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God does not do favors. He gave us the Bible as a guide to life. God is never broke and God is not insecure either. He is God and if he was doing favors, little children would never die of painful cancer.
Backpack cover: For rain I use my poncho to cover my back. For hiking in the desert, the cover keeps the dust out/off. Pump: I use it because I'm lazy Chair: I'm 69, and thanks to a military career, my knees are mostly shot, I broke my neck once and it's full of whiplash, I cracked my spine 3 times, and I'm a it overweight. A sitpad is great if you've got a handy log or rock you can use it on, but getting up off the ground is too hard nowadays, so, I'll keep dragging my ultralight chair with me. Sandals/Camp shoes: needed for when I take my sock off and want my shoes to dry out. All that said, I do agree that I don't NEED any of those things, but I take them because they make my experience better.
@@FourSeasonExposure I forgot to mention my pack liners. I've got 2 from Osprey, 1 from ZPacks, a Nylofume, and a couple from Six Moons Designs. And agree they're worth every penny.
I like footprints not for puncture protection - but more for keeping my tent bottom free of dirt, sap and forest funk. It’s much easier to fold up a dirty footprint and keep the mess contained than a tent bottom. Also, Tyvek and Polycro are negligible weights. Even for car camping tents I throw down a big tarp.
Exactly, Although I like a ''real'' footprint to also use as a tarp when I want to make a cup of coffee or wait out the rain for a few minutes. Although I just purchased a relatively cheap footprint that is also kinda light.
For my Hillberg Nammatj GT, the footprint covers not only the inner, but also the vestibule living area, making it much more comfortable to live in and the whole thing (fly, inner, and footprint all pitch together at the same time). I would also strongly recommend at least Tyvek for any ultralight tents, as it will help prevent the floor wearing out as quickly, particularly on abrasive ground like rock, sand, or ground covered in pine needles.
If you have lots of first and grime on your tent underside doesn't matter how well you roll things up you get dirt everywhere more so then you already would.
Camp chair and the inflatable sleeping mate change the old school hard core camping activity to a very comfortable leisure setting- it’s a game changer
Harbor Freight, 5x7 blue tarp. Not a great color match, but free for just showing up; promotion happen at least once / year. You can pick up 3, one day at a time, on those 3-day-long weekend promotion events. Per store. When they get a hole, just dispose (responsibly) and pull out the next one. I car camp only, so bulk/ weight really doesn’t matter. I hear you though, on tent floors being way better than the olden days., so dispense with footprints if you gotta lug it all yourself. And yes, $100 footprints are a total ripoff.
As an older backpacker, my chair and crocs are now non-negotiable. There have been many treks where just the thought of getting into camp and slipping on my crocs and kicking back in my chair has kept me going. But, you are correct, none of the items you listed are absolutely necessary to enjoy a trip...you'll just enjoy it a little less. ;-)
The only time I’ll bring a dedicated pack cover is if heavy rain is forecast and I know I’ll be hiking in it. I always use the pack liner technique for keeping the gear dry. The pack cover is to keep my (non dcf) pack from absorbing the water and its accompanying weight. Great video Dan!
These items are luxuries. Unless you're going ultra light I personally believe having a luxury item or two is a must. They make the hike, and or camp more enjoyable. The tricky part is one or two, not all of the luxury items. The one item I wouldn't necessarily call a luxury is camp shoes. At least on a longer backpacking trip. Shoes fall apart for one. Something like crocs can be hiked in if need be. They also work great for creek crossings. Then there are blisters. Crocs, or something similar hit that blister in a different spot. This can sometimes help the pain, save the injury, and save the hike too. If the shoes are soaked at camp. Keeping them on sucks too.
A chair is a must for me. I'm in my 60's and have been hiking for over 50 years. Not a measly 10 years....such a newbie. I enjoy my comfortable 16 oz chair after a 25 miler.
@@bill9097 - I did no-chair for 40 years. Then got a backrest ground chair. I do have back issues. My daughter likes to sit on the ground, as I did. But, also, I do mostly base camping, so I'm not trekking all day every day.
@@coachhannah2403 I 100% good with a chair if you have back issues -- you do whatever makes you comfortable! I'm glad that you have a solution that helps you enjoy the outdoors and hopefully means you can get out more often! I didn't mean to throw shade on chair-users. I have the worst feet on earth and I wear shoes that would get tons of criticism here, but I have to to minimize pain. We do what we must and getting out is all that matters!
Great video! I agree with much of your thoughts on this stuff. I too have been backpacking for over 10 years now!!! 1:55 I had a Big Agnes Tiger Wall, objectively a good tent, though I don't recommend it for a multitude of reasons. It saturated through on the floor multiple times. So I can't agree that simply buying a "good" tent is the ticket. 8:04 I will never go without sandals! 😉 Don't forget, some of us poor folk are prone to blisters and need them. Xero sandals are only a few ounces.
My famous well regarded ultralight trekking pole tent had a dozen pin-holes in the floor within a few weeks of careful use, clearing the ground every time. I'll still at least carry a polycro footprint thank you very much
Polycro footprint weighs about 3oz, far less than the weight difference between ultralight and "lightweight" tent. UL tent manufacturers overstate the durability of their UL floors is the point, and UL footprints are useful there
Great video! My pack is around 23 lb with most of this stuff replaced. I have and will cut weight in this order of priority: * Drop camp sandals...prefer light boots over sticks and gravel in sandals: -8oz * Replace pack cover with nylofume bag, more effective: -4oz * Replace legged chair with legless Mayfly, does the job: -1 lb * Replace pad fill bag and camp lantern with Flextail: wash --> Baseline. If I need to cut more... * Replace footprint with polycryo...blows around but saves washing tent of mud: -6 oz? * Drop Flextail pump/light: -4oz * Replace camp chair with piece of duct bubble wrap: -1 lb Notice the chair is the last to go!
Dan, I'm so happy for you. You are going legit ultralight. Your attitude has completely changed. The simpler the kit the better the trip. I have found a way to go beyond stupid ultralight ...I don't recommend it though. 2 weeks ago I planned a trip in the sierra including some lightish off trail wandering. I had clues but not enough to be concerned that I wasn't quite right. No issues with altitude or anything. No great accident or fall. My adhd medicine had been changed the week before - stores ran out of what I take so they gave me the one that didn't work for me instead. Had no problems at home but once exerting myself the clarity of my mind was changing. I made the correct turn off trail went to a very identifiable lake (the next morning). missed my turn off. Somehow on the map I didn't realize I was only minutes from the right canyon....after hours I missed that canyon, passed below and not seeing Evolution lake and the several miles later made that left turn down the canyon. The wrong canyon that looked very similar to the one I wanted. found my way around to the spot, climbing the shelves. At the top of one I was gonna stop for lunch. Catching my breath I put everything down and walked behind a bush to catch a view of the valley I was expecting. Couldn't see it so I went maybe 30 steps further, saw the view and went back for lunch. Only when I turned around NOTHING looked familiar. I could not find that shelf 40 ft away. spent the whole day climbing that mountain every inch about 4 times. Until it was dark. I had a dead phone, a bad map (no compass) running shorts and a very light sun hoodie....and thats it. Started shivering uncontrollably at 630 and the sun never touched me until almost one the next afternoon. I searched a second day before just letting go and start making it back to my truck with no keys. 15 ft from the top, decided it wasn't a good call. I needed to start back down back from where I came from....there was a ranger cabin I was more than willing to break into. when after spending the second night freezing and shivering my inards into serious problems I made it to the cabin and found an angel dealing with his own problem in the creek. I said man I need help...a lot. Hadn't eaten in 3 days - had some water but could no longer swallow. So the next day I was helicoptered out....hundreds of miles on the west side at Fresno. Turned out I also was suffering from zero potassium (8IV's) just for that. As well I had what you had after your Grand Canyon adventure I think. Shortened it was Rabdo. Something to do with my body consuming muscles and leaving a poison. Trying to get my strength back. Can I cry on this forum about losing ALL of my very best gear. GG G4-20 pack, Duplex, 10 degree EE quilt, 2 Farpoint fleeces, my wind jacket, cook kit, wallet, passport, money, keys, my invaluable tyvek, 1/8" GG roll pad, used twice Neoair. I'm greatful for my life as well as meeting the ranger and my angel to every person in the emergency room that offered my wife their home to catch some sleep - no car, no problem, take mine and just come back in the morning. INCREDIBLE people. But my gear. 13 years building the kit. I don't make the money I used to (I'm an artist now) so it won't be replaced. It's selfish of me to cry about it but damn. I'm now a tarp camper - if all that gear overloads you, theres a 61 year old considering another trip with a drone to search for it before the snow. I'd also like to share that it seems impossible but there are many ways to lose a pack. EVERYONE needs to consider that and make a tiny change. get those emergency devices, phones map space blanket and a lighter with a tiny tube of Vaseline out of and off of you pack. It should be in a pocket of fanny pack thats never taken off. Everything would have been different. Freezing is not fun. I would have fought a bear with my bare hands just to go star wars on it and live in its body cavity. Small items a smaller change could save your life. If I had the live saving devise, it was lost too. Peace to all. Please pray for my gear and throw this heathen in as well. I wrecked.
Thank you for the prayers Dan ! I’m in Asheville NC. And things are slowly getting better, but there are still so many in remote areas around Asheville that need all the help we can get !
The honesty of your videos is excellent. There's a lot of people out there that think to do it, you have to have the absolute best of high-end ultralight equipment. Is it nice? Sure. Is it necessary? No.
@Sean4Cats I don't know about all that, but I've watched his videos for a few years now and when it comes to hiking, backpacking and camping, I believe he's very honest.
I use both pack liner and pack cover...packs getting soaked adds weight even though i water proof it...never had my pack cover fill with water. I like sandals at camp so i can let my feet dry and allow my shoes to dry...shoes usually get wet by rain or dew when I hike.
I ride a motorcycle rather than hike. I'm not giving up my camp chair. It just feels too good at the end of the day, and I don't always have a boulder or log to sit on. My riding boots need to get aired out occasionally. Plus, I want something on my feet when I use the campground's showers.
100% agree with your suggestions. I was considering a chair, but recently found the Crazy Creek HEX 2.0 at a Sierra Trading Post for only $35 to replace my accordion style mat. I was able to use it on a 5 day backpacking trip and it was FANTASTIC! Only drawback is that you are still on the ground, but you can lean back and relax anywhere… and I used it under my sleeping pad for extra warmth, it even on its own as a sleeping pad. Live things that have dual purpose!
I bought the Zpump for my thru hike of the Colorado Trail this year, and loved it. My friend and I used it pretty much every night, she had a Nemo Tensor regular and I had a new Nemo Tensor All season in regular wide and it had no problem pumping up both sleeping pads. USB C, same as my phone, so bringing one cable was perf.
Footprints… I use one in the UK, where it rains almost continuously, as it allows me to take out my inner (from my Hilleberg) and keep the floor and rest dry so I can pack it separately from the flysheet. If I don’t use a footprint then the floor of the inner is much wetter and it’s more of a pain to put the inner back in. It’s not essential but it makes life easier.
I also agree - it helps reduce condensation on the underside of the ground sheet and when there is a vestibule without a ground sheet it can substantially cut down on condensation forming on the inside of the fly-sheet from the ground breathing. I do question those that leap in and criticise as whther they really go hiking besides making a few video posts - wherein they often project themselves as experts.
@chrishamilton2527 that's an argument that makes no sense to me. So get condensation or damp on underside of footprints vs tent what is the difference.. and condensation inside that is influencers propaganda lol the uncovered porch area is tiny 🤣 more likely condensation ie humidity and moisture in the air. And best thing to do is leave door open fully whenever possible. Or vents open fully.
@@TonyHobbs it makes total sense to people that are genuine hikers / campers, all year around. Your experience is clearly limited if you believe all vestibules are small. Not withstanding, even a small patch of grass can produce significant condensation within a flysheet. Having moisture on a Tyvek ground sheet is much easier to mop up and manage then within a flysheet especially when the inner tent is attached. But of course, any experienced camper would know that. Clearly, your understanding of condensation is also limited. The ability to leave a door open can often be limited as well. Yes, keeping vents open is optimal but often totally inadequate. Note that others also disagree with your sweeping statement.
I subscribed because of this video. So direct and honest. Thank you
3 месяца назад+1
Footprint: Some trips we sleep under rock overhangs or we camp. In this case the footprint becomes a groundsheet. Also camped on alpine grass with tips like nerdles, which can perforate a thin floor - one extra layer helps. Pump: Used the Flextail a couple of times. Not taking it when I try to squeeze down on weight. Pack cover: Used it more than once to float a backpack over a deep stream or pool blocking a ravine.
Dan I agree that the manufacturers foot print is expensive. I do use something makeshift. But some of us don’t test gear for a living. And my big Agnes Seed house from 2007 is still working great. It has been re strung and is looking like the seems need to be re taped. But just went through a torrential few days of rain end of august and my son and I are fine. There are no holes in the bottom. You said you don’t use ground sheets and don’t keep a single tent for that long, but have already found a few holes. Buy good gear and look after it.
I own a two-pound chair, but didn’t bring it on my last trip. After spending two miserable days crouching my no-longer-young body over the rain-soaked ground, I promised I’d never leave without it again.
@@jeffd6 Congratulations! A few years ago, I dropped quite a bit of weight myself. My chair is 2 lbs because I’m too cheap to buy the Helinox or comparable versions. I can carry an extra pound to save nearly $100, lol. 😆
Have to admit on some of these items. My pack is 23 pounds fully loaded with food and water AND air pump AND camp chair AND I'm keeping it this way. hahahaha It is also WAY easier to shake a footprint free from dirt than a tent. Or you can place the footprint sideways as a method to put gear in the vestibule and keep it dry and free from massive amounts of dirt.
If you're going to get Tyvek for use as a footprint, don't get commercial grade Tyvek (it has the blue lettering). Instead, get kite-making Tyvek, which is much lighter and plenty strong enough.
Sooo I bought the the helinox zero chair and it weighs less than a pound and very condensed when packing do recommend for back country adventures when putting in the miles. Also, love my air pump to save on time, protect the pad internal lining from mildew from long term use and also saves me some breath after hiking for a while. Fruit for thought …but agreed you can actually “live” without it if your concerned about your dollar or pack weight.
Thanks, Dan, for the shout-out. Still without power from Milton. 3 hours in line to get a can of gas for the generator. Gas stations only open for 5 hours then closed for the rest of day. Keep praying for us we need them.
I get your comment about ground sheet not necessary for protecting the tent. I actually take one to place orthogonally to the tent which gives me ground cover in the two vestibules. Saves the backpack and other gear out there from getting so dirty...
I use my pack cover as something to sit on when it's wet. Also good for a bit of extra protection for stuff left in the vestibule. Never used it to cover my pack but why carry it around if you're never going to use it. I need sandals though, especially on coastal hikes and when you do a lot of stuff like crossing streams. In fact for half of my hikes, I might say my main shoes are the things that are dead weight.
I use a footprint here in UK due to every pitch place seems to be muddy and wet. I pitch outer fly and then put down the footprint inside. I then have an area I can change, sort out stuff etc. before finally putting up the inner. So I don’t use it as advertised. If we actually do have a sunny warm day, then it stays in the pack.
I like the Zero Pump, BUT I found that it does not have enough strength to fully blow up my Zenbivy Flex Sleeping Pad enough to keep my hip off the ground. I had to use a higher strength Tiny Pump X to get the pad fully inflated. I was thinking about just going back to the inflation bag that came with the pad. Thanks, Dan! I agree with most of the rest of this video. However my 71 year old back appreciates the comfort of a chair, so I will keep bringing my lightweight chair. That's my luxury comfort item.
I have the Zero Pump. Got it on a Kickstarter promo. My pad doesn't have a pump sack. Never used camp sandals. But I have carried beach shoes when there were a lot of water crossings. They double as camp shoes. A chair is a necessity. Maybe because I'm 74 years old and really need to relax after several miles up and down hills. A sit pad would be less than restful. Regarding a footprint. I do carry a small, L-shaped Tyvek scrap. It's mostly in my vestibule so I do'nt have to be on the ground (and bring dirt inside) when I crawl into my tent. The small bit that is under the bathtub is abount a square meter and is just inside the entrance. That's where the most wear and tear happens. Maybe Sawyer can send filter kits to NC. If you suggest it... Thanks for another great video. TomLovesDIY
Ditched the footprint long time ago. Sandels I've never done...but the chair and pump zero are new adds this year.. yes I can go without but I do enjoy them.
As a canoe/kayak camper, camp shoes are 100% mandatory if you’re not keen on getting trench foot. Same goes for backpacking anywhere that fording is necessary.
Greet tyvek hack for most tents is to cut to size and buy tyvek tape loops to permanently attach to tent for an easy up and done. Works fantastic on my one by gossamer gear.
I bought the flextail zero pump with the flextail mattress because there was a bundle for getting them together. It was your recommendation and an glad I did.
Per previous comment, I use a good poncho that is made to cover your pack. It folds under with snaps on the back side to unfold and extend up and over the pack covering you and your gear. I've been using my Camp Trails frame pack since 1975, still the best. If some folks don't know, poncho waterproofing does break down over the years. I found out one cold rainy day in November, it was like having a wet sheet over me! lol Had a few punctures on the tent floor from buried conch shells, you think you found them all but in the middle of the night you locate the hidden one you missed just under the sand poking you in the shoulder blade. We camp on deserted islands in the Bahamas as well, usually Beach Cay, 23 miles south of Bimini, and no, we don't bring a backpack there.
Prayers for the SE folks suffering the latest extreme weather, such serious and difficult times. I hope folks are staying safe and are able to get what they need, and recover quickly. I've had the privilege of growing up in Colorado and being a backpacker of more than 50 years, so I've tried all sorts of STUFF. As I've aged, I find there are some comfort items that I'm not willing to live without for the sake of weight savings. I like my super light Crocs as camp shoes, and I've used a chair mostly for back support but for me it's an essential piece of gear for relaxing after some trail miles. I use a lightweight Crazy Creek Hex chair for trailside sitting and even inside my truck topper to sit in when I camp inside that. It rolls pretty small and deploys quickly. I even take it in a daypack when I go fishing to sit in for lunch streamside; they've doubled in price since I bought mine however, sorry. That Flextail pump is pretty spiffy, I bought the smaller/lighter version and it beats the heck out of using the bag or blowing up by mouth. There's a balance to be struck, yep.
For the person who has lung or asthma issues a sleeping pad inflater is a descent idea for the person with arthritis issues especially in the back a camp chair would be practical
Backpack cover: After seeing folks on the Camino de Santiago, I have replaced both my pack cover and my waterproof jacket for a quality poncho that goes over me and my backpack. Additionally, the Poncho also comes down to my knees so I don't need waterproof pants either. For California Sierras where you are mostly getting hit by short term thunderstorms this works and I am way ahead in net weight.
@@robertdonovan3986 It was an outdoor products backpacker poncho I bought from REI. The challenge I faced was that I needed a new rain shell and all of the ones I looked at were too short, so the rain would just run off onto my shorts. The poncho is considerably loungers well as covering my backpack as well as my self. That said I have not had chance to really put it through its paces as we had a relatively storm free summer in the Sierras.
It seems hard to find a good poncho here in the US that covers you and your pack. Found plenty in Spain though! It does rain a ton in Galacia! (Though my wife and I got pretty lucky with the weather last spring)
Although it’s not inexpensive I think the best one out there that is readily available in the US is the Sea-To-Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Poncho Tarp. It weighs just over 8 oz. It is much more durable than you might guess as the silicone impregnated (not coated like some ponchos) material slides off branches and other grabby things along the trail that a urethane coated poncho might hang up on. I added two, small nylon webbing loops at about waist height, one on each side, to the rear panel edges. These allow me to use mitten hooks and a piece of about 3mm elastic bungee cord to gather the poncho up some to prevent it from billowing in the wind. In camp or town you can just clip the two mitten hooks together, without the elastic cord, to contain the excess material. In the winter I add a pair of waterproof chaps to my rain gear system to keep my legs dry.
Footprint definitely useful for prolonging the lifespan of an expensive tent's floor. I have a well-used one over twenty years old, floor of tent is fine, footprint is mangled.
My foot print is a sheet from one of those hair dryer plastic sheets you use to insulate your windows in the winter. Get the biggest size and cut it to your tent. Light, tough and for me, worth it to have the surety that moisture will not be on the bottom of my tent. And to quote George Washington Sears aka Nessmuk “We do not go to the green woods and crystal waters to rough it; we go to smooth it.” I balance what I want for comfort (my chair) with what is needful. How wonderful that there are lightweight options to be able to do just that.
I never found those to be very strong when I was installing them, so I can’t imagine using it for a ground cloth. Seems like it would be krinkly loud too.
@@shawnbrennan7526 Nope. It works well. The sheet I am using now has been fine for all our camping this season. I keep expecting it to rip, but not yet. And never heard it at all.
Ha hahaha Dan, I am going to agree with you 100% on each of these! I'm 67 and I have been hiking and climbing since I was 10 in over a dozen ranges. I don't use a footprint (except car-camping), even at 67 have no issues blowing up my sleeping pad with my lungs, have been using garbage can bags inside my pack for 50 years, have never owned a camp chair and never missed having one, and I wouldn't ever take "sandals". However, I do like to change out of my hiking shoes in camp, wash my feet and put on a fresh pair of socks. I either use cheap lightweight flip-flops with v-toe socks, or if the trip has a lot of stream crossings, I will bring water shoes and use these also for camp shoes. Mine are Zhuanglin $28 on Amazon and weight just 280 grams. But if I am not going to be fording any streams, I go with flip-flops and weigh next to nothing and take up no space in the bottom of my pack. On the subject of pack covers, I like to carry a lightweight poncho (currently a Frog Togs). If I am hiking in the rain, I don't wearing rain jacket/pants because I sweat like a pig inside, and my pack isn't protected. With a poncho, I keep mostly dry but with the open sides there's lots of air-flow for ventilation, and the back of the poncho covers the top and back of my pack. Nice episode Dan. I feel like most backpacking content creators spend too much attention on "stuff" we don't need.
I used a footprint to keep my tent clean. Unless you’re camping on a nice grassy spot, the tent bottom tends to get dirty, and I don’t want to waste time cleaning it in the morning. Plus, it will be in excellent condition when I resell it. 👍
Wow, I did not expect to agree. I do like my camping chair and I carry a cover to protect the back of my backpack during the night if I leave it outside, but yep, definitely can live without them.
Dan, I am so happy to hear you say all this. People just need to get outdoors, go backpacking or camping, and there are very few things they need to enjoy that. Everything else is just more icing on the cupcake leading to weight gain.
I concur Dan. I believe the camping industry promotes many items you just need not take. Most of these items remain the brunt of many arguments on the trail. Thanks for the video.
As a former EMT, that GOES app is an amazing idea! It even put scene safety first, which is what we were trained HARD on. Awesome app that I look forward to checking out more! Plus awesome thing to offer for those in need from the hurricane
I’m a firm believer bring less with you less chances of leaving items behind when packing up and less item to account for. I agree with everything you said but some items are more situational like the ground cloth. Here in the desert I do recommend using it bc of how sharp things. I also use a thin foam mat with my inflatable sleeping pad bc I have had failures to many times in the bush. This issue maybe me bc I do route finding and I’m not on trails 🤷🏻. Must be fun testing out items but also stressful bc of the terms. Next time your doing something here in the sw recommend doing some research and do some desert wandering backpacking
Chair is my comfort item. Seems like the more money you spend on them the smaller and more uncomfortable they get. I bought a cheap one off of Amazon about 3 years ago, it has has a tall back , and is higher off the ground that the average foldable frame chair. I bring bring it everywhere.
- Purchased FlexTail0Pump - Don't need it but like it - Have multiple Thermarest Self-Inflating Ground Pads - With age they don't inflate like they use too - The FlexTail0Pump helps plus deflation better than squeezing the air out ...
From Diet Coke Dave, I think a footprint is cheaper overall than fixing the actually repair the tent floor the right way, esp in the southwest desert camping
Im less obsessed with weight nowadays...now im obsessed with simplicity and having the fewest items possible. Rummaging for gizmos is a fun vampire. Plus, having all the conveniences of being home is a big part of what I enjoy escaping.
You are correct, these are most items I didn't carry in my 30's back in 1990. But now most make backpacking more enjoyable. Its a trade off on weight. Personal choice. As always, great video!
I brought some light weight water crossing/camp shoes last year on 10 day trip. Didnt use them once. Just loosetened up my hiking shoe laces a bit while around camp. Carried 3/4 lb for 10 days for no reason. Wont do that again
I am curious, as you say you test a lot of gear... have you ever used a single tent long enough to notice the difference between using a ground sheet or not, as I have generally found I can get at least another 2-4 years out of a tent by using a ground sheet, and the tents I use (Hilleberg black label) are nearly indestructible and last 10-15 years of heavy use. Most UL tents tend to last 1-2 years at best with heavy use and the floor of a tent is one of the highest wearing areas for obvious reasons.
The only reason I got the footprint for my REI tent is, I can use the footprint and rainfly sans tent body during good weather. And it was only $25 for it and added alot of functionality.
Agreed. Similar design here (and I love it). However 20 years ago my Sierra Designs tent came with the footprint as I still think they should. Especially if it is part of a great feature...
After rubbing a 1" hole in a Marmot tent on fairly even ground, I use a footprint 100% of the time on any $500 tent. They make featherlight, sturdy, footprints out of plastic now for around $10. I don't use a pad pump though - just use whichever inflation pump sack comes with that pad. Nemo pump sacks will also fit over the older style Thermarest valves too. I have backpacking chairs, but have yet to bring one and always bring a piece of foam as a sit pad. Primarily because space is a premium after the sleeping gear, jacket, and bear can. But rethinking taking a chair with these old bones and planning hiking somewhere really wet like the PNW or Smokies.
The reason the pack cover is essensial for some backpacks, is that some soak so much water they get very heavy. So you should both have a pack liner and a cover with you :-)
Thanks for the support of hurricane victims! My heart goes out to them. Please encourage those who have experienced devastation to accept the help that is being offered to them, so they can recover their lives more easily. I have heard stories of people who are refusing help from FEMA, and suffering immensely as a result, because they have been told (falsely) that FEMA will take their property if they accept money. That is not true! Please accept the help that is available to you. That’s what it is for! It’s OK! The whole country wants to help you.
I agree with almost the entire list, besides the chair, I've started using a hammock that is less expensive than a pad and way cheaper than a stool, not to mention that it takes almost no space in my backpack
I think the camp sandal debate is dependent on the conditions hiked in. I did the Kerry Way in Ireland. Lots of water, rain, mud, and animal poo. The one thing I wished I had brought was camp sandals.
Footprints are personal choice. They are dependent on location and you will get a longer lifespan out of your tent. If you’ve ever pitched a tent on ground so wet, that the pressure of your hands forces moisture through the fabric as you crawl in, then you will know what I’m talking about
Agree with not needing an air pump. I use my breath and do it in two rounds. Have a break in between rounds. I use Tyvek as a ground sheet and is very strong and not too heavy. It can be used as a sit pad and other uses. If you had your sleeping pad get a puncher you would have wish you had of used one. A chair gives back support much needed after carrying a heavy backpack. If you brought a sit pad it would probably weigh a 100g a chair would only be another 430g. Worth it to me. Most camping gear once you really like it. It then can be hard going without it…
At least the footprint would be easier to clean than the tent when you get back to civilisation. A clean tent makes it last a lot longer. The dirty footprint can be packed separately into a small plastic bag when you are on the road. @@BenOgorek
@@allanlim9601 since I left that comment I’ve both taken the footprint (a tarp) and left it. If it’s dry and you pick a soft spot, the tent looks fine afterwards. But yeah I don’t want my tent muddy.
In a place of high humidity you want your tent bottom to be dry when squeezing back to your backpacks. The foot print separates the moisture and keep your main tent bottom dry while the foot print is easier to dry and easier to keep at outside of your backpack Having said that - I will not buy a $100dollar footprint either i rather to find a cheap piece of the tyevk material
Bought a new tent with a "footprint". Not to protect the tent but as an additional protection for the crazy expensive mattress, which I hope will last me a lifetime. Mine, not the mattress's. I was thinking of getting a Flextail Tiny Pump 2X, but after I heard what kind of a mating call it lets out, I decided hell no. I'm going to use the pumpsack. I'd rather sleep on the ground than use that. It's actual use should be an emergency beacon.
Hey Dan. Love the videos and have been watching for years. Question for you on footprints. I understand agree with your observations, but what do you think though of their use on a seriously extended hike/through hike. I am planning the AT next year and will spend over 150 nights in the tent... that's a lot of use compared to the average person going out a couple of night here or there... or the gear reviewer that has dozens on the shelf to test... I have a dyneema floor tent and still debating bringing something. Thanks
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I love my BTR stool; I faint when standing too long and can't get up off the ground easy. The stool is so tiny and light I won't be without it.
God does not do favors. He gave us the Bible as a guide to life. God is never broke and God is not insecure either. He is God and if he was doing favors, little children would never die of painful cancer.
Backpack cover: For rain I use my poncho to cover my back. For hiking in the desert, the cover keeps the dust out/off.
Pump: I use it because I'm lazy
Chair: I'm 69, and thanks to a military career, my knees are mostly shot, I broke my neck once and it's full of whiplash, I cracked my spine 3 times, and I'm a it overweight. A sitpad is great if you've got a handy log or rock you can use it on, but getting up off the ground is too hard nowadays, so, I'll keep dragging my ultralight chair with me.
Sandals/Camp shoes: needed for when I take my sock off and want my shoes to dry out.
All that said, I do agree that I don't NEED any of those things, but I take them because they make my experience better.
I use an alpine gremlins pack liner and they’re worth every penny!
@@FourSeasonExposure I forgot to mention my pack liners. I've got 2 from Osprey, 1 from ZPacks, a Nylofume, and a couple from Six Moons Designs. And agree they're worth every penny.
I like footprints not for puncture protection - but more for keeping my tent bottom free of dirt, sap and forest funk. It’s much easier to fold up a dirty footprint and keep the mess contained than a tent bottom. Also, Tyvek and Polycro are negligible weights. Even for car camping tents I throw down a big tarp.
Exactly, Although I like a ''real'' footprint to also use as a tarp when I want to make a cup of coffee or wait out the rain for a few minutes. Although I just purchased a relatively cheap footprint that is also kinda light.
@@drunkenpumpkins7401i also sit on it or lay out...
For my Hillberg Nammatj GT, the footprint covers not only the inner, but also the vestibule living area, making it much more comfortable to live in and the whole thing (fly, inner, and footprint all pitch together at the same time). I would also strongly recommend at least Tyvek for any ultralight tents, as it will help prevent the floor wearing out as quickly, particularly on abrasive ground like rock, sand, or ground covered in pine needles.
@@neonsamurai1348
For the weight of an ultralight tent and ground cloth, you can just get a cheaper tent with a better floor. ;)
If you have lots of first and grime on your tent underside doesn't matter how well you roll things up you get dirt everywhere more so then you already would.
Anyone that says they don’t need a camp chair doesn’t have my knees and back. 😂
i'm 67. I don't need a chair
Camp chair and the inflatable sleeping mate change the old school hard core camping activity to a very comfortable leisure setting- it’s a game changer
It’s that one comfort item I need!
I don't see any reason to buy 100 dollar footprint. That being said, the 8 dollar sheet of TYVEK is one of the most versatile pieces of gear I carry.
100%
Where you getting a piece of tyvek for 8 bucks?
@Edmon650 craigslist, marketplace, any of those type. People buy big rolls and sell what they don't need. Bought 4x8 for 10 bucks.
@@Edmon650 six moon designs got some nice ones, isn't 8 bucks but not that expensive. i like them
Harbor Freight, 5x7 blue tarp. Not a great color match, but free for just showing up; promotion happen at least once / year. You can pick up 3, one day at a time, on those 3-day-long weekend promotion events. Per store. When they get a hole, just dispose (responsibly) and pull out the next one. I car camp only, so bulk/ weight really doesn’t matter. I hear you though, on tent floors being way better than the olden days., so dispense with footprints if you gotta lug it all yourself. And yes, $100 footprints are a total ripoff.
As an older backpacker, my chair and crocs are now non-negotiable. There have been many treks where just the thought of getting into camp and slipping on my crocs and kicking back in my chair has kept me going. But, you are correct, none of the items you listed are absolutely necessary to enjoy a trip...you'll just enjoy it a little less. ;-)
the pack cover is still lighter than carrying all the rain that soaks into your backpack ;)
The only time I’ll bring a dedicated pack cover is if heavy rain is forecast and I know I’ll be hiking in it. I always use the pack liner technique for keeping the gear dry. The pack cover is to keep my (non dcf) pack from absorbing the water and its accompanying weight. Great video Dan!
Backpack cover is essential for rainy bikepacking or commuting, just for spray splatter from back wheel.
These items are luxuries. Unless you're going ultra light I personally believe having a luxury item or two is a must. They make the hike, and or camp more enjoyable. The tricky part is one or two, not all of the luxury items. The one item I wouldn't necessarily call a luxury is camp shoes. At least on a longer backpacking trip. Shoes fall apart for one. Something like crocs can be hiked in if need be. They also work great for creek crossings. Then there are blisters. Crocs, or something similar hit that blister in a different spot. This can sometimes help the pain, save the injury, and save the hike too. If the shoes are soaked at camp. Keeping them on sucks too.
I backpack a lot in the Sierras and I do bring a tyvek ground sheet to help against abrasion on the granite
Me too…and I have a trekking pole and stand alone tent. I unsually bring the stand alone. Way less hassle on the granite, etc.
Yup and yup.
A chair is a must for me. I'm in my 60's and have been hiking for over 50 years. Not a measly 10 years....such a newbie.
I enjoy my comfortable 16 oz chair after a 25 miler.
Yes, I agree.
Add my 4oz table/stove-platform and I'm all set!
i'm 67 and in the no-chair club YMMV
@@bill9097 - I did no-chair for 40 years. Then got a backrest ground chair. I do have back issues. My daughter likes to sit on the ground, as I did. But, also, I do mostly base camping, so I'm not trekking all day every day.
@@coachhannah2403 I 100% good with a chair if you have back issues -- you do whatever makes you comfortable! I'm glad that you have a solution that helps you enjoy the outdoors and hopefully means you can get out more often! I didn't mean to throw shade on chair-users. I have the worst feet on earth and I wear shoes that would get tons of criticism here, but I have to to minimize pain. We do what we must and getting out is all that matters!
Great video! I agree with much of your thoughts on this stuff. I too have been backpacking for over 10 years now!!!
1:55 I had a Big Agnes Tiger Wall, objectively a good tent, though I don't recommend it for a multitude of reasons. It saturated through on the floor multiple times. So I can't agree that simply buying a "good" tent is the ticket.
8:04 I will never go without sandals! 😉 Don't forget, some of us poor folk are prone to blisters and need them. Xero sandals are only a few ounces.
My famous well regarded ultralight trekking pole tent had a dozen pin-holes in the floor within a few weeks of careful use, clearing the ground every time. I'll still at least carry a polycro footprint thank you very much
But then you could instead use a non-ultralight tent and save weight due to not needing a footprint.
Polycro footprint weighs about 3oz, far less than the weight difference between ultralight and "lightweight" tent. UL tent manufacturers overstate the durability of their UL floors is the point, and UL footprints are useful there
What model is it?
Are you under the impression polycro will somehow withstand penetration by a sharp object?
@@geraldhenrickson7472 It protects from abrasion. Not my first rodeo (by a long shot)
Great video! My pack is around 23 lb with most of this stuff replaced. I have and will cut weight in this order of priority:
* Drop camp sandals...prefer light boots over sticks and gravel in sandals: -8oz
* Replace pack cover with nylofume bag, more effective: -4oz
* Replace legged chair with legless Mayfly, does the job: -1 lb
* Replace pad fill bag and camp lantern with Flextail: wash
--> Baseline. If I need to cut more...
* Replace footprint with polycryo...blows around but saves washing tent of mud: -6 oz?
* Drop Flextail pump/light: -4oz
* Replace camp chair with piece of duct bubble wrap: -1 lb
Notice the chair is the last to go!
Dan, I'm so happy for you. You are going legit ultralight. Your attitude has completely changed. The simpler the kit the better the trip. I have found a way to go beyond stupid ultralight ...I don't recommend it though. 2 weeks ago I planned a trip in the sierra including some lightish off trail wandering. I had clues but not enough to be concerned that I wasn't quite right. No issues with altitude or anything. No great accident or fall. My adhd medicine had been changed the week before - stores ran out of what I take so they gave me the one that didn't work for me instead. Had no problems at home but once exerting myself the clarity of my mind was changing. I made the correct turn off trail went to a very identifiable lake (the next morning). missed my turn off. Somehow on the map I didn't realize I was only minutes from the right canyon....after hours I missed that canyon, passed below and not seeing Evolution lake and the several miles later made that left turn down the canyon. The wrong canyon that looked very similar to the one I wanted. found my way around to the spot, climbing the shelves. At the top of one I was gonna stop for lunch. Catching my breath I put everything down and walked behind a bush to catch a view of the valley I was expecting. Couldn't see it so I went maybe 30 steps further, saw the view and went back for lunch. Only when I turned around NOTHING looked familiar. I could not find that shelf 40 ft away. spent the whole day climbing that mountain every inch about 4 times. Until it was dark.
I had a dead phone, a bad map (no compass) running shorts and a very light sun hoodie....and thats it. Started shivering uncontrollably at 630 and the sun never touched me until almost one the next afternoon. I searched a second day before just letting go and start making it back to my truck with no keys. 15 ft from the top, decided it wasn't a good call. I needed to start back down back from where I came from....there was a ranger cabin I was more than willing to break into. when after spending the second night freezing and shivering my inards into serious problems I made it to the cabin and found an angel dealing with his own problem in the creek. I said man I need help...a lot. Hadn't eaten in 3 days - had some water but could no longer swallow.
So the next day I was helicoptered out....hundreds of miles on the west side at Fresno. Turned out I also was suffering from zero potassium (8IV's) just for that. As well I had what you had after your Grand Canyon adventure I think. Shortened it was Rabdo. Something to do with my body consuming muscles and leaving a poison. Trying to get my strength back.
Can I cry on this forum about losing ALL of my very best gear. GG G4-20 pack, Duplex, 10 degree EE quilt, 2 Farpoint fleeces, my wind jacket, cook kit, wallet, passport, money, keys, my invaluable tyvek, 1/8" GG roll pad, used twice Neoair. I'm greatful for my life as well as meeting the ranger and my angel to every person in the emergency room that offered my wife their home to catch some sleep - no car, no problem, take mine and just come back in the morning. INCREDIBLE people. But my gear. 13 years building the kit. I don't make the money I used to (I'm an artist now) so it won't be replaced. It's selfish of me to cry about it but damn. I'm now a tarp camper - if all that gear overloads you, theres a 61 year old considering another trip with a drone to search for it before the snow.
I'd also like to share that it seems impossible but there are many ways to lose a pack. EVERYONE needs to consider that and make a tiny change. get those emergency devices, phones map space blanket and a lighter with a tiny tube of Vaseline out of and off of you pack. It should be in a pocket of fanny pack thats never taken off. Everything would have been different. Freezing is not fun. I would have fought a bear with my bare hands just to go star wars on it and live in its body cavity. Small items a smaller change could save your life. If I had the live saving devise, it was lost too.
Peace to all. Please pray for my gear and throw this heathen in as well. I wrecked.
Thank you for the prayers Dan ! I’m in Asheville NC. And things are slowly getting better, but there are still so many in remote areas around Asheville that need all the help we can get !
And outside of NC. 99% of the time I see Helene mentioned online, it's always NC. No one even mentions East TN or some parts of GA.
The honesty of your videos is excellent. There's a lot of people out there that think to do it, you have to have the absolute best of high-end ultralight equipment. Is it nice? Sure. Is it necessary? No.
@Sean4Cats I don't know about all that, but I've watched his videos for a few years now and when it comes to hiking, backpacking and camping, I believe he's very honest.
I use both pack liner and pack cover...packs getting soaked adds weight even though i water proof it...never had my pack cover fill with water. I like sandals at camp so i can let my feet dry and allow my shoes to dry...shoes usually get wet by rain or dew when I hike.
I ride a motorcycle rather than hike.
I'm not giving up my camp chair. It just feels too good at the end of the day, and I don't always have a boulder or log to sit on.
My riding boots need to get aired out occasionally. Plus, I want something on my feet when I use the campground's showers.
100% agree with your suggestions. I was considering a chair, but recently found the Crazy Creek HEX 2.0 at a Sierra Trading Post for only $35 to replace my accordion style mat. I was able to use it on a 5 day backpacking trip and it was FANTASTIC! Only drawback is that you are still on the ground, but you can lean back and relax anywhere… and I used it under my sleeping pad for extra warmth, it even on its own as a sleeping pad. Live things that have dual purpose!
I bought the Zpump for my thru hike of the Colorado Trail this year, and loved it. My friend and I used it pretty much every night, she had a Nemo Tensor regular and I had a new Nemo Tensor All season in regular wide and it had no problem pumping up both sleeping pads.
USB C, same as my phone, so bringing one cable was perf.
Footprints… I use one in the UK, where it rains almost continuously, as it allows me to take out my inner (from my Hilleberg) and keep the floor and rest dry so I can pack it separately from the flysheet. If I don’t use a footprint then the floor of the inner is much wetter and it’s more of a pain to put the inner back in. It’s not essential but it makes life easier.
I'm just about to start using one in UK for same reasons
I camp in UK. Totally unnecessary. I've done a few one or two vids on these waste of spaces 😅
I also agree - it helps reduce condensation on the underside of the ground sheet and when there is a vestibule without a ground sheet it can substantially cut down on condensation forming on the inside of the fly-sheet from the ground breathing. I do question those that leap in and criticise as whther they really go hiking besides making a few video posts - wherein they often project themselves as experts.
@chrishamilton2527 that's an argument that makes no sense to me. So get condensation or damp on underside of footprints vs tent what is the difference.. and condensation inside that is influencers propaganda lol the uncovered porch area is tiny 🤣 more likely condensation ie humidity and moisture in the air. And best thing to do is leave door open fully whenever possible. Or vents open fully.
@@TonyHobbs it makes total sense to people that are genuine hikers / campers, all year around. Your experience is clearly limited if you believe all vestibules are small. Not withstanding, even a small patch of grass can produce significant condensation within a flysheet. Having moisture on a Tyvek ground sheet is much easier to mop up and manage then within a flysheet especially when the inner tent is attached. But of course, any experienced camper would know that. Clearly, your understanding of condensation is also limited. The ability to leave a door open can often be limited as well. Yes, keeping vents open is optimal but often totally inadequate. Note that others also disagree with your sweeping statement.
I subscribed because of this video. So direct and honest. Thank you
Footprint: Some trips we sleep under rock overhangs or we camp. In this case the footprint becomes a groundsheet. Also camped on alpine grass with tips like nerdles, which can perforate a thin floor - one extra layer helps.
Pump: Used the Flextail a couple of times. Not taking it when I try to squeeze down on weight.
Pack cover: Used it more than once to float a backpack over a deep stream or pool blocking a ravine.
Dan I agree that the manufacturers foot print is expensive. I do use something makeshift. But some of us don’t test gear for a living. And my big Agnes Seed house from 2007 is still working great. It has been re strung and is looking like the seems need to be re taped. But just went through a torrential few days of rain end of august and my son and I are fine. There are no holes in the bottom. You said you don’t use ground sheets and don’t keep a single tent for that long, but have already found a few holes. Buy good gear and look after it.
Camp sandals or some variant are necessary if you plan on dealing with water. You can save your good shoes and socks from getting wet.
I own a two-pound chair, but didn’t bring it on my last trip. After spending two miserable days crouching my no-longer-young body over the rain-soaked ground, I promised I’d never leave without it again.
I used to carry a 2 lb chair. I recently lost weight and am now able to fit into the Nemo Elite. 1.2 lbs.
@@jeffd6 Congratulations! A few years ago, I dropped quite a bit of weight myself. My chair is 2 lbs because I’m too cheap to buy the Helinox or comparable versions. I can carry an extra pound to save nearly $100, lol. 😆
@@SmokeytheJeep awesome. I was using a big agnus, taking the new nemo out for a week tomorrow.
@@jeffd6 Fantastic - have a great time!
Have to admit on some of these items. My pack is 23 pounds fully loaded with food and water AND air pump AND camp chair AND I'm keeping it this way. hahahaha It is also WAY easier to shake a footprint free from dirt than a tent. Or you can place the footprint sideways as a method to put gear in the vestibule and keep it dry and free from massive amounts of dirt.
I love the pumps for getting air out of the bag opposed to getting it in. Deflating is annoying sometimes.
If you're going to get Tyvek for use as a footprint, don't get commercial grade Tyvek (it has the blue lettering). Instead, get kite-making Tyvek, which is much lighter and plenty strong enough.
Sooo I bought the the helinox zero chair and it weighs less than a pound and very condensed when packing do recommend for back country adventures when putting in the miles. Also, love my air pump to save on time, protect the pad internal lining from mildew from long term use and also saves me some breath after hiking for a while. Fruit for thought …but agreed you can actually “live” without it if your concerned about your dollar or pack weight.
Thanks, Dan, for the shout-out. Still without power from Milton. 3 hours in line to get a can of gas for the generator. Gas stations only open for 5 hours then closed for the rest of day. Keep praying for us we need them.
I get your comment about ground sheet not necessary for protecting the tent. I actually take one to place orthogonally to the tent which gives me ground cover in the two vestibules. Saves the backpack and other gear out there from getting so dirty...
I use my pack cover as something to sit on when it's wet. Also good for a bit of extra protection for stuff left in the vestibule. Never used it to cover my pack but why carry it around if you're never going to use it. I need sandals though, especially on coastal hikes and when you do a lot of stuff like crossing streams. In fact for half of my hikes, I might say my main shoes are the things that are dead weight.
I use a footprint here in UK due to every pitch place seems to be muddy and wet. I pitch outer fly and then put down the footprint inside. I then have an area I can change, sort out stuff etc. before finally putting up the inner. So I don’t use it as advertised. If we actually do have a sunny warm day, then it stays in the pack.
I cross streams in sandals that are totally secure with 2 straps and weigh only 7 Oz . The old Tevas weighed 27 Oz
I like the Zero Pump, BUT I found that it does not have enough strength to fully blow up my Zenbivy Flex Sleeping Pad enough to keep my hip off the ground. I had to use a higher strength Tiny Pump X to get the pad fully inflated. I was thinking about just going back to the inflation bag that came with the pad. Thanks, Dan!
I agree with most of the rest of this video. However my 71 year old back appreciates the comfort of a chair, so I will keep bringing my lightweight chair. That's my luxury comfort item.
I have the Zero Pump. Got it on a Kickstarter promo. My pad doesn't have a pump sack. Never used camp sandals. But I have carried beach shoes when there were a lot of water crossings. They double as camp shoes. A chair is a necessity. Maybe because I'm 74 years old and really need to relax after several miles up and down hills. A sit pad would be less than restful. Regarding a footprint. I do carry a small, L-shaped Tyvek scrap. It's mostly in my vestibule so I do'nt have to be on the ground (and bring dirt inside) when I crawl into my tent. The small bit that is under the bathtub is abount a square meter and is just inside the entrance. That's where the most wear and tear happens. Maybe Sawyer can send filter kits to NC. If you suggest it... Thanks for another great video. TomLovesDIY
Sawyer Foundation will send filters or bucket kits to Helene victims and shelters for free.
Ditched the footprint long time ago. Sandels I've never done...but the chair and pump zero are new adds this year.. yes I can go without but I do enjoy them.
As a canoe/kayak camper, camp shoes are 100% mandatory if you’re not keen on getting trench foot. Same goes for backpacking anywhere that fording is necessary.
Greet tyvek hack for most tents is to cut to size and buy tyvek tape loops to permanently attach to tent for an easy up and done. Works fantastic on my one by gossamer gear.
I bought the flextail zero pump with the flextail mattress because there was a bundle for getting them together. It was your recommendation and an glad I did.
I bought the X2 (i think what it's called) and the battery refused to recharge. Hope they make good on the warranty (I'm still overseas).
Per previous comment, I use a good poncho that is made to cover your pack. It folds under with snaps on the back side to unfold and extend up and over the pack covering you and your gear. I've been using my Camp Trails frame pack since 1975, still the best. If some folks don't know, poncho waterproofing does break down over the years. I found out one cold rainy day in November, it was like having a wet sheet over me! lol
Had a few punctures on the tent floor from buried conch shells, you think you found them all but in the middle of the night you locate the hidden one you missed just under the sand poking you in the shoulder blade. We camp on deserted islands in the Bahamas as well, usually Beach Cay, 23 miles south of Bimini, and no, we don't bring a backpack there.
Agree 💯 on all items. I do like the Tiny Pump for the lantern though.
Prayers for the SE folks suffering the latest extreme weather, such serious and difficult times. I hope folks are staying safe and are able to get what they need, and recover quickly.
I've had the privilege of growing up in Colorado and being a backpacker of more than 50 years, so I've tried all sorts of STUFF. As I've aged, I find there are some comfort items that I'm not willing to live without for the sake of weight savings. I like my super light Crocs as camp shoes, and I've used a chair mostly for back support but for me it's an essential piece of gear for relaxing after some trail miles. I use a lightweight Crazy Creek Hex chair for trailside sitting and even inside my truck topper to sit in when I camp inside that. It rolls pretty small and deploys quickly. I even take it in a daypack when I go fishing to sit in for lunch streamside; they've doubled in price since I bought mine however, sorry. That Flextail pump is pretty spiffy, I bought the smaller/lighter version and it beats the heck out of using the bag or blowing up by mouth. There's a balance to be struck, yep.
For the person who has lung or asthma issues a sleeping pad inflater is a descent idea for the person with arthritis issues especially in the back a camp chair would be practical
Fun video as always. You're looking healthier than I've seen in some time. Keep it up man. Glad you're better.
We always camp and hike with some neoprene water shoes. They pack up small and don't way much. Great to slip on for a middle of the night potty break.
A foot print (or ground tarp) makes it easier to clean your tent when you get home.
Backpack cover: After seeing folks on the Camino de Santiago, I have replaced both my pack cover and my waterproof jacket for a quality poncho that goes over me and my backpack. Additionally, the Poncho also comes down to my knees so I don't need waterproof pants either. For California Sierras where you are mostly getting hit by short term thunderstorms this works and I am way ahead in net weight.
Do you mind sharing the brand that you bought?
@@robertdonovan3986 It was an outdoor products backpacker poncho I bought from REI. The challenge I faced was that I needed a new rain shell and all of the ones I looked at were too short, so the rain would just run off onto my shorts. The poncho is considerably loungers well as covering my backpack as well as my self. That said I have not had chance to really put it through its paces as we had a relatively storm free summer in the Sierras.
It seems hard to find a good poncho here in the US that covers you and your pack. Found plenty in Spain though! It does rain a ton in Galacia! (Though my wife and I got pretty lucky with the weather last spring)
@@richardcliff3510 thanks for the info. I, too, backpack in the Sierras and have considered a poncho. I will look into your suggestion. Thank you.
Although it’s not inexpensive I think the best one out there that is readily available in the US is the Sea-To-Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Poncho Tarp. It weighs just over 8 oz. It is much more durable than you might guess as the silicone impregnated (not coated like some ponchos) material slides off branches and other grabby things along the trail that a urethane coated poncho might hang up on. I added two, small nylon webbing loops at about waist height, one on each side, to the rear panel edges. These allow me to use mitten hooks and a piece of about 3mm elastic bungee cord to gather the poncho up some to prevent it from billowing in the wind. In camp or town you can just clip the two mitten hooks together, without the elastic cord, to contain the excess material. In the winter I add a pair of waterproof chaps to my rain gear system to keep my legs dry.
A tyvek footprint on Amazon weighs 3.8 oz. That stuff is tough. Most tent floors are very thin nylon. The rest I agree with.
Footprint definitely useful for prolonging the lifespan of an expensive tent's floor. I have a well-used one over twenty years old, floor of tent is fine, footprint is mangled.
I carried a Euricka Timberland 2 around for years in my younger poorer days. Cheap tent but never had a leak and its been though some rain dumpers
My foot print is a sheet from one of those hair dryer plastic sheets you use to insulate your windows in the winter. Get the biggest size and cut it to your tent. Light, tough and for me, worth it to have the surety that moisture will not be on the bottom of my tent.
And to quote George Washington Sears aka Nessmuk “We do not go to the green woods and crystal waters to rough it; we go to smooth it.”
I balance what I want for comfort (my chair) with what is needful.
How wonderful that there are lightweight options to be able to do just that.
I never found those to be very strong when I was installing them, so I can’t imagine using it for a ground cloth. Seems like it would be krinkly loud too.
@@shawnbrennan7526 Nope. It works well. The sheet I am using now has been fine for all our camping this season. I keep expecting it to rip, but not yet. And never heard it at all.
Ha hahaha Dan, I am going to agree with you 100% on each of these! I'm 67 and I have been hiking and climbing since I was 10 in over a dozen ranges. I don't use a footprint (except car-camping), even at 67 have no issues blowing up my sleeping pad with my lungs, have been using garbage can bags inside my pack for 50 years, have never owned a camp chair and never missed having one, and I wouldn't ever take "sandals". However, I do like to change out of my hiking shoes in camp, wash my feet and put on a fresh pair of socks. I either use cheap lightweight flip-flops with v-toe socks, or if the trip has a lot of stream crossings, I will bring water shoes and use these also for camp shoes. Mine are Zhuanglin $28 on Amazon and weight just 280 grams. But if I am not going to be fording any streams, I go with flip-flops and weigh next to nothing and take up no space in the bottom of my pack. On the subject of pack covers, I like to carry a lightweight poncho (currently a Frog Togs). If I am hiking in the rain, I don't wearing rain jacket/pants because I sweat like a pig inside, and my pack isn't protected. With a poncho, I keep mostly dry but with the open sides there's lots of air-flow for ventilation, and the back of the poncho covers the top and back of my pack. Nice episode Dan. I feel like most backpacking content creators spend too much attention on "stuff" we don't need.
I used a footprint to keep my tent clean. Unless you’re camping on a nice grassy spot, the tent bottom tends to get dirty, and I don’t want to waste time cleaning it in the morning. Plus, it will be in excellent condition when I resell it. 👍
for a few ounces a pack cover is worth it. I have used it many times and it has saved my life.
Wow, I did not expect to agree. I do like my camping chair and I carry a cover to protect the back of my backpack during the night if I leave it outside, but yep, definitely can live without them.
Footprint in some design is a good idea in Ireland as the ground never dries out.
My take on the footprint is that is largely depends on the terrain. Also dont get a footprint, tyvar or a tarp work great.
Excited to try out my new Zpacks camp shoes. 1.8ozs. If they are decent I can certainly live with that weight penalty.
Dan, I am so happy to hear you say all this. People just need to get outdoors, go backpacking or camping, and there are very few things they need to enjoy that. Everything else is just more icing on the cupcake leading to weight gain.
In another video you made dealing with wet weather camping, you suggested that a footprint is important.
I concur Dan. I believe the camping industry promotes many items you just need not take. Most of these items remain the brunt of many arguments on the trail. Thanks for the video.
Do you want to enjoy your backpacking? Then the chair is a MUST
If the ground isn't comfortable it just means you haven't walked long enough that day.
@WanderIust_ lol true true if you ain't prone and passing out by the end of the day you ain't pushing hard enough right? Hehe
Yes! In my 60s… can no longer tolerate sitting on rocks, logs, boards etc. The chair is so worth it!
If you cannon carry a few ounces to enjoy a hike...then go get another job to occupy your time.
I've got a Asta Gear Carbon/Dyneema Chair. yeah not that cheap but i like it light and comfortable 😂
As a former EMT, that GOES app is an amazing idea! It even put scene safety first, which is what we were trained HARD on. Awesome app that I look forward to checking out more! Plus awesome thing to offer for those in need from the hurricane
The trashbag in your backpack is what I did while biking to college. Or a giant coat that covered myself and the bag.
Absolutely agree with you! And if you wanna hike longer distances, weight is absolute priority!
I’m a firm believer bring less with you less chances of leaving items behind when packing up and less item to account for. I agree with everything you said but some items are more situational like the ground cloth. Here in the desert I do recommend using it bc of how sharp things. I also use a thin foam mat with my inflatable sleeping pad bc I have had failures to many times in the bush. This issue maybe me bc I do route finding and I’m not on trails 🤷🏻. Must be fun testing out items but also stressful bc of the terms. Next time your doing something here in the sw recommend doing some research and do some desert wandering backpacking
Chair is my comfort item. Seems like the more money you spend on them the smaller and more uncomfortable they get. I bought a cheap one off of Amazon about 3 years ago, it has has a tall back , and is higher off the ground that the average foldable frame chair. I bring bring it everywhere.
- Purchased FlexTail0Pump - Don't need it but like it - Have multiple Thermarest Self-Inflating Ground Pads - With age they don't inflate like they use too - The FlexTail0Pump helps plus deflation better than squeezing the air out ...
From Diet Coke Dave, I think a footprint is cheaper overall than fixing the actually repair the tent floor the right way, esp in the southwest desert camping
What up Dave!
@@DanBecker doing well went to Alaska and Carribean cruise, hiking big bend march 2025 , Kilimanjaro in 2026 for master grad gift
Im less obsessed with weight nowadays...now im obsessed with simplicity and having the fewest items possible. Rummaging for gizmos is a fun vampire. Plus, having all the conveniences of being home is a big part of what I enjoy escaping.
You are correct, these are most items I didn't carry in my 30's back in 1990. But now most make backpacking more enjoyable. Its a trade off on weight. Personal choice. As always, great video!
Love the flextail. But Dan is still great.
I'd add knives, hatchets, & saws to your list. Full service First Aid kits, bug lights & mini pop-up fans, also superfluous.😊
I brought some light weight water crossing/camp shoes last year on 10 day trip. Didnt use them once. Just loosetened up my hiking shoe laces a bit while around camp. Carried 3/4 lb for 10 days for no reason. Wont do that again
I am curious, as you say you test a lot of gear... have you ever used a single tent long enough to notice the difference between using a ground sheet or not, as I have generally found I can get at least another 2-4 years out of a tent by using a ground sheet, and the tents I use (Hilleberg black label) are nearly indestructible and last 10-15 years of heavy use. Most UL tents tend to last 1-2 years at best with heavy use and the floor of a tent is one of the highest wearing areas for obvious reasons.
If you decide to go the trash bag method just remember a soaked backpack weighs a lot and can be uncomfortable.
Totally agree with this list 100%! Especially when it comes to backpacking (vs car camping).
The only reason I got the footprint for my REI tent is, I can use the footprint and rainfly sans tent body during good weather. And it was only $25 for it and added alot of functionality.
Did the same thing with my Big Agnes tent, now I have a beach cabana for an extra $30, worth it.
Agreed. Similar design here (and I love it). However 20 years ago my Sierra Designs tent came with the footprint as I still think they should. Especially if it is part of a great feature...
After rubbing a 1" hole in a Marmot tent on fairly even ground, I use a footprint 100% of the time on any $500 tent. They make featherlight, sturdy, footprints out of plastic now for around $10. I don't use a pad pump though - just use whichever inflation pump sack comes with that pad. Nemo pump sacks will also fit over the older style Thermarest valves too. I have backpacking chairs, but have yet to bring one and always bring a piece of foam as a sit pad. Primarily because space is a premium after the sleeping gear, jacket, and bear can. But rethinking taking a chair with these old bones and planning hiking somewhere really wet like the PNW or Smokies.
The reason the pack cover is essensial for some backpacks, is that some soak so much water they get very heavy. So you should both have a pack liner and a cover with you :-)
Thanks for the support of hurricane victims! My heart goes out to them. Please encourage those who have experienced devastation to accept the help that is being offered to them, so they can recover their lives more easily. I have heard stories of people who are refusing help from FEMA, and suffering immensely as a result, because they have been told (falsely) that FEMA will take their property if they accept money. That is not true! Please accept the help that is available to you. That’s what it is for! It’s OK! The whole country wants to help you.
Dan you should try out the Featherlite 700 kit🙂👌Though camp chairs are awesome at the end of the day though.
I use my tent floor more than my tent. Even when I'm not bringing my tent and just bivy or hammock camp, I always bring the floor.
I agree with almost the entire list, besides the chair, I've started using a hammock that is less expensive than a pad and way cheaper than a stool, not to mention that it takes almost no space in my backpack
What's the difference between regular trash bags and trash compacter bag?
I think the camp sandal debate is dependent on the conditions hiked in. I did the Kerry Way in Ireland. Lots of water, rain, mud, and animal poo. The one thing I wished I had brought was camp sandals.
Footprints are personal choice. They are dependent on location and you will get a longer lifespan out of your tent. If you’ve ever pitched a tent on ground so wet, that the pressure of your hands forces moisture through the fabric as you crawl in, then you will know what I’m talking about
All this time I’ve watched you and never realized you were a fellow Wisconsinite!! ❤❤❤
Agree with not needing an air pump. I use my breath and do it in two rounds. Have a break in between rounds. I use Tyvek as a ground sheet and is very strong and not too heavy. It can be used as a sit pad and other uses. If you had your sleeping pad get a puncher you would have wish you had of used one. A chair gives back support much needed after carrying a heavy backpack. If you brought a sit pad it would probably weigh a 100g a chair would only be another 430g. Worth it to me. Most camping gear once you really like it. It then can be hard going without it…
Pump absolutely agree and pack covers save the weight and waterproof the inside which you do anyway.
Footprint is important because it helps you pack up cleaner especially on muddy & wet grounds.
Thanks for this but isn’t the problem just transferred to the footprint which you have to still pack up?
At least the footprint would be easier to clean than the tent when you get back to civilisation. A clean tent makes it last a lot longer. The dirty footprint can be packed separately into a small plastic bag when you are on the road. @@BenOgorek
@@allanlim9601 since I left that comment I’ve both taken the footprint (a tarp) and left it. If it’s dry and you pick a soft spot, the tent looks fine afterwards. But yeah I don’t want my tent muddy.
9:23 "I still bring all that stuff anyway. But that's just stuff you definitely don't need...." As I often say to my wife, "It's not about need!"
Also another idea for the pack cover is to just use a rain poncho
In a place of high humidity you want your tent bottom to be dry when squeezing back to your backpacks. The foot print separates the moisture and keep your main tent bottom dry while the foot print is easier to dry and easier to keep at outside of your backpack
Having said that - I will not buy a $100dollar footprint either i rather to find a cheap piece of the tyevk material
Bought a new tent with a "footprint". Not to protect the tent but as an additional protection for the crazy expensive mattress, which I hope will last me a lifetime. Mine, not the mattress's.
I was thinking of getting a Flextail Tiny Pump 2X, but after I heard what kind of a mating call it lets out, I decided hell no. I'm going to use the pumpsack. I'd rather sleep on the ground than use that. It's actual use should be an emergency beacon.
Hey Dan. Love the videos and have been watching for years. Question for you on footprints. I understand agree with your observations, but what do you think though of their use on a seriously extended hike/through hike. I am planning the AT next year and will spend over 150 nights in the tent... that's a lot of use compared to the average person going out a couple of night here or there... or the gear reviewer that has dozens on the shelf to test... I have a dyneema floor tent and still debating bringing something. Thanks