Health Fitness Tips: What to wear and what to pack on your next trail walk or hike

Like I said in my last post you can’t beat the glorious fall colors or the crisp autumn air to inspire a new exercise routine. Recently, I’ve discovered trail walking (or hiking as some people call it) as a great way of improving my health fitness.

When doing any form of physical fitness especially the kind done outdoors it is important to dress for your activity.

Following are some of my best tips for what to wear on your next trail walk or hike.

*Comfort is important so dress in layers.

*Wear appropriate footwear e.g. a good pair of running shoes or hiking boots.

*Consider socks made of polyester or a poly blend which wicks away perspiration. Cotton socks tend to cause blisters.

*If you plan on covering a lot of uneven ground, consider a trail walking pole. This could be either a sturdy stick or an adjustable pole bought at an outdoors store. A pole is ideal for adding stability on hilly terrain or on gravel paths.

*If you’re interested in how much distance you’ve covered consider using a pedometer.

Now that we’ve discussed what to wear, let’s talk about what to pack. You may wish to include the following in a comfortable, lightweight backpack:

*A good trail map

*Bottled water

*Energy boosting snacks like granola bars or a trail mix

*Whistle.

*First aid kit

*Insect repellent

*Sunscreen

*Sunglasses (the glare from those colorful leaves can be quite blinding)

*On cool days don’t forget a hat and gloves

*A waterproof jacket and/or an extra sweater

For safety sake, consider a lighter and flashlight in event it gets dark before you reach the end of your trail walk.

And finally if you’re planning on a serious health fitness trail walk, consider a multi-tool knife and a cell phone in the case of an emergency.