Let’s get this out of the way: you do not need to spend a small fortune to enjoy hiking solo. If Instagram has you convinced you need top-tier gear, a brand partnership, or a sherpa to carry your organic trail mix, you’ve been duped.

Here’s what I actually use:

• A pair of $90 trail runners (on sale) or my hiking boots (from amazon)
• My daypack I bought on Amazon with hydration bladder
• My phone with offline GPS
• Crackers, a banana, granola bars, and a sandwich.

Fancy? Nope. Functional? Absolutely.

Solo hiking isn’t about gear, it’s about getting outside, moving your body, and learning to trust your own pace. It’s about tuning out the noise and tuning into yourself.

Sure, I have a wishlist of upgrades. I’d love a better hydration system and a rain jacket that doesn’t feel like a trash bag. But I’ve learned that the magic isn’t in what you carry. It’s in the decision to go, especially when you don’t have all the “right” stuff.

Start with what you have. Hike close to home. Don’t let lack of gear stop you from experiencing something real.

Because the trail doesn’t care what brand your boots are. Neither do the trees. Neither should you.