Hiking Gear Check

Save yourself time and trouble later by doing a routine hiking gear check at the trail head before charging up (down?) the trail.

Here's my methodical approach to a hiking gear check, before each and every hike.

I start with my boots.

Are they not laced tight enough? Sliding socks, too much room.... wiggle those toes and see how things feel down there.

Even worse: Laced too tightly? It's gonna be "ouch time" before you know it, especially on the down hill parts of the trail.

I won't know until I take several steps with my pack on.

I know, I know it's irritating to stop and untie the boots right off the bat, but if I wait, I run the risk of developing blisters or hot spots.

So I take the time to pay attention to where my boots feel weird.

Maybe it's just a simple sock adjustment.

Other times there's a pebble in my boot, or a stick left over from the last hike. Eviction time!!

Whatever the issue, I take the time to fix it.

Then I do a mental clothes check as part of my hiking gear check.

How do my hiking pants/shorts feel? (Full disclosure: sometimes my underwear and my pants are locked in mortal combat. A quick discreet adjustment does the trick. Other times, I need to step into the woods for a minute.)

Am I wearing too many layers? Rookie hikers make the mistake of starting off a hike with a jacket, a long sleeved shirt, and gloves, just to ward off the morning chill. Five or ten minutes into the hike, they have to stop and peel.

I like to err on the side of feeling chilly, and never start off with a jacket unless it's snowing or raining. I rely upon the heat generated by my exercising muscles to make me feel toasty within a few moments.

Next I have my back and shoulders check in with my pack.

Any tight spots? Any pulling sensations?

If you are wearing a properly fitted pack, you should have several options for adjustments at the shoulders, chest, and waist.

Don't be afraid to tug on all of those cords, just to experience how the pack feels differently on your body. I wore my day pack way too high on my shoulders until I tugged on just the right cord, and Ah! experienced the relief of a better fitting pack.

Alternatively, have your hiking partner make adjustments if you can't grasp the cords while wearing the pack. Sometimes a hiking gear check takes more than one set of hands!

Next, I do a quick mental check-in regarding how my pack is packed.

Anything jingling or rattling around?

Too much weight over my shoulders, when it should be directed more towards the bottom of the pack where my hips can deal with it?

Are my water bottles securely stowed in their original upright position?!

Anything squeaking (a personal bugaboo)?

These little things can drive any hiker crazy after awhile.

OK, I've been walking for a few minutes now, and I check in again with my feet. They rule the roost, as far as I'm concerned, on hikes. If they ain't happy, ain't no one happy.

I sometimes duct tape the contact points between feet and boots preemptively, just to head off trouble. I carry duct tape wrapped around my water bottle, in case I need it during the hike - when I'm sensing too much heat in any one area.

I almost always use adjustable hiking poles.

Did I adjust them to the right height?

How do they feel in my hands today?

What do my shoulders say about them?

Are they necessary on this stretch of the trail? Maybe I should stow them on my pack.

One last hiking gear check: my head. Is my ponytail/braid/bun playing nicely with my hat?

Are my glasses sliding down my nose?

Do I need to apply lip balm already?

Maybe it's time for sunscreen, or will I be in a shaded area for awhile? (I know this, based on the map I've consulted prior to the hike).

Oh, and one last thing. I make sure that I have not forgotten the lunch sack!

As you can see, I am a firm believer in being comfortable during a hike.

It only takes a few moments to check in with your body, and make the necessary adjustments, to ensure a great hike.

Don't feel that you have to apologize to your hiking companions for having to stop to make adjustments. If they're savvy hikers, they'll understand about the importance of a hiking gear check at the start of the day.