Walking can be a gear-less sport. All you need is comfy shoes and enough clothes to keep you from being arrested, and some ID in case you are anyway. That's fine if you're just going out for a stroll around the neighborhood in nice weather. But to do some real fitness walking or for a longer jaunt, it pays to be prepared. Hikers make sure to carry along the "Ten Essentials" for comfort and safety - extra clothing, knife, flashlight, map, compass, fire makers, water, extra food, sunglasses, first aid kit. Walkers also need to go prepared, although our needs vary with the length of the route and the locale.
Wendy's list of walking essentials:
- Hat: Sun or rain, you need a hat to keep the top of your head from burning or shedding too much heat.
- Layered clothing: You are likely to warm up as you walk and cool down when you stop. Dress in layers so you can shed or add as you go.
- Pack: A waistpack for most walks, a backpack for long treks. My regular wallet/purse is a small waistpack.
- Jacket: In some climates you won't need one. In the Northwest USA, you need a waterproof one.
- Water: Carry water unless you know you will be able to get plenty along the way. Water fountains are not usually enough. Drink before you feel thirsty.
- Kleenex: What is it about walking that makes your sinuses drain, anyway?
- Sunscreen: Unless your walks are under a half hour, cover your exposed skin with appropriate sunscreen to prevent skin cancer.
- Sunglasses: I know they are optimistic for my climate, but I always carry them.
- Insect repellent: I am a mosquito magnet. If I lived in the tropics I'd be dead of malaria by now. I use those sunscreen/repellent combo creams.
- First Aid: For a longer walk it's smart to carry along a "blister kit." I always carry a pain reliever.
- Lip Goo: Your lips need sunscreen and wind protection.
- Map: Unless you really know where you are going, take a map along, or learn to use map app on your cell phone. If you know where you are going, carry one anyway to give directions to folks who stop and ask for them. They always assume you are a native if you are walking.
- Whistle: Essential if hiking in the woods and useful if walking in town. A kazoo could also serve for entertainment.
- Snack: If you're going to be walking for more than an hour, take along a snack to give you energy.
- Comb: To combat "hat hair."
- Umbrella: Not to use, just to keep the rain away. Also can be opened suddenly to scare away charging dogs.
- Reading material: My own vision of eternal punishment is to be stuck somewhere without something to read. So I carry a paperback or magazine if I plan to stop along the walk.
- Stick: I only carry a stick when hiking on natural trails, but one can be useful in dissuading muggers as well as providing hiking stability.
- Money: You never know when you will encounter a shopping opportunity.
