Top 10 Ultimate Outdoor Adventure Ideas

 

 

John Muir nailed it when he said- Into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. An outdoor adventure adds excitement to our monotonous life. It adds a new dimension of possibility to the world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Inside all of us lies that desire to be “free” and “untamed.” We just need a little encouragement to find it. An adventure that you are passionate about can push your boundaries and get your creative juices flowing. Adventure can be anything, from mountain bike riding to rock climbing on rugged terrains. From an adrenaline-rushing motocross to 4x4 off-roading. From enjoying the rush surfing to exploring the breathtaking sand dunes on an ATV. In this post, I want to share some of the ultimate outdoor adventure ideas that will get you excited and want to experience more for yourself. Get your seat belts on as we explore these awesome outdoor adventure ideas.

Biking: You are one ride away from a good mood

Whether you ride your bicycle through hills, city streets, or the countryside, the experience is truly memorable. A bike can take you places you might not visit on foot. Biking outdoor adventures such as scavenger hunts, bicycle brewery tours, city bike tours, and exploring nearby biking trails are some cool ideas you can try over the weekend. An adventurous bike ride can improve your mood, help you sleep better, improve your memory & creative thinking, and can even benefit you in the bedroom! Regular cycling offers a host of other health benefits such as increased cardiovascular fitness, increased muscle strength and flexibility, improved joint mobility, decreased stress levels, improved posture and coordination, stronger bones, lower body fat levels, and overall stronger immunity.

What to pack on a Biking Adventure?

Aside from the two main things (the bicycle and helmet), you can bring useful biking accessories on an adventurous bike ride. Let’s start with lights.  Go for bike lights that are designed for visibility day and night. The next thing you want is a flat kit. Ideally, a good bike flat kit should have a spare tube, a mini pump, tire levers, patches, and a multi-tool.

It is easy to run out of energy on the road. Make sure you pack energy-rich food such as protein bars or trail mix. Keep enough drinking water on you all the time when riding a bicycle. Dehydration can welcome a host of issues, after all! Depending on the season, wear the right clothes and shoes.You can also pack some extra gear such as a waterproof jacket and gloves. These things are lightweight and take up little space. A pair of sunglasses and a biking watch is great for biking enthusiasts.

Biking watches need not be boring. Bumps are part and parcel of cycling through rough terrains. You don’t want a cycling watch that is incapable of absorbing shocks. The Workhorse Chrono has a Miyota 6S21 Quartz Movement with Smart TC technology that absorbs shock.  The flexible brass spring absorbs shock while keeping the jewel aligned with the pin attached to the balance wheel. Coupled with a ceramic-coated, stainless steel case and sapphire crystal, the Workhorse is built to ride. You wanted a watch that is elegant, luxurious, and tough. So, we built the Workhorse Chrono!

Ride in style and turn heads with VERO Workhorse Chrono watch.

Hiking: A Walk in Nature Walks the Soul Back Home

Not all activities are meant for everyone. This is why I consider hiking one of the most universal activities. Regardless of your age or level, you can hike and enjoy the outdoors. While hiking trails are what most hiking enthusiasts look for, I wanted to share with you a few cool hiking ideas you can try during your next hike. For starters, you can try cooking in the backcountry. How about crafting your own gear and supplies? Or you can photograph the beautiful landscapes and wildlife.

If you want to get more out of hiking, try practicing meditation and mindfulness on your next hike. I would also recommend maintaining an outdoor journal. Often, we forget about the details. Journaling can help you relive your experiences.

What to pack on a Hiking Adventure?

Depending on your hiking itinerary (1-day, 2-day, or longer), you should pack a few important things. Let’s start with hiking packs (backpacks) . Try having a sturdy, waterproof backpack that has a lot of pockets. Next, you would need the right clothing (depending on the weather). Moisture-wicking clothing can come in handy. You should have a pair of waterproof hiking boots or shoes. Having a navigation map or compass can be useful when you are hiking for several days, especially in remote areas. Don’t forget to carry enough food and water, a first-aid kit, and a knife (or multi-tool) for your trip. It is important that you track and manage your time during hiking. This will help you stay organized during your hikes. Agreed, you can use a smartphone or this. However, like most electronic devices, a smartphone can run out of battery when you need the most. This is why carrying a strong, sturdy, durable, and waterproof watch is important during hiking.

The VERO Workhorse Chrono has built-in chronograph features, which track time elapsed in hour intervals, thus making it one of the best hiking watches. Check out this post on how to use the chronograph function. With VERO on your wrist, it is time to go places!

Check out more waterproof gear here.

Recently, I wrote a post on Hiking in Iceland, where I discussed the top hikes in Iceland and what to pack for hiking there. Give it a read and share your comments.

Surfing: If you’re having a bad day, catch a wave

The thrill of riding the waves cannot be expressed in words. Extreme sports lovers cannot get enough of surfing. You can try different forms of surfing such as wave surfing (longboard), windsurfing, kite surfing, wakeboarding, or skimboard. Depending on your level of expertise, surfing can be a great outdoor adventure. The time during dawn or just before nightfall offers great conditions for surfing.

What about Surfing gear?

This extreme sport requires the right gear, both for fun and safety. Let’s start with the most important one- a surfboard. Beginners can try form surfboards. If you are experienced in surfing, you can try paddle boards, motorized surfboards, or electronic surfboards.

Next, you should have the right surf shoes and clothing. Wearing a pair of surfing glasses can protect you from the sun and the waves. A pair of surf gloves could also come in handy. And a sturdy, waterproof surfing watch can be useful.

The VERO Open Water Series automatics have a screw-down crown, locking out water and sediment. Its dual gasket configuration on the stem and crown pushes out moisture left around the case tube opening during use, just like an engine piston in a car. 

Worried about strapping a watch when going surfing? Strap on one of the VERO Open Water Series watches, and throw all your fears away. Or shall we say, into the waves!

Off-Roading: You’ll never find the best roads where the streets are paved

You can try a range of off-roading activities such as rock crawling, dune bashing, and green laning. Make sure you map your route and anticipate fuel needs before you venture out on an off roading adventure. It is better to travel in groups of two or more vehicles.

Check your engine oil, transmission oil, brake fluid, radiator coolant, windshield wiper fluid, fan belts, hoses, air cleaner, seat belts, tire pressure, gear oils, and shocks before heading out. Make sure you check and tighten shaft u-bolt, and lug bolts. Inspect your vehicle for frame cracks, and grease all fittings. Off roading is similar to backpacking- you need the right gear to enjoy off roading.

Here are a few off road gears should always pack for your trip:

• First Aid Kit
• Spare Tire
• Tool Kit
• Tow Strap
• Tire changing kit
• Food & water
• Sun Block
• Clothing & Shoes
• Water purification tablets
• Map/Compass
• Trash Bags

An adventure watch can be a cool accessory for your off-roading trip. Off roading is not meant to be smooth. The fun of an off-road adventure is in the uneven, bumpy rides. VERO Workhorse comes with grime resistant, machine-washable velcro strap. Moreover, it has a scratch, crack, and pressure-resistant sapphire crystal. The dense plastic pushers would happily enjoy the beating. VERO knows off-roading isn’t about staying safe and clean in the cab of your rig.

Camping: Life is better by the campfire

If you want to calm your mind and connect with nature, camping is the way to go. While you can jump in your car and head for camping, a little preparation can make all the difference.

From planning the location (booking a campground or backcountry camping) to checking the weather and season, planning your next camping trip can make it fun and memorable. Depending on your experience and preference, you can choose tent camping, car camping, trailer/camper, or backcountry camping.

What to pack for camping? Start with the bare camping essentials such as an all-weather tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pads, a camping pillow, flashlights, camp chairs & table, and a lantern. In terms of tools & repair items, you can pack a multi-tool, duct tape, axe, and a hammer.

If you are planning on cooking, keep a portable stove & fuel, firestarter, cooking pots, frying pan, cooking & eating utensils, a knife, plates & bowls, cups, a cutting board, a cooler, water bottles, a dish towel, soap, and trash bags.

Camping can be challenging without the right clothing and accessories. Choose moisture-wicking underwear and shirts. Quick-drying pants, socks, jacket, and sleepwear are a must for camping. An outdoor watch for camping can help you stay organized during your adventure. It's easy to lose track of time when you’re out enjoying nature on a hike. But finding your way back in the dark is no laughing matter. 

The VERO Workhorse camping watch has a built-in chronograph that will help you monitor your hike time. Once set, the time elapsed is registered in hour increments in the right sub-dial. You can set the inner bezel to show the point in time that you started the chrono, helping to monitor several hours elapsed. By timing out your hike duration, you can be cautious of your daylight left and still find time to take that dunk, or pick some more berries along the trail. And when you’re back to your site, you can even time out how long that tasty freeze dried meal has left to steep. 

 

Rock Climbing: The Mountains Are Calling

Rock climbing is an amazing adventure. It increases strength & grip, improves balance, boosts confidence, and burns calories. Did you know it can even help with problem-solving? Rock climbing can be classified into Mountaineering (alpine climbing), Trad Climbing, Sport Climbing, Bouldering, Top Rope Climbing, and Free Solo Climbing.

Depending on your level of expertise in climbing, you can choose the right type of rock climbing. What do you need for a rock climbing adventure?

Here is a list of the most important pieces of rock climbing equipment:

• Climbing Ropes
• Harness
• Belay Device
• Carabiners
• Quickdraws
• Climbing Cams
• Climbing Helmet
• Climbing Shoes
• Chalk Bag
• Chalk
• Climbing Tape
• Crash Mat

When scaling mountains, it is easy to lose sense of time and stay organized. I am sure you would not have the time or moment to reach for your smartphone in your climbing pants to check time. This is why a rugged, adventure rock climbing watch can be useful. And a rock climbing watch does not have to be boring.

Take, for example, the VERO Workhorse Canyon men's watch. Thomas Calara put this watch to the test out in the deserts in California. Check out his adventures in the article from Worn&Wound: Out of Office series- The VERO Workhorse Canyon in its Natural Habitat . The Workhorse Canyon has an adjustable Velcro strap with durable woven nylon to repel sweat and grime.Its protective bull horns help take on impact to the case, as well as keeping deep nicks from the sapphire crystal. 

Sand Dune Adventure: The desert tells a different story every time one ventures on it!

They say a desert is a place without expectation. Yet, you can expect the unexpected on a sand dune adventure. While, for some, the desert seems like a vast expanse of sand with no respite, for others, it can be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. If you fall into the latter, a sand dune adventure awaits you. There are several ways you can explore sand dunes. Hopping on an ATV is the most common way to enjoy a dune adventure. You can rent 4x4 ATVs, quads, motorcycles, sand rails, and dune buggies to enjoy a thrilling off-road adventure. For the adrenaline junkies, sand boarding is an awesome option.
And if you want to enjoy the scenic views on foot, taking pictures along the way, hiking could be your go-to option.

What to pack for your sand dune adventure trip?

Start with the basics. You would need a camping tent, sleeping bag, hiking backpack, jacket, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a first-aid kit, desert-friendly snacks, and a water bottle. How about a desert-inspired athletic, rugged, men’s watch?

Skiing/Snowboarding: The Next Best Thing to Having Wings

Skiing is both a recreational activity and a competitive sport. You can opt for one of the two (or both) types of skiing- Alpine Skiing and Nordic Skiing. As you may know, Alpine skiing involves a ski resort or a dry slope. And Nordic skiing is about cross-country or backcountry skiing. And if you want to do something besides skiing at a ski resort, you can try sleigh rides, snowmobiling, tubing, snowshoeing, fat biking, paragliding, ice climbing, hiking, zip lining, and sledding.

Let’s talk about skiing and snowboarding gear.

Here are the must-haves for skiing and snowboarding:

• Ski trousers or salopettes
• Ski Jacket
• Base & Mid Layers
• Ski Goggles
• Ski Gloves
• Helmet
• Ski socks
• Wrist guards

And of course, you would need skis or snowboards. Skiing does not have to be boring. 

Motocross: Three Types of Speed- Fast, Very Fast, and Oh Shit!

Did you know the US has over 1.3 million miles of unpaved road? Off-roading on a rugged motorcycle can easily turn into stories you will tell your grandkids! With the right motorbike, gear, and mindset, you can enjoy epic motocross adventures.

Dirt-loving motorcyclists love the stunning terrain of Moab, Utah.
If you want to ride along ATVs and UTVs, Hatfield-McCoy Trail System (West Virginia) would impress you. The Imperial sand dunes of Glamis (South California) offer a thrilling rollercoaster ride through massive dunes. Check out other areas near you for motocross activities.

Motocross riding calls for the right set of gear. Make sure you have a good quality helmet, boots, goggles, MX kit (pants, jersey, gloves), knee and elbow pads/braces, chest protector/body armor, and a neck brace. And if you are worried to wear your watch on your dirt bike adventure, here is some good news.

At VERO, we love extreme adventure sports. That is why our watches are considered one of the best watches for outdoors.

Final Thoughts

I hope reading these ultimate outdoor adventure ideas would have gotten you all excited to head on to the next adventure trip. Only an adventure seeker would understand and relate to the experiences one goes through when exploring one of these adventures. Plan ahead of time, pack the right gear and make great memories. And as they say- All good things are wild and free!