HOW TO GEAR UP FOR ANY HIKE

From strolling the boulevards of Buenos Aires, Argentina, to hiking in the Canadian Rockies, walking provides good exercise while stretching your mind and soul.

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To maximise the joy that comes with vigorous bipedal activity, it’s important to plan. No matter what the activity, it's always wise to carry a first aid kit. Adventure Medical Kits makes sport-specific and ultralight, watertight options. Or throw together your own in a Ziploc bag.

Even if your route includes pintxos at a seaside cafe in Spain, a trailhead food truck or a wild blueberry patch, carry an emergency snack (Honey Stinger’s gluten-free and kosher Almond Pumpkin Nut & Seed Bar packs 14g of protein). Electrolytes like Tailwind’s small packets of Electrolyte Powder help you rehydrate and reenergise.

As for the rest, a trail run requires a different set of tools than a multiday trek and a rugged day hike necessitates different gear than an afternoon of urban exploration. Here are a few basics in each category to get you started (all items come in men’s and women’s versions unless otherwise noted):

CITY WALK

Shoes

Hard surfaces require a supportive, comfortable shoe with some grip, but not a heavy, chunky tread. For women, Dansko’s new Peony Walking Sneaker (US$140 or 4,500 baht) is based on the same arch technology and shock-absorbing heel cushioning as their clogs, beloved by chefs. It also has a lightweight, yet tough rubber outsole with a minimalist tread and 100% recycled liners and mesh uppers. For men, the Arc'teryx Norvan LD 3 GTX ($200) is a trail runner, but even with a 4mm lugged sole, the lightweight, low-profile, waterproof and tastefully designed shoe is comfortable for striding around the city.

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