Outdoor Living: 3 Tips to Help First-Time Hikers Gear Up for the Trail
Being new at anything can be intimidating. What’s great about hiking is that it’s free and open to all, no matter where you live or your level of experience. You also don’t need much gear or education to get started.
Ready to find the nearest trail? Check out these three tips and hike your way to greater fitness, well-being and adventure.
1. Find Community
The world of hiking gear, apparel and footwear is vast, which might be a bit confusing for those new to the outdoor experience. Look for brands that make things simple. For example, KEEN Footwear is on a mission to make the outdoors more accessible by providing high-quality footwear at inclusive price points.
Some outdoor and sporting goods stores host outdoor skills workshops and group-led trips to help consumers feel comfortable prior to hitting the trail. For example, REI offers virtual and in-person courses in topics like hiking and backpacking, along with lessons in everything from being bear aware to avoiding common stings and bites. These classes and events are a terrific opportunity to meet like-minded people with whom to share future outdoor adventures.
2. Take Care of Your Feet
While you don’t need much to enjoy a hike, it’s important to have proper footwear for the terrain that’s comfortable, fits well and has the right technology features. Read More...