Another thought for boots outside, use those cheap shower caps you can get from hotels, I do it all the time and it works great. Put boots together, tuck in laces and put the disposable (ultralight) shower cap over both boots, been keeping mine dry for years now while outside
Yeah great idea, I would also totally suggest a super small tarp to put on the ground of your vestibule because it gets tight if it needs to go inside. Haha as a kid I used to dig tons of Trench’s and build up dirty and sticks around the edge to keep water out
I like how you talk about how these thing can happen because they can! You reminded me when my dad & I had our tent leaking on the floor & parts of the fly. Because we had been getting into some serious kayaking trips we forgot to “unpack” one of the natural sponges. It was a perfect thing to soak up water then ring it out. We always brought it on future trips just incase. A natural sponge takes up space but weighs nothing!
Great video! Im a hammock camper but theres a trick that works with both tents and hammocks. If youre in a wooded area take some branches/sticks and make a small platform to put your gear on. It can keep your gear off the ground and dry and works in a vestibule or under a rain fly.
This is my 8th video on the topic, I’ve done a lot of camping in the rain but now i’m in Central America where there’s real pouring so I was looking for more advice. This guy is the only from the 7th previous videos to give actual solid advice I collected over the years, is such a disappointment that this content creators only care about pushing brands and have no clue what they’re talking about. Thanks sir, definitely subbed
If you can find trees without any widow makers, always set up a tarp first then set your tent up under the tarp. Doing it this way keeps your tents' rain fly dry and it provides a dry area to sit outside of your tent and a dry area for your gear. Setting up a tarp first give you a quick dry place to set up your tent and the rest of your camp if it starts to rain.
@sherryflavour3791 I've noticed most of the 'ultralight' backpsckers are still carrying the same weight, it's just gone to their gut because they're hardly burning any calories carrying 11lbs
@@desirefusion532 I hear you! 🙆🏻♀️😅🌿 I was a youngster in the 1970s, and back in those days we carried up to 60lbs on our backs! Thankfully my gear is a lot lighter nowadays, but I am definitely only interested in being a light hiker, not ultralight. I prefer durability over lighter loads. It's less stressful out on the trail. 😁
For rainy conditions, all to common in the PNW, we carry tarps to create or maintain dry spots to work under. UCO candle lanterns are great for warming the inside of your tent, reducing condensation, and can help to dry out damp clothing. If you can get a fire going that is better for drying boots and socks, just watch them…I’ve had camp mates melt parts of their boots. Before leaving on a trip where rain is expected, make sure you have enough tent stakes to cover all the tie-outs on your rain fly.
Coming from Scotland, where it rains more often than not, I totally agree with these tips. I'd also add that when packing the inner tent make sure to fold it in on itself so the groundsheet is on the outside and when you come to unroll it for the next camp the inner walls stay mud free. A tent footprint can also help a lot to protect the inner when you expect rain and sometimes they even cover the vestibule too(although I fold them that area up at night to stop the water running in on top of it).
One of the best videos on backpacking, directly from the real situation and how to adapt. It's way more better to explain in this way rather than being clean, with fresh clothes in a very friendly background. Congrats!
I second the tarp idea, I have a Hilleberg tarp 5 that weighs 300g I don’t ever have to pack a wet tent, i prop the front with trekking poles and peg in the back over the top of the tent or fasten it to trees, perfect vestibule extension and keep boots etc outside. I use the tarp when cooking a meal at lunchtime if it’s raining or just resting under cover
Same thing on the west coast shoreline during winter storms. No need for a tent, just peg your tarp low with a dug out fire pit in front of it and you are all good. Quick to pack up, no soaking wet tent gear and provides the same protection
Excellent video. West of Scotland you get at least some rain most days so I have some experience of the wet... Besides what you and others have have mentioned about the tent, a BIG porch (preferably with doors either end of tent) helps a lot, as does having a freestanding tent (so you can move it out of puddles!). A high hydrostatic head, esp for the tent floor is good and a high bathtub essential. High thread-count rip-stop polyester (with treatment) makes for a better 'rain tent' than silnylon because it doesn't stretch as much; Dynema might make a better fly (doesn't absorb water) but I've not seen suitable Dynema rain tent design and suspect the expense wouldn't be worth the benefits. Other than the tent... A small sponge is a must for 101 tasks around the tent, including ingress of rain. A washing line with a few pegs can help dry moist clothes, even in the shelter of the porch, and safety pins to attach moist socks to the backpack are good. If you expect only moderate wind and not being too cold, use a poncho that covers the backpack is probably good -not tried this myself. With a poncho you can apparently bring a relatively dry backpack into the tent -backpack covers don't do nearly as a good job. The poncho can double up as a cover for the sleep system should the tent leak and in extreme circumstances provide a groundsheet. Bivvies lack the space for keeping kit dry and indeed, usually fail to keep your sleeping kit dry -not only condensation but also ingress of rain. Umbrellas are remarkably good for walking in the rain if the wind co-operates! There are lots of strategies for footwear but the circumstances of the trail often helps decide what goes on the feet.
I remember my old Scoutmaster back in the 80s would always say that he'd never cancel a campout for rain. And he'd never cancel a campout for cold. But he'd ALWAYS cancel a campout when it was supposed to be rainy AND cold at the same time. At the time, we used to kind of get on his case about wussing out. But after spending a few cold, rainy nights and days, I tend to agree. You can mitigate weather, but if it's going to be really bad, you're probably not going to really enjoy it.
I use a ground sheet slightly oversized into the vestibules so that it also acts as a bit of a porch - to help manage mud. It also facilitates kneeling outside the tent body so wet rain gear can be removed under the vestibule minimizing water brought into the tent. Once inside the tent for the night try your best to not go back out in the rain until breaking camp. Water will still get in so the soak rag you described is essential. Remember to also periodically soak up condensation on inside walls - a big source of unwanted moisture. When packing up, I fold the ground sheet so that the dirty undersides are folded first against each other and the groundsheet is always packed separate. A wet fly is also packed separate from the tent body - keeps thngs much cleaner and more dry. I never put anything wet inside my sleeping bag so that the bag is kept as dry as possible. I would rather put on wet clothes in the morning than risk getting more moisture in my bag. I also keep everything in dry bags up until I need them in case water happens to get to gear when unattended - this means that I do not unpack too early even inside the tent.
This is a really great explainer. I'm ashamed to admit that I've never really considered the drainage of a camping spot before, even though it's caused big problems for me in the past.
If rain was forecast, I would be looking to pitch my tent on grass if possible and NOT on the dirt (road/trail) which will get muddy, and make it difficult to not bring mud into my tent (living space). The location this tent is pitched would be an example of what not to do with the puddle forming outside the vestibule providing a second lesson in what not to do. This video does make the valid point that getting mud on your boots and tent is not the end of the world, (as long as you can stay warm and maintain your body temperature).
Awesome video. It's been said but I'll say it again. I love that you're out there in the mud showing what it's really like. Yes you'll get wet, yes you'll get muddy but it's okay, especially if you keep what's important dry as possible (ie. Sleeping bag/certain clothing). Very well done, just an awesome video. Thank you for the content.
Great info and location commitment. You show the one argument for not using an existing camp space...they're typically indentations. Not for everybody but if you plan to have an answer in a big rain, one of the solutions I'm working now is the shorty sleeping pad. I cut down one with old bad patches (very easy). I use a Gossamer Gear pack with a removable backpad...it's kinda inconvenient for every little sit - so I also take a GG 1/8" foam pad in my pouch. At night I use all the padding from my pack - the back pad the shoulder pads and waste pads and stuffed with my pack liner and wind shirt for insulation all wrapped up neatly with the 1/8" roll pad and its like almost 4 ". It stays together and doesn't slip on dyneema and I have room to roam with all my gear inside... As long as I keep the 1/8" pad dry, it doesn't really matter if the pack got wet. Works like a dream and everything I bring not in a bear can or bottle is in use when I sleep. You said it. Some form of trash/grocery bag is a must as well. A place to put wet stuff and a place to keep stuff dry as well as gives you some capacity to pack out any trash that got away from someone else on the way out. Cheers all
And when you go to sleep in your tent put your boot insoles in the bottom of your sleeping bag and when you put them back in your boots in the morning your feet won't feel too cold when you put them on.
Wool... It's a miracle material. I've hiked in wet wool socks for 10 miles and didn't even know they were wet because they stay warm and don't get squishy like cotton.
This right here... people should realize that anything cotton is worthless when it's wet. Don't bring cotton into the backcountry or on a camping trip if you can avoid it. Especially if you know the weather is blowing in.
I carry a very small packable lightweight tarp that I can wrap my bag in and on in the vestibule. Works great. Keeps it all clean and dry. I also bring a plastic bag that I can put my boots in to keep them dry and cleanish as well.
love Nature and Embrace the fact that you will be wet, muddy and cold! What gear you have and knowing the limits of the gear can be a game changer. I enjoy your video, this is coming from a guy that wants to hike for 6-7 months to get away for a while! Test gear before you hit the trail. I got a brown 1 person tent! Love it! I got 7 inch Y stakes, i wont leave home without them! I get a tent that is longer then i am, doing so my head and feet are away from the walls.
Putting you items in a contractor bag inside the vestibule will free up a little space inside the tent as well, and help keep your stuff dry. I like hammocking for this reason, set up tarp first, then hammock, then you can deal with storing your stuff (again bag it up)
I carry a really lightweight foam pad for under my mattress. I put wet stuff between them. In the AM, even if its not dry, its at least warm. Army Navy surplus stores are great for cheap clothes. For instance i bought an inexpensive nylon fly fishing shirt. Great for this. Gotten stuff at big box stores, too.
I have always strapped my pack to a tree and kept the rain fly on it. Easy access to get things in and out on a tree and all that I ever have in my tent is sleep pad sleeping bag and what I’m going to wear tomorrow. Backpacking and camping sense the 90s and never had an issue and I seem to attract rain to every outing.
Just got to the part about setting up in the rain. Some tents have footprints that allow you to set up the poles and the fly first. Then set up the tent body “inside” the dry space%
Yeah, get the type of tent that you can set up all in one go. Usually you can separate the inner tent from the outer tent while the outer tent is still standing protecting you from the weather. That way you can pack away the dry inner tent, and last pack away your wet outer tent, and stuff it into a dry bag so you don’t get everything else in your pack wet. Also, if you get at 4 season tent, usually the outer tent goes all the way down to the ground. This helps with keeping the vestibule dry, and then hopefully the vestibule will not be such a muddy mess so you can store stuff there. Also if you get a footprint for your tent, this can help keeping thing’s cleaner. Scandinavian style tents usually have all these features, but they’re a little heavier as they are made for serious weather conditions. Check out the Swedish company Hilleberg, and you can see what I mean.
Yeah the Naturehike Cloud Up 2 is a good example of this! It's a bit more fiddly but works like a charm once you've got the hang of it, only takes an extra minute or so :)
Awesome video, exactly what I was looking for. Seems like I did a lot of things right instinctively. Another tip could be to pack your rainfly separately from the rest of your tent. I have a bin bag lining the inside of my backpack to keep stuff inside dry, so I folded up the rainfly in a square shape, stuffed it into the bottom of my backpack, folded the bin back on top of it and then put in the rest of my stuff. It worked and the next night when I set up camp, the inside of my tent was still dry! Have fun out there everyone an stay safe xx
As a young teen, My friend and I would go camping in the woods. I had an old umbrella canvas 4 man tent that weighed about 40lbs.When it would rain, the canvas would get saturated and if you even touched the inside walls, it would start dripping thru. Oh the fun that was! lol...
Good information! Granted, I do use my Warbonnet XLC hammock more than a tent, but when I'm using a tent I always have a footprint. I also have a small tarp as a ground cloth inside the vestibule to help keep my gear and tent interior drier and cleaner (I also use it under my hammock to keep my everything dry and clean. In warmer times of the year when I need more air circulation inside, I also have a 5x7 tarp to make an awning over the vestibule, again to help keep my gear and interior drier and cleaner.
A no brainer when it comes to tent selection is to get a "european tent" like hilleberg, helsport, fjallraven or other. On those the inner is always attached to the outer tent. In this way you can pitch it in a heavy downpour without getting any water on or in the inner tent. It is also a lot faster and easier.
Biggest thing I learned from this video is the attention to regular surveillance and maintenance of that tent space, both inside and out. You're a better man than me on that one! I noticed the Arcteryx synthetic mid layer, and I assume you may even elect a synthetic sleeping bag, especially if you expect to be in rain for several days. Do you ever feel the need for a poncho?
I usually teach my trainees to carry a small tarpaulin and stake it to the ground next to the tent, covering most of their gear, which either rests on the folded over tarp or on some foliage. Only sleeping bags and torches allowed in the tent, plus boots go under the corner of the tarp.
Yea know mud is something that does keep me home instead of out hiking. But you are right! It will dry and just turn into dirt dust. I have almost all of my gear and I've tested them in the wet fall and early winter snow in my back yard. I already found some great short loops and longer thruhikes near me to cut into sections. All I need is to pack my food and put one foot in front of the other! Thanks for that last little nudge off the couch and out the door.
I have a silpoly tent now and would 100% recommend this over a nylon based tent for wet conditions. Silpoly has much less sagging when the tent gets wet.
couple of very good pointers in this video. 1 - Use all the tie points to peg the fly away from the inner tent. 2 I had an extra pole i couldn't figure out and saw it was a cross piece for the top for another separating point. thx,
Oh and having a warerproof footprint under your tent AND vestibule really helps and is well worth the extra weight. Or just some piece of thick foil for your vestibule so you can store stuff there and not have it muddy.
My tent rainfly have a extra piece of fabric that fully cover the bottom and sides of the tent perfect for heavy rainfall and snowy camping with helping the water stay away from the edge of the tent, I think this option usually used for 4 seasons tents. I'm happy with that feel like a rugged shelter. look like Marmot pass the challenge especially without the footprint...cool .
I always tie 2-3 paracord lines in parallel to each other on the tent poles, creating a ladder like effect on the non-door sides. Helps prevent the walls touching with rain related sagging. An extra step, sure, but well worth being dry inside.
That's a great tip! I'm in Wales in the UK, known for being extremely soggy so I almost always have to contend with rain, and my tent is silnylon so it definitely sags - I'll give that a try next time!
Good information - basic but important. I wish your camera-man moved around more. "As you can see here..." or "Look here..." - video stays zoomed on your face. I kept wishing he would move the dang camera back to show us what you were talking about!
We get over 200" of rain a year here in Southeast Alaska, carrying a small tarp and a mil poncho/tarp are worth their weight. Also a tent with a fly 1st design is a game changer.
good video - very helpful comments - rain or dry we store backpacks and everything we won't need during the night at least 50' from the tent using pack covers to keep packs and other gear clean and dry.
Bring a length of paracord of similar that you can use to quickly hang out some things to dry when, during days of rain, there's the occasional sunny spell. Without the cord, you'd have nothing to hang stuff from as everything else is still wet
My girlfriend is not an outdoorsy person, but agreed to come with me to my annual "happy place" to camp. Unfortunately, ´we found out that our tent was not waterproof what so ever too late - a very strong storm picked up. We slept in a mini pond and not a single thing was left dry. She has a rheumatic disorder so it was hell for her, ( but to stay positive- it was a very good bonding experience for us) I had a very interesting experience, would do again, but alone next time haha. Now I backpack alone. I started backpacking with no gear at all and have slowly gotten a sleeping bag and that forsaken tent. That night has turned me into a storm hunter and i take that evil tent with me (and a plastic tarp now) and have a hell of a good time every time.
My parents had a leaky tent and while they were on the hunt for the perfect replacement, we camped one whole summer with the leaky tent plus a bright orange plastic tarp over it. Some gear fails lead to great memories (especially if you manage to find a creative (temporary) fix for them)
Couple of additional tips; do not set up tent on a nice flat dry river bed and get washed away when the downpour starts, furthermore don’t let send/ mud get on your telescopic tent poles, and lastly as a former Marine, I don’t get it that poncho’s hardly ever get mentioned in any of these vids. Tx for the video, happy trekking rain or shine 👊🏻
Although many tents are not designed to take down the inner first, it's often possible to do this anyway, although amore cumbersome. Similarly, it's often also possible to put up the outer first.
Nice video but it would have been nice if your videographer panned down at the 6:30 mark where you said "Look here..." so we could see what you were seeing.
Excellent advice about anchor points. I take lots of paracord and all my tents look like like a spiders web! But I don't care. Many new tents don't have enough anchor points for guy lines, and sometimes the guy lines are set too high or too low on the tent fly. I sometimes resort to cutting new anchor points on the fly whether higher or lower. Not ideal, but in strong wind I would rather deal with a little leaking than a full tent collapse (no one wants to wake up with the tent ceiling touching your face! :) ) And of course wind direction changes. As I was a boy scout... Tighten your guys at night with added moisture or rain.... and during the day with no rain but sun, slacken them as the tent begins to dry and the fabric re-tightens. Is that right? Either way... its always served me. And storm pegs. Throw away the pegs that come with the tent and buy storm pegs. Even if its not stormy. But, I am from the UK... where it ALWAYs rains :)
Interesting advice. You cut new anchor points into the fly? But yeah UK camping with lots of wind and rain will make you change how you backpack for sure!
I am a Boy Scout and I love to camp, but not in the rain because I don’t like the rain at all. I also am from Wisconsin, but now I live in East Tennessee.
Thanx for another great video. I would love to see a video of taking care of equipment after a hike, perhaps specially after rain and mud like this. That said.. i still haven’t watched the entire video so I might be to quick lol sorry if thats the case
In wet weather, I put the rain fly of my backpack over the shoulder straps and put it in the vestibule with that side on the floor of the vestibule. That way, my backpack stays dry and remains accessible.
Last time I went camping, I woke up to a tent that was practically floating. I was legitimately in about 3 inches of water. Ended my trip early thanks to that. Broke camp barefoot to save my shoes. 1 inch in the shallows and 4 inches at the deepest point, only like 8 feet from the tent. 😖
Contingencies...always. I never plan to be able to use the vestibule and I always assume my gear will be inside. I've also decided that paying for as much ultralite or dyneema stuff as I possibly can enables me to always have a superlite tarp AND a tent. If it's shitty out, the tarp goes up first then the tent. It also allows me to just lay out under the tarp is the bugs allow it, or pitch the tent under the tarp without the rainfly if it's muggy out for max ventilation Moisture management and keeping my gear as dry and shit free as possible is THE most important thing to me such that if my pack gets too heavy I'll leave the chair home or not bring as much clothing or even cut back on food or fuel. I grew up in the woods. I can source my food, water and fuel just fine on my own where I'm usually hiking. But my shelter system, particularly here at home in the northeast, is always heavier than I would like it to be. Just the cost of doing business.
And idea to keep your backpack dry if you keep it outside your tent or in the vestibule is to bring a small trash bag. You can put it in the trash bag overnight and it will stay dry.
Great Video with great information. However, I was wishing that I could see you doing some of the tips, perhaps with a voiceover. But that would have been just an added bonus.
From a old person always bring one garbage bad bigger than your pack and one half that size and one that fits your boot 100% to protect the pack and your muddy gear you have on for ......... A old jungle Explorer I put my pack in one bag and boots another and tie both tougher with a line to me when in dug out canoes thay sink all the time and your gear will float ( use over sized bags ) and you know have a raft to make it safely to the shore 🙏. ps I Tarp / Hammock camp As much as possible. 2 or 3 trash bags are worth the Lbs to me to keep my gear safe. You're a mileage may very 60+ Wisdom from Desert to the arctic to jungles. And yes I have learned the hard way in the past. K.I.S.S and Gorilla proof and if I need to carry the extra weight to be safe I will as I am out for 6 to 12 months at a time so there is no rescue if my skills / gear / body fails. Just get out and enjoy life in nature to your own personal level Joy. Hugs to all from this old lady! 🤗🤗
Hello my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this very informative video. You brought out some great pointers. All the best to you for your good health and safety. 🤗
We put our polls or rocks under our packs, under the vestibule. Also like you said we put our rain cover on the packs. Procedure = Rain cover on the backs, under the vestibule, on two polls or rocks. Seems to work well!! Dance in the rain!! : ))
-- Consider, in keeping with LNT principles, to NOT dig trenches around your tent. It disturbs the ground and leaves scars -- Gortex "waterproof" boots get wet anyway and then take forever to dry. Consider not using waterproof boots -- which in no way keep your feet dry anyway -- 1) Set up your tent rain fly first. 2) Place your footprint on the ground underneath. 3) Then get underneath it and set up your tent from the inside. Easy way to have a relatively dry tent interior -- Bring an umbrella. Use it to cover your pack as you pull items out to set up in the rain -- Consider packing your backpack in order that the first thing out is your tent since shelter is the first thing you need to set up in the rain
I think you can dig trenches in accordance with LNT as long as you fill them in properly when you're done. Goretex boots can lose their "waterproofness" over time. Consider adding Nikwax or something similar to rejuvenate them. I like your other points too but can find putting up the fly first to be very tricky for me. Thanks for your input!
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I honestly appreciate how very obvious it is that this man spent the night in the rain, lends infinite credibility to the video
Another thought for boots outside, use those cheap shower caps you can get from hotels, I do it all the time and it works great. Put boots together, tuck in laces and put the disposable (ultralight) shower cap over both boots, been keeping mine dry for years now while outside
Yeah great idea, I would also totally suggest a super small tarp to put on the ground of your vestibule because it gets tight if it needs to go inside. Haha as a kid I used to dig tons of Trench’s and build up dirty and sticks around the edge to keep water out
Nice to have a backpacking video that's not just a gear review. Thanks for the tips.
You're welcome! Hope it helps.
Why your GEAR is HURTING you
I like how you talk about how these thing can happen because they can! You reminded me when my dad & I had our tent leaking on the floor & parts of the fly. Because we had been getting into some serious kayaking trips we forgot to “unpack” one of the natural sponges. It was a perfect thing to soak up water then ring it out. We always brought it on future trips just incase. A natural sponge takes up space but weighs nothing!
Great video! Im a hammock camper but theres a trick that works with both tents and hammocks. If youre in a wooded area take some branches/sticks and make a small platform to put your gear on. It can keep your gear off the ground and dry and works in a vestibule or under a rain fly.
Thanks this is great to know!
This is my 8th video on the topic, I’ve done a lot of camping in the rain but now i’m in Central America where there’s real pouring so I was looking for more advice.
This guy is the only from the 7th previous videos to give actual solid advice I collected over the years, is such a disappointment that this content creators only care about pushing brands and have no clue what they’re talking about.
Thanks sir, definitely subbed
If you can find trees without any widow makers, always set up a tarp first then set your tent up under the tarp. Doing it this way keeps your tents' rain fly dry and it provides a dry area to sit outside of your tent and a dry area for your gear. Setting up a tarp first give you a quick dry place to set up your tent and the rest of your camp if it starts to rain.
But thats an extra 7oz and al ultralight backpackers will die carrying it!
@sherryflavour3791 I've noticed most of the 'ultralight' backpsckers are still carrying the same weight, it's just gone to their gut because they're hardly burning any calories carrying 11lbs
@@desirefusion532 I hear you! 🙆🏻♀️😅🌿
I was a youngster in the 1970s, and back in those days we carried up to 60lbs on our backs!
Thankfully my gear is a lot lighter nowadays, but I am definitely only interested in being a light hiker, not ultralight.
I prefer durability over lighter loads. It's less stressful out on the trail. 😁
I like the tarp idea too - it's what I've been thinking.
@@GypsyGirl317 agreed, rather be comfortable after the hike than be tossing and turning cos I didn't bring the right gear to save a few lbs
For rainy conditions, all to common in the PNW, we carry tarps to create or maintain dry spots to work under. UCO candle lanterns are great for warming the inside of your tent, reducing condensation, and can help to dry out damp clothing. If you can get a fire going that is better for drying boots and socks, just watch them…I’ve had camp mates melt parts of their boots. Before leaving on a trip where rain is expected, make sure you have enough tent stakes to cover all the tie-outs on your rain fly.
Coming from Scotland, where it rains more often than not, I totally agree with these tips. I'd also add that when packing the inner tent make sure to fold it in on itself so the groundsheet is on the outside and when you come to unroll it for the next camp the inner walls stay mud free. A tent footprint can also help a lot to protect the inner when you expect rain and sometimes they even cover the vestibule too(although I fold them that area up at night to stop the water running in on top of it).
One of the best videos on backpacking, directly from the real situation and how to adapt. It's way more better to explain in this way rather than being clean, with fresh clothes in a very friendly background.
Congrats!
I second the tarp idea, I have a Hilleberg tarp 5 that weighs 300g
I don’t ever have to pack a wet tent, i prop the front with trekking poles and peg in the back over the top of the tent or fasten it to trees, perfect vestibule extension and keep boots etc outside.
I use the tarp when cooking a meal at lunchtime if it’s raining or just resting under cover
Same thing on the west coast shoreline during winter storms. No need for a tent, just peg your tarp low with a dug out fire pit in front of it and you are all good. Quick to pack up, no soaking wet tent gear and provides the same protection
Excellent video. West of Scotland you get at least some rain most days so I have some experience of the wet...
Besides what you and others have have mentioned about the tent, a BIG porch (preferably with doors either end of tent) helps a lot, as does having a freestanding tent (so you can move it out of puddles!). A high hydrostatic head, esp for the tent floor is good and a high bathtub essential. High thread-count rip-stop polyester (with treatment) makes for a better 'rain tent' than silnylon because it doesn't stretch as much; Dynema might make a better fly (doesn't absorb water) but I've not seen suitable Dynema rain tent design and suspect the expense wouldn't be worth the benefits.
Other than the tent... A small sponge is a must for 101 tasks around the tent, including ingress of rain. A washing line with a few pegs can help dry moist clothes, even in the shelter of the porch, and safety pins to attach moist socks to the backpack are good. If you expect only moderate wind and not being too cold, use a poncho that covers the backpack is probably good -not tried this myself. With a poncho you can apparently bring a relatively dry backpack into the tent -backpack covers don't do nearly as a good job. The poncho can double up as a cover for the sleep system should the tent leak and in extreme circumstances provide a groundsheet.
Bivvies lack the space for keeping kit dry and indeed, usually fail to keep your sleeping kit dry -not only condensation but also ingress of rain.
Umbrellas are remarkably good for walking in the rain if the wind co-operates! There are lots of strategies for footwear but the circumstances of the trail often helps decide what goes on the feet.
This is awesome. I need someone from Scotland to teach about backpacking in the rain. Much more of an expert than me! Haha!
I'm a big poncho fan. I could go on and on as to why I prefer it. And I will if you wish.
I remember my old Scoutmaster back in the 80s would always say that he'd never cancel a campout for rain. And he'd never cancel a campout for cold. But he'd ALWAYS cancel a campout when it was supposed to be rainy AND cold at the same time. At the time, we used to kind of get on his case about wussing out. But after spending a few cold, rainy nights and days, I tend to agree. You can mitigate weather, but if it's going to be really bad, you're probably not going to really enjoy it.
I use a ground sheet slightly oversized into the vestibules so that it also acts as a bit of a porch - to help manage mud. It also facilitates kneeling outside the tent body so wet rain gear can be removed under the vestibule minimizing water brought into the tent. Once inside the tent for the night try your best to not go back out in the rain until breaking camp. Water will still get in so the soak rag you described is essential. Remember to also periodically soak up condensation on inside walls - a big source of unwanted moisture. When packing up, I fold the ground sheet so that the dirty undersides are folded first against each other and the groundsheet is always packed separate. A wet fly is also packed separate from the tent body - keeps thngs much cleaner and more dry. I never put anything wet inside my sleeping bag so that the bag is kept as dry as possible. I would rather put on wet clothes in the morning than risk getting more moisture in my bag. I also keep everything in dry bags up until I need them in case water happens to get to gear when unattended - this means that I do not unpack too early even inside the tent.
Excellent comment, and it's what I do too. 👍🏽
This is a really great explainer.
I'm ashamed to admit that I've never really considered the drainage of a camping spot before, even though it's caused big problems for me in the past.
If rain was forecast, I would be looking to pitch my tent on grass if possible and NOT on the dirt (road/trail) which will get muddy, and make it difficult to not bring mud into my tent (living space). The location this tent is pitched would be an example of what not to do with the puddle forming outside the vestibule providing a second lesson in what not to do.
This video does make the valid point that getting mud on your boots and tent is not the end of the world, (as long as you can stay warm and maintain your body temperature).
Awesome video. It's been said but I'll say it again. I love that you're out there in the mud showing what it's really like. Yes you'll get wet, yes you'll get muddy but it's okay, especially if you keep what's important dry as possible (ie. Sleeping bag/certain clothing). Very well done, just an awesome video. Thank you for the content.
Great info and location commitment. You show the one argument for not using an existing camp space...they're typically indentations.
Not for everybody but if you plan to have an answer in a big rain, one of the solutions I'm working now is the shorty sleeping pad. I cut down one with old bad patches (very easy). I use a Gossamer Gear pack with a removable backpad...it's kinda inconvenient for every little sit - so I also take a GG 1/8" foam pad in my pouch. At night I use all the padding from my pack - the back pad the shoulder pads and waste pads and stuffed with my pack liner and wind shirt for insulation all wrapped up neatly with the 1/8" roll pad and its like almost 4 ". It stays together and doesn't slip on dyneema and I have room to roam with all my gear inside... As long as I keep the 1/8" pad dry, it doesn't really matter if the pack got wet. Works like a dream and everything I bring not in a bear can or bottle is in use when I sleep.
You said it. Some form of trash/grocery bag is a must as well. A place to put wet stuff and a place to keep stuff dry as well as gives you some capacity to pack out any trash that got away from someone else on the way out.
Cheers all
I always bring a trash bag for my shoes/boots and store them inside..if they are wet i just leave the bag opened,always great videos on this channel
Yeah, I do this too sometimes. But I didn't really say that. That's a great, simple tool for people!
And when you go to sleep in your tent put your boot insoles in the bottom of your sleeping bag and when you put them back in your boots in the morning your feet won't feel too cold when you put them on.
Wool... It's a miracle material. I've hiked in wet wool socks for 10 miles and didn't even know they were wet because they stay warm and don't get squishy like cotton.
This right here... people should realize that anything cotton is worthless when it's wet. Don't bring cotton into the backcountry or on a camping trip if you can avoid it. Especially if you know the weather is blowing in.
Friends don’t let friends wear cotton
I carry a very small packable lightweight tarp that I can wrap my bag in and on in the vestibule. Works great. Keeps it all clean and dry. I also bring a plastic bag that I can put my boots in to keep them dry and cleanish as well.
love Nature and Embrace the fact that you will be wet, muddy and cold! What gear you have and knowing the limits of the gear can be a game changer. I enjoy your video, this is coming from a guy that wants to hike for 6-7 months to get away for a while!
Test gear before you hit the trail. I got a brown 1 person tent! Love it! I got 7 inch Y stakes, i wont leave home without them!
I get a tent that is longer then i am, doing so my head and feet are away from the walls.
Putting you items in a contractor bag inside the vestibule will free up a little space inside the tent as well, and help keep your stuff dry. I like hammocking for this reason, set up tarp first, then hammock, then you can deal with storing your stuff (again bag it up)
I carry a really lightweight foam pad for under my mattress. I put wet stuff between them. In the AM, even if its not dry, its at least warm. Army Navy surplus stores are great for cheap clothes. For instance i bought an inexpensive nylon fly fishing shirt. Great for this. Gotten stuff at big box stores, too.
Thank you for not being an advertisement for certain gear 🙏 and actually giving tips on how to stay dry ^-^ bless
I have always strapped my pack to a tree and kept the rain fly on it. Easy access to get things in and out on a tree and all that I ever have in my tent is sleep pad sleeping bag and what I’m going to wear tomorrow. Backpacking and camping sense the 90s and never had an issue and I seem to attract rain to every outing.
Just got to the part about setting up in the rain. Some tents have footprints that allow you to set up the poles and the fly first. Then set up the tent body “inside” the dry space%
Nice! I haven't actually used that method. Thanks for the tip!
Yeah, get the type of tent that you can set up all in one go. Usually you can separate the inner tent from the outer tent while the outer tent is still standing protecting you from the weather. That way you can pack away the dry inner tent, and last pack away your wet outer tent, and stuff it into a dry bag so you don’t get everything else in your pack wet. Also, if you get at 4 season tent, usually the outer tent goes all the way down to the ground. This helps with keeping the vestibule dry, and then hopefully the vestibule will not be such a muddy mess so you can store stuff there. Also if you get a footprint for your tent, this can help keeping thing’s cleaner. Scandinavian style tents usually have all these features, but they’re a little heavier as they are made for serious weather conditions. Check out the Swedish company Hilleberg, and you can see what I mean.
They’re called fly first tents
Yeah the Naturehike Cloud Up 2 is a good example of this! It's a bit more fiddly but works like a charm once you've got the hang of it, only takes an extra minute or so :)
Awesome video, exactly what I was looking for. Seems like I did a lot of things right instinctively. Another tip could be to pack your rainfly separately from the rest of your tent. I have a bin bag lining the inside of my backpack to keep stuff inside dry, so I folded up the rainfly in a square shape, stuffed it into the bottom of my backpack, folded the bin back on top of it and then put in the rest of my stuff. It worked and the next night when I set up camp, the inside of my tent was still dry! Have fun out there everyone an stay safe xx
Hey I like that tip! Nice work!
Yeah, Durston shows how to do this with his tent.
My thoughts on rain is just that its hiking on hard mode. Makes it more challenging and fun. Unless its cold that is lol.
haha! unless it's cold!
As a young teen, My friend and I would go camping in the woods. I had an old umbrella canvas 4 man tent that weighed about 40lbs.When it would rain, the canvas would get saturated and if you even touched the inside walls, it would start dripping thru. Oh the fun that was! lol...
Dude your audio production is super clean specifically outdoors!
Good information!
Granted, I do use my Warbonnet XLC hammock more than a tent, but when I'm using a tent I always have a footprint.
I also have a small tarp as a ground cloth inside the vestibule to help keep my gear and tent interior drier and cleaner (I also use it under my hammock to keep my everything dry and clean.
In warmer times of the year when I need more air circulation inside, I also have a 5x7 tarp to make an awning over the vestibule, again to help keep my gear and interior drier and cleaner.
This is great too. I generally don't carry extra tarps, but that's probably because I spend so much time in the desert. But that's a great plan.
What do you usually bring for your complete hammock set up?
I have this tent in a cart and I’m definitely pulling the trigger on that now! Thanks homie.
Glad I could help! Enjoy the tent!
A no brainer when it comes to tent selection is to get a "european tent" like hilleberg, helsport, fjallraven or other. On those the inner is always attached to the outer tent. In this way you can pitch it in a heavy downpour without getting any water on or in the inner tent. It is also a lot faster and easier.
@@kaya-sem I have no experience with any of those so I really can't say.
had to sell my SpaceShuttle and 3 Ferrari´s to be able to afford a Hilleberg Tent...
@@easygroove At least you will survive the apocalypse now.
Same with the Durston x mid tents
@@Thestripper1 yep ive been using mine for years and would camp with it in a blizzard without hesitation
Biggest thing I learned from this video is the attention to regular surveillance and maintenance of that tent space, both inside and out. You're a better man than me on that one! I noticed the Arcteryx synthetic mid layer, and I assume you may even elect a synthetic sleeping bag, especially if you expect to be in rain for several days. Do you ever feel the need for a poncho?
I usually teach my trainees to carry a small tarpaulin and stake it to the ground next to the tent, covering most of their gear, which either rests on the folded over tarp or on some foliage. Only sleeping bags and torches allowed in the tent, plus boots go under the corner of the tarp.
I really like this. That's a great system!
Yea know mud is something that does keep me home instead of out hiking. But you are right! It will dry and just turn into dirt dust. I have almost all of my gear and I've tested them in the wet fall and early winter snow in my back yard. I already found some great short loops and longer thruhikes near me to cut into sections. All I need is to pack my food and put one foot in front of the other! Thanks for that last little nudge off the couch and out the door.
I have a silpoly tent now and would 100% recommend this over a nylon based tent for wet conditions. Silpoly has much less sagging when the tent gets wet.
couple of very good pointers in this video. 1 - Use all the tie points to peg the fly away from the inner tent. 2 I had an extra pole i couldn't figure out and saw it was a cross piece for the top for another separating point. thx,
Just move your tent to a better spot!
That's what I'm thinking.
Go high stay dry
Oh and having a warerproof footprint under your tent AND vestibule really helps and is well worth the extra weight. Or just some piece of thick foil for your vestibule so you can store stuff there and not have it muddy.
Thanks. I picked up a few things I had never thought of before.
My tent rainfly have a extra piece of fabric that fully cover the bottom and sides of the tent perfect for heavy rainfall and snowy camping with helping the water stay away from the edge of the tent, I think this option usually used for 4 seasons tents. I'm happy with that feel like a rugged shelter. look like Marmot pass the challenge especially without the footprint...cool .
I always tie 2-3 paracord lines in parallel to each other on the tent poles, creating a ladder like effect on the non-door sides. Helps prevent the walls touching with rain related sagging. An extra step, sure, but well worth being dry inside.
That's a great tip! I'm in Wales in the UK, known for being extremely soggy so I almost always have to contend with rain, and my tent is silnylon so it definitely sags - I'll give that a try next time!
As a Kiwi I like this idea as well. 💡😁🌿
Good information - basic but important. I wish your camera-man moved around more. "As you can see here..." or "Look here..." - video stays zoomed on your face. I kept wishing he would move the dang camera back to show us what you were talking about!
I'll be sure to tell Mat. Come on Mat!
Ditto!
Nice tip - for my videos when I start my Alaska trip
Glad i wasn't the only one
10/10 Video. Appreciate all the effort and tips put into it. Keep going, get after it!
Good information just in time as I head east into rain to escape my Sierra snowpack aka, everything closed. I am also bringing extra stakes. Thanks.
We get over 200" of rain a year here in Southeast Alaska, carrying a small tarp and a mil poncho/tarp are worth their weight. Also a tent with a fly 1st design is a game changer.
that's a heck of a lot of rain! Good tips!
Your instructional videos are motivating and in-tents lol
good video - very helpful comments - rain or dry we store backpacks and everything we won't need during the night at least 50' from the tent using pack covers to keep packs and other gear clean and dry.
That sounds like a good idea!
A breath of fresh air video. Well done.
Thank you!
Bring a length of paracord of similar that you can use to quickly hang out some things to dry when, during days of rain, there's the occasional sunny spell. Without the cord, you'd have nothing to hang stuff from as everything else is still wet
these videos are gold, thank you so much!
My girlfriend is not an outdoorsy person, but agreed to come with me to my annual "happy place" to camp. Unfortunately, ´we found out that our tent was not waterproof what so ever too late - a very strong storm picked up. We slept in a mini pond and not a single thing was left dry. She has a rheumatic disorder so it was hell for her, ( but to stay positive- it was a very good bonding experience for us) I had a very interesting experience, would do again, but alone next time haha. Now I backpack alone. I started backpacking with no gear at all and have slowly gotten a sleeping bag and that forsaken tent. That night has turned me into a storm hunter and i take that evil tent with me (and a plastic tarp now) and have a hell of a good time every time.
Sounds like quite the experience! Yikes. Glad you're still having fun though!
My parents had a leaky tent and while they were on the hunt for the perfect replacement, we camped one whole summer with the leaky tent plus a bright orange plastic tarp over it. Some gear fails lead to great memories (especially if you manage to find a creative (temporary) fix for them)
Great advice. Rain is no fun. But you can make your camp more comfortable by following these tips. Great Vid. Thanks.
Thank you!
Great tips for beginner like me, my location here rain most of the time even in summer
It can complicate things!
Great video, in Texas the two things we must deal with on almost every trip is Heat and Rain. Thanks for the information.
You're welcome! I'll leave the hot and humid to you my friend.
In Colorado one thing we always gotta deal with is Texans.
Couple of additional tips; do not set up tent on a nice flat dry river bed and get washed away when the downpour starts, furthermore don’t let send/ mud get on your telescopic tent poles, and lastly as a former Marine, I don’t get it that poncho’s hardly ever get mentioned in any of these vids. Tx for the video, happy trekking rain or shine 👊🏻
Maybe the Poncho manufacturers don't sponsor the video content makers??
Very good info. Don't worry, you won't tear the tent. Thanks.
Although many tents are not designed to take down the inner first, it's often possible to do this anyway, although amore cumbersome. Similarly, it's often also possible to put up the outer first.
This is true!
Nice video but it would have been nice if your videographer panned down at the 6:30 mark where you said "Look here..." so we could see what you were seeing.
What a great video! Loved watching every minute...so helpful 😊
Thank you. This was extremely helpful and inspiring.
glad to hear it!
Excellent advice about anchor points. I take lots of paracord and all my tents look like like a spiders web! But I don't care. Many new tents don't have enough anchor points for guy lines, and sometimes the guy lines are set too high or too low on the tent fly. I sometimes resort to cutting new anchor points on the fly whether higher or lower. Not ideal, but in strong wind I would rather deal with a little leaking than a full tent collapse (no one wants to wake up with the tent ceiling touching your face! :) ) And of course wind direction changes. As I was a boy scout... Tighten your guys at night with added moisture or rain.... and during the day with no rain but sun, slacken them as the tent begins to dry and the fabric re-tightens. Is that right? Either way... its always served me. And storm pegs. Throw away the pegs that come with the tent and buy storm pegs. Even if its not stormy. But, I am from the UK... where it ALWAYs rains :)
Interesting advice. You cut new anchor points into the fly? But yeah UK camping with lots of wind and rain will make you change how you backpack for sure!
Using all the anchor points can also help increase ventilation inside the tent
WEATHER makes your backpacking a challenge but it also makes you think about the possibilities and how to deal with them
I am a Boy Scout and I love to camp, but not in the rain because I don’t like the rain at all. I also am from Wisconsin, but now I live in East Tennessee.
Very informative. Thank you. Do You have some tips for drying out any important clothes that got wet when the rain doesn't let up?
Another great video, keep it up!, Cheers from México.
gracias!
Thanx for another great video. I would love to see a video of taking care of equipment after a hike, perhaps specially after rain and mud like this. That said.. i still haven’t watched the entire video so I might be to quick lol sorry if thats the case
In wet weather, I put the rain fly of my backpack over the shoulder straps and put it in the vestibule with that side on the floor of the vestibule. That way, my backpack stays dry and remains accessible.
Nice tips! Yep, good solutions.
This was a great one... The best vid from you so far...😀
My tent has little rings on its ceiling. I use these and a guy line to create a clothes line and hang up some wet things during the night.
Great and very useful and inspiring video. Many thanks and peace!
Excellent video. Thank you.
Last time I went camping, I woke up to a tent that was practically floating. I was legitimately in about 3 inches of water. Ended my trip early thanks to that.
Broke camp barefoot to save my shoes. 1 inch in the shallows and 4 inches at the deepest point, only like 8 feet from the tent. 😖
You learn this real quick on the pct in September lol
Contingencies...always. I never plan to be able to use the vestibule and I always assume my gear will be inside. I've also decided that paying for as much ultralite or dyneema stuff as I possibly can enables me to always have a superlite tarp AND a tent. If it's shitty out, the tarp goes up first then the tent. It also allows me to just lay out under the tarp is the bugs allow it, or pitch the tent under the tarp without the rainfly if it's muggy out for max ventilation Moisture management and keeping my gear as dry and shit free as possible is THE most important thing to me such that if my pack gets too heavy I'll leave the chair home or not bring as much clothing or even cut back on food or fuel. I grew up in the woods. I can source my food, water and fuel just fine on my own where I'm usually hiking. But my shelter system, particularly here at home in the northeast, is always heavier than I would like it to be. Just the cost of doing business.
That was extremely helpful!
Especially the last portion 🔥
Excellent excellent advice thanks.
Thank you. Great job.
And idea to keep your backpack dry if you keep it outside your tent or in the vestibule is to bring a small trash bag. You can put it in the trash bag overnight and it will stay dry.
Yep. Great recommendation!
Netflix can be quite enjoyable sometimes but I take your point
Great Video with great information. However, I was wishing that I could see you doing some of the tips, perhaps with a voiceover. But that would have been just an added bonus.
Helpful vid! That’s my tent A Marmot Tungsten 2 😀
Great video! Loved it! But I wish you would have talked about lightning
Excellent video.
Great tips. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Great advise! Thank you!
From a old person always bring one garbage bad bigger than your pack and one half that size and one that fits your boot 100% to protect the pack and your muddy gear you have on for ......... A old jungle Explorer I put my pack in one bag and boots another and tie both tougher with a line to me when in dug out canoes thay sink all the time and your gear will float ( use over sized bags ) and you know have a raft to make it safely to the shore 🙏. ps I Tarp / Hammock camp As much as possible. 2 or 3 trash bags are worth the Lbs to me to keep my gear safe. You're a mileage may very 60+ Wisdom from Desert to the arctic to jungles. And yes I have learned the hard way in the past. K.I.S.S and Gorilla proof and if I need to carry the extra weight to be safe I will as I am out for 6 to 12 months at a time so there is no rescue if my skills / gear / body fails. Just get out and enjoy life in nature to your own personal level Joy. Hugs to all from this old lady! 🤗🤗
what about a trashbag for the backpack or the boots? it is recomendable?
Thanks for tips!
You mentioned sharing a tent. If I'm hiking with a friend should we share a tent or have our own?
I wish to live like you
You can
Hello my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this very informative video. You brought out some great pointers. All the best to you for your good health and safety. 🤗
Thank you for the great tips. How do you like those boots?
You make great videos, thanks!
Always take a poncho, keeps you and your pack dry while hiking.
Great video Eric, always helpful
We put our polls or rocks under our packs, under the vestibule. Also like you said we put our rain cover on the packs. Procedure = Rain cover on the backs, under the vestibule, on two polls or rocks. Seems to work well!! Dance in the rain!! : ))
That's a great solution! I love it.
-- Consider, in keeping with LNT principles, to NOT dig trenches around your tent. It disturbs the ground and leaves scars
-- Gortex "waterproof" boots get wet anyway and then take forever to dry. Consider not using waterproof boots -- which in no way keep your feet dry anyway
-- 1) Set up your tent rain fly first. 2) Place your footprint on the ground underneath. 3) Then get underneath it and set up your tent from the inside. Easy way to have a relatively dry tent interior
-- Bring an umbrella. Use it to cover your pack as you pull items out to set up in the rain
-- Consider packing your backpack in order that the first thing out is your tent since shelter is the first thing you need to set up in the rain
I think you can dig trenches in accordance with LNT as long as you fill them in properly when you're done. Goretex boots can lose their "waterproofness" over time. Consider adding Nikwax or something similar to rejuvenate them. I like your other points too but can find putting up the fly first to be very tricky for me. Thanks for your input!