Are you planning to spend a day or two hiking in Singapore and started to do some research by googling “What to wear for hiking in Singapore”?
If that is what you are doing, you are on the right trail (site)!
Oh hi! I’m Sam, and I have been staying in Singapore for almost a decade now. I take great joy in discovering all the hidden gems and famous attractions in this vibrant city, and I can’t wait to share all my insider tips and favourite spots with you.
Though Singapore is a modern city with iconic buildings and fast-paced lifestyle, this unique South-East Asian country is also home to many serene nature parks and spectacular hiking trails.
More and more urbanites are opting for hiking activities as a form of outdoor exercise to improve one’s health, besides spending some time getting close to nature.
But before you start jumping onto the bandwagon, you need to learn the basic hiking tips and must-have hiking gears to ensure your safety while having fun exploring the lush greenery side of Singapore.
Make sure to read this article until the end on what to wear for hiking in Singapore, where to get them, and essential hiking tips.
So let’s dive right in!
What To Bring For Hiking Singapore: Checklist
- Hiking Backpack
- Hiking Shoes
- Hiking Clothes
- Convertible Pants
- Water & Food
- Navigation Tools
- Portable Charger
- First-Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito Repellent
- Multi-tool Hiking Knife
- Trekking Poles
- Headlamp (With Extra Batteries)
- Waterproof Matches or Lighter
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Things To Bring For A Hike in Singapore
1. Hiking Backpack
Choose a waterproof, lightweight hiking backpack for this outdoor activity.
The hiking backpack size to get depends on:
- the hiking location,
- weather,
- duration, and
- distance.
With this information, you can easily plan and prepare the necessary hiking gears to bring along to ensure an overall pleasant hiking experience.
And if you are looking for a day hike in Singapore, this multi-design backpack could be a good fit for you.
2. Hiking Shoes
Getting yourself a pair of covered sneakers or shoes is good enough for a hike on the flat, nicely paved trail.
But if the terrain is rough with uneven surfaces and no structures to hold on to, your best bet will be durable hiking shoes protecting your feet from injury and unpleasant ankle sprain.
Some of the important hiking shoe features to look for are waterproof, breathable, lightweight, and comfortable.
3. Hiking Clothes
Always go for durable waterproof, breathable, and comfortable fabric when it comes to choosing hiking clothes for your outdoor adventure in Singapore.
You can also add on a waterproof hiking jacket for an additional layer of protection against the cold breeze in the early morning or strong sunlight on a sunny day.
4. Convertible Pants
Another piece that you can opt for when it comes to “What to wear for hiking in Singapore” question is convertible hiking pants.
Convertible hiking pants are more versatile compared to the typical 1-piece hiking pants.
You can remove the lower part of the pants when the weather is hot or put it on as a whole when it rains or protects your lower extremities from insect bites.
5. Water & Food
Water and food are among the top essential hiking things to bring.
You need to keep yourself hydrated and filled before and throughout the hiking journey.
Foods with high sugar and fat, such as trail mix and dried fruits, are recommended to replenish your energy as you hike.
And if bringing litres of water does not sound too appealing to you, get yourself a portable water filtration device such as LifeStraw.
6. Navigation Tools
Apart from your smartphone with a built-in GPS, the navigation tools that I am referring to are a compass and the local map of the hiking site.
So even if your phone does not function normally after getting drenched in the river, you can still complete the hike or get yourself out of the site using the old-school equipment—compass and local map!
7. Portable Charger
Smartphones have many uses. Some hikers like to document their hiking journey by taking lots of photos. Some hikers use the GPS system to navigate the route.
And before you know it, your phone battery level drains and reaches the lowest bar with a red signal.
So to prevent the fun created while hiking to cut short or preparing for emergency use, get yourself a reliable portable charger before heading out.
8. First-Aid Kit
Unfortunate mishaps such as cuts and blisters can happen at times during hiking.
And these minor injuries can cause discomfort or progress into something more serious.
That is why a first-aid kit is another non-negotiable hiking gear to bring along with hikers.
Here are some of the must-have items to pack for the first-aid kit:
- Adhesive plasters
- Compression bandage
- Antiseptic wipes
- Tourniquet
- Medication (Ibuprofen, paracetamol)
- Metal scissors
9. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a vital item to have especially when you are hiking in a tropical country such as Singapore.
This skin product can reduce the risk of getting sunburn as you hike during the day even if the sun is covered by the clouds.
10. Mosquito Repellent
Mosquito and other insect bites are the least favoured deal that goes along with the hiking in Singapore.
These biting can be a nuisance and party-pooper, especially when you are hiking along the trail surrounded by lush greenery in the nature park or forest.
So if you are not a big fan of constant itchy skin scratching, make sure to include mosquito repellent into your “What to wear for hiking in Singapore” checklist.
Tip: Don’t forget to spray it onto your clothing generously to ward off the insects before starting hiking and reapplying when the effect seems to wear off.
11. Multi-tool Hiking Knife
A multi-tool hiking knife will be your next best friend especially when a hiking emergency arises.
You can use this tool when applying first-aid procedures, preparing food, marking the trails, and others.
12. Trekking Poles
Generally, you do not need trekking poles while hiking on most trails in Singapore.
If you need an additional “oomph” when hiking up the slope or stability when getting down the steep terrain, you might want to consider getting some trekking poles.
13. Headlamp (With Extra Batteries)
Even if you hike in the early morning or during the day, it is recommended to include a headlamp and extra batteries into your hiking gear checklist.
This simple equipment will definitely come in handy if you could not find your way out of the hiking site and it drags till nightfall.
14. Waterproof Matches or Lighter
Waterproof matches or lighter is another must-have item before your hiking activity commences.
As the names suggest, these items are incredibly useful when creating fire.
With that, you can keep yourself warm on stranded nights or act as a distress signal to the rescuers.
Though it is unlikely that one gets lost while hiking in Singapore, it is best to prepare for the worst and set ourselves up for success when an emergency arises.
Essential Hiking Tips
Get The Essential Hiking Gears
The major things to have when it comes to hiking are the essential hiking gear.
Putting on the right attire for hiking ensures your safety, comfort and offers protection throughout the hike.
The essential hiking gears include hiking pants, hiking shoes, navigation tools, and others.
Check out the hiking checklist that I have compiled above to learn more about the must-have essential on what to wear for hiking in Singapore.
Tip: Showing up in a pair of jeans and sandals for hiking is a big no-no.
Keep Hydrated and Energised
Another important hiking tip to remember is to keep yourself hydrated and energised with water and food when hiking.
To do so, make several pit stops to replenish your body with the necessary nutrients as you hike.
This is especially vital when your hiking trail is at a more advanced level or requires a longer period to complete.
Some foods that are recommended to bring for a hike are those high in sugar and fat contents, including trail mix, dried fruits, nuts, and energy bars.
Tip: Bring extra food and water to last yourself more than a day before the hike. This is just an extra precautionary step in case you get lost and have to spend the night in the wild.
Choose The Right Hiking Route
It is recommended to choose the right hiking route depending on your hiking ability, experience, and fitness level.
Some hiking trails in Singapore are more challenging to hike on with uneven terrain. Whereas some require lesser energy and effort to complete.
You can research and pick the hiking route that suits you best based on the three aspects that I listed above.
Here are some trails in Singapore with different difficulty levels that you can start with:
- Easy: Bukit Batok Nature Reserve, Windsor Nature Park, Changi East Boardwalk
- Intermediate: Macritchie Reservoir Park, Mount Faber Park
- Hard: Clementi Forest, The Southern Ridges
Join Local Hiking Squad For Training
If you are staying in the country for long and you do not have any experience hiking in Singapore, you can always join the local hiking squad for training.
This is to familiarise yourself with the hiking terrains, trails, besides learning the essential hiking tips along with the experts.
And not to mention keeping your health in check and widening your social circles through hiking activities and meeting with new hiker enthusiasts!
Hike With Friends
From a safety point of view, hiking with friends is always the preferred option as there is someone that has got your back.
Plus hiking with a group of people can boost your morale and motivation to complete the hike, especially when you are slumping at the site questioning yourself whether you make the correct choice to do the hike on your off days.
#beentheredonethat
Hike At Your Pace (It Is Not A Competition!)
If you find yourself being overtaken by other hikers on the trail, fret not.
Always hike at your pace. Do not feel that you need to match their speed and race up the hike.
If hiking slowly while admiring the beautiful views of the trail is more of your thing, then so be it.
This is not a competition and your safety should always be your utmost priority to focus on.
Breaking In Your Sparkling New Hiking Shoes
You might have added hiking activities into your new year resolution and gotten yourself a new pair of hiking shoes as proof of strong commitment.
That’s great!
But do not forget to break in your new hiking shoes before your hiking activity.
For this, spend about 15 minutes daily doing some workouts while wearing the new shoes.
So that your feet can start adjusting to the shoes and feel more comfortable when hiking.
Arrange Your Backpack Items Strategically
You might be thinking bringing all the necessary hiking gears as listed above is enough to ensure your safety and comfort.
Well, that is only half true.
You also need to learn to arrange your backpack items strategically, regardless of the backpack size that you are using.
First-aid items should be placed at a fairly accessible bag compartment while navigation tools such as compass in the outer bag pocket.
This guide shows the right way to arrange the backpack hiking gear items.
9. Check The Weather Forecast Before Hiking
It is always good practice to check the weather forecast of the hiking day to get some heads-up.
This will prepare you to bring the necessary hiking gear or put on the hiking attire that suits the weather the most.
Places To Buy Hiking Gears In Singapore
Decathlon
Of course you should not miss out on Decathlon for your hiking gears shopping spree!
This affordable outdoor and sports store is home to numerous hiking gears that cater to all-level hikers.
You can choose and test the gears to your heart’s content with the help of friendly staff at the Decathlon’s Experience Stores.
Alternatively, you can shop online and get the gears delivered to your doorstep fuss-free.
Outdoor Life
Another local hiking gear company that you can visit to get your hiking gears sorted out is Outdoor Life.
This outdoor specialised store offers a wide range of gears that are suitable for tropical climate use such as Singapore.
Outdoor Life also carries gears of international brands including Patagonia, The North Face, Mystery Ranch, and so much more.
Head over to its physical store located in the central region in Singapore to try on the gears or you can simply shop their items online.
Amazon
If you need larger hiking gear selections, your best bet will be the Amazon.
You can easily see the gears reviews and pricing at a glance without much research on this e-commerce website.
And once you have made your pick, just complete the transaction to have it delivered to you without the need to leave your home.
FAQ: what to wear for hiking in singapore
What should I wear first time hiking?
For first time hikers, it is best to get lightweight yet sturdy hiking attire.
The hiking shoes are to be thick and comfortable enough to provide feet protection against sharp items and terrains.
To shield against the potential sunburn and nasty bug bites, consider getting a hiking hat and long clothing like a hiking jacket.
What is the best outfit to wear when hiking?
Regardless of the season, it is best to choose hiking clothes with durable, lightweight, and waterproof material.
You can also throw a hiking jacket as an additional layer for both cold and sunny weather.
What time to hike?
The best time to hike is either in the early morning or late afternoon. The weather will be cooler at these timings before the sun rises or as the sun sets.
Also, you get to enjoy the surrounding hiking trail peacefully before the late-comer crowd barges in!
What are the best walking routes in Singapore?
There are many walking routes in Singapore that cater to all types of hikers, depending on their hiking experiences and ability.
Here are some of the best walking routes in Singapore (with serene views and lively bird chirpings):
Important Hiking Tips & What To Wear For Hiking In Singapore: Final Thoughts
So here you go—the checklist of what to wear for hiking in Singapore as well as the essential hiking tips!
Make sure to take note of the must-have items before hiking to ensure your safety and comfort and to better prepare yourself in case emergency strikes.
If you find this article useful, share it with your family members and soon-to-be hiking buddies!
Or if you have any other hiking tips that are not listed here, share them with me—I would really love to hear from you.
Have fun!
Sam Lee, founder of Sam Lee Travel, is a seasoned traveler with over 10 years of experience exploring various Asian countries. Having lived in Singapore for almost a decade, Sam has developed a deep understanding of the culture, customs, and attractions in the region.
With a passion for outdoor travel adventures and water sports, Sam has helped over 25K readers per month plan their trips around Asia, including off-the-beaten-path destinations, offering helpful travel tips and unfiltered personal travel experience.