I love the "you are not going to be warm. You are just not going to die". That put everything into perspective for me. Thanks for the great video. It answered many a question.
This is what I needed to see. Good lawd the last one was all $500 tent, $500 sleeping bag, $400 shoes. Totally discouraging. I'm on LetGo scoring some expensive stuff from people who had grand ideas but went bankrupt before they hit the trail. Thank you!!
Can't get anymore real then this. Really njoyed the realistic perspective on caming from a real camper not a hoarder of namebrand merchandise that never sees the light of day...hats off!
Dude this has to be the realest gear review ever, you earned a sub here. Love how you are so honest, and down to earth unlike most of the bigger names on RUclips. Thanks man, look forward to checking out the rest of your videos.
Great video. I've slowly been gathering backpacking gear piece by piece over the course of the last year, looking for bargains and used gear... glad to see a normal setup that isn't all about being ultralight and the 'latest and greatest' (which translates to most expensive...). Thanks for the help and for mentioning things I didn't have on my list that I definitely would have wanted out there!
I found on line a 2 man 2.3 lb. Tent from China for 104. 00( Amazon for a little more) delivered to my door... Lanshun 2 3F tent... Costco is carrying more and more backpacking equipment... Amazon is a great source... I'm old and slow, but I'm out there with 15 lb.s with 5 days food(no bear canister, only when asked for...) and 2 l of water... Frugle is not the expence, but comfort... save while your at it!! Happy Trails...
A little piece of reflectix between the inflatable mattress and the sleeping bag will go a long way to keep you warm without breaking the bank... Also, reflectix can be used as a sun oven as well :)
If you use one of those Ozark Trail sleeping bags, using your fleece liner usually does the trick in keeping you warm. Plus an extra pair of socks helps too.
Will do friend. You've watched just in time. I'm about to hit the trail back in two weeks to finish this up so be watching in October for the finale to this series!!!
Yeah, I started out with all cheap wal-mart gear and there isn't anything wrong with that. Then you buy that one thing you wish you had and start leaving things at home. Before you know it you have 2 backpacks worth of gear ready to go. haha
I am in that boat. One set (2-person tent, Stanley cook kit, 5# sleeping bag) I've just pretty much decided is the car-camping set. Every new thing that lightens the hiking load pushes something else into that set. To be honest, I thought I was being smart when I decided to try to go with lightweight stuff right off the bat, spacing my purchases over about a 9-month period so I'd be good to go on my first thru-hike. I figured going cheap to start out would just mean tossing that stuff aside when I decided to upgrade. But I found out I'm more of a vertical hiker than a mile eater. I'm too goal oriented to enjoy the journey, and if you're not enjoying the journey why the hell walk 2000+ miles? I would have found out the same thing about my style of hiking, though, and ultimately I'm not really out any great deal of money because I bought smartly. I'd just maybe be using something other than an Atmos 65L for my summit of Mount Whitney coming up in September.
Yeah I made this video on a whim while I was camping. I learned later that my weights were wrong. I am going to do an updated review video next year (2019). It is going to be more accurate so I hope you enjoy that one as well. thanks for watching!
Great video! I'm going on my first backpacking trip in a couple of weeks but don't want to invest a ton of money until I know it's something I'll enjoy and do again. I was surprised your gear came in under 30 lbs....I did a test hike and I think my pack was already 29 lbs without food and clothes and some other small stuff....I only weighed myself on a regular scale, then added the pack and took the difference to come up with my weight. Maybe I was wrong. I'm always looking to save money and this video helped. Nice job.
Thanks for watching. I was wrong on a few weights in this video. For one my hanging scale is off and my pack only weighs 3.4 lbs and not 5.xx lbs. When I started the BMT my pack with 8 days worth of food, 2 liters of water and a little 3 leg stool weighed in on a scale at 45 lbs. Heavy comparatively but, I had a lot of extra stuff.
Good advice, but it definitely depends on where you go. I’ve been to Alaska several times & was able to get a great pair of boots USED. They carried me through -30 degrees. I didn’t skimp on my coat, but I found a great deal (wearing it in my pic). I’ve also hiked solo in Denali & bought proper rain gear, so as not to get hypothermia while on the trail (it rained pretty much everyday & went down to the 30s). Rain shell was normally $300, but I got it for $115 on a crazy sale. You can cut corners on some things, but also have to be mindful of where you’re going & if it’ll really protect you from the elements.
Absolutely! This video is old but I'm sure I mentioned that the gear I was using at that time was pretty much only for the climate around KY. Also Autumn or summer and not necessarily for use in the dead of winter.
@@FinalMyle A few other things I consider when buying are: 1) If I spend a little extra, will it last me longer in the long run? Meaning, I’d rather spend more $ for a quality item that’ll last, than have to replace a cheaper item several times. 2) Features: I did so much research with the rain shell (mentioned in my initial comment) I bought for Alaska. Settled on a Marmot. LOVED the pit zips. Even though I got it on sale, I’d have no problem dropping $ on something where I knew I was getting the features that I’m looking for. Alaska isn’t the place to test something & have it fail on me. I also read through countless reviews before buying & then do price comparisons online. I’d say my favorite budget brand is Columbia. Hiking boots I wore to Denali were extremely comfortable & waterproof, but only cost me about $60 on sale. 👍🏼
Nice load out and well thought out, too. With the high cost of gear nowadays there's nothing wrong with budget or free (better yet!) gear. Before I buy anything that would be considered expensive I visit the local Goodwill 's, military surplus shops, and the nearby military thrift store. For instance, I found a Patagonia full shell (zip out inner shell and hood) for $14 at Goodwill; LL Bean duck boots, with price tag, for $10 (in my size no less); 40oz Kleen Kanteen for $5, a 40 degree Sierra Designs sleeping bag in its stuff sack for $12 and many more other essential items. Garage sales are a great source as well. Nobody but you gives a damn where your gear comes from.
I need to come visit your town! I've never seen anything like that at my local goodwill. And when they do have something halfway decent, they price it above the prices of regular stuff. I bet that Patagonia jacket would be $40 if it were in good condition(though it wouldn't exist here). I see regular, fairly worn-out shoes for $10. Certainly no expensive boots with the tag still on for $10... Do you live in the town at the end of the AT or something?
Great review on the gear you use. I’ve found over the years that lightest isn’t always best. Also, not everyone likes the same gear. While I do carry a few items that I picked up at Walmart, I always shop online at places like REI, Backcountry.com, and Sierra Trading Post. You can always find great deals on close out gear.
Very good video. I liked it so much I just subscribed to your channel and gave you a like. I am into budget backpacking gear also. I agree with you about hammocks. I also agree with you with being in closed completely. I tried Hamic’s just for the purpose of having the experience and was thinking that I might’ve liked it but after experiencing it and comparing it to tenants, I have decided to go back to tent. I like trying new things but my choice of preference when it comes to shelters is tarps. There are things that I like about tents much better than a tarp but for now tarp is my choice of preference. I like your assortment of backpacking gear. What is your favorite tent? Thank you so much for sharing this video. God bless you.
Thank you for the view and the kind words. A tarp and bivy sack will definitely lighten your load and I'm sure you can find some lightweight options for a reasonable price. Favorite tent? Oof. I do like my Alps Mountaineering Lynx. I have the single person version now in addition to the 2 person and it is very comfortable. Still lots of room but, definitely only for one person. My favorite tent though is an old ozark trail tent that I bought WAY back when their stuff was actually good. Lol. Back before they changed their logo. That tent and I went through so many thunderstorms and miserably hot weather. As of now though, the alps lynx tents are working well for me.
Thanks! I've updated the description a bit more because my weights were off when I originally made this video. The backpack is the only thing I've corrected so far and it weighs just over 3 lbs or around 52 ounces and not 5lbs. Lol. My hanging scale was wrong so I have to go back and weigh some items again. Oh well, Life hikes on. Thanks again for the watch and the nice comment!
Very good video. I strongly feel that your gear is very competitive to the high dollars, top-of-the-line namebrand equipment. I also feel that is very reliable. I use myself Walmart camping gear for Mike back packing experiences and have been doing it for many years and I’m still using it and I swear by it. I liked your presentation so much I just subscribed to your channel right now. What has been your experience in terms of comfort with this gear? Thank you so much for sharing this video. God bless you.
Great gear list. The only thing I would add to the medical kit would be a good tourniquet. I’ve had to use them a few times for others and myself and they were literally life saving. It’s always good practice to keep a tourniquet while using knives. Shit happens ya know. Keep up the great work.
I enjoyed your comments. When I was single I could buy more expensive gear. Now the kids have the nicer stuff and I will make out with what works. I heard someone say they used a $2.50 shower curtain as a footprint. I use a $5 aluminum greasepot on my pocket rocket like burner. It came with a strainer lid. Watch ebay for used stuff. It might take awhile but it’s worth it.
Thanks for this!! I can't afford a $200 tent so I'm going CHEAPASS! Improvising w/ what I already have & bought half my stuff (including some clothes) on yard sale sites, you'd be surprised what people get rid of!
Aaron Hartje, yeah I had a feeling these were Walmart sandles. Btw thanks for all the great comments on this video. I am by no means a gearspert (expert on gear) :) so I always welcome great advice/tips from anyone and you've given some good ones. Thanks for watching! I'm looking forward to rolling out an updated gear video soon hope to hear from you then too.
There is alot of great budget price gear around these days and it's all getting lightweight aswell, I try and buy lightweight or even ultralight if it's still affordable but not so my pack is ultralight but so I can have more luxury items lol Cheers Daryl from Australia 👍
Thanks, Daryl! You're absolutely right. Supplies are getting cheaper and more accessible for the everyday hiker now and I love that! Most of the gear I had when I made this video is now over 5 years old. Lol some even older. I think it's time for me to renew some stuff! Take care!
Stanley adventure cook set $15 at walmart). add 1 split ring to replace plastic lid handle. Add ozark trails folding handle stainless steel mug (will nest with nalgene bottle $5 walmart). Selfreliance outfitters cup lid (selfrelianceoutfitters.com $4). Maybe also a fish jaw spreader as a bail hanger if you dont mind tapping holes near the lip of the mug (selfrelianceoutfitters.com $2.39) Total= $26.39 - $30. With price variance. SRO lid nests beneath the Stanley lid and friction fits the Stanley pot. Stanley lid fits the metal mug which nests around Stanley pot. Stanley pot nests 2 cups inside. This kit will fit most molle bottle carrier pouches.
I bought expensive hiking pants and made a hole in them from falling down. I wore my workout go warm pants from Old Navy for my next hike and scrambled a lot of rocks and was afraid I wouldn’t have grip. I did have grip, made no hole, protected my legs from scratches, and it kept me warm. The pants aren’t cheap unless bought during off seasons. I am happy someone else does budget searches.
I feel ya. I used to hike in just normal cargo pants sometimes even jeans but, they do get heavy which is why I stopped wearing them for long hikes. Workout clothing is made for movement and wear and tear so that's not a bad choice. Nothing wrong with that. The Columbia pants I'm wearing here are really light and they're tough for sure. They just aren't fire proof. Lol. I paid $50 +/- a few dollars for them at Dick's Sporting Goods but, could have purchased them online for cheaper I'm sure. Thanks for the watch! Happy hiking to you.
Inch worm, inch worm, measuring the angel soft... LOL! How .much did he weigh? Glad I found your video! I've been so frustrated with all this push of expensive, ultralight gear. Yeah, I want light but I also want some extra money to spend on food too!
You'll actually be happy to know that some of that stuff is actually lighter than what I said in this video. I didn't realize it until later but, the scale I was using initially was wrong. For instance the pack weighs only 3.2 lbs. Heavy for a pack yes but, not the 5 lbs I mentioned. 😅😅 I'm glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for watching! Happy hiking!
It’s funny, when I was younger...20’s and early 30’s, I thought I had to have the best of the best. Now that I’m in my 40’s I’m far less picky. Bummer too, I can afford all the good cottage brand stuff now, couldn’t then..🤷🏼♂️. Lately I’ve taken to making some of my own gear....highly recommended. But yeah, budget items are great for camping. If your back and leg muscles are working, why not carry a bit of weight while you can right. One way to carry heavy cheap gear...canoe..😉
if you dont mind me asking where are you from? lol I live pretty close to turkey foot and what do u think about the katadyn hiker pro water filter vs the sawyer ? i have the katadyn and i really like it
I don't mind at all. I'm originally from southern Georgia but, I live in Lexington, KY currently. Turkey foot was always my go to campground when I wanted to get out but, didn't want to just back country camp. It's also a good place to bring friends that don't really "hike". I have never used a Katadyn filter. The Sawyer was actually the first water filter I had ever used. I have the Sawyer squeeze now which is what I took with me on the BMT and I absolutely love that thing. lol. It's a little bigger than the mini but, also twice as fast and does just as good of a job. I no longer dreaded filtering water. :) I most likely will be sticking with that until they discontinue it or something. lol
Another option for gear is AlliExpress. I found a 20L waterproof dry bag for food for $9 and got a 700ml titanium cook pot with lid, measurements and bail for about $20 with free shipping for each. But they do ship from China, so give yourself a month just to be safe. I got my stuff within two weeks.
I hiked about 500 miles from Mt. Katahdin to the south side of the Presidentials. I am planning a second attempt and am looking at these videos for a way to get my mind back into the long distance hike mindset. Camp sandals... I agree! One of my biggest regrets was having to be barefoot at camp. After hiking many miles my feet were in pain and for me the added weight of sandals would have been worth the comfort at the end of my day. Many times my feet were very swollen and taking them out of my boots at the end of my day was one of my favorite little rewards. Having a sandal would have made those few hours at camp much more enjoyable. The huge knife... I would not even consider... even one pound would not be worth it for me, I would not really use it much and probably not have the energy or desire to swing the thing after hiking all day, and knowing me I might end up seriously hurting myself with it. I am considering a small ceramic blade... I would love to hear someone's take on that. Inch worms.. I Love those little guys! ~Happy Trails~
Good job on the 500 so far. That's one heck of an achievement. Camp sandals are about the same as having a clean pair of socks to wear on a cold night. Nothing beats it. My gear will eventually undergo drastic changes soon. The knife is not necessary by any means and I only used it a few times on trail. I may not take it with me when I go out next time, I haven't made up my mind yet. I've never had a ceramic bladed knife. I may have to look into them. The Swiss Army knife in this video (at least I think there's one in this video) I carried the first week on Sheltowee and didn't carry it on the BMT. I didn't need it, especially with my large knife. I'll probably drop the large knife and go to a small single blade folding knife like a Gerber or something like the ceramic you mentioned. Also something I didn't mention in the video about foot wear, I read somewhere a long time ago that wearing hiking boots is like adding 12 lbs to your pack. After switching from a boot to a shoe I can tell you, it did make a big difference. So if you don't need the ankle support or if you do and can handle wrapping your ankles then dropping the boots may help your feet a little. Thanks for the watch and I'll get up more videos as I 'improve' my equipment. Have a great time on the trail!
Yes, for sure those 500 miles are some of the most spiritual, life altering, character building days of my life. I am hard pressed to find any memories that bring me as much happiness and gratitude. As for as boots go, I completely agree with you on the boots thing. That first attempt I was wearing a pretty heavy pair of full length boots. When I first put them on they felt great with that full support but after having them on my feet through the swamps and rivers of Maine I found out just how heavy water is. After that putting on a pair of trail runners made me feel like I was walking on air. Any weight on my feet absolutely bogs me down before the same weight on my back... something that I didn't even think of before. I am actually shopping for a new pair of trail runners right now and I hear a lot of positive talk about the Altra 3.5"s. I see them for $100.00US and am strongly considering the purchase.
As someone once said, "After doing crazy shit everyday from sailing down that mountain or crossing a roaring river on a log with all these branches on it. One slip and you're dead. I don't know if I'm going to be able to go back to normal life, eat regular food, walk down the street. Crossing the street that won't be dangerous. The rush. There's to much rush out here. I don't know what I'll do." It's true after you experience something this profound nothing else compares. I would probably try a different brand of shoe other than sketchers but, I'm telling you right now those memory foam bottoms are feet savers! I felt the bottom of another hiking shoe before and I was shocked. It felt like stone to me. lol. Inserts I suppose. Get some good inserts.
OH ya.. for certain, got to have the right inserts for the job. Since I am hitting the trail in 2020 I will take the next two years to very carefuly pick the right shoes. In my opinion, footware is the most important gear decision a hiker has to make. And ya, I do need that adrenaline. It's the I am built now. After my first attempt at the AT I fell into a horrible drug induced depression. Now I have been clean for four years and I need to get back out there! I thank God for nature every day.
I thought I was being smart when I decided to try to go with lightweight stuff right off the bat, spacing my purchases over about a 9-month period so I'd be good to go on my first thru-hike. I figured going cheap to start out would just mean tossing that stuff aside when I decided to upgrade. But it turns out I'm more of a vertical hiker than a mile eater. I'm too goal oriented to enjoy the journey, and if you're not enjoying the journey why the hell walk 2000+ miles? I would have found out the same thing about my style of hiking had I gone cheap, though, and ultimately I'm not really out any great deal of money because I bought smartly. I'd just maybe be using something other than an Atmos 65L for my summit of Mount Whitney coming up in September. If I find the right pack or person to swap with, I still may. I just recommend that people need to find out what type of hiker they are, then tailor their purchases to suit their needs, rather than convincing themselves that they want to tackle the AT and find they are bored as hell after the first 15 miles. We all seek our own challenges.
I love your video, very informative. Do you wear any other layers than the thermal and fleece, like a puffy down jacket of some kind? Or are those usually enough to keep warm. Thanks
Hello and thank you. No just for the cool mornings usually freezing temps or above the under layer, fleece and rain jacket were plenty to keep myself warm while I walked.
They do offer larger tents. Having a family actually can decrease the amount of weight each person has to carry depending on how you want to hike, how old the kids with you, and personal preferences. The other option is, single person tents for each person and they carry their own food and water so in that case it would be each person manages their own weights and supplies. Rule is, hike your own hike and find what works best for you and your family. 😊😊
Under Armor does make underwear that isn't compression. I don't like those so I got the boxer type that are fancy materials and as a skeptic, they are a godsend. Give em a try.
Wow. I stopped watching at 3mins. I'm not obsessed with ultralight gear, but just the bag and tent hitting 10lbs is too much already. I bought a cheap Chinese 40L backpack for $15 that weighs about 650g, and with proper care, it has lasted over a year bikepacking and camping. How you make a cheap backpack last is to waterproof spray and seam seal it yourself, not so much to make it waterproof, but to add strength to the seams to keep them from falling apart. I also recently upgraded to a knock-off Lanshan 1 tent for about $80 with a collapsible carbon fibre pole for $30, and that's under 1kg. I'm a small Asian guy and all that weight will kill me, especially now that I'm not quite so young anymore. Anyway, near-ultralight gear is available at relatively low costs now, so you can actually take better care of your body by reducing your pack weight. Unless you hate China that much, I do suggest shopping around on the internet to find real bargains. Most of my stuff is from Decathlon and Naturehike.
My husband and I love a good deal! We even got his 70L kelty pack from goodwill for 30 bucks! Good wills in certain areas near popular hiking spots will have great camping/ hiking gear.
As long as they're located in a huge area in which hiking is popular, I can see that. The thing with them is that they take all donations to a central location then send them back out, so what you donate to one location usually doesn't end up being sold there. But if the entire region is hiking crazy, I can understand finding some good deals.
I feel ya. Coming from the kayak world, we always laugh at people who spend a bunch of money right away, or actually buy a new boat instead of used. Unlike kayaking thankfully in backpacking there is so much off brand, I'm taking advantage of Amazon a lot.
I got a River Country 2 person pole trekker tent for $45 on EBay. 2.3 lbs. $50 direct from company. 7'x5'. Super warm too. Drop your tent weight brother.
Exactly my man! Buy used and/or shop around. You can always find great deals on great products. The issue I believe most people have, myself was included in this group is, they don't know exactly what to buy. You have a million reviews for the expensive gear but, nothing or very few reviews for the in between. I did purchase the Lynx 1 which dropped another 2 lbs from my pack. :)
Thanks for the tip, mate! I gave it a look over, seems like a nice pack and 65L! Probably more room than anyone will really need but, that is nice. Thanks!
FinalMyle they make smaller versions for even less money and it's the most comfortable pack I've worn. Got the 65 L pack for Philmont as the crew gear is really bulky
Thank you! :) Keep an eye out for a future gear video. I've changed a few things and I'm going to be changing a few more. I'm still trying to lighten my load and keep it cheap at the same time.
Nice video, I've been watching all these through hikers and you get the impression everything has to be titanium and expensive. Got a question though. You carry 2 sporks? I hate sporks and if I was carrying 2 utensils, I'd have a fork and a spoon. Oh yeah, that knife, details on it?
Well the sporks came with the cooking set. I myself hate sporks too but, it really didn't bother me. Since I only really ate things that can be eaten with a spoon one spoon would have sufficed. I am still trying to lighten my load a bit before I hit the BMT again not 100% sure on what gear I'll be able to get in that short amount of time but, we'll see. The knife; I don't have many details on it. It weighs about 1.2 lbs with the 'scabbard' and all that tape on it. Lol. It was gifted to my by my ex-wife's grandmother about 9 years ago now I would guess. It's extremely sturdy, not flexible like a normal machete so it keeps its sharp edge well. I believe it's an old corn knife. Used for I guess cutting corn stalks? Lol.
Honestly I only used it a couple of times to chop fire wood. Which you don't really need to do on a hike unless it's the dead of winter. When I head back out I'm probably leaving this behind. I've used it a lot in the past but, for a thru-hike or a long-distance hike, it is not required at all.
What kind of camera did you say you was using? I am looking for one for us to use in our adventures. Do you mind me asking what kind of software you use to edit you video? I love the budget you are using, because I do much of the same things.. Wal-mart, home brew, and equipment I have acquired over the years past. Keep up the good videos.
Hello and thanks for watching my videos! :) I used the Canon PowerShot ELPH 350 HS to shoot this video with. It's relatively light weight and records in 1080p.For editing I use Adobe Premiere Pro CS6. Keep in mind you don't need such an editing program to edit these videos. I could have gotten the same results using Samsung video editor on my phone. I use CS6 because I already have it and am extremely familiar with it. Good luck with your videos and happy hiking!
Thanks a bunch for the help. I am looking forward to making some videos and doing some gear reviews, etc. Who knows, maybe we will run into each other either on the trail on the river. Great talking with you. Carry on and happy trails.
You are very welcome. I would love to see your videos when they're ready! :) Exciting times ahead for you. :) Best of luck to you and happy trails as well!
That hasn't been my experience. There is Columbia stuff, etc., but it's not really the lightweight hiking stuff, for the most part. And, of course, guys can just forget about finding pants at Goodwill. BUT, brand-new polyester quick-dry tees at Walmart run less than $6, and Wrangler actually makes a heck of a pant I use for hiking that has 4-way stretch and runs about $20. It is not convertible, though, and seems to be disappearing from the shelves. Bass Pro has some convertible pants at around $40, which is usually half of what you'd pay for Prana, Kuhl, etc. Hanes has a nice perforated/breathable boxer-brief 3/$14. Instead of paying $25 for a Buff, you can find the same thing in the fishing section at WM for $10. The main place I'd invest in clothing would be in good socks (I've had good luck with Darn Tough and Smartwool, less so with REI brand), the right shoe/boot, and perhaps a button-down long-sleeved polyester/nylon shirt, which you really can't find below about $35 even in the Bass Pro fishing department at this point.
Those are good. I use the biodegradable wipes just in case something gets dropped or accidentally left behind. Also better for the environment when you do throw them away. :)
One thing I noticed was missing is a trowel to dig a cat hole and bury your waste. Don't be the a-hole that takes a dump and leave the toilet paper on top to blow in the wind. Super gross, leave no trace!
Also if you're unable to dig a hole you should cover it with rocks and mark it so no one ventures upon it. And don't be the A-Hole that decides to take a dump on the trail or right next to it. Follow the rules peeps and don't forget to take a hike! :)
Great video i enjoy saving my money on gear No need in spending thousands of dollars on gear i know you said you wouldnt use a hammock i was teh same Way i tried it i love my tent camping until i caem across the amok hammock if you hav'nt checked it out you should it is a little expencive but well worth the money
Ok, you were given this or that as a gift. The rest of us newbies trying to get ourselves outfitted can't rely on gifts or even finding it second hand on eBay or the like. So it would be good if you were to quote the new price followed by "I've seen it used for . . . " Then the rest of us can work out our own estimate.
I understand but, this review was meant to give you an idea of what can work on a budget not a guide as what to buy exactly. The internet is your best friend for making your own 'estimate'. ;) Now that you know someone used a 40 degree bag and some type of fleece blanket/liner instead of spending a couple of hundred dollars on a zero degree bag that takes up half your pack you can hunt for something similar and hopefully it works as well for you. I know it can be frustrating but, piecing equipment together is part of the fun. Happy trails! Side note: I will be doing another one of these in the near future so I'll be sure to take your advice about pricing. Honestly this was spur of the moment and i didn't think about it. Also always test your equipment first! If you're going to be out for a few days or longer and it's going to be below freezing then head out before hand for a night or two and see if your setup will work. Thanks!
John McCarron hi. It's not a "necessity" it's just something I've had for a long time and always liked to have with me. For a thruhike or a log distance hike it's definitely not required. It is however, lighter than an axe/hatchet and more versatile. I'm going to do a new gear video soon. With a lighter load out and corrected weights. I've learned since that my little hanging scale isn't accurate. Go figure. Another thing I got for free. :)
If you're just hiking trails and not having to remove trees or chop wood, pretty much any small knife will do. I recommend the tiny Swiss Army knife because it has a scissors and tweezers in it. But that also comes in Bass Pro brand for about $5. For the most part, all you're going to be cutting is some bits of food and packaging.
For $1000 you could easily drop an ounce off of your base weight! LMAO. I used to be a weight-weenie when I raced mountain bikes. Lightweight is just about bragging rights at a loss of durability. Backpacking doesn’t even have a competitive format where weight and speed matter. I don’t get it. Why do people spend extra money for things that fail sooner? Even when I sold mountain bikes I recommended that you not buy the most expensive stuff because the functionality is rarely improved over the second tier. You are only paying for the one year warranty to replace the parts that have had extra material shaved off them to the point that the useable life drops to a single race season if you’re lucky.
Id think tent plus a tarp is really a luxury. Try only the tent, and find a lighter one. Do you really need all this much knife? Use a smaller one What i do is pack all the bare essentials first and then I allow myself 1 or 2 pounds of luxuries. Making hard choices. I ask myself: would I be ok if I didn't have this item? If yes then it's a luxury. Use multifunctional items. If something cant do several different things then I usually leave it. I managed to make myself an ultra light pack on an extremely stingy budget 😂 Is not about buying expensive stuff, is really about lightness in the mind. Know how to be minimalistic. Know what you really need to be ok, and leave it at that.
Hello, thanks for the view and the great advice! Multifunctional is a thru-hikers best friend for sure. The less gear you have to carry the better. I do have a smaller tent now. It is the Lynx 1, the same I spoke of buying in this video(at least I think I mentioned it). Single person. Although I am glad I have the 2 person version. It gives me plenty of room to chill on those rainy days or just the days I don't feel like hiking. I don't know what you mean by a tarp. I don't take a tarp hiking with me and I don't believe I mentioned it at all. If you're referring to the one that is covering the table, that was just brought as a cover for the table. I drove to the campground for this video, I didn't hike there. ;) Also, keep in mind that I wasn't trying to be UL here, just functional without spending a fortune. The knife and I are inseparable and it is for sure just a luxury item for me and for just barely over 1 lbs I think I can handle it. Everyone has their own little idiosyncrasies so just remember to enjoy nature and hike your own hike. :) Thanks again for the great comment and happy trails!
I read your description after watching the video, and suddenly the weight of 11.5 pounds for your big 3 made sense! 😀 I like this, you could most likely drop a few pounds even on a shoe string budget, but then by sacrificing comfort. It's hard to get to 20 lbs or under at a low budget without making sacrifices on comfort, and possibly even more important, on quality. Of course, if you get to a point in life where budget is less of a concern, and/or hiking is a higher priority, then it should be easy to lower the baseweight with more expensive materials, like down, Dyneema Composite fabric, titanium and so on, but as it is, you should be under 40 pounds with a week of food and enough water except for places where water is extremely scarse. And that's totally ok for weekend and week long trips, or longer if there isn't too high mileage per day involved. For a long thru hike, it would be great to be able to get rid of a bit of weight, although it's still possible to do it with that amount of weight, two of my friends did the PCT with about 40 pounds on the back on average, about 45 pounds starting weight when the food supply was maxed out.
Yeah from my understanding the average weight for the AT used to be about around 40lbs with a weeks worth of food. I didn't have any issues with this load out on Sheltowee Trace and I didn't have any 'major' issues on the BMT either. I could easily hike the AT with this gear. The PCT (Which is my dream trail) I will definitely spend more money to go lighter as more water is needed and I would want to be able to do more miles with less strain. Thanks for the watch and the tips! :D
Thank you for the video! I don't feel like a gave any useful tip, except maybe that doing a long thru hike will be fine with a 40+ pounds backpack. It will probably involve more days on the trail, and a few more zero/nero days, which isn't a bad thing, as long as one have the time to spare! 😀
I suppose it was more advice than tips. :) Either way I love hearing other's input on gear especially when it involves a limited budget.As far as how long a person could hike with heavier gear I guess it really depends on their stamina and what their body can handle. I complain a few times but, I actually do really well with my current setup and hiking around 15 miles a day.I am actually looking into getting some lighter gear for future hikes. We'll see how it works out and of course I'll share what I find. :)
another random Oliver, I've walked many a miles with that gear and I'm not a huge muscular guy. My usual load out comes to around 43 lbs. With 8 days of food. That was about what my pack weighed when I started the BMT. Some of the weights in this video were off I noticed later. The pack for instance was NOT 5 lbs. It is 3 lbs. Lol. The knife is only slightly over 1 lbs. I will go lighter on gear sooner or later but, for now this is what I have and it works for me. :)
The 40+ pound stuff seems a little crazy because so many of the vids we are used to watching are from thru-hikers. But I did everything right, had a base weight of under 10#, and was still hauling out a 37# pack on my thru-hike a few weeks ago. If you have a good pack, don't worry about the weight. But what you DO need to worry about is logging enough miles in advance for your SHOULDERS to get used to having the straps on them. I have an Atmos 65L. The suspension is just fine and the pack didn't seem heavy unless I was putting it on or taking it off because the belt shifts so much of the weight to your hips. But just like you need a couple of weeks of football practice before you don't feel bruised afterward, your shoulders need to get used to having straps and a little bit of weight on them.
Potato, patado! Ha ha. I had to make up the spelling for accent purposes. I say hiking because this is what i took with me on my long distance hikes. I guess it should be either thru-hiking or section hiking gear.
+FinalMyle OK, I get thru-hiking, I think. You carry everything you need to travel a distance, set-up camp for overnight then break camp later to keep going on and repeat this until you've gone the full distance. This is for when you're doing the Appalachian trail, but how do you define backpacking?
Here is an interesting article that is sure to confuse everyone. Lol if hiking is just going out no matter for how long and doesn't require a pack and backpacking is when you literally have a pack with everything you need then why do they call a Thru-hike a thru-hike? Why not backpacking or thru-packing? I guess thru-packing is what you do when you're in the process of moving to a new home and the bottle of wine is calling you in the evening. Lol. My opinion is, they both go hand in hand and are perfectly interchangeable. So get out, have fun, and as they say, 'hike your own hike'! besttrailbackpacks.com/difference-between-hiking-and-backpacking/
Vesta Hall I would hate to think someone would use this against a person. Hopefully people both hikers and land owners can be a little more mature and not settle things like they're on Jerry Springer. Also for the female hikers I think bear assault spray would be a little over kill. Although if someone is trying to attack you then I recommend using what you have available. It is rare from what I understand for anyone, female or otherwise to have issues with people in that way on the trail. I'm pretty sure most females actually feel safer on the trail than walking on a street in town. Plus the hiker community is extremely supportive and some of the best people you'll meet....in my opinion. :) Good tip though. Also assault is illegal in all states. ;)
FinalMyle, I didn't mean it that way. There are probably a number of people watching these videos who may assume what it's for. In watching various camping vlogs, I've found that ppl are either very worried about getting attacked, or not at all. Just wanted to make people aware of the potential risks. Thank you for the reply and loved your video. :)
I knew you didn't mean it like that but, when I read your comment I had this mental picture of a shirtless guy acting like he's going to punch someone else but instead they get into a pepper spray war because they're too scared to actually fight. Lol. As I said that is good advice for someone wanting to carry something to protect themselves against possible 'others'. It would be awful to have to defend yourself and then end up with charges because of how you defended yourself. :)
I think wearing cotton people might be illegal? Not sure cotton people even exists. ;) LOL. Kidding. The "Old timers" would say something like, 'we hiked in cotton all the time! It was all we had and we're still here.' :) Of course that saying is probably the same as the memes you see that say, "Share if you road in the back of a pickup truck and survived!" -- It's kind of hard to share something like that if you did ride in the back and didn't survive, ya know? Cotton can be dangerous in the wrong conditions, of course so can any of the wrong type of clothing. Just be aware of where you're going, how long you're going to be out there and any conditions that might arise while out there. Be safe out there and thank you for watching! :)
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What? A through hiker that is not obsessed with a pack weight of less than 12 pounds. A great realistic load out for the average person. Good show.
I'm all about, use what ya got! Lol. I would like to get lighter eventually. Just not in a super hurry. :)
Like a breath of fresh air?! 👍👍😉
Couldn’t agree more. Just subscribed
I love the "you are not going to be warm. You are just not going to die". That put everything into perspective for me. Thanks for the great video. It answered many a question.
This is what I needed to see. Good lawd the last one was all $500 tent, $500 sleeping bag, $400 shoes. Totally discouraging. I'm on LetGo scoring some expensive stuff from people who had grand ideas but went bankrupt before they hit the trail. Thank you!!
love this take, not everything needs to be top shelf and hundreds of dollars - thanks for sharing this
Can't get anymore real then this. Really njoyed the realistic perspective on caming from a real camper not a hoarder of namebrand merchandise that never sees the light of day...hats off!
Dude this has to be the realest gear review ever, you earned a sub here. Love how you are so honest, and down to earth unlike most of the bigger names on RUclips. Thanks man, look forward to checking out the rest of your videos.
Thanks, man. That's real nice of you to say.
Great video. I've slowly been gathering backpacking gear piece by piece over the course of the last year, looking for bargains and used gear... glad to see a normal setup that isn't all about being ultralight and the 'latest and greatest' (which translates to most expensive...). Thanks for the help and for mentioning things I didn't have on my list that I definitely would have wanted out there!
No problem! Thanks for the watch. :) Happy trails and be safe out there!
That's what you call being original,and not being brain washed!! good video i respect that now and days everyone wants to be fancy about their gear.
Very informative.. greatly appreciated.. I'm getting gear together for the AT thru hike .. my first hike .. on a budget. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome video! I know I can't afford all the expensive stuff; so this was a great eye-opener. Thanks!
I have those same slides and I've had them for YEARS. They have held up way better than I had ever expected they would.
I found on line a 2 man 2.3 lb. Tent from China for 104. 00( Amazon for a little more) delivered to my door... Lanshun 2 3F tent... Costco is carrying more and more backpacking equipment... Amazon is a great source... I'm old and slow, but I'm out there with 15 lb.s with 5 days food(no bear canister, only when asked for...) and 2 l of water... Frugle is not the expence, but comfort... save while your at it!! Happy Trails...
A little piece of reflectix between the inflatable mattress and the sleeping bag will go a long way to keep you warm without breaking the bank... Also, reflectix can be used as a sun oven as well :)
If you use one of those Ozark Trail sleeping bags, using your fleece liner usually does the trick in keeping you warm. Plus an extra pair of socks helps too.
Great video my friend. Very practical equipment. Thank you for sharing. Be safe out there. 🤗
Will do friend. You've watched just in time. I'm about to hit the trail back in two weeks to finish this up so be watching in October for the finale to this series!!!
Yeah, I started out with all cheap wal-mart gear and there isn't anything wrong with that. Then you buy that one thing you wish you had and start leaving things at home. Before you know it you have 2 backpacks worth of gear ready to go. haha
I am in that boat. One set (2-person tent, Stanley cook kit, 5# sleeping bag) I've just pretty much decided is the car-camping set. Every new thing that lightens the hiking load pushes something else into that set.
To be honest, I thought I was being smart when I decided to try to go with lightweight stuff right off the bat, spacing my purchases over about a 9-month period so I'd be good to go on my first thru-hike. I figured going cheap to start out would just mean tossing that stuff aside when I decided to upgrade.
But I found out I'm more of a vertical hiker than a mile eater. I'm too goal oriented to enjoy the journey, and if you're not enjoying the journey why the hell walk 2000+ miles? I would have found out the same thing about my style of hiking, though, and ultimately I'm not really out any great deal of money because I bought smartly. I'd just maybe be using something other than an Atmos 65L for my summit of Mount Whitney coming up in September.
Walmart is much better today than "yesterday's" army surplus store. I think using that old heavy crap, broke a lot of people just starting out.
Great video. I love to watch reviews of budget equipment. Most of the time it will perform just as well. No need to spend a fortune.
Yeah I made this video on a whim while I was camping. I learned later that my weights were wrong. I am going to do an updated review video next year (2019). It is going to be more accurate so I hope you enjoy that one as well.
thanks for watching!
Great video! I'm going on my first backpacking trip in a couple of weeks but don't want to invest a ton of money until I know it's something I'll enjoy and do again. I was surprised your gear came in under 30 lbs....I did a test hike and I think my pack was already 29 lbs without food and clothes and some other small stuff....I only weighed myself on a regular scale, then added the pack and took the difference to come up with my weight. Maybe I was wrong. I'm always looking to save money and this video helped. Nice job.
Thanks for watching. I was wrong on a few weights in this video. For one my hanging scale is off and my pack only weighs 3.4 lbs and not 5.xx lbs. When I started the BMT my pack with 8 days worth of food, 2 liters of water and a little 3 leg stool weighed in on a scale at 45 lbs. Heavy comparatively but, I had a lot of extra stuff.
Awesome video brother I use alot of less expensive gear and it works fine and leaves me with extra cash for more trips . Shout out from Rhode Island
Good advice, but it definitely depends on where you go. I’ve been to Alaska several times & was able to get a great pair of boots USED. They carried me through -30 degrees. I didn’t skimp on my coat, but I found a great deal (wearing it in my pic). I’ve also hiked solo in Denali & bought proper rain gear, so as not to get hypothermia while on the trail (it rained pretty much everyday & went down to the 30s). Rain shell was normally $300, but I got it for $115 on a crazy sale. You can cut corners on some things, but also have to be mindful of where you’re going & if it’ll really protect you from the elements.
Absolutely!
This video is old but I'm sure I mentioned that the gear I was using at that time was pretty much only for the climate around KY. Also Autumn or summer and not necessarily for use in the dead of winter.
@@FinalMyle A few other things I consider when buying are: 1) If I spend a little extra, will it last me longer in the long run? Meaning, I’d rather spend more $ for a quality item that’ll last, than have to replace a cheaper item several times.
2) Features: I did so much research with the rain shell (mentioned in my initial comment) I bought for Alaska. Settled on a Marmot. LOVED the pit zips. Even though I got it on sale, I’d have no problem dropping $ on something where I knew I was getting the features that I’m looking for. Alaska isn’t the place to test something & have it fail on me.
I also read through countless reviews before buying & then do price comparisons online. I’d say my favorite budget brand is Columbia. Hiking boots I wore to Denali were extremely comfortable & waterproof, but only cost me about $60 on sale. 👍🏼
Love the vid and the inch worm!
Thanks!
Nice load out and well thought out, too. With the high cost of gear nowadays there's nothing wrong with budget or free (better yet!) gear. Before I buy anything that would be considered expensive I visit the local Goodwill 's, military surplus shops, and the nearby military thrift store. For instance, I found a Patagonia full shell (zip out inner shell and hood) for $14 at Goodwill; LL Bean duck boots, with price tag, for $10 (in my size no less); 40oz Kleen Kanteen for $5, a 40 degree Sierra Designs sleeping bag in its stuff sack for $12 and many more other essential items. Garage sales are a great source as well. Nobody but you gives a damn where your gear comes from.
I need to come visit your town! I've never seen anything like that at my local goodwill. And when they do have something halfway decent, they price it above the prices of regular stuff. I bet that Patagonia jacket would be $40 if it were in good condition(though it wouldn't exist here). I see regular, fairly worn-out shoes for $10. Certainly no expensive boots with the tag still on for $10... Do you live in the town at the end of the AT or something?
Great review on the gear you use. I’ve found over the years that lightest isn’t always best. Also, not everyone likes the same gear. While I do carry a few items that I picked up at Walmart, I always shop online at places like REI, Backcountry.com, and Sierra Trading Post. You can always find great deals on close out gear.
Very good video. I liked it so much I just subscribed to your channel and gave you a like. I am into budget backpacking gear also. I agree with you about hammocks. I also agree with you with being in closed completely. I tried Hamic’s just for the purpose of having the experience and was thinking that I might’ve liked it but after experiencing it and comparing it to tenants, I have decided to go back to tent. I like trying new things but my choice of preference when it comes to shelters is tarps. There are things that I like about tents much better than a tarp but for now tarp is my choice of preference. I like your assortment of backpacking gear. What is your favorite tent? Thank you so much for sharing this video. God bless you.
Thank you for the view and the kind words.
A tarp and bivy sack will definitely lighten your load and I'm sure you can find some lightweight options for a reasonable price.
Favorite tent? Oof. I do like my Alps Mountaineering Lynx. I have the single person version now in addition to the 2 person and it is very comfortable. Still lots of room but, definitely only for one person.
My favorite tent though is an old ozark trail tent that I bought WAY back when their stuff was actually good. Lol. Back before they changed their logo. That tent and I went through so many thunderstorms and miserably hot weather. As of now though, the alps lynx tents are working well for me.
I like Sfetcher shoes too. They are comfortable and long lasting. They sell a good pair of hiking boots too.
Thanks for a very realistic review. Nice to see a bit of common sense on one of these things.
Thanks! I've updated the description a bit more because my weights were off when I originally made this video. The backpack is the only thing I've corrected so far and it weighs just over 3 lbs or around 52 ounces and not 5lbs. Lol. My hanging scale was wrong so I have to go back and weigh some items again. Oh well, Life hikes on.
Thanks again for the watch and the nice comment!
Very good video. I strongly feel that your gear is very competitive to the high dollars, top-of-the-line namebrand equipment. I also feel that is very reliable. I use myself Walmart camping gear for Mike back packing experiences and have been doing it for many years and I’m still using it and I swear by it. I liked your presentation so much I just subscribed to your channel right now. What has been your experience in terms of comfort with this gear? Thank you so much for sharing this video. God bless you.
I also use a cheap (from Wal-Mart or Ollies) pair of crocs for fording creeks and for camp shoes. They are ridiculously light and have the back strap.
Great gear list. The only thing I would add to the medical kit would be a good tourniquet. I’ve had to use them a few times for others and myself and they were literally life saving. It’s always good practice to keep a tourniquet while using knives. Shit happens ya know. Keep up the great work.
Good point. I do wear a little belt that came with my Columbia Pants. That could serve as one but, you're absolutely right. I'll add one.
Thanks! :)
I enjoyed your comments. When I was single I could buy more expensive gear. Now the kids have the nicer stuff and I will make out with what works. I heard someone say they used a $2.50 shower curtain as a footprint. I use a $5 aluminum greasepot on my pocket rocket like burner. It came with a strainer lid. Watch ebay for used stuff. It might take awhile but it’s worth it.
Thanks for this!! I can't afford a $200 tent so I'm going CHEAPASS! Improvising w/ what I already have & bought half my stuff (including some clothes) on yard sale sites, you'd be surprised what people get rid of!
I'm there with ya! I always preach, by used. It will save you money. Thanks for watching. :)
Those camp sandles look like the same ones that I bought at Walmart a couple of years ago. Still wearing them. $5.88 new.
Aaron Hartje, yeah I had a feeling these were Walmart sandles. Btw thanks for all the great comments on this video. I am by no means a gearspert (expert on gear) :) so I always welcome great advice/tips from anyone and you've given some good ones. Thanks for watching! I'm looking forward to rolling out an updated gear video soon hope to hear from you then too.
There is alot of great budget price gear around these days and it's all getting lightweight aswell, I try and buy lightweight or even ultralight if it's still affordable but not so my pack is ultralight but so I can have more luxury items lol
Cheers Daryl from Australia 👍
Thanks, Daryl!
You're absolutely right. Supplies are getting cheaper and more accessible for the everyday hiker now and I love that!
Most of the gear I had when I made this video is now over 5 years old. Lol some even older.
I think it's time for me to renew some stuff!
Take care!
Stanley adventure cook set $15 at walmart). add 1 split ring to replace plastic lid handle. Add ozark trails folding handle stainless steel mug (will nest with nalgene bottle $5 walmart). Selfreliance outfitters cup lid (selfrelianceoutfitters.com $4).
Maybe also a fish jaw spreader as a bail hanger if you dont mind tapping holes near the lip of the mug (selfrelianceoutfitters.com $2.39)
Total= $26.39 - $30. With price variance.
SRO lid nests beneath the Stanley lid and friction fits the Stanley pot. Stanley lid fits the metal mug which nests around Stanley pot. Stanley pot nests 2 cups inside. This kit will fit most molle bottle carrier pouches.
I bought expensive hiking pants and made a hole in them from falling down. I wore my workout go warm pants from Old Navy for my next hike and scrambled a lot of rocks and was afraid I wouldn’t have grip. I did have grip, made no hole, protected my legs from scratches, and it kept me warm. The pants aren’t cheap unless bought during off seasons. I am happy someone else does budget searches.
I feel ya. I used to hike in just normal cargo pants sometimes even jeans but, they do get heavy which is why I stopped wearing them for long hikes. Workout clothing is made for movement and wear and tear so that's not a bad choice. Nothing wrong with that. The Columbia pants I'm wearing here are really light and they're tough for sure. They just aren't fire proof. Lol. I paid $50 +/- a few dollars for them at Dick's Sporting Goods but, could have purchased them online for cheaper I'm sure. Thanks for the watch! Happy hiking to you.
I got that Ozark trail sleeping bag on sale for $14. It's a pretty good bag.
Inch worm, inch worm, measuring the angel soft... LOL! How .much did he weigh?
Glad I found your video! I've been so frustrated with all this push of expensive, ultralight gear. Yeah, I want light but I also want some extra money to spend on food too!
You'll actually be happy to know that some of that stuff is actually lighter than what I said in this video. I didn't realize it until later but, the scale I was using initially was wrong. For instance the pack weighs only 3.2 lbs. Heavy for a pack yes but, not the 5 lbs I mentioned. 😅😅
I'm glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for watching!
Happy hiking!
@@FinalMyle Yeah, I'm one of the few that actually reads the description box. I saved the video so I can go back over it slowly to write down names.
It’s funny, when I was younger...20’s and early 30’s, I thought I had to have the best of the best. Now that I’m in my 40’s I’m far less picky. Bummer too, I can afford all the good cottage brand stuff now, couldn’t then..🤷🏼♂️. Lately I’ve taken to making some of my own gear....highly recommended. But yeah, budget items are great for camping. If your back and leg muscles are working, why not carry a bit of weight while you can right. One way to carry heavy cheap gear...canoe..😉
You can actually get some surprisingly affordable microfiber boxer briefs to use when backpacking. I just got a 5 pack at Walmart for like $20.
if you dont mind me asking where are you from? lol I live pretty close to turkey foot and what do u think about the katadyn hiker pro water filter vs the sawyer ? i have the katadyn and i really like it
I don't mind at all. I'm originally from southern Georgia but, I live in Lexington, KY currently.
Turkey foot was always my go to campground when I wanted to get out but, didn't want to just back country camp. It's also a good place to bring friends that don't really "hike".
I have never used a Katadyn filter. The Sawyer was actually the first water filter I had ever used. I have the Sawyer squeeze now which is what I took with me on the BMT and I absolutely love that thing. lol. It's a little bigger than the mini but, also twice as fast and does just as good of a job. I no longer dreaded filtering water. :) I most likely will be sticking with that until they discontinue it or something. lol
@@FinalMyle thanks again..I'm gona stick with the katadyn for now but I may get the sawyer later lol I really enjoy your video's
Thanks, man! I'm glad you're enjoying them and I appreciate your suggestions and feedback.
Another option for gear is AlliExpress. I found a 20L waterproof dry bag for food for $9 and got a 700ml titanium cook pot with lid, measurements and bail for about $20 with free shipping for each. But they do ship from China, so give yourself a month just to be safe. I got my stuff within two weeks.
I agree! I'm in the same budget boat with 6 kids backpacking with us, you have to be budget concsious! Thanks for the video
I hiked about 500 miles from Mt. Katahdin to the south side of the Presidentials. I am planning a second attempt and am looking at these videos for a way to get my mind back into the long distance hike mindset. Camp sandals... I agree! One of my biggest regrets was having to be barefoot at camp. After hiking many miles my feet were in pain and for me the added weight of sandals would have been worth the comfort at the end of my day. Many times my feet were very swollen and taking them out of my boots at the end of my day was one of my favorite little rewards. Having a sandal would have made those few hours at camp much more enjoyable. The huge knife... I would not even consider... even one pound would not be worth it for me, I would not really use it much and probably not have the energy or desire to swing the thing after hiking all day, and knowing me I might end up seriously hurting myself with it. I am considering a small ceramic blade... I would love to hear someone's take on that. Inch worms.. I Love those little guys! ~Happy Trails~
Good job on the 500 so far. That's one heck of an achievement. Camp sandals are about the same as having a clean pair of socks to wear on a cold night. Nothing beats it.
My gear will eventually undergo drastic changes soon. The knife is not necessary by any means and I only used it a few times on trail. I may not take it with me when I go out next time, I haven't made up my mind yet. I've never had a ceramic bladed knife. I may have to look into them. The Swiss Army knife in this video (at least I think there's one in this video) I carried the first week on Sheltowee and didn't carry it on the BMT. I didn't need it, especially with my large knife. I'll probably drop the large knife and go to a small single blade folding knife like a Gerber or something like the ceramic you mentioned.
Also something I didn't mention in the video about foot wear, I read somewhere a long time ago that wearing hiking boots is like adding 12 lbs to your pack. After switching from a boot to a shoe I can tell you, it did make a big difference. So if you don't need the ankle support or if you do and can handle wrapping your ankles then dropping the boots may help your feet a little.
Thanks for the watch and I'll get up more videos as I 'improve' my equipment.
Have a great time on the trail!
Yes, for sure those 500 miles are some of the most spiritual, life altering, character building days of my life. I am hard pressed to find any memories that bring me as much happiness and gratitude. As for as boots go, I completely agree with you on the boots thing. That first attempt I was wearing a pretty heavy pair of full length boots. When I first put them on they felt great with that full support but after having them on my feet through the swamps and rivers of Maine I found out just how heavy water is. After that putting on a pair of trail runners made me feel like I was walking on air. Any weight on my feet absolutely bogs me down before the same weight on my back... something that I didn't even think of before. I am actually shopping for a new pair of trail runners right now and I hear a lot of positive talk about the Altra 3.5"s. I see them for $100.00US and am strongly considering the purchase.
As someone once said, "After doing crazy shit everyday from sailing down that mountain or crossing a roaring river on a log with all these branches on it. One slip and you're dead. I don't know if I'm going to be able to go back to normal life, eat regular food, walk down the street. Crossing the street that won't be dangerous. The rush. There's to much rush out here. I don't know what I'll do."
It's true after you experience something this profound nothing else compares.
I would probably try a different brand of shoe other than sketchers but, I'm telling you right now those memory foam bottoms are feet savers! I felt the bottom of another hiking shoe before and I was shocked. It felt like stone to me. lol. Inserts I suppose. Get some good inserts.
OH ya.. for certain, got to have the right inserts for the job. Since I am hitting the trail in 2020 I will take the next two years to very carefuly pick the right shoes. In my opinion, footware is the most important gear decision a hiker has to make. And ya, I do need that adrenaline. It's the I am built now. After my first attempt at the AT I fell into a horrible drug induced depression. Now I have been clean for four years and I need to get back out there! I thank God for nature every day.
Good for you! I love to hear good news. Here's to your recovery and many happy miles on trail!
I’ve bought a Naturehike Down Sleeping Bag. For 100 bucks! It’s amazing!
I can totally recommend Naturehike, Lixada, Toaks. All on Amazon.
I have a Lixada flatpack titanium wood stove. Love it to bits.
I thought I was being smart when I decided to try to go with lightweight stuff right off the bat, spacing my purchases over about a 9-month period so I'd be good to go on my first thru-hike. I figured going cheap to start out would just mean tossing that stuff aside when I decided to upgrade.
But it turns out I'm more of a vertical hiker than a mile eater. I'm too goal oriented to enjoy the journey, and if you're not enjoying the journey why the hell walk 2000+ miles? I would have found out the same thing about my style of hiking had I gone cheap, though, and ultimately I'm not really out any great deal of money because I bought smartly. I'd just maybe be using something other than an Atmos 65L for my summit of Mount Whitney coming up in September. If I find the right pack or person to swap with, I still may.
I just recommend that people need to find out what type of hiker they are, then tailor their purchases to suit their needs, rather than convincing themselves that they want to tackle the AT and find they are bored as hell after the first 15 miles. We all seek our own challenges.
Walmart has a 25 dollar internal frame pack that is great.lived outta it for 10 months and still use it for hunting!
Walmart sometimes has some decent stuff. My sleeping bag came from there and it's small, light and warm (for it's rating).
Thanks for the information!
That Coleman Peak stove it just bulletproof. I've had one for about 10 years. I've upgraded to an MSR PocketRocket2, but the Coleman is going nowhere.
Great video. I subscribed ✌️
"Doesnt mean your gonna be warm your just not gonna die" 😂
I love your video, very informative. Do you wear any other layers than the thermal and fleece, like a puffy down jacket of some kind? Or are those usually enough to keep warm. Thanks
Hello and thank you. No just for the cool mornings usually freezing temps or above the under layer, fleece and rain jacket were plenty to keep myself warm while I walked.
What a great video thanks so much 👌🇺🇸🏃
You're very welcome.
great gear review! thanks for the info!
Sorry to comment here but every BOB video i have watch only looks at the individual. What about my family?
They do offer larger tents. Having a family actually can decrease the amount of weight each person has to carry depending on how you want to hike, how old the kids with you, and personal preferences.
The other option is, single person tents for each person and they carry their own food and water so in that case it would be each person manages their own weights and supplies.
Rule is, hike your own hike and find what works best for you and your family.
😊😊
What does a BOB mean? You run away from your family?
Under Armor does make underwear that isn't compression. I don't like those so I got the boxer type that are fancy materials and as a skeptic, they are a godsend. Give em a try.
Nice! Thanks I'll definitely check them out.
Wow. I stopped watching at 3mins. I'm not obsessed with ultralight gear, but just the bag and tent hitting 10lbs is too much already. I bought a cheap Chinese 40L backpack for $15 that weighs about 650g, and with proper care, it has lasted over a year bikepacking and camping. How you make a cheap backpack last is to waterproof spray and seam seal it yourself, not so much to make it waterproof, but to add strength to the seams to keep them from falling apart. I also recently upgraded to a knock-off Lanshan 1 tent for about $80 with a collapsible carbon fibre pole for $30, and that's under 1kg. I'm a small Asian guy and all that weight will kill me, especially now that I'm not quite so young anymore.
Anyway, near-ultralight gear is available at relatively low costs now, so you can actually take better care of your body by reducing your pack weight. Unless you hate China that much, I do suggest shopping around on the internet to find real bargains.
Most of my stuff is from Decathlon and Naturehike.
I got the nature hike cloud up 2 person for $92. I love it so far.
My husband and I love a good deal! We even got his 70L kelty pack from goodwill for 30 bucks! Good wills in certain areas near popular hiking spots will have great camping/ hiking gear.
As long as they're located in a huge area in which hiking is popular, I can see that. The thing with them is that they take all donations to a central location then send them back out, so what you donate to one location usually doesn't end up being sold there. But if the entire region is hiking crazy, I can understand finding some good deals.
Darwin on the trail is a complete loser compared to this guy! I love seeing that you can thru-hike with average gear. Thanks for the video
I don't know about that but, thank you and thanks for watching. :)
I feel ya. Coming from the kayak world, we always laugh at people who spend a bunch of money right away, or actually buy a new boat instead of used. Unlike kayaking thankfully in backpacking there is so much off brand, I'm taking advantage of Amazon a lot.
I got a River Country 2 person pole trekker tent for $45 on EBay. 2.3 lbs. $50 direct from company. 7'x5'. Super warm too. Drop your tent weight brother.
Exactly my man! Buy used and/or shop around. You can always find great deals on great products. The issue I believe most people have, myself was included in this group is, they don't know exactly what to buy. You have a million reviews for the expensive gear but, nothing or very few reviews for the in between.
I did purchase the Lynx 1 which dropped another 2 lbs from my pack. :)
Nice job, well done. Information from one who wants to share it, not paid to.
Looking forward to your BMT series
Thanks friend. I'm looking forward to starting it. lol
I would love to know how big a pack I need for a family of three and one is a toddler
i recommend the rei flash 65. its 3 1/2 pounds and its on sale for $99
Thanks for the tip, mate! I gave it a look over, seems like a nice pack and 65L! Probably more room than anyone will really need but, that is nice. Thanks!
FinalMyle they make smaller versions for even less money and it's the most comfortable pack I've worn. Got the 65 L pack for Philmont as the crew gear is really bulky
great video!!!
Thank you! :) Keep an eye out for a future gear video. I've changed a few things and I'm going to be changing a few more. I'm still trying to lighten my load and keep it cheap at the same time.
Nice video, I've been watching all these through hikers and you get the impression everything has to be titanium and expensive. Got a question though. You carry 2 sporks? I hate sporks and if I was carrying 2 utensils, I'd have a fork and a spoon. Oh yeah, that knife, details on it?
Well the sporks came with the cooking set. I myself hate sporks too but, it really didn't bother me. Since I only really ate things that can be eaten with a spoon one spoon would have sufficed. I am still trying to lighten my load a bit before I hit the BMT again not 100% sure on what gear I'll be able to get in that short amount of time but, we'll see.
The knife; I don't have many details on it. It weighs about 1.2 lbs with the 'scabbard' and all that tape on it. Lol. It was gifted to my by my ex-wife's grandmother about 9 years ago now I would guess. It's extremely sturdy, not flexible like a normal machete so it keeps its sharp edge well. I believe it's an old corn knife. Used for I guess cutting corn stalks? Lol.
Wow, that's pretty heavy for a knife to carry backpacking. What do you find you use it for?
Honestly I only used it a couple of times to chop fire wood. Which you don't really need to do on a hike unless it's the dead of winter. When I head back out I'm probably leaving this behind. I've used it a lot in the past but, for a thru-hike or a long-distance hike, it is not required at all.
I like your style
What kind of camera did you say you was using? I am looking for one for us to use in our adventures. Do you mind me asking what kind of software you use to edit you video? I love the budget you are using, because I do much of the same things.. Wal-mart, home brew, and equipment I have acquired over the years past. Keep up the good videos.
Hello and thanks for watching my videos! :)
I used the Canon PowerShot ELPH 350 HS to shoot this video with. It's relatively light weight and records in 1080p.For editing I use Adobe Premiere Pro CS6. Keep in mind you don't need such an editing program to edit these videos. I could have gotten the same results using Samsung video editor on my phone. I use CS6 because I already have it and am extremely familiar with it.
Good luck with your videos and happy hiking!
Thanks a bunch for the help. I am looking forward to making some videos and doing some gear reviews, etc. Who knows, maybe we will run into each other either on the trail on the river. Great talking with you. Carry on and happy trails.
You are very welcome. I would love to see your videos when they're ready! :) Exciting times ahead for you. :) Best of luck to you and happy trails as well!
Goodwill and other thrift stores will carry used hiking clothes for dirt cheap.
Kevin P I’ve picked up some nice Columbia hiking clothes from GoodWill.
That hasn't been my experience. There is Columbia stuff, etc., but it's not really the lightweight hiking stuff, for the most part. And, of course, guys can just forget about finding pants at Goodwill.
BUT, brand-new polyester quick-dry tees at Walmart run less than $6, and Wrangler actually makes a heck of a pant I use for hiking that has 4-way stretch and runs about $20. It is not convertible, though, and seems to be disappearing from the shelves. Bass Pro has some convertible pants at around $40, which is usually half of what you'd pay for Prana, Kuhl, etc. Hanes has a nice perforated/breathable boxer-brief 3/$14. Instead of paying $25 for a Buff, you can find the same thing in the fishing section at WM for $10.
The main place I'd invest in clothing would be in good socks (I've had good luck with Darn Tough and Smartwool, less so with REI brand), the right shoe/boot, and perhaps a button-down long-sleeved polyester/nylon shirt, which you really can't find below about $35 even in the Bass Pro fishing department at this point.
For the wipes just use baby wipes in a ziplock bag that is what I do
Those are good. I use the biodegradable wipes just in case something gets dropped or accidentally left behind. Also better for the environment when you do throw them away. :)
I use to carry them in my pack in military that is where I learned it at
One thing I noticed was missing is a trowel to dig a cat hole and bury your waste. Don't be the a-hole that takes a dump and leave the toilet paper on top to blow in the wind. Super gross, leave no trace!
Totally agree. I didn't have one here but before I bought a trowel I would use my large knife to dig a hole. Multi useful tool, indeed. ;)
Also, the rapid dissolving or biodegradable wipes are the best for the environment.
Also if you're unable to dig a hole you should cover it with rocks and mark it so no one ventures upon it.
And don't be the A-Hole that decides to take a dump on the trail or right next to it. Follow the rules peeps and don't forget to take a hike! :)
Great video i enjoy saving my money on gear No need in spending thousands of dollars on gear i know you said you wouldnt use a hammock i was teh same Way i tried it i love my tent camping until i caem across the amok hammock if you hav'nt checked it out you should it is a little expencive but well worth the money
Hei sweet channel ☺ Keep it up!
spongy soft material is call FOAM lol that looks like a rubberized cellulose foam but i digress
Ok, you were given this or that as a gift. The rest of us newbies trying to get ourselves outfitted can't rely on gifts or even finding it second hand on eBay or the like. So it would be good if you were to quote the new price followed by "I've seen it used for . . . " Then the rest of us can work out our own estimate.
I understand but, this review was meant to give you an idea of what can work on a budget not a guide as what to buy exactly. The internet is your best friend for making your own 'estimate'. ;) Now that you know someone used a 40 degree bag and some type of fleece blanket/liner instead of spending a couple of hundred dollars on a zero degree bag that takes up half your pack you can hunt for something similar and hopefully it works as well for you. I know it can be frustrating but, piecing equipment together is part of the fun. Happy trails!
Side note: I will be doing another one of these in the near future so I'll be sure to take your advice about pricing. Honestly this was spur of the moment and i didn't think about it. Also always test your equipment first! If you're going to be out for a few days or longer and it's going to be below freezing then head out before hand for a night or two and see if your setup will work. Thanks!
I'm so confused what was the need for the knife
John McCarron hi. It's not a "necessity" it's just something I've had for a long time and always liked to have with me. For a thruhike or a log distance hike it's definitely not required. It is however, lighter than an axe/hatchet and more versatile. I'm going to do a new gear video soon. With a lighter load out and corrected weights. I've learned since that my little hanging scale isn't accurate. Go figure. Another thing I got for free. :)
If you're just hiking trails and not having to remove trees or chop wood, pretty much any small knife will do. I recommend the tiny Swiss Army knife because it has a scissors and tweezers in it. But that also comes in Bass Pro brand for about $5. For the most part, all you're going to be cutting is some bits of food and packaging.
For $1000 you could easily drop an ounce off of your base weight! LMAO. I used to be a weight-weenie when I raced mountain bikes. Lightweight is just about bragging rights at a loss of durability. Backpacking doesn’t even have a competitive format where weight and speed matter. I don’t get it. Why do people spend extra money for things that fail sooner? Even when I sold mountain bikes I recommended that you not buy the most expensive stuff because the functionality is rarely improved over the second tier. You are only paying for the one year warranty to replace the parts that have had extra material shaved off them to the point that the useable life drops to a single race season if you’re lucky.
very informativ
Real people real hiking
Id think tent plus a tarp is really a luxury. Try only the tent, and find a lighter one.
Do you really need all this much knife? Use a smaller one
What i do is pack all the bare essentials first and then I allow myself 1 or 2 pounds of luxuries. Making hard choices.
I ask myself: would I be ok if I didn't have this item? If yes then it's a luxury.
Use multifunctional items. If something cant do several different things then I usually leave it.
I managed to make myself an ultra light pack on an extremely stingy budget 😂
Is not about buying expensive stuff, is really about lightness in the mind.
Know how to be minimalistic. Know what you really need to be ok, and leave it at that.
Hello, thanks for the view and the great advice! Multifunctional is a thru-hikers best friend for sure. The less gear you have to carry the better.
I do have a smaller tent now. It is the Lynx 1, the same I spoke of buying in this video(at least I think I mentioned it). Single person. Although I am glad I have the 2 person version. It gives me plenty of room to chill on those rainy days or just the days I don't feel like hiking.
I don't know what you mean by a tarp. I don't take a tarp hiking with me and I don't believe I mentioned it at all. If you're referring to the one that is covering the table, that was just brought as a cover for the table. I drove to the campground for this video, I didn't hike there. ;)
Also, keep in mind that I wasn't trying to be UL here, just functional without spending a fortune.
The knife and I are inseparable and it is for sure just a luxury item for me and for just barely over 1 lbs I think I can handle it.
Everyone has their own little idiosyncrasies so just remember to enjoy nature and hike your own hike. :)
Thanks again for the great comment and happy trails!
I read your description after watching the video, and suddenly the weight of 11.5 pounds for your big 3 made sense! 😀
I like this, you could most likely drop a few pounds even on a shoe string budget, but then by sacrificing comfort.
It's hard to get to 20 lbs or under at a low budget without making sacrifices on comfort, and possibly even more important, on quality.
Of course, if you get to a point in life where budget is less of a concern, and/or hiking is a higher priority, then it should be easy to lower the baseweight with more expensive materials, like down, Dyneema Composite fabric, titanium and so on, but as it is, you should be under 40 pounds with a week of food and enough water except for places where water is extremely scarse.
And that's totally ok for weekend and week long trips, or longer if there isn't too high mileage per day involved.
For a long thru hike, it would be great to be able to get rid of a bit of weight, although it's still possible to do it with that amount of weight, two of my friends did the PCT with about 40 pounds on the back on average, about 45 pounds starting weight when the food supply was maxed out.
Yeah from my understanding the average weight for the AT used to be about around 40lbs with a weeks worth of food. I didn't have any issues with this load out on Sheltowee Trace and I didn't have any 'major' issues on the BMT either. I could easily hike the AT with this gear. The PCT (Which is my dream trail) I will definitely spend more money to go lighter as more water is needed and I would want to be able to do more miles with less strain.
Thanks for the watch and the tips! :D
Thank you for the video!
I don't feel like a gave any useful tip, except maybe that doing a long thru hike will be fine with a 40+ pounds backpack.
It will probably involve more days on the trail, and a few more zero/nero days, which isn't a bad thing, as long as one have the time to spare! 😀
I suppose it was more advice than tips. :) Either way I love hearing other's input on gear especially when it involves a limited budget.As far as how long a person could hike with heavier gear I guess it really depends on their stamina and what their body can handle.
I complain a few times but, I actually do really well with my current setup and hiking around 15 miles a day.I am actually looking into getting some lighter gear for future hikes. We'll see how it works out and of course I'll share what I find. :)
Good god! I wouldn’t car camp with that heavy of gear
another random Oliver, I've walked many a miles with that gear and I'm not a huge muscular guy. My usual load out comes to around 43 lbs. With 8 days of food. That was about what my pack weighed when I started the BMT. Some of the weights in this video were off I noticed later. The pack for instance was NOT 5 lbs. It is 3 lbs. Lol. The knife is only slightly over 1 lbs. I will go lighter on gear sooner or later but, for now this is what I have and it works for me. :)
The 40+ pound stuff seems a little crazy because so many of the vids we are used to watching are from thru-hikers. But I did everything right, had a base weight of under 10#, and was still hauling out a 37# pack on my thru-hike a few weeks ago.
If you have a good pack, don't worry about the weight. But what you DO need to worry about is logging enough miles in advance for your SHOULDERS to get used to having the straps on them. I have an Atmos 65L. The suspension is just fine and the pack didn't seem heavy unless I was putting it on or taking it off because the belt shifts so much of the weight to your hips. But just like you need a couple of weeks of football practice before you don't feel bruised afterward, your shoulders need to get used to having straps and a little bit of weight on them.
Isn't this backpacking instead of hiking?
Potato, patado! Ha ha. I had to make up the spelling for accent purposes.
I say hiking because this is what i took with me on my long distance hikes. I guess it should be either thru-hiking or section hiking gear.
+FinalMyle OK, I get thru-hiking, I think. You carry everything you need to travel a distance, set-up camp for overnight then break camp later to keep going on and repeat this until you've gone the full distance. This is for when you're doing the Appalachian trail, but how do you define backpacking?
Here is an interesting article that is sure to confuse everyone. Lol if hiking is just going out no matter for how long and doesn't require a pack and backpacking is when you literally have a pack with everything you need then why do they call a Thru-hike a thru-hike? Why not backpacking or thru-packing?
I guess thru-packing is what you do when you're in the process of moving to a new home and the bottle of wine is calling you in the evening. Lol.
My opinion is, they both go hand in hand and are perfectly interchangeable. So get out, have fun, and as they say, 'hike your own hike'!
besttrailbackpacks.com/difference-between-hiking-and-backpacking/
Be careful with the bear sprey. It can be illegal to use for self defense against people. If U want something for ppl vs bears please be aware. :)
Vesta Hall I would hate to think someone would use this against a person. Hopefully people both hikers and land owners can be a little more mature and not settle things like they're on Jerry Springer. Also for the female hikers I think bear assault spray would be a little over kill. Although if someone is trying to attack you then I recommend using what you have available. It is rare from what I understand for anyone, female or otherwise to have issues with people in that way on the trail. I'm pretty sure most females actually feel safer on the trail than walking on a street in town. Plus the hiker community is extremely supportive and some of the best people you'll meet....in my opinion. :) Good tip though. Also assault is illegal in all states. ;)
FinalMyle, I didn't mean it that way. There are probably a number of people watching these videos who may assume what it's for. In watching various camping vlogs, I've found that ppl are either very worried about getting attacked, or not at all. Just wanted to make people aware of the potential risks.
Thank you for the reply and loved your video. :)
I knew you didn't mean it like that but, when I read your comment I had this mental picture of a shirtless guy acting like he's going to punch someone else but instead they get into a pepper spray war because they're too scared to actually fight. Lol. As I said that is good advice for someone wanting to carry something to protect themselves against possible 'others'. It would be awful to have to defend yourself and then end up with charges because of how you defended yourself. :)
FinalMyle, sounds good, and lol - nice visual. :) Happy trips!
DIxie, that little orange guy is a newt. They eat mosquitoes!
Please don’t wear cotton people. Please.
I think wearing cotton people might be illegal? Not sure cotton people even exists. ;) LOL. Kidding. The "Old timers" would say something like, 'we hiked in cotton all the time! It was all we had and we're still here.' :) Of course that saying is probably the same as the memes you see that say, "Share if you road in the back of a pickup truck and survived!" -- It's kind of hard to share something like that if you did ride in the back and didn't survive, ya know?
Cotton can be dangerous in the wrong conditions, of course so can any of the wrong type of clothing. Just be aware of where you're going, how long you're going to be out there and any conditions that might arise while out there.
Be safe out there and thank you for watching! :)
Great vid!