It’s hard enough to wade through all of the gear myths out there as a seasoned hiker, let alone as a beginner. Wilderness breaks down a few common misconceptions.

Myth #1: Sleeping naked is warmer

I don’t know who originally disseminated this one, but it remains as pervasive as it is pervy. I understand the argument – since sleeping bags provide warmth by trapping body heat (as opposed to actively warming us, like a woodburner), skin-to-sleeping bag contact could provide more effective insulation. I can see how sleeping bags feel warmer against bare skin because of the proximity to the bag’s insulation. However, the idea goes against everything we understand about layering. Wearing additional layers when in the bag will absolutely keep you warmer – just as adding extra blankets does. Dry thermal layers trap warmth against your skin and combat drafts, but the trick is to find a compromise. Too many layers and sweat will start to cool you down, potentially reducing the effectiveness of the bag’s insulation and shortening the bag’s life. If you really must sleep in your birthday suit, use a sleeping bag liner – and make sure you keep clothes accessible in case of an embarrassing midnight emergency.

Myth #2: You need a big pack

I once owned an 85L pack. I can’t fathom how I filled it. My pack-size journey has been fraught with missteps, and I’ve been talked into several large-capacity packs since I started tramping seriously. I’ve ultimately settled on a lightweight 50L pack: no sophisticated suspension, a roll top, a stretch exterior pocket, very few bells and whistles. It’s fine for weekend jaunts and up to seven days on the trail. Yes, my gear has downsized and I’ve learned how to pack efficiently, but I’ve also realised I’m the type of tramper who will fill any pack to capacity. When you have the space, it’s all too easy to throw in that unnecessary spare or luxury item – the coffee grinder or camp chair. Downsizing has taught me a lot about necessity. It also coincided with a long phase of pain-free hiking.

Myth #3: You need clean clothes every day

A common mistake – of new trampers, especially – is packing fresh clothes for every day of the tramp. This was once me – and what’s more, it was all cotton. My current tramping wardrobe is far more minimalist. For a week on the trail, I pack three pairs of underwear and socks, two shirts and two pairs of shorts for walking. I also take one set of hut clothes and the necessary insulation and weather layers. Baselayers have an antimicrobial treatment that kills odour-causing bacteria. Wool garments, especially merino, have natural antimicrobial properties, so they can go days without getting smelly. At worst, merino smells like soggy sheep when wet, but an airing in the sun will soon have it back to fresh. I prefer merino because it’s quick to dry, breathable and biodegradable. Since making the switch, I am irrevocably swayed by its benefits and my pack has never been lighter, which brings me to myth number four.

Myth #4: The lighter, the better

Ultralight gear is having a moment. Visit any outdoor store and everything from playing cards to cutlery has undergone a dramatic weight loss in the pursuit of the ‘ultralight’ tag. Lightweight doesn’t always equate to quality. Light gear is wonderful on the legs and back, but it can come with longevity and durability compromises. Given the choice of a plastic or a stainless steel fork, I’ll take the latter, thank you. Likewise, I could carry a feather- weight titanium pot but I’d much prefer packing a chunky pan to fry up a storm – damn the extra grams. My rain jacket weighs more than half a kilo, but it covers my backside and keeps my shorts dry in torrential rain. That’s hard to pass up. With much of the ultralight gear originating in the US, it’s worth considering the unpredictable beast that is Aotearoa’s climate. The US is renowned for stable, dry summers where lightweight gear is appropriate. Here, with our four-seasons-in-a summer’s-day climate, it might be worth prioritising hardy, heavy-duty gear.

Myth #5: You need heavy leather boots

I’ve noticed a change in the footwear lining hut porches. Sturdy leather boots used to predominate, but lately I’m seeing more hiking shoes and trail running shoes – perhaps spurred by their popularity among thru-hikers. Such shoes are lightweight and dry quickly, and trail runner advocates I’ve met swear by them. I’ve been wary about making the switch, as my high-top boots have saved my ankles many times, but perhaps there’s something in it. Accidents are more likely when you’re fatigued, and, if the studies are to be believed, every additional 100g carried on your feet burns around one per cent more energy. Perhaps the energy preserved by light shoes evens out the support of sturdy boots? I’m not convinced, but can thousands of thru-hikers be wrong?