(MONEY Magazine) – If you're like a growing number of Americans--47 million at last count--a sunny weekend morning is your cue to slip away for a day hike. But be warned: Choosing the right gear is a make-or-ache proposition. An ill-fitting boot or awkward backpack can spell hours of misery. So we've rounded up the latest must-haves to make hitting the trails as painless as possible.

Your best boot choice is probably a pair of so-called day hikers. They are appreciably lighter than the traditional steel-shank variety, which tip the scales at up to three pounds a shoe, and are easier on the feet. Consider the Merrell M2 Blast ($110), whose tough Vibram soles and rubber toes protect your dogs from rocky terrain; a polyurethane midsole and air cushions at the heel absorb shocks. The boots' weight, at 1 1/2 pounds each, won't slow you down.

For a pack, try a new ergonomically designed lumbar model like the Quest Hydra Hiker ($70). Because such packs keep weight just above your hips, they reduce back stress. The Hydra Hiker also contains two one-liter water reservoirs with drinking tubes that let you and a pal guzzle on the go.

The right clothes will make your hike more comfortable too. You'll want a microfiber jacket, for example. The best new ones, such as the Sierra Designs Activent ($159), are wind- and water-resistant and quite lightweight. The 13-ounce Activent's diagonal, zippered chest vents and mesh-lined back vent let air flow in the front and out the back, keeping you cool. Under it, try one of the new fast-drying polyester T-shirts, such as the North Face Signature TekTee ($28). Perfect for hot summer climbing, the material wicks sweat off your body and brings it to the surface, where it dries almost immediately.

Edward Lund of the Eastern Mountain Sports store in New York City says many hikers now eschew skintight spandex pants and shorts in favor of the loose and comfortable variety. Some of the best we've seen are the Gramicci Qwik Dry line (pants: $46; shorts: $38). Made of superlight 3 1/2-ounce Supplex, the Gramiccis allow excellent freedom of movement. The pants (but not the shorts) protect you from Lyme-disease-carrying ticks so long as you keep them snug against your ankles; choose them if you're hiking in an infested area such as the Northeast, Great Lakes or Pacific Northwest.

For protection against another outdoor menace--sunburn--take along a broad-brimmed hat like the classic Tilley Endurable ($45). Air holes in the crown ventilate the 100% cotton duck fabric, and the hat crushes easily to squeeze into your pack.

--J.E.R.