via Amazon  

Hikers, You’re Going to Love These 37 Genius Amazon Finds

The best soul self care in the entire world is immersing yourself into nature. Here’s why: no crowds to overstimulate you, no screens to exhaust your eyes, no agitated drivers to piss you off, no bosses lurking over your shoulder. It’s just you, the trees and your purpose.

Part of the appeal of hiking or backpacking is being far from civilization, but what if you fall and injure yourself? What if the weather turned suddenly, leaving you in the rain or scalding sun? Nature has a “fun” way of reminding us just how unpredictable it is. It’s better to have the right supplies on hand so you can be ready for anything.

Amazon is where I usually find the best deals, and it did not disappoint this time. I found all the best emergency preparedness supplies, waterproof gear and other genius tech that will make your next hike an easygoing experience, no matter what comes up.

Editorial Note: We review everything independently. If you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission.
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Explore new places with the help of these trekking poles

  via Amazon  

Poles like this are really great for unexpected adventures into narrow caves and steep canyons. They’re also really useful for lifting rattlesnakes off the trail; I can tell you that from experience.

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Get {{clean water in seconds}} with this water filtration system

  via Amazon  

{{Attach it your hydration pack}}, water bottle or just stick your head face-first into the lake and use it as a straw – you do you, boo.

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You never know when you might {{need some privacy}}

  via Amazon  

Nature calls? More like nature is SCREAMING and the only rest stop is 45 minutes from here! {{Desperate times call for desperate measures}}.

You can never have too many carabiners

  via Amazon  

If you feel like you never have enough space in your backpack for things, or you want to keep stuff handy on the trail, carabiners are a great accessory to have. Just don’t lose your car keys!

The Sleepingo inflatable pad = instant bed

  via Amazon  

Setting up a campsite can be a pain, especially after a long drive. If you want to shorten the time between arrival and sweet, blissful sleep, I definitely recommend buying one of these. Also a great find for impromptu sleepovers; it packs down super small, so it’s easy to keep in your purse or car.

I’m going to call this safety bracelet “survivalist fashion”

  via Amazon  

For those who like to be prepared for anything, this is definitely your kind of accessory. It comes with 12 feet of military grade paracord (wow), a fire starter, a compass and a whistle.

Throw these towels in the car before your trip

  via Amazon  

No more wet butts, muddy boots or sunscreen stains on my nice upholstery! It’s a Lexus, not an off-road Jeep!

No matter where you go, you’ll always have a place to relax

  via Amazon  

Rocks and dirt are okay, as seating in nature goes, but this hammock sounds way better. It’s easy to set up (in less than one minute apparently!) without the need for nails or metal frames, making it a great tag-along hiking accessory.

If you’re ready for a life-changing sun hat, this is the one

  via Amazon  

Archeologists, hikers and frog enthusiasts unite! Buyer Lance Jonn Romanoff loves this hat so much, he was inspired to start a whole new life: “This hat changed my life. I have become a complete jungle man. Frogs immediately gravitate to me. I’ve started a frog training school. The only part of my old life that I’ve brought with me is my beloved coffee mug. This hat has truly transformed my life and it protects my skin so I’m at my best for frog school every day. Seriously, buy this hat. It’s incredible.”

Sleep like a baby with this camping pillow

  via Amazon  

I’m going to be honest: As a newbie backpacker, I thought my sweater pile would be comfortable enough, but it really wasn’t. I hardly slept. It’s worth the extra money to avoid a stiff neck and back.

Grab some ice cleats for winter walks

  via Amazon  

It’s like snow chains for your shoes! Now you can enjoy beautiful snow dusted views without the risk of slipping on ice. Or, you know, reenact the plot of The Revenant – whatever makes you happy.

Ditch your old bulky lantern for this new portable one

  via Amazon  

Old lanterns are heavy, bulky and in some cases highly flammable, which is the last thing you want on a camping trip in the middle of the woods. As C. Paterson describes, these lanterns are a much better alternative: “I grew up in a time of liquid gas and propane lanterns. They were never compact, got hot as hell, and you always had to worry about breaking the mantle/wick. In fact you usually carried spares just in case. On long backpacking trips you might even carry extra bottles of propane.. No longer with these lanterns. They’re bright, provide more than enough light for my camp. Instead of bulky, heavy propane bottles I just carry a few extra AA batteries.”

If you don’t like backpacks, try a fanny pack

  via Amazon  

They’re back in fashion, you might as well make the most of it! Plus, it’s a lot easier to get your phone, snacks or bear spray out of a fanny pack while you’re walking; it’s literally right in front of you.

When SHTF, you’ll be thankful you had this thermal blanket?

  via Amazon  

Fortunately, I think most people manage to make it back to the trailhead at a reasonable hour. For those who like to push the limits, we salute you – and we also want you to take this Bivy survival kit with you. May the odds be ever in your favor!

Replace your leaky canteen with a stainless steel bottle

  via Amazon  

You may have heard of Hydro Flasks – insulated water bottles are the new hotness for busy people. Reviewers say the bottle is comparable to more expensive water bottles, but works just the same! I call that a win.

Night hikers, this reflective vest is for you

  via Amazon  

It may not scare off the animals, but it will keep cars from getting too close.

Fit all the things into this 25L day pack

  via Amazon  

No joke, I won’t buy a backpack unless it can fit my puffy coat and a full water bottle. This one is definitely up to the task. Bonus: it’s water resistant!

Carry extra water in these wide mouth bottles

  via Amazon  

With measurements on the side and a tight-fitting lid, you can keep track of your water rations and plan ahead for your next trip to the stream. Another nice thing about these bottles is that they’re made with 50% plastic waste!

Stay fresh with these DUDE wipes

  via Amazon  

Going on a long backpacking trip? Definitely stock up on these, unless you want to smell like outhouse and sweat.

Keep mosquitos at bay with these buggy bracelets

  via Amazon  

No more bug bites = no more itching my skin raw overnight.

Don’t forget to pack extra sunscreen!

  via Amazon  

Most importantly, make sure to pack unscented sunscreen. I once hiked a mountain smelling like a tropical coconut dream, and while I enjoyed the scent, so did the bees.

Invest in good quality socks

  via Amazon  

Though they look great, your favorite no show socks don’t stand a chance in your hiking boots. You’re going to get blisters and slide around in your shoes, which will make your journey home a rough one. Another reason to buy these: high ankle socks will protect your ankles from unwanted bug bites and plant irritants on the trail.

When Google Maps fails you, grab a Garmin GPS

  via Amazon  

From the moment you turn it on, this thing charts your entire path, mileage and speed from start to finish. My dad has one of these and he loves it! I personally like it for keeping track of my route home after crossing lots of overlapping trailheads.

You’ll love these CLIF bars for snack breaks

  via Amazon  

These energy bars are the best! They taste AMAZING when you’ve been trudging through the hot sun all day, and they’ll keep you fueled up for the hike back home.

Never go backpacking without an emergency kit

  via Amazon  

When you’re three hours away from civilization or cell service, it’s a good idea to have extra supplies on hand. Nature has a “fun” way of surprising you when you least expect it.

This blister balm will help you unwind

  via Amazon  

Can we all agree blisters suck? I don’t know how ancient humans managed with nothing but sandals and deer skins to protect their feet over days of walking. Thankfully, 21st Century humans have stuff like foot massagers, gel insoles and blister balm to take the edge off.

A mini fan for no-wind situations

  via Amazon  

There’s nothing worse than hiking in a canyon in the heat of the day with zero airflow and 100% sun. It’s stifling! When you need a break, this little fan will be there to cool you off in short order so you can get back on the road.

All nature enthusiasts and explorers need binoculars

  via Amazon  

What’s a dad without his binoculars and drill sergeant attitude? Also a great find for backpacking alone – you can scope out the next group of hikers to make sure they’re cool.

Replenish your electrolyts with these tablets

  via Amazon  

Story time: When I went backpacking with my dad, it took us much longer than expected to find a campsite. By that point, we had both overworked ourselves and I could feel that dehydrated, shaky fatigue kicking in. Thankfully, these tablets perked me up enough to make it through dinner time so I could enjoy the evening with him before passing out. To this day, I still take them after heavy exercise, even my workouts, and it really helps replenish my system.

A lightweight water filter for backpacking

  via Amazon  

Forget lugging 16+ pounds of drinking water up the mountain – all you need is this LifeStraw to convert river water into potable drinking water. It doesn’t get anymore convenient than that!

Ladies, bathroom breaks in nature just got easier

  via Amazon  

I’m so desperate to get my hands on one of these! I’m sick of squatting in the grass and hoping the bugs don’t find me. It makes me feel so exposed, vulnerable. I’ll take the pee funnel, thanks very much.

Keep your devices at full battery with this solar charger

  via Amazon  

It’s nice to have music for the trip, and an even better idea to leave some battery life leftover for emergency phone calls.

Lightweight soap sheets to pack for your backpacking trip

  via Amazon  

If you’re looking to remove a little extra weight from your pack, try substituting your liquid dish detergent with these soap sheets! They weigh virtually nothing and they won’t spill all over your stuff.

Another emergency gear kit to add to your apocalypse arsenal

  via Amazon  

Escape the elements with this storm shelter! Created by a small business, this personal emergency tent is windproof, waterproof and tear resistant. It’s not luxurious, but it’ll get you through in a pinch. A good find for my trunk, I think!

Travel light with this collapsible water bottle

  via Amazon  

This is a great find for hikers and day-trippers. Once the bottle is empty, you can easily collapse it and slide it into your pocket to keep your hands free. I’m totally taking this to Disneyland…

Enjoy fresh espresso on the trail with the Minipresso

  via Amazon  

Last, but not least… There’s nothing more satisfying than that warm beverage at the end of a long trail, or in the chilly air of first light. Take your time and enjoy nature with your favorite pick me up. All you need is hot water!