Backpackers Vs Thru-Hikers

[@Jotipalo]

I’m a monk who has a practice of being out in nature as much as I can, so I do a lot of “day hiking”, between 2 - 6 hours most days. I watch your channel to get ideas for lighter gear, just to make my day hikes more enjoyable. Hope to slowly hike on the AZT this spring for a month, using it both as a saunter and a time for meditation. Peace.

[@drewwatts2803]

I learned a long time ago that we all share a goal of enjoying the outdoors. We all do it differently, and that's okay.

[@daphne8406]

I love going backpacking for a few days myself but I also love watching through hiking channels ☺️ I do not have the desire, time or stamina for through hiking and living rough for weeks and months on end, but I love seeing their wonderful big adventures even if I may not go on them myself. I am very happy with doing little adventures myself 🌲 Keep on going out in nature in whatever way gives you joy! ❤️

[@iamsemjaza]

I thought "through hikers" were just backpackers with more time to backpack more...

[@robopecha]

exactly! its the same thing, just longer. if i go traveling on a roadtrip i can also go for a weekend or for three months. same with backpacking. i don't see any connection to the person's personality or ego. any person could do either thing or both.

[@innov13]

You are correct. Some ppl over think things sometimes.

[@msiege5212]

You mean no responsibilities aka no kids

[@SuperdutyExplorer]

I was a truck camping day hiker for 4 years, the last 2 I've done backingpacking to do longer trails I couldn't dayhike before! Been a blast learning new skills and getting to way more remote spots

[@TheShayneMay]

Go Team Outdoors! Through hikers, backpackers, overlanders, campers, and even those good smelling day hikers!

[@grantmcmillan9209]

I’m getting older with a little arthritis. I backpack with thru hiking gear. Even if I go out for one night I want to carry as little weight as possible . Also thru hiking gear is less clutter to worry about.

[@wolfelau5602]

That was a big selling point for me. I hated having too much junk to pack up in the morning. It’s like adding chores to your hike. Less stuff = quicker pack-up and roll.

[@tarekith]

Ditto, it’s just so much enjoyable not having to carry or deal with stuff you really don’t need. And you can still be comfortable with the right gear. My overnighter weight is 17lbs with food, water, chair, camp sandals, separate coffee cup, etc.

[@NatureShy]

Same here but I’m young. I’d rather invest in good lightweight and ultralight gear, especially as some of it isn’t even more expensive (though some of course are, like dyneema). I’d rather carry less weight and thus be able to enjoy my trip more. I also do it so that I can carry both comforts/luxuries and my heavier camera gear. My camera gear weighs more than my big 3, and as for luxuries, I take an air pump and a chair, for example.

[@nielsmachielsen1596]

Same here. I am 39 but my body is worn out from heavy work. That is why I hike light weight

[@ryancooperthompson979]

Same, I have arthritis in my ankle and a plate and 10 screws in my heel bone and it’s because of ultralight gear I can still thru hike. I can barely walk across my floor in the morning with out shoes on but if I’m laying down miles my ankle seems to accept it and just work. For me Hiking keeps my mobility in check.

[@DPM-dp9on]

Darwin you always have such a great perspective. To me, it’s about self reliance and being out in the wilderness. Looking for resupply towns, trial families, trail angels, foolish trial names…etc is all very cultish to me. Like lemmings to the sea. When I lived in Alaska “duration” was about how much food you could carry. It’s about independence. To each his own, we all appreciate the great outdoors, but have our own way.

[@robopecha]

omg yes. this is why i wouldnt do something like the AT. all this weird nonsense. its a long vacation and should be treated as one.

[@4seasonsextreme193]

You are spot on, I don't understand what the argument is as long as you're out there Doing what it is you wanna do Life is too short not to enjoy the good things.

[@tobinsmith7065]

I'm a backpacker. At its core, I see them as the same thing. You're out there enjoying the wilderness. I started off on hunting, camping, and fishing trips with my dad and brothers. When I was 12, dad took me on a hunting trip where we hiked into camp. The group we we're with packed everything in on mule and horseback. I loved it and fell in love with hiking and backpacking. Dad had gotten me an old aluminum framed pack. Used it until I purchased an internal frame pack. Now I use a 30ltr or 60ltr pack. Depending on how much creature comforts I want.

[@MrJaimecoady]

Another enjoyable video. Thanks. I think of myself as a section hiker which includes both camps. A compromise, but one that allows finishing a trail while raising a family and keeping your job.

[@lennynichols6809]

I am a backpacker. I have been backpacking for 45+ years. I have thought about doing a thru hike, but decided I probably never will because of job, family and now that I am "retired, " my new music career. However with age, I discovered a few years ago that I could not continue carrying the weight I used to. I have learned a lot from you and from other thru hikers about lightweight backpacking gear and techniques. If not for what I have learned, and newer lighter equipment, I could no longer go on week-long backpacking trips into wilderness areas. Thanks!

[@jacobhignett4937]

I really really appreciate your content! After a life changing illness you are one of the people that helped me get back out there and improve my quality of life. We all like to/are capable of doing different things.

[@SummitSeeker546]

Nailed it! “It doesn’t matter!” Totally a personal preference with a level of outdoor enjoyment you seek. It’s all good!

[@jimsadventurejournal2399]

Some backpackers like to hike sunrise to sunset, often alone, with no need of chair or other accoutrements. Other backpackers like to hike a few miles, then sit in a chair, chill in camp a few hours and socialize with others.

[@AllelineNguyen]

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks that items like chairs and inflatable padding are luxury items. It's fine if people want to be more comfortable outdoors, but it's not necessary to enjoy the outdoors.

[@robynroamsoutdoors]

I'm definitely a backpacker with aspirations of through hiking. I want to start with the Collegiate Loop and then go from there. Now you're wondering what's stopping me. Mainly anxiety sucks.

[@JRoss707]

Hey, Darwin. I noticed this when I was hiking the John Muir trail a couple years back. Climbing out Yosemite Valley, Nevada Falls was a popular spot to stop for lunch and a break. I had a bite to eat with a couple from Iowa who were doing a weekend little Yosemite loop hike. Next to them were four other European JMT thru hikers. The weekend warrior couple were so pleasant, they of course, had a bunch of questions about the JMT and seemed eager to ask. The European group had this heir about them like they were Franz Klammer hiking an Everest expedition. They were quite rude and you can tell by their expressions and body language they had no interest in chatting with these “tourists.” I proceeded to chat with them for some time, we shared lunch together and I showed them my typical gear for a long distance hike and they seemed genuinely interested. I don’t understand this kind of mentality I’ve see so often on the trail with long distance hikers.

[@kennyhamilton2138]

The Europeans were probably just annoyed that you thought Franz Klammer climbed Everest 😄

[@kennyhamilton2138]

But would agree with your point - the nicest people I met during my hike on the AT were more often than not people out for the day who were genuinely interested in chatting, asking about gear and what it was like to be out on a thru hike 👍

[@erick6715]

I’m a little bit of both …. Keeping my pack lightweight for weekend and shorter hikes …. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE 🙏☕️🍺

[@ShortGuysBetaWorks]

I feel this way about backpacking and climbing; doing primarily a "climbing" related channel, there is sometimes an underappreciation for how much being able to live in camp and still get good enough nutrition, hydration, and rest to climb hard. And backpackers feel like there is nothing to learn from climbers, but climbers are constantly thinking about efficiency of movement and how to conserve energy at just about every moment of body movement.

[@jeffcmo1957]

6 categories 1. Camper camping 2. Tent campground camping 3. Primitive roadside/truck camping also know as over landing 4. Backpacking 1 night - 2 weeks 5. Thur Hiking 6. Mountaineering

[@mikehotshots7607]

What about bushcrafters?

[@innov13]

you missed a few

[@ropersix]

Rock climbing has to be in the mix somewhere (when it involves hiking in and camping overnight). Sometimes mountaineering involves that, sometimes it doesn't.

[@YTusercomment]

@@mikehotshots7607 - Cult - lol

[@Meskarune]

also bike touring / bike packing

[@jaybansal2377]

Just discovered your channel a couple minutes you posted this video! Great breakdown and looking forward to getting into hiking

[@DarwinOnthetrail]

Awesome! Welcome aboard! 🤙

[@jbradkilpatrick]

You nailed it when it comes to the gear. And speaking from experience, I don’t think a lot of beginners, watching KZbin videos, realize this because they’re watching mostly thru-hikers talk about gear. Really, they need to be watching backpackers talk about gear. But there is so much thru-hiking content and a beginner just sees it all as backpacking. While it’s nice to carry as little weight as possible, there is no need for a backpacker to get obsessive over weight the way a thru-hiker does.

[@steve_____K307]

"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt". -- John Muir.

[@ASchof2]

I personally feel thru hikers look down on backpackers. Some thru hikers look at a backpackers 20-30 mile weekend trip and think who cares I’ve done 2,000 miles your weekend trip is a joke. To each their own. Support each other on the trail and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how big or small they might be. I don’t feel there should be any “oneupsmanship” on the trail. Everyone has the same passion for the outdoors and we should be celebrating each others similarities and differences with a common interest for nature and hiking. Hike your own hike

[@briankramer3273]

That's right It's awesome that some people are blessed with a schedule or income that allows them to take months off at a time and go on through hikes I would like such a thing. But some of us have jobs that we have to be at 40 to 50 hours a week thus we can only do weekend trips and an occasional longer vacation trip.

[@wolfeadventures]

100% let’s end backpacker elitism!

[@ropersix]

Not in my experience meeting them on the trail. I often spend time on the PCT during my "backpacking" trips, and they're usually eager to stop and chat. As am I.

[@paulconnelly640]

And don't get started on many thru-hikers' views on day hikers!

[@ryancooperthompson979]

Im sure that’s true. Thru hikers wouldnt be thru hiking if we didn’t first see the value in backpacking. I think backpackers when faced with seeing someone do bigger miles, carry less, for longer durations, tend to internalize an inferiority about what they’re doing and make an assumption that the thru hiker will see them as less than. I still love backpacking and day hikes in between thru hikes. Before thru hiking I hated seeing the sight of another person on “My Trail” but post thru hiking my mind has shifted and now I love seeing others out there and what they’re doing isn’t a joke, it’s awesome they’re doing it and I just want to know where they’re going.

[@robp3431]

Nobody has more eye or eye brow movement...good fun

[@DarwinOnthetrail]

I try... 😂

[@gregoryoutdoors]

lol

[@domo3552]

Great, Darwin. Where do we draw the line between backpacking and thruhiking? They've all intertwined & are one and the same for me eg. backpacking as a past time led to multi-month through hikes that lead to a full-time lifestyle on the road. This stimulates other interests in life such as history, archeolgy etc. which also require time on the trail to explore. So maybe I'm a kind of full-time backpacker? Through hiking through life? Twelve years down, hopefully many more to go. The ultralight ethos I've found applicable to all aspects of life. Minimalism.

[@mikehotshots7607]

I'm a bushcrafter. We hike less, carry more weight, and prefer to spend more time at camp. Seems like the divide between backpacker and through-hiker is about the same as bushcrafter and backpacker.

[@uptrail7169]

Good topic! When I hiked 213 miles in 13 days on the Superior Hiking Trail I didn't want to stop. You get into a regular routine and want to do more. I loved it, but I only had 2 weeks off. The AT is definitely on my to do list.

[@TTrash_Pirate]

This has been my experience. If you're only on trail for a few days than you're just starting to get into the swing of things and fall into a groove and realize suddenly that you're finished already and its time to get back in the car and go home, and its a really sad moment.

[@somerandomguy706]

Put me in the camp of a backpacker who sees mild appeal to thru-hiking, but knows it's not for me.

[@FreddyEnergizer]

I never heart about thru hiking before I hiked the PCT for me it was a backpacking trip. ;)

[@anninwhack1998]

I like car camping, primitive camping, backpacking and kayak camping the best. I get good tips from all these variations of outdoors activities bc you never know when you need to pack small for a family in a small vehicle when UL gear can shine, or when you can be indulgent bc a cooler can come along a kayak trip. It’s mix and match time for the conditions and goals.

[@asmith7876]

Me: family, job, no possibility of 6 months on trail. Also me: weekend trips, loaded down like a Sherpa, hike to hidden spots deep in the woods, plenty of beer, booze, food.

[@toghikes]

Love the video. I am an old backpacker with hopes of becoming a thru hiker one day. Never give up! lol I want to thank you for all the great videos. You have helped me to choose the right gear and the right shoes. I cannot thank you enough for helping me make my backpacking trips so much more enjoyable. Oh, and pretty much injury free. Thanks again Darwin.

[@vanq86]

Great video. There's also a weird subset of us who have the fitness (or used to, in my case) and are attracted to the challenge of thru-hiking but simply don't have the time, so to crank up the difficulty on a backpacking trip we purposely overload ourselves and commit to distances that are stupid for the weight we're carrying. I think it's mostly military guys who fit this description, since rucking 10+ miles with 60+ pounds of kit probably won't feel normal if you weren't an infantryman. It's us same guys who end up overestimating our fitness after we've been out for a couple of years and end up sucking air a mile from the car. 🤣

[@dustinandsawyer7498]

There are more than two categories but that’s probably the best two to split at. I like both but also bushwhacking and staying off trail or making my own trail. That’s neither of the above two as the load may be heavier and goal is different than both. I’d throw it all under outdoor enthusiasts some that have more $ and time than others. 😁

[@mtadams2009]

For decades I was a backpacker and then I retired and now I am a thru hiker. Fortunately the gear has gotten insanely light, this has allowed me to not only continue backpacking but to hike bigger miles than when I was young. Having a UL system for me is not an option but a necessity. I have no desire to carry camp chairs or any other unnecessary crap. If I was out for a weekend I think that would be fine . Next up the Colorado Trail and I can’t wait. I mostly hike on the AT since it’s near my home in New England and for decades I ran into thru hikers and I will admit I was a bit envious. Wife, kids and mortgage etc. Now my kids are grown and my wife is cool with me taking off for a few months to life my dreams. One thing I will add I see lots of people thru hiking and many do not have super light gear but light and many people hike different styles. Not everyone is focused on big miles. I see some people hiking what I think of as low miles 10 or so but going at it for a very long time and making the trail their home. There are many ways to accomplish a thru hike. I tend to hike fairly fast, for me because I have a life at home that I would like to keep, if you know what I mean.

[@chemistryflavored]

As a backpacker I WISH I had the motivation to be a thru hiker. Seriously I admire them so much. But I have also met thru hikers on the PCT since I hike a lot in the Pacific NW and they seem to love that we are always willing to share our snacks. I think like most beefs, this is something that’s more prevalent online but in real life nobody is actually acting like this. Or at least when face to face.

[@jjfjeff]

Legit, no one cares on trail. But they are welcome to stumble in for extra food. Anyone is. Except people that abuse the wilderness, not respecting distance and contamination logic.

[@frankfowlkes7872]

Good analysis Darwin. I have never really thru-hiked, my longest hike was several weeks and that was over 20 years ago. Now I never hike over two to three days at a time but I have considered a thru-hike and like you said if I ever did low carry weight would be my first priority!

[@ifell3]

I'm with you, as long as you're out out, you're out. You do you and I'll do me aha

[@DarwinOnthetrail]

FO SHO!

[@VGProtagonist]

I appreciate your thoughtfulness on approaching some of these negative commenters. Frankly, I do believe many of them don't themselves go out much or are more interested in just throwing out their uninformed opinion despite likely never having gone out for these kinds of things themselves. Also, I know you got tons of ideas you are already working on- but I've love to see a video actually about backpacking food recommendations. I know you have done some similar suggestions in the past, but I'd love to see a massive variety video...touching down on the varieties of meal prep, the options people have, cold-prepping foods several hours in advance, cooked/hot food options- even shelf-stable options. I'd just like to see a video being more encompassing on the many food ideas available people might not be thinking of when it comes to their next trip- and what they can consider taking to fuel themselves, their journey, and possibly others on the trip they may need to aid or support when cooking/food problems arise (as I am sure many people who have been out on the trail can contest to- it certainly happens)!

[@amynapier3551]

Anyone who gets off the couch, turns off the TV, closes their laptop and goes outside to walk, hike, camp, backpack, section hike or thru hike needs to be applauded. We're all just trying to take a break from the fast-paced vortex and use that time to grieve, heal, recharge, relax and reset. Some thru hikers may look down on weekend backpackers, but weekend backpackers tend to share food they didn't use at the end of their trip. Weekend backpackers may wish that we had the luxury of the time and budget needed to thru hike but we're always cheering on the thru hikers because we know what they've had to sacrifice to make those dreams a reality. The world is wide enough, and we've got bigger worries around us. I'm on Team Outdoors!

[@j3hikes444]

completed the AT, now I do Long Ass Section Hikes (LASHer) and have not looked back. I typically use a mix of comfort and thru hike gear to keep total pack weight down to around 25lbs for a 100 mile section of the AZT or CT.

[@WilliamCheangSingapore]

Actually i would differ that Backpacking is a Lifestyle and Thru-Hiking is a sport. Backpacking is part of what i love to do, whenever i can. An activity i do taking a break from work. I can choose when to do it, how to do it and where to do it, or just stop if i am too busy in life with other things. Thru-Hiking is more like a sport, whereby if u are committed to it, there is more demand on your body, mindset, gears and targets. Simply put it as Darwin said, it’s all what u want to do. Eg you are still considered a gamer regardless u play it every weekend or u do it professionally. So, both backpackers and Thru-Hikers are all just great outdoor-men who love to go out into Nature doing what we want and how to it do.

[@tonybabcock655]

I was crushing the Centennial Trail in SD in rough weather this summer. I was leap frogging a PCT alumnus. Got the compliment of “Are you a thru hiker.” Unfortunately I set up my tent on a hornets nest and had to bail with 1.5?days left because my schedule wouldn’t allow me to finish after that--hence I’m a backpacker.

[@YTusercomment]

Excellent discussion and comparison. It's all good as long as you're getting out there and enjoying and respecting the natural world.

[@onwithnature]

I call myself a long distance backpacker. I do this because I like to carry some comfortable equipment ( all of which is light) example zenbivy bed system. So im not extremely cutting but my base is around 19 to 20 depending on environmental factors. No backpacking trip for me is shorter than a hundred miles. I have done loops this way. I'm also known to make my own trails out of other trails to get that 100 miles. A thru hike for me is any trail or combination of trails that exceeds 300 miles and doesn't loop back on it's self .

[@vickhines6302]

One way to think about backpacking vs thruhiking is that a thruhiker must learn to live WITH the trail whereas the backpacker lives through the trail. It don’t matter if it rains or freezes, you can put up with it for a day or two or you can bail out and try again some other time. The thrukiker lives with whatever the trail throws at him.

[@wanderingmycophile]

Darwin, Thank you so much for this topic. I completely understand your 5K vs. ultra marathon analogy. I was a marathoner in the past. I love endurance sports. However I have a hip issue that long strides leads to pain. Backpacking was the solution. I could enjoy nature and still hike for many hours with short strides. I am planning on attempting my first thru-hike of the AT in 2025. I grew up in NJ and always wanted to hike the trail. After 26 years in the corporate world and a recent lay-off I am looking forward to this adventure as a flip flop thru hiker starting in WV in February and hiking south then flipping to Maine and finishing back in WV. As you question - are you a backpacker that is thinking of becoming a thru-hiker - yes! I have been researching for 3 years and I finally have a gap to make this happen. Thanks for the topic. Very relevant.

[@Jasonnnnnnnnnnn-z8m]

When I got into backpacking it was always with a thru hike in mind. Always trying to make the kit lighter and more versatile. 20 pounds 15 pounds probably stop there. I feel like the weekend trips are just a starting point. Planning on fishing all summer actually

[@kookkamajunga]

Started backpacking for years, thru hiked for a couple years, now back to backpacking. A thru is a lot to commit to mentally. Your head is just in a different space. I prefer to dip into it with backpacking trips on the longer side and then come back to reality. To commit your mind to that space full time with a thru hike is a lot.

[@vecremser2226]

I'm a backpacker and I can't stand the thought of doing day hikes. I like camping.

[@UserManson]

Didn’t know there’s a difference or a rivalry between the two, thru hiking just feels like the extended version of the one and it certainly is for me. Bushcrafting and hiking on the other hand do feel like mortal enemies.

[@shawnbuscholl3546]

I've done both albeit it more 3-7 day backpacking trips and the great divide in Canada twice. Backpacking is easier too plan out in alot of ways (especially weather lol). Biggest difference I've found was social settings. Backpacking is alot of being with the same core of people going sameish pace. Where as 6 weeks every day is new faces or days you don't see another human at all. I enjoy both alot even solo trips.

[@grombat1]

So in Australia back packing tends to a holiday in Europe or asia you will go from hotel to hotel it's different to using a suit case and you may do a lot of walking but it's not hiking. Hiking is out on the trail carrying a tent etc so what you are describing is hiking just different lengths. I get what you are saying but for me backpacking is an extended cheap holiday in Europe riding trains and staying at youth hostel. 😂 So if an Australian says I am backpacking they are just on an extended holiday and carrying their luggage on their back. It's all hiking to me

[@Dreoilin]

Then theres bushcrafters vs hikers. Why don't people realize we can do all of them. Its just about enjoying the outdoors in different ways. Like rock climbing vs mountaineering.

[@Colby168]

Weekend warrior here! I backpack to get out in nature, eat good food and relax. Some people like a challenge and that’s not me most of the time. If the juice is worth the squeeze then yes, let’s do it. I’m also not a peak bagger. I have very little interest in that. I’ve also never timed myself on one of my local hikes to see how fast I can do it. I purely am doing it for the joy of getting out there and sleeping in a tent. I love it. The part where I move my feet is a necessity to see cool things and get to the campsite. I did rim to river earlier this year and it was about 17 miles. It was hard to enjoy it because I just had to keep moving my feet.

[@Ramme86]

im a kayaker who likes camping and starting to backpack a little bit. but as u say, we all should just come along and stop hating on eachother, we all love beeing in the outdoors

[@rkatrails]

I'm a car camper and backpacker. I have always viewed my backpacking adventures as simply recreation in beautiful places.

[@dcaudwell]

Right now I'm neither...I'm sitting on the couch watching you! (; But yes, when I'm out backpacking I'm a backpacker...and when I'm thru-hiking I'm a thru-hiker!

[@BlacksheepMediaNZ]

Why would one dislike the other? I’m a hiker for sure, but have taken on a bit of gear that is designed for the through hiker market. Great that there is also a market for the cross over, ultra lite, that has a few more features.

[@jkjk354]

It's weird when outdoors people judge others for being....outdoors.... like, do what makes you happy. Neither is superior and both get us all outside and enjoying nature. That's the main goal.

[@peregrination3643]

I had to start watching YT for outdoor topics before I learned about the subcultures that probably most of us don't draw a separation on when we do whatever we do outside...the only separations I've felt have been with motorized vehicle recreation as a tent camper and (not so much these days) cyclists that don't have courtesy for trail pedestrians. Backpacking is just spending a night on a trail. Thru-hiking just contrasted from section hiking---if you camped overnight it was backpacking. But then again, I haven't been much exposed to the AT/PCT/CDT type thru-hikers, who probably would feel a distinct separation from any other type of hiker.

[@Liameliya7]

Thank you for another great video

[@DarwinOnthetrail]

Thanks for watching!

[@dangerpudge1922]

I'm certainly a backpacker, and lean toward UL so I can do longer, more challenging hikes when I want, with an aspiration to do section hiking. Thru-hiking just isn't in the cards for me for a host of reasons, despite loving the idea of doing so. I've never hated on thru-hikers. I don't think everything thru-hikers do makes sense for backpackers and vice versa (obviously) but they both have developments that seem to be reaching an intersection.

[@karlaalatorre]

I didn’t know which category I was in until now. But as long as I’m walking and carrying a backpack, enjoying the beauty of nature and the “torture” that going to the mountains brings, I’m ok with being a backpacker or a thru hiker. 😊

[@75RWM]

Hi, did your recent hiking and rafting in Grand Canyon video get yanked? Have been unable to find it again.

[@gregoryoutdoors]

I do both as im a dad and dont have always that much time but I say 'Go Team Thru-Hikers' haha😅 Its just way more fun, way more challenging and its a great reset for mind and body to be away from society for a week or 2 or more whenever possible😂 atb from Scotland!

[@mikerice1599]

Great video! I've been a backpacker for 12 years with 2 weeks being my max on trail. But I'm planning a 400 mile section hike of the NCT in 2025. It's the same and different 😀

[@shawnr6117]

I think part of the problem is social media and all the people that get on there with a "my way is the only way" kind of attitude . Not everyone wants to sleep on an 1/8" piece of foam or spend $1000 or more on a tent (ul or heavy duty)

[@Karen-dq8nw]

Most of the social media critics probably never get out of the chair at all. I don't think there's really much animosity between those doing long miles and those going a short distance, although they might not want to hike together. It's important to choose companions with similar goals! As a serious posy-sniffer (a category you didn't cover in this video) who backpacks and also through hikes now and then, it's not always easy to have a pace and style that matches others. Even when people claim to have a certain style, when they actually get out there, it may be very different. I've decided to always be completely self sufficient, so that if we need to split up, it's ok. Otherwise, I'm hiking my own hike.

[@whativelearnedsofar7181]

There is an ongoing SNOBBERY in hiking. Thru-Hikers look down on "Section-Hikers". Section-Hikers look down on 'Weekend Backpackers'. 'Weekend Backpackers look down on "Day-Hikers". Day-Hikers look down on coach potatoes.

[@orion_13]

All the hobbies I'm into seem to have this same us vs them sub categories. Guns, 1911 vs striker fired. RC, electric vs fueled or quadcopters vs normal airplane models.. or fun fly type airplanes vs realistic replica flyers. Computer game players vs console. Astronomy you have the camera guys vs people that visually observe. Classic cars.. restore to factory vs restore with new technology.

[@timmo971]

Backpacking is a bong hit while Thruhiking is a habit. ThruhikingYouTubing is being in the cartel.

[@theoutdoordogandhikinggirl]

Well, I am both but if I stick mainly to your oppinion I (and many Europeans with me) can never be called thru-hikers). The long distance trails here are usually not much longer than 100 -500 kilometers (a few exceptions) so they will not take much longer than one to two weeks to complete. Being out on the trails for months is not very simple here. But that doesn't mean that we do not care about our gear weight (I am on a baseweight of 5.3kg) for example. It's just that the part of the world that we live in doesn't offer that many long trails like the AT or PCT. Does that make us less thru-hikers and are we only backpackers....I don't think so, sometimes you just have to deal with what you have.

[@tiger2too18]

Thru-packer or back hiker or somewhere in between. Travel as light as possible, but don’t skimp on things that may save your life - tent, sleep system, rain jacket, shoes and safety messaging service.

[@Littletass]

I always though of "backpacking" as the activity of travelling around the world living out of a rucksack/backpack - not the activity of hiking :D

[@JasonHikes1]

I❤Hiking

[@jpwilbur9]

I like that bikepackers are just bikepackers. Sometimes, there's a shuttle, but no need to discriminate. Just ride bikes! :-P

[@GBG585]

No way! A giveaway that's been going on for months!? Awesome

[@nielsmachielsen1596]

Really good video. I like the beginning😊

[@rickgault5349]

I like both

[@sp00nfed]

What would a person that doesn't stop hiking be called? Backpackers go home after a few days or weeks even. Thru-hikers go home after months on trail. What about the person that never goes home or if they do it's after years on trail?

[@sebastiaan1064]

Homeless

[@DarwinOnthetrail]

Vagabond???

[@wolfeadventures]

Blessed.

[@sp00nfed]

@@sebastiaan1064 Houseless maybe but homeless? Nah.

[@sp00nfed]

@@wolfeadventures Definitely. :D

[@alexwbanks70]

What about us section hikers. ;-)

[@Reskamo314]

Don't know why we have to pick sides and have this debate when everyone can just enjoy themselves and be part of one big beautiful community

[@briankramer3273]

I think through hiking would be awesome who knows maybe someday when I retire but right now I have to stick with backpacking cuz I work 50 hours a week and I'm not blessed with the schedule that would allow for taking off months at a time.

[@ruggedendeavours756]

I’m a backpacker myself and I come from a backcountry canoe trip background. Something that I often feel is rarely ever talked about when it comes to the duration is the amount of time spent out without a resupply. Most thru hikers I’ve talked to only go a few days before going into town for a resupply. Whereas I’ve down numerous 10 day-2 week long trips with no resupply. Coming from a backcountry canoe background, it wasn’t uncommon for us to go into the backcountry for a month straight with no resupply. I think this is a big comparison because it requires two very different methods of hiking. I’ve never thru hiked myself so maybe I am misinformed. To any thru hikers on here, what is the average amount of time you spend in the backcountry between returning to town for your resupply?

[@StamfordBridge]

Wait, so I was trying to keep score during this video, but I lost track. So which one were you saying is better?

[@DissiDan]

Day hikers predictably aren't in this debate. Nobody defends you.

[@Jotipalo]

Count me in that category (dedicated day hiker 2 - 6 hours a day, six days a week). As a DH we don’t need defending, most assume we are training for a backpacking trip, a thru-hike, or just trying to get in shape. I love the solitude and use it as meditation. ❤️

[@sagehiker]

The difference between the AT mindset and Western US wilderness hikers is just as extreme. I agree that thru hiking is closer to a very long athletic event. I am a backpacker who loves to shamelessly steal the best of thru hiking techniques or swag.

[@DanielBelliveau-y5x]

It's sort of like every Muppet is a puppet , but not every puppet is a Muppet ! ! !

[@jakecolvin3167]

Seems like KZbin, backpackers and any backpackers look up to through hikers like it's the holy Grail. A guy can through hike 1200 mi in 3 months so it's 1200 mi 90 something days. I've been backpacking more miles and more days over the last decade... And yes I went home and fed my dogs in between..... We do the same thing. I don't think one is above the other.

[@baothiletran-ef8zn]

thank you

[@BM-cj7hr]

Most thru hikers i have met are minimalist, dont care much of possessions. No mortgage, beat up vehicle, living place to place, barely holding a steady job. Nothing wrong with that. You do you boo.

[@shopayne]

Double darwin so dope. Wanna ask, i am very interested in purchasing a space ranger. Can u make a vid on how u would effectively pack it . Not bike packing or raft packing. Just a minimal packing style. Awesome. Thanks. The ranger packing vid would be cool too. Pls upvote! Thanks darwin!

[@Pasequale100]

What would be a hybrid of both?

[@Fenrir.Gleipnir]

If your on a through hike you buy all the food you will need and pack it into boxes of 7 days and you ask a family member to send one every 5 days so you get it on the 7th day or how the post service work in the coyntry you hike in. Iits super easy to eat good and if a package is late take a day off and if you need to complement the stuff thats sent to you its very easy to do. Planning is key to success. And a nice person at home.

[@kohort1]

I'm honestly surprised this exists. I just assumed most who are into hiking are into "doing you" and how far.

[@ryancooperthompson979]

I think the comments about thru hikers being the vegans of hiking and the only difference being the ego sums up the sentiment backpackers have towards thru hikers. The “ don’t worry they’ll tell you” joke about being vegan implies they have this sort of soapboxing personality. But in my experience most only tell people when it’s the easiest solution to explain why they’re passing on the food they’re being offered. But people don’t like hearing about veganism because it’s a disrupter, if veganism is ethical then what they’re doing must be unethical and now they need rationalize to themselves why they will continue eating what they’re eating while just trying to enjoy thanksgiving. So they go on the defensive just at the sight of tofu. No one is saying backpacking is less than thu-hiking, but being faced with seeing people lay down miles, spend months, carry nothing, they become aware of themselves and feel a sort of inferiority about what they’re doing and it’s seems to them as an attack on their enjoyment and they need to lash out either at the miles, the food, or against ultralight gear to justify to themselves why they are doing it their way. But their way is good in different ways. With the ego, everytime I was out backpacking and crossed a thru-hiker on trail it was like they couldn’t be bothered to chat with me. It seemed like they had this arrogance and it made me unsure if I wanted to thru hike. But then I did my first thru and found that community was the most welcoming and supportive group of people I’ve ever come across and it was actually probably that they were just too tired or trying to get miles in to have a conversation on trail with me before. Also regarding vegan/thru hikers. Yeah we love to talk about it. We’re looking for connection off trail. We want to share stories and gear tips. The routes are defined and there’s no reason to hide them so we talk openly about it. When I was just backpacking, I didn’t want to see other people on trail, I didn’t want to share where that lake was, I wanted the solitude and I did want inexperienced hikers damaging the environment. But on a thru, I found new people are welcomed with open arms and it’s a great place for inexperienced hikers to learn skills from others. A thru hiker’s ego is left at the starting terminus for the duration of the hike, knowing you could fail at any mile.

[@jaybansal2377]

Do you have any advice for the visually challenged i.e. eyeglass wearing hikers? Do you carry a spare? Do you have to constantly wipe them down? Is it an absolute pain all the time?