From strolling the streets of Buenos Aires to hiking in the Canadian Rockies, walking provides great exercise as well as stretching your mind and spirit.
To maximize the pleasure that comes with vigorous bipedal activity, planning is key. No matter what the activity, it is always wise to have a first aid kit. adventure medical kit Makes for a sport-specific and ultralight, watertight option. Or throw them together in your own Ziploc bag.
Even if your route includes pinxatos at a seaside cafe in Spain, a trailhead food truck or a wild blueberry patch, carry an emergency snack (Honey Stingers are gluten-free and kosher almonds). Pumpkin Nut & Seed Bar packs 14 grams of protein). Tailwind’s Little Packets Like Electrolytes electrolyte powder Helps you rehydrate and reactivate.
For the rest, a trail run requires a different set of equipment than a multiday trek and a rugged day hike requires different gear than an afternoon of urban exploration. Here are some basics on each category to get you started (all items come in men’s and women’s versions unless otherwise noted):
City Walk
Shoes
Hard surfaces require a supportive, comfortable shoe with some grip but not a heavy, chunky tread. For Women, Dansko’s new peony walking sneaker ($140) is based on the same arch technology and shock-absorbing heel cushioning beloved by chefs. It features a lightweight, yet tough rubber outsole with a minimal tread and a 100 percent recycled liner and mesh upper. for men, Arctix Norvan LV 3 GTX ($200) is a trail runner, but even with a 4-millimeter wedged sole, the lightweight, low-profile, waterproof, and tastefully designed shoe is comfortable for walking around town.
fitness tracker
Apple’s Series 8 Watch (from $399) handles the rigors of travel well with its crack-, water-, and dust-resistant body. And it offers fitness tracking that not only measures steps and heart rate zones, but will take an EKG, measure your blood oxygen and allow you to customize intervals. It also supports international roaming, so you can make calls and send texts wherever your data plan supports it.
pack
In a city it’s good to have a small, secure, body-hugging pack. Gregory’s nano switch sling ($55) checks all the boxes with five zipper pockets to maximize its 3.5-liters of space, including the cross-body bag’s padded shoulder strap for items like Air Pods. Compression straps on the bottom secure a lightweight jacket.
hydration
Stainless Steel Water Bottles Can Make You Weave, Here’s Why Mir Climate+ 20 oz Wide Bottle ($40), made with 25 percent less stainless steel than other bottles its size, feels so light yet offers double-wall vacuum insulation to keep beverages icy without spillage.
jacket
Summer weather is fast becoming capricious, so be prepared for rain. montayne is new minimus light ($239) The running jacket is 7.1-ounces, waterproof, and breathable. Its full hood protects your head from the rain and two large zip pockets hold keys, cash and credit cards. And it still packs down to the size of a bean burrito.
trail run
Shoes
Trail running shoes need to hit that elusive sweet spot, providing a rugged, durable sole while still being light and nimble enough to rapidly navigate rugged terrain. Hoka Speedgoat 5 ($155) nails it. It’s a half-ounce lighter than the previous Speedgoat 4, yet it has a beefy, grippy Vibram sole and enough cushion to make it feel like a magic slipper.
running belt
Few things are more distracting on a trail run than a pack rubbing or bouncing. rub veil 1 ($45) takes that problem away. 1.5-inch-wide Velcro band secures the ultralight, breathable running belt around your waist. A central zip pocket keeps your phone and car keys secure, and two side stash pockets hold snacks. There’s a horizontal sleeve outside the zip pocket for your water bottle. Everyone gets a bounce-free ride in this.
Shorts
new fun of flylo Falcon The running shorts ($80) are as comfortable as they are quick-drying, with a PFC-free water-repellent nylon outer fabric and breezy mesh liner brief. An elastic waist and draw string keep them up and there’s a zip pocket in the back big enough for a phone. Side mesh pocket stashes energy gels.
socks
Say what you will about style, but knee-high compression socks promote blood flow and reduce recovery time. Vim & Vigre’s 15-20 mmHg (moderate compression) Pine cones The socks ($38) are made from a blend of nylon, Australian merino wool, and spandex that keeps your calves, ankles, and feet snug and feeling protected. Pine cone print adds fun to an often painful endeavor.
sports watch
Finnish-designed Suunto 9 Peak Pro (from $549) is sleek, tough, intuitive and has 40 hours of battery life. with gglobal navigation satellite system Tracking, its navigation is more accurate over a wider geography than devices using GPS. For trail runners, key features include altitude readings and weather tracking; Ability to import and export routes from other apps; and key data such as heart rate, pace, distance and recovery time.
day hike
Hiking shoes
When hiking over rough terrain, ankle support and a more aggressive tread are important. oboes bridger mid ($190) provides both and Minimal break-in is required, which is unusual for beefy hiking boots. The waterproof nubuck leather upper makes hiking in a rainstorm or crossing a stream less difficult.
pack
Made from recycled fabric scraps cotopaxi inca ($130) has a patchwork-quilt flair. The 26-liter pack is ideal for an ambitious day hike. Six zippered compartments distribute essentials throughout the pack, including a stretchy phone pocket on padded straps. There’s an internal hydration sleeve and two generous water bottle pockets, and the padded and breathable back panel and shoulder straps combined with adjustable shoulder, waist, and chest straps keep the pack right where it needs to be.
trekking poles
Strong, lightweight, and streamlined are important qualities for poles, especially ones that fit in a suitcase. mountainsmith’s andesite ($100) Carbon poles with carbide tips weigh 6 ounces per stick and have comfortable foam handles that reduce blisters. With two telescoping sections as opposed to three, they compress down to 32 inches.
extra layer
The stretch of Patagonia, a cult classic among hikers Nano Air Lite Hybrid Hoodie ($299) has 40 grams of insulation that keeps the chill down, but the back and sides are still breathable via air panels made from 100 percent recycled polyester ripstop shell. Zipper keeps the insulated hood close to the face, keeping the neck and head comfortable in the wind. It all boils down to the size of the Nalgene bottle.
headlamp
You might never take it out of your pack, but it’s always wise to have a hands-free headlamp handy in case of an emergency. rechargeable Petzl Tikka Core ($60) provides 450 lumens of floodlight, weighs less than 3 ounces, and tucks inconspicuously into a zippered waistband pocket.
multi day pilgrimage
trekking boots
When trekking long distances, it’s good to go with a breathable, lightweight boot that can handle rough terrain well. Saleva’s Pedroc Pro Powertex Mid ($200) The boot is made for speed hiking, so it’s flexible yet supportive. It’s also waterproof so feet stay warm and dry.
pack
No need to carry sleeping bags or tents while trekking from inn to inn. 28 liters of Patagonia, 100 percent recycled nylon Altiva ($149) is nicely minimal, with a front-loading stuff pocket that can store a day’s worth or more of gear and snacks. The suspended mesh-back panel adds airflow, there’s an internal hydration sleeve, and a waterproof fly for hiking through the rain. Zip-up hip pockets keep small treasures secure and external lash points secure trekking poles. If 28 liters doesn’t seem right then the same pack comes in 14, 22 and 36 litres.
quick drying undergarments
Quick-drying underwear is a must for long distance travel. Royal Robbins ReadyDry Essentials The women’s underwear, tanks and bras, and men’s briefs (from $20), are made from a blend of recycled polyester and yarn upcycled from coffee grounds and recycled polyester. You’ll only need two pairs of these lightweight, comfortable, quick-drying, sweat-wicking, and most importantly, odor-absorbing undergarments.
trekking poles
Poles give your arms a workout, keep you balanced and protect valuable joints. Leaky’s Makalu FX Carbon ($229) The folding carbon poles weigh 8.9 ounces per stick and have three telescoping sections that break them down to just 15 inches long, making them easy to stow in a suitcase for an exotic adventure.
protective sun hat
Besides shoes, a hat that keeps the sunlight off your face and neck is the number one priority on a long hike. Stephanie Carter, founder of Wallaroo Hat Company, is half-Swiss, grew up in Colorado, is married to an Australian, and her hiking resume includes the Tour de Mont Blanc and the Camino de Santiago. Who better to design a comfortable, packable hat that provides maximum UPF 50 protection? Wallaroo offers several styles, but Charlie The fedora ($53) has a substantial brim of 2.75 inches, folds like a taco and wears in the cafe as well as on the trail.
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