De-influencing for New Hikers
A comprehensive list of things you don’t need and some light suggestions on what (if anything) you do need instead. There are no affiliate links on this page, only genuine advice from a more advanced woodsman.
Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles
I genuinely don’t know what it is about carbon fiber or why we insist as a species on using it for everything. It has its uses, genuinely, especially for being so lightweight. But it’s not lightweight and durable, which is what you need your trekking poles to be. That, and they’ve got the nerve to be more expensive than other, better options.
When using trekking poles, you’re relying on them as extensions of your arms to support your body weight, maintain your balance, and reduce fatigue. The most common places you’re going with trekking poles are up and down mountains, meaning the last thing you need is for one to snap in half and send you tumbling.
A more reliable solution for trekking poles are those made of a solid hardwood or aluminum. Hardwood trekking poles (or walking sticks) can be heavy, and I’ve never seen a collapsible variety, but they can be incredibly attractive, sturdy, and last you a lifetime. There’s also the opportunity to just find a really awesome stick on the ground as you walk. Aluminum options can come in collapsible varieties, and while they may be heavier, they can absorb vibration and impact much better.
I have a whole guide on trekking poles here, if you’re interested.
Collapsible Canteens and Soft Water Bottles
You think this will be a good move until you actually go to use it. And by the time you realize it’s a terrible move, you’re already way, way out there. They look lightweight and sleek, but they’re prone to breaking under stress, making them less reliable than sturdier alternatives.
They’re also floppy (when you try to drink from it, you have to have a feather-light grip if you don’t want to waterboard yourself) and easily spilled because they’re so wildly formless and out-of-control. I’ve never met a collapsible water bottle that I liked, even though they should be an awesome concept.
The only space-saving you’ll do with these bad boys occurs when they’re empty… and if you’ve planned properly, your water supply is only empty when you’re no longer hiking. And once they’re empty, they’re horrible to clean.
In my experience, mine ended up in recycling, which defeats the entire purpose of a reusable water bottle. Do yourself and the Earth a favor, and get yourself a regular anti-microbial thermal water bottle that you like, know you’ll keep, and know will work even if you bump into it.
High-Tech Satellite Communicators
It’s so relatable, and I’m not making fun of you. I promise. The first time I went into the woods by myself, I was sure that I was going to die some grizzly death alone and disconnected from everyone I love. I had everything from a new watch to the Garmin inReach Mini in my cart. But the truth is this: most places you’ll go will have cell service, even if you have to climb a little to get it.
The amount of cell service I have encountered in the United States is actually amazing. This might depend on your carrier, of course, but so many carriers share the same towers. If you’re in a group (which you should be if you’re a new hiker) and on a relatively-known trail (which you should be if you’re a new hiker), someone will have service.
These devices are extremely useful for emergency communication, but they’re often overkill for casual hikers who stay in popular areas. They also require a hefty cost and continued subscriptions to work at all. I know this sounds like un-advice, but you will know when the day comes that you need a device like this.
If you get bitten by the backwoods bug, you will know when your phone and FitBit no longer cut it for you, and you’ll feel that long before it becomes an emergency. For now, while you’re a beginner, focus on your other responsible hiker’s precautions: tell people where you’re hiking, tell them when to expect to hear from you and when to call for help, and leave that same information on a piece of paper on the dashboard inside your car for SAR and police to find.
Massage Cork Balls
So many items that come up as necessities are actually luxury items. These little guys are ultralight, eco-friendly, and great for self-massage, but they take up space, and they don’t actually treat injuries. At no point during your hike will you stop to give yourself any meaningful sort of massage, even if you think you will. No, not even at camp. These are going to sit at the bottom of your pack until you decide, one day, that they were a waste of your money and space. And that, friends, is not the mood.
If you find yourself injured, pulled, or strained at any point on your hike, rolling semi-dense balls on it may actually aggravate the injury further. The chances of you having ice are slim, but if by some miracle you have it, reach for that first. Hand warmers are also great for soothing minor pulls (but not for inflammation). Elevation and rest are the end-all-be-all for backcountry soreness, and, if all else fails and you can’t continue, there’s no shame in turning back and hiking out (or calling for help… that’s what we’re there for).
And if it’s not an injury and you just fancied a little massage… well, you didn’t have to buy hands if you’ve got ‘em.
Overbuilt Multi-Tools or Heavy First Aid Kits
This is right up there with the satellite devices. You’ll know when your adventure outgrows your pack, and there are awesome guides (like mine) on how to know how much you need to bring. But the real story is that, more often than not, you’re adding rarely-needed items and unnecessary weight to your packs. While packing, think about your terrain, weather, environment, time of year, wildlife and plantlife, and other things you might encounter. Also, think about how long you’ll be relying on your stash and how hard it will be for others (read: rescue) to come get you.
That said, you should have something, even if it’s just for basic scrapes and disinfectants. It should absolutely contain at least a few doses of the necessary medications that members of your group take on the regular (i.e. insulin, heart medications, inhalers, etc.) And you should have a multi-tool, even if it just has a little knife, scissors, tweezers, and whatnot on it. Those are insanely useful and helpful. And if you’re a beginner looking to splurge, the more advanced but still compact multi-tool is probably the one thing I’d encourage (because it’s an investment… you’ll only ever need one if you buy the right one).
Personally, I tend to carry separate tools for everything. I just prefer full-sized items, and I’ve got the room and money to spare for it. The multi-tool I carry is the Zippo Fire Starting Multi-Tool because I’m hopeless at building a good fire, and I don’t love the consumable nature of matches (you’ll run out when you need it most).
Hiking Watches with Extensive Features
Take the Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED out of your cart. It’s out of your budget, first of all (unless it’s not, then okay, good for you), and those advanced metrics are way overpowered for your adventure. Do you know how to use those things? Do you know what they mean? Is there a realistic and consistent series of scenarios where you’ll need to learn those features? Probably not yet, and that’s okay. Like the multi-tool, if you’re 100% sure you’ll be there one day, it’s okay to invest… but also keep in mind that, unlike the multi-tool, there will be better, cooler, newer models that come out when you are ready. Why buy now and be stuck with the older model? Why buy now when the model you’re looking at will be on steep sales when you’re ready for them?
Of course, don’t cheap out. I tried to do an extensive hike with an old FitBit Charge 3 and it kept reminding me to get up and move when I was literally on the side of a mountain. I knew it was time, and I knew I’d be moving on to more advanced adventures, so I chose the Garmin Instinct 2S when it came out. I still don’t use all of those features, though I am glad to have them (especially the GPS backtracking when I decide to leave the blazed trail).
Filtration Straws and Pumps
Is your hike short enough to carry a water bottle? Maybe two or three? Or a big one? Or a hydration backpack? Do that before you ever pick up a filtration straw. I have a Life Straw, and I’ve never touched it. I’m glad to have it when I’m really way out there, but I’ve never once needed it. Proper planning alleviates the need for it 9 times out of 10, and I’m fortunately still waiting on that 10th time.
The truth is that Life Straw is limited. They can filter out biological contaminants, but they can’t do anything about heavy metals, pesticides, or pharmaceuticals that can linger in the water. If the water is particularly murky, it clogs the filter and reduces the lifespan quickly. It can’t help you with viruses (only bacteria and protozoa), and it also can’t help you with taste or smell. If you’re drinking river water, it will taste like river water.
Trekking Pole Tents
These were a trend for a while in my area, and while they do save space during travel, they don’t hold up when assembled. If your poles break, you’re without shelter and without poles. This is one of those times where less isn’t better, and the benefits of condensing your gear come at the cost of your comfort and safety. If you insist on these types of shelters, then at least bring a shock blanket or a bivouac bag to mitigate hypothermia and the elements while you rest.
Tents can be heavy, sure, but you might be looking at the wrong ones or the wrong way of carrying it. It’s easier for one person to carry a tent and another person carry enough supplies for the two of them than it is to take a pack and a tent on one person. Or, you can get packs that hold your shelter for you, distributing the weight evenly across your shoulders.
