On trail, I’m basically just solving tiny problems all day—and over time you end up with these little habits that make everything smoother. In this video I share 12 small things I do on hikes (overnighters and thru-hikes) that make life easier: reusable zip ties for attaching wet socks to dry while hiking, hanging my pack off the ground with a trekking pole strap to keep rodents and other creepy crawlers out, and a simple “don’t lose your stuff” system where I throw all the small items into one empty sack while I’m setting up camp. A big chunk of this is foot care and sleep. I take breaks by water when I can, air out my feet and socks (inside out in the sun), and I try to sleep in fresh socks to cut down on blisters. For better sleep I bring earplugs—because every tiny noise can sound like a wolf breaking into your tent—plus I hang my headlamp on the tent zipper so I always know where it is. I also talk hygiene (hand sanitizer, occasionally boiling your spork/knife) because, fun fact, diarrhea is ridiculously common on thru-hikes. And then there’s the “quality of life” stuff: a fanny pack for quick-access items, silica gel packets for electronics, a microfiber towel for sweaty summer nights, and even a coffee routine that gets me walking faster in the morning. Small habits, big difference.