Hiking Gear for Spanish Steps

What to Wear on the Trail

Head to Toe:

1. UFP Hat. I like the Sunday Afternoons Day Tripper hat a lot. I’ve worn it for years and it continues to hold up wonderfully. The brim is foldable, it has a small pocket inside the hat, and it has little slits to store your glasses on your head.
2. Sunglasses. Don’t forget that your eyes need sun protection too.
3. Buff or Scarf or Bandana. I bring a UFP Buff, a UFP scarf, and lightweight ear muffs. The ear muffs work really nice in the early morning and when there is wind. The buff and scarf are versatile pieces that can serve as neck gaiter, a towel, and even a handkerchief.
4. Lightweight breathable tops. This is going to be personal preference here. My base layer is almost always a tank top because I worry about overheating (women’s tank, men’s short sleeve). Then I wear a long sleeve layer for sun protection. A button down shirt with sleeves that roll up is my go to (women’s long sleeve, men’s long sleeve).
5. Bra tops.You are not running a race nor attending a high intensity aerobics class, so you don’t need the high support bra tops. I look for the thinnest and most comfortable bra top. My go to are the True & Co Bras with liner removed (which you can get on Amazon or maybe cheaper at Target).
6. Lightweight jacket. I am a layer person so I only pack one lightweight jacket for everyday. I bring my Arc’teryx Atom Hoodie on every trip; sadly, they don’t sell the exact one anymore but there are comparable options: These jackets by Mountain Hardware (men’s jacket, women’s jacket) have a stow pocket for packability. The Outdoor Ventures jackets (men’s jacket, women’s jacket) are fleece-lined and have spacious internal pockets.
7. Rain Jacket. Being ready for rainy weather is important. I pack a lightweight rain jacket that is waterproof — not water resistant. It also doubles as a windbreaker on windy days. I wear a NorthFace jacket (women’s rain jacket, men’s rain jacket), but for a lower cost option, check out Little Donkey Andy (women’s rain jacket, men’s rain jacket).
8. Bottoms. The theme continues — choose items that are lightweight, breathable, and quick drying. This year, I found myself donning a pair of prAna Koen Women’s Pants. What I love about them: stretchy fabric, comfortable waist, zippered pockets. A close copy of the prAna brand and at a lower price are these from CRZ Yoga (jogger style, cargo style). I also have these cargo style hiking pants and these Mier hiking shorts on repeat. As a men’s option, check out the Men’s Mier cargo hiking short and these G Gradual hiking pants are an affordable dupe of the Kuhl Defender pants.
9. Underpants. This is going to be a personal preference thing again. I get seamless underwear from Soma. Also, take a look at the ExOfficio store for other good options.
10. Wool socks. Smartwool or Darn Tough are my go to socks. Again, it will be your personal preference if you want to do crew or ankle length. Be sure to choose a cushion level that reduces rubbing – I will choose either a zero cushion running sock or a light cushion sock and stick with it for the entire trip — wool socks can go for days without washing so don’t worry about being a stinker.
11. Trail shoes. Thru-hikers are opting for trail shoes versus hiking boots these days. If you don’t have a favorite shoe yet, then doing a “Try Before you Buy” to narrow down the choices is a useful activity. Here’s what I would put in my cart: Topo TerraVenture 4 (men’s), Altra Lone Peak 7 (men’s), Salomon Outpulse (men’s), Saucony Peregrine (men’s) or La Sportiva.

Read more about keeping your feet comfortable here: Treat your Feet.

What to Bring on the Trail

1. Backpack. For day hikes, you only need a 18L-30L pack. If you have a lot of support on the trail, then you could go even smaller. This year, I will be hiking a 28-mile day with a Osprey Tempest 20L backpack (men’s option is the Osprey Talon). This backpack has space for a hydration bladder and Osprey’s redesigned bladder is awesome (2L bladder, 3L bladder).
2. Trekking Poles. Trekking poles have many benefits including reducing the strain on knees and hips. But did you know that trekking poles keep you from getting hotdog fingers, and it tones the arms? These Convacure trekking poles are a great entry option because they are lightweight, collapsible and affordable.
3. Sunscreen and Lip Balm. Make sure you have the sun protection you need — and don’t forget your lips especially on windy days too. I like the La Roche Posay sunscreen (1.7oz carry-on friendly).
4. Lamb’s Wool & HIke Goo. Happy feet make for a happy day on the trail. I bring a couple bags of lamb’s wool, a tube of Hike Goo or even vaseline.
5. Hydration. Another personal preference item here – hydration bladder or water bottles. If you are bringing a hydration bladder, consider also bringing a small nalgene bottle too — this will be useful if you use electrolyte powder. My two favorite hydration powders are LMNT and Salt Stick powder packets.
6. Calories. I like to take in 100-200 calories per moving hour. I emphasize moving hour because if you are in a position to sit down for a full lunch, then you might want to adjust this metric. My favorite is the ProBAR Bolt Chews and the ProBAR peanut butter snack bar. If you aren’t sure, grab a Fan Favorite Variety Pack or shop the ProBar store.
7. Phone Battery Charger. I bring along a portable battery for charging my phone. To reduce the demand on your phone’s battery, download the maps you plan to use for navigation before you get on the trail.

How to Stay Connected

Bring the phone, leave the tablet and laptop at home. You might even opt to bring wired earbuds for the trail and leave the airpods in your luggage for using after hiking and on train/airplane.

Here is what I bring:

1. My phone, and a phone tether. I like to use a phone tether when I’m hiking and also when I am sightseeing in congested areas — it keeps my phone from falling or being stolen.
2. Electronics storage. I use two organizers because it makes it easier to find things. I use this electronics organizer to house my universal charger, 3-in-1 charger, external battery charger, and my airpods. Then, I use this smaller organizer for cables. I have used this cord minder and I really like it as a compact way to manage my wired earbuds when hiking.
3. Power. See the list in electronics storage, but again — universal charger, 3-in-1 charger, and external portable battery. Even if my phone charges wirelessly, I still bring a physical charging cable.

What to Wear off the Trail

Bring some clothing to wear while sightseeing, going out for meals, and for lounging around. I like to bring an alternate shoe so I can give my feet a break from my trail shoes.

1. Double Duty Trail to Sightseeing Clothing. Some of your hiking clothes can serve as double duty for sightseeing and going out to dinner.
2. Lightweight Travel Clothes. You might want to bring along wrinkle resistant items that look a bit more dressed up than your hiking pants (like golf pants or a dress/skirt). Bringing versatile layers like a cardigan or a scarf can transition you from the trail to the restaurant.
3. Sandals / Flipflops. I like to bring them because it gives the feet a chance to air out and depending on the style, works well as off-trail adventures.