As a Beginner, What kinds of Equipment Do You Need to Prepare for Climbing Mountains? What are Their Functions?
A vital job is having all the necessary equipment before the start of outdoor activities. Proper equipment can bring you comfort in the event.
That said, we should think about what equipment to choose and how to choose the right one.
Listed below are some of the necessary outdoor equipment I have summarized based on my personal experience that also includes wearing and equipment supplies.
Check out this list, and you'll be able to choose the relevant equipment according to your needs within minimum time.
Wearing supplies:
Firstly, clothing
1. Windbreaker jackets and pants
They are essential for outdoor activities, and windproof, waterproof, breathable and wearable.
2. Fleece jackets
It is mainly windproof and warm.
3. Sweat vest
To keep your body dry after outdoor sports.
4. Quick-dry shirts and pants
Required for summer travel. Detachable trouser legs and sleeves are the best choices.
5. Down jackets and pants
For winter travel or going to the plateau to keep warm.
6. Other personal clothing
Disposable underwear, T-shirt, etc.
Secondly, shoes and socks
They are adaptive, wear-resistant and waterproof. Middle and high shoes are perfect for helping protect the ankle.
2. Lightweight outdoor sneakers
Suitable for general suburban or short-distance activities, or you can wear them when driving.
3. Sports sandals or water shoes
Can be worn as slippers, and also worn directly when you are wading.
4. Moisture-wicking socks
Breathable, suitable for perspiration and it can prevent frostbite in winter.
5. Ordinary sports socks
Made of cotton, comfortable to wear.
6. Gaiters
Very useful in snow or muddy roads.
Thirdly, hats, gloves, glasses, and kerchiefs
1. Sunhat
Round hats, baseball caps or any other style you like, which can block the sun
2. Fleece cap
Mainly to keep warm.
3. Thin gloves
Mostly for the convenience of activities, such as taking photos, etc.
4. Thick gloves
Mainly to keep warm.
5. Glasses
It is better to choose sports glasses. The main function of glasses is to protect you from the sun and UV radiation.
Equipment supplies:
First, backpack
1. Large backpack
Needed for short-distance camping or long-distance hiking tracks. Backpacks should be comfortable and capable of carrying a heavy load. Choose a backpack with a capacity between 45L and 80L.
2. Small backpack
A standby for short-distance or long-distance hiking, capable of withstanding the medium-heavy load. Choose a backpack whose capacity is between 15L to 30L.
3. Waist bags or shoulder bags
Mostly used to keep things handy for long-distance travel. It would be better to choose one that can accommodate a water bottle.
4. Camera bag
Consider your needs first. It proves that using cross-body bag facilitates taking out the lens.
Second, camping
1. Sleeping bag
You should take a small down sleeping bag for long-distance tracks because it is more space-saving. Please take one according to your needs in different seasons.
2. Sleeping bag liner
if you do not camp in long-distance hikes, you need to bring an anti-dirty sleeping bag liner made of fleece or cotton.
3. Tents
generally, waterproof and windproof tents are suitable for camping in most cases. It is recommended to have a small portable tent for long-distance hiking.
4. Moisture-proof pad
Ordinary moisture-proof pads allow you to sit down and lay down at any time, anywhere, and the air cushion makes you more comfortable.
5. Aluminum-coated mat
Lightweight and convenient to carry. It can also be used as a picnic mat.
Third, illumination
1. Headlight
Very convenient and also make your hands free.
2. Flashlight
Alternate lighting.
3. Camping lights
Used in the camp or the tent, and the effect is perfect.
4. Windproof cigarette lighters and matches
This can provide lighting in an emergency, very useful and handy.
Third, illumination
1. Burner
Allows you to prepare and eat hot foods in the wild.
2. Gas cylinders
used with the burner and you need to pay attention to safety hazards when carrying it
3. Set of pots
A burner is useless without pots. The pots are for cooking dishes, preparing soup and noodles, and frying eggs, etc.
4. Small steel cups
Environmentally friendly with which you can drink anything and also serve as a toothbrush cup in the morning.
5. Barbecue stove
You can carry one on a self-driving tour.
Five, drinking ware
1. Outdoor water bottle
Anti-corrosion, in a cool color.
2. Water bag
More useful in the wild during cross-country hiking or cycling.
3. Insulation kettle
Drinking hot water in the wild is a pleasure in the winter
Sixth, communication
1. Mobile phone
The most useful communication tool. However, the signal is a critical factor, and without signals, it is often useless in the wild.
2. A walkie-talkie
Handy equipment in team activities for contacting your teammates any time, It is also efficient when you are shopping within a specific range.
3. GPS
Global Positioning System is a professional device that helps to locate, find the itinerary and can prevent getting lost from your team.
4. Survival whistles
Portable, and regarded as one of the fastest ways to contact your team.
Seven, other things
1. Trekking poles
You can save about 20% of physical strength if you use one very well, and such a pole can also serve as a monopod.
2. Washbag
Depending on whether one can wash the face and rinse the mouth at the destination.
3. Personal hygiene products
Toothbrush, soap, towel, toothpaste, toilet paper, foot powder, earplugs, sunscreen, lipstick, heating pads, nail clippers, water purification tablets, medicines, etc.
4. Backpack rain cover
Not only waterproof but the ideal for resisting dust in long-distance hiking.
5. Backpack strap
Used for fixing the attachment of backpacks, and if necessary, it can be connected to make a protective rope.
6. Maps
An essential tool whether in long-distance or short-distance hikes.
7. Small Carabiners
Convenient to hang on the backpack for taking small items, towels, hats, garbage bags, etc.
8. Compass
A useful tool for identifying directions in the wilderness or finding directions after getting lost.
9. Sabers
I feel that men should carry one with them because it is useful to peel apples and even cutting trees.
10. Outdoor watches
It can measure altitude, temperature, air pressure, with an electronic compass, time display, alarm clock, and other functions.
11. Kerchiefs
You can use it to wipe away the sweat and also turn it into a neckerchief for both warmth and a fashionable look.
12. Waterproof bag
To protect your clothes and supplies from being wet, convenient for tidying in the backpack.
13. Document pouch
To keep money and important documents.
14. Small telescope
Increasing the scope of your vision.
15. Sewing kit
In case the clothing is damaged, and seaming and repairing are always necessary.
16. Spare battery and charger
Remember that most devices use electricity.
17. Inflatable pillow
The ideal companion for a long-distance journey on the bus, train, plane.
18. Medicines
For a cold, an inflammation; tourniquet bandage, band-aid, vitamin tablets, eye drop, etc. according to what you need.
19. Spare foods
Compressed biscuits, chocolate, beef jerky, raisins, energy bars.
20. ID tag
Write your name, address, emergency contact on it.
The Do's and Don'ts for buying outdoor equipment:
First, purchase according to your needs in outdoor activities.
Purchase when you need them. Do not purchase too early to avoid occupying space and spending unnecessary money, and you are likely to waste if it becomes useless. You need to make sure what activities in which you often participate to consider appropriate equipment required.
Second, base on the importance.
For the activities in which you are frequently involved, you need to make a list of what you need and give priority to the necessary equipment or affects personal safety before purchasing them. Relax and be calm, so you don’t buy unnecessary things.
Third, choose multifunctional equipment.
If the equipment is multifunctional, which can satisfy multiple kinds of activities or meets the different needs of activity, you should give priority to it first.
Fourth, always compare the cost-performance ratio.
When you buy the same or similar equipment, test and experience its performance through a physical store, then, compare the price in the physical store and online store before you buy it.
Five, security is the top priority.
For equipment, that affects personal safety, think highly of its reliability. Don’t choose anything cheap. If possible, you should have extra ones for just in case.
Note: This list is intended for beginner hiking and camping.