Managing Mother Nature while you’re in Nature
Thru-hiking is an incredible adventure—a chance to be in nature and connect with the wild, but the thought of managing a period in the middle of nowhere can put a damper on the excitement. From finding the right gear to dealing with cramps and ensuring Leave No Trace (LNT) practices, handling your cycle on the trail might feel daunting at first.
The good news? You’re not alone, and it’s manageable. Many adventurers have successfully hiked hundreds (or thousands!) of miles while navigating their periods. In this blog, we’ll explore tips, different feminine products, and personal insights to help you hike confidently and comfortably, no matter where you are in your cycle.
Common Feminine hygiene products:
First, consider what type of feminine hygiene product to use and if it is something you use in every-day life. If you decide to use a feminine hygiene product that you are not familiar with, try it out before getting on trail.
Traditional Tampons or Pads
Pro: Easy to use & may be a more ‘familiar’ option
Con: Not as environmentally positive & have to carry multiple
Applicator-less Tampons
Pro: Lighter-weight tampon option
Con: Not as environmentally positive & not as readily available as other products
Menstrual cup (ex: Diva Cup)
Pro: Light weight & easy to carry. ‘Leave no Trace’ friendly
Con: Hygiene & Washing between uses
Kula Cloth reusable pad
Pro: ‘Leave no Trace’ friendly
Con: May have to carry multiple pairs & Washing between uses
Period Panties
Pro: ‘Leave no Trace’ friendly
Con: May have to carry multiple pairs & Washing between uses
My Choice: I used tampons on both my thru hikes as this is a product I am familiar with. I have a fairly light-moderate flow, so carrying disposable products did not take up too much space or add too much weight.
What do you do if you decide to use disposable products?
Just like other hiking products, you will likely not want to carry a full box. I typically carried a couple (4-6) tampons at all times, this way I would have an emergency supply if mother nature greeted me in the backcountry. This supply would get me to town until I could resupply with more. ALWAYS look in hiker boxes for feminine hygiene products before buying more!
Tip: If you are using tampons, buy compact or applicator-less tampons to save space. Throw a couple in resupply boxes if you are mailing yourself boxes from home… you will thank yourself!
Remember all parts of disposable products should be packed out, even after they have been used. I would typically keep a separate trash bag for used feminine hygiene products. This could either be a ziplock or an opaque bag for privacy. There may not always be an option for portable toilet paper bags (i.e. the black zip-able bags to pack out toilet paper) and you may not want to be carrying multiple of these throughout your whole hike. I have seen other hikers reuse zip-able food packages- like a beef jerky bag- as an alternative feminine hygiene trash bag. Overall, the thru hiking community is very open and you will find yourself discussing ALL bodily functions with complete strangers on trail. Use the method that you are most comfortable with!
Tip: Pack out extra toilet paper during your time of the month.
What do you do if you decide to use reusable items?
In full transparency- I have never used a menstrual cup before. TheTrek has a more in-depth article on Diva Cup usage, it is a good read! The positives of using a menstrual cup is not having to pack out disposable items. This gives you more freedom, especially if you have a heavier flow. Use manufacturing guidance on washing between uses and cycles. Remember to dig a cat hole when disposing of the cup contents; the blood can be an attractant for animals.
Using reusable Kula Cloth pads or Period panties can be another alternative to disposable products. Similar to menstrual cups, these will need to be washed between uses. Carry biodegradable soap, like Dr. Bronners soap, to wash in the backcountry. Depending on your flow, these items may be more useful for lighter days or to use as additional coverage.
As you set out on your thru-hiking adventure, remember that dealing with your period is just one of the many challenges that will shape your journey. Whether you opt for tampons, menstrual cups, or other products, the key is finding what works best for you and your comfort. Embrace the experience, knowing that your period doesn’t have to hold you back!
