10 Tent Mistakes Every New Backpacker Makes

In this video, I share 10 tent mistakes that most backpackers make when they're just starting out.
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▼ TABLE OF CONTENTS
00:00 - Intro
00:06 - Mistake 1
00:35 - Mistake 2
01:12 - Mistake 3
01:41 - Mistake 4
02:02 - Mistake 5
02:35 - Mistake 6
03:31 - Mistake 7
03:59 - Mistake 8
04:24 - Mistake 9
04:50 - Mistake 10
05:12 - Outro
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[@OscarHikes]

Hey everyone! Thanks for commenting about tip 5, about not putting your feet inside a backpack because your feet will get wet from condensation. At first, I didn't believe it because I've done this for a long time myself with good results. In this video, I was showing as an example my new ultralight pack which is waterproof. I had never done it with waterproof backpacks before. Sure enough, yesterday I tried it when sleeping in a tent at -4C, and I woke up in the night because my feet felt colder than usual. I checked and the bottom of the sleeping bag got wet from condensation because the backpack wasn't breathable. At the same time, my wife was doing the same thing with her regular backpack (not waterproof), and her feet were staying warm. So moral of the story - don't use this tip with waterproof backpacks! Especially if you have a down sleeping bag that loses insulation properties when wet. Also probably don't do it if your socks are a bit damp. Only do it in freezing temps or when you're sleeping on an incline, and only with breathable backpacks.

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

- It’s a mistake to begin with to place your backpack outside of the tent. All the bugs are going to love that accommodation option and the next time you DO open it inside they’ll be all over the place as well as in your clothes, which are to ticks as a hotdog stand is to a rottweiler. - They’ll like your boots too if you leave those in the apsis. - Don’t just change socks if your feet are cold. Dry the space between your toes THOROUGHLY. There is frequently be enough moisture between your toes from, sweat, rain or whatever else, to take most of the night for it to naturally evaporate. Dry your feet if you want to stay warm and don’t rely on a fresh pair of socks to absorb all of it. - It’s ALWAYS between the sensible spot and the nice view. Check the weather forecast before you make up your mind to gamble on the view, and be prepared for contingencies at around 04.00 in the morning. - Remember whatever shit can go down always seems to go down at 04.00 in the morning. - Drink rain water but don’t drink it off a rain pocket in your tent cover - it’s most likely waterproof because it’s a chemically treated surface. - Think your tent was set up nice and tight when you left it in the morning? It won’t be after the fabric and guylines has stewed and expanded in the sun for a few hours. Might not be a problem now, but it may be when the wind picks up and everything starts flapping about like a flamenco dancer. Set your tent tight at a time when it has the most slack. - 70% of the stress of sleeping in a tent in a storm is the noise. Set your proper tent tight so it doesn’t effing flap around like a mad bastard, remove anything that rubs against it yes even the long grass and pretty flowers, and put on some kind of woollen balaclava over you head so you hear enough that you’ll notice if things go south at 04.00 but not so much you can’t go to sleep. And remember, that if your gear is right, it’s all in your head, so let it go. - Remember: A tarp may be more open to the elements but it virtually never has condensation problems, and it offers a nice 360 degree view. - Like your expensive lightweight tent or tarp solution? Don’t rely on a nearby fire to keep you warm then unless you don’t mind the burn holes. You will when the rain sets in at 04.00 in the morning though, I suspect … - Bring a wee-wee bottle in the tent unless you want to go over your whole dry foot routine again at 04.00. Make sure air can pass your wiener as you fill it or it will push you out like a cork gun and you’ll have to invent a dry sleeping bag routine at 04.00 … - When you’re far enough up north in the summer, there is usually no single spot that will stay in shade for 24 hours straight. Remember that when you deposit your food, water and electronics out of the sun and go to sleep or leave for the day. Gotta shift that shit around unless there is an actual cave nearby or something. - When you’re far enough down south and should you for some reason not be behind a mesh or bug net - just remember than any crumbly snack you like in bed, will likely appeal to ants and shit like that as well … I think by now you know around what time to expect the surprising results of leaving bits of food around where you rest or sleep. - It’s kinda nice being under a bug net playing hard to get with 1000 mosquitoes and their midge sycophants. Makes me feel all special. - You may like lean-to type shelter setups but somehow nature doesn’t seem to be as convinced about this whole “prevailing wind direction” thing as some people are. Just expect wind and rain to come at you horisontally from any corner of the compass at some point or another is what I am saying. Or don’t, I don’t care. Maybe you actually LIKE it at 04.00 in the morning. - You may eventually have to trust rocks for your guylines instead of pegs. If you do - just remember you need something about the size of your head if you want to REALLY be on the safe side. Seen some mighty expensive tents left on rocks getting blown into the sea with all their contents, just saying. - If you peg out the lines and then secure them by putting rocks on them, fine, but put SOMETHING between the line and rock that doesn’t gnaw it through when the wind starts shifting things around you-know-when. - Always have some cutting implement handy so you can cut your way out of your tent should it catch fire or if there is some kind of animal attack or what not. I don’t want to needlessly scare you with the true story of the Finnish axe wielding person who trapped these young people by rolling them up inside their tent to where they couldn’t move and started hacking merrily away and was never caught, but now it’s in your head as well as mine, only I always know where to reach for my knife or machete and flashlight when I am out. I don’t think about it. Anymore. Really.

[@lyricsmind]

Oh my, that made me chuckle a few times😅. Good tips. And now I have to leave...for research purposes- about a finnish tent maniac🔪🏕

[@daweshorizon]

Hilarious and true! I kept my Opinel in the locked-open position whilst camping in the Netherlands last week, owing to a slightly odd young man behaving in a manner that slightly spooked me. Plus it was in the middle of a four-day, on-off, thunderstorm. Possible emergency tent bail-out was on the cards! Better safe than sorry as my parents used to say! Take care. Love and peace.

[@noodlesthe1st]

Mistake 7: BREATHING. Dont breathe in your tent or CONDENSATION

[@LostBoy1026]

😂

[@everyoneknowsadave3580]

😮‍💨😂

[@dereinzigwahreRichi]

Why do you dare to breathe at all? You think those trees make that oxygen for you of all critters on the earth's face? How arrogant of you! And don't you ever dare polluting the beautiful countryside with that filthy CO2 coming out of your lungs again!

[@BurtReynoldstash]

😂😂😂😂

[@underabigsky]

Great comment 😂!

[@kgranger]

A video in 2023 that gets directly to the point, presents the information promised in the thumbnail first, and doesn't push ads! Subscribed! Great content, thank you and keep it up.

[@OscarHikes]

Thank you!

[@MrTechpro123]

Well said, I agree!

[@dereinzigwahreRichi]

You should watch Coalcracker Bushcraft then, Dan does this in every video and has a ton of useful infos.

[@kristianvrum8979]

You seriously thought that this was good advice? Jeez..

[@spinewalker_]

I got one! Tent tip 11: If you use a ground sheet, make sure it doesn't stick out underneath the tent floor. Otherwise rain will hit the ground sheet and get trapped between it and the floor. Most likely this will soak through your floor where you sleep over time. Happy trails!

[@OscarHikes]

Solid advice! Thank you for posting it!

[@juliahutmacher92]

ha this happened my first night in a tent😂 Learned my lesson

[@DmitriyLaktyushkin]

Better tip, don't use ground sheets unless you are car camping. Their only practical use is to keep the tub clean from dirt when its wet, but usually you can find a place without mud to set up.

[@juliahutmacher92]

@@DmitriyLaktyushkin Generally true, but I like that the vestibule is also covered and I can keep my stuff away from the wet ground. There are also other advantages in rainy conditions that are somewhat dependent on the tent you use. With the groundsheet i can set up the fly first and then go inside and add the inner tent. Same for packing up. Take down inner tent first, pack it in the backpack, go out, pack up the wet fly and groundsheet and go. I admit it's more time consuming. But for me it's worth it. The inside of my tent is mostly dry even if it has been raining for days. But like I said this kinda thing depends heavily on your tent.

[@tdiler12]

yup i did that first time decades ago it worked perfectly to catch gallons of water under tent

[@ferryvantichelen6521]

Tip: don't put your tent on the lowest part of the field, or you will wake up in a boat when it suddenly started to rain during the night. If there is no other option you can try to dig a few gullies for drainage in strategic spots. However, try to avoid that as much as possible because of "leave no trace"

[@OscarHikes]

Solid advice, thanks for posting!

[@bearo8]

Any deepest point is a problem. Narrow valleys can even be dangerous when there is heavy rain.

[@david_onthetrail]

In sensitive areas where LNT ( Leave No Trace) rules apply digging a trench is a no no. Look for a better location.

[@lughole]

I thought of another tip! Silk sleeping bag liners are amazing! Warm it cold conditions, wick moisture and ifbyoure away for long expeditions they keep your bag clean and microbe free meaning youll have to clean you sleep system less / be fresher. In hot weather you can use them on thier own or use them in manky cheap hotels with dubious cleaning policies!

[@Gregbot9000]

I use silk thermals as a sleep outfit / emergency extra layer

[@pauloost59]

Good start, good content...👍🏻 NEVER EVER re-tighten your lines when the tent is wet, to correct for a droopy saggy tent. The fabric swells and droops a little when wet. If you tighten up those lines and the fabric shrinks as it dries, you might very well tear the tent to pieces. Even synthetic ones but especially with canvas. Never set up your tent with the doors open and then wander why they will not close now that you pulled everything nice and taut... Never touch the roof of a wet canvas tent with your greasy fingers or hair. Right where you touch it, it wil leak in minutes... Never packing a wet tent should be obvious... If you cant avoid it, unpack and dry at the earliest opportunity... If you find a tear in the fabric, seam, loop whatever, repair it NOW... Waiting till tomorrow may very well give it time to widen or worsen. Same goes for damage to a backpack, fix it now! Clean out sand and dirt that acumulates in the tent or on the bottom. Sand is abrasive and hiking with your tent in your pack, humping and bumping might very well chafe away your waterproof layers or fabric as a whole at a much higher rate then needed, especially on thin nylon non-woven groundsheets. Wax your tentpegs/stakes!.. They wont corrode as fast if they are ferric, clean off easier after use. And with wooden stakes they clean much easier and you can better retrieve them from the ground because the dont suck up moisture and swell as much. They dry faster as well... If possible repack your tent in a consistent way, so you can find your stuff and pitch your tent just as easily in the dark as in daylight. I'm out... Your turn...😉👍🏻

[@paulkramer4176]

might possibly happen with canvas, but frankly, nope. If it does, that tent fabric was UV rotted so badly it was going to tear anyway. And, just to say I might know what I'm talking about, I designed tents for three different famous tent manufacturers....

[@pauloost59]

@@paulkramer4176 I'm pretty sure you know exactly what you were talking about. My personal experience comes from 30 yeas of scouts and sleeping in canvas tents not seldomly twice my age. UV rot would certainly be a factor and the used materials as well. Nice modern Tencate cloth I imagine has some superior qualities to the older stuff. Specially in stretch and UV resistance. I've always been taught not to retighten een wet by the oldtimers. And seen tents tear like this twice. More often the lines snap though or those wooden sliders. Of course in the scouts stuff gets used, repaired and used some more far beyond normal life expectancy...

[@lp5913]

@@pauloost59 Us hikers brake up camp early in the morning. Scouts, as far as I understand your explanation, camp for multiple days on the same spot. In that case it is indeed wise too loosen the lines in the morning. That's what I've been taught.

[@jamesbrook16]

I don’t wax my pegs any more. I got sick of them screaming when I pulled the strips off! Just have to live with hairy pegs…

[@fearghal10]

Somehow over the years the one but of camping gear that's become indispensable is this big old pashmina scarf I picked up from a charity shop on a cold day for a couple euros. Can be a buff, a blindfold for lie-ins, a semi-functional mosquito net, a sling or bindle, light blanket, towel, shade-tarp, basically anything. And a scarf, obviously. Douglas Adams was onto something.

[@fastfish666]

towel?

[@karennelson8954]

Just a general idea i think is brilliant every time. I wear glasses which get visibly lost in a tent...so i keep a glow in the dark pc of plastic anywhere...make sue i put my glasses there and voila! I can see that bit of light in total and partial darkness right away and KNOW my glasses are there! I hope this helps others! Great video here - thanks for your posts!

[@davidflavin]

Spot on! Funny, my son's dummy works the same way... It's like relief from heaven seeing that little glow in the night when he's crying 😂

[@jamesbrook16]

I always put mine in the same place - usually the pocket next to my head.

[@Choccytube]

I don't wear glasses but this is a great tip for anything that you need to find quickly. Easy to forget where you put everything after a long hike and a good sleep.

[@jamesbrook16]

Why do you need your glasses if it’s dark?

[@nredsa]

@@jamesbrook16 to see

[@lughole]

A seperate tent footprint is great under the tent for saving youre ground sheet in rocky areas but can acrually be better put inside the tent in extreme rain to keep you dry. That same tarp can also be rigged up above the tent as a sun canopy if its super sunny in the mornings- if your in a hot place to stop you getting baked in the morning... Also if pitched slightly offset will give you an external rain cover for cooking outside. For this a coupe carabeaners, two extres pegs and a bit of paracord helps. My only other tip is to have 4 sand pegs in your peg bag, for sand or snow set ups, lots of people dont carry them and they're essential on extended trips.

[@Choccytube]

I try to carry a variety of pegs as you do not always know what the ground is where you're heading. I have lots of titanium stakes and the wider pegs too as you can get them into almost any ground.

[@cybermanne]

It's not always a mistake to dry wet clothes inside the tent. It depends on the overall conditions. If there is 24-7 of rain and you have wet socks that you need to get dry it might be a good idea to put them in the sleeping bag at night (or maybe even wear them). In the morning they will be dry, and the added moisture inside the tent might have been able to get ventilated out if the tent is well ventilated.

[@VacumOvale]

I always dry my stuff in tent. Next to the tent stove :) Camping in cold weather (-5 celsius) is best, because there are no bugs, no sweating and yet it is fresh air and everything else is still the same.

[@counterfit5]

​@@VacumOvaleI can sweat at -5c

[@VacumOvale]

@@counterfit5 I am really interested in the sleeping bag that is so good, it makes people sweat in -5

[@d.i.m.eproductions6925]

You do NOT want to wear wet socks for extended periods of time, that is how you get trench foot

[@d.i.m.eproductions6925]

@@VacumOvaleyeah, if you go with an ECWCS sleep system (used surplus goes for $300+ and new goes for $700+) I own 4 of these

[@tomaszczarnekplasota6165]

Mistake 6 - it applies to lakes too. Better to set tent on high ground above lake instead near lake shore. Morning mists will moisture everything in range

[@jjaylad]

Great pointers! We keep ourselves from sliding when on an incline by placing a compressed jacket or other clothing article under the sleeping bag, just below the butt. That kind of cradles you comfortably and avoids that downhill slide.

[@Gregbot9000]

Another option is to use your foot to make a small indent in the middle before pitching the tent, or if you have a pup style tent just tape some string to your sleeping pad and tie it to pole

[@onanysundrymule3144]

I take some small sheets of rubber mesh grip mat to place between the tent bathtub and sleeping mat, then between the mat and sleeping bag too if necessary.

[@jjaylad]

@onanysundrymule3144 sounds workable. For backpacking, however, we like to carry minimal equipment and fully utilize all of it.

[@username-mc7jw]

Excellent information - nothing I'm not already doing, but it reinforces my confidence to know I have a grasp on so many mistakes new backpackers make... since I'm a fairly new backpacker myself. Here's a tip if you carry a trekking pole tent: zip-tie a small line level onto one of your trekking poles. This will help immensely in finding level ground to pitch your tent on! The water bottle 'level' trick will only show you what's level over a 9" area. The trekking pole spreads that out to 4 feet or more...

[@OscarHikes]

Really good advice!

[@lukasmakarios4998]

Brilliant! The little ones are cheap & light too!

[@chriscohlmeyer4735]

Interesting idea, personally I just lie down and close my eyes and sense my orientation. With a transparent water bottle - stand back, hold the bottle on its side and compare the water line in the bottle to your possible tent location. You will rarely find "perfect level" to pitch your tent, only level as possible to limit slip and slide in the tent.

[@lettersquash]

One mistake I've made is to pile too much clothing/bedding on as I go to bed, knowing it'll be cold later. This makes things worse, because you overheat and sweat, which leads to a much worse chill as the temperature drops. I now try to start out feeling pleasantly cool and add stuff later. The same applies to hot water bottles - even well insulated, if you make one to take to bed, it can make you too hot early and be cold by the time you need it. I now leave that option to times when I wake in the small hours and feel too cold to sleep, having set a pot of water on the stove ready. Moving about to start it and heat the water (and take a leak, which is what usually wakes me in the first place) gets the blood pumping, and then the hot water bottle is perfect (in a thick sock or similar) for getting some more shut-eye.

[@wobblysauce]

That is the same when you set off, you want to be ok but not warm as when you start to move you will just need to stop a bit up the path and remove items.

[@jamesrigby2271]

Mistake 5: don’t sleep with you head down the slope either. This will compress your lower back and cause a painful, sleepless night…. However, if you can’t avoid sleeping on a slope use tip in mistake 4 and use you empty (or partially filled) rucksack under your mat to level up your sleeping mat. Happy camping!

[@WanderingSwitchback]

Head down can also give you a wicked headache!

[@leovanlierop4580]

If the ground is not flat (preferably find a better spot), don't let it surprise you and lay down before finally staking it down. And use your jacket to fill a big hole.

[@kerriadereth]

Head downhill means you won't roll side to side as easily, though. Not as much a hard and fast "don't do it" as other advice.

[@31apollo13]

I am starting my first ever winter camping season and this video was invaluable. Thank you!

[@cbergek]

If you have to set the tent up in a slope, try putting some stuff underneath the tent floor. If you create a transverse ridge just beneath/under/distal to where your butt is it will help avoid slipping during the night. I mean the legs can be on top of this ridge, but your butt will not slide over it. If you overdo it it could be uncomfortable but for me it’s definitely possible to find the balance. The stuff you put under the tent could be some branches, twigs, or other stuff you find on the ground, but also some parts from your pack that you don’t need during the night, and that can stand being wet. I’ve used watertight packing sacks filled with spare clothes for example. The same idea works for evening out the surface if you need to put the tent on uneven ground.

[@christopherlucas892]

Rather than putting the foot end of your sleeping bag into your empty backpack as suggested, it's far better to fasten up the zip of a waterproof, breathable jacket and pull the jacket over the foot end of your sleeping bag. The end of your bag's then properly protected from your tent inner if it's wet with condensation and your feet are still able to breathe.

[@OscarHikes]

Oh that would actually work a bit better. Breathability of rain jacket > DCF backpack. Never thought of it! :D Good advice and thanks for commenting it! But I think it depends on the backpack and rain jacket. Frogg Toggs for example, isn't breathable at all. And if someone carries thicker, heavier backpacks, then the extra padding provides some extra warmth as well. But overall, yes, I agree with your statement!

[@ThePeterZone]

Jackets easily fall off when you wrap them around the sleeping bag.

[@gary7vn]

Now that's a great idea!

[@chrismonsen]

This was legit one of the most useful, camping video I have ever seen. Thanks so much!

[@williambranham6249]

Nice info. Thanks. I learned the hard way not to minimize blood flow to feet when I started sleeping in the cold nights of backpacking.

[@gary8733]

During the day your body sweats. Making your clothes damp. So change into your next day's clothes before going to sleep you will be warmer with dry clothes. Carry two knit hats. One for day use. One to use as a sleeping cap. Most of your body heat is lost from your head at night. Rotating your hat use will allow them to dry. Do not sleep with your head under the covers , your breath has a lot of moisture in it. You will only be making the inside of your bedding damp. Store your water bottle upside down at night.. Water freezes from the top down. This way when you upright your bottle in the morning any ice will be on the bottom of your bottle.. Simple things that make a difference. Another trick have learned over the years . A pull top can makes a great candle lantern. On the opposite side of the pulltop hole make a I cut on the side of the can . Fold the cut outward. Place your candle inside ( under the pull top hole ) and light your candle . This tip will help stop the wind or a breeze from blowing out the flame. The hole acts as a vent. And the can reflects the light where you want it. Tips from a old guy. lol

[@plmn93]

When you were talking about putting the tent by the trees, I was nearly yelling at the screen about that hanger, lol.

[@alanjones4622]

Don´t camp under trees When it stops raining from the sky dripping moisture continues the rain under the trees.

[@overwatchxrescue]

One challenge is accounting for the temperature differential between when you fall asleep and later on in the night.

[@Longtack55]

Hang your wet clothing outside at night particularly if its windy. Wind is effective as sun for drying clothes. Camp away from brush, scrub, trees if there are bothersome mosquitos, as they prefer sheltered windless zones. I often camp at the bush-edge. A warm beanie and mitts of wool is great on a cold night.

[@turkeydew8369]

Don’t know if this has been mentioned but wear a synthetic sock liner under your sock. This will help prevent blisters.

[@e.l.2734]

For sure! If blisters do happen though and you need to keep walking, it's good to have a few small EVA strips with a hole poked through them that's large enough for a blister to fit in, so that you can tape one of those over it and avoid putting pressure on the wound.

[@ervinslens]

Great presentation my friend, so nicely and professionally elaborated! 👏👏

[@OscarHikes]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@dajo2824]

This is how all videos should be. Great info, no extra words, concise, very helpful. I’m making several of these mistakes. Getting some looser socks to sleep in., I subscribed.

[@jelkel25]

Tend to make my mistakes when I've overdone the day's hike or you're generally running out of daylight and you're rushing around to get set up before it's totally dark. Sometimes this is easily avoidable, sometimes not. You can only try to be more mindful of what you are doing and slow down a little when this happens.

[@ikonaut]

Another mistake (in some environments) → don´t wear regular long trousers with wide legs that wick away all the moisture from the wet forest. It is better to wear shorts and longjohns (running tights, etc). They warm better, they dry much faster. And those made for orienteering are also durable. In hard and wet terrain (Fiordland NZ etc.) it is optimal to wear them with gaiters.

[@OscarHikes]

Yes, I can definitely recommend this tip! I also prefer this setup in a lot of situations and don't bring long pants at all.

[@d.i.m.eproductions6925]

@@OscarHikesclothing layering for all conditions 1. Level 1: moisture wicking underwear, (for women, sports bra) athletic fit long bottoms and long top, watch cap/beanie, neck gaiter, balaclava level I, socks 2. Level II: midweight/ long Johns top and bottoms, glove liners, balaclava II 3. Level III: Heavy weight/wool/fleece top and bottoms, finger gloves 4. Level IV: waterproof layers, woobie jacket and pant liners and suspenders (fleece layer usually zips into it) 5. Level V: waterproof layers continued, goretex pants and parka, cold weather mittens, leg gaiters/mukluks 6. Level VI: wind layer, wind proof top and bottoms 7. Level VII: marshmallow suit with cold weather face mask and Arctic approved anti fog goggles

[@fisheea]

Mistake 5: if possible, put your tent perpendicular to the hill. You can level your mattress by stuffing excess clothes under the downward side, so no rolling necessary. Thanks mum ❤

[@dimitar297]

If your ball sack is cold in a deep valley make sure to angle the mesh part of the tent to cup your nads.

[@MultiTipsie]

Hi there, I have a few tips. Tip one; Use a groundsheet in your vestibule! This way, moist from the ground in the vestibule cannot rise up and fill your tent! Also, without it, it is much colder in you vestibule and your inner tent and thus causes more condensation!. Second tip; Keep you outer tent bottom edge as low as possible! Although is ventilates, when it is moist outside, it only brings in more moist then is ventilate outwards! Also the warmth will escape too! The warmth of your body and optional, your heater, will bring the temperature in your tent up. This higher temperature will help wick moist away! So ventilating too much will make it too cold and moist will still accumulate in your tent! Of course, make sure there is some opening to the outside somewhere at the bottom, opposite from ventilation at the top! This way the air will travel from the bottom, through the tent to the other side and exit there taking along moist! How much you have to ventilate and where is totally depending on the situation and the form and ventilation possibilities of your tent! I also would recommend to keep your backpack as dry as possible! Otherwise it will get moist inside after a few days (or a day in heavy rain) and it will not dry anymore, making everything inside wet too! When travelling for a week or more it will give fungus the opportunity to grow inside or in your clothes and stuff! When it is dry during walking, hang your wet clothes and shoes on the outside of your backpack! So it can dry more easilyy and will leave less moist in your pack! Third tip; The clothes and shoes which are wet will stay wet in a bag! That's not good! It will get fungus in it. Especially when you are without sunshine a couple of days! And most of the time, people have to use it again! The best way to store them is in a loft or on a line high up in your tent.When ventilation is adequate and can stream from low to high through your tent, it will take along the moist and this way will let things dry at least the best way possible! When walking again in the day, you can store socks and shirts just underneath your outer layer or in your outer insulation layer to let it dry! Of course, only when you not sweating a lot. Then you have to wear less layers! What is possible too when you have multiple layer in your sleepingbag, is store your clothes just under the outer layer of the sleeping bag! The warmth of your body will dry the clothes then! When it is very cold, you can also store your shoes there, or even water bottles, so you won't have frozen water in the morning! Learned and used this in the army, but have used it a lot during my outdoor adventures! Worked very well!

[@hoellenhund1000]

Question from a newbie to your #1: Doesn't that possibly contradict others' tipp to make sure water cannot run from the vestibule over the ground sheet under the tent?

[@MultiTipsie]

@@hoellenhund1000 No, not if you keep the sheet in vestibule from getting water on it in the first place. This by keeping the edges underneath the cover and either having a ditch around your tent on the outside or a dyke underneath the edge. Or both. That way water cannot flow onto the sheet. Of course the amount of rainwater that can reach your tent should also be minimized, so choose you setup place carefully.

[@erem.5531]

Wooow, que bien explicado. Gracias por tomarte el tiempo de compartir tu conocimiento. Lo que más me impresionó fue lo de que en los valles al lado de una montaña en la noche pueden ser más fríos que en más altura. Y lo de los calcetines dobles. Explicas tan bien que ya tienes una admiradora más. Gracias.

[@waynewaddell1564]

I’m a seasoned camper/self supported touring cyclist. I have struggled with cold feet. And yes I put two pairs of socks on and still had cold feet. Secondly last year temperatures drops to 1C and I fell asleep with my head inside the sleeping bag. I woke shivering uncontrollably. I later suspect it was because of the moisture from my breathing. Now I know. Great video. PS. I ended up putting my gloves on my feet and was finally able to fall asleep.

[@alexdewitt9814]

Very good. I never thought to put my wet gear in a dry bag. I recently camped in a single skin 1 man tent after a long day walking in heavy rain and had some of my wet gear in the vestibule. I'm sure this contributed to the massive amount of condensation I had in the morning!

[@danielcluley870]

Very good video. I already knew most of these, but a few I did not. Great advice for novice backpackers.

[@reliquit971]

With mistake number 2, If you're camping in Australia, it doesn't matter if the tree is dead or alive (if its a gumtree), always check for widow makers

[@rodparker7436]

Widow makers are dried and dead branches that can snap and drop off at any given point.

[@Hebdomad7]

Don't camp directly under large gum trees as these may be inhabited by Drop Bears.

[@michaelmcphee2930]

And don't pitch tent on bull ant nests...😮

[@georgemaxwell3997]

In cold mountains, a tent with a solid fabric inner is much more comfortable than these trekking pole and mesh contraptions. A small tunnel shaped double wall tent is much better for warmth and views, while standing up to the wind and nearly eliminating condensation.

[@JasperJanssen]

But in warm weather, a solid inner is far too warm. I know the solid inner version is generally called “four season” with the mesh version being “three season”, but in reality they’re both three seasons, just a different three. (And for *many* tents, you could buy both and just take the one you need)

[@georgemaxwell3997]

Depends where and how high you hike. In my own experience ranging from Colorado to Alaska and including Canada, the nights are cold. In a tunnel shaped tent, you can open both front and rear doors to have great ventilation. Another great advantage of a solid inner is that any condensation under the fly falls on the inner tent, whereas it tends to fall through mesh onto your sleeping bag. Since mesh weighs about 0.8 oz/yd^2 and solid ripstop can be 1.1 oz/yd^2, the weight saving of mesh is negligible.@@JasperJanssen

[@JasperJanssen]

@@georgemaxwell3997 I, mean, yeah, if you go up a mountain you’re in winter conditions, even if it’s July. That doesn’t mean there are no places around where that is not the case.

[@georgemaxwell3997]

Sure, you are right about that. I lived in Vancouver and the Rockies and always headed for the alpine. Paradise on earth!

[@takl23]

Outdoor vitals makes a solid trekking pole 4 season tent. I use both solid and mesh double wall tents but and excited to try the OV tent.

[@simongee8928]

And NEVER pitch under any sort of tree. Apart from the obvious possible branch fall, birds can poop on your tent and also after rain, the trees will continue to drip water on you and your tent for ages afterwards.

[@eiredalta]

I have been living on a tent for 5 months now and it's right under some huge trees. Some weeks ago one of them fell entirely but luckily away from my tent. Now I keep an eye up on the forecast and if the wind gets too strong I go to a hostel.

[@elifan2523]

Pitching under a tree will keep you drier because the tree will soak up water, just make sure it’s not full of dead branches

[@simongee8928]

@@elifan2523 And they will keep dripping on you after the rain has stopped. And not forgetting bird poop, as I've already alluded to. 😐

[@OmmerSyssel]

@@elifan2523 yeah right, guess what's happening with the rain contained in the tree above your tent... It'll also obey law of gravity prolonging the mess 😉

[@OmmerSyssel]

Risking being hit by lightning is a huge danger as well..

[@mtadams2009]

In colder temps I always bring my down boots. They are super light and super warm. These booties are made for sleeping in.

[@tabithamorrill3991]

Brand?

[@mtadams2009]

Zapacks, I think they weigh 2 ounces.

[@tullochgorum6323]

A key tip in wet areas - don't pitch in a hollow that could gather water. And if you're on a slope, check for signs of where the water will flow if it rains - it's all too easy to wake up in the middle of a stream.

[@bonariablackie4047]

I have a cloud peak 2 which has air vents on both doors and the entire top of the tent. I have yet to have to deal with any condesation. It has an inner and an outer which don't touch, and I have had it outside in very hot weather, wind, rain and very cold weather. Still haven't had any condensation. I do have a single skin tent and that tends to get condesatiion. So I use it very rarely.

[@deantreloar]

newb here! I placed both mine and my sons backpacks exactly where you said not to, on either side! I never considered how it would effect air flow, but flow was definitely restricted when I knew it shouldn't have been, thanks for the tip!

[@jeffreycarman2185]

Condensation is really a factor of the relative humidity, the dew point inside the tent, as well as the temperature differential between the inside of the tent outside air. Also a lot of tents have vents near or at the peak of the roof that greatly decrease condensation.

[@rono.3692]

Great video! I replaced the tent’s guylines with thinner, lighter cord that has reflective elements that are visible at night with a headlamp.

[@OscarHikes]

Great idea!

[@philippossophokli9944]

great video! what kind of sleeping bag do you use for winter camping?

[@loficampingguy9664]

> switch to a fresh pair of dry socks when your feet are cold This is very true, and it's something you should do as a default. _Never_ wear wet socks to bed. _Never_ wear the socks you hiked in all day to bed either. I don't care how dry or clean they feel, your feet sweat. Take them off. Not just for comfort and staying warm, but also so you don't get trenchfoot. Personally I like to bring a pair of light, loose socks for sleeping in.

[@tabithamorrill3991]

This was a fun lesson I learned this past summer! Don’t ever sleep in the same pair of socks you hiked in AND definitely don’t hike in the same pair of socks that you hiked yesterday in. Even if you took them off to sleep. Even if you didn’t think they got dirty yesterday…..you indeed sweat, even when you don’t think you are. Light drizzle can also make your socks that seem dry, not dry at all

[@tonysutton6559]

Don't pitch up under trees if it is likely to rain. The trees will continue to rain on you for hours after the actual rain has stopped.

[@OscarHikes]

Fun fact. I built the tent for this video under dead trees as an example for this video. And while filming, after maybe tip 5 or 6, hail started with a lot of wind, so I ran into the tent to hide my camera equipment. I was sitting in the tent and thinking "how fucking ironic is this", while smaller branches were falling on the tent. :D

[@chriscohlmeyer4735]

LOL, some campgrounds you don't have much choice but yes avoid being under trees but near healthy trees. Another one is try to be on the eastern side of trees, cliffs, etc so that you get the morning sun - helps to dry condensation, makes you feel warmer, you can pack up earlier if desired or just enjoy the sunrise and sunshine. If it's rainy, it's up to you, pack up wet or stick it out.

[@just-dl]

Something I’ve been meaning to try are the desiccant pouches. Weigh about 3 oz each. Keep them in separate ziplocks until needed, but put one in the sleeping bag and one in the dry bag with wet gear to reduce humidity in the tent. I typically use tarps not tents but I want to try them in my bag. (Bivy sack and wool blanket)

[@michaelsalmon6436]

This was a great review! Very well done! I am happy to subscribe! Here is a tip that I use frequently for cold weather camping- Keep a wool cap inside your sleeping bag, in addition to a pair of wool socks. I find that having a wool cap AND a pair of wool socks available to slip on 1st thing in the morning, makes me very comfortable while I rev up my campfire and prepare my coffee. Keep up the good work, Oscar! See you "out there"!

[@OscarHikes]

Great tip!

[@OmmerSyssel]

Heating a drinking bottle to warm up your sleeping bag, is another pleasure in winter camping ❄️

[@BobGnome]

Thanks a lot. Very good summary of great tipps

[@OscarHikes]

Thanks!

[@RoachRider]

Tip1: Before going to sleep, go and take a leak, even if you don't feel the need yet. That will save you from unpleasant awakening, when you must go but would still like to lay a few minutes more. They say that it also saves you thermal energy you would spend on keeping unnecessary fluids warm inside your body, but that doesn't convince me as much, as they are already at body temperature. Tip2: Don't unroll your sleeping bag until just before going to bed. When you're not inside, the tent only cools down, so the bag will also have the temperature of the air around it. If you unroll it and jump in right away, you will immediately start to heat it up with your body, instead of heating up the cold air that managed to get inside while it was laying there unrolled for a few hours. Tip3: Warm up before going inside the sleeping bag. Do a few jumping jacks, squats, or have a jog around the camp. Not so much to start sweating, but enough to warm up and stimulate circulation. It will help with the warming up of the sleeping bag and you will be comfy and warm much quicker.

[@ski3435]

You don't have to worry about taking a leak before retiring, just bring a pee bottle. That way, if the urge to go hits you in the middle of the night, you don't even need to get out of your sleeping bag...if you're careful!

[@jonnor6883]

@@ski3435 Specially if you camp during the winter months

[@davidmt23]

Good idea about exercising to warm up before you get in. Whenever I'm cold at work etc, 20 press-ups always warms me up.

[@ShariPosey]

@@ski3435 Women backpack also, Pretty hard to pee in a bottle :)

[@runclimbrepeat]

Thank you for the tips! Very handy. Keep them coming please.

[@drytool]

Really informative video. Thank you.

[@DarrellLEE-uw3fz]

Good Job . love the tips . gonna use them soon.

[@petercarter6261]

What about camping during a drought in semi arid areas where to camp under trees is to have branches fall on you and where keeping cool is the bigger challenge during the day. Or in the tropics where other rules apply?

[@Barryferg100]

If you have a separate ground sheet, make sure it is fully underneath the tent so that if it does rain, rain doesn’t land on the ground sheet and flow between it and your tent bottom

[@pavelperina7629]

Worst mistake I made: crosscountry ski shoes outside of tent overnight. It was maybe -15C in the morning and they were almost solid and it was not possible to untie shoelaces, so I had to breathe on them for quite long to defrost them. It's better to put shoes inside sleeping bag. Other problem was that originally it was predicted to get colder the next day, but temperature dropped by like 20C overnight. Other tip is sleeping with the hat when it's cold, because body loses lot of heat trhough the head (brain needs lot of circulating blood).

[@OutsideChronicles]

All great tips, well done!

[@AaronBrooks1]

This is a great video for tenters! I personally solve most of these problems simply by using a hammock camping setup. Uneven slope? Not a problem. Condensation? Unheard of! Blocking airflow? Also not a problem.

[@Le-Abdollen]

what if there's no trees to hang a hammock from?

[@guyosborn615]

I am generally above the treeline

[@splashpit]

I solved all these problems by staying in a hotel

[@saxoncrow2500]

Hammocks rule. The most comfortable nights sleep. Also away from curious badgers and foxes!

[@e.l.2734]

Bonus points for keeping the creepy crawlies away, if you so much as spray some bug repellent on the ropes, better than some hotels lol

[@plumbgray]

Thank you great video I picked up a few good tips from you ☀️

[@jeffreycarman2185]

4:10 this is only true if the outside pair of socks are tight or stretchy. A pair of loose-fitting fleece slipper socks will probably make your feet warmer.

[@eryahs]

I didnt know about the Grünloch "phenomena". What an interesting fact. Thanks for sharing

[@OscarHikes]

Yeah me neither! I learned about it a few months ago and thought it was perfect to illustrate this example!

[@NokamiSama]

Quick tip that we use for wet shoes in my local boyscout group in Switzerland, newspaper ! Just make a ball of newspaper and stick it inside the shoes during the night !

[@JohnAlot]

I keep a pair of wool socks that are a size larger to put over my socks. This has always kept my feet warm while hiking or sleeping in extreme cold. As long as they are not tight the extra insulation is a godsend.

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Thanks. Great tips 🙂👍

[@Oldsparkey]

I hammock camp most of the time. It offers a lot more comfort , a lot more. The ridge line can be a drying line , especially the portion outside of the hammock but still under the rain fly. My backpack is hung from that same ridge line. No worries about the ground clutter or the angle since the hammock is hung flat. The rain fly offers a lot more livable space ( depending on the size of the rain fly ) than any tent except expedition ones. In warm climates ( Florida ) I get 360 degree ventilation and it's bug free with the attached bug netting. Tent camping , I'm sure all of us have made mistakes and they are the learning experience that stays with you all of your life. I'm still learning even after 65 years of Tent & Hammock camping , if you are not learning something everyday they you are doing something wrong. ( Or not trying something new )

[@DmitriyLaktyushkin]

Hammocks are only good if you always have trees and only for the subset of people that aren't sensitive to sleeping posture or have a compatible one. I'd say most of people who try one find it uncomfortable. They are also heavier than light tent setups especially if you aren't alone.

[@Swearengen1980]

@@DmitriyLaktyushkin This. My neck, lower back and hips (courtesy of being rear ended at 65pmh) kill me after sleeping in a hammock, doesn't matter how I configure it, how taut I make it, it will never be "flat". The Zenbivy quilt system has been heaven for me. Aside from comfort, a downside of hammocks I don't like is that I trust no one. I want my pack and all my expensive shit in the tent with me so it's not a convenience theft for shit birds.

[@gablison]

Wouldn't leaving wet clothes in a plastic bag stink it up and form mildew or that rancid acrid smell?

[@harduphiker]

Glad only a few of these I do or have done (the rest I am aware of, I am bemused by hiking and camping channels that either camp on top of hills then complain about the wind/weather/cold, or camp by waterways - as well as valleys, avoid being near water, not only is it a contamination risk, it's usually colder and can be quite dangerous - flash flood, rising tide etc). Most of this should be camping/hiking common sense! I carry trash bags for #5 cos you can put them over the end of your bag. I have been guilty of doing #3, I used to dry shoes or boots in the vestibule outside the tent but under cover...but slugs and creepy crawlies...ugh.

[@JBereza]

I am often ok with condensation in 2 layer tent because it means inside is warmer than ouside... and that is pretty good when outside is near zero degrees celsius.

[@kevinwaters-marsh217]

Thanks champion. Great tips

[@OscarHikes]

Together with my wife, we make cool, minimalistic posters of various thru-hiking trails. Check them out over here ➜ trailgoals.com/ (and get a 10% discount code with the code "oscarhikes")

[@SamwiseOutdoors]

The water filter trick is a big one. It really doesn't take much to ruin a squeeze or gravity type filter.

[@FlippyHambone]

Great video! ❤

[@jonhenderson4022]

I'm sorry, I was done here after number 1... 'put your gear right in the way of the door so you have climb over it in the middle of the night if you need to get up.. Alternatively put it inside your tent, totally eliminating the reason you got a tent with a vestibule in the first place'..

[@TragoudistrosMPH]

Niche complaints, no? Some tents have 2 doors, like mine. (Common) I've never needed to get up in the middle of the night. (I'm lucky) You could place it on the side of the door, instead of the exact opening...

[@Herr_Gamer]

This is less of a user mistake and more of a buyer mistake, but another tip is to not blindly trust the tent’s promised accomodation. A 2 person tent more often than not *can* accomodate two people, but then you use more or less all the space inside just for the mats. For comfort, get a tent that houses one more person than you plan to use it for

[@OscarHikes]

Solid tip!

[@VacumOvale]

The air ventilation part was good tip. I have made this mistake and end up soaking wet while it is literally raining inside the tent while there were no clouds in the sky.

[@bdmenne]

Great tips!

[@OscarHikes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheMountanGoat]

Putting the pack under your pad is a great idea (I suppose if its not Too lumpy), but if your cold, you will try virtually anything to stay warm. Also I agree sleeping with Water Filter, and electronics is a way to protect filter/batteries. He seems to think condensation is a big issue, but it depends on the moisture of the air. I have done the CDTx2, PCT, GDT. These are more dry, less condensation areas. So I guess, lets say, it depends on how much moisture is in the air/ and which trail you on.

[@RJKYEG]

I always hiked with one pair of wool socks a size larger than I wear; they're my sleeping socks, I keep them dry but in a pinch they also fit over another pair of socks in case I have to double up on account of cold weather.

[@theondebray]

Two points: you will not get to sleep if either your EARS or your feet are cold, so yes, keep a loose DRY pair of socks just for sleeping; and, get a thin motorcycling balaclava to cover your head at night, which allows you to breathe outside your sleeping bag. Secondly, re. condensation: get a good quality tent with BREATHABLE fabric, it makes a lot of difference. The tent that you show here, has too much ground clearance, wind can get under that. Nice vid, thanks.

[@danielkutcher5704]

If your ground sheet is cut just slightly smaller than your tent, rain won't drip off the rainfly perimeter and run under the tent floor. DO cut the rainfly to cover the unfloored area in the vestibule. Less moisture will come up from the ground during the night. Disclaimer: You will almost always have some condensation under your fly generated by your water laden body, which gives off moisture all the time, but especially when you are hiking in warm rain. You will think that your rain jacket is leaking. Sometimes it is, but mostly it's just sweat that can't get out. Ventilation is key both for waterproof clothing and tents. Heck, I get it under my hammock tarp!

[@DerTierarzt]

Great and very on the point video. Instant sub 🎉

[@OscarHikes]

Awesome, thank you!

[@angryherbalgerbil]

Hand warmers arw great for warming up cold boots in the morning, and for drying socks faster. Nothing worse than starting the day with that feeling of sticking your feet in a cold bog. Hand warmers in the boots when you first wake will have them good to go by the time you've finished brekkie and a cuppa.

[@kenwebster5053]

It is generally advisable to camp about half way up a slope on the side that catches the morning sun. This avoids cold air & damp fogs running throught the valleys & gullies & gives you a sun warmed morning to get going. It is not a good idea to camp on a crest as this location has the highest wind chill. Unfortunately, this advice means you will likely be camping on a slope.

[@OscarHikes]

Good advice!

[@Ah01]

Good tips for the beginners. One most useful would be to use quality equipment, especially tents. Better pay yourself sick once and then be happy for 30 years. Took that route with a Hilleberg Kaitum 3gt and Allak 2; great tents and will serve for decades, if properly handled. You can find them also second hand, cheaper, and still pretty much as good as new.

[@xbonezds]

Legitimately great tips. Here's my addition: while you are waiting for your freeze-dried food to rehydrate, tuck it inside the jacket you are wearing. It is like a hot water bottle than can warm you up, and it will make sure your dinner stays warm as it rehydrates.

[@OscarHikes]

Great tip!

[@mikelovesbacon]

Just make sure you seal it up and don't do anything that involves bending over while it's in there

[@elinor6525]

@@mikelovesbacon I'm gonna ask you how you know lol 😂

[@majesticbob884]

Hey when temperature is cold at night, what clothing u think I should wear in the sleeping bag? Because I hear to much clothing will make you sweat and leads hypothermia.

[@OscarHikes]

Good question! Too much cloting could lead to sweating, yeah. But you can wear as much as you want, as long as your bloodflow isn't restricted and you aren't sweating. If it's going to rain next day, then also wearing wet clothing overnight might also be a good idea (but this is usually only advisable for winter camping, where drying out stuff in the sun isn't an option). I know it goes against my advice of not leaving anything wet inside the tent, but for winter camping, where there are no other options, dealing with a bit of condensation outweighs walking with wet clothing.

[@spineynorman303]

Beanie, socks, and a buff for your neck.

[@sinusnovi3826]

4:15 I recommend to wear knee socks or some kind of calves to warm lower legs. warming the lower leg is essential to warm the foot.

[@mensenvandekempen1019]

Learned a lot 😊

[@plantcraftie4141]

lol, in scouts, we put dirt on the side flaps of hour tent on the bottom, so absolutely no air could get through 🤣🤣

[@whitemexican3923]

Thank you for the nice video. Don't forget the old trick for nights to her water, place it in a nalgene and place that in your bag as a "heater".

[@LoneWolfExplorer]

Thanks some great tips 👍

[@JerryThain]

You can use a closed cell foam sleeping pad (iso-mat) to protect the bottom of your tent from both sharp rocks and wet ground. Place it underneath instead of inside.

[@user-wx7wg5cn1m]

Good advice! Thanks!

[@benassicek]

Thank you very much for advices.

[@ms-ht1cj]

Thanks, very useful tips❤

[@jackypearcejustme]

Always roll your tent door/other flaps under, not over, so that the outside surface is the one you can see. This stops the inside area getting wet and increasing interior condensation when you close the door. An old girl guide trick!

[@mwmii790]

Don't burn a camp stove inside the tent. Aside from the fire hazard, the burning fuel releases additional water vapor which will increase condensation.

[@OscarHikes]

Good advice! But I will honestly tell that I'm guilty of occasionally doing this myself. :D A bit of condensation outweighs wind/rain if you're really cold.

[@MikeMitchellishere]

@@OscarHikes I have as well. That's how I know. 🙃 In a pinch (to avoid hypothermia), it can be helpful. I do bring a cloth along to wipe the walls down.

[@spineynorman303]

Also if using a stove in a confined space watch out for carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep the door open.

[@selfcaresally]

in my experience (as a healthy fit woman with a normal amount of body fat in the usual lady squishy areas) it’s important for me to keep my hips and bottom warm (not just my upper body) because otherwise when the subcutaneous fat gets really cold, when I stop moving it acts like a giant cold pack and I can’t get warm enough to sleep for a few hours.