Essential Tech Gear for Epic Summer Hikes: What’s in Your Backpack

While trekking in the hilly terrain in winter is fun, the mountains have their own charm in summer. There are bright, lush greens, the sun is bright, the sky is clear, you won’t have to deal with stubborn snow that could cause you to slide, and so on. Still, summer treks can be tough due to the heat. In light of this, here are the essential technical gear you should pack for your summer trek. If your backpack contains the following items, you are sure to have a great trek.

1. Kizen Solar Powered Camping Flashlight

Summer hiking can mean night hikes in the wilderness to escape the heat. What could be better than a solar-powered flashlight to accompany you on your night hike? This foldable product from Kizen provides 10 hours of bright LED lights on a full charge.

The flashlight has three modes – low, SOS and high. I hope you never have to use it, but the SOS mode can come in handy in an emergency. Interestingly, the device even has ports that allow you to charge your mobile phone. When folded, the flashlight becomes the size of your palm and will fit into the smallest pockets of your bag. If you are planning on night trekking or camping in the mountains, taking the Kizen LED flashlight with you is a must!

2. Blavor Solar Power Bank

Summer gadgets are not complete without a solar-powered power bank. The Blavor Power Bank runs on sunlight and converts it into electricity that can charge your smartphone and other gadgets. It also has a few tricks up its sleeve that make it versatile.

When you’re not outdoors or have access to an outlet, you can charge the power bank through the same port. Did I forget to mention that? Some of the extra perks you get with the Blavor power bank are a built-in flashlight and a small compass to help you find your way.

3. Comlife Mini Portable Waist Fan

Summer is definitely one of the best months to go hiking, as there’s no snow on the trail or storms to plague you. However, what can be annoying is the constant heat. Well, you can’t beat the heat with the Comlife Portable Hip Fan. Not only will it cool you down, but the large battery ensures that it can run all day long — literally!

Comlife promises about 24 hours of battery life. So, even if you hike for eight hours a day, that’s three days of use on a single charge. In addition, the fan can also be used as a power bank for your phone in emergencies. The way the fan works is that you clip it to your pants and blow air into your shirt. Alternatively, you can use the lanyard to hang it around your neck so that it blows air into your face. It’s definitely a good investment, especially considering the affordable price.

4. Bkles portable camping water filter

Bright, shining sun means more water usage. Plus, trips to remote areas can also drain your mineral bottles. Enter the Bkles Portable Water Filter. Its 5-stage filtration process ensures clean water is disposed of at all times.

The good news is that the product weighs just 350 grams. You can purify about 160 liters of water on a single charge! That’s enough for a good 10-15 days. You don’t have to wait too long for clean water, because the product purifies 700 ml of water in less than a minute! Another convenient option is this water filter bottle from Grayl. This product removes pathogens in a convenient way, like a bottle you can drink from.

5. Waterh Boost Smart Water Bottle

No amount of water is less water during summer hikes. If you forget about water, the smart Boost bottle is the product for you. On the one hand, it acts like a thermos, and on the other hand it reminds you to drink. No kidding!

Cold water is essential for quenching your thirst during sunny hikes. Boost vacuum insulation keeps water cold for 12 hours straight. Plus, smart notifications from the bottle to your phone will keep you from getting dehydrated. If you miss a notification from your phone, the bottle ring will light up to remind you to hydrate! A cute little digital LED display on the bottles shows how much water you’ve drunk. So if you’re going on a summer hike, don’t forget to take your Boost smart water bottle with you!

6. Apple Watch Ultra 2

While it’s not exactly summer-themed, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the ultimate hiking companion. It measures elevation, tracks your heart rate periodically, and can even mark waypoints so you can return safely.

All of the features listed above can also be had on the standard Apple Watch. It’s also much more affordable. However, the reason I recommend the Ultra is its superior battery life. If you’re going on a long hike, you can go more than two days without charging the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which is rare for a smartwatch. It’s also more durable, making it resistant to scratches and abrasions while hiking in rough terrain.

7. Garmin InReach Mini

While this product isn’t specifically designed for summer, the Garmin InReach is a compact satellite communicator. This palm-sized device sends and receives text messages when your phone can’t. The device pairs with some Garmin products and select smartphones to increase your safety.

Trekking in remote areas can sometimes leave you lost in the wilderness. In such cases, this subscription-based tool allows you to send your location, activate SOS changes, etc. Sure, the product is expensive. However, if you invest in this safety tool, your family will be able to track your trek with peace of mind.

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