Best Hiking Apps and Gear You Can Buy Online in the Philippines
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Best Hiking Apps and Gear You Can Buy Online in the Philippines

Peaksy Team5 min read

The Right Tools Make a Difference

You don't need a ton of fancy gear to start hiking. But having the right apps on your phone and a few reliable pieces of equipment can make your time on the trail a lot safer and more enjoyable.

Here's a rundown of the best hiking apps and gear that are actually available and practical for hikers in the Philippines.

Best Hiking Apps

For Trail Navigation

AllTrails The most popular trail app worldwide. It has a growing database of Philippine trails with GPS maps, reviews, photos, and difficulty ratings. The free version covers the basics, and the paid version (AllTrails+) lets you download offline maps, which is clutch for areas without cell signal.

Gaia GPS More geared toward serious hikers and backpackers. Gaia offers detailed topographic maps and lets you plan routes, track your hike, and download maps for offline use. The map layers are more detailed than AllTrails, which helps on less-established trails.

Google Maps (Offline) Don't sleep on this one. Before any hike, download the offline map for the area. It won't have trail details, but it's a reliable backup for navigation to and from the trailhead. Helpful when you're trying to find the jump-off point in an unfamiliar area.

For Weather

Windy Hands down the best weather app for hikers. It gives you detailed forecasts including wind speed, rain probability, cloud cover, and temperature at different elevations. Check it the night before and morning of your hike.

PAGASA Weather App The official Philippine weather service app. Good for tracking typhoons and getting localized weather warnings during the wet season.

For Communication

Messenger / Viber Offline Messages Not hiking-specific, but practical. Queue up a message to your emergency contact before you lose signal. It'll send automatically when you get reception again.

Zello (Walkie-Talkie App) Useful for groups that spread out on the trail. Works over WiFi or data, so it's only helpful where you have signal, but it's a nice-to-have for larger groups.

For Tracking Your Hikes

Strava Popular with trail runners and hikers who want to track distance, elevation gain, pace, and time. Great for seeing your fitness progress over time.

Peaksy Track your mountain conquests, find organized hikes, and connect with the hiking community in the Philippines. Built specifically for the local hiking scene.

Essential Gear and Where to Buy It

Trail Shoes

Your shoes are your most important investment. Here are solid options available in the Philippines:

Budget (PHP 1,500 to PHP 3,000):

  • Sandugo trail shoes (available on Shopee/Lazada)
  • Decathlon Quechua MH100 or MH500

Mid-range (PHP 3,000 to PHP 6,000):

  • Merrell Moab series
  • Columbia Redmond
  • Decathlon Quechua MH900

Premium (PHP 6,000+):

  • Salomon X Ultra
  • La Sportiva trail shoes
  • HOKA Speedgoat (for trail runners)

Where to buy: Decathlon stores, Merrell outlets, Tobys Sports, ROX, or online through Shopee, Lazada, and Zalora.

Backpacks

For day hikes (20 to 30L):

  • Decathlon Quechua NH100 (around PHP 800, hard to beat for the price)
  • Osprey Daylite (PHP 3,500+, great quality)
  • Deuter Speed Lite (PHP 4,000+)

For overnight hikes (40 to 55L):

  • Conquer Elbrus or K2 series (PHP 1,500 to PHP 3,000, solid local brand)
  • Decathlon Forclaz 50L (around PHP 2,500)
  • Osprey Atmos (PHP 10,000+, premium pick)

Where to buy: Conquer has an official Shopee store. Decathlon has physical stores and online delivery. Osprey and Deuter are available at ROX and specialty outdoor stores.

Rain Gear

  • Decathlon rain jackets (PHP 800 to PHP 2,000) are the best value for money
  • Poncho-style rain covers (PHP 200 to PHP 500) cover both you and your pack
  • Pack rain covers (PHP 300 to PHP 600) protect your bag even if you get wet

Headlamps

  • Decathlon Forclaz HL series (PHP 400 to PHP 1,000) - reliable and affordable
  • Black Diamond Spot (PHP 2,500+) - brighter and more durable
  • Nitecore NU25 (PHP 2,000+) - lightweight, rechargeable, trail runner favorite

Trekking Poles

Not everyone uses them, but they're a huge help on steep descents and long hikes.

  • Decathlon poles (PHP 600 to PHP 1,500) - great starter option
  • Conquer trekking poles (PHP 800 to PHP 1,200) - available locally
  • Black Diamond Trail (PHP 3,500+) - lightweight and durable

Budget Gear Starter Kit

If you're just getting into hiking and want to keep costs down, here's a solid starter setup:

| Item | Recommended Pick | Approximate Cost | |---|---|---| | Trail shoes | Decathlon MH100 | PHP 1,800 | | Backpack (day hike) | Decathlon NH100 20L | PHP 800 | | Rain jacket | Decathlon rain jacket | PHP 900 | | Headlamp | Decathlon Forclaz HL | PHP 450 | | Water bottle | Any 1L BPA-free bottle | PHP 150 | | Total | | PHP 4,100 |

That's everything you need for your first few day hikes. You can upgrade individual pieces as you go.

Tips for Buying Gear Online

  • Read reviews - Look for reviews from Filipino buyers who've used the gear on local trails
  • Check return policies - Especially for shoes, since fit matters a lot
  • Compare prices across Shopee, Lazada, and official brand websites
  • Watch for sales - Decathlon and outdoor brands often run promos during 11.11, 12.12, and mid-year sales
  • Join hiking Facebook groups - Members often post gear deals and secondhand sales

Gear Up with Peaksy

Finding the right gear shouldn't be overwhelming. The Peaksy community is full of hikers who love sharing what works for them on Philippine trails. Join us to get honest gear recommendations, find group hikes, and start your hiking journey with the right tools.