So this is probably my insecurities showing but I have an invisible disability that affects my walking and stamina. Also my body doesn’t regulate my temperature very well. I tell you all this bc when I go even on a small trail, I have a sun hat and a hydration backpack and hiking poles. If you were to see someone on the trail like that, would you think they are a try hard? Or not think about me at all? It won’t stop me but I do wonder sometimes.
edit: Thanks y’all I’m feeling better. Sometimes I’m in my own head too much for sure
I’m not a big hiker man but when I’ve gone I’d probably not notice and at most think “oh well they’re well prepared”.
Gotta realise that the people that would judge you are not people whose opinion you should care about
I mostly wouldn’t notice. If I did think you had a lot of gear for the trail, I’d probably assume you were testing out new stuff — I’ve certainly carried poles or whatever else on trails where I didn’t really need them because I wanted to get used to them, make sure they worked for me, etc. before going on a more strenuous hike. It would not cross my mind to judge somebody for being prepared in whatever way works best for them!
You do you, buddy. Honestly, when I’m on the trail I barely register folks who aren’t in my party (save the friendly wave / hello I try to offer). At the risk of sounding like an ass, I’ll fall back on the words of Don Draper: “I don’t think about you at all.”
Seriously, though, hike your own hike and have fun. Life is too short to worry about the thoughts / opinions of someone you see for 10 seconds walking the other way.
Big hat, lots of water, and hiking poles? You’re one of us, buddy.
I only judge hikers that are toxic dudes that pretend like they’re too cool for school and then cruble halfway through the hike as they all injure themselves out of overconfidence.
