Backpacking tips I wish I knew when I started 🥲 #camping #outdoorlife #backpacking #campinggear
Here are 3 tips for beginner backpackers:
1. Don’t be afraid to start small!
Overnight trips are great experience!! I personally prefer 1-night trips
2. Get a properly fitted backpack
I made this mistake when I first started backpacking and suffered the consequences. Before you buy a bag, go to your local REI (or outdoor store) and get fitted by an employee. You don’t have to buy the bag right away, but knowing your size can help you shop around for online sales/deals on used gear.
3. Don’t worry *too* much about weight
Ultralight gear (and backpacking gear in general) is SUPER expensive. If you’re just getting started, use what you already have, and don’t be afraid to start off with heavier gear.
Want more tips?? I can definitely do a part 2!
And bring bear spray, compass, flares and emergency signaling gear or whistle.
I knew someone who thru-hiked the AT with like a 50 pound pack. He just trained for it and knew what he could take. Weight is not your enemy if you can carry it well without fatigue
Best advice ever! Cheers
Nice advice! Plus the test-your-equipment comment.
Heavy backpack is best way to discouraging yourself from backpacking
Weight only really limits your speed/range. One must first understand one’s own needs and growth/limits to objectively justify buying expensive gear: to make a further trip. That process is put perfectly in this short.
My believe is don’t waste money on heavy gear.
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Just meet in the middle not to heavy not super light cause to go ultralight is expensive
as someone who regularly rucks for workouts, i will never understand why people are so paranoid about weight, when they are shaving off only a few pounds at most. I’d rather have more durable gear than the lightest possible magic fabric that’ll tear when i look at it too hard.
It’s not ok to start heavier. I’m spending way too much on a chiropractor.😢
I def agree on the bag making or breaking a trip – I recently took a bag that was a bit too big on the WCT. If I had to change out any of the gear I brought, it would be that. I took more stuff than necessary but the bag was the biggest problem. It didn’t fit properly – it gave me blisters on my collar, the weight was constantly shifting around (until I wrapped a sweater around my hips), I packed it full and I couldn’t look up which hurt my neck. A well fitting bag would have been great – and had I left the extra 5~7lbs of unneeded stuff, I would have been even better haha.
The lightest, cheapest gear is the stuff you don’t buy and carry. One can easily go light without buying the latest super expensive UL gear.
One thing about super light gear: It’s not always the best choice- sometimes a bit more weight means more stable/durable. Says the person whi saw their tents ripped in two in a winter night in Lappland. NOT a pleasurable experienc😬😬🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶😱
Amazing tips thank you for sharing! 🫶🏻Have you heard of the backpacking couple Renee and Tim? I think their YouTube channel is called thruhikers. They have amazing backpacking videos and have lots of great content on lightweight and minimal gear that they have reduced through many trips. But they also happen to be mindful of expense/cost which is pretty cool. As someone who is new to the camping/backpacking scene and also an extreme over packer I find their content extremely helpful, informative, efficient, and entertaining! Just though it’d share because you might find some cheaper alternatives or tips on their page! 😊
All states might give tickets or g
Homeless people. Look in to it
#1 bring a gun and don’t trust bear spray
Ultra light is more about the mindset than about the equipment
One of the most important things you can do before you go backpacking for the first time is set your gear up. Get used to your gear. Figure out how to set a tent up, how to set up and pack away your sleeping bag / sleeping pad. Knowing how to use your gear makes the trip significantly easier.
Tip for beginners. Don’t blow your pad up with your breath like this “expert” just did. Introduces moisture into the pad reducing its ability to insulate and also increasing the risk of mold
Lightweight can be expensive but also, just bring less stuff haha. One mistake in the beginning is packing your fears and not knowing what you actually need. I was guilty of this. Without spending any money you can easily lighten your pack.
A tent you can see through?
My first backpacking trip was 9 miles round trip. I had a $30 80L Chinese bag off Amazon. I packed 3 days of clothes, JEANS with t shirts and cans of food for meals. My pack was 80lbs. I was not in good physical condition. But I LOVED it. The experience changed my life, and I continue to do it every year. Each year I spend a little money getting one or two new pieces of gear. Now I pack way less and my average pack weight is around 50lbs (I bring some unnecessary comfort items lol). It really is one of those things where the best way to get into it is to just do it.
Sometimes the answer is get stronger rather than carry less weight……I have a training pack that I use to condition and use for those 1 or 2 dayers then I have a light setup for the long hauls
These tips solve a problem for me 😅 i was wondering how can I start backpacking
Use an air mattress that doesn’t require you to blow it up with your mouth,as this let’s in Condensation not good
Wheres this campground located ? That view was amazing
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Don’t go alone.
I’ll gladly take a heavy pack any day. This ultralight gear is getting crazy. Plus when I’m really into the hike and I have comfy shoes. I don’t even notice the weight.
Carry a Glock. If not you a clueless outdoors person
Weight is super important. There are 2 types of ultralight gear, compatible and bulky. Bulky is cheap and compatible is expensive. Every other advice is great. Also camp in your gear at home and in rain to have a full experience.
What brand of mattress is that?
Cool I got my pillow, my blankets, my cast iron for goat casserole, and a couple gallons of water for showering every night. Pack weight is 120lbs 😮
Yes. Exactly. Love the net inner tent : in clement weather it would be great to wake u without condensation and no insect bites wouldn’t it?
My favorite tip I ever got as a mechanic and outdoors person. Buy it cheap and upgrade as you go.
Calve stretching. Do it. Thank me later
if your gear is too heavy, become stronger
Whoah, I have the exact same air pad but I use it opposite. Thin closed cell foam pad over it. I want to get a fancier air pad with insulation for bulk reduction for motorcycle camping. It’s weird–it’s like backpacking in that I have to carefully choose my gear, but bulk is more of an enemy than weight.
My first trip i had my sleeping arrangements, clothing, and food that was it. Everyone else had everything.
Since then ive upgraded stuff one or two things at a rime over the past 6 years, especially during black friday events.
Ultralight does not need to be expensive! You seem like a beginner yourself…..why are you making advice videos?
Another big tip, never go alone and fully charge your phone with an extra charging pack. Would love to take off into nature on my own, but as a woman there are too many freaks out there.
Great tips. Second hand/borrowed/hired gear can also be the best gear as well!
Most backpackers/hikers: Ooooo this is so lightweight
Ex military hikers: I cant feel my shoulders
I like your hat! Where did you get it?
if u have the right backpack, the extra weight won’t matter as much
Use heavy gear for mad gainz! Seriously though, rucking, or ruck sacking, is a great exercise; it’s basically hiking but with as heavy a pack as possible at marching speed
Needed to hear this, thank you!
Personal locator beacon. Listen to David Paulides….
1. Take your gear to car camping sites to see if everything is working.
2. Go to car camping sites specifically on bad weather days. Now you know how your gear holds up.
3 progress from 3-4 mile sites from your car until eventually you’ll be doing multi day trips comfortably.