For the beginner hikerIn the freshness of clean forests and marshes, thoughts fly freely like a bird and the mind feeds on freshness. Being in nature, the basic worries of life are forgotten and you get strength for the whole spirit. Good hiking equipment makes hiking easier and you can focus on nature.
There are many hiking trails in both Estonia and Finland. In Estonia, hiking trails are maintained by RMK (Riigimetsa Economic Center) and in Finland Metsaamet (Metsähallitus). Marked hiking trails are more suitable for beginner hikers and can be easily found online. More experienced hikers can prepare their own hikes and be wherever their heart desires. When hiking, dress in layers: underwear, warm clothes, wind/water-repellent clothes and a warm jacket/jacket for holidays.
Reduce and add clothes during the day according to the weather and movement. The purpose of layering is to keep you cool at all times. Choose clothes made of breathable material and you will stay dry all the time. Synthetic, non-moisture-absorbing panties and socks from sportswear manufacturers are best suited for underwear. A worse option is cotton, which absorbs moisture and feels cold all the time. A fleece, softshell or light compact down jacket is suitable for the middle layer. When choosing water-repellent clothing, attention should be paid to the performance of the cut, practical pockets and material. A protective cap hood and one-handed zippers are also important details that make it easier to move around on a hike.
Keep your feet dry
Legs get a lot of load on a hike, because they carry all the equipment. Keep your feet dry as wet boots will blister very quickly. The most important function of boots on a hike is waterproofing. For longer hikes, choose boots with a higher leg that supports the joint and protects the foot from twisting. Boots or wellies with low legs are also suitable for shorter hikes. Two pairs of socks reduce friction and prevent blisters. Always take off your boots during breaks and let both your feet and boots dry. Sandals are ideal for breaks. Always put on dry socks after a break.
To start with a softer backpack
To begin with, in addition to clothes, you need so-called weekend bag. If you don’t have a small backpack, buy a 30-40 liter backpack with a fixed carrying system, which has adjustable and cushioned straps and is equipped with a waist belt. A strong back part is not necessary in the bag, padding is enough. It is suitable for a beginner hiker to start with day hikes, and it is worth bringing a light meal and a change of clothes in the bag. For longer hikes, more attention must be paid when packing the bag. When going on a hike, you must remember the principle that you must carry all your belongings and the resulting garbage with you to the end.
The weight of the bag against the back
When packing a backpack, it would be good if the center of gravity is as close to the back as possible and heavy things at the height of the upper back. This makes the bag more balanced and easier to carry. In difficult, variable terrain, it is good if most of the weight rests on the hips and the center of gravity is lower. Avoid attaching things to the outside of the bag, as items can easily get stuck in branches and it is more difficult to attach the rain cover to the bag.
A person of normal weight can carry a load of 1/3 of his weight. If you are 165 cm tall and 60 kg, you can carry a maximum load of 20 kg. A person moves an average of three kilometers per hour on the terrain. Bad form, ups and downs and a heavy load, further halve the speed.
Light sleeping bag and tent
A sleeping bag is one of the most important pieces of equipment for a hiker. Estonian and Finnish nights are relatively cool, so it is worth choosing a warm sleeping bag. A three-year sleeping bag is enough for a little frost. A feather sleeping bag is lighter than a synthetic fiber sleeping bag and is smaller when packed, which takes up less space in the bag. A good sleeping bag can be opened from the feet to the head, it also allows you to adjust the temperature to suit yourself. You should always try the sleeping bag in the store to make sure it fits your body both in length and width.
The tent should be water repellent and well ventilated. A good camping tent also has an inner tent, which helps with air exchange and keeps insects away. For example, a dome tent with two arches is easy and quick to set up. Lighter tents weigh from one kilo to two kilos. In general, two-person tents weigh more than two kilos.
When choosing hiking equipment, it is important to observe the following: the right size, durability, lightness, packability and versatility. It pays to invest in hiking clothes from the beginning, even one thing at a time. Start shopping for clothes from the bottom layer out. This way, you get a properly functioning ensemble, the most important parts of which are good underwear, socks, boots and headgear. Also buy yourself a good sleeping bag because a good night’s sleep is important. This way you can hike during the day and enjoy nature.
The earth has music for those who listen.
Shakespeare
Dressing in layers is not some kind of magic, but in simple language dressing as needed. Dressing in layers means that you dress in multiple layers. Each layer has its own function and they work perfectly with each other. A person feels good when the conditions are as optimal as possible, not too hot, cold or wet. That’s why lounging on the couch at home is very comfortable. When dressing, these conditions are tried to be checked both in outdoor conditions and in very bad weather.
Motion = heat. Various active activities could be mentioned here, but even a low active level (for example, little movement) produces more heat than standing still.
Immobility = Cold. When movement stops, the body’s heat production also stops. In warm weather, this is not a problem, but in hard frost, the hike can end sadly. A very interesting combination can be formed by the cooperation of the weather and your activities. For example, in warm weather, when moving in the rain, you don’t necessarily need waterproof clothes, because then you can sweat even more. The warmth of the body and the temperature of the weather ensure that you will not get cold and that your clothes will dry after rain. In cold weather, every move is very meaningful. When moving in a pleasant frost, you don’t have to dress in multiple layers every time, because you are moving and carrying a heavier backpack.
Bottom layer.
Regardless of the weather and heat temperature, it is advisable to choose light, breathable and moisture-conducting materials. In warmer weather, short shirts and underwear are a natural choice, in colder weather, longer clothes. As materials, artificial fibers, merino wool and their mixture are an excellent choice. The base layer acts as insulation between the body and outer clothing and provides a certain level of comfort in all conditions. The moisture-conducting base layer absorbs and disperses the moisture produced by the body to the outer layers, so the body stays somewhat dry, warm and feels comfortable.
Intermediate layer.
The bottom layer is dressed according to the situation, either one or more layers. The function of the intermediate layer is to separate and thereby heat. These layers are not in contact with the body or the outside weather. There are different types of intermediate layers, but the important thing is that the materials are breathable and moisture wicking. In addition to the weather, it is worth thinking about the intermediate layer according to your active level. If you are moving and the outside temperature is close to zero, a light intermediate layer, such as long underwear or a polo shirt, is suitable. However, if we are standing still at the same temperature, we would need something warmer. A good suggestion would be: dress so that it’s a little cold when you’re standing still, but not too hot when you’re moving. Simple and true. What is especially important is that adding and subtracting layers while moving and stopping is a kind of play. For cold weather, we recommend bringing extra clothes for breaks, which you can put on over all your clothes if necessary.
Top layer.
The outer layer does not necessarily mean Gore-Tex or the corresponding outer clothing, but it is simply the top layer or skin of the clothing. In general, it is a question of so-called normal clothes, for example, non-waterproof trekking jackets. The shell layer protects the layers below it from what they are not meant to withstand – wind, moisture, wear and tear, etc. The usual lightweight synthetic fiber materials are quick drying and breathable, thus suitable shell layer materials. Basically, the versatile shell layer is always light and unlined. Remember: the better the skin layer breathes, the less it sweats and the more comfortable it is to be and enjoy nature.
As for the raincoats, the question is whether to put them on top of the intermediate layers or instead of them? During a break, rain gear can be put on top of everything without any problems. But moving with such a thermal layer can cause problems, so you can replace the jacket and pants on the intermediate layer with waterproof clothes, then the heat will decrease and the power of movement will increase.
Summary.
If the cooperation of these three phenomena (weather, self-activity, clothing) is understood, then life is more comfortable. It always gets hot in the heat and you can feel cold in the frost, but by dressing wisely and according to the situation, we can reduce these problems. The cooler you feel, the better you can focus on what you are doing outside.
