What do I wear on a trek? Part 3: Essential accessories for a trek

This is my concluding post for a three part series that looks at what you need to wear on a trek. We talked about trek clothing and trekking shoes in the previous posts and in this post, I discuss essential accessories that are an absolute must for any trek.

Eight must have trek wear accessories 

Sun Hat

To protect yourself from the sun and its harmful UV rays, wear a wide brimmed hat which will protect not just your scalp but also your face and neck. Make sure the brim is not so wide that it obstructs your field of vision during trekking. The material must be of a type that is moisture absorbing, quick drying and protects your head and neck from any sharp thorny vegetation growing along the trekking path. The cap should be of a adjustable width and fit firmly, yet comfortably around your head. Some hats have a mesh on top to release any warm air that gets trapped on the inside and a neck cape that protects the back of your neck. An adjustable strap also ensures that your hat is kept in place and does not easily slip or fall off. They are generally available in neutral shades of beige and grey but ladies hats come in colours that are more pleasing to the eye. It is better to wear hats that are lighter in colour and reflect sun rays to keep your head, face and neck cool while you trek.

Winter Cap

All treks and winter treks in particular warrant the use of a wooden cap. A winter cap can contribute to your good health during a trek. I am not exaggerating. Evenings and nights  on most treks get significantly colder and that’s when an extra layer on your head can significantly reduce body heat loss. A cap can be made either of synthetic materials, such as polyester fleece,  or natural materials  like wool. Wool is soft and provides more warmth to the head. It is important that the cap is made of a material treated with anti microbial agents that keeps it odour free. Make sure that it fits snugly but is not uncomfortably tight around your head, covers your ears and has an adjustable double layered cuff that can be rolled back. Winter hats come in a range of sizes and attractive colours that are both stylish and functional. Do try them on and make sure you’re comfortable in your winter cap before you make that purchase. 

Headscarves/ bandanas / neck gaiters

Headscarves/ bandanas/ neck gaiters are all the same under a different name. They are available in a range of colours and are multi functional.  They can be easily slipped on or over the head and do not need to be tied. They keep hair away from your forehead, can be used in place of a hat and can be used for all kinds of weathers. While they are not as effective as a hat in protecting the head from harmful rays, they do keep the head cool in summer and absorb sweat. In cold weather and windy conditions , they can be used to protect your face and ears. It can also pulled down and worn around the throat. It is made of polyester micro fibre or wool and can be used not only for trekking, but other activities such as jogging, cycling, hiking, biking, yoga etc. I do prefer them to scarves and mufflers as they do not slip or slide off and do not add weight to my back pack. They are inexpensive, light and occupy minimal space, so be sure to pack several. You wont regret it. 

Rain poncho

A rain poncho is the one item that must be a staple and be a part of your day pack. It not only keeps your body dry but is loosely enough to cover your backpack and keep it dry too, when you are caught in a sudden thunderstorm or snow in the hills. They are water proof, light weight and durable and can be pulled out in a jiffy and worn easily. They have snap closures under the arm which makes it easy to both wear and remove. They can be packed into a small cover which comes with it and occupy very little space. Some people prefer rain pants and a jacket, but to me that is more complicated to wear and not roomy enough to accommodate your day pack. But the choice is really yours, both protect you from the elements. 

Gloves

Gloves like rain ponchos need to be with you all the time. It protects your hands and extremities from the biting cold and frost bite. They usually have an outer layer that takes care of insulation and protection and an inner layer that absorbs sweat and moisture and keeps your hand dry. They often have leather or synthetic patches on the digits to help with better grip and control. There are some gloves that have sensor  pads on the thumbs and forefingers that allow for using touchscreen devices on the go, but these are expensive. An additional pair of thin fleece gloves is useful when you want to retain body heat in a cool climate. Hands and fingertips lose heat quickly. It can be especially useful when one is within a protected enclosed environment such as a tent or a tea house and when the body is at rest after a hard long day of trekking. Stuff your gloves into jacket pockets, so that they’d are handy and easily accessible when required. 

Socks

You can never have enough socks and that’s definitely true for trekking.  Do use the right kind of socks. Cotton socks can be too thin, and not absorb sweat and cause blisters.  The best socks are those that are made of a blend of of wool and synthetic fibers.  Wool will reduces unpleasant odors while at the same time the synthetic fiber will ensure that your feet remain dry and sweat free and are more durable and allow your skin to breathe. The right length matters, the sock must be midway between knee and ankle. Ankle length socks may be comfortable for your regular morning walks but are a big no no for treks as the trekking shoes can chaff of rub against your skin on the back of your ankles and cause major shoe bites and blisters. Your socks must have a snug fit, loose socks can be a major irritant on a trek. Both the toe and heel area must be reinforced and of durable material as these tend to bear the brunt of constant and long walking. Waterproof socks are a must when you are trekking in rain and snow. Water will eventually seep into your shoes and waterproof socks can help keep your feet dry and warm. And do remember that there are trekking socks specifically designed for women keeping in mind the shape and arch of their feet. And finally a bit of advice, do remove your socks when you are done for the day, let your feet and your socks air out for a bit. Remember, smelly socks and feet can be a real turn off. And do wear a pair of clean socks at night, they can help retain body heat. 

Sunglasses

 Sunglasses not only make you look savvy but also sensible. Not taking along a pair of sunglasses can be dangerous for trekkers. It can cause snow blindness and irreversible damage to the eyes. Do make sure that the sunglasses you are using have lenses that are UV resistant and polarised to filter out reflected light and reduce glare. Most trekkers choose to use their existing pair of sunglasses, but if you can afford it,  do try and buy trekking sunglasses that are made of material that is lightweight and durable, scratch resistant and anti reflective lenses and has side shields too. 

Headlamp

A headlamp is a very handy and important tool on a trek. Do not undervalue it’s importance, even if you are not doing any night walking. It can be most useful for the most mundane of ‘late evening after dark’ activities - searching for an item in your trek bag, making you way to the dining tent for dinner,  and most importantly using the toilet tent. When you buy a headlamp it is important to not be stingy and buy a quality brand that provides good brightness with a longer beam distance. There are also chargeable (eco friendly, but shorter duration) versus non chargeable options with batteries. In addition, lamps come with different beam options - spot, flood light , red light, strobe etc. So do your research and pick one that is right for you and the type of trekking you want to do. 

I do hope you found my post useful. And as always, do read, subscribe ( if you haven’t) and comment on the blog. Do watch out for my coming posts on other important must haves such as a good back/ day pack, trek bag and trekking poles.