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Best gear for a rainy day hike

Best gear for a rainy day hike

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What gear for rainy-day hikes is best?

For true outdoor lovers, nothing can stop a planned excursion — not even a sprinkling or a deluge of rain. Hiking in the rain does pose its own unique challenges and triumphs, just like hiking in 100-degree-plus weather or hiking off pre-made trails. The obvious challenge is how to keep yourself and any equipment you’ve packed dry, but there are others, such as having to maintain your footing on slick ground and staying warm in the wind and water. With the right gear, though, you can, in the words of fitness expert Judd Nesmith, “get outside and enjoy Mother Nature even when she might be a little upset.”

In this article: Brooks Men’s Cascadia 16 Trail Running Shoes, Osprey Tempest 6 Lumbar Hiking Pack and Smartwool Women’s Hike Socks.

Essential gear for rainy-day hikes

The three key pieces of gear you need for any rainy-day hike are:

Best expert-recommended gear for rainy-day hikes

Brooks Men’s Cascadia 16 Trail Running Shoes

Judd has personally worn these shoes for years, highlighting that they “provide excellent grip and traction on the slickest trails and have unique draining ports for water to escape quickly.”

Sold by Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods

Garmin inReach Mini 2

Judd says this lightweight device is a must for people who like to hike in areas where you might be hard to find if you get stuck or hurt. It has satellite texting capabilities and an emergency SOS button to notify search and rescue teams.

Sold by Amazon

Osprey Tempest 6 Lumbar Hiking Pack

Judd claims this waist pack is “the best on the market” thanks to features like a body-hugging belt to keep your items stable and a “very generous” storage compartment.

Sold by Amazon

Outdoor Research Women’s Helium Rain Jacket

“A lightweight, waterproof and windproof jacket is a must,” according to Judd, and this is his pick. He especially likes that it’s “very breathable and won’t overheat you even in warm weather.”

Sold by Amazon

Smartwool Women’s Hike Socks

These are a top pick for Judd for several reasons, such as their excellent cushioning and ability to wick away excess moisture quickly. He also notes that Smartwool is “a leader in designing performance socks.”

Sold by Amazon

Best rain ponchos

Lingito Disposable Rain Poncho

You can plan all you want to try and avoid the rain, but if you hike enough, you can still get caught in some. These disposable ponchos are perfect for those emergencies.

Sold by Amazon

SaphiRose Reusable Rain Poncho

This reusable poncho is packed with features such as an adjustable hood, elastic cuffs and a zippered pocket. Its primary zipper is even waterproof, so no water leaks onto your chest.

Sold by Amazon

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Jordan C Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

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