I will NOT be a victim of TikTok for this Switzerland trip
I made the mistake of going down the "hiking in Europe" rabbit hole. I had to check myself before I wrecked myself (and my credit card).
My sister and I will be hiking in Switzerland for eight glorious days in mid-June. We’re visiting the areas of Wengen and Kandersteg, and have more hikes on our wish list than we could possibly do in just eight days. (We’re going to try!)
I’ve been an avid hiker for 15 years. I’ve hiked all around the globe, in every condition, from ice and snow to pouring rain to desert heat. I’ve splurged on some good gear, but these things have held up beautifully across the years. I already own every piece of hiking gear I need.
So why do I have six browser tabs open, each with at least three things sitting in my cart? Trail runners, sandals, pants, rain jackets, base layers, shorts… Apparently, I need an entirely new wardrobe if I want to hike in Switzerland. At least, that’s what I’m getting from TikTok.
The algorithm is algorithming
I started off innocently searching for “hiking in Switzerland.” The TikTok algorithm is great—far better than Instagram’s. Immediately, I found video after video sharing the best hikes in each region, what to expect from the weather, and insider tips on train passes and keeping your trip budget-friendly.
I also found many videos of “what I packed to hike in the Alps” and “what I wore for my trip to Europe.” Not every video applied. I’m spending two days in Milan, but most of our time will be in small mountain towns—I don’t need evening wear. But the hiking outfits sucked me right in. That, and the “what are the most comfortable sandals for walking in Europe?” There are apparently hundreds of those videos, as if walking in Europe is dramatically different than walking in the U.S. (We have uneven terrain and cobblestones here too.)
Some of the outfits were cah-yoot. Baggy pants, cropped tanks, coordinated hiking boots, stylishly-tied bandanas, mirrored sunnies… I love seeing super-fashionable outfits on the trails. You look amazing! Have a great hike!
But I started to think that I needed new gear. I have baggy pants, cute tanks, and jackets… but if I had NEW pants, tanks, and jackets, how much cuter could I look in our epic photos? I didn’t just want the experience—I wanted to look like the cool people having the experience. (I say that as a 52-year-old mom, mind you. I will admit peer pressure can still get to me.)
I went into an online shopping trance and ordered a bunch of stuff before coming to my senses. (Or, being brought to my senses by ill-fitting clothing.) The pants were too short. The shoes weren’t comfortable. The rain jackets had too small a hood, or were too baggy. I gratefully took this as a sign from the Universe: “Girl, you don’t need to spend $1,000 on new clothes for this trip. Save that money for a delicious dinner or a Switzerland spa day.”
You. Don’t. Need. New. Stuff.
The more content you consume, the easier it becomes to mistake preparation for consumption. This is one of the curses of social media. TikTok makes it far too easy to see what everyone else is buying and wearing. Trends are so highly specific—you don’t just pack sunglasses, you pack wrap-around sunglasses in silver. Influencer “hauls” have become so commonplace that we’re desensitized to overconsumption. Buying bags of new clothes every week isn’t normal, sustainable, or healthy (for the environment, your mental health, or your wallet), but influencers do their jobs well, and we are all influenced.
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To be clear, there is nothing wrong with people sharing fashion trends. This woman isn’t telling anyone to buy all this stuff. But social media makes it all too easy to compare yourself to other people—and more often than not, come up short. And it’s hard not to be swept up in an algorithm that makes it seem like everyone but you is wearing this, doing this, buying this.
I’m now actively packing for Switzerland. I started setting aside clothes that I can mix and match easily, so everything fits in a carry-on. It turns out I already had almost everything I needed. I bought one pair of hiking pants that fit better than my old pair, and walking sandals that were super comfortable. (My Birkenstocks, which are usually a ride-or-die, have been bugging my left foot lately.)
After clearing all my online carts, here is what I am now taking from social media, and what I’m leaving behind:
Switzerland in June: Please do give me the typical weather, how touristy different towns are, how much snow is still left at higher elevations, and other tips relevant to my trip. This info is invaluable.
Hiking and activities. TikTok and IG are great for discovering hikes, trains, towns, or activities you may not otherwise have heard about. I’ve got a “Switzerland” folder on both platforms, which I then transfer to our Google Doc.
Packing tips. “What I pack in my carry-on for Europe” and “how to pack to maximize space” have given me great ideas for taking only what I need.
Clothing recommendations. If you actually need a comfy pair of walking sandals, a rain jacket that actually keeps you dry, or hiking pants for tall people, TikTok is great for crowd-sourcing. Just be specific in your searches. (This is how I found my new sandals, from a brand I’d never heard of.)
Switzerland logistics. Which plug adapter do I need? Which train tickets should I buy? Where can we find budget-friendly meals? I’ll take any practical insider tips and tricks, thank you very much.
Finally, please remember, nobody cares what you’re wearing on the trail (or on your run, or in the gym). Functionality, comfort, and safety should always come before trendy or stylish. Your photos are going to look glorious whether your rain jacket is 10 years old or brand-new.
Wear what makes you feel good, safe, and comfortable. Then, forget about your outfit and spend all of your time and attention on the experience. Replaying those memories is 100% free, and they’ll last you far longer than a pair of trendy cargo hiking pants.
YES to all of this. I think part of it is our brain being EXCITED about going and wanting to prolong every aspect of the trip, which includes the pre-trip planning, anticipating, imagining ourselves in our new windbreaker on the top of that mountain! But that is a good opportunity to say, "hey instead of fixating on what I need to buy, what customs should I learn about before I go? can I learn a little of the language so I can more easily communicate when I'm there?" things that take my awareness OFF of what I will look like or what I think will make me more comfortable on my trip.
I saw a funny meme the other day that was like "What is it about vacation where the clothes I already own feel like they can't cross state lines" or something to that effect. I have to be SO mindful about this before traveling!
Hiked the alps the last 2 summers in years-old prana hiking pants.
The European alpine shops have MUCH better color ways for women and far more fun colorways for hiking boots than the US. It's expensive AF in Switzerland but worth a look at the Euro brands.
Please share the sandals! Tevas aren't great for real hiking and Chacos don't fit me well.