5 Mistakes Most Beginner Hikers Make (How to Avoid Them)

[@OscarHikes]

Hey everyone! :) Yes, this is a re-upload from yesterday. Unfortunately, the original video flopped on KZbin, so I did some tweaks to it to make it more interesting. I work a lot on these videos, so it's very disappointing for me if some of them don't get the attention they deserve. I hope you understand!

[@jeffreycarman2185]

On thing that I did as a new backpacker was I knew I nothing about backpacks and how they should fit and be worn. This caused a lot of unnecessary discomfort. So educating yourself about backpacks and how they should fit and be worn will make a huge difference.

[@philsmith2444]

How they’re PACKED will make a huge difference in comfort, too. Plus, the type of backpack matters when it comes to packing them. A pack with a wire perimeter frame will feel different than a frameless pack with a back pad and frame sheet, which will feel different than a frameless pack without back pad or frame sheet but with a stay/stays. So experiment a lot to find what feel best, the packing methods you’ll see on KZbin are just general guides to modify as necessary.

[@stefanoberli5920]

Very solid tips! Part of the fun is just giving it a go with what you've got, and then looking back on what you can improve for the next hike. As a beginner, you always want to err on the cautious side. Rather carry too much water and food, a too large first aid kit, too many clothes, than the opposite. And then slowly start leaving the things you didnt need at home..

[@OscarHikes]

This is really solid advice and I agree with it! Everyone usually learns backpacking minimalism based on their own experiences. :D

[@elizabethalexanderofparkst9221]

Avoid blisters by wearing two pairs of socks, one thin pair on the inside to slide up and down (instead of your skin), and a pair as the outer layer to give you warm and dry. Runners use socks that have an in built layer to provide the second layer. It works.

[@shawnsears7590]

I wear sock liners. Preferably silk.

[@elizabethalexanderofparkst9221]

@@shawnsears7590 Great idea. You can also buy running socks with a double lining.

[@iftrejom]

It works for me perfectly!

[@keithbuddrige5064]

Absolutely agree with this tip. As a former soldier who has done a lot of pack marches, two pairs of socks (thin on the inside) is amazing to reduce blisters!

[@philsmith2444]

The only places I get blisters are on my heels, they’re pretty rare but I still often paint them with benzoin tincture and apply a piece of StrengthTape (I prefer it over Leukotape.) The benzoin tincture is tacky and really improves the adhesion of the glue on the tape. And always trim the corners on the tape so they’re rounded, this will keep your socks from peeling them up.

[@Anna-uh7qx]

It is good to remember that no matter how perfect your gear is, the person inside of it will sometimes be wet, cold, and tired. Stay positive! I think this is especially important starting out, because being negative about discomfort on the trail becomes a habit. And to go further, hike longer not faster! Love your videos!

[@papabird4425]

But if you maintain a negative attitude, this can add a layer of difficulty for the bored hiker.

[@ripple_on_the_ocean]

My very first backcountry trip, my pack was over fifty pounds. That was such misery!! Now I rarely have more than about thirty. So easy to overdo it with food and fuel especially- my old Triangia stove needed a LOT of fuel. I never carry fresh food any more either. People worry about nutrition but five days without fresh produce will not kill you! I love using emergency blankets- so fun to show a newbie that trick and impress them, haha 😂

[@myself248]

Start small! Overly ambitious hikes will turn into a bad experience for anyone. I like to make the first hike of the season not about a distant destination, but about playing with all the gear and taking some notes. A short hike means plenty of time at the camp site, to practice setting up the tent a few times, etc.

[@JohnAlot]

There's a hiking "season?"

[@BubbaPordlaw]

Great video ! Great advice. I consider myself an experienced hiker/backpacker, but I still watch videos like this one targeted at beginners. I always learn something new - for instance, the shoelace tying technique at minute 1:45. I actually paused the video and tried it out on a pair of my hiking shoes. 😁 Love it! I will be trying it on my next hike. Another place to save weight - Ditch the cooking pot, stove, and fuel. You don't really need it. the only thing I ever used it for was to rehydrate hiker-meals. Some might say that you need it as a backup to sanitize water, but I disagree. I guess, perhaps, it is a necessity if you have to have a cup of coffee every day. I bring breakfast bars, nuts/trail-mix, tuna, jerky, hard-cheese, hard salami, peanut butter etc.; typically dense items that have a long shelf life without refrigeration. I might take a package or two of Ramen and cold-soak them in a ziplock bag, placed in my expanding mesh pocket on the back of my pack, while I am hiking. Takes a couple hours, but it works. Instant rice works this way as well. Anyway, I found that leaving the cook-set at home makes life on the trail easier and more enjoyable. Regards, BP

[@username-t1x]

I'm a hiker and these tips are solid! Appreciate you getting to the point. Great content

[@ashleyrosser9979]

Good Polarised sunglasses are a must, I once did the Nijmegen march and snow blindness dropped me to the floor in agony, middle of July with no snow around. Also I take a tube of SiS Electrolyte tablets and put one in my water when I feel a headache coming on. Water is a must but you must also replace your electrolytes.

[@Gribbo9999]

Absolutely agree. Always have a tube of Hydrolyte tablets with me hiking or biking.

[@timmo971]

Concerning the “reflective” quality of an emergency sleeping bag… that’s not really how energy works or at least I should say not primarily. Reflection is trumped considerably by conduction. The most effective way is to have the foil layer(s) next to your body and the air layers next to the cold ground. So put the emergency blanket or bag on top of your mattress.

[@cal5566]

If you're serious about it you would cut the foam pad to shape and put it in your sleeping bag, bit sweaty but much warmer to sleep with the foam against your skin than the sleeping bag. I agree with you on the foil.

[@robs4516]

One of the best videos like this I can remember seeing.

[@OscarHikes]

Thanks! It really means a lot! :)

[@fadje104]

Beginner tip: Take a map and compass with you. study your route carefully and look on the map for surrounding landmarks. draw a circle to easily recognize points (masts, huts, villages in certain cardinal directions, etc.).

[@stuarthowe1044]

Definitely a must do

[@philsmith2444]

Learn the basics first, it’s why they didn’t let you use calculators when you were learning arithmetic in primary school.

[@kaizaki9148]

I have a pair of Lowa combat boots for mountaineering, bought them 12 years ago online without trying them on. Haven't had blisters in 12 years. Still going strong, best pair I ever owned. Also just saying if you use a bin bag liner for a pack instead of a bergen cover, and it rains, it's actually heavier because of all the soaked up water in the bergen you have to cover. I don't bring either, just a rain cloak that goes over me and my pack :]

[@harenterberge2632]

on my first hiking holiday I wore second hand army boots. I had a lot of blisters, but still had a great time!

[@Karma-qt4ji]

I am not a violent man and I consider myself level headed even at the worst of times. But if you break out a blue tooth speaker while on a hike with me, that will change rapidly.

[@Tanmay.s689]

Same, boombox hikers

[@bensalmon2949]

@@Tanmay.s689🤮

[@Gribbo9999]

Another reason that solo hiking is the best way! Also on solo hiking you will see generally see far more wild life. And if you don't like the music- well, you know who to blame. 😊

[@thomasmusso1147]

​@@Gribbo9999 Better, leave the music at home or invest in a pair of good earphones.

[@griertyler]

lol so you are a violent man

[@OMariskaO]

One addition to shoelacing at the end (which I recently learned from the children’s shoeshop owner): pull the lace at the end not through the first hole you come across, but the second, so that the lace is neat: both holes on one side and both lace ends on the other (instead of crossed like you have now: hole - lace end-hole- lace end). This prevents your laces untying by themselves.

[@nicodemus1828384]

I remember being in boarding school at 16 and we went on a 5 day backpacking trip as a school (yes, it was awesome). Hiking shoes was a requirement for students. I was shocked that 5 or 6 kids were literally wearing theirs for the first time ON the hike. Some had huge issues and a couple even had to cut the toes of their shoes open because they fit so poorly. For kids, this is definitely a parental issue imo but regardless, it was crazy! Don't do that! Wear your gear, use your kit at home, sleep in the tent in the backyard BEFORE you go on a trip with it! Rant aside, great video.

[@TheNewGreenIsBlue]

Not checking the conditions in the mountain and relying on your gut. I got caught out on this this morning. Didn't look like any snow had fallen in the mountains yet and went for a short sunrise hike... Snow had fallen and the path was SUPER icy.

[@josemariapradaarnedo4315]

I learnt the hard way that taking shorcuts during the path is heavy mistake, you will lose a lot of energy and take the risk of getting injured. Always follow the establish curse, sometimes is a bit boring, but you will cover more km easily

[@OscarHikes]

I know! I now only take shortcuts if I can see the whole path of the shortcut ahead of me.

[@stefanogiovanelli1163]

really a great video. clear and valuable advice. Thank you

[@OscarHikes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ervinslens]

Fantastic upload bud, great tips 👏👏

[@OscarHikes]

Thanks 👍

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

30 years building homes I’ve learned finally what the most comfortable shoes on earth for me are. Wide Keen composite toes. Shake your head all you want but you can lace them normal , they last forever , I haven’t had a single blister or sore spot in 7 years since I found these.

[@МаксимЕремин-я6т]

The thing I didn’t realize is not necessary to carry is snake poison extractor. The thing I didn’t know is that during winter snakes aren’t active.

Something like that exists? I need to check it out. Just recently I was at the pharmacy and they told me anti-venom medication was not available. In my area it’s the opposite, snakes come out in winter. Cheers.

Found it! Sawyer makes one. Affordable too. 👍

[@OscarHikes]

Damn I didn't know such a thing even existed. I'm not really from "snake country", so I'm not an expert on this stuff. Here in Italy we only have a few poisonous snakes and bites are extremely rare.

We are going way off-topic but, oh… well Q: Do venom extractors actually work? “Modern suction devices like the Sawyer extractor are no better than their medieval predecessors, and good scientific studies have shown that these devices are incapable of removing enough venom to prevent serious systemic effects. However, they do somehow seem to increase the amount of local tissue destruction without helping to reduce those serious systemic effects, which could be fairly described as a lose-lose situation.” Source: The Asclepius Snakebite Foundation

[@misch2]

I'm using exactly the same shoes! Very happy with them, I have a 3rd pair now and I'm not going to change anything.

[@SuperdutyExplorer]

I'm a boot wearing person... and I rock taller boots and love them tight...so i dont like your loose tieing thing but I do like saying find a shoe/boot you like. I have tryed so many different pairs on before finding one I like!!

[@alanhoffman683]

I break in my feet. I go on progressively longer hikes. This helps toughen up my feet which keeps blisters at bay. For one HAM (hike across Maryland) hike out of the 7 I've done I only prepped in a gym. When I did the hike I had plenty of strength but my feet fell apart (HAM - all 40 miles on AT across MD - Pa. to Harpers Ferry). Lesson learned.

[@NotASheep100]

Vaseline is my ultimate blister stop...vaseline up the toes...regular throughout my hike My wife loves the Injinji toe socks...with individual toes...we both dont get blisters .

[@outsiderswalks5460]

putting the reflective blanket under your mat - you dont take nearly full advantage of the reflective propreties - it should be as close to your body as possible (meaning on top of your mat)

[@behindenemylines9033]

Size-up on hiking boots. It will save from alot of foot trauma.

[@jjanooi]

Emergency blanked have also one additional minus - it's almost useless, even paramedics are not using them anymore. If used in emergencies, there should be nearly airtight seal and additional heat source. The side you use it on makes no difference. But it's nice and shiny :)

[@petemillis4666]

Agree. If something is already cold and you wrap it in foil, it stays cold longer!

[@aliensoup2420]

Once I started wearing double socks, I never got blisters. I wore a cotton athletic sock under my heavier hiking sock. A thin nylon liner sock might be optimal. The inner liner sock acts as a second skin to insulate your foot from abrasion.

[@brucecarroll4041]

When I switched to dual layer Wright Socks, blisters became a thing of the past.

[@malcolmedwards7333]

Don't set yourself goals, especially unachievable goals, life's not a race, enjoy where you're at.

[@dankestriver6168]

My first backpacking experience was in the chilly windy upper Eastern Sierras. So my big mistake was assuming my regular candle lighters that worked at sea level would also work at that high altitude. 😞 I also grew up in New England so I'm at least experienced in camping in colder weather.

[@user-ce1qy6uf2d]

Thanks, really video, 🤘!

[@_chimera_]

Water filter you say?! No hiker before thought of this genius move😂😂😂

[@tinameiling3646]

thank´s for this. I like

[@Videoworl-p6y]

Thank you

[@Juanlu.]

Disculpa, Óscar. Esos paisajes son en España?? Gracias.

[@abdulhadialoufi9537]

What is the brand of your shoes?

[@RamblingReason]

The merino wool socks from Costco are pretty good for the price £18 ish for 4 pairs

[@umbrellacorp.]

And always try to learn where you're going. So you wouldn't get lost.

[@thunderbird2364]

What's up with the blisters? Never had any from hiking and I walked long distances and high elevations over several days with even over 15 kg on my back. I just used some everyday socks but thick ones, or skiing socks so far, not merino ones. Maybe I'm just lucky or it's because I don't weigh very much.

[@justaguy9451]

I have fallen in love with this pastime. My wife on the other hand has not.

[@gzoechi]

Do you let her set the pace? I always walk behind my wife and try not to bother her when she is too slow.

[@justaguy9451]

@@gzoechi Yes I did. She tried to get into it but decided it was not for her. I live for my solo adventures, it's saved my mental health from ruin. I am not the quickest myself people constantly overtake me, but my knees are worn out so it does not bother me.

[@gzoechi]

@@justaguy9451 I wasn't very fit a 15 years ago and also was elaborating on knee problems. We were on vacation in the mountains because it was a very hot summer and we were looking for hiking trails that I could master. One trail had its starting point at a rather high altitude (about 1000m) and we had planned to walk to a alpine hut in 7km distance. It went rather well and we decided to walk a bit further towards the peak and in the end mastered to reach it (about 1500m altitude). The view was so spectacular that my wife became kind of addicted. My knee problems have more or less resolved since and we hike in the mountains whenever time allows. That was quite a lucky day. I wish you to enjoy many more adventures.🚀

[@thevideoark]

Don’t ever forget a first aid kit.

[@ReinBelmont]

9:20 why not an e-reader? Their battery lasts for weeks. You can pretty much carry a whole library with no need for wifi. They are very light. Some have backlight so you can read in the night.

[@lilylelob]

Given the high number of ankle sprains I’ve seen from my patients who saved money and not buying hiking boots, I highly advise to get a good pair of hiking boots. It’s a good investment. Especially in rocky areas. Nothing can replace good quality hiking boots. To save money I used them several years going everywhere in winter including work. High ankle boots fitting well are a good investment. If you’re concerned about the extra weight, you lose many kg while hiking due to metabolic enhancement.

[@stuarthowe1044]

Boots are crucial. Not a fan of light weights. Pure madness

[@brdl6192]

Beginner mistake: bringing a cheap 5kg tent and suffer all the way due to a heavy pack

[@redwestonbushcraft5807]

Ill fitting packs is my pet ittitation. I hate to see hikers with a badly fit backpack

[@ELMANTEC]

the destination

[@Archfile375]

All soap is soap, cut toothbrush down to a nub. 5m of parachord can be split into threads and used for so many things

[@leonkurtovic3563]

correct me if im wrong but putting a sleeping bag into another could compress the material and make in less warm?

[@Sebsa58]

Instead of beer, I recommend taking marijuana because it is much lighter

[@HikingForLoot]

Na I get tested 😂. Buy whiskey more bang for the volume

[@randellrussell2400]

Thats how i camp

[@SuperDraupnir]

Instead of marijuana I recommend bringing LSD as it’s much lighter.

[@sanderpappot]

@@SuperDraupnir Maybe some speed to make some more miles.

[@rihardssniegs9523]

Can I have your old shoes?

[@OscarHikes]

Ok, but only if I can have your old shoes

[@gab4690]

Would never wear shorts that short unless you want some nice ticks.

[@thomasj8105]

It is so clear that getting proteins on the trail is very difficult

[@wayneeshelor639]

This shoelace tying info is really weak. Instead use a square knot on second or third lace crossing, just above the ball or wide part. Should not be so tight as to compress the metatarsal area, or so loose as to allow the toes to jam forward. Then you can tie the final knot tight enough to prevent heel slip. If the shoe is properly sized this will eliminate 90% of foot problems.I haven't had a blister in 30 years. You may need to fine tune the square not as shoe breaks in or you change inserts in any way. Tall boots might require 2 square knots.

[@parisz2341]

When you are in a desert area hide bottles of water along the trail to pick them up on your way back.

[@mangotreechen]

tip #11 if you wanna stay warm and not die: stay at home and wach netflix :)