10 Backpacking MYTHS DEBUNKED

In this video we go through 10 common backpacking and hiking myths and debunk them.

*⏱ TIMESTAMPS:*
00:00 - Intro
00:24 - Welcome
00:34 - In today's video
00:56 - Myth 1 Published tent capacity
02:34 - Myth 2 Sleeping naked in your sleeping bag will make you warmer
03:35 - Myth 3 You need to buy expensive, ultralight gear
05:52 - Myth 4 You need a backpack rain cover
07:26 - Myth 5 A bit of alcohol will warm you up
08:26 - Myth 6 Hot liquids warm you faster than cool liquids
09:52 - Myth 7 Waterproof jackets are breathable
11:18 - Myth 8 You lose most of your bodyheat through your head
12:23 - Myth 9 You shouldn't inflate your sleeping pad with your mouth
14:00 - Myth 10 Storing your sleeping bag compressed will ruin it

*🔗 VIDEO LINKS:*
How I layer clothing

Norrona Podcast

[philljanemillerfairs]

Having hiked late autumn in nz in rain watching cold wet families arriving to the hut with a pack of wet gear and near hypothermic it really spelled it out that keeping gear dry is top priority. Its life or death. A good rainjacket and pack liners are indispensable.

[jakeva]

Multiple youtubers have debunked the mold inside air mattresses. I cut my 3 yr old thermarest and had no, mold. Anyone telling you different is trying to sell you a flex tail.

[scheisstag]

I totally not agree with your "a warm drink on a cold day is really not necessary" assessment. I found, that even when I am thirsty and dehydrated already, I simply cant gulp down a liter of 2 degrees celsius water, even if I am not feeling particular cold. Impossible. And since staying hydrated is really important a thermos flask is really important. ( I have spent 5 years outdoors and I am specialized to winter camping).

[jwnomad]

Warm liquids absolutely warm you faster. I often have to take a layer off to prevent overheating.

[wohlhabendermanager]

Tent size: Yes. I've always been buying "one number larger" than actual people who were supposed to sleep in the tent. So, a 3 person tent for two persons. The only excpetion is our new Hilleberg (I think it's a Anjan 2), which does indeed fit 2 people.
Sleeping bags: The only reason I like to wear as little as possible when sleeping in a sleeping bag is: Once I get out of the bag, and I am already wearing all my clothes, I can't get any warmer than that. But yes, this myth is still circulating. "You warm up the sleeping bag, and the sleeping bag is keeping you warm in return". Huh. So, exactly what layers of clothing do, right? :D

[josefsajdler]

The myth about losing (up to) around 80 % heat through your head applies only if you wear no hat, scarf around your neck and no gloves otherwise properly clothed. This is the case of saying part `a` and (in time) forgetting to say part `b`. If you compare it with percentile per body part you get pretty exact number of around 70-80 % of the three uncovered parts. Also depends on your general haircut, if you are bold etc. So it's a kind of truth, but not the whole one and the resource was something about cold of men waiting for trains in the UK about 30 years ago.

[larryhamilton]

I've always wanted a hot totty when very cold at the end of the day though I imagine that having one wouldn't help with weariness. A hot toddy is quite another matter.

[Jondantic]

My Lanshan 2 tent definitely sleeps 2 people. Vestibules for gear undercover and heaps of headroom.
I bought it for my solo trips but it’s way too big and have used it 2 people as well. I do understand that many tents are very tight with stated capacity but things seem to be changing with manufacturers

[niklasahrens]

As far as I'm concerned 24kg what my 3 week gear is, is perfect for me, I do this firstly because of fitness and being able to improvise which happens often, second cause there are still people that don't destroy nature (me and friends) and cause I like to explore stuff mostly buildings but caves are fun too, sometimes i sleep in caves too, it's funny.

[WoodswomanWrites]

Good stuff. While compressing down sleeping bags may be fine, it's still an issue with the synthetic bags that I use for wet locales and ethical reasons.

[frstesiste]

Down can withstand a lot of compression, synthetic bags less (that at least used to be the case). Of course, sleeping naked in the bag isn't warmer, but adding too many layers isn't ideal either if you add so much volume that the insulation get compressed.
I've seen a lot of "two person" tents and you can fit two average sized people in all of them, but not necessarily two extra wide pads.

[abefrancis]

I still have my old japara. It was the Tassie uniform along with the Rossi Falcons.
Doesn’t smell too good now though.

[amonstermymother]

Decathlon 👍 just bought the shorts. Great fit. Euro sizes though.

[aua]

I agree regarding size of tents. Perhaps the best exception I have found is the Mont Moondance actually fits one person and some gear (I reckon..)

[meganw]

I really enjoyed this, thank you.
I mostly agree about tent sizes...but our Exped Venus II fits my husband and I pretty well. Inner width is 130cm and we don’t have 25 inch wide pads. Having a vestibule each is great.

[EternalTina]

I lug around a three person tent for me and my dog. I could probably save around a kilo investing in a quality lightweight two person tent... But I got the tent for next to nothing, its really good quality, and my dog really appreciate the extra space.

[jamesbean]

REI Half Dome 2SL can handle 2 adults comfortably but it is heavy relative to other tents.

[brynsussex]

I’ve found my Macpac Minaret to fit two people as promised. Quite snug but just enough room

[EspyLouie]

Myth 2- I watched "Out on a Limb" in 1987 and heard the myth that David Heard said to Shirley MacLaine that "your body generates its own aura heat". Funny that I only saw movie back in January of 1987 but I remember that scenario and glad you finally debunked the myth.

[gudgo]

Very helpful! I often wondered about stowing my down bag compressed. I always have due to not having enough room in my closet and it always lofted back up just fine. I do that with my jackets as well with no issues. About breathing into your air mattress! It is good the hear it does not cause mold if you dry it out properly, but what about the myth that blowing into your pad during the winter will cause the moisture in your breath to freeze and make you cold during the night?😮