Does the hike tempt you? Here are some tips for beginners to get you started well equipped

The shoes

Shoes, during excursions, are the basis. You can go on an excursion in tutu, crop top or nudebut please respect your feet.

Even for inexpensive from Decathlon, you can have a not-too-ugly, very correct and comfortable pair of shoes to trudge in.

If you are ready to pay the price, let yourself be tempted by slightly more exclusive brands, such as Salomon or Merrell.

A tip: walking shoes, it is tested. A little discomfort doesn’t disappear with wear, on the contrary: it gets worse and will make your next excursions hell. If you ever feel too cramped or not quite comfortable, put the pair back on and try another one.

Head to a sporting goods store or the hiking Mecca, Au Vieux Campeur, where you can test the durability of your prospective purchase on mini rock climbs.

Socks

You will tell me “I have shoes, it’s okay, right? ». NO. Well, yes, but it’s at your own risk. The idea is above all to enjoy this moment in the middle of nature, without thinking about the aching arches.

Well-ventilated toes in the summer, or warm toes when temperatures drop, that’s the key.

The trekking socks are equipped with reinforcements, at the heel and on the sides. Prefer seamless socks, you’ll avoid unpleasant creases in the shoe and therefore the formation of a blister that will make you rot the day and all the following days.

And if you’re really going to pack an extra pair in your bag, because you never know.

The bag

The bag, indeed!

Well, there everything depends on whether you are going on a day hike (prefer a bag of 10 to 30 liters) or for a ten-day trek (in this case you need a capacity of at least 40 liters). But it goes without saying that you can immediately put away your old Eastpak from high school, absolutely unsuitable for your back.

We like: external pockets so that all your little essentials are easily accessible and a breathable and well-ventilated back to evacuate moisture.

We also prefer a shoulder strap that allows the weight of the bag to be distributed evenly, and for larger volumes, the waist belt is essential to support part of the weight on the hips.

After choosing your bag (like shoes, we try it on in stores), also learn how to STORE it. On this, I suck, you won’t learn anything from me, but this video can definitely help you.

The sticks

“No but oh, and then what else, why not a stick while we’re at it? »

That was me before I realized walking sticks aren’t for our older friends. Sticks, it doesn’t sound like much, but it has many advantages. You move faster, you struggle less, you have better stability. It is also very practical when going uphill and downhill to keep your balance. In short, obviously it is not essential, but once you try it, it is difficult to do without it.

Little more, they keep you from getting swollen hands, as they won’t hang down.

If you’re not used to it, you can start with just one stick.

And finally don’t forget!

Water: No one wants to find themselves 3km from the finish point under a scorching sun without a drop of water. For a day of trekking a water bottle is not enough, but you can opt for the camelback to slip into the back of the bag, ideal for continuous hydration.

What to eat: Picnic to your heart’s content, there’s nothing worse than eating a bland sandwich. Avoid weighing down your stomach with a super rich snack otherwise you won’t be able to leave (I don’t imagine you take sauerkraut on an excursion, but after all everyone has their own thing). Think of dried fruit and nuts, practices to munch on in case of softness.

A good free app to find hiking ideas? The indestructible and extremely practical Visorando will help you find fantastic escapes classified by difficulty, with explanations, photos and a GPS track to guide you even if you are not good at orienteering.

So, ready for the trek?

Photo credit: Kai-Chieh Chan via Pexels

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