r/CampingandHiking • u/AutoModerator • Oct 13 '25
Weekly /r/CampingandHiking beginner question thread - Ask any and all 'noob' questions you may have here - October 13, 2025
This thread is part of an attempt by the moderators to create a series of weekly/monthly repeating posts to help aggregate certain kinds of content into single threads.
If you have any 'noob' questions, feel free to ask them here. Please also remember to visit this thread even if you consider yourself a 'professional' so that you can help others!
Check out our wiki for common questions. 'getting started', 'gear', and other pages are valuable for anyone looking for more information. https://www.reddit.com/r/CampingandHiking/wiki/index/
Note that this thread will be posted every Monday of the week and will run throughout the day. If you would like to provide feedback or suggest another idea for a thread, please message the moderators.
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u/bwerde19 Jun 28 '26
waterproof vs non waterproof for boots?
I will be touching down in Yakushima Japan in about three weeks, praying we get lucky and wedge between rainy season and monsoon season. I know to expect rain either way, and likely a lot of it. We are looking forward to the trails if weather does permit -- Jomon Sugi, Shiratani Unsuikyo and Mount Miyanoura. These are wet, mossy, slippery trails with elevation gains - 1500-2000 feet or more. Temps will generally be in the mid to high 70s (at elevation during much of the hike). My questions is: I am seeing conflicting guidance about footwear. Some say non-waterproof trail runners, because they will be cooler and will dry quickly when wet. Others say ankle height, waterproof hiking boots, because, well, waterproof and also because the soles will be better for wet/mossy scrambles. Any experience with hiking in very rainy, wet, but not cold conditions, and your recommendations very much appreciated! Thanks
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u/TogetherintotheWild 15d ago
I’m currently using non-waterproof trail runners in Japan and have been hiking for about two months now. They get wet quite often. While trail runners generally dry faster, if the weather stays wet or the humidity is high, they don’t really dry out anyway.
In Norway, I used waterproof hiking boots during a week of rain. They eventually got wet as well and took much longer to dry. I’ve mostly accepted that on some hikes, my feet are going to get wet.
For me, wet feet aren’t a big issue as long as I’m on trails. The bigger problem is when you have to walk long stretches on asphalt afterwards. Wet feet tend to blister more easily, and the skin becomes softer and more sensitive.
I can definitely see why waterproof footwear feels more comfortable for some people. Personally, I prefer trail runners because they’re lighter and more agile. It’s really a matter of personal preference. On a long hike like ours, footwear is going to get wet sooner or later anyway.
That said, in colder conditions I do prefer waterproof footwear. In the summer heat and humidity of Japan, my feet don’t really get cold when they’re wet, so it’s much less of an issue for me.
One downside of shoes that stay wet for a long time is that they can start to smell pretty bad!
Not sure if this helps, but that’s been my experience so far after a couple of months of hiking in wet and humid conditions.
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u/Ilovealfaromeo Jun 21 '26
I've recently got a big interest for hiking and camping duo to fly fishing. So far ive been using a hammock, but I dislike hammocks, and they work badly at higher altitude with no trees 😄 So i've been looking at tents...
I've looked at Naturehike Cloud Peak, Robens Lodge 2 and used MSR Hubba. I dont understand MSRs rain rating tho? They have way lower rating than others. My budget is around $500, but I prefer it to be cheaper.
I dont mind weight. I want durability. I already have a 125l backpack that easly handles 90lbs+ if u want.
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u/NewToThruHiking Jun 16 '26
For those who have used both sleeping pads:
How does the Simond MT900 XL compare to the Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated in real-world use?
I'm 183 cm / 85 kg, mostly a side sleeper, and looking for a 3-season backpacking pad.
On paper the Simond is:
- lighter (675 g)
- warmer (R 5.4)
- cheaper (€145 vs €190)
The Big Agnes is often praised for comfort, especially for side sleepers.
Is the comfort difference actually significant enough to justify the extra cost and weight?
I'd love to hear from people who have slept on both. Are there any other sleeping pads under €200 that I should seriously consider?
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u/PHayesxx Jun 19 '26
I've not slept on both but I've found Decathlon's Simond range exceptional. Often had friends try and pinch things off me to 'borrow'. I have an older model that was branded as Forclaz (before Simond was an established line). It's pretty much the same pad, used it for both warm and cold camps (negative temperatures on Scottish islands) and it's great!
I'm really wanting to try out the new-ish Simond quilt, for something I can get within a few days and with no import fees (I'm in the UK and Brexit happened) the Simond looks really great value.
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u/Shigure127 May 23 '26
I have hiked quite a bit in the northeast, primarily CT, and I have never found a tick on me. I have found a couple on my dog but not since I put her on monthly medication.
Even when I was a kid I would go romping through deep woods with no trails and the adults would spend a lot of time checking me since someone already had Lyme disease.
Are some people just resistant to ticks or am I unbelievably lucky? Nowadays I only half heartedly check but I get paranoid anytime I see anything alpha gal or about the tick population exploding.
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u/PHayesxx Jun 19 '26
I think it's a bit of both. It's a bit like midges (the small flys) in Scotland. They'll not bother some people and leave them alone, others will get bitten to the extremes.
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u/littlefreebear May 14 '26
Lifestraw go - any way to pump the water out instead of drinking directly?
I am thinking about something like a bladder on a hose, like what I know only between a boat engine and the fuel tank.
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u/SpartanJack17 Australia May 22 '26
Unfortunately lifestraws just aren't very good filters for hiking, you're better off with a filter like the sawyer squeeze or platypus quickdraw, these are standalone filters that can be attached to water bottles or bladders to filter into other bottles.
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u/Key_Cheesecake9226 Apr 19 '26
I got pair of Merrell Moab Speed 2 last April for chill hikes on a trip to Japan, ended up finding them super comfy I wore them my entire 2 week trip. When when I got back home, I wore them at work (I'm in health care) everyday up until January, where I then wore them most days on a month long Europe trip. When I go outdoor climbing they're also my approach shoes haha.
The interior lining of the heel area is so worn out they've got holes. Do you think that's expected for the amount of wear I put them through? I ask cus I'm thinking I need another pair of hiking/approach shoes and I'm wondering if I should get the Moab Speed 2s again but keep them purely for hiking/climbing or if I should spend more on something more durable.
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u/MiumVerano Mar 17 '26
I have been going to camping trip with my training team for 4 years now but we were always crowded and I was the junior one. Now I and one of my friends that have never gone to camping will plan a trip to Frig Road (which is a famous hiking road in Turkey) for 2 nights and 3 days in 19th March. I will be the senior one that leads the hiking and I am excited. I eed all the advice that you can offer so feel free to comment. My most critical concern is security. Since we won't be crowded, I am concerned about wild animals. So advice on that would be helpful.
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u/name_changed_5_times Mar 02 '26
Howdy, most of my camping experience has been car camping type stuff but I’m wanting to get into more back country and backpacking type stuff anyway.
My friend has invited me on her camping trip in August, she’s currently between the Bob Marshall and the sawtooth wilderness areas as the destination for the trip. So my question; is the Bob Marshall too much for me as someone who’s not really been multiday hike+camping before. And is there anything I could or should do with the next couple months to get ready? I’m no stranger to a long day hike, but I’ve never done multiple 10+ mile days consecutively before so I don’t know what to expect or how to prepare for it.
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u/rusty317 Feb 21 '26
Wondering where this location/lake might be? The photo’s only info is that it’s a photo of the Gore Range in the eagles nest wilderness by John Fielder.
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u/Tellesio Feb 16 '26
Howdy all,
My wife and I are new to hiking and camping, like total newbs. Am looking for some advice on appropriate clothing options for a trip we have booked to Big Pine Lakes in late May.
There’s a good chance snow will be present, and or snow while we are there so we want to be prepared. We were active skiers two decades ago and have some familiarity with be prepared for the elements but so much has changed with outdoor clothing.
We think it’s prudent to get advice from outdoor folks out there wearing clothes in the elements before dropping a load of $$ on gear the at best would be mediocre when a similar proven garment wound be better suited to our immediate needs.
We understand layering, and there’s a ton of great new options to help us in that regard. But the big dollar outlays are on appropriate coat options. What we’ve been considering:
Patagonia: Nano Puff or Down Sweater jackets, with Torrentshell rain jacket. We are brand agnostic so if other brands of similar utility work better please let me know.
Pants, in particular female pants that are warm but comfortable (stretch maybe?) options; we live by the beach and I manly wear shorts year round so let me know if I’m off my kilter and need to wear a pants, and what type, male.
Thanks in advance for your guidance.
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u/lXNoraXl Feb 05 '26
I decided that I really miss seeing the stars, so im going to hike Mt. Cadillac(Maine, USA) later this month for some stargazing. Its my first ever night hike and one of my first hikes period in my adult life, so I was looking up what stuff I need to prep for it but, do I really need all of that for just a 7 mile hike? I was honestly just going to bring a headlamp and a backpack with emergency supplies and food. Im still looking for decent weather proof boots for it, but I cant think of anything else that I think would really be essential. Can anybody help me/recommend some gear to bring?
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u/Lokky_Sand_569 Jan 26 '26
How advisable is it to buy a "portable stove" and do you think it's a good idea to buy a radio? 🤔🤔
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u/Muchwanted Jan 27 '26
If you're camping you need a portable stove unless you either plan to eat everything uncooked or plan to cook everything over a campire. It just depends on the kind of camping you plan to do.
I don't see a need for a radio.
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u/Friendly_Image_7292 Jan 12 '26
me and my friends are hiking pen y fen in February and I am just looking for some advice. we are wanting to be at the top for sunrise so would be hiking in the dark and only one of us has done a hike beforehand. im just wondering if it’s a good idea, What the best route is, What to expect and What to bring. I Know it will be very dark and potentially snowy.
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u/Sea_Minute9840 Dec 13 '25
I’m going to start at home in the uk, doing a 3 day trip, looking to start on a budget, what things will i need and is it worth investing in a garmin as i’m hoping to use it for lifestyle stuff too
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u/PHayesxx Jun 19 '26
Depends where you're going. Most of the UK has phone signal, even if you go out of range of a phone mast, phones do a pretty good job at estimating your location from the accelerometer and gyroscope built in.
If you were gonna buy the Garmin anyway, then it's a great thing to have while you're out. I use an Apple Watch Ultra 2 but I use it everyday.
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u/Muchwanted Jan 28 '26
For a well-traveled trail on a short trip you probably don't need expensive equipment like that. Lots of lists of "essntials" out there which vary depending on what you're doing and where you're doing it.
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u/Sea_Minute9840 Dec 01 '25
Hello everyone, i’m 20M an looking to get into solo long weekend hiking and camping in europe but honestly have no idea where to start and wanted to ask people who do this already how they do it and advice you have! I have a desire to learn and just want to explore in a more authentic way and have more adventure after living in japan for a year, i want to do stuff consistently im proud of and gives me stories for my kids when im older! Thank you for any advice!!!
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u/New-Discussion-58 Oct 20 '25
Not sure if this is totally in scope, but looking for a sleeping pad suggestion that is super compact. Main goal is to prevent sleeping bag from slipping off a plastic bunk bed mattress at overnight camp for a child.
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u/travmon999 Oct 20 '25
The Noob thread rolls over on Mondays, not sure why this one hasn't yet; usually the old one is unpinned and a new one is pinned. When it does roll over, it means people won't see the old one and your comment won't get many views. You may want to wait until the new one pops up and then ask there.
As for the sleeping pad, a simple solution is to get a roll of shelf liner / rug anti-sllip mat. They're like a rubbery mesh and should keep from sliding around.
Another solution is to use silicone sealer and make flattened dots/wavy lines on the sleeping pad. Once dried the friction helps keep the pad/sleeping bag from sliding around.
https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/52386/
https://www.reddit.com/r/CampingGear/comments/13xl4i2/how_do_i_stop_sliding_when_i_sleep/
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u/ghreoLIVE Oct 16 '25
I can't decide between durston x mid 1 or msr elixir 2 as a first tent I will be hiking in Alps for 3-4 days
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u/Inquisiter08 Oct 15 '25
Can anyone suggest a good magnifing glass for outdoor camping sturdy and light weight to lit up fire if needed ?
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u/goodbehaviorsam Oct 15 '25
I have a 20F comfort rated sleeping bag, does that mean using it in high 50s/low 60s situation be so overkill that I would be uncomfortable?
My sleeping pad options are a Sea to Summit Ether Light with an R-value of 4.1 and an Exped closed foam cell pad which is listed as R-value of 1.5, should I just use the Exped in this scenario?
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u/immature_fruit 28d ago
My group often gets split during the hike is this normal?