Northern Maine’s Acadia National Park may be one of the smallest national parks, but the hiking is epic spring through fall. The gamut of available trails ranks from the easy and nearly flat 3.1-mile Jordan Pond loop to the difficult 2.5-mile Gorge Trail with a 797-foot elevation gain and huge step stones that line the inclines.
If you only have a short time to visit and want to fit in as many trails as you can, you need to bring the right gear to handle this level of hiking variation without over packing. On a recent trip, here’s what I brought along with me that allowed me to traverse both types of trails while remaining comfortable and well-equipped for my half-day hikes.
Arc’teryx Aerios GTX
Due to the elevation gain at Gorge Trail I didn’t want to bring heavy hiking boots, so the Aerios GTX were a great choice due to their sub 2-pound weight per pair. Less of a hiking boot and more of a trail runner due to the materials and weight, the Aerios GTX has a flexible polyester mesh upper and a Vibram Megagrip outsole for sure-footedness on rocks and dirt. The integrated TPU shank provided excellent support and stability. The wet sections of the trail didn’t present a problem, and the GORE-TEX lining kept my feet dry.
Buy: $180
LIVSN Ecotrek Trail Pants
I’m in love with these pants, and not just because they look fantastic on and off the hiking trails. They eschew the baggy hiking pant look and opt for a slimmer cut that remains super comfy. The sustainable Blue Ocean Nylon resists abrasion and still provides breathability and water resistance. The Ecotrek Trail Pants also work great in both warm and cool weather, and the reflective cuffs roll up with buttons to secure them. They kept odor at bay after climbing Gorge Trail for two hours, and they still looked flawless when the day was done.
Buy: $139
Mystery Ranch District 18 Backpack
I knew my hikes wouldn’t last more than a few hours, but I still wanted enough room for an SLR camera, binoculars, water, snacks, and a rain jacket. The District 18 turned out to be the perfect size that didn’t weigh me down. The twin stretch water bottle pockets provided easy hydration access, and the Velcro closure large front pocket made grabbing sunscreen and snacks a cinch. I even used the fairly capacious District 18 on my flight to Maine as my primary carryon thanks to the 15” padded laptop sleeve and big pockets. The Cordura 420d recycled nylon fabric holds up beautifully, and the light gray and orange colorway was fresh and highly visible. It’s just the right size for a day hike, falling squarely in the middle of too small and gargantuan.
Buy: $139
Arcade Belts Hardware Utility Belt
Arcade is revolutionizing belts, and I love what they’ve done with their rugged and wide Hardware Utility Belt. It's easily my favorite version because it can do hiking pants, shorts, and jeans with equal aplomb. The performance stretch belt material Arcade is known for has been reworked for improved stiffness, great for hanging multitools and fixed blade knives in the field. The rugged and handsome high-strength plastic buckle can knock against rocks and trees without coming undone, and its tapered male buckle end threads belt loops with ease. Perhaps the best part is not having to take it off at the airport.
Buy: $39.95
LEKI Sherpa FX Carbon Max
Good hiking poles can reduce your fatigue by making inclines and declines safer and easier, as well as stabilizing you with your backpack on. The Sherpa FX Carbon Max is so well built, it was definitely overkill for my hikes. Nonetheless, I was thankful for its lightweight carbon and aluminum construction, and the improved Aergon Air grips for optimal grip, comfort, and pole placement. At several unstable descent points on Gorge Trail, the Sherpa FX Carbon Max prevented me from taking a bad spill. It also folds down to five segments for easy travel.
Buy: $259.95
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
I left my watchroll of automatic timepieces back at the Airbnb and put on the rugged and versatile Instinct 2X Solar. It’s my go-to hiking and travel watch thanks to its super-bright LED flashlight and its Methuselah-like solar-charging Power Glass and battery. Its tremendous functionality on the trail includes an altimeter, barometer, and compass, along with the brilliant Tracback Routing to get me back to my starting point. The watch’s built-in Reference Point helped me find my car after a tiring day on the trails. The shock-resistant polymer case withstands pretty much anything you can throw at it, which kept everything working even when I knocked it against some very big rocks.
Buy: $449.95
Goodlife Clothing Tri-Blend Scallop V-Neck T-Shirt
I like to pack light when traveling, so choosing apparel that can perform double duty is ideal. I wore these t-shirts throughout my time in Maine, both on hikes in Acadia and when hitting the tourist shops and restaurants in Bar Harbor. Made with a super-soft blend of poly, cotton and rayon yarns, the Tri-Blend Scallop V-Neck is comfortable and remarkably odor-repellent. Sure, it’s not a cheap shirt, but it holds up incredibly well and is made in the USA.
Buy: $60
NOCS Provisions Field Issue 10x32 Binoculars
Stopping to enjoy the views on a hike, whether it’s from Cadillac Mountain or just to watch a massive loon on Jordan Pond, is imperative. That activity is aided by a good set of binoculars. The NOCS Provisions mid-size Field Issue 10x32s are perfect because they provide a 315-foot field of view at 1,000 yards while weighing only about 1.5 pounds. The multi-coated optics remain clear and crisp with fog-resistant nitrogen gas in the housing. The Field Issue is also IPX7 waterproof, dustproof, and the Rugged Wave Grip prevents slippage. I saw a lot more than I thought I would, and the Field Issue didn’t add much pack weight in the process.
Buy: $175
Definite Articles No Show Socks
I eschew taller, dedicated hiking socks when using lighter footwear and I know I’m not going through a lot of brush. I also like no-show socks because they help me cool off on more challenging hikes. These stay in place thanks to no-slip grips, and the heel and ankle tabs work well for ¾ height hiking shoes. DA’s socks are made with CiCLO treatment on the fibers to render them with a high level of biodegradation for more sustainability. They also have just the right amount of padding without overdoing it.
Buy: $14
