All things considered, it's really one of the most affordable hobbies out there. This is especially true if your primary interest is in day hiking, which means you won't have to invest in the additional gear you'javascript:void(0);d need to spend the night out on the trail.At the most basic level, you'll need a nice backpack and a quality pair of hiking boots to get started. If you're a beginner, you can easily acquire these two essentials for less than $200. Compared to what you'd need to get into hobbies like kayaking, paddle boarding, or mountain biking, hiking is very financially accessible.