Hiking is one of the best ways to get outside, exercise, adventure, and have a fun relaxing time. It's a relational hobby that challenges your physical and mental limits while keeping you relaxed and with your friends. It's easy though, when hiking or camping, to have a bad time. Some people just struggle with preparation, but a lot of the time, it's easier to prepare if you know what gear you need. So, from Eagle Scout to active and aspiring explorers, here is my list of ESSENTIAL hiking gear.

1. A CamelBak

Sure, any old backpack will do; use what you have. My classic CamelBak Trail Blazer is almost 7 years old and is one of the BEST gifts I've ever received. It's been around the world with me, literally. I use it for school, casual hiking, carrying my photography gear, day-trips, canoeing, backpacking, camping, and for normal traveling. It's perfect for storing water, my journal, my laptop, a change of clothes, some basic snacks, and a jacket. It's water resistant, light, and EXTREMELY durable. In 6 years of EXTREME USE, the only rip it has is from the one time I accidentally stabbed it with a knife –last year. The newer models look super sleek and are geared towards teens, so I'll be moving to a Rim Runner model whenever mine "dies". It's great for packing simple and going far.

If you're looking at spending a whole weekend in the woods or more, invest in a backpacking backpack –I know, it sounds weird. I'm a huge fan of the Mountainsmith Apex 100. It has TONS of space, a detachable day-pack, and it pairs PERFECTLY with my CamelBak. I've had mine for 5 years now and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I've used it for international travel and it beats a suitcase ANY DAY. 10/10. You need a good backpack that has some sort of back-frame, a cross-chest harness, and a waist belt.

2. A Pocket Knife

You never realize how much you need a pocket knife until you need one. Whittling, making camp fires, cutting ropes, marking trees, prying open cans, slicing steaks, tearing through a Ritz cracker package, eating food...the list goes on. If you aren't familiar with using a pocket knife, try out a Swiss Army Knife from L.L. Bean. You'll always have the perfect tool.

If you're like me, you may just need a simple blade that'll last until you lose it. Check out this Gerber knife, it's never not on me. You won't regret it.

3. A Lot of Rope

It's like a pocket knife, you need it when you don't have it, and when you do need it, you'll be SO thankful. I've used rope to put up Eno's, tie down tents, make clothes lines, make "bedside" table pulley systems, keep myself from bleeding too much, mark off the "bathroom", and hang up a tarp to keep the rain away. If you want to get really "Surviver" like, you'll want rope so you can lash together a lean-to or teepee out of fallen limbs or set snares for animals. I normally carry a bright pink paracord and a dark-brown twine cord. I purchase my twine from Walmart and I'm absolutely in love with The Paracord Store. Great quality; great prices.

4. BackPacking Tents & Enos

I'm an Eno type of guy. There's nothing like falling asleep as the wind tugs on your Eno at the top of a tree on top of a mountain. Eno Tip: buy a double and if you're going to sleep more than 4 feet off the ground, use rope or velcro straps to lock the flaps around you so you don't fall out. Trust me. If you do buy an Eno, don't forget to get the Atlas hammock straps so you can actually use it.

If you prefer sleeping on the ground, I've got you covered with this sick North Face backpacking tent from the REI Co-Op. It's super light and durable; I use it all the time: summer, winter, spring, and fall. The best part about a back-packing tent is that it sets up and tears down FAST.

5. The Big Two: Shoes

Nothing makes you as miserable as losing feeling in your feet while exploring the great outdoors. How do keep that from happening? Know what you need. If you're going for light-weight, mobility-centric hiking, I recommend Merrell Moab's. If you're going to be spending a lot of time on your feet, grinding through terrain with a heavy pack, I've had nothing but phenomenal experiences with two shoes: Columbia Mid Waterproof PLAINS BUTTE and Nike Free RN's. I know it sounds ridiculous. If you can't stand thick hiking boots, try out some flexible Nike's. The last time I went hiking, it was a 5 mile up-hill grind with 60lb packs, a YETI cooler full of steaks, and 4 gallons of water. Yes, I forgot to grab my hiking shoes. Yes, I made it to the top of Oak Mountain State Park with energy to spare, solid traction, and no injuries. Going back down was a lot harder, which is why hiking shoes would have been wise.

6. F.U.N.

At the end of the day, the gear doesn't matter. If you aren't having fun, going cool places, and pushing your limits, gear is a waste of time. Gear is there to support your goals and make them a little bit more comfortable and reasonable to obtain.

Find a cool place to go. Unplug from social media. Never give up.

Figure out where you're going and invest in new and used gear that is built to make that terrain and environment easier to work in!