25 Thru-Hiking Tips for Your FIRST Thru-Hike (In Just 7 Minutes)

25 Thru-Hiking Tips for Your FIRST Thru-Hike (In Just 7 Minutes)

This is the second part of my video series ”Thru-hiking tips in a limited timeframe”, where I quickly share important thru-hiking tips without any fluff. To find out another 20 tips, watch the first part of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhSRUwxeG4k

▼ THRU-HIKING POSTERS
Shop hiking trail posters here (designed by me and my gf) ➜ https://trailgoals.com/ (10% discount code: oscarhikes)
Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/trail.goals/

▼ GEAR MENTIONED IN VIDEO (affiliate links)
Silverlight socks ➜ (Silverlight: https://alnk.to/4BECIUi) (15% discount code: hikemuch15)
Darn Tough socks ➜ (Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OAg6QI)
Osprey Talon 44 backpack (new model) ➜ (Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pZUZHK)
Tent ➜ (Rei.com: https://www.rei.com/product/168564/rei-co-op-flash-air-1-tent)
Cooking pot ➜ (Amazon: https://amzn.to/2NRcywv)
Spork ➜ (Amazon: https://amzn.to/3b2moVk)
Silicone camping cup ➜ (Amazon: https://amzn.to/37YIOoq)
Cooking stove ➜ (Amazon: https://amzn.to/37W4SzS)
Power bank ➜ (Amazon: https://amzn.to/3gmqRER)
Headlamp ➜ (Amazon: https://amzn.to/37X41iH)
Camera ➜ (Amazon: https://amzn.to/3r8OALH)
Camera mounted microphone ➜ (Amazon: https://amzn.to/3r7Yyge)
GoPro Hero 7 ➜ (Amazon: https://amzn.to/3dXVpvO)
Peak designs capture clip ➜ (Amazon: https://amzn.to/3dVRQq7)
Fanny pack for my camera gear ➜ (Amazon: https://amzn.to/37UJfA4)
Gear Air repair kit ➜ (Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pXnnfq)
Swiss Army Knife ➜ (Amazon: https://amzn.to/2MAHrVr)
Decathlon Evadict Mt2 trail runners ➜ (Decathlon: https://www.decathlon.com/products/mens-trail-running-shoes-mt2-300547)
Merrell Moab Flight trail runners ➜ (Amazon: https://amzn.to/423XR9q)

▼ TABLE OF CONTENTS
00:00 – Intro
00:09 – Tip 1
00:18 – Tip 2
00:23 – Tip 3
00:33 – Tip 4
00:56 – Tip 5
01:12 – Tip 6
01:46 – Tip 7
02:02 – Tip 8
02:18 – Tip 9
02:27 – Tip 10
02:37 – Sponsor
03:18 – Tip 11
03:36 – Tip 12
03:47 – Tip 13
04:01 – Tip 14
04:19 – Tip 15
04:34 – Tip 16
04:45 – Tip 17
04:58 – Tip 18
05:04 – Tip 19
05:31 – Tip 20
05:44 – Tip 21
05:56 – Tip 22
06:13 – Tip 23
06:43 – Tip 24
06:54 – Tip 25
07:37 – Final Words

▼ FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
https://www.instagram.com/oscarbrumelis/

▼ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
In some of our videos and articles, we sometimes use affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking our affiliate links, we might get a small commission from the total purchase, at no additional cost for you. We participate in the Amazon Associates affiliate program and other affiliate programs.

▼ ATTRIBUTION
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Sneaky Snitch by Kevin MacLeod
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4384-sneaky-snitch
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Bleeping Demo by Kevin MacLeod
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7012-bleeping-demo
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

The following music was used for this media project:
Music: If Anyone Dies (Instrumental) by Steven OBrien
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9969-if-anyone-dies-instrumental
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Morning Stroll by Steven OBrien
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10523-morning-stroll
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Chord Guitar 001 by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/556-chord-guitar-001
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Fromage by Steven OBrien
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10409-fromage
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

50 Comments

  1. @BeahBeahOerTheah on January 14, 2025 at 9:14 pm

    What pants are you wearing?

  2. @sebdob9708 on January 14, 2025 at 9:15 pm

    My favorite merino wool socks are actually the costco merino-synthetic blend ones. I think they are like 15 ish bucks for a set of 4. I have tried darn tough but I find there is less slippage and better insulation with the costco ones haha. I wore them everyday working in Northen Alberta during the winter and also on hikes

  3. @wombie21 on January 14, 2025 at 9:15 pm

    These are great. These are better than the first 20. Can’t say I’d follow all of them, but these ae e a good start and people should only deviate for a good reason. Wombie

  4. @Siskiyous6 on January 14, 2025 at 9:16 pm

    Devices? Why carry the weight?

  5. @royberry6673 on January 14, 2025 at 9:17 pm

    A lot of packs comes with that little whistle on your chest strap . use it for animal awareness .

  6. @echetlos on January 14, 2025 at 9:17 pm

    Never take a single wall tent in winter conditions, also prefer tents that that outside shell can be set first if needed.

  7. @pineholo on January 14, 2025 at 9:17 pm

    my girlfriend and I* started a company. Take away the second subject to see if it sounds correct. Me and my girlfriend started a company (me started a company) or My girlfriend and I ( I started a company). Thanks for all the tips!

  8. @peterjohnson6273 on January 14, 2025 at 9:18 pm

    Always good, Oscar. Thanks.

  9. @Matt_Alaric on January 14, 2025 at 9:18 pm

    Mate, don’t call them "fanny packs". Just don’t. Every English speaker outside of North America laughs their arse off every time they hear that phrase, as fanny has a completely different meaning in America compared to the rest of the world.

  10. @ericb.4358 on January 14, 2025 at 9:22 pm

    Wild boars? Here in the US and Canada BEARS are the problem. Some places like Yosemite REQUIRE food be carried in approved BEAR CANISTERS.

  11. @chriswhite8979 on January 14, 2025 at 9:23 pm

    One BIG one for preventing blisters is : Stop the absolute instant you feel even the slightest discomfort in a blister zone.

    Get in there fast with a pad and a spot of vaseline. Then carefully examine the liner of your shoe in the affected area. If it’s a foreign body, it’s nearly always a seed of some kind. They’re actually designed to cling on and work their way in. The top of the shoe tongue and around the collar under the ankle are their favourite spots. I’ve had to pull some out with my teeth, but it was always better than leaving it.

    When we’re hiking and in the flow, the last thing we want to do is stop, but it’s a wise hiker who stops when they can – it may well be a foolish one who stops when they have to.

  12. @phillippitts6294 on January 14, 2025 at 9:24 pm

    Trail runners are for running. Not putting 35 lbs on your back and walking for 8 hours. If your feet hurt, thank this guy .

  13. @mariusbeju5522 on January 14, 2025 at 9:24 pm

    ufff why i was watching this,,,,,

  14. @herlocksholmes9369 on January 14, 2025 at 9:26 pm

    So many greats tips in this video! Most of the tips sound so logical and self-evident once you hear them, but I would’ve never thought about them on my own. Thanks for sharing and explaining 🙂

    By the way, I’m new to hiking, and that tip about the toilet paper… well, it sounds a bit too optimistic to me to only carry that little of it ;D

  15. @kamilbienias8294 on January 14, 2025 at 9:27 pm

    Where Poland

  16. @arbit_rabbit on January 14, 2025 at 9:30 pm

    Pro tip: Remember to smile & smell the roses

  17. @lel765 on January 14, 2025 at 9:30 pm

    like fanny thing man the police are gonna stop you at every mountain man, like mountains are full of police you dont know. And soldiers shooting rockets at nowhere than may kill you. Last night we had meteorites fall to our refuge and shatter everything appart, was a mess, everyone died, including me.

  18. @z0uLess on January 14, 2025 at 9:32 pm

    Are you planning on making a trailgoals poster for people that want to hike the length of Norway? I know there is no one way to do it, but I could look into which routes are the most common and get back to you since I am kinda dreaming about doing it anyway.

  19. @ericb.4358 on January 14, 2025 at 9:34 pm

    My "fanny pack" is a" wet rib" pouch that attaches below my ribs, across my lower torso, to the lower shoulder straps. It’s called "wet" B/C it has a water bottle pouch.
    PLEASE talk more about tents, cooking gear and rainy day tips.

  20. @brettgoyne9761 on January 14, 2025 at 9:35 pm

    Excellent and brief, thanks!

  21. @MultiBassman62 on January 14, 2025 at 9:35 pm

    Hiker wallets are pretty cool

  22. @jenniferabel2811 on January 14, 2025 at 9:37 pm

    LOL I need more TP than that.

  23. @TT79- on January 14, 2025 at 9:37 pm

    I know that its been the new thing to choose light running shoes that state they are made for hiking as their go-to for long hikes.
    I disagree. Ive had both and shoes like non waterproof Moab 3s and Solomon non waterproof or Oboz, la spotiva shoes etc..are WAYYYYY better than these flimsy Topo, Altra shoes that dont last at all and are very expensive. Yes they are lighter, you will also have them fall apart much much faster.

  24. @There-Is-No-Virus on January 14, 2025 at 9:38 pm

    Hike in Australia where there are no bears or wild boars. There are snakes here but they will leave you alone unless you step on them.

  25. @TytoMobile on January 14, 2025 at 9:39 pm

    Wild boars are rough. Y’know what’s also rough? Bears.

  26. @admiralmachine on January 14, 2025 at 9:43 pm

    That was a great video. Not a commercial, informative, no nonsense, and to the point. Thank you!

  27. @zokarbl on January 14, 2025 at 9:46 pm

    These are useful tips, thanks 🎉

  28. @lel765 on January 14, 2025 at 9:46 pm

    like no animal, less a wild boar or fox will get less than ten meters of you without running away, unless perfume or mosquito repellent make them not smell you (then you yell, and same result) Like wild boar are a plague here and it’s simply stupid unless you leave your camp and go for a side hike, even then most animals wont dare go near the smell of yesterday socks. Really stop caring about bears and boars and learn not to care.

  29. @qasd48 on January 14, 2025 at 9:46 pm

    I really like the quick, concise, nature of your delivery

  30. @connorweidle5370 on January 14, 2025 at 9:47 pm

    Because through hikers never roll their ankles.

  31. @uffa00001 on January 14, 2025 at 9:47 pm

    Some more suggestions:

    Have with you, in your fanny pack, two very useful devices against shepherd dogs: some individually sealed dog biscuit, and a pepper spray. Also remember that dogs fear your sticks, they have no idea how light they are.

    If you go alone in the wild on trails which are not well known and not popular, have with you some communication device: a PMR radio, a VHF-UHF radio, or a satellite device such as a Spot, a Garmin InReach, or a Personal Locating Beacon (PLB), to be used in case you really have a serious problem such as a broken leg.

    Again, if you go alone on wild places, buy a Recco reflector to put on your rucksack: you buy it only once, it costs you €25, and it can help the SAR team to find you in a moment. Always plan for the worst case. "Be prepared".

    Always say exactly to some friend or family where you are going, which trail, which route, and stick to that. If a rescue mission must look for you, they will find you in a few hours. Hotel and camping owners will often chat you up on where are you going today and if you are coming back tonight, they don’t do it out of curiosity, but because they want to know whether they have to alert the SAR. They are polite toward you and you should spend some time with them showing them what will you be doing.

    Don’t eat fruits just because they look nice and coloured: there are plenty of poisons out there.

    Before you sit on a stone, always beat the stone with your sticks, so that the eventual snake goes away. Don’t just sit on a stone.

    Never without a hat.

    In the Apennines, the Alps and in general in those places where you find wild boars, you will also probably find plenty of cows, horses, sheep and the inevitable ticks: study them, how to recognize them, how to recognize the illnesses that they transmit. Disregard American videos regarding shorts, always use long trousers.

    Have with you some magnesium and potassium pills, to prevent cramps or to cure them.

    Besides toilet paper, if you want to bring with you some wet wipes, always use the ones "without plastics", marked as "compostable" or "biodegradable". Cover your dejections with some leaves and put some water on your poo to accelerate its degradation.

    I personally always wear mimetic colours (no red, no yellow, no blue, no "flashy" greens, no white, only olive oil green, light brown, dark brown, dark green, grey, black) in order to be better able to see wild birds: birds perceive bright colours such as yellow and red as very specific signals, they will fly away and you will see less and disturb more. Don’t dress as if you were participating in a Himalayan expedition if you love birdwatching. At least, that’s me.

    And frankly, a suggestion which is overlooked by many in Italy when they are in group: don’t shout, don’t make useless fuss.

  32. @Losangelesharvey on January 14, 2025 at 9:50 pm

    so interesting, boars in Europe seem to be same issue like bears in the US

  33. @coolraoull_ on January 14, 2025 at 9:51 pm

    Thanks Mate great content, Support !

  34. @Not.Satoshi on January 14, 2025 at 9:52 pm

    I don’t agree with stealing sugar and TP from businesses. They provide those things for conveniences to their customers while they are at the business. Sadly you are not the only one doing this and these small businesses are coming out of pocket to pay for your TP. Pony up and split a 4 pack with others.

  35. @mrwes100 on January 14, 2025 at 9:56 pm

    I wear a pair of NB Fresh Foam Garoe Mid and my feet thank me profusely every time I wear them. I spent twenty years wearing combat boots, so my feet really got pounded. That was the best switch I ever made.

  36. @lel765 on January 14, 2025 at 9:57 pm

    this guy is quite dulll man like you have to be quite stupid to be wearing that hellish foam thing. You know nothing man, you need more ADSL you know like high speed brandwith extend your channels to 5 GHz and all that cheesy stuff the buddhas said over and over.

  37. @MandaPanda254 on January 14, 2025 at 9:58 pm

    Gosh I love how this was straight into it, and very useful. Thank you

  38. @rachaelhoffman-dachelet2763 on January 14, 2025 at 9:58 pm

    Absolutely do NOT use even biodegradable soap in lakes or rivers. The thing that makes it biodegrade is bacteria in soil. Only use soap 100 feet away from water, on soil, not rocks. Oat, even biodegradable soap, is incredibly harmful for fish!

  39. @Francesco-yi4gv on January 14, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    Did you like Abruzzo ? 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

  40. @Iron-Outdoor on January 14, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    thanks!! great tips!

  41. @alvaroelmanco43 on January 14, 2025 at 10:00 pm

    About the issue of wild boars in Europe, it may seem silly but you have to be very careful, because over the years they have lost their fear of people.

  42. @Guillermo-ym5yn on January 14, 2025 at 10:00 pm

    Very well done!

  43. @dannyfox1449 on January 14, 2025 at 10:01 pm

    Perfect video!

  44. @Fabian-zd3ms on January 14, 2025 at 10:01 pm

    Quality content

  45. @gerardsotxoa on January 14, 2025 at 10:05 pm

    Isn’t hunting legal in Europe or what?? Boars are a fun target

  46. @maksymsanin5219 on January 14, 2025 at 10:06 pm

    Can you provide the name of your sleeping bag as well please.

  47. @ailar101 on January 14, 2025 at 10:07 pm

    Nice video! Just to clear it up, ankle socks look horrible… 🙂

  48. @Losangelesharvey on January 14, 2025 at 10:07 pm

    query: why do you need *offline* maps if as you say GPS *works*?

  49. @EldestPuck on January 14, 2025 at 10:08 pm

    Sorry but I dont see why trailrunners are the choice even if its more comfortable. If we talk about a durabilty of 200-400 km that can’t be the choice… We also talk about enjoying the outdoors and you guys killing it with more polution and stuff… and ofc u don’t get a commission of every pair which is sold and advertisment contracts. It is just an opinion of course.

  50. @jeromebullard6123 on January 14, 2025 at 10:11 pm

    There is no best or right hiking footwear. It’s whatever works best for you. For me it’s crocs.

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