13 Best Hiking Gadgets That Are Ridiculously Popular

Hiking is an inexpensive hobby to start because you don’t need a heck of a lot of equipment to enjoy a good hike. And yet, finding the best hiking gadgets certainly makes the experience a lot more fun.

We compiled this list of interesting and useful hiking gadgets by:

• performing 20 hours of intensive research both online and offline
• Reading reviews from real-life customers who purchased the product
• Doing comparisons of distinct features and benefits

If you’re curious about some truly cool hiking gadgets, keep reading because it is easy to determine why the following 13 products are so popular among hiking enthusiasts this year. Often these cool hiking gadgets make an essential part of their hiking gear.

So lace up your hiking boots and let's begin.

Our Top 10 Picks For The Best Hiking Gadgets

The way this towel works is very simple. You simply soak it in water that is warmed up to 132 degrees Fahrenheit, wring out the excess water, and snap it with both hands three times to activate it.

You place it over your face, then tie it on the back of your neck to secure it. It is made to stay cool for up to three hours, and it even comes in roughly two dozen colors so it can match your hiking attire. It sounds like a strange piece of hiking gear, but it works like a charm which is the reason why the towel made it to this list of cool hiking gadgets.

As a bonus, it comes with a carrying pouch and a carabiner clip, so you can attach it to your good backpack or fanny pack. It's one of the weirdest but handiest hiking gadgets that you could find.

This is the perfect item for lighting campfires, for cooking meals, candles, and even BBQ grills. Plus, the LED flashlight works great every time. And a flashlight is an important part of your hiking gear.

Available in both matte black and camouflage, the lighter is easy to use and reliable regardless of how long you own it. Its construction of ABS plastic and high-grade aluminum alloy means it can take a lot of abuse and keep on going.

This is a foldable panel that never takes up too much room in your hiking backpack or dry bag.

Priced reasonably and made by a company that specializes in electronic products, this handy tool has thousands of 5-star reviews. It is also easy to power up thanks to eye holes on each corner that allow it to be attached easily to your hiking backpack so the sun’s rays can hit it as you’re walking. It works great if you need to charge your solar charger power bank.

Who would’ve thought keeping cell phones and tablets charged could be so easy? This is one of those hiking gadgets you’ll soon discover you can’t live without, and you’ll be able to use it for many years to come to make your life a lot easier.

It’d make a perfect addition to your lightweight gear list. And that makes it one of the most dependable hiking gadgets on our list. I have some friends who use it mainly for a solar charger power bank.

Made for all types of sports, including running, hiking, and even golfing, you’ll actually be surprised at some of the statistics this GPS watch provides to you. These include pace, altimeter, gyroscope, barometric pressure, and even a reliable compass to help ensure you’re going in the right direction using your trekking poles. The Garmin Fenix even has a barometric altimeter at no additional cost. 

Its rugged design means it can take a lot of abuse and keep on going, and you can also download the app to make it even more functional. This is a fun but very useful device you’ll want to keep on you all the time so that hiking can prove to be as relaxing and stress-free as it needs to be. You can use it in hiking areas where the weather is rainy. It's waterproof.

It's among the most expensive hiking gadgets on our list. It's as useful as a first aid kit. No go for your day hike with it!

With this thing you get features such as a micro USB charger, access to seven NOAA weather stations, external antenna for reliable power, and a replaceable lithium-ion battery that is easy to find when you need it. It's great for your next long hike in remote areas.

Plus, it makes a fantastic camping gift. This crank radio is an important part of our list of the most popular hiking gadgets.

This hands-free portable neck fan comes with a built-in 1000mAh battery and once it’s charged, you can use it for roughly three to five hours at a time. We all want hiking gadgets that don't require frequent charging, right?

Using this fan, you can stay cool while hiking, gardening, exercising or camping. You can feel cooler instantly any time, night or day, thanks to how easy the fan is to use and how reliable it is. 

It can keep you cool and comfortable on most hikes, making it one item that is sure not to disappoint, and since it is so reasonably priced, you can get this handy device without breaking the bank. Definitely one of the most used trekking gadgets on this list. I just wish it had a waterproof case. 

Among the best gadgets on this list. Not a necessity but certainly something that will make each hiking trip a lot more fun, this telescope and cell phone holder is easy to use and very well-made. Not only water resistant but fully waterproof.

Since you never know when the elements might try to wreak havoc on your life, this bag can be the perfect thing to have if you get stuck in a sudden rain shower or storm.

This emergency sleeping bag can also be used as a cover (bivy) if you aren’t interested in sleeping but just want the extra protection when the weather suddenly turns bad.

Since it is ultralight and doesn’t take up much room, you can easily keep it in your backpack without adding much extra weight. Yet if you ever do need it, it will instantly become a very valuable part of your hiking or camping existence. One of the most popular hiking gadgets on our list and certainly a great add-on to your first aid kit, offering great value. Just don't forget your travel insurance.

When you need it, simply disassemble it and find the tool you need, whether this includes a compass, pocket knife, or something else. It also makes a great gift for any man in your life because let’s face it, what man doesn’t want more than tools? And this one is useful even in cold weather. It even acts as a first aid kit. 

With nearly 50 different tools to choose from, this kit can literally be a lifesaver in certain situations, so it will be there should you unexpectedly need a tool such as aluminum foil, safety pins, electrical tape, butterfly sutures, and can opener.

It also contains a 45-feet military grade paracord which is quite useful in many situations. One of the most awesome gadgets for hiking that hikers just love. With this, you won't be intimidated by the weather conditions.

The less obstruction you experience, the longer distance is covered with these walkie talkies, and even if you’re in the middle of the city, they offer a range of up to three miles, which is quite a lot. It's one of the most practical hiking gadgets on our list.

You can enjoy hands-free operation with these walkie talkies and their many perks include NOAA weather scan, built-in earpiece with microphone, and voice activation transmission (VOX) with three different sensitivity levels. Nice, huh!

Besides, they provide you with an alarm whenever inclement weather is detected in your area, making them very valuable indeed. This one of the handiest gadgets for hiking out there. I have friends who bring those with them every time when they go in national parks.

Going camping or hiking no longer has to be a quiet or boring experience because with this speaker, you can enjoy a little music the entire time you’re gone.

If the only thing that seems to be missing from your hiking experience is a little pleasant music, don’t worry much because the Kunodi portable Bluetooth speaker just solved this problem with a bang. Put on your most comfortable hiking boots for dance! Just imagine listening to your favorite tracks when walking downhill hanging your trekking poles. And the water resistance is impressive.

A hit in the outdoor industry, this radio communicator is lightweight and compact, making it easy to bring with you wherever you need to go. Besides, it is sturdy enough to take a lot of abuse and keep on working as expected.

In addition, it has an inReach weather forecast service and you can send inReach messages via compatible Garmin devices. It doesn't feature topographic maps, though.

I wish all outdoor water bottles were like this one.

The special light sterilizes the water (that water filter is top notch) instantly to remove tons of contaminants, and because the cap is what makes the process work, you never have to worry about replacing filters just to get clean drinking water. No water bladder can give you that.

You can turn any water into clear, germ-free liquid that is healthy to drink in no time. That’s especially true when you’re hiking in an area that is unfamiliar to you and you’re not sure what type of water you have access to. In such cases, a dependable water filter can do wonders.

And as we know, proper hydration when sweating on strenuous hikes is crucial. With this water bottle that's easy peasy. 

Conclusion

As you can see, this list of the very best hiking gadgets consists of everything from items that make it more fun to hike to items that will come in handy if you’re hiking and run into some type of emergency.