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We all have a rough idea of what hiking and trekking are. However, if you thought that hiking and trekking were similar activities and recently realised that that isn’t the case, don’t worry, you aren’t the only one. Dive deep into what makes them different and how you can better equip yourself to go on your own adventure when you pick these adventures with this article.
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The definition of hiking includes the word “walk”, something typically seen as joyful, easy and pleasant. So, typically, if a person refers to hiking, they tend to be talking about a pleasant day hike, or a multi-day hike that isn’t all that stressful, and which shouldn’t pose too many issues.
The word "trek" is an ancient Afrikaans word that means "migration." While it means to leave your home for several days with your trekking essentials and equipment on your back and sleep in a tent for shelter, today its usage is to describe the activity of hiking, walking in varied environments ranging from mountains to deserts to urban places.
To put it in even simpler words, hiking involves a long energetic walk in a natural environment on hiking trails or footpaths for a day or overnight. Trekking involves a long vigorous hike in the wild natural environment for multiple days. It can be done off hiking trails.
Both hikes and treks can involve all sorts of terrain though, and the whole point of either tends to be that you get out into great natural beauty. And health benefits? Numerous!
Planning to step out of your town for a hiking or trekking trip? Your trekking and hiking essentials depend a lot on your level but also on the environment you choose, the weather conditions etc. You will need to adapt your equipment for your trek. The original Ten Essentials list was assembled in the 1930s by The Mountaineers, a Seattle-based organization for climbers and outdoor adventurers, to help people be prepared for emergencies in the outdoors. And while the list has been updated with time, the system has remained the same.
Chances are that your hikes and treks are guided with the ways paved for you; however, making sure to carry a few navigational essentials will only help you experience the wilderness better.
A map, a compass and a GPS device are three essentials that’ll work for your next trek or hike.
This 50 Multi-purpose Whistle And Orienteering Compass will be your multi-purpose best friend. A compass to guide you, a whistle for protection, a thermometer and a magnifying glass to analyse flora and fauna will keep things fun and going.
Trust us, you want to be holding the least amount of things in your hand while trekking especially! Needing all your limbs for balance and sturdiness, make use of your head. Being able to find your way through the wilderness at night is essential, so you always need to have a light source with you. A headlamp is the preferred choice of most adventurers. And remember to always carry extra batteries.
You’ll need a torch for use on relatively easy trails or in bivouacs. The Rechargeable Trekking Head Torch is easy to use and comfortable. Weighing only 45g and being very small in size, the 500 USB bivouac head torch easily fits in your pocket. It will never leave you in the dark as it can be recharged by a USP port.
Always pack with you and wear sunglasses, sun-protection clothing and sunscreen. Not doing so can result in sunburn or snow blindness in the short term and potentially premature skin ageing, skin cancer and cataracts in the long term. These Polarised Adult Sunglasses with Anti-UV lenses block 100% of harmful rays and category 3 protects you from glare. Ideal for hiking, the technology of polarising lenses means you better distinguish the contours and contrasts.
Spending long hours outdoors can expose you to ultraviolet rays, the cause of sunburn, premature skin ageing and skin cancer. Wearing sunscreen is recommended to help limit your exposure to UV.
Suitable for kids and adults, this sunscreen offers hydration and water resistance. Easy application with the new roll-on format, apply the sunscreen generously and thoroughly to all exposed skin. UV rays can reflect off of snow and water so don’t forget to get spots like the underside of your chin and nose.
Next on the list, sun protection clothing. Clothing can be an effective way of blocking UV rays from reaching your skin without having to slather on sunscreen. There will be a couple of changes in the packing routine when it’ll come to hiking vs trekking. A hat, preferably one with a full brim, is a key accessory for sun protection. This waterproof one from Decathlon is perfect for your trekking and hiking experiences. While the laser perforations on the top of the hat let air circulate, the 3-layer fabric with a ripstop weave offers greater tear resistance.
Offering you comfortable with its warm fleece inner and water-repellent outer fabric, these water-repellent trousers will provide heat and protection during your hikes in very cold weather. The straight fit, elasticated waistband and flat adjustable buckle offer freedom of movement.
Here is an alternative for women.
While your regular cotton t-shirts should suffice for beginner level hikes, you might want to opt for one that covers your body more for better protection from the sun. This Men’s long-sleeved mountain Hiking t-shirt is ideal for the morning chill or when up a summit. This t-shirt will win you over with its absorbent and moisture-wicking qualities. A pair of modular pants that can be converted into shorts are a staple when it comes to trekking. These Men's Travel Trekking Trousers are designed so that you can travel the world with confidence, whatever the environment. With many pockets (4) to carry your essentials, these trousers are ideal for their durability and comfort as well. The front and rear reinforcement zones which are water-repellent and breathable, quick-drying fabric makes it super comfortable.
This Mountain Trekking Padded Jacket combines warmth, lightweight and durability. The technical advances applied to this padded jacket make it compact and thin while keeping you warm. This jacket will be your buddy keeping you comfortable in extremely cold temperatures as well (down to -5°C). Eco-designed, wadding made from 70% recycled polyester, making it great for you and the environment!
This RDS-certified Down And Feather Jacket is another great option to keep you warm on bivouac between +5° and -5°C. Warm and lightweight, it is the most compressible of our down jackets and takes up less space in your backpack so you can travel light. The surface of the outer fabric is water repellent to prevent water from getting in and protecting you.
As for shoes, you must leave your regular running shoes at home and go for an activity-specific pair. Shoes that offer adequate ankle support are the key here to prevent any unwanted twists and injuries.
It’s vital to carry and know how to use the items in a first-aid kit. Any kit should include treatments for blisters, adhesive bandages of various sizes, several gauze pads, adhesive tape, disinfecting ointment, over-the-counter pain medication, pen and paper.
Knives are handy for gear repair, food preparation, first aid, making kindling or other emergency needs, making them essential for every outing. Every adult in your group should carry a knife.
This Multipurpose Tool Knife is designed for all types of bushcraft and wood chipping. With an 8.5 cm blade, gutting blade, bone saw, bottle opener, can opener, flat-head screwdriver and even tick tweezers stored in the handle, it’ll keep your adventure game strong.
In case of an emergency, you need to have reliable supplies with you for starting and maintaining a fire. For many people, this is a disposable butane lighter, but matches are also suitable so long as they are waterproof or stored in a waterproof container.
Always carry some type of emergency shelter to protect you from wind and rain in case you get stranded or injured on the trail. Options include a raincoat or a poncho, a blanket or even a large plastic trash bag.
This Hiking Rain Poncho provides shelter from the rain when hiking. Quick to put on and provides full protection from the rain, with or without a backpack (maximum capacity of 40 litres).
Not an emergency but equally necessary is a sleeping bag. This Trekking Mummy Sleeping Bag is designed to sleep comfortably at temperatures of 0°C or above. This very compact, lightweight bag has a wide temperature range of use. Sleep sound from 0° to 5°C thanks to these 2 3/4 zips with a double slider to manage the temperature.
Carrying at least an extra day’s worth of food in case something causes your trip to go long is always a good idea. Things like extra energy bars, nuts, dried fruits or even cup noodles are good. It’s also crucial to carry enough water for your outing and have some method of treating water while you’re out there, whether that’s with a filter/purifier, chemical treatment or a stove for melting snow.
Last but not the least, you’ll need an appropriate bag to carry all the above-listed essentials.
Easy to adjust, this 50L Trekking Backpack offers simplicity and comfort without giving up its technical features. With holders to carry your water bottle, pole-holder and rain cover, it is a versatile bag to keep things easy-peasy.
Decathlon is a one-stop destination for all your quality sports and travel goods. We promise to accompany you to all your adventures in the form of gears for a more than satisfactory experience. From trekking gear to hiking, find all your travel requirements at Decathlon.
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