You don’t need to spend more money on gear to make your next backpacking trip more enjoyable. Learn creative ways to use gear that’s already in your pack! Keep reading below to learn some of our favorite hiker hacks.

1. Water Bottle Lantern

No fire and you don’t want to blind everyone by flashing your headlamp wherever you look? Try taking a full water bottle and putting your headlamp next to it so that it shines through the water. The result will be some nice ambient light. *Do keep in mind that this will drain your batteries if on a long trip.

2. Super Butter

If you’re going to be tackling some serious miles and big ups, it can be tough getting enough calories in your body. Try taking a jar of peanut butter, scooping some out, and adding in a stick of regular butter to boost the fat content. Soften the butter and mix it in for a seriously hi-cal snack.

3. Rain Tarp Blanket

Unless needed for rain, you can use your tent’s rain tarp as a warming extra layer as you sit around camp or if you need a few more degrees warmth during the night.

4. The “Hiker Glide”

Stomping along big downhill stretches can be a killer on your knees and feet (not to mention a good way to lose some toenails). While going downhill, get into a quarter-squat position and let your legs work like pendulums as gravity takes you down the hill. Have your feet land heel-first and enjoy a nice, controlled glide down.

5. Overnight Creek Sock Wash

Are your socks unbearably smelly or dirty? Take advantage of that creek you’re camping next to and get those suckers washed. Poke a small hole through the cuff of each sock and attach them to a carabiner. Tie with rope/string and secure with a large rock and let the water flow through them all night. These will be squeaky clean by morning (and also wet – so make sure you have time to dry or have another pair ready). If you have a second pair to put on, you can carabiner your wet socks to your pack so they can dry as you hike.

6. Double-Bellows Fellows

Starting a fire can be real tough with damp wood. But nothing is impossible if you have a hiking buddy with you to get those embers alight. As you blow on the coals, have your partner inhale deeply. When your air is out, he begins to blow while you inhale. Keep a steady airstream on the coals and your fire will become a glorious blaze.

7. Self-Microwaved T-Shirt

Putting on an ice-cold, sweat-dampened t-shirt in the morning after getting out of your toasty sleeping bag is one of the more unpleasant experiences on this earth. Try putting your shirt in your sleeping bag with you as you’re waking up, or you can even sleep with your shirt. This may not solve the dampness, but the temperature will be much more bearable.

8. Cushioned Seat for Camp

This one might be obvious, but many don’t do it. If you’re without a seat at camp, pack your sleeping bag at the bottom of your pack and, wait for it… sit on it. Much comfier than dirt or a log.

Any other useful hiker hacks you can think of? Comment below!