ECO-FRIENDLY ADVENTURING
Spending time in nature is one of my favorite activities. I occupy a lot of free time rambling around the woods with my partner and pup. I mean, I’m not the type of person who wants to live off-grid or anything like that. I still need access to Postmates at the drop of a hat, but I’ve been lucky enough to hike in some of the most remarkable places in the country—Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Yosemite, the National Parks in Utah, just to name a few.
In addition to visiting those amazing parks, I live in Tennessee, which is a great place to be a hiking enthusiast. We’ve got some truly stunning state parks to trek as well as The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. (Email me if you want some recommendations. Tennessee nature is dope.) As a hiker and environmental advocate, I believe it’s important to minimize my effects on nature and recreate responsibly. When I enter into nature, I try follow the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace, which include:
Planning Ahead & Preparing
Travel & Camping on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Others
Lite Foot Company has a wide variety of sustainable items to help you Leave No Trace anytime you head into the great outdoors. Check out this list of 7 Must-Have Lite Foot Company Products that will help you reduce your carbon footprint during your next hiking adventure!
1. STASHER BAGS
At this point in my life, I don’t travel anywhere without a Stasher Bag (or two), and a hike is no exception. Stashers are the perfect way to eliminate wasteful plastic sandwich bags while packing up sandwiches, trails mix, fruit, and any other snacks you might need on the trail. As an added bonus, you can use Stasher Bags to pack out any trash you might produce during a hike, like a granola bar wrapper or a can from your favorite trail beer.
The next time you hit the trail, skip the plastic and reach for your favorite Stasher instead!
2. BAMBOO BANDAGES
Bandages are an absolute must-have item for any outdoor excursion. They are great to have handy for any scrapes and scratches you may get when wandering through the woods, but they are absolutely crucial when blisters start to form on your feet. Even with well-worn hiking boots or sandals, you cannot always predict when blisters will cause problems. So, grab a pack of PATCH Natural Bamboo Bandages!
Typical bandages are made from plastic materials, which will inevitably end up in landfills or polluting oceans. PATCH bandages are made out of bamboo fibers and hypoallergenic pressure sensitive adhesive, making them completely compostable. So, stock your adventure kit with PATCH bandages for a zero-waste solution to bumps and bruises during your next excursion.
3. LIP BALM
Listen, winter dryness is not joke, and chapped lips can cause havoc on the trail. Lite Foot Company has just what you need to keep your chops soothed all throughout your hike—Bee Butter Organic Lip Balm!
This lip balm is made with natural, moisturizing ingredients, and it comes in biodegradable packaging. I used this product during a long, snowy hike in Bryce Canyon, and it did not disappoint!
4. REUSABLE CUTLERY SET
Some trail snacks aren’t as self-contained as a sandwich or a piece of fruit. But never fear, because Lite Foot Company has you covered with their compact, reusable cutlery set.
This six-piece set comes with a bamboo knife, spoon and fork, as well as a stainless-steel straw, cleaning brush and cotton roll-up carrying case. It’s the perfect way to keep your hike free from plastic utensils. Plus, the compact pouch keeps the utensils safe from any dirt and grime you may interact with on the trail.
5. MENSTRUAL CUP
This one goes out to all my menstruaters!
Let’s face it, hiking on your period can be a real bear. Not only do you have to manage fatigue and cramping, but you have to remain cognizant of changing out pads and tampons while spending hours outside, potentially away from restroom facilities. NO PLEASE!
It’s time to ditch the single-use period products in favor a Dot Cup. This reusable silicone menstrual cup collects period fluids and can be worn for up to 12-hours at a time. The cup’s design fits most bodies and offers comfort free of latex, plastic, BPA and other toxic products. Please note that you will need to find a location to rinse and sanitize the cup if you are on an overnight backpacking trip, but the Dot Cup will cover you for long day-hikes.
Try out this zero-waste option the next time you’re on a hike during your time of the month.
6. SHAMPOO BARS
Hair is very important to me. You can call it vanity, but if I’m having a good hair day, it provides me a with an added confidence boost. And I know you may be thinking, “What has that got to do with hiking?” Well, as Fleabag once proudly stated, “Hair is everything!” And there’s no reason you should have to neglect your luscious locks while spending a few days in Mother Nature.
For your next backpacking trip, try out one of Lite Foot Company’s Shampoo Bars! This product is made from vegan ingredients and comes in plastic-free packaging. Pro tip: once the bar is wet, store it in one of your Stasher Bags for mess-free travel to your next camp site. Ditch the plastic soap bottles and go with a Shampoo Bar for your next multi-day camping adventure!
7. WATER BOTTLES
Water Bottles-If you don’t have an emotional support water bottle by now, this is your sign to jump on the bandwagon! Lite Foot Company has a couple options for water bottles to keep you hydrated when you set out on your next hike.
The Lite Foot Water Bottle-This 17-ounce water bottle is designed by S’well to keep your hot drinks piping and your cold drinks chilled, all while helping you stay plastic-free in the great outdoors.
Stojo Bottle-If you’re looking for something with a little more flexibility, check out the Stojo Bottle. This silicon bottle holds 20-ounces of liquid and collapses into small, portable sphere when it’s empty.
Ditch the wasteful plastic containers and choose to reuse with a Lite Foot Company water bottle for your next nature excursion!
Are you a fellow hiker who feels something is missing from our list of must-have products for the trail? Comment below or email us at blog@litefootcompany.com to let us know what LFC products you love to use while exploring.
If you enjoy Lite Foot’s products, mission and plans for expansion, please consider donating to the company’s IndieGOGO to bring a brick-and-mortar sustainability hub to Savannah, GA!