Marcy Tillman
Day hiking is one of the most budget-friendly ways to get outside—but some gear is absolutely worth the splurge. As an avid hiker based in Chattanooga, I’ve learned what’s worth investing in and what you can skip. From boots to backpacks, here’s what’s lasted me miles—and years—on the trail.
Hi, I’m Marcy! I found my love for hiking later in life—and it changed everything. What began as weekend walks turned into a deep passion for solo hiking and trail exploration. The more I pushed myself on the trail, the more I discovered not just the beauty around me, but my own strength, confidence, and calm.
Over the past few years, I’ve hiked hundreds of miles around Chattanooga and Northwest Georgia. Along the way, I’ve improved my mental and physical health, built lasting trail friendships, and learned how to match routes to any skill level—whether you’re brand new or simply rediscovering the outdoors after a long pause.
Today, I volunteer as a docent at Lula Lake Land Trust, and I love helping others—especially women and families—feel more comfortable, capable, and inspired in wild places.
Day hiking is a budget-friendly form of exercise, since most trails are free or only involve a low-cost parking fee. As a single mom, I greatly appreciate this aspect of hiking, as every dollar spent has to be intentional. With that in mind, there are several items I have found worth investing in if you are interested in making day hiking a regular part of your life. The specific items and brands I recommend are ones that have worked out amazingly for me, but they may or may not be your preference, and that is totally ok! Find your own brands and preferences as you shop. The list below is simply meant to be good food for thought as you take the next steps in your hiking journey.
For me, high quality, waterproof, ankle supporting hiking boots have been a non-negotiable, must-have item. I currently own a pair of Danner Women’s Mountain 600 4.5” Rich Brown boots. I would be buried in these boots if I could — I love them that much! They are extremely comfortable and bring me peace of mind while I’m hiking, knowing that my feet are secure and protected. The tread also gives me reassurance that slips are extremely unlikely, even in wet, muddy conditions. Even on summer hikes, I will often wear these for increased ankle support if I know a trail contains a number of boulders.
In parallel to the boots, for warmer weather months, I love my Keen Women's Whisper Closed Toe Durable Comfortable Easy On Washable Adventure Sandals. I’m currently on my second pair of these after wearing out the first one over several hundred miles of use! The sandals are waterproof and close-toed, ensuring my ease in and out of creeks as well as increased protection for my toes on trails. They are machine washable, fast drying, have excellent tread, and increased strap coverage for a wider foot, like mine. In addition to their usefulness for hikes, they are wonderful for everyday wear or walking along the shoreline at the beach.
With different seasons and varying locations, what you wear can play a big factor in your level of enjoyment. For example, winter hikes can be one of the most beautiful seasons to enjoy many trails (especially creek or waterfall trails), but the cold rain can certainly put a damper on hiking if you are unprepared. When I started hiking more seriously, I went on an amazing waterfall hike where it rained for the great majority of the day. Thankfully, it was still warmer weather and made the hike even more fun and the waterfall even more beautiful! Although I had a blast that day, I wasn’t wearing a waterproof jacket and knew at that point that I wanted to invest in a high-quality, waterproof jacket. Fortunately, I found more than just a waterproof jacket, but rather a 3-in-1 North Face layered jacket where each layer could be worn separately: one as a waterproof outer jacket and one as an inner layer that could be used as a thermal warming jacket. They combine to be worn as an insulated, waterproof (and wind-resistant) protective jacket. Layering with thin layers while hiking is an essential element of comfort and warmth. One thing I love about this jacket is that each layer is thin, and even combined, it is still not bulky, which helps with both ease of packing and comfort while wearing. The jacket also features a high number of convenient zip pockets on the outside and inside of each layer.
When I started walking and hiking more often, I purchased a $5 small day backpack from Walmart to hold my water bottle and other personal items. I still have it to this day, five years later, and continue to use it for short hikes or walks. I am a water drinker, though, and quickly realized when I started hiking more seriously that I would need a more practical, sustainable backpack for longer distance hikes. My number one requirement was a backpack that included a large water reservoir and also would be sizable enough to carry my hiking essentials. I bought an Osprey Skimmer 28L Women's Hiking Hydration Backpack, and it has held up amazingly for several years now. It comes with a 2.5L reservoir by Hydrapak, which has been such an amazing feature to have. It is an excellent size, just like if Goldilocks had picked it out: not too big, not too small, but juuust right!
Everyone is wonderfully different and unique, and there are many other items you could add to your preferred list of worthwhile hiking investments. The items above are simply investments that make the most sense for me and have lasted for years. It is important to note that these items were bought over a span of time, as a result of trial and error and figuring out what would make the most positive and practical impact on my hikes. I hope you have found this useful food for thought as you consider what to and not to buy as you proceed in your hiking journey.
Stay tuned for a follow-up blog with a list of hiking essentials and things to pack as you prepare to enjoy the beauty of the world around us!
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