My Hiking Gear

Let me preface this by saying that you don't need to carry all of this stuff to go out for a walk. This gear is what I used when we go off the beaten path, when the chance of a mechanical injury increase, as do the possibilities of getting stuck by the weather or becoming lost. In a split second, you can go from taking a nature walk to having a broken ankle or being lost in the middle of nowhere, so always be prepared. In addition to being prepared for the unexpected, I also regularly use this gear when I'm out. For a brew-up or a trailside meal, to practice my bushcraft skills, or just to make the day more enjoyable.

If you asked me, I'd recommend that you dress appropriately, in layers, for the worst weather likely in your area that day, and that you take at least a rain jacket, a water bottle, a charged cell phone and a whistle, and to be sure to tell someone where you're going and when you expect to return. I could go on and on but you didn't ask me though, so I won't.  ;)  If you do want to ask, start by Googling "The 10 Essentials", which will suggest taking along these 10 essential pieces of gear:

The Essentials

1. Flashlight, spare batteries and bulb 
2. Fire making kit – waterproof matches/ lighter, fire starter/candle 
3. Signaling device – whistle (anytime) or mirror (sunny days) to signal searchers if you become lost 
4. Extra food and water – 1 litre/person 
5. Extra clothing (rain/ wind protection and hat/toque or handkerchief which can be used as a hat, sling or bandage) 
6. Navigational/ Communication aids (maps, compass, gps, charts, cellular phone, satellite phone, hand held radio – fully charged battery) – know how to use them 
7. First aid kit – know how to use it 
8. Emergency shelter – orange tarp or blanket. These can also be used as signaling devices. 
9. Pocket knife. 
10. Sun protection (glasses, sunscreen, and hat)

My Hiking Gear

Footwear

I'm 43 years old with a bad back and feet, so good footwear is vitally important to me, especially when I'm carrying a pack or a child while traipsing through the bush. I don't recommend anything other than making sure your shoes or boots fit well, have good treads and are comfortable.

My Woods Bumming Kit

For short, easy hikes, I take what I call my "Woods Bumming Kit". It's got the basics of shelter, water, food, signaling and first aid. It's pretty light and easy to carry. On longer, or more remote adventures, I take a more roubst kit, but this stuff is common no matter what the plan is out there.  It let's me have fun out there and also gives me piece of mind in case anything goes wrong.

I had no budget for new gear when I put this kit together a month or so ago, so I used what I already had and put the gear in an old GI butt pack. It's early Spring right now, which means cold, wet and windy weather, with below freezing temps still very likely, along with weather you'd expect in the middle of the summer. This kit is intended to address my top survival priorities: Shelter, Fire, Water, Signaling and vigilance against hypothermia:

Contents:

cell phone
map & compass (in waterproof bag)
First Aid & hygiene kit (2 maxi pads, 3 tampons, wet wipes, pocket pack of Kleenex, Bandaids, lip balm and OTC meds)
canteen kit (canteen, cup and stove with mini BIC and tin foil)
spork
instant coffee and Tang
snacks and a meal
knife
fuel tabs (in plastic container with stormproof matches)
rain poncho
black bin liner
bandanna
merino wool socks
mylar blanket
duct tape
jute twine
550 cord
whistle
hair elastic
squeeze LED
ferro rod (fire starter)
safety pins, sewing needles, fish hooks, fishing line, weights, leaders (in clear plastic vial)

Altoids Tin PSK

Being the good Scouter that I am, I also carry a small Personal Survival Kit (PSK) in a pocket when I'm in the woods. It's in an Altoids tin, so very small and almost unnoticeable, but it could came in handy if things really went South.

Contents:

Fox 40 whistle
mini BIC
AMK Sparklite
TinderQuick(4)
MicroPUR tabs(4)
6 ft duct tape
birthday candle
mini AMK signal mirror
AMK button compass
razor blade
20 ft black thread
4 ft steel snare wire