10 Small Gear Upgrades that Make Long Hikes Feel Easier

We all want to make long hikes feel easier.

Longer hikes tend to feel a lot harder than they should. There is just so much fatigue, discomfort, and friction.

But the truth is, you don’t need big, expensive gear changes to make a huge difference.

In the guide, I’ll show 10 small gear upgrades that will make long hikes feel easier mile after mile. If you find this article to be helpful, consider leaving me a small one-time donation for writing it.

1: Better Socks (Not Just “Hiking Socks”)

Cheap or worn-out socks make a hike harder because they contribute to causing hotspots on your feet and even fatigue from discomfort.

When sock shopping, you need hiking socks, but not just anything labeled as a hiking sock. Try to stick with materials like Merino blends so that moisture can escape your feet. You should also look for targeted cushioning and get the left/right fitting socks for ultimate fit and comfort.

Your hiking socks alone can make or break your entire hike because if your feet are uncomfortable, then your entire hike will be uncomfortable.

2: Lightweight Trekking Poles

Invest in some lightweight trekking poles to help reduce strain on your knees and lower back.

I’ve been using some really nice, affordable trekking poles when I hike off-trail and on more strenuous trails. I’ve noticed a big different in being able to balance and help my knees out.

Trekking poles are especially beneficial for hiking up and down hills and on uneven terrain.

3: Upgrade Your Insoles

Make long hikes feel easier by upgrading the insoles in your hiking boots or trail running shoes.

Factory insoles are fine, but not often as featured as supportive aftermarket insoles. The aftermarket ones are designed around different feet and conditions, which will usually be more beneficial to the average hiker.

You’ll want to look for insoles that give you better arch support and absorb shock to help make your hike more comfortable.

Something as small as insoles is enough to prevent serious damage to your joints as you continue hiking more and more.

4: A Better Hydration System

Staying properly hydrated will help make long hikes feel easier and keep you mentally and physically comfortable all day long.

Consider the differences between using bottles and hydration packs. With a hydration pack, you can easily and consistently sip your water. That will keep you hydrated for your whole hike. With bottles, you have to stop and take them out, and it kills your energy just to do that.

The easier you make hydrating, the more likely you’ll stay hydrated.

5: Anti-Chafe Gear

There are a lot of areas where you can chafe on longer hikes, and chaffing can really ruin your hiking experience.

You can chafe in the groin and butt area, armpits, in between your thighs, your nipples, and anywhere that your skin is sensitive.

If you can prevent chaffing before it happens, it’s going to make long hikes feel easier. Otherwise, you’re going to have to deal with pain that hurts just as much, if not more, than blisters on your feet.

Get some skin lubricant and apply it to sensitive areas where you would commonly chafe. I also wear compression shorts, tights, and half tights to help prevent chafing, and those really work for me better than anything else.

6: Lightweight Sit Pad or Folding Seat

Taking short micro-breaks can do a lot for hikers on longer hiking trips.

You don’t want to take a long break because it will make it harder to get up and go. You do want to take more short breaks of 5 minutes or less. But you want to be comfortable when you do take those breaks.

Sitting properly will help you reduce fatigue and keep your energy up.

Consider a lightweight sit pad or even a lightweight folding chair to take with you on longer hikes. This will ensure you can sit properly and comfortably on your short breaks and even a longer lunch break.

7: Hands-Free Sun Protection

The more hands-free you can become, the less you have to stop, and the less energy you burn in the process.

When it comes to sun protection, wear sun hoodies, hats, and neck gaiters rather than having to stop and reapply sunscreen over and over again. Less sunscreen reapplication, less of an annoyance of having to stop all the time, especially if you sweat a lot like me.

It is important to stay cool and protected if you want to make long hikes feel easier, because when you get hot, you get fatigued very easily.

8: Smart Nutrition Storage

Another way to prevent stops, which helps to prevent energy loss, is to keep your nutrition stored somewhere you can access on the go.

Take trail bars, trail mix, gels, and gummies and store them in your hip-belt pockets or a front fanny pack pocket for easy access. I wear half tights in the summer with cargo pockets, and I’ll keep my snacks in those pockets to access them easily.

Fueling consistently makes long hikes feel easier rather than trying to push through your hunger and losing a lot of energy in the process.

9: Lightweight Gloves (Even in Warm Weather)

Bring some lightweight gloves with you, whether it’s winter or summer, because a good pair of gloves can go a long way.

Gloves can help keep your hands warm, keep them dry, help with grip and trekking pole comfort, and even prevent blistering. You can get full winter gloves or even summer fingerless gloves like cyclists’ wear.

Gloves are also handy when hiking on rocky terrain where you have to touch the rocks or scramble around them.

Gloves are often one of the most overlooked upgrades to make long hikes feel easier.

10: Headlamp Upgrade (Even for Day Hikes)

Bring a headlamp with you, even if you only plan to hike during the day.

Many longer hikes often end later than planned. You might walk out of the woods at night or even stay well after dark. Anything could happen, and you might not get out until it’s dark.

A good headlamp is lighter in weight, bright enough to see in the dark, and comfortable to wear around your head so that your hand remains free.

Bringing a headlamp makes long hikes feel easier because you have peace of mind knowing that you’ll be able to see your way out if you somehow stay past dark.

Make Long Hikes Feel Easier: Conclusion

You don’t need a new backpack or new boots to make long hikes feel easier.

You just need to make a few small gear upgrades. That will bring about bigger gains in comfort than a new pack or boots will bring. Just try to experiment around to see what works best for you because we’re all different at the end of the day.

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Until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!