The 8 Hiking Gadgets I'm Taking for Spring and Summer Treks

CNET

24-05-2025

My beautiful high desert location is famed for hiking when the days warm up and we spill out to explore the lakes, rivers and mountains surrounding us -- always trying to stay one step ahead of the crowds. And when prepping for a hike, I've got some tech I love to bring along.
If you're planning a hike or camping trip in the next few months, take a look at my favorite gadgets and essentials that I've found can make all the difference, from an afternoon out on the trails to a whole weekend exploring. See what you need to add to your pack for next time.
1. A GPS tracker and communicator
GPS communicators are a much-praised upgrade to traditional GPS maps.
Garmin/CNET
For serious hikers, a GPS device is a must-have, especially when exploring less-trod trails and documenting your route afterward. It also functions as a safety net if something goes seriously wrong or you lose your stuff (climbers may even want a dedicated tracker for their additional supplies). I like the basic GPS trackers like this $30 LandAirSea model, but it's easy to upgrade to a GPS watch.
Nowadays, there's a new GPS darling on the scene that combines GPS with a satellite communicator or walkie-talkie, like this $400 Garmin model. That's pricey, but communication features can be invaluable, especially for more serious forays beyond the trails or for volunteer trail work. You could also upgrade to a GPS map version, like this more affordable $200 Garmin version.
2. Collapsible trekking poles
Collapsible hiking poles come in very handy for unexpected events.
Trekology
Trekking or hiking poles are generally associated with uphill trails and icy or slippery conditions, but I've found they're a lot more useful than expected. Collapsible poles from Black Diamond or Trekology can easily fit in or on your pack and only come out when needed. They're a lifesaver if you or a buddy gets unexpectedly winded, finds a rough patch trail or becomes injured and needs a bit of help getting back to the roadside. You'll frequently be glad you brought them along.
3. Filtration straw or pump
LifeStraw is at the top of the game, but there are many filtration options.
LifeStraw
While LifeStraw has popularized the easily packaged filtration device, you can these filters in all shapes and sizes for your hike. Some even include pumps to easily filter water and add it to a bottle or bucket from a nearby river, lake, pond or pool. With something as lightweight and affordable as a LifeStraw, you can add it to nearly any pack. But filtration devices are especially important if you're going to be out for more than a day or two.
4. Collapsible canteen
Collapsible bottles are easy to find and much easier to hike with.
Platypus
While people love their Stanley Cups and Nalgenes (where I live we're Hydroflask people), those bottles are a little too large and heavy to comfortably take on every hike, especially if you're going to be carrying around a pack for a long time. And on longer hikes when space is at a premium, they grow even more annoying.
My favorite alternative is a collapsible canteen or soft water bottle, like this $30 model from Hydaway. They're lightweight water bottles designed to save space when they aren't full. As long as you rinse them out and keep them clean, you can keep them with your hiking pack so you always have a way to quickly stock up on water and take a drink without weighing you down.
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5. Daypack with battery pack
Small daypacks like CamelBak and similar brands are perfect for afternoon or evening hiking plans.
CamelBak/CNET
Even casual hikers should invest in a simple daypack to carry along all these gadgets I'm talking about. A daypack is the smallest and most affordable version of a hiking backpack, popularized by brands like bike-friendly Camelbak (drinking straw included). They've got just enough room to store the essentials and a couple of snacks, plus a design that helps reduce sweat when walking in the heat.
There are many options to upsize to larger packs for longer hikes, but you should take a look at this Gregory pack for a more affordable upgrade. Whatever you choose, I highly recommend adding a small battery pack so you have a way to charge your phone and devices when they run low. Some of my friends love portable solar panels for charging, but they aren't quite as convenient as slipping a battery pack into a spare pouch.
6. Rechargeable headlamp
Today's headlamps are light, bright, easily rechargeable via USB, and can turn any color you want.
Black Diamond/CNET
If you're planning on camping for the evening, watching the sunset out on the trail or plotting a moonlight hike, you'll want a reliable headlamp to light up the dark while keeping your hands free. Today's headlamp bands are easy to pull on and quickly rechargeable, making them perfect for these types of shorter excursions. Black Diamond has some of my favorite options for around $50, but you can find many different options including more affordable picks.
7. An all-purpose pad or sweat cloth
Kula's cloth is designed to help women hiking well beyond bathrooms, but these pads are surprisingly utilitarian.
Kula/CNET
Pee cloths are traditionally for those who need to find a quiet place to crouch, go and then clean up while out on the trails, but these cleaning pads are worth it no matter your bathroom plans. With decorative art, reflective strips, anti-microbial surfaces and reliable hand protection, they can serve as coffee cozies, de facto "gloves" to handle messes or potholders for hot soups, along with anything else you need. The pads can become surprisingly all-purpose, even if they never get called for bathroom duty -- just, uhh, remember to clean them before use.
If you're very sure you won't need a pad like this, take a look at this PackTowl microfiber towel ($33)designed specifically for hikes and perfect for toweling off the sweat and mosquito spray when you need to. That way you won't have to worry about staining your favorite bandana.
8. A trusty hiking app
Today's trail apps are far superior to any past options, so adopt one ASAP.
Gaia GPS/Screenshot by CNET
Finally, adding a hiking app to your phone can be tremendously helpful (although a waterproof map is always a good idea, too). Hiking apps, both national and local, excel at providing helpful information and up-to-date trail conditions as well as easily-zoomable maps for navigation. They're a big upgrade for any hiking endeavor and most can work offline if you want to download a map.
If there's no standout hiking apps for your specific state, region or mountain range, then popular generic apps include AllTrails and Gaia GPS, both with free download options. I personally like Gaia GPS more if you're willing to sign up for a plan, but the many filters of AllTrails are available at no cost, which is always a great deal.
If you want to spend a bit more, the latest Apple Watch and WatchOS 11 updates include some excellent and inuitive GPS improvements for hiking and finding waypoints -- without taking yourself too much out of the experience. And if batteries fail, I always like to have a physical map packed somewhere with a compass just in case.
Now that you've started your journey, why not continue with our recommendations for the best outdoor tech, the top outdoor security cameras, how to add important security when living the van life, and our Editors' Choice picks for the top AI and future tech.