10 Common Hiking Mistakes – How To Avoid Them

1. Packing Too Much

Do you absolutely need everything you’re planning to pack? After finishing a trail, many hikers would tell you that they overpacked, whether it’s taking too much food or kit.

We recommend assessing what you’ll need for the specific hike and sticking to the basics. Remember that a lighter pack means a more comfortable hike!

2. Not Packing Enough

On the flip side, you might also find that you didn’t pack enough for your hike. The last thing you want to happen is to run out of food towards the final stages of your hike when your body relies on that energy.

An easy way to avoid not packing enough supplies is to plan your hike from each stop to each meal. If you’ve got a good understanding of what you’ll need at each of these points, you’ll be able to plan accordingly. Also, ensure that you have the correct kit for all of your supplies.

3. Bulk and Weight

This point applies to everything you take on your hike, from your hiking meals to your kit. You’ll want to ensure that your kit packs up tight and light.

• If you hike frequently, you’ll understand the benefits of a comfortable, compact, lightweight and high-quality sleeping mat. 
• It’s worth investing in a sleeping bag with the proper thermal rating that packs tight. You’ll appreciate the warmth it provides on cold nights.
• The same goes for food. Dehydrated hiking meals are super light, don’t take up too much space, maintain their nutrition, and to top it all – there’s minimal packaging waste to deal with.

4. Varied Hiking Meals

You’ll appreciate this advice when considering the food to take along on a hike. While you might be happy to eat crackers and biltong when you’re sitting on your couch at home, it’s a bit different on a hike. Eating the same thing for 3 or 4 days will have you craving something delicious to tuck into – like a comforting Chicken and Lentil Curry  (just saying).

Dehydrated meals offer an incredible range of meal choices without the weight, and the dehydration process concentrates the flavours. It’s a win-win!

5. Food Quality

The nutrients, energy, protein, complexity of carbohydrates of the type of food you take on a hike all matter. Something like 2-minute noodles might be easy and small to pack, but it’s not good hiking food. While it might make you feel full, it’s all empty calories and won’t give your body the fuel it needs.

The last thing you want to happen is to run out of steam when you’re making your way up a steep climb on a mountain the next day. Mistakes happen when you’re tired and lack energy.

Also, try to avoid packing too many sugary foods. Your body requires a balance of salt, sugar, and carbs to function optimally, which you’ll find in our Trail Food Co. packs.

6. Hiking Too Fast or Splitting Up

Take your time, enjoy the experience in the outdoors, and stay together. If you’re doing long, multi-day hikes like the Rim of Africa, start off slow and work your way up to longer mileages. Remember that it could lead to injuries if you’re going too fast. Slow and steady wins the race!

7. The Wrong Footwear

Many hikers can’t contain the excitement when getting ready for a big hike and rush out to buy new boots that lead to blisters. Make sure that you use your new boots and go on a long, local hike before heading into the wilderness. There are also so many alternatives nowadays that you could easily consider getting trail shoes with gaiters.

If you’re not embarking on a technical trail with severe weather, you don’t have to get restrictive leather boots or waterproof shoes.

Comfort is crucial, so look for lightweight, breathable trail shoes. These days, flexible and breathable shoes offer support and good tread, and you don’t have to punish your feet for weeks breaking them in. They also dry much faster after river crossings and rainstorms.

Don’t dismiss the importance of good socks. Hikers and backpackers are typically more prone to moisture-related foot problems, so consider moisture-wicking wool blend socks to protect against conditions like trench foot.

8. Not Knowing How to Use Your Kit

We know that new things are nice. But if you’ve just purchased, let’s say, a new water filter, new mat, and a new stove, you should first test it at home to ensure that you know how everything works.

For instance, you may not have any reason to test out a water filter at home and figure that you’ll test it out on the trail. What you didn’t bargain on was forgetting the instructions at home and not knowing how to operate it.

It’s always a good idea to do a practice run to test out your kit. Head out for a night or two to test the gear you’ve put together before going on the real adventure.

9. Not Taking a Bag for Rubbish

We probably don’t need to remind you, but as hikers, you should leave nothing but your footprints and carry out everything (including fruit peels). Pack a garbage bag to dispose of any packaging or other trash after your hike.

While we’re on the topic of leaving nothing behind. If you’re wondering how to get rid of toilet paper after relieving yourself, we tend to take matches to burn the toilet paper.

Erm, except on Rim of Africa where you have to carry it out…

10. Ensuring That YOU Are Ready

Are you mentally prepared for the trail you’ve signed up for? It goes without saying that you can have the fanciest kit and an incredible assortment of food for your hike, but it won’t mean anything if your mind and body aren’t up to the hike. So, get fit first to boost your confidence for your upcoming adventure!

But also – remember that hiking is (or should be) fun! And good for you at the same time. I think there is so much to learn from hiking.

---