I’m constantly amazed that none of the backpacking channels ever mention smaller binoculars or a monocular! I consider it my luxury item, but I never leave the trailhead without it. It allows me to watch animals as well as survey my route from a distance to make route decisions. Last summer I was able to watch bears safely from a distance which totally enriched my experience for each of those trips. I live near Yellowstone so lots of animals are available.
@@kmichaelp4508 I approve the approval! I love my Hawke Endurance ED 8x25. Great Optics, nice wide Field of View, folds small enough to fit in the hip belt pocket of my backpack and weights 310g.
I've been looking to get one myself as well and in any video I have seen it mentioned it's always a "don't bring this, useless weight" kind of item. I just decided that I'll "break" that rule and get one anyway. We're out there to see stuff, right? 😄
This makes me feel so much better about my collection of gear😂 I’m glad everyone buys way too much gear. I’m always thinking “well if I just had” paired with my need for “preparation” in all weather and any season.
Dude, love this video and your honest evaluation of the gear. An awesome idea would be to get a viewer (or someone at the local gear shop) who’s a total novice. Take them on a 3-day trip, or 3 overnight trips and give them a pre-loaded pack for each day. One with high-end gear, one with comfort gear, and one that’s a combo of the two. This would answer a lot of questions for novices about “how much should I spend?” and, “is it worth the extra money?”
Love this channel, you’re doing a great job Justin. By far the nerdiest, most knowledgeable youtuber out there when it comes to gear, which is awesome because I’m a gear nerd who goes into detail and it’s frustrating to hear recommendations or complaints from other RUclipsrs who can’t make the analysis. It also keeps all your trip videos interesting, because there’s a change in scenery, environment, weather, temperatures, gear packed and tested etc. A suggestion would be to make more videos on hacks and routines, like with the last rain video. Maybe guests would be nice then, to discuss how other people are doing it, depending on what tent they have, other circumstances (for example I hike with a dog which complicates thing’s moisture wise) and just different hacks that people themselves have come up with or been inspired by
I wish they made a chair with longer legs for us old guys that can’t get up from a chair that sits that low. I would be willing to carry a few extra ounces.
Check out the Big Agnes Skyline UL chair, it's sits higher up than the Helinox or Flexlite Air so you don't have to pull yourself up every time from a low height. One thing to note is the Skyline is heavier than the Helinox Zero or REI Flexlite at 1lb 11oz - but IMO it's worth the weight penalty.
.. there are a few out there ,, I have a Helinox Sunset ... Sits 1/2 height higher and with a high back as well ,,,, Web material base for soft or sandy ground and for back at vehicle camp has rocker bases for added comfort ...
I tried a different pack this year and I am back to my Zpacks’s. I will never use another pack that does not have their ventilation system. The Arc is a game changer.
When you’re young and saving for a house and family, the equation is blatantly simple: the $5K goes towards the mortgage. But that’s not everyone. I’m 72 years’ old and want to continue hiking. I’ve recently spent that $5K on ultra-light and it’s brought my pack weight for a 6-day hike down from 18kg to 11.5kg. It’s kept me on the trail and it’s been worth every cent. I would do it again in a heartbeat, and probably will.
I dont mind spending money on good quality. I lve my UGQ and LiteAF 46l back pack. I just can't bring myself to spend $1k Zenbivy. I might just try the McGyver method someone suggested in one of the backpacking forums by buying some magnetic zip ties of Amazon and attaching them to your quilt and a bag liner that is put over the sleeping pad.
For now, the best purchase I've done for camping gear is the Big Agnes Rapide SL in the wide version. My previous sleeping pads were a 53 cm (20") inflatable sleeping pad and a foam sleeping pad. Those two got me back pain, if I used them for 2-3 nights and the extra width feels great. When you go up from regular width to wide, you understand how important that extra width is. Pillows are also really important, but here I'm a bit torn. I have a cheap inflatable, a heavy and bulky but super comfortable pillow (foam? pillow) and an expensive pillow that is somewhere in between the other two. I find the bulky pillow the most comfortable (Cocoon Travel Pillow), but it weighs 285g and worse than that, takes a lot of space. The Nemo Fillo Elite Luxury is quite wide, which I like, but it isn't as soft/fluffy as I expected. It's lighter than the Coccon one (112g) and a lot less bulky, but it's not as comfy, and it's 3 times the price... A tent, where neither your feet nor your head are touching the walls, is also really nice. My first tent was a hand me down, and it was kinda saggy, so you almost had the tent walls on your face while laying down... and I'm just 170... I've been pretty happy with the Sierra Designs Meteor 3000 2p tent. It's really roomy, and hasn't leaked yet. Used it on a few rainy days (some days it rained a lot) and it didn't leak. Using a tent footprint is kind of necessary, if you are expecting a lot of rain. I didn't set mine perfectly, and the spots that didn't have the footprint under it started getting a bit wet after 2-3 days of fairly heavy rain. Next thing I want to try is a quilt. I move a bit while falling asleep, so a quilt would be more comfortable. I still turn inside my sleeping bag, but that shifts it a bit to one side, leads me to sometimes breath inside it and doesn't cover me that well.
I agree. I love my rapide. A bit heavy but worth it. Try the Sierra designs cloud 20 instead of a quilt. It fits perfect on your rapide and doesn't slide at all. Plus it's a zipperless design. Also, it has a combo of real and synthetic down so it has the best of both worlds. Plus, it has a great feature in the foot vent. If you're too hot you can peak your feet out through the bottom without even undoing a zipper. It's by far the most practical and well designed bag out there. I've used it down to 25 degrees and it's comfy.
I hope you check out the Pad Pal pump made by rex creations. Its 10g and runs off your powerbank so it's for that super niche ultralight category but looks super cool and functional. At that weight, I can see so many more people justify bringing a pump.
Tyler and I have been chatting a bunch and he was kind enough to send the pump over for testing. So far I just have experience with it in my living room but I am really excited to test it more!
I love love love my Zenbivy light quilt and full sheet. I think my next is to move to the half sheet with insulated hood and grab the flex pad… keeping my convertible quilt.
10:10 I have reusable hand warmers that you boil to reset/recharge. I don't suggest doing that on your camp stove because it does take time, but you could easily do it when you get back home. They're cheap and reusable, but not quite as handy as electric rechargable ones. Good budget option if you don't want to create waste and can't afford fancy ones yet though.
Justin you really should try out the Featherlite 700 kit for those comfortable relaxed no stress just taking it easy trips, when you want to enjoy the quiet and calm and just hear the sounds of nature. Those gas stoves can be very noisy, especially if you want the chance to see and not disturb the wildlife where you are.
Love the zenbivy have not only used it backpacking but have taken it to locations where there are not enoughs beds for everyone, much more comfortable then a bad sleeper sofa i use the big agnes rapide XL pad.....
Agreed! Luckily Zenbivy does offer the ultralight version in a black exterior red interior color option. The white color may look good for the first few camps, but by the end of the season it might be looking a little different (gross). Plus, an added benefit for darker quilt colors is they dry faster in the sun if they happen to get wet.
As a 50+ small woman who backpacks with her 2 small teenage daughters (in the same area as you, apparently), weight is super important, as is comfort, so yes. I pay extra to keep the weight down. I bought the offset trio this year. It was comfy for 2 of us and 2 dogs, but I’m thinking it’s gonna be tight on our 5 day trip next week.
Justin, I don’t agree that groups on “well-trodden” tracks don’t need an emergency beacon like a Garmin and can “handle it as a group”. I would go so far as to say that is dangerous advice. How would the group “handle” a fractured femur 10km from the nearest exit? Or a serious head injury? Or chest pain (as in heart chest pain?). I’m a doctor and I would absolutely want to see that helicopter hovering overhead. To say one doesn’t need an emergency beacon on such walks is like saying one doesn’t need to wear a seat belt for a short drive to get milk. These things may not happen often on a trek, but they need happen only once…
Spot on. Regardless of the size of my group, I always bring my inReach Mini 2. My safety is my responsibility. If someone in my group was injured I would of course use my inReach to call for help if they didn’t have one. However, one should never rely on others for SOS emergencies. Note: I’m former infantry and we take personal safety to heart.
Yup. Everyone needs to be doing their own risk analysis before a trip. There are always lots of factors at play. Safety situations are never black and white; I rewatched the section and I don't think I portrayed it as being so.
@@VinceFowlerThat’s correct, Vince. I always take mine but I have been unable to persuade my fellow walkers to invest in a beacon for themselves. It’s interesting that my fellow walkers think I’m strange carrying a beacon yet our Australian police is hugely critical of people without a beacon whom they are called to rescue - there has been talk of charging those people for the rescue. Think: how would I manage being separated from the group in adverse conditions, such as with an immobilising injury, or a snake bite, or simply being lost? Of course one does not expect disasters - disasters are unpredictable (unless one chooses to walk into one) - but that doesn’t mean delegating our safety to the kindness of the universe or being so conceited as to think we can have absolute control over everything we do and that happens to us. My line of work (health) is risk management and neither I nor my colleagues would embark on a task comparable to trekking without sound contingencies.
@@petychka2 all great points, Peter! We see the same outcomes here in Canada. A good friend is an Air Force C-130 pilot for Search & Rescue based not far from Toronto. They routinely get called out for lost boaters on the Great Lakes caught with a disabled boat or in bad weather, and people lost/injured in the backcountry. He says it's rare that they have any safety measures - usually a friend making the call for help because someone hasn't reported in for 24 hours. People's pushback is largely grounded in unconscious ignorance. They don't know what they don't know. Second, they complain about the price of a satellite coms device/service plan that is there to save their irreplaceable life... yet they spend exponentially more on things that they can replace.
Your video reminded me of something. I’m 6’5” and 260. The tent fits and so does the ZenBivy, but I thought both were just too fussy and I passed on both. I’m willing to pay for something that fits someone my size, like the Arc Haul which I love (and it too is fussy), but if there are just too many straps, parts, hooks, adjustments, etc. it becomes a lot less appealing and not worth the effort. I kept the Arc Haul because it fit my 24” torso, was light, and very comfortable, and there really isn’t anything else that can complete with it.
What do you use for a sleeping pad? I have a MEC UL pad, but I don't love it. I'm 210lbs and am looking for something comfortable that isn't heavy and bulky
@@jefflibbey I have been using an Exped SynMat 7 for years. It’s not made anymore and I’ve been fine with it below zero and everything above. It’s something like 20oz and has been the best pad I’ve ever owned. In waiting, after a lot of testing other options, I’ve got a Nemo Tensor and that’s also what I got for my kids. If I’m camping with the Boy Scouts where I don’t mind a little extra weight, I use the Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe because the long/wide is 30” wide….which is great and it’s still lightish. I don’t do horizontal baffles, so Thermarest is out.
Add the Flat Cat Gear's Ocelot windscreen to ur BRS if ur pot's diameter is 4.2" or less, reduce ur burner output to a third & get 3 extra burns, on the small 110g gas canister, boiling 2 cups of water, depending on temps & elevation, for only 28g/1oz 👍
Another great video that makes me thirsty for the backcountry. You do a great job presenting the content. I would love to invest in a GPS smartwatch but am hung up on price tag of the Enduro 2. I would love to see you review the Coros Apex Pro 2. From what I’ve read it seems like it may be an equal competitor at a fraction of the cost. Do you have experience with them?
Great video. One thing I like pointing out to people is the fact that you can get the light bed system from zenbivy which weighs only slightly more and has slight less loft for a much cheaper price. I think the light bed is the sweet spot for most casual folks out there
I feel like a big factor with expensive gear is how much you'll use it. Quality stuff will last years, and if you go backpacking often the cost per trip averages out pretty low.
The IPhone 15+ s have an emergency SOS through GPS feature. I don't hear many outdoor youtubers mentioning it. What do you think about it? Is it good enough? I will be doing canoe camping alone but not in a super remote area and I'm trying to decide whether I need it.
Because most don’t use it (like other emergency devices) I think we need some testing to see how reliable it really is on a remote trail! I’ve been wondering this too
If you’re willing to bet your life on an iPhone and Apple… go for it. 😉 I have the iPhone 14 Pro Max and it has SOS as well. I’d never rely on it. It’s a feature that might work in a pinch however Emergency SOS solutions are not (yet) a core competency of Apple. Garmin, however… that’s a whole different story.
If you search, you can find comparisons of Apple satellite vs. dedicated satellite communicators. Long story short, Apple isn’t there yet for true backcountry situations. You have to aim it at the satellite while you use it. Not ideal for an emergency where you need to communicate back and forth with SAR. But, as it improves, it may replace dedicated satellite communicators down the road.
Thing is that you must change equipment often because it doesn’t last long or it’s changed for something else that’s newer and better. I finally gave up two years ago. The kit I have is not the best but it’s built tough.
I go hiking every summer in the high mountains in Idaho and the fishing is great. I don’t see a lot of videos out there talking about fishing gear. Do you ever fish at these lakes you go too and what gear would you take?
I can't pay that much... I do have expensive gear but I would pay more to complete my perfect dream gear list IF ...I would hike a very long trail like the PCT, AT etc... this would be worth the money.
He’s a full time RUclipsr - camping is his job 😉. Some of his gear he would have purchased, some gear is sent to him by the manufacturer. He’s good at what he does.
You spend your money on what's important to you. It also depends on how much discretionary income you have. There are hobbies that are way more expensive than backpacking.
I have 3 boys…it’s expensive! But honestly everyone has a Nemo Disco 15 degree bag and Nemo Tensor pads and as they get older I gradually get them better gear.
In regards to the sleeping pads you've mentioned for bigger guys and side sleepers, this may not work. What would you recommend for a sleeping pad R value around 5, backpacking, willing to carry a little extra weight for comfort, 6'4, 240 pounds.
I disagree with your statement about not needing a satellite messenger when traveling in a group. 6 days ago I was in a group of 5 on horseback and thankfully I did have my Garmin Inreach Mini. I suffered heat exhaustion while still fighting covid symptoms, followed by getting bucked off my horse and impaling my leg on a branch of a dead tree. I was unable to hike or ride a horse and used my Inreach to call for a helicopter rescue. This was in the Bob Marshall Wilderness near the Continental Divide. A helicopter rescue was essential. And that ONLY happened because I had a satellite messenger.
My base weight is under 10 lbs only so I can strap on my Cascade Mountain Tech high back chair. No one is more comfortable than me in the back country.
@@ryanb3908 Lunar solo, Rapide SL, Thermarest cinch and hammock gear premium burrow… I’m comfy on the ground cooking in my chair. Might consider hammock at some point for something new.
10:15 Sustaunability should be a lot more in focus for outdoor trips, i.e. not using the standard camping food where you throw away the packaging after a single use or having responsible sourced down
I've had the arc haul and to be honest with you the ventilation on your back is a joke. Maybe if you have a constant breeze from you side it might. 6 found that I sweat as much with any other pack. I switched to the Kakwa from Durston Gear.
Same here. I have a Osprey 58 Exo from 2017 or so and it has a well ventilated back and to be fair i sweat just about as much as my Dusrton Kakwa 40L. It's extremely neglible. The Kakwa is an awesome pack , only thing missing is that whistle on your chest strap but ehhhh ..
I've dropped over 9k on gear so no, not crazy enough. If you're anything like me you're incredibly cynical and have difficulty liking anything so if you can find something to like in this jumbled up world, go all in.
This Just in: This gear is for people that have more money than brains. The snobs that will be drawn to buy these overpriced items will not be trail tramps of regard. A sucker play I'd say.
Full Gear List: www.packwizard.com/s/zGf_6cV
👇 GEAR FROM THE VIDEO 👇
Arc Haul Pack: geni.us/ArcHaul
InReach Messenger: geni.us/InReachMessenger
Enduro 2 Watch: geni.us/Enduro-2
Instinct 2X Watch: geni.us/Instinct2X
Offset Trio Tent: geni.us/OffsetTrio
Moonlite Elite Chair: geni.us/MoonliteElite
Windburner Stove: geni.us/Windburner
Electric Hand Warmers: geni.us/E-Warmer
Tiny Pump 2X: geni.us/TinyPumpX
Slippers: geni.us/MEC-Camp-Slippers
Alpha Direct Shirt: geni.us/FarpointeOG
Alpha Direct Pants: geni.us/FarpointeOG
Alpha Direct Socks: geni.us/AlphaSocks
Mythic G Down Jacket: geni.us/MythicG
Zenbivy UL Quilt System: geni.us/ZenbivyULbed
Flex Air Sleeping Pad: geni.us/ZenbivyFlex
Athletic Brewing: geni.us/RunWildIPA
I’m constantly amazed that none of the backpacking channels ever mention smaller binoculars or a monocular! I consider it my luxury item, but I never leave the trailhead without it. It allows me to watch animals as well as survey my route from a distance to make route decisions.
Last summer I was able to watch bears safely from a distance which totally enriched my experience for each of those trips. I live near Yellowstone so lots of animals are available.
I approve this message 😆
@@kmichaelp4508 I approve the approval! I love my Hawke Endurance ED 8x25. Great Optics, nice wide Field of View, folds small enough to fit in the hip belt pocket of my backpack and weights 310g.
@@DanceCommander , and I approve your approval of my approval.
I've been looking to get one myself as well and in any video I have seen it mentioned it's always a "don't bring this, useless weight" kind of item.
I just decided that I'll "break" that rule and get one anyway. We're out there to see stuff, right? 😄
@@AkinaLOL , as I always say, think for yourself and know what you want. You won’t see me out there without a chair either!
this is the linus tech tips of backpacking
That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me
So true
How did I not think of this
So true
This makes me feel so much better about my collection of gear😂 I’m glad everyone buys way too much gear. I’m always thinking “well if I just had” paired with my need for “preparation” in all weather and any season.
Dude, love this video and your honest evaluation of the gear. An awesome idea would be to get a viewer (or someone at the local gear shop) who’s a total novice. Take them on a 3-day trip, or 3 overnight trips and give them a pre-loaded pack for each day. One with high-end gear, one with comfort gear, and one that’s a combo of the two. This would answer a lot of questions for novices about “how much should I spend?” and, “is it worth the extra money?”
That's a great idea!
If he brings three novices, they could simply switch pack with each other each day on a three day trip and compare
Thanks so much for all the advice, I’ve learned so much and I’m so happy finally to get out more comfortably. Looking forward to all your new uploads!
Love this channel, you’re doing a great job Justin. By far the nerdiest, most knowledgeable youtuber out there when it comes to gear, which is awesome because I’m a gear nerd who goes into detail and it’s frustrating to hear recommendations or complaints from other RUclipsrs who can’t make the analysis. It also keeps all your trip videos interesting, because there’s a change in scenery, environment, weather, temperatures, gear packed and tested etc. A suggestion would be to make more videos on hacks and routines, like with the last rain video. Maybe guests would be nice then, to discuss how other people are doing it, depending on what tent they have, other circumstances (for example I hike with a dog which complicates thing’s moisture wise) and just different hacks that people themselves have come up with or been inspired by
I wish they made a chair with longer legs for us old guys that can’t get up from a chair that sits that low. I would be willing to carry a few extra ounces.
You could put it in top of a rock?
Check out the helinox chair zero L
Check out the Big Agnes Skyline UL chair, it's sits higher up than the Helinox or Flexlite Air so you don't have to pull yourself up every time from a low height. One thing to note is the Skyline is heavier than the Helinox Zero or REI Flexlite at 1lb 11oz - but IMO it's worth the weight penalty.
This!! So much gear is not usable if you have mobility issues. I have a bad knee which make getting up from low chairs difficult and painful.
.. there are a few out there ,, I have a Helinox Sunset ... Sits 1/2 height higher and with a high back as well ,,,, Web material base for soft or sandy ground and for back at vehicle camp has rocker bases for added comfort ...
YES - ABSOLUTELY - to answer the question in the headline.
I tried a different pack this year and I am back to my Zpacks’s. I will never use another pack that does not have their ventilation system. The Arc is a game changer.
Couldn’t agree more!
After buying & selling dozens of packs I also went back to my favorite 7-8 year old Zpack arc and will buy it again when it dies.
When you’re young and saving for a house and family, the equation is blatantly simple: the $5K goes towards the mortgage. But that’s not everyone. I’m 72 years’ old and want to continue hiking. I’ve recently spent that $5K on ultra-light and it’s brought my pack weight for a 6-day hike down from 18kg to 11.5kg. It’s kept me on the trail and it’s been worth every cent. I would do it again in a heartbeat, and probably will.
That scenery 🙌🏻
Justin, just wanna say that you're by far my favorite "outdoor youtuber". Thanks for all the content!
Finally just ordered the TinyRepel from Flextail and was super pleased about free international shipping!!
I dont mind spending money on good quality. I lve my UGQ and LiteAF 46l back pack. I just can't bring myself to spend $1k Zenbivy. I might just try the McGyver method someone suggested in one of the backpacking forums by buying some magnetic zip ties of Amazon and attaching them to your quilt and a bag liner that is put over the sleeping pad.
For now, the best purchase I've done for camping gear is the Big Agnes Rapide SL in the wide version. My previous sleeping pads were a 53 cm (20") inflatable sleeping pad and a foam sleeping pad. Those two got me back pain, if I used them for 2-3 nights and the extra width feels great. When you go up from regular width to wide, you understand how important that extra width is.
Pillows are also really important, but here I'm a bit torn. I have a cheap inflatable, a heavy and bulky but super comfortable pillow (foam? pillow) and an expensive pillow that is somewhere in between the other two. I find the bulky pillow the most comfortable (Cocoon Travel Pillow), but it weighs 285g and worse than that, takes a lot of space. The Nemo Fillo Elite Luxury is quite wide, which I like, but it isn't as soft/fluffy as I expected. It's lighter than the Coccon one (112g) and a lot less bulky, but it's not as comfy, and it's 3 times the price...
A tent, where neither your feet nor your head are touching the walls, is also really nice. My first tent was a hand me down, and it was kinda saggy, so you almost had the tent walls on your face while laying down... and I'm just 170... I've been pretty happy with the Sierra Designs Meteor 3000 2p tent. It's really roomy, and hasn't leaked yet. Used it on a few rainy days (some days it rained a lot) and it didn't leak. Using a tent footprint is kind of necessary, if you are expecting a lot of rain. I didn't set mine perfectly, and the spots that didn't have the footprint under it started getting a bit wet after 2-3 days of fairly heavy rain.
Next thing I want to try is a quilt. I move a bit while falling asleep, so a quilt would be more comfortable. I still turn inside my sleeping bag, but that shifts it a bit to one side, leads me to sometimes breath inside it and doesn't cover me that well.
I agree. I love my rapide. A bit heavy but worth it. Try the Sierra designs cloud 20 instead of a quilt. It fits perfect on your rapide and doesn't slide at all. Plus it's a zipperless design. Also, it has a combo of real and synthetic down so it has the best of both worlds. Plus, it has a great feature in the foot vent. If you're too hot you can peak your feet out through the bottom without even undoing a zipper. It's by far the most practical and well designed bag out there. I've used it down to 25 degrees and it's comfy.
I hope you check out the Pad Pal pump made by rex creations. Its 10g and runs off your powerbank so it's for that super niche ultralight category but looks super cool and functional. At that weight, I can see so many more people justify bringing a pump.
Tyler and I have been chatting a bunch and he was kind enough to send the pump over for testing. So far I just have experience with it in my living room but I am really excited to test it more!
Great series seriously helpful!
I like this guy - no bullshit and got a happy smart vibe.
I love love love my Zenbivy light quilt and full sheet.
I think my next is to move to the half sheet with insulated hood and grab the flex pad… keeping my convertible quilt.
10:10 I have reusable hand warmers that you boil to reset/recharge. I don't suggest doing that on your camp stove because it does take time, but you could easily do it when you get back home.
They're cheap and reusable, but not quite as handy as electric rechargable ones. Good budget option if you don't want to create waste and can't afford fancy ones yet though.
A really good and inforrmative vid ty.
Justin you really should try out the Featherlite 700 kit for those comfortable relaxed no stress just taking it easy trips, when you want to enjoy the quiet and calm and just hear the sounds of nature. Those gas stoves can be very noisy, especially if you want the chance to see and not disturb the wildlife where you are.
Love the zenbivy have not only used it backpacking but have taken it to locations where there are not enoughs beds for everyone, much more comfortable then a bad sleeper sofa i use the big agnes rapide XL pad.....
A white Zenbivy would make my OCD go off the scale.
Agreed! Luckily Zenbivy does offer the ultralight version in a black exterior red interior color option. The white color may look good for the first few camps, but by the end of the season it might be looking a little different (gross). Plus, an added benefit for darker quilt colors is they dry faster in the sun if they happen to get wet.
As a 50+ small woman who backpacks with her 2 small teenage daughters (in the same area as you, apparently), weight is super important, as is comfort, so yes. I pay extra to keep the weight down. I bought the offset trio this year. It was comfy for 2 of us and 2 dogs, but I’m thinking it’s gonna be tight on our 5 day trip next week.
Love those rechargeable hand warmers and the flex tail mosquito repellant
the go-to gear guy
A usb air pump is great not only for inflating your mattress but also for drying bidet butt.
What’s the name of database you use for checking gear?
Thanks for a nice run through.
Justin, I don’t agree that groups on “well-trodden” tracks don’t need an emergency beacon like a Garmin and can “handle it as a group”. I would go so far as to say that is dangerous advice. How would the group “handle” a fractured femur 10km from the nearest exit? Or a serious head injury? Or chest pain (as in heart chest pain?). I’m a doctor and I would absolutely want to see that helicopter hovering overhead. To say one doesn’t need an emergency beacon on such walks is like saying one doesn’t need to wear a seat belt for a short drive to get milk. These things may not happen often on a trek, but they need happen only once…
Spot on. Regardless of the size of my group, I always bring my inReach Mini 2. My safety is my responsibility.
If someone in my group was injured I would of course use my inReach to call for help if they didn’t have one. However, one should never rely on others for SOS emergencies.
Note: I’m former infantry and we take personal safety to heart.
Yup. Everyone needs to be doing their own risk analysis before a trip. There are always lots of factors at play. Safety situations are never black and white; I rewatched the section and I don't think I portrayed it as being so.
@@VinceFowlerThat’s correct, Vince. I always take mine but I have been unable to persuade my fellow walkers to invest in a beacon for themselves. It’s interesting that my fellow walkers think I’m strange carrying a beacon yet our Australian police is hugely critical of people without a beacon whom they are called to rescue - there has been talk of charging those people for the rescue. Think: how would I manage being separated from the group in adverse conditions, such as with an immobilising injury, or a snake bite, or simply being lost? Of course one does not expect disasters - disasters are unpredictable (unless one chooses to walk into one) - but that doesn’t mean delegating our safety to the kindness of the universe or being so conceited as to think we can have absolute control over everything we do and that happens to us. My line of work (health) is risk management and neither I nor my colleagues would embark on a task comparable to trekking without sound contingencies.
@@petychka2 all great points, Peter! We see the same outcomes here in Canada. A good friend is an Air Force C-130 pilot for Search & Rescue based not far from Toronto. They routinely get called out for lost boaters on the Great Lakes caught with a disabled boat or in bad weather, and people lost/injured in the backcountry. He says it's rare that they have any safety measures - usually a friend making the call for help because someone hasn't reported in for 24 hours.
People's pushback is largely grounded in unconscious ignorance. They don't know what they don't know.
Second, they complain about the price of a satellite coms device/service plan that is there to save their irreplaceable life... yet they spend exponentially more on things that they can replace.
Your video reminded me of something. I’m 6’5” and 260. The tent fits and so does the ZenBivy, but I thought both were just too fussy and I passed on both. I’m willing to pay for something that fits someone my size, like the Arc Haul which I love (and it too is fussy), but if there are just too many straps, parts, hooks, adjustments, etc. it becomes a lot less appealing and not worth the effort. I kept the Arc Haul because it fit my 24” torso, was light, and very comfortable, and there really isn’t anything else that can complete with it.
What do you use for a sleeping pad? I have a MEC UL pad, but I don't love it. I'm 210lbs and am looking for something comfortable that isn't heavy and bulky
@@jefflibbey I have been using an Exped SynMat 7 for years. It’s not made anymore and I’ve been fine with it below zero and everything above. It’s something like 20oz and has been the best pad I’ve ever owned. In waiting, after a lot of testing other options, I’ve got a Nemo Tensor and that’s also what I got for my kids. If I’m camping with the Boy Scouts where I don’t mind a little extra weight, I use the Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe because the long/wide is 30” wide….which is great and it’s still lightish. I don’t do horizontal baffles, so Thermarest is out.
Add the Flat Cat Gear's Ocelot windscreen to ur BRS if ur pot's diameter is 4.2" or less, reduce ur burner output to a third & get 3 extra burns, on the small 110g gas canister, boiling 2 cups of water, depending on temps & elevation, for only 28g/1oz 👍
11:10 "apparently safe". Nerve poison for insects but yeah, I guess all safe for humans 🙃
This will all come in handy when I lose my house to pay for it!
Killer setup. Id swap out the zenbivy with a nemo and feathers freinds
Another great video that makes me thirsty for the backcountry. You do a great job presenting the content. I would love to invest in a GPS smartwatch but am hung up on price tag of the Enduro 2. I would love to see you review the Coros Apex Pro 2. From what I’ve read it seems like it may be an equal competitor at a fraction of the cost. Do you have experience with them?
Great video. One thing I like pointing out to people is the fact that you can get the light bed system from zenbivy which weighs only slightly more and has slight less loft for a much cheaper price. I think the light bed is the sweet spot for most casual folks out there
Definitely a luxury item but I have a Torras Coolify 2s that I use when hiking in this texas heat.
You would have to get into camp early to set that tent up. And gosh forbid you don't find the perfect place the first time hahaha.
That is a no go for me too! It may be nice, but not in this lifetime!!! Waaaaaaay too much fuss and space. I’ll stick with Durston.
It’s actually really easy to set up!
@@dcaudwell , it could be! But not a simple as the Durston!! And not as many moving parts to fool around with.
I know this is about the gear, but the views are stunning! Where are is this?
I look at all purchases on a cost per use basis.
If the $5,000 in gear lasts 10 years, its $500 per year
If I use it 6 times per year its $83 per use.
Any chance you can check up some sleep systems for heavier bigger people aswell?
What hiking pole do you use??? Looks great!
Komperdell Camera Staff
Hey Justin, love the vid! Question, do you fish? You've got some awesome lakes, ik it would be an extra 1lb or 2 but it's fun for passing the time!
I feel like a big factor with expensive gear is how much you'll use it. Quality stuff will last years, and if you go backpacking often the cost per trip averages out pretty low.
The IPhone 15+ s have an emergency SOS through GPS feature. I don't hear many outdoor youtubers mentioning it. What do you think about it? Is it good enough? I will be doing canoe camping alone but not in a super remote area and I'm trying to decide whether I need it.
Because most don’t use it (like other emergency devices) I think we need some testing to see how reliable it really is on a remote trail! I’ve been wondering this too
If you’re willing to bet your life on an iPhone and Apple… go for it. 😉
I have the iPhone 14 Pro Max and it has SOS as well. I’d never rely on it. It’s a feature that might work in a pinch however Emergency SOS solutions are not (yet) a core competency of Apple.
Garmin, however… that’s a whole different story.
If you search, you can find comparisons of Apple satellite vs. dedicated satellite communicators.
Long story short, Apple isn’t there yet for true backcountry situations. You have to aim it at the satellite while you use it. Not ideal for an emergency where you need to communicate back and forth with SAR.
But, as it improves, it may replace dedicated satellite communicators down the road.
@@jonsanford2515 for Apple to make a dedicated decision like that, that’s a significant commitment. For Apple, is it worth it?
Where is this hike? It's beautiful :)
It starts at the Elbow Lake Trailhead in Kananaskis, Alberta.
Thing is that you must change equipment often because it doesn’t last long or it’s changed for something else that’s newer and better. I finally gave up two years ago. The kit I have is not the best but it’s built tough.
Katabatic gear for the win
I go hiking every summer in the high mountains in Idaho and the fishing is great. I don’t see a lot of videos out there talking about fishing gear. Do you ever fish at these lakes you go too and what gear would you take?
whats the lake called please? ;)
I can't pay that much... I do have expensive gear but I would pay more to complete my perfect dream gear list IF ...I would hike a very long trail like the PCT, AT etc... this would be worth the money.
Are these the Ocoopa mini handwarmers or the regular UT2S?
The number one thing I don’t get out into the backcountry as much as I could is kids. Not discomfort… welcome to the club buddy
I know people always talk atm about taking a chair but would you take it on a 100km multi day trip?
.. Beautiful location ..... Somehow that RAB Parka looks out of place for as nice as the weather is ... must be the extra weight needed ..
Have you had any issue with getting the pads for the Flextail Bug device?
So you modified the quilt to become a wide down sleeping bag or did I miss something?😅
Name of this hike?
Havoc of the Anus
It’s the Elbow Lake/Pass trail in Kananaskis, Alberta.
How do you fund the trips and equipment? Especially at this cost.
He’s a full time RUclipsr - camping is his job 😉. Some of his gear he would have purchased, some gear is sent to him by the manufacturer.
He’s good at what he does.
What vince said. Haha
I have like 5 brs 3000 haha haven't found a need to upgrade yet!
You spend your money on what's important to you. It also depends on how much discretionary income you have. There are hobbies that are way more expensive than backpacking.
Absolutely! Photography, cycling, hot-rodding, and on and on!
I have 3 boys…it’s expensive! But honestly everyone has a Nemo Disco 15 degree bag and Nemo Tensor pads and as they get older I gradually get them better gear.
What pad would you suggest for a old side sleeper like me that is 215lbs?
To me, the most important comfort item is the sleep system. If I can't sleep well I can't perform well.
I am curious why you only use a single Trekking Pole and do not seem to rely on those Trekking Poles to release some pressure from your back.
I use two. One is my "tripod"
Without watching this video I can say yes.
To answer the title, if you have to ask yourself if you overspent- then you overspent.
I'd bet my gear set is between $4000-5000 total that I take into backcountry. Winter main time I go though..
In regards to the sleeping pads you've mentioned for bigger guys and side sleepers, this may not work. What would you recommend for a sleeping pad R value around 5, backpacking, willing to carry a little extra weight for comfort, 6'4, 240 pounds.
I have the big Agnes rapide XL pad, super comfy 4 inches thick
Exped Ultra pads are pretty darn good.
Between my rab down bag and my thermarest pad its very close to 1000$ right there.
How revolutionary: a hood on a $900 sleep system that a $150 LL Bean mummy bag has always had 😅
If you can't sleep in the backcountry, then you can't really go backpacking or camping. A good sleep system could be the difference.
You could really jack up the price tag if you included that diamond studded platinum trail plug.
I disagree with your statement about not needing a satellite messenger when traveling in a group. 6 days ago I was in a group of 5 on horseback and thankfully I did have my Garmin Inreach Mini. I suffered heat exhaustion while still fighting covid symptoms, followed by getting bucked off my horse and impaling my leg on a branch of a dead tree. I was unable to hike or ride a horse and used my Inreach to call for a helicopter rescue. This was in the Bob Marshall Wilderness near the Continental Divide. A helicopter rescue was essential. And that ONLY happened because I had a satellite messenger.
I’m guessing that the company called PhD make a down jacket warmer, lighter and more expensive than the Rab mythic jacket you’ve shown in this video.
My base weight is under 10 lbs only so I can strap on my Cascade Mountain Tech high back chair. No one is more comfortable than me in the back country.
That chair is over 3 lbs. Better to just use a hammock and have a far more comfy seat and sleep system.
@@ryanb3908 Lunar solo, Rapide SL, Thermarest cinch and hammock gear premium burrow… I’m comfy on the ground cooking in my chair. Might consider hammock at some point for something new.
@@itsbeertimenow 3 lbs for a chair is more than my entire sleep system when thruhiking. Good for car camping though.
Cheap that old even cover 2 wheels on my bike lol
Those watch prices are crazy to me. I feel like I can just use my phone and save money
Expensive redundancy for sure!
172lbs too much for the zenbivy flex mattress?
I’d spend the $5g to fly somewhere cool to backpack with cheap gear
10:15 Sustaunability should be a lot more in focus for outdoor trips, i.e. not using the standard camping food where you throw away the packaging after a single use or having responsible sourced down
I would gladly pay $5000 for an ultralight backcountry stereo system
Why are you quoting in US dollars? 😫
50% of my audience is in the US and it is likely the most "understood" currency for non-americans.
Justin needs to keep that down or he's gonna get mugged by a grizzly for his gear.
That's peanuts. Try canoe camping 🏕️
I've had the arc haul and to be honest with you the ventilation on your back is a joke. Maybe if you have a constant breeze from you side it might. 6 found that I sweat as much with any other pack. I switched to the Kakwa from Durston Gear.
Same here. I have a Osprey 58 Exo from 2017 or so and it has a well ventilated back and to be fair i sweat just about as much as my Dusrton Kakwa 40L. It's extremely neglible. The Kakwa is an awesome pack , only thing missing is that whistle on your chest strap but ehhhh ..
Ventilation works for me
So just my backpack and the gear inside it costs $4,000. I don’t have a watch or Garmin sat doodad. I should probably not get those. 🤣
With room for activities 💀
You only need a one person tent
That jacket cost more than my quilt and I have a full custom ultralight quilt.
Hard pass, wouldn't buy it even if I was rich.
$900 is a crazy amount for a tent that you admit probably wont handle wind and bad weather well...
Yes🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪
could get smaller carry footprint for cheaper, weight is what your paying for
I've dropped over 9k on gear so no, not crazy enough. If you're anything like me you're incredibly cynical and have difficulty liking anything so if you can find something to like in this jumbled up world, go all in.
This Just in: This gear is for people that have more money than brains. The snobs that will be drawn to buy these overpriced items will not be trail tramps of regard. A sucker play I'd say.
This video is only about advertising. I think that mate didn't go hiking or something, he is only spending a lot of money for stuff. Its sucks
You're wrong on every point.
.. Short and Simple ......YES .. ..High priced doesn't always mean best quality or design ... just means they found a sucker ..
There is some adjustability but those are load lifters, Bruh.
In th video he demonstrates the torso length adjustment but makes no adjustment to the load lifters which are also present on the shot.
$5000 is obscene