device – Garmin eTrex 10
Garmin eTrex is a portable handheld navigator equipped with a 2.2-inch monochrome display, ideal for budget-oriented people because of its low price.
eTrex is preloaded with a worldwide map and you can track high/low altitude, start & finish points along with distance, time, and track between two points.
The GPS receiver has WAAS technology along with HotFix and GLONASS support for fast positioning and strong signal strength in dense areas.
The rugged handheld navigator is weatherproof with an IPX7 rating that enables protection against dust, heat, and sudden downpours.
Key features
- Easy to carry
- Weatherproof with IPX7 rating
- Fast position locking with strong signal strength
- Bright monochrome display
#2. Portable Water Purifier
Staying hydrated during a hike is very important but it’s not easy to drink water from any running stream or lakeside because of the presence of bacteria, protozoa, and viruses in the water body.
You need a portable water purifier that physically removes protozoa and bacteria using filtration stuff like hollow fiber membranes.
I have found Sawyer Mini as the best portable filtration system while trekking.
Best Portable Water Purifier – SteriPen Adventurer Opti UV Personal Water Purifier
The SteriPen uses a UV light that removes 99.9% of all bacteria, protozoa, and even viruses. You place the Steripen lamp in clear water and stir until the indicator light turns green.
The UV lamp provides up to 8,000-liter treatments.
However, the dirty water should be pre-filtered using a portable water filter before UV treatment.
The unique gadget works with containers that are a minimum of 1.75 inches wide in diameter.
The UV purifier has a shut-off feature when purification is complete to save the battery. The package includes a neoprene case with a belt loop and 2 non-rechargeable CR123 batteries.
Key features
- Better water purification than mechanical filters
- Removes 99.9% germs
- Low power indicator for battery replacement
- Auto shut off feature to save battery life
#3. Outdoor Camera
Trekking allows you to reconnect with nature and you need a camera that helps you not only in taking breathtaking views, or record 4K videos but it should be lightweight and compact in size.
Thankfully, camera manufacturers have now started using rigid-flex PCBs to pack more cutting-edge features into small camera bodies. Despite their tiny size, such cameras can still take great quality pictures.
I would suggest carrying an action camera like a GoPro which you can also attach to objects such as helmets.
Best Outdoor Camera – GoPro Hero 8
Go Pro Hero 8 allows you to make 4K videos with HyperSmooth 2.0 stabilization for the smoothest video on the go. You also get a 12 MP camera lens for sharp still pictures.
Hero 8 is compact and easy to carry and it contains mounts to fix on monopods, helmets and even attach to your body with a belt and casing. You can record underwater thanks to the waterproofing feature. The shock protection eliminates the worry of sudden falls and breaks if recording during your hike.
The TimeWarp 2.0 feature helps you capture super-stabilized time-lapse videos while doing an activity.
Key features
- Compact size
- Shake free 4K videos
- 12 MP image resolution
- Mounts to setup with helmets or monopods
- Super stabilized time lapse
- Water and shockproof
Also read – Red rock canyon hiking tips
#4. Portable Power Bank
You need a high-capacity power bank (which is not portable at all) to keep charging your gadgets for multiple days during a hike but that will only be additional weight. So, your best bet is to have a portable solar charger with you.
That would not only be easy to carry but you also charge it in the daytime sunlight and never go out of power in the wild.
Best Portable Power Bank – GoalZero Venture 30
The GoalZero Venture 30 is a dust and waterproof solar power bank, ideal for hiking campaigns. You can charge two devices at the same time thanks to its 7800 mAh battery.
The solar charger takes 9 hours in sunlight to completely charge and provide power backup to a regular phone for 2X.
You get rapid charging with its 4.8A USB charging port. The Venture 30 has a lightning input port that allows you to charge the power bank using your iPhone’s cable.
Key features
- Solar power bank
- Dust and waterproof
- 2X faster charging
- Lightning port to use iPhone cable for charging
#5. Hiking Watch
Hiking watch is another important tool that provides you important information like altitude, directions, storm alert, and tracks your health status 24X7.
A hiking watch continuously tracks your heart rate, stamina, and stress level.
Best Hiking Watch – Garmin Instinct
Garmin Instinct is a rugged GPS watch created for the U. S. Military standard 810G for thermal, shock, and water resistance (rated to 100 meters).
You get a built-in 3-axis compass and a barometric altimeter that helps know the direction and height.
Garmin Instinct comes with multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo) to help track better in tough environments.
Even if you have a GPS, Instinct provides you additional backup in case the GPS loses track and vice versa.
You can also monitor your estimated heart rate, activity, and stress level to keep you aware of health in extreme conditions.
Garmin watch keeps you stay connected with smart notifications if connected with your smartphone but that consumes battery fast.
Key features
- Weatherproof GPS watch
- 3-axis compass and barometer
- GPS, Galileo and GLONASS for better location detection
- Health tracking features like heart, activity rate and stress level measurement
#6. Hiking Headlamp
A hiking headlamp comes in handy on the night trek, camping, and even going through bad weather in dense jungle.
You should go for a headlamp with 150 to 200 lumens brightness (more is better) which is bright enough to see you in pitch dark during the trek.
Best Hiking Headlamp – Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp
Black diamond spot 350 allows you to control lamp brightness up to 350 lumens on max setting.
The PowerTap Technology changes between full and dimmed light instantly. You get a 6-Settings 3 LED battery that needs three AAA batteries to operate.
The brightness memory remembers the previous chosen brightness level when turned on.
The black diamond light is IPX8 waterproof that can operate at least 1.1 meters underwater for 30 minutes.
Key features
- Ultra bright light
- 6 light settings to control the brightness
- Brightness memory to know last brightness settings
- IPX8 waterproof
#7. Satellite Communication Device
You’re most likely out of reach of the cell phone network during your trek and you can’t contact anyone if required.
Here comes the satellite communication device handy that allows you to keep in touch with other people to let them know where you are or if you ever get in trouble.
The device not only helps you contact others but also works as GPS for navigation purposes with low energy consumption and less lag time as compared to GPS.
However, Satellite communication devices are costlier than GPS devices, which may be a concern.
Best Satellite Communication Device – Garmin InReach Mini
The Garmin InReach Mini is palm-sized and lightweight but still comes with powerful features like almost 90 hours uptime with continuous tracking, text messaging, and an SOS message facility to use in emergencies.
Key features
- 90 hours battery life
- 2-way text messaging support
- SOS message feature
- Weather forecast
- Earthmate app to connect with a smartphone
#8. Waterproof Lighter
A lighter helps you ignite a fire while camping on a multi-day trek and having a waterproof one keeps it working even in the worst weather conditions.
Best waterproof lighter – Outdoors Waterproof Lighter
The outdoor waterproof lighter makes igniting fire hassle-free with its plasma spark. The waterproof design keeps it safe during a sudden downpour.
You can make 300 sparks in a single charge and you can charge the lighter by connecting a micro USB cable with your laptop or power bank.
Key features
- Waterproof design
- Quick charging
- Easy fire starting
- 220mAh Battery for 300 uses per charge
- Rechargeable using USB cable
#9. Portable Flashlight
A portable flashlight is useful if you are camping on a top or doing a night trek. You need bright light and a long light throw that helps you to see things clearly in the darkness.
The flashlight should also contain a strobe option that blinks light continuously to give signals to the rescue team in case of an emergency.
Best portable flashlight – Olight S1R II LED Flashlight
The Olight S1 is a small portable flashlight of size 2.4-inches. The flashlight has 1000 lumens and a throw of 120 yards which makes it ideal for dark conditions.
You also get 3-level brightness and a strobe mode for emergency conditions. The light comes with a clip attachment to use the flashlight hands-free.
Key features
- Compact size for easy carry
- 1000 lumens super bright light
- 3-level brightness
- Strobe mode
- Clip attachment
#10. Multi-tool for Hiking
Multi-tool is an important gadget that saves you from the need of carrying several tools on hiking and then searching for individual items when in need.
You get all your important tools like a saw, cutter, hammer, or plier in one place.
Best Multi-tool for Hiking – Stansport Emergency Camper’s Multi-Tool
Stansport Camper’s multitool comes with 12-in-1 tools that include –
- Straight knife
- Bottle opener
- Wrench
- Philips screwdriver
- Flathead screwdriver
- Saw blade
- Serrated blade
- Nail file
- Hammer
- Pliers
- Wire cutter
- Hatchet
You get a heavy-duty stainless steel and wood handle for comfortable gripping. The spring action with handle safety lock helps in locking all tools for easy portability.
Key features
- 12-in-1 tool kit
- Heavy duty stainless steel
- Wood handle with safety lock
- Carry bag included with belt loop
Conclusion
Gadgets can make your trek safer, convenient, and memorable. Use these amazing hiking gadgets to enhance your future hikes. These gadgets will help you focus to enjoy your trek and connect with nature. You can also check out our post on first aid kit essentials useful in emergencies.
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