First time hiker here, only been on small trails, no overnights, want to try overnight camping and wanted to know if any experienced hikers have any tips on gear/places to hike near me. (new jersey)

dont know about any hiking places in new jersey since i dont live near there but gear is pretty simple.

gear is pretty simple. in many places fire is illegal. doesnt stop me but meh. so you will need a little stove for cooking.

warm clothing, tent, food, water is basically whats left.

less is more in my opinion cause i hate carrying shit i dont have to.

make sure you take a gun with you

Im an eagle scout and ive been on my share of camping trips and hikes

the number 1 thing i can say is bring a ton of water. You MUST MUST MUST be hydrated while hiking or you will be absoltuly miserable. I like using a camelback, they're very nice

Another thing is that you should avoid cotton; it absorbs a lot of moisture and keeps it; in short it makes ur feet develop bliters from the repeatitive stress on them. Polypropelene socks are my favorite. Unless ofc you're a barefooter, then it would be different

A warm sleepingbag/mummybag is the way to go. This will sound crazy to those who dont do this often but if you get a rated mummybag and its a supercold night; sleep in your underware. It will be freezing cold at first but after about 5 minutes; you will be as snug as a bug in a rug. You'll know what im talking about

If you're going off the chart, bring a map and compass and understand how to read and use it. GPS devices are useful, but when you're in the middle of nowhere and you for some reason lose signal etc, the map and compass is your only way back to civalization. I've actually had to use a map to find my way back to camp once; only i didnt have a compass so i had to rely on constlations

feel free to pm me, i have a lot of knowledge on the subject

for sleeping u need insulation from the ground when its cold. u can bring a camp pad or u can improvise with things from nature.

as for water. bring no more than 5 liters. if u dont plan on improving water. dont go into that environment. stay in city where its safe lol

long johns! synthetics! cotton is terrible except when ur trying to stay cool.

as for a backpacks. when u go into a camping store, do not pay attention to what they are selling. outdoor gear stores are really quite pathetic and are proof of how far we have seperated ourselves from nature.

the people workig there wil try to get u to buy a big expensive backpack to hold 60 pounds of stuff. daypacks are the best. if u are carrying more than 35 pounds, not including food and water, u are overpacking. strive for 15-20. imo this is the best backpack http://dakine.com/sport-packs/snow/mission/ u just gotta take it to a tailor and get something on the bottom to allow u to strap your sleepingbag.

You should all take one.

I only casually hiked in mountainous terrain in Colorado every once in a while....But if by slim chance you're going to an arctic region, let me know I got some decent knowledge for that region.

nope

dito

lol'd i don't plan on hiking in the ghetto,

thanks for the tips and info guys