Category: Hiking Basics

Is Hiking A Good First Date? A Complete Guide

Post author By Dylan
Post date December 29, 2021
2 Comments on Is Hiking A Good First Date? A Complete Guide

Is Hiking A Good First Date?

Single life can be challenging, and sometimes you want to try to go on a unique date other than the standard dinner or drinks. Some of you may ask, is hiking a good first date?

Between natural landscapes, peaceful settings, and accessibility, there is no question that hiking is a terrific way to spend the first date. There are so many romantic directions that you can go with this date idea. We will touch on the good and the bad in this complete guide for hiking first dates.

Is Hiking A Good First Date? The Pros:

Hiking is such a great first date so many reasons some of them include:

Peaceful
Great exercise
Natural beauty
Free
Exercise
Surrounded by nature
Can be as short or long as you want
low expectations
Unique

Peace And Quite:

There is nothing worse than going on a first date in a busy bar where you can’t hear a word either of you is saying. I know I have been in this predicament where we are both perpetually saying “what” for half the date. The nice thing about a hiking date is that you are in an environment where it is easy to have a calm and relaxed conversation without loud music, bar noise, or pushy waitress.

While you are in this kind of environment you will find that it is easy to have a relaxed conversation while taking a stroll in nature.

Enjoy Some Light Exercise:

Hiking is an excellent form of aerobic exercise, and unlike running, it is one you can do at a comfortable effort while carrying on a conversation. While I understand not everyone is looking to get sweaty when on a date, I think that hiking is a great way for you to both accomplish a small goal while getting to know each other. Combining some awesome endorphins with a friendly conversation helps make hiking one of the best first date ideas.

Unique Date Idea:

Choosing to go on a hike for your first date is a great way to stand out when going on a first date. Let’s face it, everyone does the classic dinner, drinks, or a movie date, but hiking allows you to go outside the box and lets your personality shine through your date choice. By choosing to go on a hiking first date you immediately show many different characteristics about yourself. For example, if you are considering a hiking first date, you are outdoorsy in some sense, you enjoy exercise, and are not afraid of going outside the box.

Can Be A Quick Date Or A Long One:

Another thing to love about hiking dates is that you have a ton of flexibility with them in terms of timing. You can start off with a quick hour-long hike, and if things are going well, you can take a turn on the trail and extend your date a bit longer or even suggest grabbing a meal after your hike.

On the other side of the coin, if the date turns out to be a bit awkward, then you can pick up the pace and hike a little faster, and you’ll be out of there in no time! While I am obviously kidding, it’s good to know that the worst you may have to andure is a few miles of quite hiking.

Free And Low Pressure:

The next perk of hiking as a first date is free! This is nice for saving a couple of bucks and helps set expectations low for both parties, leaving you with a low-pressure date. At the end of the day, you are both just going on a walk through nature, you do not have to worry about dressing up to the nines, or what kind of cologne/perfume you are wearing. All you need to do is grab some hiking boots and get hiking.

There is no stress if things are not going great in the conversation department. You are just going on a walk through nature, and when you finish, you can both go your separate ways.

Is Hiking A Good First Date? The Cons:

There are some concerns that people typically have with a hiking first date include the following:

Getting murdered
Getting lost
Awkward silences

Murderers:

Alright, let’s address the elephant in the room, which is going out into the wilderness with someone you don’t know sounds like the plot from a horror movie. Fortunately, if we are placing bets, I’d say murderers are few and far between. If this is something that concerns you I would stick with heavily trafficked trails and only go during popular times.

As with every hike, I recommend telling someone where you are going and how long you expect to be out in the woods. I say this not because I think there is a good chance of someone whacking you in the wilderness but more so because it is good practice in case extenuating circumstances such as navigation issues or extreme weather come up.

Getting Lost:

While it is possible to get lost whenever on the trail, getting lost on a hiking date would be one for the books. If you are not an experienced hiker, I would recommend sticking with a popular hiking destination in your area with well-marked trails. This way, it can be as easy as following a path. Also, it would be best if you considered bringing your date to a place you know relatively well to reduce the risk of this happening to you.

Awkward Silences:

Awkward silences and moments happen with all dates and are not a characteristic of hiking dates in particular. However, you do not have some of the social lubricants that come with typical first dates, such as alcohol or food. While awkward silences can be uncomfortable at times, they don’t have to be the end of the world. When you are out on the trail, instead of being anxious about the silence, you can instead take a moment to appreciate it and continue on your stroll conversation will come.

Tips For Your First Hiking Date:

Just to recap some of our hiking date tips:

Know the area you are hiking in.
Always let someone know where you are hiking and when you expect to return.
Pack a picnic
Make sure your date likes the outdoors.

Pack A Picnic Everytime:

A picnic is the epitome of a classy date. Dinner and drinks are cool, but how many people enjoy a homemade picnic on the top of a mountain? The picnic can also be a game-time decision. If vibes aren’t matching, you do not even have to mention it, but a picnic can be a pleasant romantic surprise if sparks are flying!

I recommend going with something light; cheese and crackers should do the trick. You can even throw in some canned wine!

Make Sure Your Date Actually Enjoys The Outdoors:

Now, this seems like an obvious one, but hey, you never know. Some people out there straight up do not like the outdoors (weird, I know). I would try to stick with an area that is more in their comfort zone for these people. As we said first dates can be stressful why put your date in an situation they are typically uncomfortable in if you can avoid it. If the relationship progresses, you can expand into areas where you are uncomfortable, but it’s best to keep the first day simple. If hiking isn’t their thing, maybe try for something else.

Hope This Helps!

Hiking can be an excellent way to spend the first date. With beautiful scenery and nature surrounding yourself, you and your date can take the time to get to know each other while going on a scenic walk.

I hope this guide helps answer the question “is hiking a good first date?” for you. Check out some of our national park guides to see if any of our reviewed parks are in your area to give you some ideas for future day hikes. If you are looking for more first date tips check out this helpful article.

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Why Do I Lose Toenails When Hiking? How To Prevent Losing Toenails When Hiking

Post author By Dylan
Post date December 12, 2021

Why Do I Lose Toenails When Hiking?

One of the most miserable experiences I have had while hiking was having excruciating big-toe pain while backpacking the Wonderland Trail. My pain started slowly and then crescendoed to the point where every step I took felt like a knife was being jabbed underneath my toenail. Eventually, the pain got so bad that I had to stop hiking to investigate what was happening.

To my horror, I was greeted with a blood-soaked sock and a missing toenail! Some of you, like me, may be wondering why we lose toenails when hiking and how we can prevent it from happening? Well, let’s dive in!

What Causes Toenail Loss?

There are two major causes of toenail loss:

Trauma
Fungal Infections

When hiking, trauma from toe-banging is the most common culprit, but toe fungus acquired during a hike can also cause you to lose a toenail.

What Is Toe Bang Hiking?

Toe bang hiking is when your foot slides down to the front of your boot, banging into the front of your boot. When hiking this repetitive trauma is a significant contributor to toe pain and if not addressed can cause you to lose a toenail.

How Do I Prevent Toe Bang Hiking?

Have properly fitting hiking boots
Tie up your hiking boots correctly
Clip your toenails before going out on a hike
Wear properly fitting hiking socks for better traction
Take your time when hiking downhill

Have Properly Fitting Hiking Boots:

While there are several different contributors to toe-bang hiking, poorly fitting hiking boots are one of the biggest perpetrators. Having hiking boots that are too loose or too tight will cause constant trauma against your toes, especially during downhill hiking. This trauma is one of the biggest reasons you lose toenails on the trail. You can combat this by making sure your hiking boots are correctly fitted. You can check out our recommended hiking boots in our backpacking gear blog.

If you have properly fitting hiking boots but still notice toe pain or blackened toenails, you can take a few other measures to prevent toe-banging.

Tie Your Boots To Prevent Toe Bang Hiking:

You may be thinking, this is ridiculous. I know how to tie my shoes. But this tip saved my toes, particularly when hiking downhill. All you have to do is when tying your shoes put your heel against the ground at 45 degrees with your foot flexed 90 degrees, pushing your heel into the back of your boot. With your heel resting comfortably along the heel of your hiking boot, tie your shoes while in this position. Tying your shoes in this fashion will help prevent your feet from sliding forward and hitting the end of your boot.

There are many alternative ways you can tie your hiking boots. Check out this helpful video for other ways you can tie your boots to help prevent toe bang hiking.

Clip Your Toenails!

No long toenails allowed on the trail! Long toenails increase your chances of trauma from toe-bang hiking and will undoubtedly cause pain. Long toenails were my culprit when I lost a toenail on the Wonderland Trail. I recommend having a multi-tool with a small clipper if you forget to cut your nails before your hike.

Wear Hiking Socks:

Hiking socks are incredibly functional pieces of clothing to have when hiking. If you want to learn about the benefits of hiking socks and why they are necessary on the trail, you can check out our hiking socks article for more information.

A pair of wool hiking socks can act as a great cushion between your foot and your boot, limiting the beating your toes will take on the trail. Hiking socks also give additional traction to prevent foot slippage and toe banging when on the trail.

Take Your Time When Hiking Downhill:

Taking your time hiking downhill will help reduce toe banging by limiting the force pushing your foot to the end of your boot. Although going slow can be tougher on your knees, a good set of hiking poles can help offset that! If you suffer from knee pain while hiking, you should check out our Hiking With Bad Knees post.

What Can Cause A Fungal Infection When Hiking?

Fungal infections of the nail are another way you can lose toenails. It is unlikely that you will lose your toenails on the trail from this, but it is possible to contract a fungal infection from hiking conditions which can cause you to lose a toenail down the road. Some common causes of getting a toenail fungal infection when hiking include:

Hiking with wet feet
Hiking with dirty boots
Hiking with dirty feet
Walking barefoot around camp

How To Keep Your Feet Dry When Hiking?

Hiking with wet feet is typically a result of either sweating or external factors such as stepping in a puddle or rainfall. Although we cannot control when it rains, there are a couple of helpful things you can do to help keep your feet as dry as possible when hiking. Such as:

Keep an extra pair of hiking socks
Wear water-resistant or waterproof hiking boots
Use baby powder before you start hiking to absorb any moisture that may arise from sweat
Wear moisture-wicking hiking socks

Clean Your Boots Before Hiking:

This is an easy one. Before going on a hike, wash your shoes and spray an antifungal to kill any fungus lurking in your boots!

Hike With Clean Feet:

Hiking with dirty feet is more likely to happen on a multi-day backpacking trip but is still easily preventable. You want to be mindful at the end of each day to include your feet when washing up.

Have A Pair Of Camp Shoes To Wear

Walking around barefoot at camp is another way to develop a fungal infection. A good set of hiking sandals can be excellent to wear as camp shoes to keep your feet comfortable and protect them from contracting a fungal infection.

What Do I Do If My Toenail Falls Off?

Should your toenail fall off during a backpacking trip, you should keep the area clean and covered, especially if there is more hiking to be done. DO NOT rip off a toenail. Let it fall off on its own, or you can use nail clippers to cut it off. To learn more about toenail care, you can check out this helpful article.

I hope this was helpful for you if you have any other tips be sure to leave them in the comments section!

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Are Hiking Boots Necessary? Hiking Boots Benefits And Alternatives

Post author By Dylan
Post date December 9, 2021

Are Hiking Boots Necessary? Benefits And Alternative To Hiking Boots

A heated and commonly debated question in the hiking world is whether or not hiking boots are necessary? With so many hiking boot alternatives, traditional hiking boots are not always required on the trail. Deciding whether or not hiking boots are essential for you depends on several factors, such as what kind of hiking you will be doing, where you will be doing it, your hiking speed, and the qualities you value in a boot.

Using myself as an example, I typically go on many backpacking trips where I value additional support, protection, and durability, so I almost always use hiking boots.

However, there are several hiking boot alternatives, and each has its own merits and uses when on the trail. I will discuss the benefits of hiking boots, their alternatives, and the best situations to use each type of footwear.

Benefits Of Hiking Boots:

As I said hiking boots may not always be an absolute necessity but they do have considerable benefits when compared to other hiking footwear.Some of the benefits include:

Ankle Support:

To start, hiking boots offer a greater degree of ankle support than other hiking footwear. Thanks to the stiffer material around the ankle, which gives added support for every step you take, reducing the number of times twisting or rolling your ankle. Also, hiking boots have a thicker rubber sole, which allows for better grip on whatever surface you’re walking on, limiting slips or falls that can lead to ankle or knee pain.

Protection:

Backpacking is a very demanding activity where you encounter harsh terrain constantly banging into your feet against rocks, branches, ice, or snow. Your feet will regularly be taking a beating whenever you are on a multiday hike in the wilderness. That is why it is essential to protect your feet with a solid, durable pair of footwear. Thanks to their tough exterior, hiking boots act as a durable shield, protecting your feet for whatever the mountains throw at you!

Waterproof / Waterresistant

Hiking boots can provide significantly more protection against wet feet compared to alternatives. If you were to hike through the mud in porous shoes, your feet would immediately become soaked and your shoes waterlogged for days on end! Whereas with hiking boots, if you have a waterproof or water-resistant pair of boots, all you need is to let the mud harden and shake them off at the end of the day.

However, I would say to take the terms water-resistant and waterproof with a grain of salt. If your shoes become submerged in a river or you are stuck in rainy weather all day, guess what? Your boots, feet, and socks will be drenched, with cold feet and blisters being just around the corner. Although hiking boots are never entirely waterproof, they certainly provide more dryness and comfort when encountering wet environments.

Durable

As we have discussed, the trail can be rough, and your feet are constantly taking a beating. With this in mind, it is crucial to have a durable set of footwear that will last you when on the trail. When out in the wilderness, the last thing you need is for whatever shoes or boots you are hiking in to fall apart. Compared to other alternatives hiking boots are by far the most durable option. A good pair of hiking boots can easily last you a couple of years. I have personally owned my hiking boots for the past four years, and they are still going strong without any rips, tears, or holes!

Drawbacks To Hiking Boots:

Heavier

One of the main drawbacks to having a stable and durable boot is the increased weight that comes with it. When compared to trail runners or running shoes hiking boots are noticeably heavier. This increased weight can slow you down when covering long distances daily. So It is essential to weigh your needs and goals for every hike before deciding what kind of footwear to bring with you.

Take Longer To Break In

Another potential downside of hiking boots is the time it takes to break in your hiking boots. Once broken in and the insole fits the natural contour of your feet, the proper hiking boots can be very comfortable. The only downside is that sometimes it can take several weeks of wearing your hiking boots to reach this point.

When Are Hiking Boots Necessary?

Whether it is day hiking, a multi-day backpacking trip, or a thru-hike you cannot go wrong with a classic pair of hiking boots. Although not the lightest shoe option, hiking boots offer the highest degree of protection, stability, and durability compared to the alternatives. If you want a versatile hiking shoe that you can wear on multiple terrains and last you for years to come, the hiking boot is your best bet. You can check out what hiking boots we recommend on our backpacking gear blog!

What Are Alternatives To Hiking Boots?

Some popular alternatives to hiking boots include:

Running sneakers
Trail Running Shoes
Hiking Sandals

Running Shoes As An Alternative To Hiking Boots:

These shoes are a standard go-to for first-time hikers since many already own a pair of athletic or running shoes. This makes them an easy alternative instead of buying hiking boots. While these shoes are very versatile in everyday use, they have several drawbacks when it comes to hiking.

Pros Of Hiking In Running Shoes:

Lightweight/Comfortable:

Some of the pros of running shoes include being very lightweight and comfortable if hiking on well-compacted dirt. These sneakers are also fairly breathable, so you do not have to worry about your feet suffocated under the thick canvas of hiking boots.

Cons Of Hiking In Running Shoes:

Poor Ankle Support

Although they are lighter than your standard hiking boots, running shoes do not provide the degree of protection and support that traditional hiking boots do when out in the wilderness. If you are hiking many miles on harsh and uneven terrain, running shoes are much more likely to leave your sore feet and can even cause ankle injury or knee pain due to the lack of support.

Not As Durable

Compared to both hiking boots and trail runners, running sneakers are much more susceptible to getting damaged or falling apart when on the trail. This is because they are built to be lightweight and for speed, intended use to be on a more controlled surface such as a track or pavement. Because they weren’t designed to withstand the forces of the wilderness, these sneakers are much more likely to become damaged when their thinner material is exposed to the harsh conditions of the trail.

Pourus

Another con with running shoes is that they have no waterproofing technology, so get ready for some cold feet and blisters if you plan on hiking with these in the rain.

Who Should Hike in Running Shoes?

There are many drawbacks to running shoes when it comes to hiking, and they should not be used on a multi-day backpacking trip. There are very few instances where I would recommend using running shoes for hiking. The one situation where running shoes can work would be when doing a short hike on a very well-maintained trail with minimal loose rock or debris.

Trail Running Shoes As An Alternative To Hiking Boots:

Trail runners are a common substitute for hiking boots, often praised by ultralight backpackers and thru-hikers for their lightweight and comfort. Essentially a combination of hiking boots and running shoes, trail runners have the sole of the hiking boot with the lighter weight of a running shoe.

Pros Of Hiking In Trail Running Shoes:

Lightweight / Comfortable

As mentioned above, trail running shoes are loved for their lightweight and comfortable fit. Countless thru-hikers have completed their treks using trail runners exclusively, although often requiring multiple pairs to complete the thru-hike.

Compared to the hiking boot, you will find that these shoes will allow you to move moderately quicker thanks to their lightweight. These qualities make trail runners an excellent option for those looking to hike many miles a day in comfort quickly.

Cons Of Hiking In Trail Running Shoes:

Support / Durability

The main drawbacks to these boots are their lack of support and durability compared to hiking boots. Trail runners offer less foot and ankle support when compared to hiking boots, making them a difficult choice when hiking in rugged terrain with a heavy pack where you are prone to roll your ankles. Also, these shoes are much less durable than your typical hiking boot as the outer material is not as strong as the classic leather canvas of traditional hiking boots.

Who Should Hike In Trail Running Shoes?

Trail running shoes are excellent for ultralight backpackers looking to cover long distances in comfort and trail runners (obviously!). However, it is important to remember that these shoes will need to be replaced more frequently than hiking boots. So if you are someone who values traveling light and does not mind replacing your shoes more frequently, trail runners may be for you!

Hiking Sandals As An Alternative To Hiking Boots

These funky-looking sandals have been gaining popularity over the years. Essentially hiking sandals are sandals with a thicker sole meant to take the wear and tear of trail conditions. Hiking sandals are a lightweight, breathable, and comfortable piece of hiking footwear.

Pros Of Hiking Sandals:

Comfortable

Contrary to what you would think, hiking sandals can be very comfortable if all the straps fit correctly. After a quick break-in period of a couple of days, you will be able to cruise along trails with great comfort!

Breathable

Not surprisingly, hiking sandals offer much more breathability than other types of hiking shoes. Without all of that added fabric suffocating your feet, this can make your feet feel cool even on the hottest desert hikes!

Great For River Crossings

You no longer have to go through the arduous process of removing your socks and hiking boots to cross a river! Thanks to hiking sandals’ quick drying and breathability, you can cross a river in your sandals without having to worry about getting your shoes and socks wet. Just cross that river, and in a few minutes, your feet and sandals will dry up right away!

Lightweight

Without all of that added fabric, hiking sandals are the lightest option compared to all of your other hiking footwear options! Everyone is trying to shave as much weight as you can when hiking, and with sandals, you can do just that. Being so lightweight also opens up the opportunity to bring them in addition to your hiking boots or trail runners and use them as a set of camp shoes.

Cons Of Hiking Sandals:

Exposed Feet

One of the significant downsides of this option is the complete lack of protection. Without any fabric covering your feet, they are not the best options if you are hiking in harsh terrain with a lot of debris, as your feet are much more susceptible to cuts, abrasions, or injury. Also, without anything covering your feet, they are prone to getting cold during your trek if the temperature drops. While you can usually combat this with a good pair of hiking socks, you cannot do much if caught on a rainy day.

Poor Ankle Support

When it comes to ankles support, hiking sandals are one of the worst options. With just a couple of fabric straps acting as support, you are more likely to roll your ankle on roots, rocks, or uneven ground.

Abrasive Straps

Another downside of hiking sandals is that the repetitive rubbing of straps against your skin can make you prone to blisters. You can protect your skin from this by putting athletic tape or moleskin over the high-impact points where the straps hit your feet. Hiking socks can also reduce your risk of developing blisters with your hiking sandals.

Who Should Hike in Hiking Sandals?

Hiking sandals are comfortable and breathable after breaking them in. However, it would be difficult to wear them in regions with rugged terrain where you would be susceptible to scrapes, abrasions, and ankle injury. I think hiking sandals are best for leisurely day hikes in arid or desert-like regions. However, some people use these on backpacking trips and even thru-hikes, like Casey from Clever Hiker. Despite this, I am still in the camp that more protective and supportive shoes are best for long-distance hikes, such as hiking boots or trail runners.

That's A Wrap!

I hope this was helpful for you to pick the best hiking footwear for your next hike! Leave a comment telling us about your favorite hiking shoe!

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Are Hiking Socks Necessary? 5 Reasons Why You Should Buy A Pair Of Hiking Socks

Post author By Dylan
Post date November 25, 2021

why hiking socks are necessary — legs of the traveler in hiking boots with trekking poles

Are Hiking Socks Necessary? Why You Need A Pair

Yes.

Hiking socks are a necessary piece of gear to have on your hiking trip. Typically made out of wool, hiking socks offer several benefits when on the trail, including durability, warmth, and blister protection. Although it is possible to hike in classic cotton socks, this cheaper option has many drawbacks, which can lead to pain and discomfort during your backpacking trip. We will go over the benefits of hiking socks and some recommended socks for you to pick up for your next backpacking adventure!

Why You Should Avoid Using Cotton Socks For Backpacking and Hiking?

Before getting into why you need hiking socks, I will start with why your run-of-the-mill cotton socks just won’t cut it. Although cheaper and more available, cotton socks are much more likely to leave you with blisters and cold/wet feet. Blisters and dampness are a terrible combination and can lead to discomfort, pain, and even infection when on the trail.

Although great for casual everyday sock use, cotton is not a material meant to undergo long-distance hikes in the wilderness. These types of socks are simply not designed to hold up when in a wilderness setting where weather conditions can vary, and the environment itself has many more abrasive features such as branches, gravel, dirt, and boulders. Such an environment needs a sock explicitly designed to take a beating from the natural surroundings and the many miles of wear and tear brought on from hiking.

Why Are Hiking Socks Necessary?

Hiking have a number of benefits when on the trail, some of them include:

Durability
Warmth
Blister Prevention
Moisture Wicking

Hiking Socks Are Durable:

Outdoor and hiking socks are typically made from wool fabric, a thicker material built to last. Durability is a crucial feature for all of your backpacking gear. The wilderness can be a harsh environment full of debris and fauna that can damage your equipment, and your socks are no exception. The last thing you want on the trail is to get a hole in your sock leading to direct skin contact with your boot. This would lead to some painful hiking, not to mention gnarly blisters.

Having more durable socks also helps with ultralight backpacking because you do not have to worry about bringing many extra pairs, as two should do just fine, one for hiking and one for sleeping. The added durability of hiking socks will also save you money over the long run, as a good pair of wool socks can last you several years instead of spending more money each year on regular cotton socks.

Hiking Socks Keep You Warm:

Wool socks are inherently better insulated than cotton or nylon socks, thanks to their thicker design. This is especially helpful when hiking in more temperate climates to help make your hike all the more comfortable. Hiking socks also come in handy when you are trying to sleep. It is very easy to lose heat from your extremities, so you want to make sure you have a nice pair of hiking socks to keep you comfortable at night. The added warmth of hiking socks is crucial for those embarking on winter hiking trips to reduce the risk of frostnip and frostbite.

There are also different degrees of warmth associated with different kinds of wool socks. “Heavier” wool socks are better suited for travel in colder or snowy climates but if you are planning on hiking in an arid or desert-like environment you can elect to go with a more lightweight sock so your feet don’t overheat.

Hiking Socks Prevent Blisters:

Okay, now this is a big one for many reasons. First off, blisters can be very uncomfortable and painful, being the bane of many hikers’ existence(or maybe just mine!). Blisters can be painful, and they risk popping, which leads to an open wound, leaving you susceptible to infection. These can be a nuisance on the trail and lead to a miserable hike, so it is essential to take the proper measures to prevent them from developing.

Having a good pair of hiking boots can go a long way in blister prevention. These socks are specifically engineered for the activity of hiking, having added padding and protection at high impact points at your foot, including your toe and heel. This added protection pays dividends when on the trail because it reduces the risk of developing blisters, leaving you free to go out and enjoy your hike.

Hiking Socks Are Quick-Drying:

Wool hiking socks are moisture-wicking thanks to the properties of wool fabric. Moisture-wicking and quick-drying clothing are especially important when backpacking because mountain weather can be fleeting, going from clear skies and sunny to a rainstorm at the drop of a hat. So on those days where you get stuck in the rain, it is of the utmost importance to have quick-drying gear, so you are not soaked for your next day of hiking. Since your feet are stuck in a boot whenever you are hiking, it is even more important that your socks are quick drying.

The problem with cotton socks is that they can retain water for a while before drying, leaving you stuck with wet feet for days on end! This can lead to your feet developing blisters, becoming macerated, and even turning into trench foot. Having damp clothing while on a hike can be miserable, so spend a couple of extra bucks and get the fast-drying hiking socks!

How Much Do Hiking Socks Cost?

Hiking socks are more expensive than your classic cotton sock, typically in the price range of $20.00-$30.00, despite being more expensive they are certainly worth the investment due given their value and durability. This is one of those purchases that will save you money, in the long run. A pair of quality merino wool hiking socks will outlast a pack of cotton socks by many years saving you money and trips to the store.

What Kind Of Hiking Socks Should I Get?

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Is Hiking An Aerobic Or Anaerobic Exercise? 10 Health Benefits Of Hiking

Post author By Dylan
Post date November 19, 2021

Is Hiking Aerobic Or Anaerobic Exercise?

Is Hiking An Aerobic Or Anaerobic Exercise? 10 Health Benefits Of Hiking

What Type Of Exercise Is Hiking?

Hiking is predominantly an aerobic exercise because it is a low-intensity endurance activity that increases your respiratory and heart rate. Like all aerobic exercises, hiking consists of repetitive rhythmic movements over an extended period of time. However, hiking is a unique form of exercise because it also triggers anaerobic fitness, especially when carrying a heavy pack or climbing steep hills.

Since hiking is a combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercise, it yields many health benefits to its participants. Before getting into this, we should go over the differences between aerobic and anaerobic exercise and each of their advantages.

Aerobic Vs Anaerobic Exercise

As we mentioned, aerobic exercise is a sustained low-intensity effort that increases your breathing and heart rate. Aerobic exercise relies on oxygen for energy, requiring your body to take oxygen in and pump it to your body’s active muscle groups. This process relies heavily on your heart and lungs, making aerobic exercise very beneficial for our cardiovascular health.

Some different forms of aerobic exercise include:

Hiking (duh)
Running/jogging
Swimming
Cycling
Rowing
Elliptical
Skiing

As you can tell, all of these activities involve rhythmic movements and typically take place over an extended period.

Anaerobic exercise is short bursts of intense exercise that rely on energy stored in our muscles. This exercise can only be sustained for a few seconds and leads to lactic acid development within our muscles, causing soreness and fatigue after exercise. Some of the benefits of anaerobic exercise include burning fat, building muscle, and increasing bone density.

There are a variety of different types of anaerobic exercise, including:

Sprinting
Weight lifting
High-Intensity Interval Training
Calisthenics
hiking?

Check out this informative article to learn more about the differences and benefits of aerobic and anaerobic exercise.

Benefits Of Hiking As A Blend Of Aerobic And Anaerobic Exercise:

Hiking, a combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercise, lends itself to many fantastic health benefits. Some of the aerobic benefits that come with hiking include a boost in the immune system, the elevation of mood, improved endurance, and lowering your blood pressure. It is no surprise that these benefits come with hiking because hiking is mainly an aerobic activity. The steady lengthy, cyclic movements of hiking make it the quintessential aerobic exercise.

However, I said there are parts of backpacking that can trigger your anaerobic system, including steep inclines, a weighted backpack, and scrambles. Hiking steep trails turn into lunge workouts, a calisthenic exercise for your quad’s, glutes, and hamstrings. At the same time, trekking miles in a day, carrying your pack can serve as a weightlifting program working your back and trapezii.

Finally, the almighty scramble to get up highly precipitous mountainsides using your hands and feet serves as a full-body calisthenic workout. This anaerobic aspect of hiking gives many other health benefits, including fat burning, building muscle, and increasing bone density.

To recap, hiking provides both aerobic and anaerobic exercise benefits, including:

Aerobic Exercise Benefits:

Weight loss
Lower blood pressure
Boost mood
Boost immune system
Lowers bad cholesterol raises good cholesterol
Increases endurance

Anaerobic Exercise Benefits:

Build muscle
Burn fat
Increase bone density

How To Improve Your Hiking Endurance:

After all we have discussed, it should come as no surprise that the best way to improve your hiking endurance from a fitness perspective is to increase the amount of aerobic exercise you do regularly. By doing so, you are prepping your cardiovascular system to take on a physically demanding backpacking trip. Some ways of doing this include the aerobic exercises mentioned above, but I would focus on activities similar to hiking, such as jogging or going on long brisk walks.

Another great way to improve your endurance while backpacking that does not even require a shred of exercise is to focus on making your pack as lightweight as possible. You will be shocked how much further and faster you can hike after cutting excess weight from your backpack.

A personal example of this for me was when I hiked around Mont Blanc in just a day pack. Here, I was able to knock out twenty-mile-plus days for multiple consecutive days thanks to dropping my pack weight by nearly fifty percent. Check out our backpacking gear blog to find great equipment to take pounds off your pack weight!

Other tricks that can help you improve your endurance include:

Keeping adequately hydrated
Being sure you are eating enough calories on the trail
Using trekking poles to take pressure off your needs
Aerobic exercise training

Tracking Your Aerobic Activity While Hiking:

Tracking your aerobic activity is a helpful tool that helps establish a baseline of your aerobic fitness and logs your hikes giving tons of fitness data from each one. This data can vary from device/application, but often it will include your pace, distance hiked, elevation gained/lost, route, and estimated calories burned.

These data points are helpful because they track your fitness and can help you see if changes in backpacking strategies lead to any measurable differences in your pacing or amount of distance covered daily. So if you try a new water filtration system or pack your backpack a different way than usual, tracking your aerobic activity can help show you if your changes helped or hurt you as the old saying goes that which is not measured cannot be improved.

There are several different ways out there to track your hikes and your health stats while backpacking. From free apps on your cell phone, such as Strava or the health app, to expensive smartwatches, there are several options to choose from when it comes to tracking your aerobic fitness while hiking.

If you are starting out I would recommend starting with a free service such as one of the above applications before purchasing a more expensive smartwatch. If you find yourself looking to buy one, I would do your research to find the best one for you as there are quite a few on the market, each with its benefits.

Some popular brands I recommend looking into include Garmin, Apple, and Fitbit. Check out this very informative article comparing some of the different types of hiking watches.

That's A Wrap!

Hiking is a great activity that can not only bring amazing views and experiences with friends but can also be a great way to keep your body in excellent condition. I hope this article helped shed some light on what kind of exercise hiking is and its health benefits. Be sure to sign up for our email list stay in the loop for all of our latest articles!.

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Outdoors for Beginners Hiking Basics

6 Best Things To Do After Setting Up Camp

Post author By Dylan
Post date November 10, 2021

6 best things to do after setting up camp

What to Do After Setting Up Camp?

When you are backpacking, you typically hike most of the day until you reach camp. When you arrive at your campsite you typically do some of the following:

Set up camp
Cook dinner
Wash up
Switch into sleep clothes
Store your odored items

But after you finish setting up camp what are you to do with the rest of your evening? I have gone on many backpacking trips where I failed to consider what to do with these few hours of the trip and I must say it can get quite boring. Below are some ideas for things to do after setting up camp.

Stretch Out:

Stretching out is a great way to cool down after a long day’s hike and offers many physical benefits, including reducing the risk of injury and speeding up recovery. The main muscle groups used when hiking include both of your legs, shoulders, and back, so it is a good idea to focus on these when stretching.

Pro tip: A Nalgene bottle is not only a great way to carry water but can also work as a great muscle roller to help get some nice deep stretching in when at camp. If you do not already own a Nalgene bottle, click here to check out prices on Amazon or head over to our backpacking gear blog!

Review Your Route For the Next Day's Hike:

When you are lounging around camp thinking of something to do, good use of your time would be to pull out your map and take a peek at what your next day has in store for you. I enjoy doing this because it allows me to mentally prepare for my next hike, whether it be a more leisurely day or a difficult one. Planning your next day of hiking is helpful to determine what areas would be good to stop and take a break, as well as where you can refill on water.

Read On Your Kindle:

It is nearing the end of your day. You are in your tent or hammock, but you are not yet ready to go to sleep. Reading on your Kindle is another excellent way to spend your time! I specify a Kindle is because it is, in my opinion, the best way to read when backpacking because they are light-weight, waterproof, easy to pack, has long battery life, and can hold thousands of books.

The problem I always have with bringing a classic paper book is that it was always very cumbersome to pack, and with all of the things in my bag, it was so easy to tear a page or get it wet or dirty. But either way, reading can be a great way to unwind from a long day and can even help you fall asleep. Check out prices on Amazon for Kindles here or our backpacking gear blog.

Reflect On Your Day With Journal Writing:

Backpacking in the wilderness is a fantastic experience filled with breathtaking sights, grueling climbs, and many emotions. At the end of a long day, I enjoy putting pen to paper and just reflecting on how my day was, what I saw what happened, and ideas that I had during my hike.

It is nice to be able to look back on unique experiences and to be able to reconnect with the person you were on your hike. All you need for this activity is a notebook and a pen, both of which take up little space in your pack.

Playing Cards:

A simple deck of cards can help you and your hiking buddies pass hours just by playing games. Here are some fun card games that my friends and I typically play when out on the trail. Here is a great site for card game ideas and rules for each game!

Star Gazing:

Being from Manhattan, one of my favorite things about hiking is looking at the constellations usually blocked by the big city lights. I am not much of an astronomy buff, but it does not take an astronomer to appreciate the beauty of a night sky.

Happy Trails!

I hope these tips help you guys make more memories on your future hikes comment below with your favorite things to do after setting up camp!

Outdoors for Beginners Hiking Basics

What is The America the Beautiful Pass?

Post author By Dylan
Post date July 21, 2021

what is the america the beautifulk pass — Shenandoah Valley, VA, USA 09/27/2020: A woman is holding an 'America the beautiful' annual pass card against vista of Shenandoah. It grants unlimited entry to all federal national parks in the USA.

What The America The Beautiful Pass?

The America the Beautiful pass is an annual pass that gives you access to over 2,000 federal recreation lands including ALL for our national parks. Not only that but this pass also covers amenity/day-use fees at national forests, BLM lands, and many other federal lands. That means if you like camping, hiking, fishing, mountain biking climbing, or anything else that requires entering public lands there is a good chance you are covered with this pass!

Below are some of the different versions of the pass that are available, they all grant the same access they only vary in price!

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How do I get a Pass?

You can either get your pass online here. If the internet ain’t your thing you can always get them in person during your trip to a national park but be sure that the park your visiting does sell them because not all of them do. Here is a list where you can see the national parks that offer the pass on admission to the park.

Should You Get a Pass?

So this is a very common question and what it really comes down to in my opinion is simple math. If you are going to get the $80 America The Beautiful Pass it only makes sense to get at least $80 worth of entrance fees out of it right? So I would say that the standard national park entrance fees hovers around 30ish dollars meaning that it would take visiting at least 3 national parks to get your money’s worth from your America The Beautiful Pass! If you are a van lifer or spend most of your free time checking out these recreational sites you can easily rack up 3 park visits and this park is a must for you!

That's a wrap!

I hope this was helpful for those of you looking for more information about the America the Beautiful pass and if you have any other questions please feel free to reach out on the contact section.

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What Are The 7 Leave No Trace Principles And Why Are They Important?

Post author By Dylan
Post date May 10, 2021

What Are The Leave No Trace Principles and Why Are They Important?

Leave no trace principles are essentially the basic rules that are to be followed when hiking or camping in nature to limit the environmental impact on nature. These rules are commonly referred to as the “7 Leave No Trace Principles”. Given the fragility of nature and ecosystems, it is important to follow these rules as closely as possible so we can not only minimize our impact on the environment but also keep the wilderness wild and allow others to enjoy nature in its most untouched form as well. So without further ado here are the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.

#1. Plan and Prepare:

This is relatively self-explanatory, look into the rules and regulations of the park if permits are required make sure you try to get them ahead of time. Only camp in areas designated by the park. Try to avoid the busier season if you can as the more people present there is an inevitable greater impact on the environment. Make sure you look into the park ahead of time follow its rules, and be prepared for your trip this means bringing the correct equipment to be sure you are adhering to the leave no trace principles while on the trail.

#2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces:

Whether you are hiking or camping makes sure you are doing it on durable surfaces such as sand, gravel, rock, or snow. You want to avoid damaging vegetation during your trip even if a picture of you in a meadow is great for Instagram it isn’t so great for the wildflowers you are standing on! When you are searching for a campsite in a heavily used area use an existing campsite. Contrarily when you are in a pristine area you want to avoid camping in areas that appear to be turning into an established campsite to give the fauna a chance to recover. Another rule to keep in mind is you want to keep a 200ft distance from any body of water.

#3. Dispose of Waste Properly

Okay, this one I can easily make into its post and I probably will at some point but for now here is what you need to know. The first rule is whatever you pack in your pack out. Granola bar wrappers, used toilet paper, whatever it is you bring in you are responsible for packing it and bringing it out of the park to dispose of it properly. When you are going to the bathroom make sure that you are 200 feet away from all water sources and trails and be sure to dig your ditches for pooping at least 6 to 8 inches deep and cover it up (do not forget to pack out your used toilet paper!).

#4. Leave What You Find

This is a super simple one do not touch or move anything. So no picking flowers or messing with any of the rocks, plants or wildlife. Do not alter the environment or build any structures such as chairs or trenches in the park. You may look but no touch!

#5. Minimize Campfire Impacts

Campfires can be damaging to the areas on which they are started disrupting the soil and natural mineral content. Try to avoid using a campfire if you can and use a portable stove instead. In regions where fires are permitted be sure to use established fire rings and only dead/downed wood for the fire. When you are finished with the fire make sure everything has been burnt down to ash and that the fire is completely extinguished. Once extinguished disperse the remaining ashes.

#6. Respect The Wildlife

Again a pretty obvious one but cannot leave anything to chance. Leave the wildlife alone, keep your distance (sorry no selfies), and DO NOT feed the wildlife. Also be sure to secure your food properly using either bear boxes, bear canisters or a bear hang depending on the rules of the park you are in.

#7. Be Considerate of Others

Another easy one just be nice to other and respectful of their time in the park. Avoid yelling or playing music through a speaker and allow others to enjoy nature without having to listen to you or your music. When taking breaks or camping give ample space to others all of these parks are pretty big no need to be on top of eachother!

Want to Learn More About Leave No Trace???

Here are some great resources for more information regarding leave no trace principles!

National Park Website

Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics