Why Hiking is the Most Affordable Family Hobby

Before beginning hiking as a family, it’s common to wonder if it’s going to be an expensive hobby.

Hiking is one of the cheapest outdoor sports. Because you don’t need to purchase much gear and public land is free or cheap to access, you can go hiking as a family for little or no money. Even if you choose to spend money on hiking gear, the cost will be spread over many hours of use.

Read on to learn more about the affordability of hiking.

Why Hiking is One of the Cheapest Family Hobbies

Why is hiking so cheap? For most families, hiking is one of the cheapest outdoor activities. This is because hiking is so simple- basically, you are just walking around in a new place! In fact, I believe most families can get started hiking for free or with very little money because they can use things they already own and hike in their normal clothing.

You Can Take Advantage of Park Passes When You Are Hiking

As a family, we have found that hiking can be cheap or even free. This is important in today’s economy and in our large family. With so many kids, family activities get expensive. However, because state and national parks usually charge by vehicle instead of by person, this is a great way for us to get out of the house without paying so much. In addition, we often purchase annual passes when available. For example, the America the Beautiful pass only costs $80 and will allow access to hundreds of different federal lands for a year. Similarly, many states have annual state park passes.

You Don’t Need a Lot of Gear to Get Started Hiking

Another reason that hiking is so cheap is that you really don’t need much gear to hike. Sure, the outdoor sports industry is booming and you could easily spend thousands on specially-designed backpacks, clothing, survival gear, and even special outdoor snacks, but this isn’t necessary. You only need a few things to get started hiking, and most of those you probably already own, like sneakers and water bottles. However, you will need more gear when you are hiking with kids, especially if you have a baby or toddler. Here is a list of the things you should bring when hiking with kids. If you decide to get into more extreme hiking, like overnight backpacking or thru-hiking, it will get more expensive. However, for most day hikers, this can be a very cheap hobby.

Gear to Buy for Your Hiking Family

Once you have gotten a few hikes in and you know that this is going to be a hobby that you and your children enjoy, consider spending some money to buy gear. Products that are well-made and designed specifically for hiking can be more convenient, work better, and last longer than ordinary items. However, keep in mind that you don’t need much and it’s easy to go overboard. Simple but high-quality is usually the way to go when buying outdoor equipment. Here are some things that you should consider buying once you know that you will be hiking often:

Backpack

It makes sense to purchase a good, high-quality backpack. Even if you are sticking to day hikes for now, a backpack that fits well and is built to withstand the outdoors can be a good investment. An uncomfortable, cheap backpack will contribute to fatigue and discomfort. If you are spending money on a pack, the most important thing is making sure that it fits you well. Backpacks are never a one-size-fits-all item. Dependable backpacks that are lower-quality but sufficient can be purchased for less than $30. You can find good, high-quality daypacks for $50-$150.

For your kids, especially younger kids, consider purchasing fanny packs instead of backpacks. Kids can’t safely carry much weight, and they often prefer that weight to be centered on their hips instead of on their shoulders. This allows them more freedom of motion and gives them the ability to do “kid things” easier, like climbing rocks, walking down fallen logs, and jumping across streams. There is plenty of room in these packs for a few snacks, a small survival kit, and water bottles. We bought our kids’ fanny packs for less than $20 each and they are still in use 10 years later. 

Boots or Shoes

Hiking boots or shoes are another thing that will make a big difference in your comfort and energy level once you start taking longer hiking excursions. High-quality hiking shoes have thick, well-cushioned soles, are supportive, and offer excellent traction and grip. In addition, most come in waterproof versions. Keeping your feet dry is essential for comfortable hiking. Expect to spend $60-$150 on a pair of good hiking boots or shoes.

If you have young kids, you might be wondering if you should buy special hiking boots for them. Here is a post I wrote to help you decide. We don’t usually buy hiking shoes for our kids until they are growing more slowly. The exception is when we can find them marked down at thrift stores and garage sales. If you live in an area where outdoor activities are popular, you may find high-quality hiking shoes at thrift stores in all sizes. Less expensive but durable alternatives to hiking shoes for kids include brands like Mishansha, or simply using regular department store sneakers.

Survival Supplies

If you want to bring a few survival supplies on your hikes, you are beginning to go out on longer trails, or you are hiking in remote areas, consider bringing some basic survival supplies. You can purchase most of these items inexpensively, either from a sporting goods store, a department store, or Amazon.

• Small first aid kit. You don’t have to purchase a ready-made kit. Gathering basic supplies like band-aids, first-aid ointment, benedryl cream, and painkillers is usually sufficient.
• Flashlight
• Knife or multi-tool. Knives can be one of the most important and versatile survival tools.
• Lighter or fire starter. This does no good if you don’t know how to use it, so a lighter is usually the best option.
• Whistle
• Plastic poncho
• Foil blanket
• Hand warmer

Most of these things are needed for basic day hikes, and will never be used. However, they are inexpensive and lightweight, so if you are considering venturing on more strenuous trails, it makes sense to start purchasing them.

Conclusion

Hiking is one of the cheapest and healthiest outdoor activities which is easily doable by families with kids of all ages. There are ways to make hiking even cheaper and save on the gear and equipment you do choose to buy, and the choice of how much to spend is up to you.

Read more about the expenses of hiking in the rest of the series:

How Much Does it Cost to Get Started Hiking With Kids?

How to Save Money Hiking With Your Family