If you’re an avid hiker, you probably fall into one of two camps: you’re a bare bones, “pure” hiker who relies on just a few tried-and-true items that you’ve owned for decades; or you like to try every shiny, new item you see when you enter your local sporting goods store.
I fall somewhere in the middle. I have boots I’ve long loved and still serve me well, a water bottle that I treat like a special pet, and a brand of hiking socks you’ll never sway me from. However, I have a hard time just “popping in to” REI. My credit card knows how much I like perusing the latest hiking and backpacking items, just to see what some savvy gear designer thought up this year, or what’s in the bins by the checkout line (why are all these items so hard to resist?).
Expert-Tested Gear Picks For Backpacking, Camping, And Trail Life
For this round-up, we’ve included some underrated tools and gadgets from companies you may never have heard of, a few items that have been around but may have slipped under your radar, and a couple from big names that you also may just not have ever thought you needed. We promise you’ll have a “Where has this been all my life?” moment after adding these products to your backpack.
Whether you’re an experienced hiker or backpacker or just planning your first trek, these are the smart, functional hiking accessories that solve small, but not insignificant problems on the trail—and that you didn’t know you needed.
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1. Fingerless LED Flashlight Gloves
You don’t realize how handy these are until you’re fumbling with gear in the dark, particularly when the temperatures drop. Warmth and light? Fantastic. These fingerless gloves have tiny, built-in LED lights—perfect for setting up camp at night, cooking after sunset, or finding something in your pack without holding a flashlight in your mouth. Plus, they weigh next to nothing.
2. Portable Mosquito Repeller
I get giddy every time I need to pull this item out of my pack, not because there are bugs about, but because it’s one of those things I literally never knew existed and now can’t live outdoors without. Forget sticky sprays and smoky citronella coils. A portable mosquito repeller creates a protective bubble around your campsite—no DEET, no flames, and no buzzing invaders. This particular one comes with a 12-hour Thermacell fuel cartridge to get you started.
3. Kula Cloth
Let’s talk about one of the least glamorous but most essential parts of hiking: bathroom breaks. The Kula Cloth is a total game-changer. If you squat to pee oudoors, this reusable, antimicrobial “pee cloth” is going to take up permanent residence in your backpack. Buy a couple; they come in fun designs! Pair it with a waste kit for solid waste disposal (WAG bag) in the backcountry and you’ll be a pro Leave No Trace-r. I keep one in the car for frontcountry pee breaks, too— you never know when a bathroom will be fresh out of TP.
4. Portable Fan
If you hike above tree line in the summer or trek in desert terrain, you understand the appeal of a personal, portable fan. Check out this wearable option that fits around your neck and can be recharged with your power bank. This one clips right onto your belt, if that’s more comfortable for you.
5. Garmin inReach Mini 2 (Satellite Communicator)
Even though newer iPhones now offer satellite SOS, many avid hikers still carry a Garmin inReach Mini 2. Your phone isn’t designed for rugged use or long battery life off-grid, whereas that’s what the inReach is all about. It lets you send two-way messages, share your location, and trigger an SOS signal from just about anywhere on Earth. (For casual users, Garmin’s “Safety” subscription plan covers basic SOS and limited messaging—well worth it for peace of mind.)
6. Alpenglow Gear Alpenblow Micro Inflator
At the end of a long day of a huffing-and-puffing hike, the last thing you want to do if manually inflate your air mattress. Enter the Alpenblow Micro Inflator, an 8-gram USB-powered air pump that inflates your pad in the time it takes you to cook up some trail dinner. It’s one of the lightest pad inflators on the market, and works exceptionally well for its weight and size. It comes with adapters for most pad valves and doesn’t eat up much battery power (just a small dent in my 5,000mAh bank).
7. Spuds Stick Stashers
OK, so this one isn’t strictly necessary, by any means, but it’s kind of fun to have, and will leave your hiking buddies thinking they need some, too. Stick Stashers by Spuds Adventure Gear use powerful magnets to attach your trekking poles to the side of your pack. OK, so it’s not that difficult to undo poles you had bungee’d to your pack or just take your pack off for a second to grab them, but, like I said, this way is more fun! The magnets add 1.7 oz of weight, but if you frequently switch on and off between poles and no poles, it’s worth it.
8. FlipFuel Fuel Transfer Device
Are you a backpacker who has several half-empty fuel canisters in your gear bins? Me, too! This tiny 1.5-ounce gadget is super practical and I can’t believe I didn’t know about it until now. It allows you to transfer leftover fuel from one IsoButane canister to another. Right? Fabulous.
9. Mini Ditty Stuff Sacks
Stuff sacks are so useful when hiking, backpacking, and camping, both for organizing and saving space. Now, there are micro stuff sacks—each weighing just 1.2 grams—that are perfect for organizing your mini items. Think pills, coins or tokens for showers, and even covering a spoon or your toothbrush so it doesn’t get dirty when it inevitably falls on the ground. Plus, they’re tougher and more sustainable than zip-top bags.
10. The Bug Bite Thing
As someone whose grandmother told her that her “sweet blood” is why she was a veritable mosquito magnet when growing up, take me seriously when I say, “Buy this.”How I wish my younger self had known about it, as I lathered myself in PeptoBismol-pink calamine lotion to soothe my stinging bites. The Bug Bite Thing (extra points for the great name) is essential for hikers. The simple suction tool removes insect saliva or venom from under the skin—stopping the itch and swelling instantly. It works on mosquito bites, bee stings, ant bites, and even doubles as a mini extractor for splinters or thorns.
11. USB Survival Lighter/Flashlight
This isn’t some overpriced “tactical” gadget—it’s a simple, weatherproof USB-C lighter that doubles as a flashlight. It’s windproof, fuel-free, and works every time. I use it for lighting stoves, starting fires, and as an emergency backup light—all at just 69 grams, it’s a small, multi-use addition that earns its spot in my pack (though I still keep a cheap Bic as a backup).
Final Words
Next time you’re refreshing your backpacking setup, consider swapping out a “nice-to-have” item for one of these clever, trail-tested innovations. You might just wonder how you ever hiked without them.
Prices in this article are approximate and updated annually. Check the retailer for current rates.
