7 Essentials You Will Need For Your Next Outdoor Adventure

Going on an outdoor adventure is a great way to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But before you can enjoy the great outdoors, you need to make sure you have the proper supplies. Here are seven essentials that you will need for your next outdoor adventure.

Bug Spray

Bug spray is an absolute must for any outdoor adventure, be it a four-day camping trip or a hike through the woods by your home. Insects such as mosquitoes can carry diseases and parasites that are harmful to humans. You will also need bug spray if you plan on visiting any national parks, many of which have very strict rules against allowing visitors inside the park if they have an insect bite.

Also, think about where you will be hiking and what the weather conditions are like. For example, you will need a stronger bug spray to keep insects at bay if you plan on hiking in a swamp or other wetland where insects are prevalent.

Sunscreen

Another essential you should never leave behind is sunscreen. Many people don’t realize how quickly they can get sunburned while going on outside activity, especially if they are in direct sunlight for an extended period of time. Even if it is overcast outside, the sun’s harmful UV rays can still harm your skin. Protect yourself from sunburns by wearing sunscreen every time you go outside for a prolonged period of time.

Further, think about what time of day you plan on going outside. If you go into the woods in the morning or afternoon, you will need sunscreen with a lower SPF to avoid getting burned by UVA and UVB rays. But if you hike when the sun is at its peak, make sure your sunscreen has a high enough SPF to protect yourself from sunburns and other harmful side effects of the sun.

Water Bottles & Water Purifying Supplies

Another crucial item to make sure you have with you is water bottles, especially if you’re planning on spending the night outdoors. Make sure there’s enough room in your backpack for at least one gallon of water per person per day. If it’s summertime, the weather is hot, or you are hiking in an area with little shade or water sources, make sure to pack more water.

Any outdoor adventure also requires some kind of purifying supplies like chlorine tablets for getting rid of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms in your drinking water if you’re unable to find a clean source during your trip. You can also use these purifying supplies to clean water from natural sources such as lakes and streams.

Additionally, you can think about hydration packs. They are basically backpacks with a bladder inside, so you can fill up the bladder with water and drink it throughout the day instead of stopping every so often to take out your water bottle. These are great because they keep your hands free to carry other things while hiking or camping. You can find them on websites like besthydrationpack.org or from your local shop that sells hiking equipment. Just keep in mind that hydration packs require a little bit of maintenance to make sure the bladder doesn’t get ruined.

First-Aid Kit

When you’re running around outside, there’s no telling what could happen. Maybe you’ve stepped on a sharp rock and cut your foot open or maybe you twisted your ankle while hiking up a hill. In either case, it’s important to have a first-aid kit with you so that you can dress any wounds and keep them from getting infected.

First-aid kits come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so try doing some research on the different types to see which one fits your needs. Also, don’t forget about things like an ice pack or a couple of bandages just in case you get any minor injuries during your outdoor adventure.

Map & Compass

Never set out on an outdoor adventure without a map and compass. Even if you’re going hiking in the woods near your home, it’s important to know where you are at all times. If you get lost and don’t know how to get back home, not having a map or compass could be very dangerous.

Knowing where north is will prove especially useful if you end up getting lost. You can use an analog watch to figure out which way is north by using the sun, the moon, or even the stars if it’s nighttime. 

Waterproof Equipment

Depending on where you live, you may or may not need to worry about bringing waterproof clothing with you when going outside. If it’s raining heavily, having rain gear is obviously necessary since no one wants to get soaked through to their skin.

However, you should also carry waterproof supplies with you, even if it’s not raining. For example, if you are hiking near a river or other natural source that is prone to flooding, you should make sure your electronic devices and other equipment will be safe from water damage if a flood occurs.

Flashlight & Extra Batteries

Another essential for your next outdoor adventure is a flashlight in case the sun goes down and you need some light. Even if you don’t plan on hiking in the dark, something like a car breakdown could happen when you least expect it, so you will want to make sure there is a flashlight handy in your car.

Finally, make sure you have extra batteries for any of the above items. Nothing is more frustrating than when an electronic device runs out of battery power and you don’t have any backups on hand. 

Flashlights are among the most important things all adventurers take with them. It may be very dangerous to hike in the dark without having a flashlight at your disposal. Many accidents happen in the wild when people get lost and they don’t have a way of seeing where they step or if there is some animal lurking nearby that could attack them.

Even if you’re only going on a short hike in the woods near your house, it’s important to be prepared. Make sure you have everything on this list so that you can enjoy your outdoor adventure without having to worry about being unprepared. And don’t forget, if there is something you need that’s not on this list, always bring extra supplies just in case!