11 Creative Hiking Gear Concepts

An image of a hiker of the future in a mountain forest with a head up display, wearing a rain jacket and kilt.

When it comes to outdoor gear, every bit of progress matters. Each reduction in weight makes inclines easier and reduces stress on our joints. Every new safety device or improvement reduces the risks inherent in venturing into the wild.  Improvements in clothing materials and designs reduce the chances of sunburn or hypothermia.

So, whether we’re gearing up for a mountain trail, setting camp under the stars on a prairie, or blazing a backcountry route in a forest, the right equipment can make all the difference. The beauty of this community is our willingness to put new gear through genuine, trail-tested conditions—because we know gear can always get better.

Every backpacker, camper, and hiker is driven by a few universal forces:

Safety: We head out to experience nature’s wild side—but no one wants to end up off-route, injured, or in danger.

Weight: Every ounce in the pack adds up. Lighter gear means less strain, longer miles, and more ground covered.

Enjoyment: We venture outdoors to lose ourselves in the scenery, find personal limits, and savor the thrill of the journey.

With these motivations front and center, here are fresh gear ideas meant to tackle the challenges we all face—innovations to make our trips safer, lighter, and infinitely more enjoyable. And for any outdoor brands out there: if you build one of these, send it my way. I’ll gladly put it through the paces of a real adventure!

1.      Adaptive Microclimate Jacket

Clothing with built-in artificial intelligence climate control (actively warms or cools) and weather alert system. Basically, a smart jacket with sensors that automatically adjust insulation and ventilation based on body temperature, humidity, and weather, keeping hikers comfortable in dynamic conditions.  

2.      Blisters & Foot Soreness

Gear Idea: Adaptive insole/shoe system that analyzes foot pressure and dynamically adjusts arch support, ankle fit, snugness of the boots, etc.

3.      Sunburn/Overexposure

Gear Idea: Transparent UV-blocking wearable film that analyzes exposure and alerts the user to reapply, or darkens automatically. We already have glasses that darken when exposed to sunlight, is it much of stretch to do something like that for fabric?

4.      Battery/Power Failure

Gear Idea: Ultra-lightweight foldable nano-solar mesh that charges devices in any light condition and can be worn as a bandana or clothing.  I have an umbrella hat, (you can find my review here) that would be a great place to put a solar energy charging mesh on.

5.      Wildlife Encounters

Gear Idea: Ultrasonic animal-repelling belt that can identify and safely repel region-specific dangerous wildlife.  This one is a little tricky as we’d not want to damage the hearing of an animal, just repel it.

6.      Medical Emergencies (unexpected health events)

Gear Idea: Lightweight, wearable medical monitor patch that detects cardiac events/allergic reactions and alerts via satellite.  We already have satellite communications, adding a sensor worn around the arm or chest doesn’t sound like that much of a leap in technology.

7.      Navigation in the Dark

Gear Idea: LIDAR-enabled headlamp that projects a 3D visualization of terrain ahead with obstacle alerts, paired with auto-dimming for safety.  I’m guessing the military is already working on something like this.  If so, it’s only a matter of time before it would make into the retail market.

8.      Dehydration

Gear Idea: Wearable device that senses hydration status via sweat/blood chemistry and notifies at optimal times to drink, works with real-time smart water bottles.  You’ve heard the old saying, “If you feel thirsty, you’re already becoming dehydrated.”  Like the medical emergency idea, this could simply be a patch or perhaps a wrist band that beeps when your level of hydration is low.

9.      Compact All-in-One Wilderness Recovery Kit

A pocket-sized kit with rapid-use splints, wound-sealing spray, and pain-relief patches for emergency minor injuries, optimized specifically for trail mishaps.  This one may be more challenging that it sounds.  Many of us have created our own customized First Aid kits based on medical situations we’ve either personally faced or encountered.  The problem is the new medical situation we’re not prepared for.  A small First Aid kit that accounts for too many situations gets larger with every situation added.

10. Odor-Neutralizing Camp Bag

A backpack insert lined with plant-based odor absorbers and bacteria-inhibitors, keeping food and gear fresh and deterring wildlife, all while remaining ultra-light.  I would love to have a backpack that absorbs odors.  Not just for bears or coyotes, but for all those crafty little squirrels and racoons.

11. Intelligent Trail Companion App

A wearable AR device or goggle that overlays personalized route suggestions, weather alerts, wildlife identification, and emergency instructions without relying on a cell signal.  Something like Meta glasses, but for back country use. 

Perhaps some companies are already working on ideas like these, I hope so.  Many other ideas for hiking, backpacking and camping have come and gone (read my last post about flops) so while these ideas may sound good on paper, it’s up to us to test them and prove their worth. 

Notorious Outdoor Gear Flops

We love our gear and a lot of us are always looking for the next great piece of gear that will solve a problem, make something easier, weigh less, etc. Outdoor gear manufacturers know this and are always working on new stuff we can't live without. However, with all the new gear that comes out each year, there's going to be a few items that make you ask, "What were they thinking?"

Have you tried any of these?

Glow-in-the-Dark Toilet Paper

This stuff was supposed to help campers find their TP in the dark. Fun idea…except it barely glowed and didn’t really help in midnight bathroom runs. Plus, who really wants to put glowing chemicals there? It was more “novelty gag” than essential gear and quickly disappeared from shelves.

Squat Strap

Following the questionable toilet paper, we have the Crap Strap. This bizarre device promises to make going to the bathroom in the woods easier by strapping you to a tree. In reality, it looked uncomfortable, awkward to use, and the marketing was…eccentric. Nonetheless, this odd item is available from multiple retailers.

Crotch Pot

An actual product, the Crotch Pot is a mesh pouch that hangs inside your pants to “cook” food with your body heat while you hike. Unsurprisingly, slow-cooking oatmeal in your underwear... doesn't sound pleasant —the gear community has been equal parts amused and horrified. However, someone must be using them as the product is still available.

Cheap Carbon Trekking Poles

Some ultralight carbon poles failed spectacularly in real use. Buttons stuck, sections wouldn’t lock, and the poles bent or broke with just a few days of trail use—far from the durability hikers expect. Many reviews warn that these are light on the scale, but likely to leave you stranded with broken gear. This has happened to me coming back down from Bandera, both poles spectacularly splintered and broke.

“All-in-One” Fishing Poles

Compact, multi-section fishing rods for backpackers sounded great—until the tips broke, sections jammed, or they simply didn’t work after light use. Their fragility and questionable usefulness doomed them on the trail and in the market.

Over-Engineered “Luxury” Coolers and Lights

Products like super-heavy, “luxury” coolers or high-lumen camp lights—which cost a fortune, weigh more than a tent, and are overkill for backpacking—often get mocked for being impractical. Some, like the ultra-bulky Lifetime Hard Cooler, are seen as more showy than sensible for real adventure trips.

Wearable Sleeping Bags

A wearable sleeping bag meant for mobile camp lounging: fun in theory, but most find it difficult to sleep well in and awkward for real camping. Although it can be good for couch lounging or perhaps at an outdoor stadium event, these became a short-lived novelty rather than a mainstay for serious hikers.

These oddball products serve as cautionary examples—just because it’s new (or weird) doesn’t mean it works in the wild.

10 Ways to Prevent Backcountry Rescues

Did you know that between just Memorial Day and Independence Day this year (2025), there were 27 backcountry rescue missions? Doesn't sound like a lot until you realize this is a 400% increase for the month of May and a 550% increase for June! What's driving this increase? Search and Rescue teams point to a combination of increased outdoor activity and inexperienced hikers/campers contributing to the spike in search and rescue operations, especially in regions with accessible mountain trails and severe weather conditions.

Most rescues are preventable, stemming from lack of preparation, exceeding abilities, and underestimating environmental challenges.

According to reporting from search & rescue teams and regional news, these rescues most frequently involved:

• Ill-prepared or inexperienced hikers tackling famous but challenging trails (Mailbox Peak, Mount Si, Snow Lake)

• People underestimating trail difficulty and weather conditions—often influenced by social media posts rather than thorough research

• Hikers venturing on treacherous terrain in inadequate footwear/clothing (“flip-flops” and street shoes)

• Failure to carry, or know how to use, the “Ten Essentials” (navigation tools, extra clothing, food/water, first aid, etc.)

• Many rescues were needed after dark or in deteriorating weather—about 26% occur between 8pm and midnight

• Unfamiliarity with route, starting too late in the day, and not informing anyone of plans

• In some cases, careless or reckless decisions (one involved a hiker lost while using drugs)

• Most rescued individuals lived outside the county or were new to backcountry hiking

  
  

So, how do you avoid becoming a news story? Glad you asked.

10 Ways to Prevent Backcountry Rescues:

1. Do Thorough Research: Know your intended route, check current trip reports, trail conditions, and understand the true difficulty of your hike—not just what’s posted on social media.

2. Check the Weather (and Trail Reports): Weather in the Pacific Northwest mountains changes fast. Always check a credible forecast before departure and pay attention to warnings about snow, rain, or storms.

3. Start Early: Begin your hike early in the day to allow ample time for completion in daylight.

4. Carry the Ten Essentials: Bring navigation aids, extra clothing, sufficient food and water, fire starter, first aid kit, headlamp, sun protection, emergency shelter, knife/multi-tool, and a signaling device (like a whistle).

5. Wear Appropriate Footwear and Clothing: Use sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes/boots—never street shoes or flip-flops. Dress in layers suitable for rapidly changing mountain conditions.

6. Know Your Limits: Be realistic—choose trails within your physical and technical abilities, and don’t overestimate your fitness. If you’re inexperienced, start with easier hikes.

7. Tell Someone Your Plan: Always let a responsible person know your exact destination and expected return time.

8. Don’t Go Alone (or Stay Together): Hike with a companion and keep your group together. If solo, carry a locator beacon, and be extra vigilant with preparation.

9. Turn Back if Necessary: If you encounter difficult conditions, unexpected obstacles, or your group is tired—turn around in time. “Summit fever” leads to most accidents.

10. Stay Put if Lost or Injured: If you become disoriented or hurt, don’t keep wandering. Stay put, stay warm, and signal for help—this increases your chance of timely rescue.

Remember, Nature doesn't care if you live or die, and most backcountry rescues could be avoided, by utilizing the one thing we human beings have that has made us the dominant species on this planet, our intelligence. Use it and reduce the risk yourself, other outdoors adventurers and the volunteer rescuers who answer the calls.