BEST Way To Train For Backpacking!

[@perryweatherford2868]

this video changed so much for me! It made sense immediately. Even retired, I can't hike 15-20 miles a day or bike 80 to stay in shape for touring. Started trail running shortly after watching this video a couple months back. At first I couldn't make a 1/4 mile without walking. Now I'm hitting 5-6 miles daily. I've dropped from 240 plus to 215. I haven't run this consistently since high school, and at 62 I'm in the best shape I've been in 40 years! Thanks so much for this training tip the video. An added bonus, is all the new trails I've discovered in our area - it's just been peaceful.

[@JeffPelletier]

Thanks for the shout-out! This is a great example of 'stimulation' vs 'simulation' in your training. Trail running is a much better way to stimulate improvements in fitness, as opposed to trying to simply simulate the level of effort you'll be doing in your hiking.

[@joernkueppers7229]

I have suffered a severe ankle injury, when I got run over by a car while I was riding my bike. Running is a bit too intense for me, but I can still hike on steep terrain. I would love to run, because I have always enjoyed running. Now, I have had the great idea to restart inline skating, which has proven to be a brilliant way to train. Since I am a quite good at skiing and live in a hilly region, it is possible for me to mimic nordic skiing with inline skates. The constant change between uphill and downhill skating is good both for endurance and core strength. I regularly skate for one to three hours, and it has helped me a lot. It is a serious weight-bearing activity but still easy on your joints.

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

I watched this because I respect you. I am so happy that you have a young following. With that said what I should do when I walk is strap a 20# pack on my back. Thanks again Tayson

[@wazoologist]

Hahaha. ''I'm 30 years old'', you said it like it's old. I was fit and outdoorsy until 50, now 5 years on I'm in pain, stiff and sore every day no matter what I do. It was like someone flicked the expiry date switch on overnight. Still backpack lightly and watch you young 30 year guys doing stuff. Enjoy, because you don't know the expiry date you have.

[@mikeaustin3485]

So true. I am 68, and still backpack, bikepack and work out every day. I gave up running; I always found it boring anyway. Perhaps I will take it up again in the manner Tayson recommends.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for sharing!

[@lanecountybigfooters5716]

Absolutely right. I've only been hiking for a couple of years. I'd like to do a lot more and I'm in my early 50's. Walk every day. No way can I trail run. Just get out there and go at your own speed and have fun.

[@jschwartzlow]

Yup! Started strength training and trail running in my mid 50s. Stronger month by month, but sore unless I get plenty of recovery time.

[@Aestheticnerdlife]

I like to golf with a walking bag to build up for backpacking season, if you can lug around 30 pounds of clubs and water flopping on your back its amazing how much better a fitted pack feels.

[@Nepomukje]

I'm over 60 with knees to be careful with. What works best for me is speedmarching as you described: 100 paces light jogging then 100 fast walking and repeating the process. But the jogging only on flat or ascending ground. Going down is too strenuous and risky on knees and for some ankles, so there I walk. Amazing how fast you progress this way. Thanks to the South African Boers who invented this "speedmars"

[@carlosnyc13hiker]

During the quarantine I had a lot of time on my hands so one day I decided to start jogging. I live in Brooklyn NY & I really didn’t like jogging. But what I did like was getting outside for myself instead of going outside to get to work or run errands. I started to power walk early in the morning. I power walked for 2 miles 4 days a week & also started to lift weights. I was also 275 lbs now I’m at 200lbs. I was 53 years old at the time. With in 3 months I lost 25 lbs. I also changed the way I eat. I skip breakfast. Have a snack around 1pm (protein) & then have a very healthy & nutritional lunch around 3 pm. I fell freakin great. Even my thinking process changed. Then a friend turned me on to hiking. Next thing I know I’m hiking 3500 ft peaks in the Catskills of NYS. I have climbed 15 of them so far plus other day hikes in the Hudson valley. I love hiking. Now I need to do some backpacking.

[@LEM19284]

Wow! Your tip is what I already do. I started as a runner and I can’t help myself on the flats and anywhere I can with the right amount of exertion 😅(down hills) of course as well. I love this tip. Hiked 17 miles yesterday and I trail ran (I wear quality trail runners)

[@jasontesar7325]

I’m actually surprised that you put in the work for this type of video please know I am appreciative and I plan to take this up

[@jrad326]

I want to go! 😭 I recently ran in the night in the desert with my Shadowlight due to a severe storm. It actually handled itself really well! So maybe I should look into some trail running. 😄 But for real, thank you for sharing your journey and giving us tips. I appreciate that greatly! 😃

[@scottburkhart6953]

Sounds good. You live in and have access to higher elevations than a lot of us. At 900 ft above sea level, I have no way of training for 10000+ feet. Running is the best thing there is for me so that I can build wind and lung capacity. You touched on kettlebells. I use them. At 67, they keep my core strong. That means the muscles in my back, hips, knees and ankles are strong and solid. That allows me to run without pain afterward. It is also key on the trail for having the strength I need to push through the fatigue.

[@billseay6399]

Hey Thanks Loving it big guy

[@robertfarrell3735]

i would say do rucking with weighted pack 2 or 3 times a week with cross training the other days-strength traing

[@kimmyholman990]

Tayson, I love this video. I'm training for a 4 day trip to Washington and I am going to integrate some trail running now!! What trail do you run on that gives you that elevation gain and mileage? Is it near Cedar City?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

There are a lot of great trails up cedar canyon and near brian head.

[@14Sparkie]

I have a knee that gave me a lot of trouble preparing for a 4 night 5 day hike into the Wallowa's. After some PT, I did that hike and I have always hated going down hill as that is what causes my pain with in 5 min of going down. I would try side stepping down and at times would go backwards. Not this last hike. I now do what I call my Horsey Prance down. Only problem now is I get ahead of everyone and have to wait for them. But that is ok...gives me more time to take in a view take a few pics. My Horsey Prance...essentially is high knees which basically sets me into a jog. No Knee pain. I also take Arnica tablets which helps with the recovery of the over worked muscles. And...I am over 50 by several yrs and have never hiked much or did any sports to condition. I don't Horsey Prance up hill, but maybe I will work on that.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for sharing!

[@icedtorres]

I'm lucky enough to have the culver city stairs 3 miles from me. I go at least once a week to keep my legs in "hiking shape" but if I'm going on a trip I go 5 days a week and it does the job!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Sounds like great training!

[@outdoorsfan4179]

Rucking carefully, not running, with a comfortable weight, in a comfortable fitting backpack, and always using a comfortable hip belt to take most of the weight off the back and shoulders, is the probably the safest long-term solution to year-round training for most people, from what I have researched. Trail running is not for everyone, and with a small light pack like you said you use at ten pounds or under, that pack should still have a good hip belt also, no matter what weight you use in the pack. Tayson, maybe you could design a small pack that does have a good solid hip belt, and I am sure a lot of day hikers too would appreciate the design improvement over most small day packs out there that do not have a good hip belt. Glad you are getting in shape, but consider a good hip belt incorporated designed small day pack you could develop and offer for sale on your website. Good luck, stay safe, and thanks for sharing this video, although I prefer safer rucking with a hip belt as a form of exercise, and I enjoy it a lot.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for sharing! Great advice!

[@PaulKentSkates]

I think most people don't have the hip control, flexibility, core strength and lower leg strength for running. Some degree of training will help. Stuff like KOT training, with a emphasis on glute strength and anterior tibialis endurance, then add trail running to overbuilt yourself for hiking/backpacking.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for the tips!

[@RJzk2yg]

Zone 2/3 training increases endurance, trail running is probably zone 4/5 trains speed and power

[@GratefulTrekker]

I do fast pack but still hate running I was a professional athlete for 9 years it kills my surgical reconstructive knees and back but can see if this helps ppl that haven't had my injuries good on ya try it

[@TaysonWhittaker]

As someone that struggles with knee injuries I understand this!

[@MikeBius]

I see the trail running will build muscle and cardio, but if I'm running two or three miles, how does that give me legs that will last 15 miles???

[@kellydavis4330]

Highly interested in the 1 person top secret trek pole tent! 🌳 ⛺ ⛰

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Stay posted.

[@stuartb9194]

I'm a runner, but feel biking maybe better for hiking, helps the climbing thighs. Mixing both is better

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Great tip!

[@johnrodgers2018]

Hate running, won't run, even when I was running 5 to 10k most days I hated it, but if it works for you go for it. I train by walking 4miles an hour for several hours, aiming for 50 miles in one day, but hey what ever works for you

[@johnc2242]

Does Tayson’s new hobby/workout mean we’re going to see an OV trail running pack or vest/pack??? 👀

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Guess you'll have to wait and find out!

[@theologyofthebodyshorts4965]

Training for Philmont staff fingers crossed

[@SammyMaeQ]

I found this video looking for info about the 100 challenge you have going this year. The buy page has no info about what it actually is.

[@tanyand]

... I'm seeing a vest style fast pack in the outdoor vitals line up in the future. My wants in a fast pack that the one you have on doesn't have (I'm currently using the same one)... front vest pockets that fit my phone and my front load water pouches. The other side should fit the Inreach. Front vest should be long enough to cinch under the boobs so it doesn't ride up and suffocate a female wearer. Those are are a few of the things I would consider when designing a fast packing vest. Feel free to contact me for more ideas. 😉.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@TH-sp5xw]

I used to train by just doing 5-6 miles hikes with a 20lb pack. But I started road running and could only do a mile. I am now up to 4 mile runs. Recently I started doing some trail running. I can say without a doubt that trail running is harder than road running. I can definitely see it helping me. Since I started running I can see a big difference in my ability to handle elevation gains.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for sharing!

[@gentrytc]

Are you going to work on some specific fast packing gear?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

IT could be coming! (;

[@ironpig701]

Rucking, Try it. Yep toss on a weighted pack and go for a hike in your neighborhood. If thats not enough then wear it all day. Dont see running helping me hiking.

[@joebaxter6711]

Rocking is super efficient, it's what we do in the military for good reason. It works.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Great tips!

[@bihlygoat]

Interesting that after knee surgery, my PT also recommended increasing my weekly mileage by 10-15%. Seems to be a good rate. Of course, I think I NEEDED knee surgery because of running 👎🏼

[@TaysonWhittaker]

As a person that struggles with knee pain I understand this! Thanks for sharing!

[@HerbWarren]

Can't run, or don't want to? Row. Get a rowing machine, and dig in. Strength and cardio in one. As a previous commenter noted, those of us over 50 have put the idea of "fastpacking" as a thing for people half our age.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Great tip!

[@stephtraveler7378]

Good vid but you ARE 30 and your young body is resilient to the harsh realities of pounding under a run (especially down hill). Mtb riding has almost zero overuse injuries and provides the same strength benefit to your legs and core. Not talking about crazy, get big air riding. Just finding climbs and powering up the climbs seated or standing will get your cardo and legs in shape without the risk or increase in overuse and pounding injuries.

[@robertfarrell3735]

its not a bad thing to train EVERY muscle in your body just as a lifestyle

[@zerocool3742]

Be careful my friend. I was in a similar place a few years ago. Adrenaline is a drug. Addictive and driving. Easy to go past what our bodies agree with.

[@svticklemefinn1176]

O line shuffle.

[@ThomasAnderson-sd6yt]

Nice Beard bun 🤣

[@Rollingouttj]

Burpees burpees burpees. If you don’t have trails do those everyday.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Great tip!