New To Hiking? Don't Waste Your Money On This Gear.

My Top 3 Picks For Highly Overrated Hiking Gear You Don't Really Need...At Least Yet

Take a quick stroll into any outdoor adventure store and you’re sure to be overwhelmed with the sheer amount of stuff covering the shelves, mounted to the walls, and hanging from the ceiling (as if there wasn’t enough space in that 25,000 sq. ft mega-room housing endless rows of gear).

You’re far from crazy for wondering if all of this is genuinely even necessary. There’s no way any human being needs all of this gear just to get outside, right?

As someone whose outdoor gear collection has grown quite a bit over the years and now commands the space of multiple jam-packed storage racks, I’ve bought and tried a lot of hiking and camping gear. Some (shockingly, most) of it I use religiously. And others? Not so much.

But if you’re new to the hiking scene, I feel like the hardest part is figuring out what’s truly essential when getting started, and what isn’t worth the investment (at least, yet).

So I’m gonna break down the things that I honestly don’t think you should be splurging on at the get-go, when you’re just getting into hiking.

Quick Note: Does that mean you should never buy these items? Absolutely not. Many of them can become go-to’s in your hiking pack as you become a more seasoned adventurer. But please please please don’t waste your money on them when you’re just starting out.

Contrary to what every big name outdoor influencer will have you think, you really can get by with a solid pair of hiking boots, moisture-wicking clothes, a bottle of water, and the safety essentials.

The rest? These are the nice-to-have’s. The things that make hitting the trails easier. The things that put less friction between you and adventure. Add them over years, and not days or weeks.

1. A Fancy, Elaborate Hiking Pack

Aside from hiking boots, when people think of hiking, a dedicated hiking pack typically comes to mind.

Do I love my Osprey hiking pack? 100%, absolutely. But this gear falls squarely in the nice-to-have category when you’re first getting into hiking.

Contrary to what the hiking blogs may tell you, a standard old backpack with a supporting waistband (to take some of the weight off your shoulders and upper back) will suffice for easier and intermediate hikes.

I’d much rather you spend your money on a quality pair of hiking boots than drop two to three hundred dollars on a hiking pack with all the bells and whistles.

In fact, I didn’t buy my pack until a few years into my journey as a hiker, when I knew I’d bring it with me for longer backcountry treks and camping trips.

2. Hiking Pants With All The Bells And Whistles

I fear I may get some pushback from the hiking community on this one, but I’m just gonna say it: most of the time, you totally don’t need hiking pants.

A pair of moisture-wicking leggings (which you probably already have in your closet), for example, works fine.

Hiking pants really come in handy for a few key scenarios, which typically don’t apply when you’re just starting out. They’re a go-to item if you’re doing longer, more strenuous hikes, but for easy to moderate ones without water crossings, wildly rainy weather, or rugged terrain, save your money.

My husband wears his hiking pants on basically every hike we do, while I opt for my moisture-wicking leggings 99% of the time. We traverse the same terrain, just with different attire, and I’ve fared just fine.

3. Trekking Poles

Apparently I’m in the mood to be controversial in this post, because I’d be willing to bet there are more than a few people who’d disagree with me on this one, but hear me out.

I do own trekking poles, but I probably only use them on 5-10% of the hikes I go on (and I quite literally hike for a living). The primary time I bring them along is when I’m hiking on a trail that has water crossings or deep mud and I need that extra stability.

I know there are some people who swear that trekking poles help them with their knee pain, but I personally haven’t ever found that to be true. Plus, I honestly think they’re a pain in the neck to work with. I’d much rather be hands-free.

Here’s the thing: you could spend nearly a hundred bucks on a pair of trekking poles, or you can do what I did and drop a quarter of that on a highly rated, yet super inexpensive pair of poles that do the job just fine for those 5-10% of hikes when you need them.

Why splurge on something you’ll rarely use?

So If These Aren’t Essential, What Is?

I plan on diving into my core hiking essentials later next month, but if you’re planning an excursion into the great outdoors, I’d highly recommend starting with safety gear above all else.

It’s the thing people are quick to overlook, but it’s the stuff you’ll be super thankful you packed when you’re in a pinch. I recently did a write up on the seven core pieces of hiking gear I refuse to adventure without to get you started.

What’s the one piece of hiking gear you invested in and wish you hadn’t? Leave a comment and let me know.