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Hiking by numbers<br />
Energetic and challenging or slow and rambling, depending on your mood<br />
and fitness levels, there’s not much to beat getting outdoors and enjoying a hike.<br />
Still suffering a little fear of going out? Definitely. Fear of heading to the great outdoors? Never. While the world’s topsy<br />
turvy, one thing will never change – the joy of getting out on a gorgeous warm day, taking a hike, and enjoying one of the<br />
amazing hiking trails our country has to offer. Be it a soul-searching solo walk for a few hours, or a day out with the family,<br />
having fun without a screen or a digital device in sight, you’ll come back maybe a little stiff, hopefully a little tired, and<br />
certainly a lot happier and less stressed than when you set out. We chatted to Thule’s resident hike enthusiast, who gave<br />
the lowdown on the gear we need.<br />
Three things to look for<br />
when buying a hiking backpack<br />
1. A hiking backpack needs to distribute weight evenly.<br />
The most important factor to keep in mind is comfort. No<br />
matter how many cool features it has, if the bag does not sit<br />
comfortably on your back and shoulders, then it is not the<br />
right hiking bag for you.<br />
2. Size does matter. The size of the backpack is all-important<br />
– work out if you’d prefer a bag that is wider and shorter<br />
or longer and thinner. Obviously a bag that isn’t absurdly<br />
huge is first prize, but think about the duration of your<br />
hikes and how much you would practically need to take<br />
with you for a short day hike (snacks and water) versus a<br />
full-day hike (light lunch, water, additional clothes). Internal<br />
storage becomes a big component here, as it means the<br />
difference between having enough room or potentially<br />
having to take multiple bags.<br />
3. Padding. The key to a comfortable backpack is a balanced<br />
load. Too little padding will not protect your body from the<br />
strains of weight and can cause painful chafing. Similarly,<br />
too much padding will cause awkward and uncomfortable<br />
pressure against your body, which might lead to soreness<br />
… or you standing in a strange way to ease the pressure. A<br />
decent backpack should have padding on the back panel,<br />
shoulder straps and a hip belt strap.<br />
Six hiking essentials ...<br />
1. Comfortable shoes and socks<br />
2. A hat which covers your face and the back of your neck<br />
3. Sunscreen – the higher SPF the better<br />
4. Water<br />
5. Snacks or a light lunch<br />
6. A Thule hiking backpack and accessories<br />
38 Get It Magazine <strong>Nov</strong>ember 20
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