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Hiking year-round means you’ll encounter all the elements throughout your 52 Hike Challenge: you will have some sunny days and some rainy ones.

While you might find it more challenging to get outside when it’s cloudy or if precipitation is in the forecast, hiking in the rain can actually be a relaxing and enjoyable experience – with the proper preparation and gear.

This blog is dedicated to the days when you might make an excuse to stay inside, but these gear recommendations will change all of that. In fact, once you have rain gear, you might even look forward to the “less desirable” days on the trail.

In this rain gear guide, you will discover…

• What rain gear is and why it’s useful for your hiking challenge
• The difference between water resistant, water repellent & waterproof
• The anatomy of a rain jacket including layers and materials to look for
• Our favorite rain jackets for men and women
• Gear recommendations for gaiters, rain covers and much more
• Additional tips for what to wear in wet conditions

Now it’s time to gear up so you can stay dry while hiking towards 52. 

When you’re hiking uphill, do you ever wish you had an extra boost? Do your knees ever hurt when you’re going down the mountain? Do you want to transform your 52 hikes into a full body workout?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, trekking poles are a great gear investment for you.

If you don’t have any experience with trekking poles or if you’re curious to learn more about their significance, you’ll find out everything you need to know in our latest hiking blog.

Get ready to learn…

• What trekking poles are
• Who can benefit from trekking poles
• How to use trekking poles for hiking
• The many types of trekking poles
• Trekking pole gear recommendations 

Whether you want to get your arms involved in your 52 hikes or if you’re in need of a little more support for your lower body, trekking poles will be a friend to you.

Now that you’re signed up for the 52 Hike Challenge, it’s time to gear up for all of your 52 hikes!

There’s a lot of gear out there and you definitely don’t need to buy everything all at once, but there is one necessary item you may want to invest in right away: a hiking daypack.

From water and snacks to a rain jacket and sunscreen, your hiking backpack will enable you to carry the Ten Essentials and anything else you may want to bring on your hiking adventures. For example, your camera and tripod, journal, hammock, etc.

When it comes to choosing the right daypack for you, there are many options in terms of size, comfort level, colors, specific uses, material and much more.

In this blog about choosing the perfect hiking daypack for you, we will cover…

• What to look for in hiking backpack design
• The ideal capacity for your hiking daypack
• Key features to look for in a hiking pack
• How to find a backpack that fits you

Plus, we’ll gear you up with details on some of our favorite packs, including why we love them and where you can find them.

After all, a reliable daypack is necessary for a fun and safe experience outdoors.

Get ready to learn everything you need to know before you choose a hiking daypack for your 52 Hike Challenge.

Embarking on a hiking adventure is an exhilarating experience, but ensuring you stay on the right path is crucial for a safe and enjoyable journey.

GPS units have become indispensable tools for hikers, providing accurate navigation, real-time tracking, and essential information about the terrain. Your GPS can alert your loved ones if you need help, and it can assist in search & rescue should you ever get into an emergency situation.

When taking a commitment like the 52 Hike Challenge, we recommend you consider some form of GPS tracking for your adventures, and if you’re hiking alone, we believe it’s a mandatory piece of gear to carry. After all, Navigation (including a map, compass and GPS unit) is one of the Ten Essentials for hiking and outdoor recreation.

In this blog we will...

• Talk about your options when choosing a GPS for hiking
• Explore each GPS unit's unique features and benefits
• Discuss how to choose the right GPS for your hiking adventures

Are you ready to hit the trails this summer?

Whether you’re signing up for the 52 Hike Challenge Summer Series or continuing to crush your 2023 hiking challenge, you will be getting out there a lot this summer – at least once a week!

That’s why it’s so important that your feet are comfortable while you’re exploring. That way, you can focus on enjoying all your hikes instead of stressing about hot spots and blisters.

Temperatures are warming up, and it’s the perfect time to trade in your hiking boots for a lighter, more breathable option.

Luckily, we took it upon ourselves to research the very best summer hiking shoe for you and your 52 Hike Challenge summer hiking adventures:

The Oboz Footwear Katabatic Collection.

At 52 Hike Challenge, we love Oboz Footwear because they have great quality hiking shoes and as a company, they really care about their customers' feet - and the planet! Hear why our founders fell in love with their new Sawtooth X hiking shoe.

This blog is published in partnership with Tecnu What’s in your hiking daypack? If you’ve been hiking with the 52 Hike Challenge community for a ...

This blog post is brought to you in partnership with REI

Every hiker loves a new pair of hiking boots. Don’t you agree?

When REI asked if our team at 52 Hike Challenge would test their new hiking boots, it was like Christmas came early!

Spoiler: these boots would be a great Christmas gift for the hiker in your life!

In this hiking boot review, you will find insights from 52 Hike Challenge co-founder Karla Amador and lead content creator Mandi Carozza. 

Get ready to discover:

• Our favorite features of REI’s newest product release
• How the REI Flash boots held up while hiking in many different environments
• Technical specifications and product details
• Why we love these hiking boots

Looking for the perfect gift for the hiker in your life? The team at 52 Hike Challenge curated a list of our top 10 gifts for hikers of all ages and skill levels -- we even included a special treat for your pup! You can find all of these awesome items at your local REI.

Guess what?! We will be giving away each of these items in partnership with REI! Simply enter your info at the bottom of this page, then follow us on social to find out how you can gain extra entries!

Check out our Top 10 Hiking Gifts handpicked by your friends at 52 Hike Challenge now.

Today I'm reviewing my Keen Targhee III MID Waterproof Hiking Boots. Keen kindly sent these to me last year in preparation of my John Muir Trail th...

Safety is the word when you're out on the trail. Which is why you must always (yes, always) carry your 10 essentials. But knowing exactly what to get, or even remembering to pack all of them, can be a overwhelming for some. Check out our gear review of the Stay Alive Hiker's Pack.

We were humbled to see our name on Fox40 not too long ago, and we're so excited about our new partnership with Camp California! It's great to see that our hiking challenge is making a difference in the community. Read on to find trail recommendations from Camp California, and sign up for your 52 Hike Challenge 2020 now!