Best Hiking Gear: 12 Cool-Weather Essentials

Garmin Oregon 450t

Getting there can be half the fun, but navigation can’t be left to chance—especially if you’ve never hiked the trail before. This handheld, touchscreen navigation system provides all of the information you need to hike safely: It has a three-axis-tilt compass to determine your precise location, as well as a barometric altimeter that tracks altitude and air pressure changes to keep an eye on upcoming storms. Bonus: There are over 1,000 preloaded topographical maps with 3-D view, which will let you scout, plan, and execute your desired route.

($399, buy.garmin.com)