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Hiking vs. Trekking vs. Backpacking

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Writer Kittie Turmell once said, “Happiness walks on by feet.” If you’ve ever spent the day walking outside through mountains and forests, you know how much happiness your feet can bring you. But before you set out, you’ll need to decide how long you plan to spend travelling through nature on foot.

Are you planning on spending a few hours outside, or is your trip more of a multi-day or multi-month-long journey? That decision determines whether you’ll be hiking, trekking, or backpacking.

Figuring out whether hiking vs. trekking vs. backpacking is right for you depends on what you’re hoping to get out of your outdoors experience. The three modes of exploring also have very different gear requirements and physical demands on your body. To help you decide which activity is right for you, we’ll take a closer look at what differentiates hiking, trekking, and backpacking and highlight some helpful tips for each.

How are Hiking, Trekking, and Backpacking Similar?

The main thing that hiking, trekking, and backpacking have in common is that all three activities involve walking in nature. They typically aren’t very strenuous, although you can choose the difficulty of your route and the terrain you want to cover. It’s possible to go for a very difficult hike in one area and a very relaxing backpacking trip in another area with flatter terrain.

Importantly, none of these activities involve mountaineering. They shouldn’t require technical climbing gear like metal crampons, ice axes, or ropes. The only things you need for hiking, trekking, and backpacking are able feet and a sense of adventure.

The basic gear between these three activities is also shared. At the very least, you’ll need a good pair of hiking socks and a sturdy pair of shoes. Your choice of shoes can vary from lightweight hiking shoes to sturdy boots – while some styles are better suited for hiking and others for trekking or backpacking, any outdoor shoe will work for any of these activities. You may also want trekking poles, which can relieve stress on your knees when going uphill and downhill and make walking more efficient.

For food and water, it’s up to you to decide how much is right for how long you plan to be outside. In most conditions, you should plan on bringing about two cups of water for every hour you’ll be out to stay hydrated.

Finally, consider navigation and emergency supplies. You should have a map of the area you plan to explore and a compass, and know how to use them together. It’s also a good idea to carry a small survival kit, which can include an emergency blanket, matches, and first aid kit.

How are Hiking, Trekking, and Backpacking Different?

While hiking, trekking, and backpacking have their roots in common, they’re pretty different once you dive into them. To start, let’s look at what each activity entails.

  Hiking Trekking Backpacking
Description Hiking involves walking for a few hours to a full day, typically on moderate trails and with a small pack. Trekking is a long journey, which may be on or off trails. Trekkers can stay at lodges each night or bring camping gear. A multi-day or longer form of outdoor walking in which you carry everything you need for the entire trip with you.
How Long Does It Take? A few hours to a full day Two days to one month or more Two days to one month or more
Where Can You Go? You’ll need to be within half a day’s walk of a road or trailhead Anywhere, although trekking is best on established paths with lodging nearby Anywhere, although you’ll want to plan camping sites ahead of time
Required Equipment Food, water, hiking shoes, survival kit, navigation equipment, hiking poles (optional) Everything for hiking, plus food for dinner at lodges, and a sleeping bag Everything for hiking, plus water filtration kit, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, and stove
Suitable Terrain
Starting and Ending You end at the same place you started from You have to get from A to B in a day. The next day, you go from B to C. Ending back where you started is optional You have complete freedom to follow the trails, with no specific destination each day
Advantage Can be done in a day or less Go deeper into nature without needing camping gear Disconnect from the outside world and immerse yourself in the trails
Disadvantage You can’t get that deep into the wilderness in a single day You have a set itinerary and need to keep to a schedule Requires a lot of time and your pack is likely to be very heavy
Recommended Boots Hiking shoes or trail running shoes Hiking shoes or mid-cut hiking boots Mid-cut or high-cut hiking boots

Hiking

When you go for a hike, you’re only walking for a few hours to a day at most. You leave for a trail in the morning, and return to your car before it gets dark. Hiking doesn’t require you to sleep outside, or even away from your home.

The distance you can cover when hiking depends on your speed. Extremely fast hikers who want to spend all day outside can cover more than 20 miles in some cases, but that’s very ambitious for a lot people. Many hikers aim for more modest trails that are less than 5 to 10 miles in length, or simply set a specific time at which they will turn around.

The main advantage to hiking over trekking and backpacking is that it’s relatively easy. Since you’re only outside for a day at most, you don’t need to carry a heavy pack that’s weighted down with overnight gear on the trail with you. That makes every hill easier to conquer, and in turn increases your speed on the trail.

In addition, hiking requires a little less planning. Not only is there less gear to worry about, but you don’t have to think about where you’ll camp each night or figure out what meals you want to bring along for breakfast and dinner.

The disadvantage to hiking is that you can’t explore quite as far. Some areas deep in the mountains simply won’t be reachable within a day, even if you’re hustling down the trail. You also typically lose out on seeing the sunset or sunrise from the trail, which can be a very rewarding experience.

Trekking

Trekking is a much more open-ended journey than hiking, and as such it has a lot more potential. Treks start at two days, but there’s no limit on how long they can go – you can stay outside for two weeks, two months, or two years depending on your goals.

While trekking can be very similar to backpacking, the term trekking is typically reserved for trips in which you stay at established lodges each night. You may camp a few nights during a trek when there’s no lodging available, but many trekkers are able to get through a trip without any camping equipment.

If you have overnight lodging planned, your trek will have a preset number of miles you need to cover each day to reach your destination. However, when planning out these miles, keep in mind that you will probably have more gear than for a standard hike – and that can slow you down a little bit. It’s better when trekking to err on the side of too few miles in a day rather than too many, as the latter case can leave you stranded on the trail after dark.

The advantage to trekking is that it’s much more immersive than hiking. When you can walk through nature day in and day out without having to leave, your outlook on the world and connection to the environment completely changes. Plus, trekking allows you to go much further into the wilderness, since you don’t have to return to your car at the end of a single day.

Trekking also has a big advantage over backpacking: you don’t have to carry nearly as much stuff. Trekking allows you to focus on enjoying the experience, rather than suffering under the weight of weeks’ worth of gear.

But, trekking doesn’t provide quite as much freedom as backpacking. You’ll need to stay on a relatively established route or close to towns if you want to have lodging options each night. In addition, the cost of staying at a hut or lodge every night for weeks on end can add up quickly, whereas camping as a backpacker is often free.

Backpacking

Backpacking involves the same open-ended timeframe as trekking – a backpacking trip can be as short as a single night, or it can take months to complete. Depending on how long you plan to spend backpacking, you may cover just a few miles or thousands.

The main difference between backpacking and trekking is that for backpacking, you have to carry everything you need for your trip with you. That includes not just food and supplies for the daytime, but also camping supplies – a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, stove, and warm clothes for being outside at night.

That can add up to a lot of weight, so you’ll need to be realistic about how much ground you’ll cover per day and adjust your trip accordingly. If you plan to be out for more than a few days, you can plan resupply points along your route where you can get more food and any other supplies you need. One nice thing about backpacking is that, depending on the terrain, you can camp whenever you feel tired – you don’t have to make it to a specific destination.

Another advantage to backpacking is that you have a lot more freedom for setting your route. While you might need to come close to a town for a resupply, in general your route can take you far from any established trailheads or mountain lodges. As a result, you can explore some places that hikers and trekkers won’t often make it to.

Of course, the downside to backpacking is the weight. It can be grueling to walk with a heavy pack for days on end if you haven’t prepared for it. Most backpackers get used to their pack weight, but it does take some time to settle in.

Tips Before Starting Your Journey

Before you head out, whether it be for hiking, trekking, or backpacking, it’s important to thoroughly prepare. Here are some tips to help:

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  • Consider hiking with trekking poles. While they’re not strictly necessary, they can improve your posture and hiking efficiency. They also take stress off your knees when hiking up and down steep sections of trail.
  • When selecting a trail, start out with something shorter than what you think you can handle. That way, if you hike slower than expected, you won’t be left out on the trail after dark. You can calculate your hiking pace as your normal walking pace plus an additional hour of hiking for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain.
  • Always remember to check the weather before you go out. Even if the forecast doesn’t call for rain, it’s a good idea to stuff a lightweight rain jacket in the bottom of your pack just in case.
  • Make sure you have a map of the trail and surrounding area, plus a compass and the knowledge of how to use it. There are plenty of GPS-enabled smartphone apps that hikers can use, but never leave your paper map and compass at home.
  • Always tell someone where you’re going. Even something as simple as a twisted ankle can turn deadly if no one knows where you are and you can’t make it back to your car on your own.

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  • Ease into it. Don’t try to do the longest day of your trip on your first day, as you’re likely to injure yourself. Instead, slowly build up miles over the course of your trip.
  • If you’re planning out lodging, try not to book huts at the limits of what you can cover in a day. A day that’s slightly shorter than you’d like is better than trying to find your way to your lodge in the dark.
  • It’s important to stay fueled and hydrated over multiple days on the trail. Be sure to take in plenty of water and calories each evening to replenish what you lost during the day.
  • You may need to bring a sleeping bag with you – not all mountain huts provide bedding. Check to see what the lodges you plan to stay at provide.

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  • Minimizing the weight you’re carrying is key to a successful trip. If you don’t need it, don’t bring it. Starting out with a few short two- to three-day backpacking trips can help you determine what gear is essential and what is extraneous.
  • Set up camp well before dark. That way, you can pitch your tent and make dinner while there’s still light to see by. Plus, you can relax and enjoy the sunset as a way to celebrate the day.
  • If you’ll be backpacking for more than a week, you’ll need to identify resupply points. You can buy food in most trail towns, but if you need specialized backpacking supplies you should mail them to yourself.

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Hiking vs. Trekking vs. Backpacking: Which is Right for You?

Hiking, trekking, and backpacking all have their merits. Each activity will let you spend time in nature and explore new areas, and it’s hard to go wrong with that. But, the three activities are very different in their physical demands, where you can explore, and how you go about planning and executing a trip.

Ultimately, deciding whether hiking, trekking, or backpacking is right for you comes down to your goals. If you want to spend the occasional day outside or aren’t ready to quit your job to spend weeks on end in the mountains, hiking is a great choice. Trekking allows you to immerse yourself in nature for long periods, but doesn’t require you to carry a heavy load. Backpacking provides the most freedom, but it’s also the most physically demanding of the three activities.

Keep in mind, you’re not limited to one activity forever. You can try out hiking, trekking, and backpacking on various trips and decide which methods of getting outside work best for you.

Conclusion

Spending time outside on your feet is one of the best ways to disconnect from the stress of the world and to explore new places. Hiking, trekking, and backpacking each allow you to immerse yourself on the trail to varying degrees, and no one activity is better than the others. What’s important is that you enjoy your time outside, wherever it takes you.

Swimming vs. Running – Which is Best for You?

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It’s time to exercise. You’ve heard both swimming and running are beneficial. Yes, each helps improve your health, fitness, and weight loss, but which is best?

Like many, you may find yourself stuck in choosing between running shoes and swimming trunks. In fact, it’s a very common dilemma for those looking to start a new exercise program or expand on their current one.

You hear positive things regarding both swimming and running, but which reigns supreme? 

Well, if you are looking for a comparison of swimming vs running, you’ve come to the right place. By the end of this guide, you will not only know the difference, but you will have discovered an action plan to get started today.

So, whether you are looking to lose weight, increase endurance, or improve cardiovascular health, you will find the answers. You will find the answers to all of the questions…and much, MUCH more.

Let’s get started. Read below for a quick-chart comparing swimming vs running.

Comparison Chart: Swimming vs Running

Swimming Running
History 1830 776 B.C.E
Definition Propel through water with limbs Moving fast on foot.
Average Pace 2 min per 100 meters 9.5 min per mile
Average Speed 2 mph 7.4 mph
Time Best in the afternoon/evening Best in the afternoon/evening
Style/types Freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, side stroke. Long, recovery, base, tempo, progression, fartlek, hill repeats, intervals.
Intensity Low-impact High-Impact
Benefit All-body workout, low-impact, veristle, increase endurance, burn fat, tone body, builds muscle strength. Burn fat and gain lean muscle mass, ease of entry, increase endurance, connect with other runners, builds strong bones.
Harmful Risk fungal infections, skin allergies, cold pool, extra gear. Stress on the cardiovascular system, injury.
Gear Swim suit, goggles, nose plugs, ear plugs, caps. Running shoes, compression and/or activewear, and hydration bottle.
Common Injuries Shoulder irritation, rotator cuff tendonitis, Neck and lower back pain. Runner’s knee, plantar fasciitis, and ITBS.

 

As you can see from the chart above, running and swimming have many differences. Yet at the same time, concerning health and fitness, they are similar as well.

In this section, I will expand a bit more on some of the critical points. This way, you can determine which exercise you not only prefer, but one that will last a lifetime.

First things first, what exactly is running and swimming? To help, here are the definitions of each.

First up, swimming…

“The sport or activity of propelling oneself through water using the limbs.”

Next up, running…

“To go quickly by moving the legs more rapidly than at a walk and in such a manner that for an instant in each step all or both feet are off the ground.”

Pretty simple, right? For running, you move by land, and in swimming, you move by sea. But when did it all began?

Well, the actual act of swimming and running date so far back that they are painted on the ancient cave walls of Egypt. They’ve been a part of the human race since the beginning of time. They are basic motor skills. I’m no anthropologist, but it’s my guess that our ancestors did not walk away from deadly predators. No, they ran and ran fast…really FAST. Running was survival.

So, what we really want to know is this: when did swimming and running begin competitively? Fortunately, we can narrow this down to a more precise time in history.

Running dates back to 776 BC as it’s highly regarded as the first event ever in the Olympic games. Whereas swimming didn’t make an appearance until much later. In fact, it wasn’t until 1830 Britain when competitive swimming hit the scene. At this time, the world began to see regular contests of speed and distance. The main style of swimming was the breaststroke.

Now, although the history of running and swimming is an interesting conversation, what grabs most people’s attention is speed and time. People want to know the averages and determine where they rank.

So what is the average speed and pace for swimming vs running?

Although they differ between males and females, the combined averages for swimming are 2 mph and 2 minutes per 100 meters, while running is 7.4 mph and 9.5 minutes per mile.

Click here for a chart on one-mile averages broken up by sex and age.

So now you know more about speed and pace, but when is the best time to maximize these efforts? Meaning, when is the most suitable time of day to swim and run?

Personally, I prefer the morning. I recommend performing these exercises whenever you feel most motivated. This way, you stick with your training until it turns into a healthy habit rather than a temporary adjustment to your daily routine.

Nevertheless, experts say different. They likely base their studies more on the body than the mind. Experts believe both swimming and running are best in the mid- to late-afternoon.

There are two reasons for this. One, your body reaches its peak muscle temperature during this time of the day, hence the term “warm-up.” As you can imagine, warming up prevents injuries as compared to being cold and stiff.

Think of it this way, would you sit in a freezer for 10 minutes and then go for a sprint? Of course not. You’d be asking for a world of problems. Well, by waiting until later in the day, you generate more heat, thus warming up your muscles for a run or swim of any intensity.

The second reason is based on caloric intake. By midday, your body has likely taken in some calories. More calories equal more energy. Now you won’t feel bogged down or too tired to start moving. Because isn’t the first step the hardest part of any workout? From the coach to the car, and from your car to the pool?

There are also different styles and types to consider for running and swimming. Although we will not get into the details of each, here is a list of the most common…

The 5 basic swimming styles

  • Freestyle
  • Backstroke
  • Breaststroke 
  • Butterfly
  • Sidestroke

The 8 basic running styles

  • Long run
  • Recovery run
  • Base run
  • Tempo run 
  • Progression run
  • Fartlek 
  • Hill Repeats 
  • Intervals

Are you new to swimming? If so, start with learning how to breaststroke. Consider the breaststroke the easiest style. It’s more comfortable. Think about it, since your head is out of the water, you can breathe freely. And then, when ready….and only when ready…you put your head underwater.

When it comes to running, start with a base run. Just get moving. As you gain experience, add in long and recovery runs. This will be your easiest entry point and keep it simple. Try not to overcomplicate the process as many new runners do.

From here, you’ll need gear. If you are looking to start swimming or running, there is specific gear to use. The most common for runners are running shoes, shorts, socks, and shirts. The whole point of running clothes, better known as “activewear,” is to absorb sweat and reduce friction. That’s why it’s critical to wear clothes geared to running specifically. As add-ons, consider a music device, hydration belt, and/or GPS watch to track your time and distance.

In like manner, you’ll need the basics for swimming. To begin, grab a swim suit, goggles, cap, and backpack. Swimming gear is designed to protect your body and promote efficiency. Trust me, you don’t want to hit the pool without a pair of goggles. Your eyes need protection. Also consider ear and nose plugs, kickboards, fins, and swim shoes.

Now that you know the many differences between swimming vs running, let’s get into the benefits. Let’s discuss both the advantages and disadvantages to reach your goals faster.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Swimming Vs Running

Maybe you’re new to both swimming and running, looking for guidance. Or perhaps you have experience in one exercise type and are looking to cross-train. For example, swimming for runners.

Either way, like anything new in life, there will always be both advantages and disadvantages. Although, rest assured that with any form of exercise, you’ll find many more advantages than disadvantages. Remember, movement is medicine.

With that said, let’s start with the pluses and minuses of running. Read on for a list of both.

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  • Increase endurance and strengthens muscles.
  • Ease of entry.
  • It helps build strong bones.
  • It provides a sense of freedom, running anywhere, anytime, in any direction.
  • Less procrastination (e.g., no traveling to a pool like swimming)
  • Multiple running surfaces: street, pavement, track, treadmill, beach, and trails.
  • It improves cardiovascular health.
  • Boost mood from runner’s high.
  • It helps with weight loss and regulation.
  • Strengthens knees if done correctly.
  • Increase life expectancy.

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  • Overuse injuries.
  • Lower-body workout only.
  • Shoe wear causes the cost to add up.
  • Hard on joints, bones, and ligaments.
  • It takes time to learn proper form to prevent injuries.

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As you can see, there are both advantages and disadvantages. But when you weigh the two, the advantages surely tip the scale. Plus, once running feels natural, over time, many of the disadvantages fade. Now you’re left with an exercise that can be performed for a lifetime.

When it comes to swimming, there are also both positives and negatives. Read on for a list of both…

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  • Less impact on the body.
  • Full-body workout.
  • Many different styles/strokes
  • Increases endurance and muscle strength.
  • It helps with weight loss and regulation.
  • It improves cardiovascular health.
  • Alternative when injured.
  • Top choice for those with asthma
  • Helps relieve stress
  • Great exercise during pregnancy.

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  • Limited to pool or body of water.
  • Travel time to water.
  • Higher risk of shoulder injuries.
  • Risk of fungal infections and skin allergies.
  • Gym membership for pool.
  • Easier to give up in the winter from cold.

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Now that you know some of the most common advantages and disadvantages of swimming vs running, let’s dig into the particulars. At this point, you may be thinking, “I see both help with weight loss, endurance, and cardiovascular health, but which one is best?”.

And I completely understand. We live in a fast-paced life. To keep up, we look for fast and proven results to reach our goals. So, continue reading into the next sections for more clarity and direction.

Swimming vs. Running – Which is a Better Weight Loss Workout?

Here’s the thing, although we search for some magic pill to become healthier, sexier, and smarter, that fact is…no such pill exists. Yet, by following a proven system, you will reach your goals faster. Fortunately, when it comes to weight loss, the formula is not complicated. See below for the weight loss formula:

[su_highlight background=”#888″ color=”#fff”]Calories used in exercise > calories eaten = weight loss.[/su_highlight]

Simply put, if you want to lose weight, then you must burn more calories than you eat. How’s that look numerically? Well, the Mayo Clinic recommends the following…

“Over the long term, it’s best to aim for losing 1 to 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilogram) a week. Generally to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, you need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day, through a lower calorie diet and regular physical activity.”

What do 500 calories of swimming vs running look like? For a person who weighs 160 lbs, it will take 61 minutes of swimming, 45 minutes of jogging, or 18 minutes of interval running sprints. Click here to view the “Approximated Number of Minutes To Burn 500 Calories”.

So which is better for weight loss when you compare swimming vs running?

Although we can argue the answer, my recommendation is running. Not only does it take less time overall, but the ease of entry is much better. No trip to the gym necessary like weightlifting and no pool required like swimming. Here’s all you need to do: wake up, lace up your running shoes, and run. Not bad, right? So go run and lose weight. 

Swimming vs. Running – Which is the Best Way to Build Endurance?

Before we look at swimming vs running for building endurance, let’s define it. When I say “endurance,” I’m referring to “the ability to sustain an activity over a period of time”. Being physically active is one thing, but withstanding resistance over time is another. That’s why it’s essential to build endurance.

Generally speaking, the longer you can remain active, the more benefits you’ll receive. Endurance is the catalyst to all your health and fitness goals.

So, you now know the importance of endurance. But that still leaves us with a pressing question. Which is best for building endurance: swimming or running?

Well, although swimming and running both build endurance, it will likely happen faster from running. Here’s why:

Swimming technique takes time to master. Yes, efficiency eventually comes, but until then, you waste a lot of energy. For beginners, this can typically turn a desired aerobic intensity swim (endurance-building) to an anaerobic one (strength-building). That’s why if you are looking for the shortest path to build endurance, then running will be your best choice.

Although, over time, you’ll master different strokes. It’s here where you develop the discipline to hold an aerobic capacity. And since you use your entire body to swim, this could become a better avenue for increasing stamina. But it will depend on the person.

Here are my recommendations for choosing between swimming vs running to build endurance…

If you prefer running over swimming…great! Run and jog. Staying at an easy to moderate intensity will be most effective. Whether through short or long runs, you’ll be on a path to increased stamina from day one.

On the other hand, if you prefer swimming but wish to build endurance today, you can approach it differently. Instead, run while you practice your swimming technique on the side. As swimming begins to “click,” start supplementing running workouts for swimming workouts. Eventually, you’ll reach enough swims per week to make the switch without a decline in endurance.

As you can see, both running and swimming build endurance. However, if you are looking for a shorter path, choose running. Because once you build endurance, every exercise will come easier…swimming included!

Swimming vs. Running: Whose Heart Reigns Supreme?

Since the beginning of time, across most cultures, the heart is giving the highest importance of all organs. Like in heavy machinery, the heart is the pump, without it, our machine we call the human body cannot operate. That’s why it’s crucial to improve cardiovascular health in any way possible.

So, whether you are being proactive, or looking to become healthier, running and swimming are both useful tools to a better quality of life. To help, I will now outline which exercise is best for heart health…running or swimming.

But before we begin, let’s first decide on the most reliable measure for heart health. One of the best and easiest measures is through blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force exerted in the arteries by blood and can be a clue to the current health of your heart. Nowadays, you can order a monitor on Amazon and have it at your front door by the morning.

So now the question becomes, is swimming or running best to lower blood pressure?

The answer: both (most of the time)

Harvard Health Publishing released an article titled “Take The Plunge For Your Heart” outlining the heart health benefits available through swimming. They based their conclusions on a study from the International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education. Here’s what they say…

“One study compared blood pressure, cholesterol levels, maximum energy output, and other measures of cardiovascular health across nearly 46,000 male and female walkers, runners, swimmers, and couch potatoes. Swimmers and runners had the best numbers, followed fairly closely by walkers.”

As you can see, not only is swimming and running equally beneficial for cardiovascular health, but they are the top exercises for lowering blood pressure, period.

Now, here’s the kicker. In a second study by the same Journal, they were able to differentiate the two based on life expectancy. When looking at deaths among 40,557 men between the ages of 20 to 90 for 13 years, they found swimmers to reign supreme. Over the course of two years only 2% of the swimmers died. That’s compared to 8% of runners, 9% of walkers, and 11% of nonexercisers.

What makes the difference? There’s no definitive information available. Yet, I can provide an observation based on experience…

It’s much easier to push yourself as a beginner while running. This has the potential to put excess wear on your heart. Between the marathons, supplements, and ease of entry, many beginners tend to push themselves too fast too early. In other words, they rush.

Never forget these words: No matter your speed, introducing running into your life is a marathon…not a sprint. It’s about gradual progression, allowing each day to be a new foundation to build from.

So, take your take time, progress each day, and remember the importance of recovery. If you find balance in your running, you will find balance in your life. And as studies have shown, a longer life can be the result of your efforts through running.

Conclusion

Should you exercise by land or sea? The answer is up to you. As you have read, both swimming and running have a positive effect on weight loss, cardiovascular health, endurance, and more. Running is easier to begin while swimming has less impact on the body.

Stuck on deciding? Try both. Take my advice from the endurance section. Start by running, and at the same time, work on your swimming technique on the side. If you lean towards running, stop swimming. If you like swimming, then start substituting your running days with swimming sessions.

Or if you like both, then do both. Next, if it interests you, add in cycling and start training for your first triathlon. But before anything, lace up your running shoes and get moving today!

Paragliding vs. Parasailing: Which is the Best Sport for You?

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Paragliding and parasailing are exciting sports both to participate and to watch. But if you don’t have any parachute experience, you may be wondering what the differences between these two sports are.

Paragliding involves flying with a parachute without being connected to a vehicle. When parasailing, on the other hand, you and your parachute are connected to a boat, car, or other vehicle that pulls you along.

There is a lot more to know about each of these sports. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the similarities and differences between paragliding vs. parasailing.

How are Paragliding and Parasailing Similar?

Paragliding and parasailing both involve parachutes, but that’s about where the similarities end. The main thing that these two sports have in common is that you’re flying through the air, using wind for lift.

How are Paragliding and Parasailing Different?

Paragliding and parasailing are very different sports. Not only do they involve different dynamics, but the type of equipment and level of training needed to get started varies between the two.

Paragliding Parasailing
Description Paragliding involves flying on a foot-launched craft, using updrafts to stay afloat Parasailing involves flying on a parachute that’s towed behind a vehicle like a boat or car
Experience Required Paragliding is dangerous and only experienced paragliders should fly alone Anyone can parasail, even without experience
Parachute Design Paragliding uses a canopy rather than a traditional parachute. The canopy has two layers that combine to form cells Traditional parachute, designed to catch wind
Location Typically launch from a high cliff Typically on a lake or the ocean, or across an open field
Cost $4,000 and up Parasailing tours typically cost around $50 and up for 45 minutes
Equipment Needed Canopy, harness, backup parachute, flight suit Parachute, harness, tow rope, boat or vehicle
How Long Does It Take? 2-3 hours 45-60 minutes or less
Control You are in control of the canopy and must direct it using several hand brakes The parasailer does not have any control over the parasail. Everything is controlled by the tow boat or vehicle.
Safe Conditions Requires relatively gentle winds (less than 15 mph) for takeoff and winds less than 25 mph for flight. Never fly in wet conditions. Winds less than 50 mph. If on land, make sure there are no obstacles near the tow path
Origin Developed by the US military alongside the parasail during the 1950s and early 1960s. Developed by the US military alongside the paraglider during the 1950s and 1960s. Adapted for commercial use during the 1960s.

How Do Paragliding and Parasailing Work?

Paragliding and parasailing work very differently

When you paraglide, you have to launch the craft yourself, by foot. Typically, this means taking a running leap off of a high cliff and then flying over a wide open valley. Once the paraglider is in the air, you can control it using a series of hand brakes that allow you to turn the canopy or point it up or down. Ideally, you want to ride updrafts that keep you aloft without losing altitude. Paragliders can stay in the air for several hours before descending, at which point executing a safe landing is critical.

In parasailing, you are kept in the air by a boat or vehicle towing you along. That creates its own wind for the parachute to catch on, which then keeps you suspended in the air for as long as the vehicle is towing. The parasailer doesn’t actually have any control over their height or the direction of the sail – all of this is controlled by the speed and direction of the tow. When it’s time to descend, simply slowing the tow will allow you to gently lower to the water or ground.

How to Learn How to Paraglide or Parasail

Learning paragliding requires a lot of patience and can take several years. Since you’re in control of the canopy, safety is a major concern and you have to know everything from how to launch to how to fly to how to land. It’s highly advised to start out with a series of tandem flights to experience paragliding in action, and then move onto a certification course that provides hands-on training. You’ll also need your own equipment, which can cost upwards of $4,000.

Parasailing doesn’t require much learning at all if you’re simply going for the day rather than creating your own tow setup. You simply have to sit in the harness and enjoy. As a result, there’s no experience required to get started with parasailing.

Paragliding Canopy vs. Parasailing Parachute

The sails used for paragliding and parasailing were both developed together by the US military in the 1950’s, but they have evolved into very different structures.

The canopy used by paragliders is essentially an airfoil rather than a parachute. It is somewhat rectangular, with a wingspan of about 30 feet and a total area of 250 square feet or more. The canopy itself consists of two sheets of ripstop nylon, which are sewn together with interior structure to create closed cells. These cells are essential for smooth aerodynamics, since air will pass over and between them.

Parasailing uses something closer to what most people would think of as a traditional parachute. It looks like half a sphere, and a series of lines suspend it above and behind the parasailer. This parachute is designed to catch wind, whereas a paragliding canopy is designed to slice through the air.

Paragliding vs. Parasailing: Which is More Dangerous?

Paragliding and parasailing both come with some inherent risks – you’re suspended in the air, after all – but paragliding is by far the more dangerous of the two sports. There are a couple reasons for this.

First, you’re simply higher off the ground in most cases. Parasailers typically don’t get more than 100 to 200 feet off the ground since they are limited by the tow cable length and tow speed. Paragliders can be thousands of feet up and are able to take themselves higher by navigating through updraft currents.

Second, paragliders have much more control – and room for error – than parasailers. Paragliders are responsible for launching into the wind properly so that they don’t immediately spiral downward, and for executing every turn so that the canopy doesn’t stall out and descend unexpectedly. The landing, too, is more complex, as paragliders have to slow themselves down and navigate a gentle angle when approaching the ground. Parasailers don’t have to worry about any of this. Launching takes care of itself as soon as the tow is started, and landing works similarly. During flight, the parasailer isn’t responsible for controlling the sail at all.

Finally, the conditions matter a lot for safety. Paragliding is safe in a much narrower range of conditions than parasailing. When paragliding, wet weather is extremely dangerous because the canopy can become saturated and heavy, which can lead to an uncontrolled descent. Winds above 25 mph can also make it nearly impossible to control the canopy. When parasailing, wind only becomes a concern at much higher speeds. Parasailing is generally safe in winds up to 50 mph, and rain will not affect the parachute to a significant degree.

Conclusion: Which is the Best Sport for You?

Parasailing and paragliding are both extremely rewarding sports. But, since they’re so different, they often appeal to different types of people.

Parasailing is best if you are looking for the opportunity to fly on occasion, and primarily want to do it on lakes or on the ocean. This sport is ideal for those who don’t have the time to learn paragliding, the money to buy a canopy, or the desire to take on the risk that paragliding entails.

Paragliding is a good choice if you want to be in control of your flight. This sport takes dedication and focus over many years of training and practice, as well as a sizeable upfront investment. You won’t want to take up paragliding lightly, but it can be a highly enjoyable life-long sport.

Most important, both parasailing and paragliding allow you to experience the rush of air that comes with flying. So, whichever sport is more suitable for you, it’s time to get outside and fly.