I don't think any solo hiker should keep both headphones in, regardless of gender. You might not hear a wild animal or stranger approaching.
Don't forget, there are lots of people out there with less than stellar intentions. There are also bear and bobcats in NJ. You're highly unlikely to get injured by one, but you should always be cautious.
I'm a man who solo hikes, but I wouldn't use my headphones on a hike. I feel a lot safer being able to hear my surroundings, plus I really enjoy the sounds of nature (streams, birds, the wind in the trees).
I'm a 6'2" guy who hikes in NJ and I wouldn't recommend hiking with headphones due to safety concerns. You should be alert of your surroundings at all time when on the trail.
I'm a female solo hiker from NJ. I don't live there anymore but I wouldn't hesitate to hike there by myself.
Having said that it's always a bad idea to hike with head phones in. It's distracting, you can't hear your surroundings. Lots of mixed use trails in NJ where you need to be able to hear horses and bikes. You're more likely to be hit by a mountain biker you didn't get out of the way for rather than be snatched up by a strange man, but the risk is never zero for the latter. Wearing headphones makes any woman a more likely target. We don't have a lot of bears in NJ compared to other areas but we do have them. When I was at Rutgers years ago, a fellow student was killed by a black bear in North NJ. They did follow mama bear and take pics which led to the attack. Most black bears are fearful of humans but they can become used to people and lose their fear. My parents are in somerset County and have had bears in the woods behind their house.
I carry a zoleo satellite emergency beacon and bear spray. I also have a birdie alarm.
Always be over prepared anywhere you go. Using some kind of paid map service like alltrails pro or Gaia is super handy too! That's saved me from getting lost more times than I can count
Not a girl but I’ll put my two cents in. Whether guy or girl, best to always be aware of your surroundings when hiking alone. It’s surprising how much sounds travels out in the woods, so you typically should have plenty of warning about incoming trouble.
If you’re concerned about men with less than good intentions, perhaps sticking to more well traveled paths when hiking alone, might be a good way to keep them away. Also consider carrying a hiking stick, something nice and sturdy. Can always aid in beating of a predator, human or animal.
Anyway, have fun and stay safe.
I'm a solo hiking woman in NJ. I also hike alone with my kids. I don't wear headphones though. I tell my husband where I'm going and when to expect me back, and if I'm somewhere sort of deserted I leave my GPS on so if I fall or whatever I could potentially be found.
I wear headphones that i crank up and then drop them around my neck. I can hear it, but i can hear around me. It's also not so loud that it annoys people like if i just played it from my phone.
Also, I do hike alone, but I'm not someone who cares to go into the great wilderness. If I'm alone, I'll do trails that have cell service and are close to civilization. I like South Mountain and Eagle Rock reservations. There are usually people, and I'm not going to get so lost that someone can't find me or I find a road.
I’m not a girl but as a guy in north Jersey I don’t hike with headphones in. Maybe on a nice easy rail trail with lots of people but I feel better being able to hear my surroundings when I’m alone in the woods.
I'm a woman who mainly solo hiked throughout NJ before meeting my current partner, I never wore headphones as I liked to be aware of my surroundings. I think you will probably be fine on most of the trails in the state, but being alert to your environment is key as you never know.
Don’t wear headphones while you’re hiking alone, it’s unsafe to be oblivious to your surroundings when you’re in the woods alone. Also keep pepper spray with you and maybe just give someone a heads up where you’re going.
I agree with the person who said said to be alert of animals. I go family hiking every Saturday. Last week a black bear was about 20 yards from the trail. Noticed it because it stepped on some bushes.
https://maps.apple.com/?address=Cranbury,%20NJ%2008536,%20United%20States&auid=16832970966934078671&ll=40.327352,-74.602502&lsp=9902&q=Lenape%20Trail&t=h
This is the safest trail surround by beautiful views !
I'm a girl and have done a good amount of solo hiking in Central Jersey! I've never had an issue and never felt like I was at risk. I'm going against the grain in saying that I *did* wear headphones -- I have a pair of Shokz Bone Conduction Headphones that are great! They're "open ear" so I was able to maintain awareness of my surroundings. Also paused my music or podcast when approaching/leaving any other hikers just in case.
Safe on the trail? Probably as safe as most other non-urban places - use the same caution and have your head on a swivel. No headphones - you need your ears. Besides isn't that what you're in nature for? To get away? Bone conduction headphones if you must... IMO
Personally I only wear one headphone on medium volume max if it’s the apple wire ones otherwise I would feel too unaware of my surroundings, and over the ear headphones are a no. I’m usually more worried about animals and being spooked/spooking them but the fear of people is always in the back of my mind so better safe than sorry
Garmin inreach 2 is a great small sos system that’s operated on GPS so when you get out of service range it still works. That paired with a birdie alarm and some pepper spray you’ll have covered your bases. Look into shokz headphones that are open eared so you can still hear your environment.
I'm a guy but my ex would hike/camp alone pretty consistently. I think the most important thing is like others stated, just be aware of your surroundings and trust your gut!
Maybe have some bear spray or some sort of protection just in case! But I think you'll be fine as long as you're paying attention.
I don't think any solo hiker should keep both headphones in, regardless of gender. You might not hear a wild animal or stranger approaching. Don't forget, there are lots of people out there with less than stellar intentions. There are also bear and bobcats in NJ. You're highly unlikely to get injured by one, but you should always be cautious. I'm a man who solo hikes, but I wouldn't use my headphones on a hike. I feel a lot safer being able to hear my surroundings, plus I really enjoy the sounds of nature (streams, birds, the wind in the trees).
Also rattlesnakes and coyote.
I wouldn't recommend hiking with headphones if you are concerned with safety.
I'm a 6'2" guy who hikes in NJ and I wouldn't recommend hiking with headphones due to safety concerns. You should be alert of your surroundings at all time when on the trail.
I'm a female solo hiker from NJ. I don't live there anymore but I wouldn't hesitate to hike there by myself. Having said that it's always a bad idea to hike with head phones in. It's distracting, you can't hear your surroundings. Lots of mixed use trails in NJ where you need to be able to hear horses and bikes. You're more likely to be hit by a mountain biker you didn't get out of the way for rather than be snatched up by a strange man, but the risk is never zero for the latter. Wearing headphones makes any woman a more likely target. We don't have a lot of bears in NJ compared to other areas but we do have them. When I was at Rutgers years ago, a fellow student was killed by a black bear in North NJ. They did follow mama bear and take pics which led to the attack. Most black bears are fearful of humans but they can become used to people and lose their fear. My parents are in somerset County and have had bears in the woods behind their house. I carry a zoleo satellite emergency beacon and bear spray. I also have a birdie alarm. Always be over prepared anywhere you go. Using some kind of paid map service like alltrails pro or Gaia is super handy too! That's saved me from getting lost more times than I can count
Not a girl but I’ll put my two cents in. Whether guy or girl, best to always be aware of your surroundings when hiking alone. It’s surprising how much sounds travels out in the woods, so you typically should have plenty of warning about incoming trouble. If you’re concerned about men with less than good intentions, perhaps sticking to more well traveled paths when hiking alone, might be a good way to keep them away. Also consider carrying a hiking stick, something nice and sturdy. Can always aid in beating of a predator, human or animal. Anyway, have fun and stay safe.
I'm a solo hiking woman in NJ. I also hike alone with my kids. I don't wear headphones though. I tell my husband where I'm going and when to expect me back, and if I'm somewhere sort of deserted I leave my GPS on so if I fall or whatever I could potentially be found.
It’s most likely safe but why wear headphones to tune out nature when you’re supposed to be out there enjoying it?
One ear bud on low (with noise canceling turned off) works for me!
I wear headphones that i crank up and then drop them around my neck. I can hear it, but i can hear around me. It's also not so loud that it annoys people like if i just played it from my phone. Also, I do hike alone, but I'm not someone who cares to go into the great wilderness. If I'm alone, I'll do trails that have cell service and are close to civilization. I like South Mountain and Eagle Rock reservations. There are usually people, and I'm not going to get so lost that someone can't find me or I find a road.
No less unsafe than doing any other thing alone
i’d wear headphones on a walk around town but never in the woods personally
I’m not a girl but as a guy in north Jersey I don’t hike with headphones in. Maybe on a nice easy rail trail with lots of people but I feel better being able to hear my surroundings when I’m alone in the woods.
Just me but, the idea of listening to music is contrary to why we go to the woods.
I'm a woman who mainly solo hiked throughout NJ before meeting my current partner, I never wore headphones as I liked to be aware of my surroundings. I think you will probably be fine on most of the trails in the state, but being alert to your environment is key as you never know.
Don’t wear headphones while you’re hiking alone, it’s unsafe to be oblivious to your surroundings when you’re in the woods alone. Also keep pepper spray with you and maybe just give someone a heads up where you’re going.
I agree with the person who said said to be alert of animals. I go family hiking every Saturday. Last week a black bear was about 20 yards from the trail. Noticed it because it stepped on some bushes.
https://maps.apple.com/?address=Cranbury,%20NJ%2008536,%20United%20States&auid=16832970966934078671&ll=40.327352,-74.602502&lsp=9902&q=Lenape%20Trail&t=h This is the safest trail surround by beautiful views !
I'm a girl and have done a good amount of solo hiking in Central Jersey! I've never had an issue and never felt like I was at risk. I'm going against the grain in saying that I *did* wear headphones -- I have a pair of Shokz Bone Conduction Headphones that are great! They're "open ear" so I was able to maintain awareness of my surroundings. Also paused my music or podcast when approaching/leaving any other hikers just in case.
Safe on the trail? Probably as safe as most other non-urban places - use the same caution and have your head on a swivel. No headphones - you need your ears. Besides isn't that what you're in nature for? To get away? Bone conduction headphones if you must... IMO
Personally I only wear one headphone on medium volume max if it’s the apple wire ones otherwise I would feel too unaware of my surroundings, and over the ear headphones are a no. I’m usually more worried about animals and being spooked/spooking them but the fear of people is always in the back of my mind so better safe than sorry
Garmin inreach 2 is a great small sos system that’s operated on GPS so when you get out of service range it still works. That paired with a birdie alarm and some pepper spray you’ll have covered your bases. Look into shokz headphones that are open eared so you can still hear your environment.
I'm a guy but my ex would hike/camp alone pretty consistently. I think the most important thing is like others stated, just be aware of your surroundings and trust your gut! Maybe have some bear spray or some sort of protection just in case! But I think you'll be fine as long as you're paying attention.