This is a work in progress. :) I added this part just for fun since I LOVE exploring and adventuring outdoors, and people often ask me for recommendations.
Please note:
My thoughts and recommendations are my own.
My preferences are informed from the perspective of a petite, minority female athlete. In my years exploring the outdoors, I've found that a lot of gear does not fit and as a result, sometimes contributes to injury / safety issues. I've also found that a lot of athletic clothes are more informed by fashion than functional anatomy, also contributing to performance and efficiency issues.
If you are having problems with pain and recurring injury with hiking or other activities, an additional consult for body and gear fit may be beneficial. If you are in Washington and interested in an injury screen / hiking consult, please let me know.
I've put some hyperlinks below by different products so you can look at reviews, purchase, or see what types of products are available. If you happen to purchase through some of the links below, I may also earn a small commission for any qualified purchase as an Amazon affiliate.
In the past, I just used what I had and didn't realize that proper gear and fit makes such a HUGE difference in terms of comfort, ease of movement, and the amount of energy and effort it takes to do something. I'm also petite so it's nice to know what works for people like me that has trouble fitting in chairs, clothes, etc.
Here's some things I've tried and liked along the way...
BACKPACK: I'm a huge Osprey fan. (Amazon) Their bags vary in size and fit, but my favorite was the Rev 6 (older model), and was just enough to carry the 10 essentials without hurting my back and shoulders. I also use biking backpacks for ventilation, back support, accomodates larger water bladders, but also is an awesome way to carry my snowshoes.
BOOTS: My all time favorite hiking boots are Keen Durands (Amazon).
I hiked 806.65 miles on 180 trails over 4 years in my Keen Durands. So comfortable, great tread, slip resitant and never had any overuse injuries though took a few days to break in.
I got 383 miles on 104 trails over 1.5 years in my Keen Targhee before the tread and support wore down leading to some foot and Achilles pain.
I am currently on my 2nd pair of Keen Durands (Durand II) and we'll see how they hold up.
GAITERS: I have tried cheap $2 gaiters from Amazon as well as more expensive ones from Deuter. I have to say both kept my feet dry, but the more expensive ones are definitely worth the investment if you plan to do outdoor adventuring in the winter. They are definitely more sturdy, durable, and aesthetically pleasing.
GLOVES: I always carry them, not just for warmth in the winter, but I carry lighter ones (I like Kombi liner gloves) and slightly more rugged light ones when doing mini scrambles to protect my hands and prevent strange fungi from affecting my skin when touching dirt, trees, water, etc.
HIKING POLES: Black Diamond Carbon Z poles. (Amazon). These are more spendy, but they are amazing. Lightweight, not hard on the shoulders or hands, easy to pack up to carry in a pack or even a carryon. I have also used these as a tripod support as well.
COMPRESSION TIGHTS: Honestly, in all my years looking, I have only found one pair of tights that actually therapeutically support/compressed my legs to help avoid fatigue and injury. All the other ones I've tried do general "compression" that just helps more on the fashion than function side.
YAKTRAX: (Amazon) I love these for icy conditions in the mountains as well as parking lots.
JACKETS: I love Arcteryx jackets. My favorite is LT Hoodys. They provide a great midlayer under a shell jacket for the colder days, and it is an excellent jacket for fall and spring weather. Super compact, portable and so comfortable/breathable.
KAHTOOLA MICROSPIKES: (Amazon) I love these for hybrid winter conditions. They have good grip, are light weight and give you more confidence going up and down hills. Just be careful if walking on gravel or larger walks as the chain can break or it can wear down the spikes.
SNOWSHOES: MSR lightening ascents. (Amazon) Depending on the type of terrain and how far you want to go, these are awesome. They have grip on the forefoot, toes and around the whole edge, a heel lift to reduce strain at the ankle, and you can add tails to the shoes if you plan to add weight or backpack and need extra float.
Waterfall: Walupt Falls, WA.
Crazy adventure gone wrong but still amazing: Walupt Falls, Lake Victoria, and Gunn Peak WA.
Most challenging: Gunn peak, WA or Lake Victoria, WA
Mt Rainier. Sunrise loop or Skyline loop trail, WA
Off highway 2. Lake Valhalla, WA
In the Enchantments: Lake Colchuck, WA
Biggest bang for your buck: Lake Minotaur, WA. High Rock, WA. Mt Storm King, WA
Local hike off I90: Snow Lake, WA; Rampart Lakes, WA; or Tinkham Peak, WA
Olympic Peninsula: Mt Storm King, WA
To a glacier. Puerto Moreno Glacier, Patagonia or Heliotrope Ridge by Mt. Baker
For Wildflowers : Cascade Pass, WA
Trailrun: Kendall Katwalk, WA
To see the Larches: Cutthroat pass, WA or Lake Ingalls, WA
To see Fall colors: Yellow Aster Butte, WA
Snowshoe: Artist point, Mt Baker.
in Vancouver, BC. St Mark's Summit.
in Whistler, BC Area: It's a tie of Wedgemount Lake and Panorama Ridge or Watersprite Lake
In Banff (Berg lake is on my list!): Consolation Lakes
In Oahu: Tom Tom trail to the old Dead man's catwalk and "other stairway to heaven"
In Oregon: Proxy Falls and Tamanawas Falls, OR
in Kauai: Goat trail and Napali coast of course.
in Maui: Pipiwai Trail. Red Sand Beach. Venus pools.
in Arizona: Havasupai, AZ
in Utah: Angel's landing in Zion National Park. Partition Arch in Arches National Park.
in Nevada: Valley of Fire
in California urban "hikes": Sunken City; 1000 steps beach; Sunset cliffs
in Patagonia: W trail and El Fitz Roy
in Montana: Iceberg Lake
In Wyoming: Lake Solitude in Grand Tetons National park.