The gear and preparation needed for a hike can vary significantly depending on the climate, terrain, and region—and South Korea is no exception. After six years of hiking across Korea, I’ve put together this guide to highlight both South Korean-specific products and trends, as well as general mid-level gear that’s especially useful on Korean-style trails. This isn’t a list of essentials—if you’re only planning to hike Bukhansan once or twice, you objectively don’t need any of these items. But if you expect to hit the trails a few times a year, or simply want to make your hikes more comfortable and enjoyable, these suggestions might be worth exploring. Also, if you’re curious about the best places to shop for hiking gear and apparel in Korea, I’ve written a separate guide on that topic—you can check it out here.
Factors that Influence Gear Choice in Korea:
South Korea’s trails are typically short but steep, often leading to a summit rather than a scenic midway viewpoint. Unlike many international trails that may stretch flatly toward waterfalls or meander through valleys, Korean hikes are usually straight-up ascents.
Trail conditions in Korea are comparably excellent. Most routes are well-maintained, signage is abundant and clear, and there’s near-universal cell phone coverage – Making things like GPS units largely unnecessarily. It’s also important to consider how most foreigners in Korea access trailheads—usually via public transit or chartered tour buses rather than personal vehicles—which impacts what you bring and how you pack.
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A note on affiliate links: Some of the items listed are Korean-only products available only on Korean sites, while others are available on Amazon. I’ve partnered with Amazon as an affiliate because it’s the most convenient option for my largest reader base—military personnel and their families stationed in Korea—who often only have reliable American shipping access and can’t bank in Korea. I only recommend gear I personally use or high-quality equivalents. I’ve made a point to go the affiliate link route instead of littering my site with ads, as a way to help pay my site’s hosting fees without decreasing the quality of the reading experience.
Two Uniquely Korean Products that are Better than the American Versions
1. S-Towel [에스 타월]
The American market really can’t compete with this product in terms of size and quality. The S-Towel is a large, wet wipe-style body towel measuring 650 x 320 mm (25.5 x 12.5 inches), with a light, pleasant scent. It’s wet and durable enough to actually clean your whole body after a sweaty hike or workout—no flimsy baby wipes here. I typically use one after finishing a hike, right before changing into a fresh outfit for the bus ride home. While it doesn’t replace a shower, it leaves me feeling clean, refreshed, and not remotely smelly—often enough to feel comfortable going out for a post-hike dinner. These towels are available on sites like Coupang.
2. Easybab Self-Heating Meal Pouches [핫앤쿡]
These self-heating meal pouches use cutting-edge MRE technology (lol) —something that somehow never made its way into American hiking meals, which still rely on hot water and cost a small fortune at stores like REI. Easybab meals are (A) genuinely tasty, (B) significantly more affordable, and (C) way more convenient. I’ve eaten more of these than I can count, and even wrote a full article calling them my “favorite Korean food product for an outdoor adventure.” That still holds true.
Setup is simple and quick—just 10 to 15 minutes with no need for a burner or hot water. This makes them ideal for Korea’s short but intense hikes where carrying a stove or insulated thermos can feel excessive. Each meal ranges from 370 to 500 calories and typically costs just 4,000–5,000 KRW. Compared to American dehydrated meals that require hot water and cost twice as much, these are a no-brainer. As an aside: You cannot bring these on airplanes, made that mistake trying to fly to Jeju to hike Mt. Hallasan.
Products to Improve Your Korean Hiking Experience
1. Shoulder Strap Phone Case Holder
While I’ve occasionally seen hikers in the U.S. using shoulder-strap phone holders, they’re far more common—and almost standard—on the trails in South Korea. In January 2022, I finally gave in and bought one for myself, and I’ve used it religiously ever since. It’s become a must-have item that moves with me from pack to pack, no matter which bag I’m using that day.
This little pouch serves multiple purposes: it holds my phone, my portable battery, and also proudly displays my BlackYak 100 Mountain Challenge Patch —a popular touch among Korean hikers. Before I had one, charging my phone mid-hike and trying to grab it quickly for photos was a constant hassle. Now, I can charge on the go and still have my phone within easy reach to snap a picture in seconds. It’s one of those small gear changes that makes a big difference.
2. Peak Design’s Shoulder Camera Mount
As a hiking blogger who loves landscape photography, I’ve tested a range of camera-carrying solutions—and each one fits a different kind of hike. For easier, photography-focused hikes—like a sunrise ascent of Ulsanbawi in Seoraksan National Park —I carry a full kit: tripod and extra lenses in my WANDRD Photography Travel Backpack. Fun fact: that bag actually inspired the name of my blog! For all other hikes, especially when I want to travel lighter and prioritize mobility, I use the Peak Design Camera Clip to attach my camera directly to my shoulder strap.
This clip is incredibly strong—I trust it with my camera and even my expensive wide-angle lens, as seen on my hike in Argentina. It’s made up of two parts: one that securely attaches to your backpack strap, belt, or wherever you want to mount it, and another that screws into your camera base (just like a tripod plate).
What I love most is how it makes spontaneous photography easier. Before using this clip, I often found myself carrying my camera up the mountain but taking very few photos—simply because it was too much of a hassle to pull it out of my bag. Now, my camera is always accessible, which means I shoot more, capture more, and enjoy the hike more.
3. Wilderness Medical Kits & Emergency Thermal Blanket
Even on my shortest hikes, I always carry two essentials: a wilderness medical kit and an emergency thermal blanket. I carry them as much for others as for myself—I’m the kind of hiker who tends to over-prepare rather than under-prepare. While a lightweight kit designed for one person for one to two days is perfectly reasonable for most situations, I often carry something larger.
For example, over Memorial Day weekend, I did a 22-mile solo day hike and packed a medical kit meant for two people over four days, along with a thermal blanket. It might sound excessive, but I was in a remote wilderness area that required signing a backcountry log, and I believe the extra weight is worth it when I’m fully on my own.
For most hikes in Korea, that level of preparation is probably overkill. But bringing a medical kit designed for two people over two days on a medium to long hike can give you peace of mind—and better equip you to assist others if something goes wrong on the trail.
- Shorter Day Trip: Medical Kit for 1 Person, 1-2 Days
- Overnight or Long Day Trip: Medical Kit for 2 People, 2 Days
- Longer Overnight Trip: Medical Kit for 2 People, 4 Days
An emergency thermal blanket is a non-negotiable item in my hiking kit—especially during the shoulder seasons. This lightweight piece of gear can literally save your life if the temperature drops unexpectedly, which is a real risk on Korean mountains. A few years ago, several hikers had to be rescued from Seoraksan in autumn when sudden weather changes caught them off guard.
It weighs almost nothing, takes up minimal space, and could make the difference between a cold wait and a dangerous situation if you’re injured, delayed, or forced to spend extra time on the trail. Whether you’re hiking in Korea or elsewhere, it’s one of the easiest safety upgrades you can make to your pack.
4. Collapsable Hiking Poles
Hiking poles are one of those items that seem unnecessary—until you try them. Once you get used to using them, they quickly become essential. Whether you’re tackling a steep climb or navigating a slippery descent, poles are one of the most functional pieces of hiking gear you can invest in. They don’t just improve comfort; they also enhance safety. As someone who’s naturally a bit clumsy, having an extra point of contact has saved me from more tumbles than I can count.
Personally, I use ultralight, foldable poles designed for both hiking and trail running. They’re definitely more of a premium item, and probably overkill for the casual hiker—but if you’re hiking regularly or looking to reduce pack weight, they’re well worth considering.
There are two main types of hiking poles: adjustable and fixed-length. Adjustable poles can come in two designs: ones that fold and ones that slide/telescope into themselves, while fixed-length poles usually fold into shorter sections. Fixed-length models tend to be lighter, and folding poles pack down smaller (though often with a wider profile when stored).
- Adjustable Hiking Poles (Telescoping):
Highly rated, durable, and great for varied terrain. - Budget Adjustable Hiking Poles (Folding):
Affordable, packable, and great for beginners or travel. - My Poles – High-Quality Ultralight Fixed-Length Poles:
Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking and Running Poles
Ultralight, foldable, and built for both hiking and trail running. These have become an essential part of my kit.
5. Waterproof Gaiters
I use waterproof gaiters year-round under a variety of conditions. Gaiters help protect your lower legs and ankles from trail debris, mud, and snow, and they also provide a bit of extra warmth in cold, windy weather. They’re incredibly lightweight, so it’s easy to toss them in your bag “just in case”—and more often than not, I end up pulling them out.
While this isn’t really a concern in Korea, I’ve also worn them when hiking in rattlesnake territory back in the U.S. They give me some added peace of mind—though I can’t say with certainty how effective they’d be against a bite. Regardless, they’re an inexpensive piece of gear that I use on nearly half my hikes, making them one of the most practical and versatile items I carry.
6. Car or Hiking Bus Users: Creature Comforts
Croc-like Slipper Sandals & Insulated Coffee Mugs
The biggest benefit of going by tour bus or by having your own car, is the ability to bring more supplies with you than what you are willing to take on the road with you. On the Korean tour buses there are two creature comforts that are frequently seen – (1) crocs for post-hike comfort and (2) an effective coffee mug/thermos so you can drink fresh brewed coffee right before setting off on your hiking adventure.
Crocs or croc like shoes aren’t the sexiest shoes in the world, but after taking your hiking shoes off and sweaty damp socks, these shoes offer ventilation so you can still walk around post-hike. I used to use sandals after my hikes, but after a long hike I’m often pretty clumsy and managed to hit my foot on a number of things, so the crocs offer just enough protection when I’m too tired to walk around normally. Tip: Consider getting the ones with the inner lining if you are a colder weather hiker.
On the effective coffee mug front there are any number of options to choice form. I personally use a CamelBak 16 oz Insulated Mug, and while there are no shortage of budget options for insulated travel mugs, the one nice things about the more high end brands, is that its easy to find replacement lids for both Yeti and CamelBak.
Happy Trekking!
-Aurora
