Favorite Gear for Hiking, Travel, and Photography

Over the years, I’ve tested a lot of gear on the trail and while traveling. Some items make trips easier, lighter, and more enjoyable. Others end up collecting dust in my gear closet. On this page, I’m sharing the gear I truly rely on for hiking, backpacking, travel, and photography.

You’ll find recommendations for practical outdoor gear, multi-use travel items, and photography essentials that help me capture memories without slowing me down. Each item is chosen based on real-world experience, not affiliate hype, so you can trust these are tools I actually use on adventures.

Whether you’re planning a day hike, a multi-week trek, or a photo-heavy travel adventure, this page is your go-to resource for gear that works. Use it to help you pack smarter and focus on enjoying your journey instead of worrying about what you forgot.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’ve personally used, tested, and genuinely love. Thank you for supporting Emma Gets Outside!

My Favorite Gear For Hiking

Every great hike starts with the right gear. In this section, I cover the basic hiking essentials I rely on for day hikes and beginner-friendly adventures. From backpacks and layers to hydration, these are the items that help you stay comfortable, safe, and ready to enjoy the trail.

These Items Are Featured In The Following Posts:

9+ Things That Need To Be On Your Day Hike Packing List

What to Pack For 3 Weeks in New Zealand

Cold Weather Hiking Tips That Will Make You Enjoy Winter Treks

patagonia waterproof rainwear is the best

Waterproof Patagonia Raincoat

Patagonia makes incredible waterproof rainwear. I’ve been in torrential downpours while wearing this coat and have been kept dry. You should have a raincoat on your day hike packing list.

Shop Patagonia Granite Crest Jacket

Hiker walking through narrow sandstone potholes and holding canyon walls for balance on the Zion Subway hike

Branwyn Bra

Branwyn makes my favorite merino wool underwear for hiking and travel. They’re breathable, soft, moisture-wicking, and stay fresh for days on the trail. Which means you can pack less without sacrificing comfort.

Shop Branwyn

Lightweight Hiking Cap

The Arc’teryx Gamma cap is the perfect lightweight hiking cap. It’s breathable, and I bring it on practically every hike and backpacking trip I go on. When it’s dirty, I just throw it in the wash and let it air dry.

Shop Arc’teryx Gamma Cap

Hydration Vest

My prized trail running hydration vest is ideal for short day hikes. It includes 1.5L water bladder and can hold a surprising amount of stuff. I have no problem fitting lots of snacks in the various pockets.

Shop Osprey Hydration Vest

smartwatch health tracker — garmin enduro 3

Garmin Smartwatch

I switched to a Garmin smartwatch health tracker from an Apple Watch SE fitness tracker. You won’t find me going back to an Apple Watch! I can download hiking maps directly to the Garmin Enduro 3, and the battery life on this watch is unmatched.

Shop Garmin Enduro 3

patagonia jacket with synthetic insulation

Insulated Jacket

The Patagonia Nano Puff is the best lightweight jacket with synthetic insulation. It’s easy to stuff in a backpack and has kept me warm on a number of occasions. Fantastic for cold weather hiking. The hood also comes in handy!

Shop Patagonia Nano Puff

Kula Cloth

Kula Cloth is the only pee rag for hiking I trust. I’ve had mine for years, and it has held up amazingly. No need to carry toilet paper anymore for “number ones.” Seriously, give it a try and you won’t go back.

Shop Kula Cloth

a headlamp is one of the 10 essentials for hiking

Rechargeable Headlamp

Black Diamond head lights are so bright, and the rechargeable feature ensures they stay that way. I’ve had several battery-powered headlamps, but as the batteries got old, the light would dim significantly.

Shop Black Diamond Headlamp

Osprey Day Pack

Osprey makes the most durable hiking backpacks. This backpack is large enough to fit a 3L bladder, layers, snacks, and more. I bring it on longer day hikes and hiking 14ers.

Shop Osprey Sirrus 24 Pack

Electrolyte Chews

These are my favorite electrolytes because you don’t need to mix them with water! I haven’t tried a flavor I didn’t like. Stay hydrated, reduce muscle cramps, and avoid heat stress. Saltstick Electrolyte Fastchews are easy to throw in a sling bag or backpack for whenever you need them.

Shop SaltStick Electrolyte Chews

AllTrails Subscription

I’ve used an AllTrails Pro Subscription for years to download hiking trail maps and read reviews from other hikers. It is worth it to get a subscription to download the maps (and send them right to my Garmin Enduro 3). I make lists to save hikes I want to do in the future and keep track of hikes I’ve completed.

Shop AllTrails Subscription Options

Energy Chews

Skratch Labs energy chews are game changers. They taste amazing and work fast to give you a boost. I make sure to have a bag in my hiking pack at all times. The lemon matcha flavor is my favorite, but you really can’t go wrong with any of the flavors.

Shop Skratch Energy Chews

S-Biner Carabiner

I like to have an Nite Ize S Biner Dual Carabiner on my backpacking backpack. The 75lb capacity means that even if my backpacking bag is full, the S-biner is still strong enough to hold it. Some places require you to hang your bag because of critters, and this clip gets the job done.

Shop S-Biner Dual Carabiner

Water Bottle

Bring a Nalgene water bottle with you on a hike, in the airport, on a road trip, at the beach, or wherever you drink water (let’s face it, that’s everywhere). Lightweight and durable to last you years of refreshing sips. Nalgene reusable water bottles are a convenient choice for your daily activities.

Shop Nalgene Water Bottle

REI Membership

I buy most of my outdoor gear at REI because of their incredible customer service, knowledge of their products, and return policy. Rei Co op member benefits include exclusive deals and 10% back on full-price items (in-store and online). You also need to be a member to shop ReSupply (used gear).

Shop REI Membership

My Favorite Gear For Travel

Packing for a trip doesn’t have to be stressful. This section covers the travel gear and packing essentials I rely on to keep trips organized. From carry-on basics to versatile travel items, these picks make it easier to focus on the adventure instead of what’s in your bag.

These Items Are Featured In The Following Posts:

Carry On Packing List For a Long Flight

Travel Toiletries For 3 Weeks: Minimal Women’s Packing List

Carry-on Backpack

The Patagonia Black Hole MCL (Maximum Legal Carry-on) meets carry on limits for most airlines. I’ve taken this backpack across the world and had no issues with the size of the bag. The book-style opening is incredible for packing every nook and cranny. At the top of my carry on essentials list!

Shop Black Hole MCL

Cord Organizer

This is the best travel case for electronic cords. The separated spaces keep all your cords, adapters, batteries, and miscellaneous items organized. I can easily fit this pouch in my personal item carry on luggage.

Shop Peak Design Tech Pouch

Packing Cubes

My favorite packing cubes for women — or anyone! I love the compression zipper, which allows you to pack more without taking up extra space. Packing cubes without compression are no better than throwing everything loose into your luggage.

Shop REI Co-op Packing Cubes

Travel Soap Case

This bag is not only for soap! I use shampoo and conditioner bars because they last a long time and take up less space (plus they aren’t a liquid). The FlatPak shampoo bar travel case dries out the bar between uses. You don’t have slimy soap next time you use it, and the bag makes the wash bars last longer. See my travel toiletries for 3 weeks packing list to be prepared for a long trip (or a short one).

Shop FlatPak Soap Bar Case

Ultralight Towel

You can bring a Nomadix ultralight towel with you anywhere. I’ve packed it for backcountry hot springs, the beach, lounging by the pool, and used it after showers. Bonus! I can tie it around my waist as a sarong. This is the best lightweight towel for backpacking and beyond.

Shop Nomadix Ultralight Towel

Travel Bottles

These silicone squeeze bottles are the perfect travel size containers for liquids. Get every last bit of lotion or gel out of the bottle with ease — much easier than trying to squeeze a stiff plastic bottle. Additionally, they feature a loop that can be hung on a hook. I find a stasher bag to be the best tsa compliant toiletry bag.

Shop HumanGear Squeeze Bottles

Travel Journal

I’d highly recommend starting a travel journal. Detail your adventures in the pocket-sized Moleskine travel journal notebook. It’s small enough to bring backpacking and fits in your purse.

Shop Moleskine Classic Notebook

rfid blocking travel wallet with passport and credit cards. organize your money before traveling internationally.

Passport Wallet

The Sherpani RFID blocking travel wallet holds not one, but two passports in addition to multiple card slots, a pocket for coins, and a dedicated cash pocket. I feel much better knowing my passport isn’t loose in my bag and everything is secure.

Shop Sherpani Passport Wallet

Travel Credit Card

Start earning points on your everyday purchases that you can use to book flights, rental cars, and accommodations. The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card earns 2X points on everything you buy. I also use the Capital One travel portal to earn 5X points on travel-specific purchases.

Apply For Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Yeti Mug

I’ve got the older version of the Yeti Rambler camp mug, so it’s not stackable like the new ones you can get now. This is my go-to mug for camping and travel, since it keeps contents hot and has a lid. The 14 oz size is perfect for a larger mug of coffee.

Yeti Stackable Mug

Hydro Flask

I’ve been using a Hydro Flask insulated water bottle for many years now. Not only do they have an incredible warranty policy, but their products are built to last. I never have any leaks, and if there’s enough ice, my water can stay cold for two days.

Shop Hydro Flask Water Bottle

French Press

My morning isn’t complete without a mug (or two) of coffee. The Yeti Rambler French Press keeps my coffee hot and free of escaped coffee grounds. It’s the best coffee press for camping by far. I have the 34 oz, but they also make a 64 oz. A cup of joe while camping doesn’t get better than this.

Shop Yeti Rambler French Press

My Favorite Travel Photography Gear

Capturing your adventures requires the right gear without weighing you down. In this section, I share my travel photography essentials. Including my favorite camera sling bag, versatile lens, and must-have accessories. These items help you take great photos on the go while keeping your kit light and practical for trips.

Camera Sling Bag

This versatile and subtle camera sling bag fits my DSLR and two lenses. You can wear it around town, while exploring a national park, or during various outdoor excursions. I also use it like a packing cube to keep my camera safe in my luggage.

Shop Urth Camera Sling Bag

Adobe Lightroom Subscription

I’ve had an Adobe Lightroom subscription for many years. You can access Lightroom on iPhone with the mobile app. Share your camera images on social media or with friends in a few taps. Lightroom is the industry-standard image editing software.

Shop Adobe Photography Plan

Lens for Travel

The best Canon travel lens for DSLR cameras is the 24-70mm. I am so glad I upgraded after years of using a kit lens. This is the only lens I carry when space is limited in my bag. It’s the perfect range for a wide variety of photography.

Shop Canon 24-70 mm Lens

Lightweight Tripod

I love that this lightweight tripod for a DSLR camera slides into a side pocket of a backpack. The flexible legs make it sturdy on uneven surfaces, and it can be wrapped around railings.

Shop JOBY GorillaPod Flexible Tripod

Waist Pack

While this waist pack isn’t advertised as a camera bag, it fits my DSLR perfectly, and I use it for easy access during hikes. I can wear my camera waist bag in the front with a backpack on my back. Plus, it doesn’t add pressure to my shoulder (like a camera clip does).

Shop REI Co-op Trail 5 Waist Pack

Wrist Strap

Instead of a bulky neck strap, I like the Peak Design cuff camera wrist strap for added security. It doesn’t take up much space and doesn’t add a lot of weight to my bag. The clip also allows it to quickly detach from the camera.

Shop Peak Design Cuff Wrist Strap

Favorite Gear for Hiking, Travel, and Photography

My Favorite Gear For Hiking

These Items Are Featured In The Following Posts:

Waterproof Patagonia Raincoat

Branwyn Bra

Lightweight Hiking Cap

Hydration Vest

Garmin Smartwatch

Insulated Jacket

Kula Cloth

Rechargeable Headlamp

Osprey Day Pack

Electrolyte Chews

AllTrails Subscription

Energy Chews

S-Biner Carabiner

Water Bottle

REI Membership

My Favorite Gear For Travel

These Items Are Featured In The Following Posts:

Carry-on Backpack

Cord Organizer

Packing Cubes

Travel Soap Case

Ultralight Towel

Travel Bottles

Travel Journal

Passport Wallet

Travel Credit Card

Yeti Mug

Hydro Flask

French Press

My Favorite Travel Photography Gear

Camera Sling Bag

Adobe Lightroom Subscription

Lens for Travel

Lightweight Tripod

Waist Pack

Wrist Strap

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