Hygiene Hacks Every Backpacker Should Know

Comments · 1.3K

• KA

  @Kalidrius · 2 years ago

  One thing I do is swap my socks mid hike. Since I wear wool, I clean my dirty socks in a lake or stream and slip the wet socks over my smart water bottle. This will not only insulate my freshly filtered water to keep it cool in the hot sun but also create convection and help <b>cool</b> the water inside. It&apos;s a very old military trick that&apos;s almost forgotten when military canteens used to have wool covers.

  1.6K

• RU

  @RussoRich11 · 1 year ago

  A motto of many triathletes/cyclists is similar to what I learned in the Army Infantry. &nbsp;&quot;Don&apos;t stand, sit. &nbsp;If you are sitting, lie down. &nbsp;If you are lying down, sleep.&quot; &nbsp;Conserve your energy whenever you can!

  622

• JC

  @jc9371 · 1 year ago

  Honestly really appreciate the bidet visual tutorial 😂. &nbsp;Not kidding.

  1K

• TI

  @TieWolf · 2 years ago

  The eye contact while you were brushing your teeth was unnecessary and exactly the chaotic energy I dig. &nbsp;Thank you for being weird 😂

  1.2K

• JC

  @JCintheBCC · 1 year ago

  I haven&apos;t seen it in the video or in the comments, so I&apos;ll throw this trick out there that 100% saved my AT thru-hike in 2005: Knee-high stockings. &nbsp;They are cheap, and they are light. &nbsp;Wear them under your socks. &nbsp;It provides a slip-plane between your sock and your foot. &nbsp;Blisters form when the movement of your sock is transferred to your skin, and the outer layers of your skin are pulled laterally, back-and-forth, by the sock. &nbsp;If the sock can&apos;t grip your skin... Booyah! No blisters! &nbsp;Plus, they come in fun colors! Express yourself!

  326

• JI

  @jimburger9418 · 2 years ago

  I live in far northern California in a town where PCT thru-hikers come to resupply. There are more and more reports of hikers getting sick, on trail, with norovirus. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not work for norovirus and good old fashioned hand washing with soap and water is recommended. Keeping your hands away from your face is important too.

  408

• SA

  @sarahlikescanoes · 2 years ago

  probably exccessive for some but I carry a tiny bottle of tea tree oil which I can massage my feet with after cleaning them and I also use to prevent rashes under and around my bra. I also add a few drops to my handwashed laundry and have used it on bug bites and bee stings. Tea tree has antibacterial and antifungal properties. You can add a drop to your toothpaste, or gargle with it in water for an extra fresh feeling. I&apos;ve used it on zits and even on a saddle sore. I don&apos;t carry it on short (2-5 day) trips but for those longer multiweek trips where foot and other hygiene is key.

  226

• AT

  @attorneycarissa · 1 year ago

  Mad respect for showing ppl how you use your bidet. 😆

  69

• MA

  @marktraylor6315 · 2 years ago

  My hygiene tip is to wear long sleeves and long pants, no sunscreen to capture and hold the dirt all over my arms and legs, then just jump in the lake at the end of the day too rinse off the sweat. Well worth feeling a little hotter on the trail, knowing you&apos;re looking forward to a refreshing plunge and a good night sleep with a clean body.

  464

• US

  @user-fr9wg9ft3p · 1 year ago (edited)

  Best way to prevent blisters is taping your feet before the blisters happen. As a dancer it was something I did before long workshops or long training sessions. Know where your feet are prone to get blisters, put skin-friendly tape on there, replace the tape daily. I think it&apos;s a very bad idea to open up a route for infection when you&apos;re under less-than-optimal hygiene conditions. I also change to clean socks daily, it&apos;s worth the extra packing.

  164

• CH

  @chemistryflavored · 2 years ago

  I also switched to a bidet and do the true backcountry method but I do every so often bring dried out baby wipes since I am female who does have to deal with my period and they help in dire situations where water is scarce. I’ve found if you do need to pack out gross wipes, an old opaque Mylar bag is the best. I have even used old coffee bean bags whcih are foil lined and keeps the smell at bay. Just a tip for those who do need to pack out! But please pack out no matter what, I’m so tired of hearing burying is fine, so few do it correctly and the soil needs to be right to compose it. I’m tired of coming across Charmin and Scott on the trail.

  321

• BR

  @bradne1973 · 1 year ago

  The thread in the blister is an old military trick that used to be published in the military manuals. &nbsp; They did recommend using undyed thread.

  55