I Asked Professional Hiking Guides What They Never Hit the Trail Without—These 10 Items Made the List

I was shuffling through Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in Utah, when my foot struck something hard in the sand. I saw something shiny and bent down to uncover a Grivory knife. “That’s a great brand,” my guide said, before continuing, “You should always hike with something like this, it can help you in the craziest scenarios.”

I was on a camping trip with EXP Journeys, a luxury travel company that offers privately guided itineraries. As a city girl spending my first prolonged time in nature, I was learning so much. And, luckily, since I was with the professional guides of EXP Journeys, I didn’t have to worry about the outdoor essentials I didn’t pack for this multi-day trip, as they came prepared (I was just fortunate that my few days of hiking as a kid inspired the correct garments and layers for this trip).

Continue reading to learn more about hiking gear, written by Jillian Dara.

Travel and Leisure: I Asked Professional Hiking Guides What They Never Hit the Trail Without

Collage of hiking gear featuring a man wearing a blue waterproof jacket in the center, a black and gray Black Diamond headlamp top left, a gray and white Osprey backpack bottom left, a blue Benchmade folding knife top right, and a red Katadyn BeFree water bottle bottom right.
Collage of hiking gear featuring a man wearing a blue waterproof jacket in the center, a black and gray Black Diamond headlamp top left, a gray and white Osprey backpack bottom left, a blue Benchmade folding knife top right, and a red Katadyn BeFree water bottle bottom right.

I Asked Professional Hiking Guides What They Never Hit the Trail Without—These 10 Items Made the List

I was shuffling through Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in Utah, when my foot struck something hard in the sand. I saw something shiny and bent down to uncover a Grivory knife. “That’s a great brand,” my guide said, before continuing, “You should always hike with something like this, it can help you in the craziest scenarios.”

I was on a camping trip with EXP Journeys, a luxury travel company that offers privately guided itineraries. As a city girl spending my first prolonged time in nature, I was learning so much. And, luckily, since I was with the professional guides of EXP Journeys, I didn’t have to worry about the outdoor essentials I didn’t pack for this multi-day trip, as they came prepared (I was just fortunate that my few days of hiking as a kid inspired the correct garments and layers for this trip).

Continue reading to learn more about hiking gear, written by Jillian Dara.

Foto thumbnail Blog Otè
Ekriven
Jillian Dara
For the past decade, Jillian Dara has worked as a researcher, writer, editor, and fact checker for more than a dozen publications in the lifestyle genre. She covers travel, culture, spirits, wine, and personalities.
Medya Mansyone

Travel and Leisure: I Asked Professional Hiking Guides What They Never Hit the Trail Without

Collage of hiking gear featuring a man wearing a blue waterproof jacket in the center, a black and gray Black Diamond headlamp top left, a gray and white Osprey backpack bottom left, a blue Benchmade folding knife top right, and a red Katadyn BeFree water bottle bottom right.
Collage of hiking gear featuring a man wearing a blue waterproof jacket in the center, a black and gray Black Diamond headlamp top left, a gray and white Osprey backpack bottom left, a blue Benchmade folding knife top right, and a red Katadyn BeFree water bottle bottom right.

I Asked Professional Hiking Guides What They Never Hit the Trail Without—These 10 Items Made the List

I was shuffling through Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in Utah, when my foot struck something hard in the sand. I saw something shiny and bent down to uncover a Grivory knife. “That’s a great brand,” my guide said, before continuing, “You should always hike with something like this, it can help you in the craziest scenarios.”

I was on a camping trip with EXP Journeys, a luxury travel company that offers privately guided itineraries. As a city girl spending my first prolonged time in nature, I was learning so much. And, luckily, since I was with the professional guides of EXP Journeys, I didn’t have to worry about the outdoor essentials I didn’t pack for this multi-day trip, as they came prepared (I was just fortunate that my few days of hiking as a kid inspired the correct garments and layers for this trip).

Continue reading to learn more about hiking gear, written by Jillian Dara.

Foto thumbnail Blog Otè
Ekriven
Jillian Dara
For the past decade, Jillian Dara has worked as a researcher, writer, editor, and fact checker for more than a dozen publications in the lifestyle genre. She covers travel, culture, spirits, wine, and personalities.
Medya Mansyone
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