While some people feel that buying a good quality backpack is enough, there are certain items that every traveler needs to have. One of these things is a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or trekking boots. These can be expensive, so it is important to know what types of footwear work for you and your budget.
If traveling in colder weather, then investing in winterized footwear is worth the cost. There are many brands that offer winterized shoes, but make sure they are reputable companies. Some fake winterize up their shoe by adding leather linings which poof out when needed. This helps keep the feet warm.
Another item that comes in very handy is a solid-handled spade or shovel. This allows you to easily dig yourself out of snow without having to use heavy equipment like a traditional digging tool. Many times, people forget this step until they find themselves buried under inches of snow!
These two pieces of gear will help save you time spent looking for them and figuring out how to use them before heading home.
A Shovel Is Essential
While there are some instances where you might not need a good quality knife or spoon, a solid metal spoon is always needed in the wilderness. You may want to have one for eating dried foods such as granola bars and cookies, or making sure your hands are well washed after using dirty utensils.
A good quality lightweight spade can be purchased at most hardware stores or camping supply shops, and they usually come with a tool bag that makes them easy to keep organized. Some even have plastic covers that fit over the handle which protect it from getting wet when water is present.
Many people never use their shovel for backcountry hiking, but it’s important to know how to take care of yours. If you pack light and only buy essentials, then this very thing will get left behind.
The Right Tool For the Job
While some people never needed a good quality pair of leather gloves, my favorite way to keep my hands warm is by investing in winter hiking gear. I have several pairs of wool socks that are always at least one size up so that I can add an extra layer if necessary, heavy fleece shirts or sweatshirts under my jacket to conserve body heat, and either hand-warmers or a warmer coat to finish off the trick.
I would say that this equipment is not expensive per se, but it does take time to find what works for you and your budget. By having the right tools, you will know how to use them properly and what functions they fulfill.
For example, even though most people don’t require a camping mattress, I still feel it is worth buying one since many people enjoy sleeping very close to nature.
When To Start Hauling Dirt
While some people never truly appreciate their local hiking trail until they have to make an effort to use it, this is definitely not the case when traveling with a backpack!
Most major tourist destinations will at least offer basic facilities such as showers, changing rooms and/or toilets. These are mostly attached to either a pool or hot tub, or both, and contain water faucets which are usually fully stocked.
If you’re staying in a hotel that doesn’t include these things, don’t worry about it yet – but soon!
There’s always something you can do before your trip comes to an end. You can visit any nearby stores, museums or restaurants to find what services they have so you know if there’s a shower somewhere around them, or if they’ve got a restaurant that isn’t too expensive where you can get food.
But remember, buying all of those supplies won’t help you unless you know how to take care of yourself! So, now we’ll talk about why having a good quality pair of winter camping shoes is important.
Shovel Maintenance Tips
While some people never truly appreciate their shovel until they require one, others go crazy trying to find adequate use for theirs. Luckily, we have some great tips here that will make your life as a backpacker easier!
Keeping your blade sharp is important since you’ll be using this tool to dig many things out of soil and snow. You don’t want to spend time digging with dull blades or risk breaking your arm in hard layers of earth and frozen snow.
Luckily, there are several easy ways to maintain your shovel’s edge quality. The most common method is to hone it every few weeks. This can be done by taking the handle off and rubbing it along a fine-grit stone surface.
Another way to keep your shovel in top shape is to wipe off any dried mud or dirt that has accumulated around the scoop. If necessary, wash the scoop part thoroughly under water to remove excess material.
Backpackers often underestimate how much weight they will carry
While some people never really seem to use their favorite foods, most individuals enjoy traveling with at least one food item that is in style. For example, anyone can travel abroad without having McDonald’s or Subway but almost everyone has pictures of themselves eating chicken and broccoli outside a restaurant somewhere.
Why not bring your own food if you know you like it? Or better yet, why not make yourself lunch tomorrow?
By shopping before you leave, you will save money by buying less expensive food at grocery stores and restaurants, and you will still have something to eat!
Another reason to pack a small amount of snacks and meals is because of what we mentioned earlier- space.
If you are very careful about packing, you can find ways to maximize space by using containers instead of bags. This way you can organize your supplies more efficiently too.
Sleeping bags are heavy, so try to only buy ones you know you will definitely take along since companies will probably give away free ones when you purchase a new bag.
A shovel helps dig out snow caves
While some people swear by heavy, metal-tipped hiking boots as the perfect footwear choice, we think that’s overkill unless you are very experienced in winter camping. Even then, investment in good quality leather shoes is worth it since they will last longer than thinner, lighter materials.
If you’re not sure whether or not you want to invest in a pair of cold weather footwear, try buying a cheap one first! We recommend searching online for ‘winter hiking gear tips�’ to see if anyone has any recommendations.
A great way to start is by looking at how many pairs of winter footwear someone else has given up and investing in their own. You can also buy second hand items to save money!
Once your feet are warm enough, look into getting a small, lightweight plastic trowel-like tool to help scrape dirt off of your shoe.
Shovels also come in handy when hiking through mud
While most people think of large, heavy spoons as being useful, small handheld snow-blowing or digging tools are an underrated winter gear item. A good quality hand held ski/sleeping bag scoop is great to have if you do not pack adequate warm clothing.
These things can be picked up at any big department store or camping supply shop and usually cost around $10–$20. They are very helpful in clearing your vehicle of snow before driving it or moving onto another destination.
Some companies make them out of plastic which may not be ideal but will definitely do the job!
They are super durable and can easily be cleaned later. Obviously, colder temperatures will slow down the functioning of this tool so keep that in mind when using it.
You don’t always have to use a shovel for digging holes
There are many other ways to dig pits or trenches in the wilderness, some of which don’t require a tool as expensive as a good quality shovel. Some examples include using your hands, natural roots and branches, and even taking advantage of exposed layers of soil that lie beneath more solid soils.
But while these alternatives may be effective, they aren’t usually practical when you’re looking to make camp soon after leaving the house. Reaching into the hole with your hand could easily get stuck if there’s no clear surface at the bottom, and trying to dig with roots can quickly become tedious.
A good old-fashioned wooden handle spade is probably one of the most useful pieces of camping gear you’ll never forget to pack. Even though they can cost up to $20 – $30, they will almost always see limited use outside of the campsite.