5 Myths YOU Thought Were True About Backpacking

5 myths you thought were true about backpacking. There are a lot of myths about backpacking including sleeping naked to stay warm, 3 season vs 4 season tents, 2 person vs 3 person tents, Expensive gear, and body weight and size. These are just a few of the myths surrounding backpacking.

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[aiolos]

The sleeping naked myth has to do with removing wet clothes and getting into a dry sleeping bag. As moisture evaporates it cools even more - which is dangerous. I fell through ice once and had a long walk back to my car. I was very worried until I realized walking was keeping me warm. Then my wet pants and boots froze solid (outermost layer) and formed an additional layer that also helped keep wind/air from cooling me down faster. Surprisingly I was never uncomfortable.

[shabingly]

The whole 2-3-4 season tent thing I find ridiculous: 4th season in the UK means gale-force wind and driving rain, 4th season round your spot looks like blizzard weather, 4th season in the tropics?

[RoyceKitts]

Yeah. I've been so on the fence about a four season tent. Main reason at the moment has been just a lack of snow to deal with. Wind however has become the main issue.

[reonmorrison]

Also a big thing on the last point of weight and size, I strongly believe as well if it's your first few times backpacking, its a massive mental game. Getting over that mental hurdle is a big part of becoming a better backpacker and enjoying it more...

[michaelcapeless]

Another thing I have done when I've found that I am cold when trying to sleep at night - and this totally worked - is to just eat something light but high in fat or sugar (or both). I chose a Kind bar with nuts and dark chocolate. I ate half of it and went straight back to sleep - and slept warm.

[tinycmo]

4 season versus 3. Finally explored. Thank you. I agree.

[leonardspetstop]

I always thought the whole sleep naked thing was more so for getting out of wet clothes and or when there are two people because their direct body heat to each other. I had no idea how true any of those things were, either, though.

[moss]

About the 3 season tents being fine in snow:
Some 3 season tents only have ventilation openings on the ground. I was planning to buy a 4 season tent because of this. Do you think it isn't "dangrous" in terms of getting fresh air when the tent is closed and the vents covered in snow? (I'm not an expert 😉)

[stevedapirate]

The "body size" one is iffy. Generally, as you get bigger you do tend to be able to lift more weight which could help when backpacking, specifically on trails that have significant uphills on short sections.If you weigh over 300 lbs then you are used to squatting that but there comes a point where you notice significant drawbacks. Obese people are more likely to have serious injuries, especially in the long run. load-bearing joints are only good at supporting a certain amount of mass. that being said it would be wise in the long run to look at ways of exercise that put less stress on those joints. but once you lose enough weight it can be great and is super beneficial to backpack. you should probably talk to your doctor about what bodyweight that ends up being. I'm a proponent of doing whatever exercise you like best but do be aware of the risks.

The "sleeping naked myth" is not exactly a myth, it's just not complete information - the rule is: better sleeping in a warmer bag with less clothes than in a down jacket in a summer bag. The two scenarios are NOT equivalent and the same goes for clothing in active movement scenarios. The more layers the more stuff that can hold moisture and the more complicated it is for a stable microclimate around your body to exist. One functional baselayer and appropriately chosen BREATHABLE top layer with appropriate (or no) insulation for the given weather is ALWAYS better then layering - in my experience. Of course it's not always possible, for various practical reasons, so sometimes layering it is. But I always try to stick to this rule and it has served me well.

[outsiderswalks]

The idea behind "sleep naked" which makes some sense, is that when sleeping naked in a sleeping bag, the "room" you first heat up with your body warmth - is the entire sleeping bag - whereas if you put on layers - you more heat up the layers, and not so much the entire bag - so the idea is you dont to the same extent utilize the sleeping bags "bag" insulation capabilities - i guess there is some truth to this, but personal experience - and a fair bit of insigt into science - tells me the "more layers/insulation" theory makes more sense

[GIRLplusDOGAdventures]

Love myth busting! And great call out to Jeff, our YT budget gear buddy. Last comment, I definitely carry more than 20% of my weight and do just fine!

[elr]

I live in the Sierra Nevada and right now (Nov) we can still backpack and car camp in Lone Pine/Alabama Hills. Two nights ago we had a windstorm while I was camping; it bent the poles of my old, cheap (but I love it) 4 season tent. Now I want something that will stand up to the wind that pours off the mountains and foothills (but no snow). I’m looking at the Slingfin Portal 2P (pricey but worth it if it will do well), or the Dan Durstan Xmid 2P (not Pro). Any experience with those? Also, I’m really only considering double walled tents at this time. Thank you.

[IVfluids]

I never really understood the deal with wanting more room in the tent. I've used single person, two person, and four person tents all with the designated amount of people and never had an issue. If you really break it down you are really just in it to sleep or if there is really poor weather then it is a place to hunker down. Last thing I want to do is hike just so I can hang out inside a tent. Backpacks in vestibule, electronics and glasses in tent pockets, clothing wherever, and food bag in locker or hanging; quite often I bring a sil-nyl tarp and string up gear underneath which also doubles as a dry place to cook if there is inclement weather in the forecast. A tarp over your tent can be pitched to shed snow and keep it from piling up on said tent also.

[neonsamurai]

I have to disagree in part with the idea you can generally use a 3 season tent in winter. There are many issues with trying to use one, and it really depends heavily on the design of the tent, and where you plan to use it.

If you are going to be camping where the temperatures are fairly mild (lets say 35-20 F) during winter, without a lot of snow, you can probably get away with using a good quality non ultra light free standing 3 season tent. Much colder areas though, and you are potentially putting your life in danger if you cant hike out in a day or less.

The first problem is you will have to upscale the temperature ratings on your sleeping bag to deal with wind getting in under the fly (and it tends to be windier during winter due to most of the trees dropping their leaves, so expect a good breeze flowing under your tent). Sleeping bags are rated using still air, and moving air will quickly wick away heat. Sleeping bags have to be breathable to remove moisture from the occupant, and that breathability acts against the occupant when wind is blowing over the bag.

The second issue is ventilation and frost build up. Winter tents have top vents to pull out the humid air that we exhale, and to allow air in if the tent gets buried under a few feet of snow. 3 season tents have little to any venting up high. At best the tent's fly maybe has a second zipper so you can open the top of the vestibule for a little ventilation. If you are out for a week in one of those and the air is still you will get a lot of frost and ice building up in the top mesh of the tent, which can be a real pain to remove, and adds to the weight you have to carry. If the bottom fly openings of the tent gets burred in snow, and you have no top vents, the tent will warm up from your breath and body heat and cause the snow on the outside to melt and freeze to the tent.

3 season tent poles are also not designed for the wind loading you can experience in winter. Best of all they can easily freeze solid, forcing you to spend time having to melt the ice out of the tent poles so you can break them down. Generally for most decent dome tents with good poles, snow loading is not a huge concern unless the snow has a chance to partially melt, or it is very wet heavy snow.

I would also never use trekking pole tents (the tipi ones being the exception, as there are 4 season trekking/ski pole tipi tents) as they tend to have very wide shallow roofs, which wont shed snow well (that and many are single layer, which is a terrible idea in winter).

If folks insist on trying it. Make sure your car or home is close by so you don't die if it goes wrong.

So ya.. Generally would argue against using a 3 season tent in winter. 4 season tents do exist for a reason.

[mooreoutdoor]

I could see where if you lived in a state that gets hammered with heavy snow all winter a 4-season tent would be good. I live in Tennessee, so and I can use a 3-season tent all year long.

[nebc_yukonyeti]

As a Canuck I chuckled everytime at naked. Not because of the meaning but I so enjoy the American pronunciation “necked”. But seriously agree that less constrictive but warm layers for sleeping are better than more heavier. And socks & toques (see 🇨🇦 😉) make a huge difference.

[ReggyRay]

I really like your inclusionary attitude, I would like to start hiking. Can you maybe give you thoughts on how to go about starting and some necessary gear to get started day hiking and moving into backpacking?

[filmic]

I saw that clip of Dixie plowing through wet snowy Oregon and Washington in one of those dynema/cuben fiber (ZPacks?) tents and don't know how she didn't come to grief. I guess she just charmed that tent!!

[maxtremblay]

Wearing too much layer is dangerous because if you get too warm and sweat, your stuff with get wet and very cold and it won't dry easily in cold. The best way to go is to start light and had layers if you feel like you need some to get to that sweet spot. Sure naked is not warmer but as I heard Inuits says; to sweat is to die.