Outdoor Experience Summary and Practical Tips
1 (Highly Recommended!) Another Use for Towels. It’s the most common type of pure cotton towel—thicker ones. Before intense exercise, place it tightly against your back to absorb sweat. Remove it immediately after you finish, and you’ll feel very comfortable, plus your undergarment will dry much faster. The effect is even better when paired with moisture-wicking undergarments. Bring several so you can change them more often. The process of tucking the towel into your clothes and smoothing it out is a bit troublesome.
2. (Recommended!) Cheap Synthetic Underwear. I’ve seen people climb mountains wearing ordinary thermal underwear—terrifying!! Dedicated moisture-wicking underwear is best, but if you don’t have any yet, don’t wear cotton either. Go to street stalls or supermarkets and look for synthetic (usually acrylic) underwear. It may not be as good as moisture-wicking underwear, but it’s far superior to cotton undergarments.
3. (Highly Recommended!) Say No to Jeans. This really doesn’t need much explanation, but HowToTrip editors have noticed that many beginners still wear jeans for outdoor activities. Probably some people still think jeans are durable and sturdy. In reality, cotton is neither tough nor wear-resistant, and its physical properties are also unsuitable for outdoor sports. Once it rains, you wade through water, or you sweat heavily, you’ll understand the downside of jeans. Just take them off—even a cheap synthetic pair of trousers costing twenty-something yuan is better than jeans.
4. (Recommended!) Choosing Shoe Size. Almost all guides say to go 1 to 1.5 sizes larger, as they get looser the more you wear them—new shoes are tight, old ones are loose; tight in the morning, loose in the evening; the longer you walk, the looser they get. Therefore, HowToTrip editors believe you definitely shouldn’t buy shoes that are too big. Oversized shoes are both uncomfortable and prone to blisters. The best fit is snug—but only if you try them on with thick socks.
5. (Recommended!) Shoelaces Coming Loose. This minor issue can be quite annoying, but it’s actually solved easily by just tying a rubber band around the laces. Alternatively, you can use the small piece of cable tie that comes with appliance cords—it holds even more securely.
6. (Recommended!) Shoe Insoles Getting Wrinkled. Many people have encountered the problem of insoles getting wrinkled inside shoes. The old solution was to bring several spare insoles. But one time, even after switching three times, they all ended up wrinkled. So HowToTrip editors came up with a fix: cut a thin nylon cutting board (the kind that’s semi-transparent, flexible, and most importantly made of the right material—something similar will do) into the shape of an insole, then simply sew it to the insole. Problem solved. Also, we recommend a so-called “health insole” sold in supermarkets—its surface has little bumps. Forgot the brand, but it only costs a few yuan and is sturdier than the insoles that cost dozens in outdoor shops. Some might be skeptical about the bumps, but don’t worry—it’s those bumps that make it comfortable.
7. The Weak Point of Waterproof Jackets. As long as the quality is fine, the structure of waterproof jackets is strictly designed to keep water out. However, there’s one weak point—the cuffs. On every waterproof jacket I’ve seen, the connection between the cuff and the sleeve isn’t glued or sealed. After prolonged rain exposure, this spot will inevitably start to leak.
8. (Highly Recommended!) Liberation Shoes. These are seriously a high-cost-performance item. Cheap, decent grip, and compact. No matter how good your hiking boots are, you’ll want to take them off at camp to give your feet a break, right? Even hundred-yuan stream-crossing shoes have an unavoidable problem in places like the Bailong River: the mesh on the shoe upper keeps letting sand in. Liberation shoes, on the other hand, handle it just fine. (Though they offer poor protection—your feet may hurt after wearing them for long periods.)
9. (Highly Recommended!) Finding Your Way. Unless you’ve specifically planned for an off-trail trek through uncharted areas, preparing both supplies and mentally for trailblazing, don’t force your way through obviously pathless terrain—whether you’re temporarily lost or trying to take a shortcut. Doing so might get you injured, and it won’t save you time or energy anyway. The smart move is to just turn around and keep looking for the existing path. Don’t believe it? Try it a few times and see—heehee.
10. (For Reference Only) Pace. A commonly mentioned rule is to walk for 30 minutes and rest for 5 minutes, or walk for one hour and rest for 10 minutes. I think this is only for reference—everyone’s stamina and habits differ, so the ideal pace varies too. For faster walkers, the most refreshing method is to hike continuously for about 3 hours and then rest for 20 minutes (for horizontal movement).
HowToTrip – Outdoor Adventure & Self-Drive Travel Website