Whether your hike is short or long, the right backpack can carry everything you need to meet your needs along the way. The ideal capacity for a day hike is between 20 and 30 liters, while it can climb to 50 liters for a multi-day outing. The important thing is to have a good system for organizing your gear in the bag, so you don't have to take it all out to find a snack. Here are a few interesting features of a hiking bag:
Physical activity means loss of energy and the need for fuel! Once you've planned your hike, it's time to assess your food and hydration needs, so that you can complete the activity without running out of food or water. It's important to carry enough water to cope with any unforeseen situation. Water pouches hold between two and three liters, which is perfect for hiking. Some people are not keen on water pouches, as they are difficult to clean and can sometimes leak into the bag if not properly closed. However, the choice of hydration container is a very personal one, and the important thing is to use one that will allow you to hydrate easily and regularly. What's more, on longer hikes, we recommend carrying a water filter and Aquatab pristine tablets to purify the water. Two liters are quickly consumed on hot days, and it's better to be prepared to filter water from a spring than to run out of liquid to hydrate yourself.
As far as food is concerned, protein bars, nuts, compotes, fruit bars and dried fruit are excellent snacks. If the hike extends over several hours and kilometers, preparing a lunch such as a sandwich may prove necessary. Stopping for lunch allows you to catch your breath and energy, and enjoy nature. What's more, bring along some snacks you enjoy. It's so much more motivating to eat food you love!
In addition to your hiking kit, it's essential to carry a few extra layers, such as a raincoat, insulating layer, gloves, headband or toque, depending on the season and temperature. Make sure you can adapt to all conditions along the way, no matter what the forecast; if the summit is at a higher altitude, the temperature can change quickly and also become cooler than at the foot of the mountain.
Sometimes forgotten, but definitely useful, the first-aid kit should be part of the contents of your hiking backpack. It's a good idea to pack a personal first-aid kit so that you have the minimum needed to treat minor injuries, such as blisters, light wounds, insect bites, tick bites, etc. The longer the hike, or the riskier the terrain, the more you'll need to review the contents of your kit. The longer or riskier the hike, depending on the terrain, the more you'll need to review the contents of your kit to make sure you have everything you need in case anything goes wrong. In addition, several other first-aid items can be carried, such as emergency blankets and Sam Splint splints to deal with more serious injuries. To make you feel more at home on your hikes, there are 20- and 40-hour remote first-aid courses available.
Many accessories can be excellent hiking allies. What can be practical is to organize them with carrying pouches like those offered by MEC. This organization makes it easier to find accessories without having to empty the bag of its contents. Here are just a few of the must-have backpack accessories:
Communication management is of paramount importance, especially in the event of an emergency, and should be included in your planning. First of all, it's essential to check cell phone coverage at the trailhead. Secondly, your cell phone must be 100% charged before setting off, and carried in your backpack. An external battery, also charged, as well as the cell phone charger, are useful items of equipment to carry with you. Be prepared for anything! For hikes in remote areas with no cell phone coverage, find out about the appropriate means of communication to bring with you to the area you're visiting.
In short, the contents of your rucksack must be well thought-out so as not to be overloaded, but it must contain everything you need to deal with the unexpected. Every outing in the field is a learning experience, allowing you to adjust for future hikes. Good planning is definitely the key.
