What Not to Bring Hiking: How to Hike Safely and Comfortably
Hiking skills are necessary for the aspiring hunter, but getting the hang of hiking can prove frustrating, and, in some cases can be downright dangerous, but by avoiding some common mistakes comfort and safety can be improved drastically. The most common mistake made by hikers is wearing cotton. Cotton should always be avoided when possible, particularly in cold weather. [1] Cotton fabric absorbs moisture, and can easily cause uncomfortable chafing after vigorous hikes.[2] Cotton clothing that has absorbed moisture is particularly dangerous in winter conditions, and elevates the risk of serious hypothermia.[3],[4] The cold and wet clothing lowers body temperature quickly. Wearing improper footwear can cause blisters and broken ankles.[5] Always wear footwear that fits and is specifically designed for hiking. Finally, although it may seem fun, never drink alcohol when hiking. The outdoors can seem like a great party environment, or just a place to relax and wind down from the rigors of urban life, but it is very important to keep one’s eyes open, and alcohol decreases awareness. Awareness is critical when you have no cell phone reception, and you are relying on yourself to make sure you do not get lost or hurt. Alcohol is a factor in causing dehydration, which is a serious danger in the woods.[6] To further avoid dehydration, avoid caffeinated beverages, particularly soda. Caffeine may impart some energy, but it does have a mild diuretic effect, which actually becomes stronger in those with tolerances to caffeine.[7] If you avoid cotton, improper footwear, alcohol and caffeinated beverages, you will be much safer, and more comfortable on your trips to the wilderness.
Cotton kills. Cotton is a highly absorbent fabric that sticks to the body when wet, which, in cold conditions, creates an exceptionally dangerous film on the skin that dramatically reduces body temperature. Hikers and other outdoors people who have gone out in wintery conditions have not returned, because of their unfortunate choice of cotton garments. Cotton is also uncomfortable in the heat. Heat rash, chafing, excessive body odor, and other annoyances can draw back from having an enjoyable hike due to the choice of cotton gear in hot weather. Although many imagine the rugged outdoorsman in their flannel and denim blue jeans (denim is cotton), braving the austere wilderness, this is an outdated notion. Advances in modern fabric technology have given rise to many options besides cotton including merino wool, cotton/synthetic blends, and full synthetic fabrics that wick moisture off the skin and glide when rubbed. Such fabrics, depending on their construction provide improved insulation or improved comfort, and in general are safer and more enjoyable to hike in. These fabrics are often lighter than cotton as well.
Wool, in particular, is an exceptional natural alternative to cotton in cold weather. Wool is warm. Period. It is no mystery why sheep and alpacas evolved this thick and durable fiber to keep themselves warm during the blisteringly cold winter months in the Himalayan, Corsican, Rocky, and Andes Mountains respectively. Thick wool retains up to 80% of its insulation when wet, and is exceptionally durable. Instead of allowing freezing wind to penetrate to the bone, a thick wool sweater will often stop the wind dead in its tracks. Wool, most importantly, wicks moisture off the skin. The moisture wicking quality of wool prevents the wet film effect that sweat soaked cotton creates. Sheep and Alpacas evolved this moisture wicking technology long before The North Face, Under Armor, and Champion were manufacturing their high-tech fabrics to send climbers up Mount Everest and Mt. McKinley. While wool is generally an exceptional fabric for hiking, it is not the only one, and is generally very expensive. Synthetics provide a low cost alternative, depending of course on the needs of the hiker, and are also quite good.
Synthetic fabrics like nylon, polyester, polypropylene, and spandex made by quality outdoors brands can be counted on to insulate and prevent serious cold from getting in. They also dry quickly and wick moisture like wool. These fabrics are excellent for the heat, or the cold depending on the weight of the garment. Jackets and under layers made of synthetics are very en vouge in the outdoors community, because of their proven track record of performance and their stylish appearance. In sum, it’s up to the individual to choose which style of fabric they prefer, the high tech or the natural, but whatever fabric one chooses, it should not be cotton. Play it safe and comfortable in wool or synthetic.
Footwear choice is a very personal one for many people, but for hikers the shoe must fit, and it must be comfortable and supportive. The shoes one wears can reflect status, style, and lifestyle choices. Due to these factors, people may choose one brand over another even if it is less comfortable, or even wear a shoe that does not quite fit if they simply must have a certain brand. This thought process should be eschewed when searching for a hiking boot or shoe. While hiking, never wear canvas shoes like Converse All Star or Vans slip ons. They will cause great pain and terrible blisters. Nike Air or Jordan shoes are another one to leave in the closet. After stepping on a sharp rock the air pocket in the shoe will pop and deflate, leaving the hiker with a miserable mess. Neither of these shoes has any sort of support or cleating leaving the hiker vulnerable to slipping on wet leaves or lichen and hurting themselves.
Blistering can ruin a day in the woods, and in adverse conditions it can make a hike downright dangerous, particularly if the blistering becomes so bad that the hiker cannot walk. A hiking boot must actually fit. It must fit like a glove. There should not be any play in the heel and the toe box of the boot should leave approximately ¼ inch in front of the big toe. The pinky toe and corn of the big toe should not be impinged on by the sides of the boot in any way. If the boot does not fit, the hiker will have a terrible time with blistering. If a hiker keeps wearing a boot that causes blisters they will get uncomfortable and unsightly callouses in place of the blisters. When in doubt ask a footwear professional at a respected outdoors retailer to help with your boot fitting. You may not settle on the most stylish boot, but you should settle on one that fits you very, very well.
A hiking boot or shoe must have a thick rubberized sole with reasonably deep cleating. Without a thick sole the boot will be very uncomfortable in the long run. A thin soled shoe, or a boot with an air style bubble inside it will eventually wear and hurt the bottom of a hikers foot after hours of climbing rocks and logs. The cleating on the bottom of the boot or shoe must be positive and create a deep tread. The cleats should be 1/10th of an inch at least, to give adequate traction over wet leaves, slippery mud, and slimy rocks covered in lichen or moss. Without this sort of traction the hiker is vulnerable to slipping and seriously injuring themselves.
A hiking boot or shoe must be supportive. Supportive boots and sneakers lace up above the ankle and have strong, positive arch support. Without strong arch support and boots or sneakers that lace above the ankle a hiker will have a miserable time fending off constant aches and rolled ankles. Rolled ankles do happen often in the woods as a consequence of hidden rocks, logs, and other unseen obstacles hiding under fallen leaves, or in thick brush.
Insulation is not a must, however, if the boot is going to be used in cold weather, it should be given strong consideration. In some cases, a nice thick wool winter sock or insert may substitute for insulation, but many people simply prefer their boot to have gore-tex or thinsulate. An insulated boot may overheat in the summer, but there is always the option of simply purchasing separate boots for summer and winter. Many trusted traditional style hunting boots, like a particular one that has been manufactured in Maine since the turn of the century, do not have insulation, rather they are constructed of leather and rubber and rely on a wool sock or insert to keep the foot warm. In the end it comes down to personal preference.
Drinking while hiking is very dangerous. If a hiker is intoxicated they may become disoriented, and get lost and dehydrated, or worse, fall and hurt themselves very badly when they are out of cell phone reception. In some cases, depending on how deep into the woods the hiker is, or the remoteness of the location, medical bills for emergency transportation can be extremely expensive and is generally not covered by medical insurance. In some cases, local authorities that are contacted to rescue hurt hikers may bill the injured party for expenses incurred during the search and rescue. This may include very costly measures like helicopter transportation, deploying contracted search and rescue parties with scent dogs, and emergency medicine at the scene of the accident. In order to prevent this, hikers should avoid alcohol.
Injury, disorientation, or dehydration in the woods, due to alcohol, may not only be a costly mistake for a hiker, it could potentially cost the hiker their life. Hikers have been found after they have succumbed to the elements, only a few hundred feet from the trail after drinking and hiking. This is because lost or injured hikers that wander off the trail can be extremely difficult to locate. Cliffs, ravines, thick brush that looks very much the same, and a lack of landmarks can get people with even the best senses of direction turned around and befuddled, and can conceal the location of a lost hiker from even the most experienced search and rescue team. Obviously, when intoxicated, even only a little, one becomes less sure-footed and can easily trip and hurt themselves, or lose their good judgment and wander off into the woods, perhaps without a compass or map. The Johnny Walker should, therefore, not walk with the hiker on his or her adventure into the woods. It goes without saying that Mr.Walker’s cousin Mary Jane should not accompany hikers either, for similar reasons.
When hiking, never bring cotton apparel, improper footwear, or alcohol. Bringing any of these three things hiking may, at best, result in a hike that is simply not fun, at worst there may be dire consequences. In any sport there are real safety concerns. Hiking is no different. By taking the necessary precautions hiking can be very safe, so leave your jeans, Jordans, and Johnny Walker at home when you hit the woods.
[1] http://gizmodo.com/why-cotton-kills-a-technical-explanation-1688286083
[2] http://www.consumersdigest.com/special-reports/no-sweat-the-truth-about-performance-apparel/view-all
[3] http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/survivalist/survival-skills-4-myths-about-staying-warm-winter
[4] http://www.aapsm.org/pdf/hiking-2.pdf
[5] “
[6]P. 56 http://www.mineralmed.com.pt/documentos/pdf/b2067e6f-4a87-4647-a32e-0593821831a3.pdf
[7] http://www.caffeineinformer.com/caffeine-and-dehydration
