Avoid Packing These 9 Useless Items for Your Hike
Hiking is an amazing hobby. It allows you to get outside and enjoy the fresh air while seeing nature in a way that can really bring a sense of peace. I know stepping away from your creature comforts can seem daunting and even cause a mild panic attack but you will be best served without them when hiking. Not to mention, you will enjoy your time on the trail when you do not have to lug a backpack that weighs 5 to 10 more pounds than it should.
There are some items you should never take with you on a hike regardless of the type of hike you are doing. Here are the 9 items you should leave at home when venturing on the trails:
More than one book
Makeup/Excess Toiletries
Jewelry
Cotton socks and clothing
A house pillow
Extra pair of hiking boots
The entire guidebook
Extra cookware
Hiking Chair
More Than One Book
Whether you are day hiking or backpacking you will only have time to realistically read one book…at most! During downtime, you are either preparing meals, packing up camp, taking in the scenery, or even talking amongst fellow hikers. Sure, you can bring a headlamp for some nighttime reading but it is very easy to fall asleep after a day of hiking. If you are thru-hiking then I suggest you invest in a kindle. You can bring multiple pieces of literature with you to this fine piece of technology. Thanks, Kindle!
Makeup/Excess Toiletries
This really should go without saying but some folks really enjoy their creature comforts. Makeup is not needed while hiking and neither are the extraneous toiletries you use at home. In lieu of hair products, wear a hat. Be mindful of what you are taking and if you think you really use it while hiking. A lot of “just-in-case” or ”what-if scenario” products that revolve around beauty can be left at home.
Jewelry
Even if your jewelry is insured it really has no business tagging along for the hike. The risk of losing a family heirloom or a piece of jewelry that is meaningful to you might be higher than you think. Even if you do not lose the piece in its entirety you risk breaking off or chipping elements of the jewelry simply by negotiating the terrain. Not to mention, it can be a nuisance if you are moving in precarious conditions.
Cotton Socks And Clothing
Cotton may be the fabric of our lives but it is not the fabric of the trail. Cotton is slow to dry, can smell after minimal wear, and is just not as durable as synthetic fibers or wool. Socks, in particular, should be of the merino wool variety. See our article that discusses the necessity of wearing socks while hiking. Do yourself a favor and invest in some socks and clothing specifically designed for hiking. You will not regret it. One exception would be a regular cotton shirt and jeans for a day hike. Both articles are perfectly acceptable for this kind of hike but, I would still wear merino socks on a day hike. For all other types of hikes, I would lean heavily on merino wool and synthetic fiber apparel.
A House Pillow
Please do not take a house pillow on a backpacking trip or thru-hike. The weight and space it consumes make it one of the worst options not only for a pillow but also one of the worst items you can pack for a hiking trip in general. House pillows are bulky and will consume much of the precious space available in your pack. Instead, choose a pillow that is specifically designed for hiking such as a blow-up pillow or a pillow that can be condensed down to a reasonable size.
Extra Pair Of Hiking Boots
If you are one of those hikers that swear by hiking boots then by all means wear them. However, if you prefer trail runners or hiking shoes and feel it would be wise to bring an extra pair of hiking boots for extra durability you will probably want to rethink that approach. For most of us, trail runners and hiking shoes are both adequate and comfortable. Some hikers say they enjoy the stability hiking boots offer but there is evidence that this theory is actually not true. You can read about the pros and cons of hiking boots here. Bottom line: you only need a pair of shoes for your feet.
The Entire Guide Book
There is plenty of great reads that detail hiking, survival, and specific parkland adventures. However, carrying the entire book in your backpack will dramatically increase the weight of the pack and take up precious space in the bag. Much like the house pillow, leave this behind. Instead, you can copy the pages of the book you will utilize, take pictures on your cell phone camera of the pages you need, or if you have a Kindle reader you can download the guide to your device if that particular book is available as an ebook.
Extra Cookware
Cookware is great for backpacking trips and thru hikes. You will want to have a set to prepare warm meals. However, all you really need is a stove, a pan, a metallic mug, a utensil and of course an ignition source. Make sure the pan and mug are able to be used with a hot stove and you will be set. You will not need extra cups or pans. You can boil water in the pot to kill any bacteria and then leave the water boiling and drop your utensil in for a minute to be on the safe side. Then take your boiling water and let it cool a little. With a scrubbing tool you can use the water to scrub the pan.
Hiking Chair
Hiking chairs may seem nice but you have to ask; is it really necessary? Sure, they make super lightweight versions but these are not inexpensive. Most hikers are able to create a makeshift sitting area by utilizing what they have around them. A log, a rock, their backpack or even their pillow or sleeping pad depending on the type of sleeping pad being used. A hiking chair will just add unnecessary weight and will do very little in the way of making your hike more enjoyable. There are instances when a hiking chair may make sense. If you plan to set up camp at a particular location for an entire weekend then a hiking chair would be a welcomed addition to the bag.
Conclusion
It is important that you only take what you really need. Sometimes it may take some trial and error to determine what jacket, pants, or boots work best for you. Want to know what you should be taking with you on your hikes? Check out the articles below for some insight into what is really important when hitting the trails:
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