BIGGEST Hydration Mistakes Backpackers Make!

We see so many backpackers making these mistakes over and over! Learn what not to do, as well as some tips for how to properly hydrate even in extreme conditions!
Hydration while backpacking is a BIG DEAL! Hydration is really a big deal during any activity, but especially on the trail. It's crazy how many people are making some of these mistakes!
Find out how to avoid the biggest hydration mistakes backpackers make by watching this video.
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[@christopherhaak9824]

If you are doing a longer all day sort of hike, then it helps to meter your water X amount every 15 minutes or something like that. The amount will vary based on temp and exertion level, but if you can keep ingesting regularly, then you know you are always getting water and the amount. One thing nice about using bottles vs a hydration pack, is that you can visually see exactly how much water you are drinking, you can't see that with a hydration bladder until it is time to refill and it might be too late then.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Great tips and feedback!

[@justrusty]

I was sick while hiking in the Grand Canyon; it turned out to be related to withdrawing from some prescription medication I was on at the time but forgot to bring with me, and was exacerbated by being in a desert. My son came up with a system to ensure I stayed hydrated and it helped me get through the withdrawal so that after day 6 I was much better. It was simply this: he walked behind me and at regular intervals he'd remind me to take a sip of water (and made sure I did) That way I didn't flood my system with too much water and I didn't get dehydrated.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Sounds like a difficult scenario. Glad you finished the trip ok!

[@SpaceTravel1776]

On the PCT this year, I tried everything and the thing that worked was what he said not to do, which was, drink a ton of water all at once, walk a really long distance, drink a ton of water, walk a really long distance. I listened to my body and this was what it asked me to do over time, and it worked great. Sipping water led to over hydration. My biggest tip is to breathe through your nose when it’s hot out so a dry mouth doesn’t fool you into drinking too much, and let your unconscious tell you when you really need water, not your thinking brain.

[@StevenSeagravesJr]

I think different situations call for nuance in different people. I've hiked with people who can do that with no issues, but I have to hydrate often when lugging a 60lb pack through the Alabama jungles in 93% humidity and 90+°. Whereas I would need to hydrate less often on that same hike 4 mos later in 65° weather and low humidity. All that said, I'm sure that you definitely learn what's best for you on a through-hike like the PCT, no doubt. 👍

[@tiburonimbus]

I think the military did a study on canteen chugging versus hydration-bladder sipping. They found that people who chugged were more hydrated. Don't quote me on this, but I remember reading something like this a while back. YMMV. I personally chug. I take sips if my mouth is dry, like if I'm breathing heavy going straight uphill, to keep my mouth wet.

[@mikewubben2844]

I combine the two methods. I drink in bulk right before starting and then sip from my hydration bladder every 15-20 minutes and then stop every 2-3 hours, depending on conditions, and bulk drink out of my Nalgenes.

[@carrjeep7538]

I camel up too. Mostly so I don’t have to carry water. Thru hike PCT 2018, CT 2019.

[@SpaceTravel1776]

@@carrjeep7538 The body can only absorb so much water at a time, the rest is passed through the body without absorption . So while “cameling up” might not do quite what you think (storing water in your stomach for future use like a camel), I do think there’s not much harm in making sure you consume enough water when it’s available then to simply rely on a dry mouth to tell you when to drink.

[@billybastar4022]

Two words...coconut water!!! Ounce for ounce the most efficient hydration source. The big ups is you don’t have to carry a gallon and half for your day hikes...also pre-hydration is a key. If you start hydrated properly, you are merely replacing spent liquid, if you start dehydrated (see 90% of humans) you will have a very hard time catching up. Living in Illinois, and hiking a lot in Colorado and higher elevations, I learned quickly to hydrate before and stay hydrated, especially at higher elevations. Most importantly, get out there and hike!!! It’s a blast.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for sharing. Great tips!

[@StevenSeagravesJr]

As a 220lb middle-aged heavy-sweating avid hiker, this video speaks to me. I'm always drinking 3x everyone else on the trail. Instead of the Ignite bars, though, I load up on AAKG, as it's very efficient.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad you enjoyed it! Keep up the good work out on the trail!

[@PirateAndBum]

I haven’t looked at the ingredients list for the products you recommend, but I do suggest people read the ingredients. I find many electrolyte supplements, especially the flavored ones, to be loaded with sugar. I’m a fan of Trace Minerals No! Muscle Cramps.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Its definitely always important to read the ingredients!

[@glennlaporte4545]

The ingredients in those products he recommends, at least that brand, has a lot of junk in them.

[@mobilewintercamp7515]

I didn’t know about constant sips as opposed to chugging big portions, thanks 😊

[@titanpreparedness]

Good advice. I yse to chug water then barely drink anything thru the hike. Ive learned since then. Liquid iv, drio drop and hydrant are also good

[@prepared2thrive101]

Good tips. Cheers from the last frontier of Alaska 🥾🏔⛰🗻⛺️

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching!

[@kennethstarr5545]

I use Liquid IV. Best product for hydration, other than water, I carry on the trail. I have a water bladder but for the Liquid IV I bring a Smart Water bottle and crush it down.

[@EventyrsorenDenmark]

Great video and Beautiful nature. Enjoyed this video very Much 🤗😄😊

[@chrischesley4063]

I have enjoyed your video. It is not very often that the owner of a company will promote an item that they sell and then offer a less costly item for those like me that are very budget restricted. Camping and hiking has become OMG expensive but OV has kept things as reasonable as possible and offers great deals. Thank you for being a company in todays world with morals and consideration for you clients.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching and for your support!

[@ropersix]

I used to do the chugging method, but I'd never chug enough, as it gets to be a little annoying having to drink so much water all at once. And then it sloshes around in your stomach when you get going again. So now I have a 500ML bottle on my pack strap, and it works out great.

[@cwgibbs55]

sound advice.... (I've had to modify since I can't do caffeine)...

[@joeso8114]

I disagree that getting dehydrated on the trail is the quickest way to end it or make it unpleasant. I think getting a serious injury is. But that said, all good advise, and certainly easily preventable as long as you have enough water with you or good water source. Thanks for the advice.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching! Injuries are also a very quick way to end a trip!

[@lebowski5192]

Check out Liquid IV for flavored electrolyte boost. Costco carries them too. I also use NOXplode - a preworkout nitric oxide formula - coupled with NoSalt - a potassium salt substitute for sodium salt. The nitric oxide boost is REAL. The potassium salt load is more important than the sodium. Sodium salt is in everything and you need a lot more potassium. I also take a magnesium supplement before bed. It relaxes you and stops cramping.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Great feedback!

[@MrButterpantz]

Gotta front load hydration going into long hot daytrips. Prepping the day before really helps.

[@deansacramone2515]

What do you mean front load? I assume you mean just drink a bunch of water prior etc... What is your pattern?

[@MrButterpantz]

@@deansacramone2515 You are spot on. 36 hours out I begin by carrying a 32oz hydroflask wherever I go filled to the brim with water. In a day I'll get through it usually 3 times (might need to pound it twards the end)...this is on top of my normal daily food/drink intake. Simple as that...you go into your trek fully hydrated in the black. Good advice before you donate blood too. On trail if it's hot for me a good rule of thumb is 1L per hour. If it's cold, I can do way less without deleterious effects.

[@johnnyonthetrail629]

This is my biggest problem, had a heat stroke back in Kuwait in 06 with a 109 core temp, which almost killed me. It seems no matter how much I drink I always stay dehydrated. These packs seem like a good fix to help me out.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Remember that these packs need to be combined with enough water as well! If you aren't drinking enough water, these packs won't be enough. But they can do wonders for you when you use both!

[@johnnyonthetrail629]

Outdoor Vitals see I drink a ton of water due to this issue, but never seems like enough..... I always wake with the headaches and feeling like utter crud. I’ve looked through a lot of your sites stuff, I’m impressed I must say:)

[@ModernGentleman]

Thanks for this! I dont get the headaches but I do get leg cramps 😫 The minerals have worked for that big time 👍

[@bigmac3006]

Great vid!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching!

[@hootonthetrail3894]

Make your own electrolytes. Absolutely the best way, period! All you need is potassium chloride (which you can purchase a 2.2 bag for $18, on Amazon, that'll last you forever) Pink Himalayan salt. Or in my case. I prefer Red Hawaiian Salt as it has more mineral content than Pink Himalayan. Google it! Then, some baking soda. You can use Armor Hammer, but I prefer something like Red Mills. Now, for a liter of water: 1/2 teaspoon of Potassium Chloride 1/4 teaspoon of the salt 1/2 teaspoon of the baking soda. Add it you're water, and shake it up. I also like to pre-measure some and store in little ziplock baggies which take up virtually no room and don't weigh anything when out for extended times. And yes, I'm bing watching your videos. Enjoying them. 🤜🤛

[@zer0deaths862]

I would just carry a gallon jug of water. Sometimes a few extra bottles in my bag too. Pain in the ass to carry at first but it'll lighten up more as you drink.

[@thaddeusmikolajczyk9055]

Great info thanks for sharing.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching!

[@Sflrex]

Great video, nice to see a Dan Becker hanging with you guys.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching! It was a fun trip!

[@jeffreyalanday7432]

very helpful!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kamilliasaylor1000]

My husband and I did our first trip recently and had to leave early because we ran out of water. The trail we were on is usually quite dry so we had to cache water, but we cached too far out and got dehydrated before we could make it. The second day, when we were leaving, we had a 2.5 mile hike with 0.5 liters of water each, and already dehydrated from the day before. Not fun!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Dang, that stinks! Now you know!

[@justinclark6053]

Excellent video, thank you.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robertphillips93]

Great advice about the salt, especially if there's plenty of water available. But be careful -- too much too fast and your ankles can get tender from water retention. So, if you don't want to sleep wearing your boots, be advised!

[@ThienNguyen-ec8yc]

Aqua clip :) you really are friends with Dan Becker :)

[@TaysonWhittaker]

An aqua clip is a useful piece of plastic!

[@ironpig701]

One thing I do is check my pee. How often? Color? Smell? If I got a gallon going in and dont pee for 8 hours and its smelly and orange well thats dehydration.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Great tip!

[@TheTrailDancer]

Nice vid bro!!!!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@TheTrailDancer]

@@TaysonWhittaker I'm going to have to try some of your products sometime for sure! :)

[@delphinelesterlost3285]

Thanks for the advice, I'm in Australia and dehydration is a serious problem

[@Vjekoslav-vf3hr]

Thanks. Good advices. Have u considered taking raw honey? It works with me. Packed in small packable bags (for HoReCa customers) like energy drinks.

[@Calatoria-st1yi]

that's a great beard man! also thanks for the tips

[@route996]

Very informative video. I haven't tried supplementing my water with anything so far but will give this a shot. Has anyone else seen a drastic difference or is water good enough on it's own?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

You'll definitely at least want to replace the electrolytes and minerals you lose when you sweat. If you are deficient on those, you will have trouble really staying hydrated.

[@gumbyrun]

Major difference in my experience. I use Nuun tablets but will be checking these out as well.

[@CicadaAppreciationSociety]

I used to run into issues drinking just plain water on long hikes, possibly some mild hyponatremia with headache and unquenchable thirst. I would have to pee about 1 to 1.5 liters of water overnight when camping. I started using electrolyte mix in every other bottle of water (Liquid IV, Nuun, or Propel packets) along with taking Saltstick chewables around twice a day. Now I find I'm less thirsty and not peeing as much plus fewer headaches.

[@mysterylovescompany2657]

I have a recollection of once being in a Casualty waiting room for a monster UTI, w. a 2L bottle I kept refilling from the bubbler*, & at one point, the triage nurse actually came out from the desk area, + told my then-BF, "Don't let her drink any more." I think I'd refilled it 8 times in a half hour? So, I guess, don't drink that much. It turns out there's such a thing as too much water in your system because it can build up in your spinal cord + kill you, or overwhelm your kidneys + also kill you. I never knew that before, & only learned the fact because that's what the triage nurse said she was legit concerned about. Even in hot weather, & while vigorously exercising, there's such a thing as over-hydrating. Be careful. *Any woman who's had a really _bad_ UTI - like, the kind that causes you a fever, & pain that can't be medicated with any amount of ibuprofen + paracetamol - will understand.

[@raysmith9324]

Will try some Mountain ops for sure. Spending the next year or so at around 10,000 feet and due to recovering from a surgery mishap am probably in the worst shape Ive been in since...forever.. is all good though, looking forward to next season. May be to slim a market to be profitable, but any thoughts on making kilts? I started using one for thru hikes a few years back and LOVE IT. Commando underneath until the temp drops. Keeps me cool and I honestly feel far cleaner at the end of the day.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

You're right, that's probably too slim of a market for us to be able to develop anything, but thank you for the feedback!

[@joeso8114]

probably not a big market for it. my gf wears a active layer skirt, made of high wicking fabric. Comes in neural colors so you could just wear one of them, no one has to know.

[@dannycurtis2591]

joe so. Where do you get them?

[@raysmith9324]

Ive been using a mountain hardware Elkomando I lucked into finding in my size at 60% off. It is similar fabric to the old prana zion pants and weighs about the same, 14oz or so. The weight works extremely well for thru hikes in alpine environments. I go without underwear all day and it keeps me just the right temp, pull on some leggings at night and in the morning, stopped bringing pants. I honestly feel cleaner at the end of a long day. Two cargo pockets. The purple skirts look pretty great Im guessing for warmer weather. If you run hot in general I definitely suggest trying a kilt.

[@joeso8114]

@@dannycurtis2591 I know the one she has is by nike. She has an adidas. You can get them online or in an athletic store like dicks. They are in woman's sizes so a guy would have to figure that out

[@tombeckett4340]

Thanks 👍🇨🇦

[@WanderlustWithT]

Consistent sipping is essential, do it all the time, hydration bags makes it super easy to sip with ease.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Great tip!

[@deansacramone2515]

What product are those mineral/salt capsules?

[@Chrissvarietychannel549]

Great advice

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching!

[@marcellanasseri5700]

Is there really enough minerals in Himalayan salt?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Himalayan salt has a lower sodium chloride composition, than sea salt, which means it will have more minerals like sulphate, magnesium, calcium, potassium, bicarbonate, and many others. These minerals can help assist in balancing your electrolytes.

[@weareoursolution2227]

It's not just how much but the quality of the water that matters. Regular water is dead water that can't hydrate you no matter how much of it you drink.

[@robertcable6362]

A spike in nitric oxide can cause headaches too

[@ricdonato4328]

Interesting video, however, the background music over your voce ruins the video. We came to hear you not fight music to hear you. Many folks have hearing difficulties thus the music quickly becomes extremely annoying.

[@j.sargent9172]

liquid iv

[@elnino7486]

seems like a subjective topic. I'm personally a fan of "cameling up" and carrying a liter per every ten miles I have to go until my next water source. usually sprinkle pink salt in my water and dealing with the taste. those capsules are bitchn. Thanks for the content and your products. I've been using your hammock bug net on every trip Ive been on including the pct and its still holding strong. the bugnet makes for a dope, lightweight and minimal bivy when used on the ground (no hammock)

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for your support! Glad you've been putting your bug net to good use!

[@dhum2770]

This is a commercial. F that. I was simply looking for how much water to carry to go from 'A' to 'B', for a certain amount of days.

[@gingerthetrailpup7223]

Honestly … I keep an eye on the color of my pee … 😳🤷🏻‍♀️ (and yes, I always use 1 electrolyte supplement in my water each day).

[@joe651dzd]

Hey just a heads up those plastic bottles aren’t made for the heat. The plastic will melt a bit making the water pretty toxic. Get a bpa reuse or a hydro flask

[@MightyMidgey]

Awesome tips, any way you can reduce the individual plastic waste?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

We always make sure to pack out everything we pack in, including plastic waste.

[@MightyMidgey]

@@TaysonWhittaker yeah but I mean your hydration product. Do you guys have any plans to reduce your packaging? Assuming each of those packets is good for one litre of water, one use. That's a lot of small plastic waste

[@TaysonWhittaker]

The trails packets are actually by a brand called MTN OPS. We have used them and found them to be very helpful, and are offering them on our website as a retail product, but they are not actually Outdoor Vitals branded products.

[@hokaleukko8460]

Pils for hydration, only in usa ;D

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for your feed back!

[@nicoleandjoshbaldwin4228]

I pound water so I don’t have to stop

[@mikewubben2844]

Since caffeine is a diuretic I wonder if that's a good thing if the primary objective is hydration?

[@Crazyoldman84]

Sandals 😫

[@Mark-ml3nv]

You can go 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food. Don't stress too much about how much water you drink, your body will let you know.

[@WanderlustWithT]

Yeah, high altitude would beg to differ. Not drinking enough leaves you more susceptible to altitude sickness, you HAVE to stay hydrated, at least 3-4 liters, especially at higher altitude hikes.

[@matts2594]

I tried watching your video where I was not able to play sound, so I turned on the subtitles. The only choice was Vietnamese, not English. Other videos on KZbin work fine in English. You aren’t speaking Vietnamese, are you?😁

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Haha, no Vietnamese! Thanks, I'll check into the settings!

[@TheBigBlueMarble]

4-6 oz every 15 minutes is about all your body can absorb.

[@DmakAttack]

Its not rocket science... When you are thirsty, drink.

[@tomnoyb8301]

Hydration's a lot more tricky than this author thought? Yes, body can run low on water and yes, it can run low on electrolytes (usually salt). But, did you know the body can have too much water? Or too much salt? 15% of endurance medical interventions (and deaths) are due to too much water. Sweating can cause excessive salt? GearSkeptic has two of the best vids on hydration, when to drink water and when to (and when not to) take electrolytes.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

👍

[@nicktombs1876]

What a load of old tosh.