Hiking for Beginners on a Budget: The Ultimate Guide (2023)
Are you looking to start hiking as a beginner on a budget? Let me show you how!
There are tons of recommendations out there for expensive, name-brand hiking gear that just aren’t suited for beginners.
But the problem is that most beginner hikers don’t want to spend that kind of money on a brand-new hobby!
And on top of that, getting into hiking can be scary, which is where I come in, to help you through those problems.
In this post, I’ll share with you how to get started hiking as a beginner, even if you don’t have a huge budget, because it doesn’t have to be intimidating!
Let’s dive right in.
What is Hiking and Why Should I Do It?
Believe it or not, hiking isn’t just for the super outdoorsy, mountain climbing, hardcore experts!
In fact, you can jump into hiking with no experience at all if you want to!
Because all in all, hiking is really just walking with some extra gear and some pretty epic views that you’re rewarded with.
Most hiking is done on dirt trails through the woods, around mountains, or in really pretty places, but some is also done on paved paths!
Every hike has its own difficulty level, elevation change, and key features.
So if you’re a beginner, no worries, because there are so many great options out there for you to choose from.
People hike for all sorts of reasons such as just getting outside, exercising, helping their mental health, and seeing beautiful places.
You can read more about some of the top reasons that people hike in my post here.
Is Hiking Cheap or Expensive?
Hiking can be a very cheap hobby that almost anyone can take up!
If you have a decent pair of walking shoes, comfortable clothes, and a backpack, then you too can hit the trails.
Hiking also can become a very expensive hobby, if you choose to make it that way.
But all in all, you don’t have to go out and purchase tons of new gear before you set out for a hike.
If you’re on a budget and are looking to get into hiking, starting off by using what you have at home will work great!
Then you can choose to upgrade later if you end up enjoying it!
What Gear do Beginner Hikers Need?
Jumping into the hiking world can be overwhelming with the hundreds of gear brands, items to buy, and recommendations out there.
But getting started as a beginner hiker shouldn’t be this complicated!
Of course, there are essentials that you should have, but they don’t need to be complex or expensive.
Here’s a list of the absolute must-have gear that all beginner hikers should have before their first few hikes.
- Sturdy Shoes 👉🏼 One of the top essentials for heading out for a hike on my list.
- Comfortable Clothing 👉🏼 Choose clothes that are comfy and preferably not cotton.
- Backpack 👉🏼 To carry anything else that you may need for your adventure.
- Food & Water 👉🏼 For sustained energy and hydration!
- Safety/Emergency Items 👉🏼 To ensure your safety on the trail.
- Navigation 👉🏼 So you know where the trail is and how to get back to your vehicle.
- Sun protection 👉🏼 Protect your skin when you’re outdoors.
- Camera 👉🏼 Either your phone or a real camera.
Now that you know the basics of gear for hiking as a beginner on a budget, let’s go into more detail and show you my favorites!
Hiking Gear for Beginners on a Budget
Below you’ll find the gear that I deem necessary for first-time hikers.
All of this is aimed specifically toward beginner hikers on a budget, so it’s all affordable hiking gear that isn’t going to break the bank.
Note: Keep in mind that all people are different, so you may require more or less gear than I do when hiking! Adjust accordingly. 😊
Sturdy Shoes
One of the most important pieces of gear, for everyone, including beginners, is a pair of sturdy shoes.
These don’t have to be a specific shoe for hiking, but they should have a sturdy, grippy bottom.
There are many trails out there with rough and uneven terrain that is easy to trip on.
Having a good pair of shoes will help prevent twisted ankles, stubbed toes, and sore feet.
If you can splurge on one item, I would highly recommend that it be your shoes.
I absolutely love my Oboz Low Sawtooth Hiking Shoes. I’ve put hundreds of miles on them and they’re holding up great.
For a more affordable option, consider the Merrell Sirens Sport Shoe. These are more like a shoe than a boot, but they still, have that needed support.
And if you aren’t planning on doing any super long or strenuous hikes anytime soon, even a pair of running shoes will work.
Comfortable Clothing
Comfortable clothes are key to a good day on the trail.
You don’t want to get out there in jeans, a dress (more power to you if you hike in a skirt!), or something restricting.
You can read more about what not to wear by clicking here!
It’s best to choose clothes that are moisture-wicking and lightweight.
These can be clothes that you already own such as ‘dry-fit’ or ‘quick-dry’ pieces.
Amazon has a huge variety of moisture-wicking shirts like this basic one from Baleaf.
For colder days, choose a nice sweater such as this one from Avalanche. I have one similar and really like it.
As for pants, leggings or capris are always a great choice. They’re typically stretchy and comfortable.
I personally wear these super affordable hiking pants that are stretchy, dry really fast, and are comfy.
I’ve got you covered all the way down to your toes. While hiking socks aren’t necessary (and are expensive!), I think that they’re worth it.
These Smartwool socks are my favorites because they keep me cool in the summer and warm in the winter and help avoid blisters.
Goodwill and other thrift stores often have great athletic wear that is perfect for hiking, at affordable prices.
Backpack
A good backpack is a piece of essential hiking gear because it’s going to carry everything that you need for the day!
If you’re going shorter distances, it won’t be as important to have a bag that’s specifically designed for hiking.
But when you start to head out for longer distances, I recommend having one that fits you well and sits correctly to avoid neck and back pain.
In saying this, when starting out, feel free to use any backpack that you may have at home.
I’ve used school backpacks, crossbody bags, and drawstrings in the past.
A good option for a quality budget backpack is the Gregory Nano 14. It’s lightweight, roomy, and under $40.
For a little higher-end, but still, affordable backpack, check out the Osprey Daylite. This is a popular daypack with enough space for a shorter day hike.
The backpack that I just recently bought and love is the Osprey Tempest 20, which is perfect for day hiking but is a bit more spendy.
Read more here about the best daypacks for women.
Trekking Poles
Having trekking poles isn’t entirely necessary, but they are helpful, especially on more strenuous hikes.
They’re beneficial because they take some of the pressure off of your knees and joints.
They also help with steep ascents and descents on the trails or when you’re in snowy conditions.
My favorites are the Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles because they’re affordable and really sturdy.
I typically only use hiking poles on really steep hikes, so you definitely don’t need to immediately purchase these when you’re starting out.
Even a stick that you find on the side of the trail will work fine!
Read This Next –> 9 Best Budget Trekking Poles (+ How to Choose)
Safety and Emergency Items
When you’re just starting hiking as a beginner, it can seem like a lot to purchase a whole bunch of safety items for your backpack.
So I like to use what I have at home first, and then add more to my collection later.
One of the first safety items that you should have is a first aid kit. These are really easy to make with things that you already have.
Include things like a variety of bandages, pain relievers, antibacterial creams, moleskin (for blisters), gauze, medical tape, and antiseptic wipes.
Or, if you prefer, you can buy a cheap one like this one, which comes in its own little bag.
Other safety essentials include things like sunscreen, bug spray, a small knife, and a headlamp.
Navigation
An essential part of your safety on a hiking trail is some sort of navigation.
I personally use a couple of free apps on my phone that work really great, which I’ll discuss further in detail below.
One of the best is All Trails because it allows you to track your hike as well as search for new ones to check out.
As for physical navigation devices, paper maps of the area are always a good idea.
Compasses work too, but only if you know how to use them!
Food and Water
Of course, it’s important to pack nutritious food and water in your backpack when heading out for a hike.
You should always carry extra food, in case you run out or get stuck on the trail for longer than anticipated.
I prefer a water bladder compared to a bottle, as it’s easier to carry and holds more water. This is the (affordable!) bladder that I use and I love it!
My favorite hiking snacks include Clif Bars, pistachios, and fruit snacks.
If I’m planning to be out during mealtime, I’ll usually pack either a pb&j sandwich or some sort of homemade pasta salad.
Don’t feel like you need to purchase the super fancy snacks, because they just aren’t necessary.
Fun Extras
Aside from all of the ‘serious’ gear that is necessary for a safe day spent hiking, here are a few of the fun items that I like to pack.
I always have my camera with me to take epic photos of all of the beautiful views. Whether it’s your phone or a real camera, bring one!
Binoculars are another fun item to have, especially if you’re hiking somewhere that is known for its wildlife.
A small tripod is a must because I love to take pictures together with my boyfriend, even when there’s no one around to ask!
How to Prepare for a Hike as a Beginner
Now that you have all of your affordable hiking gear, you’re ready to start preparing!
Preparing is a fairly easy task, as long as you’re aware of how to do it.
1. Choose the Right Trail
As a beginner, you won’t want to choose a trail that is too hard, so try to aim for somewhere below 3 miles.
Also always look at the elevation gain. I would recommend sticking under 1,000 feet of gain.
These will be great trail choices for a first-time hiker.
Choosing a trail that is too difficult can definitely be a recipe for disaster and may prevent you from wanting to get back out there!
2. Know Your Stuff
Before heading out for a hike, you should always do your research on the area that the trail is in.
Now I’m not saying you need to be an expert by any means, but you definitely don’t want to show up without any prior knowledge.
Check for road and trail conditions, pass requirements, busyness or the trailhead, what the trail is like, the weather for the day, and wildlife in the area.
You can typically find information like this on places like All Trails, state/national park pages, or national/state forest pages. Or in blogs such as this one! 😉
3. Pack Your Bag
You should give yourself plenty of time to pack up your day hike bag so that you don’t forget a crucial item.
I won’t go too far into detail on how to pack your bag, because you can find all of that in my post about packing for a day hike here.
But the basics are to pack heavier stuff near the center of your back, avoid carrying unnecessary items and have safety items easily accessible.
4. Wear the Proper Clothing
You should always research the weather before heading out to ensure that you have the proper gear for the hike.
Whether that be a raincoat, snow pants, or a sun hat, you’ll want to be prepared!
It’s no fun to show up to the trail in a t-shirt and end up getting soaking wet from the rain.
Plan for rain, snow, sun, and everything in between when packing your car for the day.
As they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
5. Have a Safety Plan in Place
Even if you’re going for just a short hike or one that’s close to home, it’s important to have a safety plan.
This includes telling someone that you trust where you’ll be and what time you anticipate returning.
Some apps, like Cairn, allow you to share your route and location with others, which can give you peace of mind.
Tips for Saving Money as a Beginner Hiker on a Budget
Buying hiking gear for the first time can be overwhelming and exhausting. I get it.
When I first got into hiking, I struggled to figure out what the best options were for me are and if I really needed that $200 item.
But drop those worries, because I’m here to give you some awesome tips for saving money when looking to buy some new hiking gear.
Hiking Etiquette For Beginners
Just as with any other sport or activity, there is some etiquette that should be followed to ensure everyone is safe and happy on the trail.
Below you’ll find some of the best ways that you can help others and yourself have a good time.
They’ll help you avoid some of the easiest to make mistakes while hiking.
Give Uphill Hikers the Right of Way
If you pass others while on a narrow hill, step to the side and let those coming uphill pass you first.
It’s a lot easier to go downhill than it is to go uphill, which is why we do this!
Keep the Noise Level Low
Out of respect for other hikers and the wildlife that live in the area, keep your music and voice levels low.
People go out into nature for peace, and having loud music or screaming can really disrupt the peace.
Plus, animals aren’t huge fans of music, believe it or not.
Always Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace principles are extremely important to remember when hiking, as they help protect our Earth.
We need to take care of the Earth in order for us to continue to enjoy the trails!
Here are the 7 principles to follow:
- Leave what you find
- Be considerate of others
- Dispose of waste properly
- Travel on durable surfaces
- Respect wildlife
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Plan ahead and be prepared
Don’t Go Off-Trail
Even if you see something really cool that’s off the trail, you should never leave the trail.
This is to protect fragile natural environments such as meadows, wildflowers, and homes for wildlife.
Park Appropriately
At the trailhead, please park in the lines and leave space for others to park because many trailheads are small.
This should go for anywhere that you park, but especially remember it in small parking lots.
FAQS: Hiking For Beginners
How Long Should a Beginner Hike Be?
A hike can really be as long as you feel comfortable, but I recommend keeping it around 3 miles.
If you do a lot of walking or running, you may be able to push it up to longer, such as 5 miles.
But as I mentioned above, don’t push yourself too far, because it just won’t be very fun.
How Do I Find Hikes Hikes a Beginner?
One of the best ways to find hikes is to use an app called All Trails.
I also have joined many Facebook groups for my area where I can find trail recommendations.
In these groups, you might even be able to find a hiking buddy!
How Do I Choose a Beginner Hike?
When you’re looking for some of your first hikes, you should be careful to consider a few things.
First, make sure that the distance is something that you can handle.
I recommend 3 miles and under for a first-timer.
Also, it’s very important to check the elevation change, which can be the difference between a walk in the park and a mountain climb.
Try to stay under 1,000 feet or gain.
Where is the Best Place to Hike for Beginners?
Some of the most popular trails are found within national and state parks, which usually have well-marked and groomed trails.
Aside from parks, there are most likely trails all-around your hometown or state that you just haven’t discovered!
Use The Hiking Project or All Trails apps to find great trails nearby, many of which may not charge a fee to visit.
How Can I Stay Safe on the Trail as a First-Time Hiker?
Some of the best ways to stay safe while hiking are to hike with someone else, be aware of your surroundings, and tell someone where you’ll be.
On top of these, use a navigation device or app and always stay hydrated and nourished.
You can also carry personal safety items such as pepper spray, a knife, and bear spray.
Is Hiking Good Exercise?
Yes, hiking is great exercise and also a great way to get out and enjoy nature!
The Wrap-Up: Hiking for Beginners on a Budget
And there you have it! The easiest and best ways to begin hiking for beginners on a budget.
Now you know that name brands aren’t essential, you can use what you have, and there are plenty of ways to save money.
It can totally be overwhelming to start hiking, but I hope that this post has helped you understand that it can be cheap and easy to start!
