If there’s one place where trendsetting is to die for, it’s in the backpacking community.
This is a lesson I learned the hard way when I bought gear for my first hiking trip: a 2,650-mile hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. I read rave reviews for certain brands, like Altra’s Lone Peak runners, and took them as proof that popular gear items would also work for me.
I also read dozens of blogs and gear advice columns in an effort to fine-tune my kit before my first PCT date. I wanted to look like a hiker to compensate for my lack of backpacking experience. The only sensible way to do this, I thought, was to spend a lot of money on fancy clothes and accessories.
The day I hit the trail in late May of 2024, I put on my Darn Tough socks and slipped on my Altras, which I had only tested on two short runs on my local roads. The first three days on the trail were painful and left my feet aching. “This is normal,” I thought. “I have to feel a burning pain at the bottom of my feet at the end of each day.” The thought that the shoes might not be right for my feet never crossed my mind.
They’ve gone all the way through the tracking list; how can they deserve me?
I successfully ignored the pain – and the fact that my feet were growing from the desert heat – for over 200 miles. But when it came time to cross Mission Creek, which starts at about mile 225, I couldn’t ignore what was happening down there any longer. After walking 15 miles on a washed-out trail, I sat down to check my feet and found two identical, large blisters covering the entire width of both front pads. They were deep, swollen, and almost ready to burst.
The removal of my shoes cost me three days of walking as I got used to my battered feet at Wrightwood. It also meant that I was now many kilometers behind the group I was determined to make my tramily for. When I was left alone to lick my wounds – figuratively, that is – I began to piece together where I went wrong when picking up shoes.
The Problem of Over-Reliance on the Advice of Others
There’s more backpacking gear out there than you or I will ever have time to go through, and if you’re new to hiking, it can be one of the trickiest things to leave behind before your first trip. But taking advice, while helpful, is not your saving grace.
Some people swear by their choice of equipment. That doesn’t mean it’s the right gear for you. In my case, I chose to choose the most popular shoes and neglected my need for more cushion and a different fit. I also did not expect that my feet would swell to three times their normal size.
Finally, I switched to a shoe that was quite unusual for hikers: Nike Wildhorse runners. They had the cushion and width I needed. Despite the fact that I didn’t see any other hikers wearing Nikes throughout my hike, I felt the need to mingle with the crowd wasn’t worth the pain I felt, and I proudly showed off my newly healed feet. Maybe I had to learn the hard way.
This does not mean that you should never buy trendy gear. Some of the hype is true. Instead, you should never buy trendy gear without checking it out. In shoes, that means at least one full day of hiking an actual trail, which has a much different effect on your feet than taking your legs on neighborhood pavements.
If you’ve read any hiking advice columns, you know it’s nearly impossible to get your gear list complete before you head out. Even older backpackers are constantly changing things or choosing new models. Whichever way you choose to start, you will learn something new about yourself and your body’s needs.
It is important to note that some items of gear require a more thorough inspection than others. Personally, I think you can get away with just clicking on and off your light to see if it works. But with most appliances, a little extra attention to detail goes a long way to ensure you’re comfortable and safe. Along with shoes, these are the most important things to try on before committing to a trip.
Don’t Take Gear Advice From These 5 Things
Backpacks
I went to REI to fit a backpack and learned more than I expected about my body shape, shoulder width and frame. Backpacks were one of the things I saw changed the most on the PCT.
Your pocket will be your shell – almost an extension of your body. Therefore, you will need something specific in your measurements. Fortunately, there are so many options out there, it just takes time and intention to find out what your body needs.
Sleeping pads
Another important part of making sure your beauty is killer. I found that after a full day of hiking, I could easily get out of my Nemo foam pad, which doubled as a place to sit when I took breaks throughout the day. At over 700 miles into my hike and almost halfway through the Sierra, I finally decided to check out my friend’s breathable Therm-a-Rest. I immediately understood the request.
Some climbers use a foam pad under the inflatable for extra warmth at night. I’ll admit, even though I’m usually a side sleeper, I had to force myself to sleep on my back on a foam pad to keep my hips from hurting after eight hours in the fetal position on a firm surface.
Stoves
This is weird, but trust me. If I had listened to the internet gear, I probably would have bought a JetBoil – a quick (but big) stove brought by many of my friends on the road. Instead, I used a cheap, basic second-hand stove that worked so well that I thought it only took a few seconds to boil water.
If you are specific about your boiling water speed, do your research and you will find an affordable, convenient, and efficient stove option.
Water Filters
Another niche item, but water filters are an independent piece of gear. The Sawyer Squeeze filters can attach to your water bottle, while the Katadyn BeFree, which I used, requires a bladder to attach to.
Each filter has its own drawbacks, as I noticed that the BeFree filters are quick to start but clog quickly and are more difficult to clean than the Sawyer, which is easily reversible. No gear advice column would have predicted my distaste for the pushback action, though.
Clothes
A message to me that went through: thru-hike is not a fashion show. Your sunhoodie will be ripped, your shoes will be dirty, and your socks will be stained. These are all signs of a successful trip. It saddens me to see foreign products become status symbols rather than functional pieces of gear.
Hiking clothes should serve the sole purpose of keeping you protected during your outdoor adventure, so don’t give in to trends and wear whatever you feel best in.
Hiking is for all types of people, and luckily there is gear to suit almost everyone. It is up to you, however, to do your due diligence and decide what makes you feel most comfortable outdoors.
Featured Image: Photo by Izzy Wagner. Graphic design by Chris Helm