5 Hiking ESSENTIALS for Beginners

[@daltoninthelionsden]

I can’t believe how much I listen to this geezers voice 😂 This is my jam as well as being pretty deep in Man united. It’s the basics but I still can’t not listen. It’s the way he delivers anything. The funny thing is I don’t listen to that much other youtube. Crack on Ste, everything is turning to gold.

[@Howson-IRL]

Thanks mate!

[@NickOsborne-ec7zn]

These videos are really good - enjoy watching them. Keep making them please.

[@Howson-IRL]

Plenty more to come.

[@oz7996]

Great video , I love hiking I always stick a Swiss army knife in my pocket so many uses .😊

[@Markred85]

This channel is great, really informative.

[@aprburwk]

great content!

[@markiommi3564]

Hi Ste Good introduction to hiking kit video. There a couple of items I’d also include. 1 - A pressure bandage such as an Israeli Bandage or similar in the first aid kit. 2 - An emergency shelter in case things go truly “tits up” and you have to spend the night in the wild. I have a couple of different options I use depending on what I am doing. I either carry a military style poncho. This is good cause it has a few uses. You can wear it as a coat when the heavens open - it’ll cover you and your pack or you can use it as a small tarp shelter to sleep under. You can even just wrap your in it and sleep like that. Not overly comfortable but should get you through the night. The other option is a sil-nylon tamp. I use a bright orange 3 meter by 3 meter one. It weighs next to nothing and takes up no space but gives something to shelter under and helps rescuers find you

[@Howson-IRL]

Good suggestions!

[@buffywhatever1093]

Good stuff Ste, may I also suggest carrying a foil blanket, they fold up to next to nothing, light, cheap and can save a life in extremis. Plus don’t forget to donate a wee bit to local Mountain Rescue, they are a volunteer emergency service that hopefully none of us will need….until we do. Happy trails!

[@Howson-IRL]

My first aid kit has an emergency blanket in it. But you’re right they’re an awesome bit of kit - stay tuned we will be featuring some mountain rescue, soon. Janine’s brother is actually one of em

[@buffywhatever1093]

@@Howson-IRL Brilliant look forward to it. I used to train mountain rescue and paramedics on spinal boards years ago, top people that need our support. Great videos, keep at it, keep hitting them trails. 👍⛰️⛰️⛰️

[@lukerobinson8936]

Extra little tip for anyone. Get yourself a couple of waterproof bags to put your stuff into inside of your bag. Nothing worse than going out in bad weather and you go to set up camp or change clothes etc and your stuff is all wet.

[@mightydazken]

As primarily a kayak camper, I second this. Really useful for hiking and the color coding usually helps organize camp clothes and/or other important gear nicely.

[@Howson-IRL]

Great shout!

[@Matt-8989]

Really enjoying these videos! Keep it up Ste 💪👍

[@Howson-IRL]

Cheers mate!

[@stephenharris5519]

Just invested in some boots. 45 years old. 28” inside leg (it’s relevant!), arthritis in both ankles and a bone idle chain smoker but I have been inspired to get out and do some walks. I’ve got the Peak District 20 mins from my front door. Thanks for the inspiration and motivation Ste. Keep up the good work.

[@Howson-IRL]

Thanks for sharing! Cheers mate.

[@helentorgesen6937]

Love it! You’re full of good knowledge and tips. Keep sharing please

[@badgerisland72]

Excellent advice Ste, I really enjoy your videos 👍

[@Howson-IRL]

Glad you like them!

[@igavinwood]

Nice overview Ste. Good to see you have your army smarties with you (pain killers for those that are wondering) and the emergency GPS is great. Enjoying your IRL stuff. I'd say the most important one is the navigation and the smarts to use, prep and ffs check the weather. Also don't be a numbnuts and wonder off without telling people first. I add a spare pair of socks and a small micro towel for a hike.

[@Howson-IRL]

The amount of people we see up mountains with hoodies and white trainers on is apocalyptic.

[@igavinwood]

@@Howson-IRL Yeah, not to mention a pair of jeans. I have a friend, ex service and mountain rescue. What he's seen you just can't make up.

[@bradsundberg5997]

​@Howson-IRL Sounds like the same people I work with on a daily basis. I really enjoyed the vid, Ste. Very informative.

[@sleepingbear1889]

I not be doing any hiking soon, but always good to get the right gear and advice, thanks Steve

[@paultrussy]

Love your different angle on this from the many others on KZbin on this subject area. Paul Messner is perhaps the most well known, but I like the military influenced angle that you bring to this subject area. I've done 2,600 miles of long distance routes across the UK - many of those with army surplus boots on (usually German!)

[@tonylomas9773]

Excellent advice. As an ex scout who’s been hiking for years I didn’t expect to learn much but it was very interesting to see what gear you actually have. Definitely saving this video and making a shopping list!

[@Howson-IRL]

Good stuff!

[@mikeporter2284]

What a tremendous video. I loved the fold away back pack !

[@Howson-IRL]

I love it too.

[@garethtaylor7437]

Love these vids.

[@Howson-IRL]

More to come!

[@robm9658]

Great video. Where do I buy them boots?

[@Howson-IRL]

Thanks! Just search AKU GTX boots and you'll get multiple options

[@cnvdh3514]

Ste, could you make a video on what dangers to look out for while hiking in the English countryside?

[@Howson-IRL]

Great suggestion!

[@1992AJL]

An extra tip with water filtering, this is only good for hillside streams. If the the water source has passed by farms and small villages you will have to boil (or end up on your arse for two weeks if you're like me). The river water quality is absolutely grim in this country!

[@nickmail7604]

Do you eat a lot of pies on your walks?

[@1992AJL]

@@nickmail7604 I'm more of a pasty guy

[@markiommi3564]

The makers of that Lifestraw filter claim it will remove bacteria and parasites so should be good. I use a Grayl bottle/filter myself for on the go water and a Sawyer mini to process larger volumes of water. So far neither have given any issues.

[@matt6477]

You combine my two favourite subjects … outdoors & Man Utd 👏👏 the best content creator by far

[@Howson-IRL]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@dazbbgful]

The Aku boots look good, the fit would be more of a concern if your using a lot of compeed.

[@lisabradley9288]

Great stuff Stephen. Really helpful knowledge for people who are new to the great outdoors! Loved it ❤️🥾🌲🌳🌄🏞️ The packable rucksack is bloody amazing also good for Nomadic travel.

[@Howson-IRL]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@l.o.r.d9962]

Another great video. GGMU

[@Howson-IRL]

Thanks again!

[@johnmcculloch414]

Great advice and love the channel

[@Howson-IRL]

Glad to hear it!

[@WildCampingIreland]

Well done dude 👊 great tips for novices 🇮🇪

[@talkfooty82]

Howson Grylls..Love it man!

[@brandonbarnes783]

Your vibes in these video are so happy haha opposite of united videos right now

[@kfaposse]

ste you had two unfriendly's moving in on you from your 6/7 - you could of hit them with a couple of throwing knifes and made a squirrel bbq video!!! pay attention soldier ;) - good content again!!

[@ogmc4152]

Absolutely brilliant content and knowledge gained, but christ you need to win the lottery to afford all those items. You should to one for beginners or for people on a budget. Keep up the good work as your IRL channel is banging

[@Howson-IRL]

Good suggestion! Thanks mate!

[@nevilleneville6518]

I think one of the truisms of any outdoor activity is "buy cheap, buy twice", so yeah knowing where that mid price point with the quality level you need is important

[@kylekalakoda1304]

The old issued boots is one of the main reasons Compeed is still in business

[@JB-ve8ze]

AKU's were built originally for urban assault, which therein lies their area of expertise. If you want a good all round walking boot for in the UK then seek out INOV8 or for a more premium boot - La Sportiva.

[@Howson-IRL]

More on boots to come in a two weeks time...

[@billcalland]

Hi Steve great content, how is the defender going?

[@Howson-IRL]

Working, which is a plus

[@anthony1234dunne1]

Boom , love it ❤

[@Howson-IRL]

Cheers mate!

[@ClassOfAbbas97]

2nd I'll take that

[@Howson-IRL]

1st the worst n all that!

[@charliemullenmusic]

Loving the channel. Looking forward to get my kids out into the Peaks more. Any equipment suggestions for family days out? I’ve got a baby carrier but I’m also the cart horse for everything else😅

[@RyoOnYaHead]

Ste, come check out the Pacific Northwest and the state of Washington if you can. Tons of incredible hiking, camping, fishing, rafting, you name it. You’d love it I think. Love all the content.

[@Howson-IRL]

We'd love to! Just need to grow this channel first.

[@J-Walks-007]

All solid advice that Ste 👌 I’d just add some lightweight waterproof leggings to go with the coat. For navigation I just use OutdoorActive app on my phone & always download the route incase there’s no signal👍 great little vlog, keep em coming dude, stay safe

[@g_od2080]

Someone told me always bring one of them foil thermo blankets. It you injure yourself and cant move like ankle or something the biggest issue is cold. Especially as you cool not moving after sweating

[@Howson-IRL]

Great shout.

[@robpalmer1256]

Love your kit, but how about a top brand/starter pack video. I used to do them for DoE groups when I worked for Cotswolds, basic but useable and then trimming the weight with top end kit (example would be low price Vango apposed to top end Osprey).

[@Howson-IRL]

Good suggestion, thanks.

[@Asgoodasitgets146]

If you’re taking your dog, have a spare lead in your bag in case it snaps due to rubbing against rocks like mine did the other day on kinder 🥴

[@Howson-IRL]

Good shout!

[@nw-a382]

Howson showing off all his Gucci kit 😂

[@ChrisWilletts]

Hi, Great videos... I've subscribed.. Where did you get your chest pack from?? Does it work well with the back pack? It's an item ive been thinking of getting for a while??

[@stephenwilson5453]

Cheers for the tip for the boots. What gloves do you recommend, my hands are always freezing Great video bud

[@Howson-IRL]

Check out the Winter Mountaineering video on this channel, I chat about gloves in that one.

[@garyhopper882]

Take a tick spoon with you in Northern England and Scotland

[@AdventuringWithPaul]

Hi Ste great vid as usual, wondering what that front pouch is called or where to buy one from would be appreicated if you can help.

[@Howson-IRL]

Videographer Spencer here - Think he said he got it from Etsy a long time ago. Not sure there's a specific name for it.

[@waheedkhan1325]

I’d advise you to do hiking and camping videos ste , go to the mountains and camp there and make food , you will get way more views

[@Howson-IRL]

That's the plan already, mate! But cheers anyway.

[@CarlvsTravel]

Due to do a Nav Course in a few weeks. Would be great to see you do a simple 1-2-3 on compass and map reading as the competitors' videos on this subject are all a bit crap(!) and waffley

[@Howson-IRL]

I only know military nav, though. I dunno if teaching that would be suitable. Or if I could give more general info rather than mills vs degrees etc. stuff like using landmarks and back bearings to identify location. Coz that’s the useful stuff I guess

[@markiommi3564]

Maybe checkout David Canterburys channel. He is currently running a series of videos on land navigation. Pretty informative.

[@CarlvsTravel]

@markiommi3564 Thanks for the link, unfortunately he lost me when one of his "5 essentials to pack" included a gun 😂

[@markiommi3564]

@CarlvsTravel Sorry the series I was thinking of is called 10 minutes to better land navigation. There are at least 10 videos up now covering topics such as what compass to choose, difference between an azimuth and a baring. How to determine a reverse baring,boxing around obstacles when following a baring, declination, a whole bunch of stuff and no guns😊

[@Nofixedabode859]

Check out prepared pathfinder, ex pathfinder can’t get better than that

[@Nofixedabode859]

Hi m8 what model akus are they, I have a wide foot would you recommend them or any other for hiking wild camping thx?

[@Howson-IRL]

Funnily enough the next video will help answer your question. Stay tuned!

[@TheNotsmith]

Haha.. Never knew you have outdoor/hiking chanel GGMU

[@Howson-IRL]

Well now you do!

[@ieuanbury6481]

Hi Ste, any tips for the Fan Dance, I’m doing it in June and would really appreciate any advice

[@Howson-IRL]

Video next weds is on the fan dance! 👀

[@ieuanbury6481]

@@Howson-IRL awesome can’t wait for that.

[@wayne3078]

Are you endorsed by Thru Dark or do you just like their kit especially with them been ex forces like yourself. Keep the vids coming Ste 👍

[@Howson-IRL]

Just love ThruDark! Make sure you're subscribed, plenty more to come!

[@tzexiangwong]

Can you make a list of top 5 waterproof jackets? Im looking for one but im not sure what to look for.

[@Howson-IRL]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@ssheldon1616]

Figured you’d have to buy nut butter, what with being a manscaped user.

[@Howson-IRL]

Surprised they don't include it in the package.

[@george2979]

Live in the Lake District, the amount of people I’ve had to help find their way because they’ve brought their phone to find their way and have no signal is shocking. Fuck the mobiles off, get a map and compass and learn/do the basic skills and planning.

[@vatsmith8759]

Don't over-plan, just get out there and do it,. You'll probably be fine and if not you'll learn an awful lot.

[@Kauposarapik]

1st tip: Boots... Damn, and I was gonna go barefoot

[@Howson-IRL]

You never know...

[@Eddie.Mootsen]

Well you say that but I’ve seen someone walk up Skiddaw barefoot

[@jeffdur1330]

I can't take anyone seriously who uses a chest pack for hiking.

[@Howson-IRL]

Try it out. Keeps your pockets free of ‘stuff’ and your essentials right where they’re useful.

[@dazbbgful]

Out of curiosity why would that be ?

[@ryang.2351]

Love this series. 🫶🏻 if you’re in a place with lots of poisonous snakes like where I live, make sure those legs are protected🙂

[@davidandrewmitchell5590]

😱