All the wonders you seek are within yourself.
All you need advice and stories for your sport, delivered straight to your inbox (every month).Nothing more.Nothing less.
P.S: You will enjoy this.
We all have a rough idea of what hiking and trekking are. However, if you thought that hiking and trekking were similar activities and recently realised that that isn’t the case, don’t worry, you aren’t the only one. Dive deep into what makes them different and how you can better equip yourself to go on your own adventure when you pick these adventures with this article.
READ MORE.jpg)
The definition of hiking includes the word “walk”, something typically seen as joyful, easy and pleasant. So, typically, if a person refers to hiking, they tend to be talking about a pleasant day hike, or a multi-day hike that isn’t all that stressful, and which shouldn’t pose too many issues.
The word "trek" is an ancient Afrikaans word that means "migration." While it means to leave your home for several days with your trekking essentials and equipment on your back and sleep in a tent for shelter, today its usage is to describe the activity of hiking, walking in varied environments ranging from mountains to deserts to urban places.
To put it in even simpler words, hiking involves a long energetic walk in a natural environment on hiking trails or footpaths for a day or overnight. Trekking involves a long vigorous hike in the wild natural environment for multiple days. It can be done off hiking trails.
Both hikes and treks can involve all sorts of terrain though, and the whole point of either tends to be that you get out into great natural beauty. And health benefits? Numerous!
Planning to step out of your town for a hiking or trekking trip? Your trekking and hiking essentials depend a lot on your level but also on the environment you choose, the weather conditions etc.
Chances are that your hikes and treks are guided with the ways paved for you; however, making sure to carry a few navigational essentials will only help you experience the wilderness better.
A map, a compass and a GPS device are three essentials that’ll work for your next trek or hike.
This 50 Multi-purpose Whistle And Orienteering Compass will be your multi-purpose best friend. A compass to guide you, a whistle for protection, a thermometer and a magnifying glass to analyse flora and fauna will keep things fun and going.
Trust us, you want to be holding the least amount of things in your hand while trekking especially! Needing all your limbs for balance and sturdiness, make use of your head. Being able to find your way through the wilderness at night is essential, so you always need to have a light source with you. A headlamp is the preferred choice of most adventurers. And remember to always carry extra batteries.
You’ll need a torch for use on relatively easy trails or in bivouacs. The Rechargeable Trekking Head Torch is easy to use and comfortable. Weighing only 45g and being very small in size, the 500 USB bivouac head torch easily fits in your pocket. It will never leave you in the dark as it can be recharged by a USP port.
Next on the list, sun protection clothing. Clothing can be an effective way of blocking UV rays from reaching your skin without having to slather on sunscreen. There will be a couple of changes in the packing routine when it’ll come to hiking vs trekking. A hat, preferably one with a full brim, is a key accessory for sun protection. This waterproof one from Decathlon is perfect for your trekking and hiking experiences. While the laser perforations on the top of the hat let air circulate, the 3-layer fabric with a ripstop weave offers greater tear resistance.
Offering you comfortable with its warm fleece inner and water-repellent outer fabric, these water-repellent trousers will provide heat and protection during your hikes in very cold weather. The straight fit, elasticated waistband and flat adjustable buckle offer freedom of movement.
Here is an alternative for women.
While your regular cotton t-shirts should suffice for beginner level hikes, you might want to opt for one that covers your body more for better protection from the sun. This Men’s long-sleeved mountain Hiking t-shirt is ideal for the morning chill or when up a summit. This t-shirt will win you over with its absorbent and moisture-wicking qualities. A pair of modular pants that can be converted into shorts are a staple when it comes to trekking. These Men's Travel Trekking Trousers are designed so that you can travel the world with confidence, whatever the environment. With many pockets (4) to carry your essentials, these trousers are ideal for their durability and comfort as well. The front and rear reinforcement zones which are water-repellent and breathable, quick-drying fabric makes it super comfortable.
This Mountain Trekking Padded Jacket combines warmth, lightweight and durability. The technical advances applied to this padded jacket make it compact and thin while keeping you warm. This jacket will be your buddy keeping you comfortable in extremely cold temperatures as well (down to -5°C). Eco-designed, wadding made from 70% recycled polyester, making it great for you and the environment!
This RDS-certified Down And Feather Jacket is another great option to keep you warm on bivouac between +5° and -5°C. Warm and lightweight, it is the most compressible of our down jackets and takes up less space in your backpack so you can travel light. The surface of the outer fabric is water repellent to prevent water from getting in and protecting you.
As for shoes, you must leave your regular running shoes at home and go for an activity-specific pair. Shoes that offer adequate ankle support are the key here to prevent any unwanted twists and injuries.
Always carry some type of emergency shelter to protect you from wind and rain in case you get stranded or injured on the trail. Options include a raincoat or a poncho, a blanket or even a large plastic trash bag.
This Hiking Rain Poncho provides shelter from the rain when hiking. Quick to put on and provides full protection from the rain, with or without a backpack (maximum capacity of 40 litres).
Not an emergency but equally necessary is a sleeping bag. This Trekking Mummy Sleeping Bag is designed to sleep comfortably at temperatures of 0°C or above. This very compact, lightweight bag has a wide temperature range of use. Sleep sound from 0° to 5°C thanks to these 2 3/4 zips with a double slider to manage the temperature.
Last but not the least, you’ll need an appropriate bag to carry all the above-listed essentials.
Easy to adjust, this 50L Trekking Backpack offers simplicity and comfort without giving up its technical features. With holders to carry your water bottle, pole-holder and rain cover, it is a versatile bag to keep things easy-peasy.
Decathlon is a one-stop destination for all your quality sports and travel goods. We promise to accompany you to all your adventures in the form of gears for a more than satisfactory experience. From trekking gear to hiking, find all your travel requirements at Decathlon.
When you join our subscribe list, you get access to the best of sports inspiration, tips, stories and more to practice your sport. Just One Digest Per Month (Promise)
Discover HikingIt's said that beautiful landscapes have amazing restorative powers and hiking has proven benefits for walkers; so what are we waiting for.
Trekking In India - Best Places, Equipment, And BenefitsTrekking is just another synonym for walking. Even so, the term trekking has largely been attributed to a type of walking that takes you along routes that are usually up, down, over, and around hills and mountains. By the end of this article, you will know what trekking is exactly, trekking in India for beginners as well as for experts, so, solo trekking in India, and top 5 trekking places in India. There are also a few FAQs that we have answered towards the end for your convenience. Happy Reading!
Hiking Sticks Guide: Choose & Use for Better HikesDiscover the perfect hiking sticks for your adventures. Learn how to select, use, and maintain sticks for improved balance and hiking efficiency.
How to choose the right trekking tent? 5 Best trekking tents in India 2024Many people claim that it is quite hard to find the right type of trekking tent and that too at an affordable price. But that’s not the case anymore, you can now check out this guide on various trekking tents and find out the best trekking tent companion for your camping trip.
Ultimate Annapurna Circuit Trek Guide - Plan & PrepExplore the Annapurna Circuit Trek with our comprehensive guide. Tips on routes, gear, culture, and safety for an unforgettable experience.
Top 9 Hiking Trails In India For Adventure SeekersThis article will take you through some of the most fantastic trails in India, discovering people, cultures, natural treasures, breathtaking landscapes and solving the problem of “where to stay” unless you plan to camp.
Please subscribe here
