Hiking Gear We Actually Trust
Bunny Bear’s the one who’ll talk you into “just a few more miles” — so the gear on this page has to actually hold up to that. Here’s what we trust on the trail, plus lower-cost alternatives for anyone building out their kit gradually instead of all at once.
Footwear
Premium pick: Merrell Merrell hiking boots and shoes strike a real balance between support and break-in comfort — you’re not stuck limping through the first three hikes before they feel right.
Budget pick: Columbia Columbia’s hiking footwear covers the basics well for moderate trails and casual hikers, at a noticeably lower price point.
Waterproof pick: Muck Boots For wet trails, muddy woods, or anywhere your feet are guaranteed to get soaked otherwise, Muck Boots are hard to beat. We rely on them ourselves for everyday hiking through the woods — genuinely waterproof, not just water-resistant.
Trekking Poles
Premium pick: Black Diamond Black Diamond’s poles are lightweight, collapse down small, and hold up to repeated adjustment without the locking mechanism wearing out — which matters more than people expect until theirs fails mid-hike.
Budget pick: Cascade Mountain Tech A well-regarded budget option that gets the job done for casual to moderate hikers without the premium price.
Outerwear & Layers
Premium pick: Patagonia Patagonia’s hiking layers are built to handle real weather changes on the trail — genuinely durable, and backed by one of the better repair/warranty reputations in outdoor apparel.
Budget pick: Columbia Columbia again earns its spot here — solid weather protection at a fraction of the price, good for anyone hiking a few times a month rather than every week.
Hydration
Trusted pick: CamelBak CamelBak is close to the industry standard for hydration reservoirs and bottles for a reason — reliable, leak-resistant, and easy to clean, which matters more than people think until they own one that isn’t.
Trail Navigation
Our pick: Gaia GPS Cell service disappears exactly when you need directions most. Gaia GPS lets you download offline maps ahead of time, so you’re never depending on a signal to find your way back. We use it ourselves and recommend it to anyone hiking somewhere new.
Did we lose something down the rabbit hole?
Found a piece of hiking gear that’s earned a permanent spot in your pack? Tell us about it — we’re always adding to this list as we test more gear ourselves.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.