7 Backpacking Myths That Are 100% Wrong

In this video, we're busting 7 backpacking and hiking myths, that are 100% wrong.
▼ SOURCES AND ATTRIBUTIONS
1. (@AdventureBird) Destroying my Sleeping Pad FOR SCIENCE!: • Destroying my Sleeping...
2. (@BackcountryExposure) Does Mold Grow In Sleeping Pads? | NeoAir Xlite: • Does Mold Grow In Slee...
3. (@WorldSurvivalist) 10 Years of Use: Cutting Open my Therm-a-Rest Mat to Reveal the Truth: • 10 Years of Use: Cutti...
4. (@NeemorsWorld) Someone who thought that it might be mold inside, but actually it was only reflective coating flaking off: • [WATCH BEFORE YOU BUY]...
5. (@WildBeare) Trying Emergency Survival Shelter in Extreme Wet Conditions. A Horrible but Valuable Experience: • 9 Hour Emergency Survi...
6. (@recall5811) Solo Overnight Testing Amazons Emergency Shelter in The Rain and Wild Boar Bacon Stew: • Solo Overnight Testing...
7. Microplastics in reused disposable bottles study: www.sciencedirect.com/science...
8. Microplastics in reusable water bottles study:
www.sciencedirect.com/science...
9. Tom Smith and his research about bears and bear bells thetrek.co/one-of-the-foremos...
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Outdoor Vitals Fortius 2P Ultralight Tent ➜ (Outdoor Vitals: www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...)
Outdoor Vitals Stormloft 0F Quilt ➜ (Outdoor Vitals: www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...)
Nemo Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3RJhVw9
)
Brynje Mesh Base Layer ➜ www.brynjeusa.com/ref/16/
Outdoor Vitals Novapro Down Jacket ➜ (Outdoor Vitals: www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...)
Smartwool Merino Wool Socks ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/4anHY3h)
Darn Tough Merino Wool Socks ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3GJnnsm)
▼ TABLE OF CONTENTS
00:00 - Myth 1
01:16 - Myth 2
02:02 - Myth 3
03:12 - Myth 4
04:59 - Myth 5
06:54 - Myth 6
08:13 - Myth 7
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▼ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
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[@OscarHikes]

Hey everyone! Let's set this straight. If someone links a photo on Imgur or a similar photo-sharing website showing a cut-open sleeping mat with mold inside, then I'll pin a comment saying that it isn't a myth after all. When making this video, I found 5 comments online from people who said they had mold inside the mat, but not one video/photo. I spent like 3 hours searching the web for this. 😂 For all I know, these could be bots from gear companies.

[@anordenaryman.7057]

I have been using the same thermarest pad 30 years now (incredible quality!). Although they are self inflating, I always add a few lung fulls of air to firm it up. I never noticed any bad smell or indication of mold. As for microplastics. Plastic water bottles have been around for ever and many of us use household water coolers with bottled water. I have on rare occasions noted a taste difference in water stored in plastic. Not sure what that means, but it seems limited to cheap opaque jerry cans after many days of storage. Never noticed it with transparent plastics.

[@AlkyCeej]

​@@anordenaryman.7057 I have definitely noticed bad/plastic taste from transparent plastics, especially if they've been in a hot environment. Having stored water in all sorts of containers in campervan holidays and then living in a van for four years, I've had containers go "bad" and it definitely tasted like plastic

[@TheRealSteveEllis]

I had a thermarest uberlight, you could actually see the moisture inside it, I used a mini pump after that so mold didn’t grow, it’s obvious it would have done over time if not dried out properly though. Most people just roll their mat up and store it so mold will grow. Ever packed away a damp tent?

[@anordenaryman.7057]

@@AlkyCeej Plastics certainly do age and break down. Hot environments will accelerate the process. Old water containers do seem to go bad and emit a plastic smell ( i.e. they stink!). So I guess we pretty much agree. I don't normally store water long term for that reason. But as long as the container is not very old they seem to work fine. On the plus side, stainless steel water containers have really come down in price in recent years. So if weight is not an issue, they are an option.

[@dylanpausic5026]

@@TheRealSteveEllisthe damp tent and a dap inner sleeping pad r 2 different cases because the inside of the sleeping pad is isolated from the environment so mold spores likely won’t be flooding the inside of the pad if it’s closed. Now if someone had mold spores in their lungs then the air blown into it could cause some mold growth. That’s not realistic tho

[@mtadams2009]

The Gear Skeptic is a great channel for factual information when it comes to backpacking. He busted that myth about mold in great detail. He also goes into great detail about boots vs trail runners. I find people on KZbin just keep repeating similar stories. Thanks for owning it and setting the record straight. Western Mountaineering says you can compress your down bag and it causes no issue. So yes it’s another myth.

He has a great ep about packpacking food too. Seconded 👍

[@crossfox1991]

You can definitely compress down sleeping bags. You just have to give a quick fluff flick and it's good

[@OscarHikes]

Yeah, I agree - GearSkeptic is a breath of fresh air on Hiking KZbin. I saw his video covering this, but in regards to mold, he didn't really go into great detail - he basically had the same conclusion as me regarding mold - might be true, or might not, but there is no video/photo evidence yet, so we can assume it's probably a myth. Hard to prove this. You'd probably need to blow up a mat for months every night and leave it in a cold room. :D I liked his tests about debunking the other myth though, that blowing a mat up with breath doesn't realistically lower the R value that much.

[@Flaschenkatze]

Thanks man.

[@peterclyne2480]

And now onto whether one should sleep clothed or naked in a sleeping bag. In Australia, we tend to use a silk liner inside the sleeping bag. This keeps the bag clean (the liner is washed after each trip), it adds around 4 degrees C to the warmth of the bag and, if the bag is too warm, the liner can be used by itself or within a partially unzipped bag (without the draft).

[@leslieroesler8529]

If screwing and unscrewing the cap is the primary cause that study found to release the microplastics, that's another reason to pick up a sport cap and use that (in addition to the obviously greater convenience).

[@OscarHikes]

That's a really good idea actually!

[@robertandersson2523]

If not the wear is equal on the sport cap while opening and closing it.

[@tenkararod4618]

Myth 1 - it’s better to stuff your tent or sleeping bag into the stuff sack because if you repeatedly fold it you’ll weaken the fabric, which will cause it to fail. This might be an issue with oilcloth and waxed canvas, but I’ve never heard of a gear failure along fold lines. I fold my clothes and they last years with repeated folds. Myth 2 - it’s better not to use stuff sacks, especially with your sleeping bag, because it’s will “fill in the gaps” between the other gear and take up less space. I understand the concept, but using a compression sack compresses the sleeping bag smaller than having it loose in your backpack.

[@philsmith2444]

I use compression sacks but compress them just enough to fit in my pack. That way the sack conforms to the shape of the pack fairly well, and is squishy enough that other items can be placed between sacks without leaving gaps. Plus, I don’t like putting all my gear in one waterproof bag because if it leaks everything gets wet. My sleeping bag, down jacket, down pants, and clothing all get separate waterproof sacks. The extra weight is worth the virtual guarantee that one item at most will ever get wet.

[@trooperwolfie]

I don't use compression bags for my sleeping bag, and it definitely takes less space vertically in my pack, and it does indeed fill all the voids in the pack. 🙂

[@philsmith2444]

I can guarantee that if you and I had identical gear and I used a compression sack for my sleeping bag while you stuffed yours in your pack, I’d have more room left over. Or I could use a smaller pack.

[@trooperwolfie]

@@philsmith2444 maybe if you compressed YOUR sleeping bag...if it's smaller lol. I'm currently packing for the Pennine way, and I've been experimenting with how I pack my gear....and not only can I guarantee, but I can tell you as a matter of fact, I actually have more room in my pack by stuffing my sleeping bag straight into the bottom of my pack, on top of a folded flat sleeping pad and folded flat inflatable pillow. If I place them all in their stuff sacks/compression sacks, they become hard and bulky and there is dead free space between them. But you do things your way, if it works for you, it's all good, peace ✌🏻

[@dereinzigwahreRichi]

If the damage due to rolling and folding your sleeping bag or tent in spot over and over should not be true, there's one very good reason to stuff it nevertheless: it's way easier and faster! ;⁠-⁠)

[@camping_guru_uk]

I've just recently found my down sleeping bag from when I was a teenager 40 years ago. It was packed in its stuff sack. It is as good as ever and lofted back up really well in about an hour. I was amazed.

[@derekweiland1857]

Yep, just brought out my army sleeping bag from 3 decades ago, and it still works fine.

[@Sleepy7666]

On Myth 4 Ankles you need to talk about slips rather than rolling. Sprained ankles are fine but if you slip in a shoe you're likely to get a Trimalleolar fracture if you're pivoting weight onto one foot. I was in an anatomically correct (read large foot/toe box) with nonslip grip. Chef, Marathon runner, bicyclist and avid outdoors hiker and hunter here. It happened to me and I acquired CRPS from it. Mobility exercises and weightlifting is the best thing for your body and I was slacking in both but at least I kept up my dynamic stretching.

[@walkingoutdoor6620]

It's ok to wear clothing in a sleeping bag, but you should start with your baselayer and only adding, if cold. If you get in fully stuffed, it's possible you sweat and when your body comes to rest, you start freezing in wet clothing.

[@exhopt]

Also you don’t have much to warm you up when you wake up. It’s nice to be able to tease the sleeping bag for a puffy in the morning.

[@websurvivor]

Most likely you sweat when you sleep. It isn't getting wet that's the problem. You stay warm by covering yourself because your body transfers heat to the air around you, and whatever is layered over you keeps that air in place and slows down the transfer of that heat to more air. When you sleep in clothes in a sleeping bag, you only warm the air inside your clothes, and are cocooned in a pocket of colder air that will transfer the heat out of your clothes. It isn't going to freeze you, but it absolutely will make you feel colder throughout the night.

[@k1dicarus]

@@websurvivor Why isn't the air from the cloths transferred to the sleeping bag?

[@websurvivor]

@@k1dicarus It is. And that's why you feel colder wearing clothes. In thermodynamics, two systems are always trying to achieve equilibrium. Heat transfers from the hotter system to the colder system. So throughout the night, the heat will be transferring from the air around you in your clothes to the air around the clothes in the sleeping bag. In turn, the heat from your body will be transferring from you to the air around you in your clothes. It's because those extra layers of clothes slow that down, so it's a longer process of heat transfer, making you feel colder throughout the night, as opposed to just one big transfer to the air in the sleeping bag in the beginning and no more transfer (or less, anyway) throughout the night.

[@k1dicarus]

@@websurvivor I don't understand the physics behind it completely but I had nights were I was too cold to fall asleep and I put on more layers. Always made me feel warmer. Fleece, merino or down jacket. I imagine jeans or cotton would be bad cause they store a lot of moisture.

[@willek1335]

I've seen two cases of people claiming their pad became bad after using their breath. One guy in Sweden, a youtuber, and one guy in the great lakes (north america). Both of these places are notoriously moist environments. Conversely, I've seen loads of people from around California/rookie mountains experiment with this, but those areas are also dry environment, so that doesn't surprise me. I've not decided one way or another. My point is that where you live, may make a significant difference on the total outcome.

[@flxjhnlrssn]

Seems like it would be easier to prove that specifically using your breath causes mold in the dry areas. Because if its the breath part that's the issue then the results should be the same both in moist and dry areas. If only the moist areas get mold then there's likely another explanation than the breath being the issue (like the moist ambient air itself causing problems). If anything, just based of what you said, my guess would be that it's probably long-term usage/storage in moist environments that causes mold, regardless off how you inflate it.

[@willek1335]

@@flxjhnlrssn Let me try to explain. If you live in areas that are that moist, your test would be useless. If you get a wet foot here in the wetter part of Scandinavia, the chance of you drying that through ambiance, and what little sunlight is available, is next to 0. The best case scenario is somewhere between humid, moist and damp. Sometimes it can be the breath, other times it can be a combination of various factors, that all play their part in creating a bad outcome. For example if breath is used in an environment that never gets dry and everything stays wet, using your breath in your pad could turn a dry interior pad into a bad environment, that stays that way because the ambiance will never help you. How many days does it take to create fungi? A week trip, that's what the guy in the great lakes experienced.

[@flxjhnlrssn]

@@willek1335 Sure, but the problem is still that the mat is used/stored in moist conditions for too long. If my breath is a problem then so would the near 100% humidity air be. Not inflating the mattress with my breath *might* help a little bit,, or it might make no difference whatsoever, but either way, the key thing to avoiding mold even in the scenario you gave is to make sure the mat dries properly. And if it dries properly it would be fine to use breath, it's likely not a very important factor, as is shown by all the people using their breath and not getting mold. However, if people in drier climates also experience the same thing, that inflating their mats with their breath causes mold, then that is clearly a problem and you should avoid it. I really don't think the few examples you talk about proves much of anything. And to be clear, I'm not claiming that it proves my hypothesis either, it absolutely does not, I'm just pointing out that there's clearly not enough evidence to actually say if its a problem or not, there's many ways that is not at all related to how you inflate the mattress that could just as easily cause the cases of mold that people have experienced.

[@lynxoutdoors8192]

I've only ever found 1type of boot that truly "locks" my ankles, and they are downhill ski boots. Most modern-day hiking boots are very flexible, and I've never bought into them providing significant extra support by having a thin layer of synthetic or leather with some extra padding above my ankles. Heavy boots, such as mountaineering boots, do offer much more support to be sure. I think personally that many people assume that the very flexible and comfortable "mid" heights such as Soloman Xmids or Merrell Moab Mids help more than they really do. I also greatly prefer trail runners.

[@sdfsdf421df]

I'd really like going in trail runners. But I'm not there if I ever will be (read: I won't. Several badly sprained ankles don't ask what I think about it or even what I want). Yes, 2 samples of 'mid' shoes you gave are good only for improved feet sweating, I agree, I wouldn't go for them. Ideally I'd like to go with B-level(meindl ranking) boots, with weight ideally a under 600g (EU 46 sadly does not ask about weight either). Now I'm testing more-like B/C lasportiva and it seems promising. Why not trail runners: I have few experiences, when I tripped really badly on some stone or rotten root. I thought OK, this is it, this is bad. But 5 minutes of swearing and I was OK. With trail runners chance of fracture would be rather high. Yes, it is self-fulfilling prophecy, as the less you walk in supporting boots the more support you will eventually need. But still I'd say, if area isn't too friendly when it comes to evacuating injured (and ideally lonely) tourists, I wouldn't pick unsupportive boots. I could do most of my past hikes in trail runners, but especially in very steep hills which you traverse or in deep gravel that would really suck. Yes, heavier boots will suck in the evening, but everyone can choose what suck-style they prefer.

[@jhonyermo]

Way back from 1993. Ray Jardine says you are WRONG about those goofy boots.

[@philsmith2444]

I’ve been wearing combat boots or steel toes at least 5 days per week for almost 38 years, both way heavier than my leather hiking boots. I’ve spent a lot of money and time finding the most comfortable boots, and find them at least as comfortable as my hiking shoes. Trail runners aren’t very comfortable to me. As far as ankle support from boots, how come an elastic/mesh sleeve on your lower back, ankle, knee, wrist, or elbow provides support but leather or nylon don’t? Plus over-the-ankle boots will protect your ankles against rocks, branches, etc, if you slip and bang/scrape your ankle against something.

[@lynxoutdoors8192]

@@philsmith2444 Don't get me wrong. I have and use quite a few pairs of boots myself. There are undeniable situations where boots are the best choice. I primarily use my Trangos for very rocky bouldery trekking like the White Mountains in NH. Insulated boots are also my go-to when it's cold out for both warmth as well as wearing crampons. The point I was trying to make was more geared towards the light duty mid height boots and my opinion that folks put more weight into them than I think they actually help with. Something like combat boots, or in my case mountaineering boots, are significantly more supportive and usually higher with more lace hooks.

[@wobblysauce]

Most people saying about having issues with boots don't use boots or other types of footware before they go out. Like walking about the store vs using an item.

[@tylerdias8323]

Every hike I have been on especially on moors or peat bogs I have my trail runners buddies complaining about sprained ankles, me in my army style magnums have 0 issues.

[@JBereza]

I tried both and both worked well. But when wasn't going alone I found myself in a rush to catch up with a group and doing more mistakes and slipping.

[@TobysWildernessAdventures]

Amazing Tips. Thank you for the videos. Also to warm up fast in a sleeping back, you can also do couple jumping jacks or push ups to get your blood flowing and warm yourself up right before crawling into the sleeping back.

[@ifell3]

Here's a myth to try. Always pack the heavy stuff at the top. The military uses this technique for long rucks and whilst it is good on the flats it's better to pack the heavy stuff as close as possible to your center of gravity.

[@kedwardsTWO]

I'm military. I've never intentionally packed heavy stuff on top. Only exceptions are ammo, or anything I need in a fire fight for obvious reasons (quicker access) I think this myth comes from how we pack the bags. You want what you need on top and easy to grab. My sleeping bag is always at the bottom of the bag, and things like ammo, rations, warm kit and gortex is in spots on top or easy to grab

[@ifell3]

@@kedwardsTWO spot on, you don't want to be pulling out all your gear to grab a belt fed magazine 😁

[@AudiaciousLife]

10 years in the Marine Corps, never packed heavy on top. On top is stuff needed for quick access.

[@richardtodd6559]

Actually is has nothing to do with the flats…it’s because the military don’t use waist strap on rucksacks because it interferes with their webbing belt kit so weight is put on shoulders and as your running with it and getting up & down shooting it won’t pull you over backwards

[@AudiaciousLife]

@@richardtodd6559 uhh we definitely use waist belts on our packs now. check the USMC ILBE and FILBE gear. I was in 2003-2013 always used one. Old alice gear no, but modern equipment has waist belts and are used.

[@zmuzzy101]

The worse time I sprained my ankle was in brand new hiking boots and they definitely didnt provide ankle support a myth that you still mention even in this debunking episode.

[@phil.clarke]

Great video Oscar - and good to see that you followed up my comment on the mould in sleep pads myth!

[@dylanpausic5026]

Love the details about the compressible down being most effected by the stalk size. Never heard of that before but makes a lot of sense.

[@wiktormarcinkowski-fotogra8392]

Hey, great video as always. What about compressing synthetic insulation? Like in the case of a cheaper jacket, or a sleeping bag? Is that also ok?

[@OscarHikes]

I'm not sure about this, but it's also a highly-debated topic. I've heard that it's over-compression that tends to degrade it more rather than long-term compression. You can read more about it here: backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/storing-synthetic-insulation-compressed/

[@olastromberg4070]

Thank you for mentioning the sleeping bag one its annoying how much miss information there is on sleeping naked.

[@peterclyne2480]

Once you have (properly) sprained your ankle, it will never be the same again. It will be stiffer and, since some of the proprioceptive nerve fibres will have been torn, your position sense from that ankle will have deteriorated. Of course, post-injury stretching will help but damage is damage. Whether or not high-ankle boots will protect the ankle from passing its range of motion, they will give you better sensory feedback as the ankle rolls and pushes against the high boot, so you can feel the ankle pronating earlier, increasing the likelihood that you can save yourself before you damage the joint.

[@krivak52]

Aluminium water bottles are actually lined with thin plastic layer, to prevent the bottle from forming/releasing poisonous aluminium salts. The only solution could be a heavy stainless steel bottle, without plastic lid/cap. IMO, this is not a good solution for hiking.

[@6foot8jesuspilledpureblood82]

Actually, titanium is the best solution for those concerned about water quality. It does concern me. If i went out more than 5 times a year, I would definitely consider 2 1l titanium water bottles, although heavier than plastic, it has a good reputation for not leeching any chemicals. expensive but probably worth it for the health-conscious

[@krivak52]

@@6foot8jesuspilledpureblood82 Could you give us a link? I have never seen a titanium water bottle, but must admit it sounds great.

[@TheNewGreenIsBlue]

Regarding point two... if you overheat during the night, you'll sweat... which will make you colder. The idea behind sleeping without clothes is that your body can regulate temperature better when you have airflow, at least that's how I understand it...but it applies mostly to sleeping indoors... not at camp.

[@jerrywinters6914]

Sawyer water filter advertises that they remove 100% of microplastics.

[@JBereza]

It depends on where the output will end up.

[@brent_f]

A common refrain, I hear in grizzly country, is “hey bear!!!.”

[@OscarHikes]

I pretty much just mimic the local shepherd noises that they do here in southern Europe, which are just random yelling sounds. :D

[@no.love.for.a.nation]

This mold myth always scared me, thanks for clearing that up!

[@luiscuervo8687]

Thanks for your video, and others in your channel. I like the trail runners you are wearing when demonstrating ankle twisting on a rock. May I know what brand and model they are, please? Thanks in advance.

[@BrokenBackMountains]

I had mildew in an inflatable mat. It was on a mat with synthetic down filling. . Many mat manufacturers do put anti mould treatments inside. Why do you think sea to summit does so?

[@OscarHikes]

If a myth goes far enough everyone would start believing it, even manufacturers. :) But for all I know, it could not be a myth as well. It's just that I spent a lot of time looking all over the web, and I didn't find a single photo/video showing this. Why is everyone (including me in the collab) saying this, if there is no evidence for it?

[@BackcountryTreks]

Great video and information. I do still disagree however on the ankle support myth that hiking boots claim to give. Unless the boot is much taller than your ankle and tied tight it offers no additional support.

[@Alex_Coolen]

Great video, I love the mold info and I agree with the ankle mobility straining ankle. I roll my ankle multiple times on a hike and am fine every time

[@antchung2370]

Im in favor of ankle-support, old injury.. ❤

[@heckubus4]

I have mold in mine. I washed/scrubbed the outside and it had no effect on the colorization. I am unwilling to cut it open since it still works. I bought a Flextail air pump for this reason. Plus its faster, more convenient, has an LED light, and can serve as a bellows.

[@AlexisLK]

Very good video. For me personally, about myth 4, I think it's not really a "myth" but more of personal health condition thing and preference as well. I still don't want to "bet" on the probability of being lucky because I had this type of injury many times and having that on top of a mountain, alone, is really not a desirable situation so when I compare the ratio risk/gain, I definitely prefer to just stick with high hiking boots and problem is solved ! About the water bottle, the best is just to go with metal bottle and it's just better, you can even put it on a fire if you buy the right type. So you avoid take an extra cup for boiling water like some hikers do.

[@stairclimbersteve]

I did a solo section hike on the Oregon PCT last year and took a bear bell. I had it attached to my trekking pole. On day 2 about 5 miles in, I had a bear encounter. The bear was about 150' in front of me starting to climb up off the trail. He/she was looking right at me. I stopped and look at the bear, then raised my pole and rang the bell. The bear took off and I never saw them again. My opinion is that the bell alerted the bear and they were waiting to see what the sound was. Had I not had the bell, I might have met the bear face to face on the trail.

[@thundercell13]

Yes those emergency blankets are a life saver. My wife and I did a school trip for her class and the “nearest” town to reference for forecast was about 1200 feet lower elevation and we were up exposed on a plateau. Temps got about 10-15 degrees below what everyone thought they would be. Instead of a chilly 45° we hovered above freezing. We couldn’t sleep at all cause we were just shivering trying to stay warm and I when I went to set up the car so we can turn it on and run some heat I saw I had an emergency blanket in the car so we put that between our sleeping bag and the quilt blanket we had over top of us. At least kept us warm enough to get some sleep for a few hours

[@johnbellis1179]

The sleeping bag I used in February was toasty warm. The mountain warehouse Everest down bag was taken out of its stuff sack one day before I went camping after being in there for ten years.

[@stevenl378]

Great tips! Especially about the sleeping bag storage myth!

[@OscarHikes]

Thanks!

[@stevenl378]

@OscarHikes your videos help me tons my sub was worth it 💪

[@dirtdroprobbie]

I've had mold in my klymit X-frame mat in New Zealand, it's really damp here and if you live in an older house you'll usually find mold in the house. But I think it's very unlikely the mold would do anything to the mat within its lifetime other than make it look ugly (which I suppose is a concern for the big outdoor corporations). I sold that mat to someone else and as far as I know they're still using it, so I can't cut it in half lol, I've switched to a non-inflating mat so I don't have to stress about getting punctures.

[@pyciar]

W końcu rozsądne informacje - praktycznie w każdym wspomnianym aspekcie zgadzam się z Tobą w 100% - fajnie że nie jestem jedyny który tak myśli :D

[@CarlStammerjohn]

I was told by Sea to Suumit that moisture inside my pillow was the cause of a small hole. The moisture can cause degradation to the material. When backpacking I still blow it up by mouth, but I inflate and deflate it with dry air several times before storing it after a trip.

[@JamesCairney]

In relation to boots versus shoes, in my youth "extreme sports" were a thing I was in to and footwear that supports your ankles encourages weak ankles. Once you start using footwear with ankle support, you need to continue to use them, else twisted ankles will be a thing. If you have never used footwear with ankle support, don't start. It will weaken your ankles. This was always the rules.

[@RichRich1955]

Strengthening the peronius muscle prevents ankle sprain. No substitute for watching where you step though.

[@OscarHikes]

@@RichRich1955 I imagine all those people who went barefoot probably don't deal with sprained ankles anymore! I've been wanting to try barefoot shoes for a while now.

[@flxjhnlrssn]

Yeah, always heard the same thing in the orienteering community. One thing people always said though, was that a wider sole like on regular jogging shoes can increase the risk of actually spraining your ankle seriously, because when you inevitably does twist your ankle there's (due to physics... lever effect maybe?) more force pushing your foot sideways than if you use thinner soled orienteering/trail running shoes, where the thinner sole allows your muscles to more easily parry the twist, so to speak.

[@airo30]

I used high ankle boots for a very long time. I had a lot of foot pain and a very weak mobility. Since I switched to barefoot shoes, my ankle and toe mobility increased and I had never again foot pain. If you train your feet for decades to use high ankle boots with big soles, that stabilizes your foot, the muscles will decrease and you will get very weak feet. So yes, injuries are a thing. But that's because your feet aren't trained for other shoes.

[@JamesCairney]

@@airo30 I think the old rules need updated now to "if you use footwear with ankle support, exercise your ankles and feet to remove the need for ankle support"

[@GrizzlyGaz]

Another myth about footware is that wearing trail runners instead of hiking boots reduces fatigue. The British military did studies on this and the results were negligible. The only time it made a difference is if they were running long distances but for hiking, theres really nothing in it.

[@outsiderswalks5460]

It depends on walking speed, how much elevation gain/loss, distance (fatigue) and how heavy a pack you carry.... it always costs less energy, the question is just how much less it costs....but its true it shouldnt be the (main) reason why you pick shoes over boots - there are plenty of other good reasons to do that (and for some people and some use cases, plenty of good reasons of picking boots over shoes)

[@GrizzlyGaz]

@@outsiderswalks5460 yeah there's good arguments for both. I prefer leather boots with a waterproof membrane as I live in the north of England and it's constantly wet here. Just walking through short grass can get your feet wet through! But I'm not a 'thru hiker' I'm just a weekend warrior and I'm only usually out for 1 night at a time so 1-2 days hiking never sees my feet getting wet whereas if I wore trail runners my feet would be wet as soon as I stepped outside 🤣

[@outsiderswalks5460]

@@GrizzlyGaz for day hikes boots can definitely work well - on longer hikes they get wet at some point, and take ages to dry if you dont have something to do it with - this is why most long distance hikers use shoes which dry much faster :)

[@GrizzlyGaz]

@@outsiderswalks5460 they don't get wet if they're a decent pair of boots and you look after them

[@outsiderswalks5460]

@@GrizzlyGaz if you hike in wet grass and week Long rain - no matter what kind of boots you wear - they Will get wet :) hiked in boots for some 15-20 years before switching to shoes… but in most conditions you Can keep Them fairly dry :) (you get damp though often from inside due to much less ventilation than shoes) but its really a matter of finding what works for you and how you hike

[@jeff-jo6fs]

The new nice sleeping pads have antibacterial coatings on the inside

[@OscarHikes]

Maybe that's why we're not seeing mold anymore

[@captainnicolasdubois]

Best way to stretch your ankles is to do trail running. Then use the trail running shoes for tramping.

[@martymorissette]

Based on my experience, people are cold when they wear clothes is often more related to 2 points. Either because they were too much clothes and the loft of their bag cannot fully take place OR they are dressed unevenly. You want to where the same amount of clothing for your upper body and lower body so your bag can heat up evenly. Otherwise you can find yourself cold in your lower bddy but warm in your upper body. Great video my friend!

[@websurvivor]

Being dressed uneven is fine. Your heart is what creates heat. If given the choice between thinner layers spread evenly, or uneven layers but warmer around your core, always take the warmer layer around your core. You will always be warmer. If your brain detects that your core is getting cold, it actually restricts your veins to reduce the volume of blood leaving your hear to try to keep heat next to your vital organs. That actually makes your extremities more cold. You can trick your body into not doing that by making sure that your core is warm, so your veins don't restrict, and your body will pump more heat out from your core.

[@Juanlu.]

Una serie de comentarios muy interesantes, Óscar. Gracias! En España hay osos, pero pocos. Jabalíes hay muchos, y no sé si sirven los mismos remedios, porque a veces atacan. Las garrapatas también son un problema en todas partes, y también hay muchos productos "ahuyentadores" que no sirven de nada. Un abrazo desde España!

[@muurobode]

We were taught in the military that the emergency blanked is supposed to be wrapped around the torso right next to your skin (under your clothes) to maximized the heat it reflects back. A bit hard to do if you are alone and need to use one on yourself but basically you tie off one of the corners and use it as a hood and stuff the rest down the neckline and wrap it around the torso.

[@HuplesCat]

It reflects heat energy so wear over the inner layer

[@kennethwilson8633]

Good job dispelling those myths now can you help with Bigfoot the Loch Ness monster and Ancient Aliens??? We really need to know.

[@ioandragulescu6063]

hmm, I wonder if the bears perceive the bells as "dinner is served"

[@vatsmith8759]

Those mylar/space blanket things might be OK in a nice calm cold environment but I doubt they'd be very practical in really bad weather.

[@typpiet5140]

About the trail runners/boots: you are right that IF you have no issues with your ankles, AND you do a lot of exercise, you will be fine with trail runners on rocky terrain. The problem in my view is that many hikers do have ankle issues and are insufficiently trained. I have seen so many hikers in floppy runners with overpronation of their feet that it hurt my eyes to look at.

[@trooperwolfie]

I can show you mold in my X lite that's one of the early ones, you can see it when it's held upto a light, but it's never done it any harm, it's still going strong.

[@briandoolittle3422]

Myth #2 This one isn't a myth for me. However, I agree your explanation is correct. For me personally, for some reason I sweat a lot more when I'm wearing clothes in my sleeping bag (even when I'm cold), and that makes me feel colder. I wonder if other people who think wearing clothes in a bag is colder have the same issue I do.

[@HiMHiMx2]

I never really fill the so called support from the mid / tall boots. i wear mid heights simply because they are less likely to have small stones or debris fall inside.

[@davidrenz5886]

Me too🙂...

[@robertandersson2523]

Why should a new bottle be any better than an used one? It has to release some microplastic as well. Otherwise it shouldn't degenerate to be that bad used bottle. I'm way more sceptical to put hot water into any plastic container or dry food meal in a plastic bag.

[@socpancake]

thank you for mentioning the “sleeping naked” nonsense. whenever i hear someone tout that, my mind boggles at the apparent inversion of logic where “more layers = more warmth” always, except when you’re sleeping?? complete nonsense.

[@flxjhnlrssn]

I don't think they are quite as idiotic as you make them out to be. Restricting blood circulation can cause way more problems for a lot of people (like me and my cold feet) than you can solve with just more layers (due to sweat and so on). Unless my whole body is getting cold my extremities are usually warmer if I sleep naked than if I have my base layer on. But you're absolutely right in a more general sense, especially if you're dealing with an actually cold situation and not just small adjustments to an already fairly comfortable temperature situation.

[@websurvivor]

It isn't nonsense. Wearing clothes or being under a blanket keeps you warm because heat transfers from your body to the air immediately touching your skin. The layers you have over you, whether clothes or a blanket or a sleeping bag, keep that air from moving away and from the heat transferring from that air to the air outside of the layers. Clothes are much worse at that than a sleeping bag. When you wear clothes in a sleeping bag, the air that keeps you warm is from your clothing layer. And you have now cocooned yourself in a pocket of cold air between your clothes and sleeping bag. So there will be a steady transfer of heat from the air inside your clothes to the air inside the sleeping bag. As opposed to warming the air up in the sleeping bag without clothes, which transfers much slower to the air outside the sleeping bag. With clothes on, you will feel that steady transfer of heat all night. It won't cause you to freeze, but you will absolutely feel cold throughout the night.

[@carl8568]

​​​@@websurvivor Cocooned in a pocket of cold air? This definitely hasn't been my experience and I've camped in the Himalayas at 5000m. Sure, the bag will warm up slower and the size of the bag obviously matters also, a mummy style bag is much less space to heat up. You'll lose heat out of the top of it anyway. People can rattle off all kinds of theories, but find me a person who sleeps naked above 5000-6000m on mountaineering expeditions. I would suggest that is extremely uncommon. Many pro mountaineers opt for taking a slightly lower temp rated bag and layer up when sleeping because a sleeping bag is really only useful when you're in it.

[@websurvivor]

@@carl8568 You're comparing anecdotal perception to science.

[@carl8568]

​@@websurvivor No comparison to science- just careful observation of personal experience, others experience and scientific laws to encourage comfort and survivability. Going by theories alone is a fools game.

[@Adventures_with_Sog]

Very informative, thank you. *New subscriber 🙂👍

[@kostiak1294]

Hey, thank you for video:) Just a comment about plastic bottles, the problem with PET bottles is that they emit toxic substances at sunlight

[@GusHill88]

Aluminium water bottles usually contain a plastic liner barrier. As aluminium is quite reactive.

[@aayotechnology]

Right, but that epoxy resin liner isn’t any healthier.

[@carl8568]

That's why you go for stainless steel if you're going with metal. Or titanium if you want to be fancy and blow a small fortune.

[@alanridley2917]

Very informative. Thankyou

[@outdoorgearrepair9187]

I love that you have the courage to use scientific evidence to report on your results. I trust your videos: please continue to hold true to scientific evidence. In the end, the information you produce, is a boon to our environment or at least a candid challenge to our current understandings.

[@outdoorgearrepair9187]

If you are wrong that’s ok. You accept new data.

[@meljane8339]

ThermaRest does not need a pump. The valve gets opened, the mat sets and absorbs air into the expanding of the foam (a natural vaccum of ambient air is created), and the valve gets shut, trapping the air into the mat. Open the valve and Squish the air out, shut the valve again to disallow the foam to expand again. Open it again to let air back in again.

[@NelsonSherry]

My experience with damaged down bags does not agree with your statements here. I grew up using down bags and rolling them tightly for storage. 10 year of doing so dramatically reduced their loft. In the 40 years since, my down has lasted much better by not continually being tightly compressed during storage.

[@D3sToD3s]

Aluminium water bottles actually are plastic/something coated on the inside. So either glass or stainless steel or something along those lines. I personally use single use .75L plastic bottles with sport cap.

[@mhuxaffarik4393]

Stink test experiment: please test...wash your hiking clothes (t-shirts, pants, socks underwear, hats scarfs etc whatever you shall be wearing, including shoes). Once done re soke everything in a large sink, bath etc in warm water which contains a good amount of baking soda for at least 30 min. Rinse. Spin in a washing machine, and leave to dry or use tumble dryer until dry. Before you go hiking put your feet in a small tub of water containing baking powder... And also put some baking powder under your arm pits etc. after some time say 10 min..dry your self etc...the idea is that baking powder is a natural germ killer and deodoriser. If there is no bacteria present on your clothes and self you should not stink.. at least not to quickly.. then go on your hike... Please test for how much longer you stay stink free.. thanks a fan from the tiny island of Malta

[@neonsamurai1348]

Ok so there are a few things. First off I think that ankle sprain risk is dependent on pack weight, and terrain you are covering. I tend to use 10" tall boots tightly laced for maximum ankle support when I pack out to a camp in the bush, but I am carrying 60-80 pounds, and traveling over rough terrain off trail. The typical UL thruhiker with trekking poles walking trails is not at much risk by comparison. Also your typical mid hiking boot has slightly better ankle protection over a trail runner. Tall boots also help prevent ticks getting easy access. You should definitely not reuse plastic bottles, not only because of microplastics and pollution, but because of phthalates and antimony trioxide that will leach out of the plastic into the water as the plastic ages and gets exposed to heat/sun/uv. PET plastic water bottles are one of the biggest sources of plastic pollution in the ocean, and a large percentage of the plastic trash found in the plastic island in the pacific. PET takes around 450 years to break down, and breaks down into microplastics during decomposition. I carry bear spray for bears.

[@volodymyr8649]

My friend have Exped Down Mat during 7 years or something and with proper storage real mold inside appears a long time ago, so it's not a myth.

[@OscarHikes]

Maybe, maybe not. If you send me a picture/video (uploaded on Imgur or similar) with a cut open mat that shows mold inside, I'll pin a comment on this video linking to the pic and telling that it isn't a myth after all.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Nice! Glad my sacrificed NeoAir xlite continues to serve! Ha ha! 👊🏻👍🏻

[@MrAxelchiller]

There also exist (disposable) plastic bottles that have a glass coding on the inside. They are often used for juces. Only disadvantage is you shouldn't squeeze the bottle if you want to use it with a water filter.

[@spokolokofly]

3:20 hahaha, good one :D

[@johnpetry6753]

In U.S. pilot survival kits a vacuum packed down sleeping bag is in it. These are stored for years this way.

[@willodaix5040]

Well done YT, facts proved, myths busted, thanks, also I wear boots cuz I over over over pronate.

[@Langhorstiness]

Mold needs moisture AND organic "food". All synthetic mats and foams are not food sources so mold has nothing to decompose. The one exception would be down-filled mats which have feathers in them. This means it's theoretically possible - but my family has 5 Exped mats and several are down filled. They have integrated pumps but I have used them in humid conditions and topped them up with breath during use for >20years. No issues but I'm only using a bit of breath due to integrated pumps.

[@markpeterson3400]

Doesn't the Sawyer Filter, filter out Micro Plastics?

[@OscarHikes]

Yeah, it does! That's another good option to do.

[@CaptainCamp]

3:18 😮

[@marcosantoniolopezdomingue2940]

Hola! Durante mucho tiempo tuve el mismo dilema sobre las botellas de agua. Vivo en un país casi tropical, donde un lindo día de verano fácilmente alcanza los 40° c. Tiempo atrás encontré una publicación que decía que el aumento de temperatura aumentaba considerablemente la liberación de micro plásticos en estas botellas, así que la mejor opción que encontré fue una botella de plástico por fuera pero posee en el interior una fina capa de acero inoxidable, conserva la temperatura del líquido por algún tiempo y es más barata y más liviana que las botellas de aluminio normales. Por otro lado, el mito más común, al menos en mi región, son los encuentros no deseados con serpientes. Generalmente es lo primero que te preguntan. En más de 20 años de hacer campismo, he encontrado 2 veces por pura casualidad serpientes venenosas. La realidad es que generalmente las serpientes se alejarán de nuestra presencia. Aclaración: en mi región abundan las serpientes cascabel (crótalos) que son muy venenosas. El principal peligro con esta especie es que en el invierno buscan un lugar cálido donde dormir y en el verano buscan un lugar fresco para descansar, por lo que dormir en un camping cerrado o elevado del suelo es muy importante.

[@neologian1783]

Ahh yes....the moldy sleeping pad myth that never seems to die.

[@Jedwoods]

with regard to emergency shelters: the 'bothy bag' design made by Terra Nova, or Rab, or Summit Gear are much better than the foil tents you show.

[@EK-ej3ll]

Just spit into a Ziploc bag and check on it every month?

[@vng75]

Great video.

[@richardtodd6559]

It’s the premise that if a retailer tells you nonsense you’ll buy their bull…it’s how utube works..then they sell you a mini pump at £40…lol it’s same with everything a quilt is better than sleeping bag…nonsense…a tarp is better than a tent…nonsense

[@jannovotny6244]

Hey, appreciate you mentioning the plastic bottles - reusing the same single-use bottle for a few days is perfectly fine (although the two weeks might be pushing it a bit). You probably produce way more plastic from food wrappers than replacing the bottle every other day, so... The only meaningful way to protect the environment is through policy, so rather than worrying about how often you should replace your water bottle, you should contact your legislators that you want, for example, a bottle deposit scheme... Also, aluminium bottles aren't actually any better, because they are all lined with a plastic coating to prevent corrosion (yes, aluminium also corrodes), so while they are safer, they are not actually recyclable, and once they're a bit banged up they also leech microplastics...

[@robertandersson2523]

I don't understand why a used bottle should be worse than a new. A studie on this would be interesting. The new bottle must release microplastic to become a used one.

[@jannovotny6244]

@@robertandersson2523 the fact that it is used isn't important. But as you carry it around and generally use it, it crinkles up and the plastic gets stressed and ever so slightly damaged. Also UV (sunlight) degrades the plastic heavily.

[@ruth370]

Oww, that ankle part hurt to watch. I totally get/agree with what you are saying, but ow.

[@siredc4182]

Dude, amazing

[@lokvik4755]

6:40 Norway? Looks like Senja.

[@OscarHikes]

Pretty much spot on! Lofotens, but it's very close.

[@fanrik9583]

I used to believe myth 2 until one day a couple of years back I came home from a really cold winter day and just dove right into my bed at home with all my winter clothes on. Within 5 minutes I was severely overheating. I stripped to my underwear, got back in bed, and was lying there nice and comfortable thinking about how stupid I was believing that less clothes would somehow equal more heat.

[@websurvivor]

It isn't less clothes equals more heat. It's that your clothes trap the heat, and you're inside a pocket of cold air from the sleeping bag, and that air slowly transfers the heat from the air inside the clothes to the air in the sleeping bag. It's that steady transfer of heat that makes people feel colder. It's a feeling that happens over a long period of time, not in 5 minutes.

[@fanrik9583]

@@websurvivor same thing happens if you're naked. Heat from the surface of your skin is slowly transferred to warm your cold sleeping bag. That's how heat works.

[@websurvivor]

@@fanrik9583 Right. In thermodynamics, two systems are always trying to achieve equilibrium. That means heat from the hotter system transfers to the colder system. Without clothes, the heat transfers from your body to the air in the sleeping bag in the beginning, achieving equilibrium, so there is no more heat transfer throughout the night. But with clothes on, there will be a slower transfer from you to the air in your clothes, and then from the air in your clothes to the air in the sleeping bag. So there will be a slow trickle of heat for a much longer period of time as opposed to one big warmup in the beginning and no transfer throughout the night. That's how heat works.

[@fanrik9583]

​@@websurvivor you're sorta on the right track but you are missing some parts. You know your thermodynamics, that's great! But you also need to understand a thing or two about physiology. You are implying that the body has a fixed temperature, and that once 'equilibrium' has been met, there will be "no more heat transfer throughout the night". This is simply incorrect. Let's get some facts straight: 1) Your body is constantly generating heat. It's a product of your metabolism. 2) The sensation of warmth or coldness is directly tied to the rate of heat transfer from your skin. Faster dissipation makes you feel colder, while slower dissipation makes you feel warmer. 3) The rate of heat dissipation depends on the thermal conductivity of the materials you're in contact with. Metals conduct heat well, while fabrics generally don't. Fabrics therefore make for good insulating layers. In summary: More layers equals less aggregate heat conductivity. Less aggregate heat conductivity equals slower rate of heat dissipation. Slower rate of heat dissipation equals feeling warmer. If you don't believe me, try sleeping with all your winter clothes on tonight, and see how you feel in the morning.

[@websurvivor]

@@fanrik9583 My guy, I spent years in the Army in a combat job where I had to sleep in the some of the coldest places the Army goes. Trust me, I've done more than "try" all the ways you can sleep. Nothing you said contradicts what I explained to you. Yeah, I know my thermodynamics. I went to college for it after the Army. Physiology doesn't change anything. A slow transfer of energy is going to make someone feel colder during that time that a time of much less transfer of energy will.

[@matwinner9708]

There’s probably more microplastic particles in new bottles than when refilled

[@OscarHikes]

That's not what the study said. I linked out to it in the description.

[@matwinner9708]

@@OscarHikes recent findings indicate however that nanoplastics levels where between 10 to 100 times what was previously thought in new water bottles (they were previously counting mostly the bigger microplastic particles). One wonders if rinsing and refilling would get rid of some of these that may be associated with the manufacturing and transportation of the bottles. For my part I use Platypus 1 litre softbottles with a sports cap; they are bpa, bps and phthalate free; since they are soft they don’t crinkle so I guess they breakdown/leach less🤷🏻

[@markhawkins2723]

some very floored info in this video....

[@patrickbrown7398]

HEYYY YOGI!!!

[@jhonyermo]

Ray Jardine, from over 30 years ago, says you are RIGHT about those boots.

[@websurvivor]

I have immediate family who is a lead engineer for the corporation that both does R&D and makes the vast majority of plastic bottles, at least for North America. Regarding plastic leeching in bottles, all I will say is, they know it's actually worse than what "media" and "social media" tell people it is. Do with that information as you want....

[@Egonzal316]

I just drank from a Smartwater bottle and now im dead, thanks a lot

[@geoffreybennett2237]

Never blow up your mat with your breath. If you do and go subzero the moisture freezes and causes micro holes. Has been my experience by 2.

[@Redneckeverything]

I have great ancle mobility, leg strength and balance but would still never get the idea to hike here in Scandinavia without high hiking boots. It has saved me from sprained ancles soo many times. Also, with the rain, marshes, streams, thorny bushes etc. the feet would not last more than a couple of days in shoes. So no, it is not a myth. However soft hiking on trails in nice dry terrain could probably work but how fun is that.

[@philsmith2444]

I look at it this way - the study about footwear weight everyone (mis)quotes was conducted by the US army, and not one military in the world has started outfitting its troops with trail runners. Why? Because boots are better when carrying loads. Granted, hikers & backpackers carry much lighter packs than soldiers but if boots work when you’re carrying 30, 40, or even 50kg packs they’ll definitely provide protection if you’re carrying maybe 10-12kg. They just have to be tall enough to go higher than your ankles, or about 8”/20cm, and you have to lace them as snugly as is comfortable.

[@Max-ej3po]

I can send you pictures of my Sea to Summit sleeping pad with shit loads of black mould inside it, it is only from mid 2020.

[@Max-ej3po]

So you’re saying the mould is on the outside?? How do I get rid of it?? Obviously I am not using that sleeping mat any more

[@Max-ej3po]

Mould spray?

[@hoser7706]

Is there science behind the naked vs clothed sleeping methods? I am always warmer sleeping naked. Always.

[@martin.feuchtwanger]

Any time you are not in your sleeping bag and feel cold, what do you do? Take clothes off ... or put more on? I guess all those billions of people who add more clothes are just not understanding hoser's fantasy fysics!

[@ogureckgreen]

I'm pretty sure that people that are afraid of microplastic will be even more crazy about aluminium near water :P

[@NelsonSherry]

Tom Smith and his tests are badly flawed. The bears do not react to talking and bells because they do not see them as a threat, unlike louder clapping, yelling, or whatnot. I would rather be ignored by bears than spooking them to get a reaction. And, I can speak from quite a lot of personal experiences that bears absolutely hear bells and talking and some respond and some just ignore it and you depending on their disposition and perception of you as something to respond to. That being said, I hate bells and bear bell use as it invades my personal sound space.

[@WalkWithWallace]

Surely using a pump would still draw in moisture in the air too particularly on a wet/damp day 🤷🏻

[@OscarHikes]

Yeah that's true!

[@Daveinstthomas5212]

Well yes it does cause mold. Two as a Winter Warfare Instructor, you sleep with max you long John. Have you been to the Arctic.

[@HuplesCat]

Use a hydropack for water carrying. Anything else is dumb

[@claesweicher223]

Any manufacturer of an air sleeping pad will instruct buyers to never inflate the pad with air blown from your mouth. They don't specifically say it will grow mold, but they do say that it will decrease the lifespan of the sleeping pad, and that they recommend using the "blow bag" that usually comes with a good quality sleeping pad, or an air pump.

[@OscarHikes]

Sorry, but that is not true. A lot of manufacturers say that blowing up a pad with breath is a valid option. For example, here's a guide from thermarest: www.thermarest.com/blog/how-to-inflate-thermarest-sleeping-pad/