What Is Hiking?

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.


What Is Trekking?

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.


Difference Between Hiking And Trekking

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.


Health Benefits Of Hiking And Trekking

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!

  • Hiking and trekking can lower the risk of heart disease and improve your blood pressure.
  • These activities build up strength in your thighs, lower leg muscles, hip muscles and hamstrings.
  • The hearty exercises help you keep away from stress, depression and anxiety. 
  • Spending time outdoors and soaking all the Vitamin D from the sunlight can improve your mind.
  • Like all physical activities, they develop your bones, reduce the risk of osteoporosis, increase your cardiovascular and respiratory capacities, strengthen your immune system, and improve your muscular capacity.

Things To Carry For A Hiking And Trekking Trips

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.



1. Navigation

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.


2. Headlamp

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.

3. Clothing

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.



4. Emergency Shelter

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.


5. Trekking Bag

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.

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