It's safe to say our budget is tight around here and I am all about finding free or cheap alternatives when it comes to our must haves for hiking and camping. However, there are a few items that after doing thorough research I did decide they were absolutely worth spending the money on. Of course, these are just my opinions, and you should do your own research and find what works best for you.
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1. The best money I spent would have to be on my Garmin InReach Mini 2. These satellite gps devices usually go for around $300-$400 new and $200-$300 used. I actually managed to score mine from a motorcycle shop for $150 and I still can't believe the unreal deal I got. You certainly do not have to go with the Garmin, but I do highly suggest getting some kind of satellite communicator or personal locater with an SOS feature, especially if you plan on hiking in the backcountry or anywhere without reliable service.
2. My Merrell hiking shoes would absolutely be my next favorite purchase. I bought these last year after realizing my trail runners were losing their tread, making them dangerous for me to rely on with some of our granite boulder trails. I am obsessed with them to say the least. They fit more like sneakers, which I love because I don't like the ankle support feature of most hiking boots, plus they have amazing tread and dry fast. I wouldn't say they are expensive but when you are pinching pennies they might put a dent on your wallet.
3. Third would be my Osprey Skimmer 20 daypack. Now, you absolutely do not need a fancy hiking backpack to be considered a hiker. All you really need is a decent backpack that fits comfortably and holds the essentials, which is exactly what I did for years. However, when the Osprey went on sale through REI this past spring I pulled the trigger and snagged it. I love that it came with a 2.5 L hydration bladder which I interchange with my framed kid carrier. Honestly that was half the reason I bought it to begin with.
Honorable mentions:
While these items weren't exactly expensive, I am still really glad I grabbed them to have on hand and for the peace of mind they bring.
LifeStraw Water Filter: This little thing takes up almost no space in my bag and it's great to know that everywhere we go we always have this with us in the event that we need to grab from a water source.
This power bank is another awesome thing to keep handy whether it's for day trips, camping, or even long car rides. It can charge via the wall plug or solar and has a compass and built in flashlight, as well as two usb outputs.
Bear spray: You can pick this up at any outdoor retailer, amazon or walmart. And if there is one thing you purchase today, I highly recommend investing in this if you are ever going to be hiking anywhere in bear country. And make sure you have it EASILY accessible when hiking. I have a holster for it that I put either on my hip or shoulder strap. This will be one of the best investments you make.
Happy Hiking!
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