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Footwear that fits with wool or synthetic socks, a daypack around 20 to 30 liters, water capacity or a filter, navigation you trust, and layers for the weather turning. Add trekking poles and a small first aid kit before you add anything exotic.
Match capacity to trip length: 20 to 30 liters covers day hikes, 40 to 50 liters handles weekend overnights, and 60 liters and up is for multi-day loads. Fit the pack to your torso length and let your hips, not your shoulders, carry most of the weight.
On steep or loose terrain, yes: poles reduce the load on your knees on descents, add stability on stream crossings, and set a rhythm on climbs. Collapsible poles pack away when the trail flattens out.
A squeeze or pump filter handles bacteria and protozoa from most backcountry sources, and purification tablets are a light backup that also cover viruses. Carry both on longer trips: filters clog and tablets take time, so each covers the other.
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