Hiking gear

MEC has hiking gear for every level of trail-goer. Whether you’re hiking your first day hike or packing ultralight hiking gear for your first thru-hike, we’ve got hiking packs, trail footwear, trekking poles and more for your longest mileage days.

Lightweight hiking gear

For thru-hiking or multi-days on the trail, you’ll want to shop lightweight or ultralight hiking gear that cuts down on grams for less strain on your body. Sleeping under the stars? Look for down sleeping bags that are super compressible and save space in your pack. Hauling a lot? Find a backpack that fits all your equipment, but goes light on grams for zero-sacrifice comfort on the trails. There are so many ways to pack light on the trails with advanced, technical gear that makes it easy to streamline your hiking gear system.

Hiking packs

There are a few different types of backpacking packs designed to hold a certain amount of gear over specific trip lengths.

If you’ll be hiking for a few days (think canoe trip or mountain pass), look for a multi-day pack. Going for the weekend? You can shop overnight packs that are a little bit smaller for only a few days’ worth of gear. If you’re packing for an expedition, backpacking through deep wilderness or hostel-hopping for weeks at a time, you’ll want an expedition pack built for serious missions with tons of space for all your gear. Here’s the breakdown for hiking packs:

Overnight packs: 35 - 55L

Multi-day packs: 55 - 75L

Expedition packs: 75 - 100L

All packs are measured in ‘litres’ for how much volume they hold a.k.a. how much gear they can carry. You want to make sure you pick the right pack for your hiking plans – if you’re not sure or want to get your hiking pack properly fitted, drop by your local MEC store to get your pack fitted by one of our expert staffers.

Keep in mind, if you’re a beginner hiker or going out for a day hike, you don’t need a massive backpacking pack. MEC has tons of daypacks, hydration packs and even child carriers for all your hiking essentials and precious cargo.

Hiking clothing

What you wear on the trail is everything. Technical hiking bottoms with stretch, reinforced areas and, of course, pockets for trail mix are a must for bushwacking in all-season weather. Packable hiking layers like jackets and base layers will be needed on longer hikes or tackling switchbacks in the shoulder season and maybe the most important piece of hiking kit: a good pair of hiking boots or hiking shoes. Even on relatively flat routes, traction and support is key, and you want to ensure your feet can flex without enough space that your ankles or toes are rubbing – nobody wants blisters a few kilometres into their hike.