How to go from day hiker to overnight hiker
Most of us have been out hiking at some point. Plenty of people have spent a night or two outdoors as well, but that doesn't necessarily make them confident overnight hikers yet. Often the hobby stalls because you're not quite sure what kit to get or which skills are worth learning.
In this guide, we cover the skills and kit you need to spend nights outdoors on your trips, and how to build up those skills step by step.
Build your skills step by step
The surest way to learn the skills you need for hiking is to take it one step at a time. Day hikes already let you practise a lot, such as dressing for the conditions, navigation and cooking. Shorter trips close to home are a good chance to get used to moving through the landscape and to get to know your own clothing and kit. They're also the right place to test new clothing and break in your boots.
Make yourself a list of the skills you want to practise. Work on them one at a time, and once you've got one down, move on to the next.
Practise these skills:
- pitching your shelter (tent, hammock or tarp)
- cooking on a camping stove
- planning and managing your water supply
- sleeping warm and comfortably
- route planning and navigation
- dressing for the weather
Getting your kit together
Spending a night outdoors takes a bit more kit. You'll need a rucksack big enough to carry everything, plus a shelter to sleep in. For sleeping, you'll also need a sleeping mat and a sleeping bag. And to cook, you'll need a camping stove and a few pots and utensils.
Buying everything at once gets expensive, so it's worth asking whether you could rent some of it, buy second-hand or borrow from friends. We also run a rental service where you can hire items such as a tent, rucksack, sleeping mat or camping stove.
Start with easy trips close to home
When it's time for your first overnight trip, pick somewhere close to home. National parks and waymarked trails are good places to start. If you can test your shelter and sleeping kit in your own garden or on your balcony first, even better.
Once nights outdoors start going smoothly and feel comfortable, you can think about longer trips and gradually raise the challenge as your experience grows.
Read our guide blogs
Our blog has plenty of guides to learn from. Here are a few reading tips to get you started.
Articles on kit:
Articles on hiking skills:
We also host free events for members of our Life Outdoors club. Some you can follow as a live stream, others you can join in person. You can also get help in our stores, where our outdoor experts will guide you through choosing your kit.