Gear Addiction Is Killing The Outdoors (It's Complicated)
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- Опубликовано: 9 окт 2024
- Is recreational hiking even about actually hiking anymore? Or is it a glorified fashion trend? "Gearification" - the addiction to equipment and clothing - has become far too rampant in the outdoor community. It seems we are all shopping and watching gear reviews rather than hiking. But this is a symptom of a larger problem...
We all can't keep ours eyes off of gear and new shiny things, so much so that it is beginning to harm us along with newcomers to outdoor recreation. But how has it come to this? The answer isn't so simple.
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Alternate titles:
Stop Watching Hiking Gear Reviews (Watch This Instead)
Gear Elitism And The Gatekeeping Of The Outdoors
The 'Gearification' Of Hiking (And How To End It)
Hey guys, thanks for watching!
I’ve seen a good number of comments seeming to think that I believe all expensive and ‘high quality gear’ to be bad. I don’t at all, brands like those I mention in this video make good stuff! I personally buy ‘high quality name brand equipment’, there’s nothing wrong with that when you have the right reasons (like wanting gear to last, buying for good customer support, for reducing pack weight for advanced hikes and challenges etc).
The main point I am trying to get across is for you to stop buying compulsively, and make purchases based off of your own experiences and personal requirements. I think we are all too fixated on our equipment when we ought to just get out there and have a good time, and I believe marketing and gearification culture has gone too far in our community.
But hey, I could be wrong and maybe it’s just me…. What do you think?
The big brands seem to, like you said, change the product from real hiking gear to gear for everyday users. Then it doesn’t work as well and the price is inflated. I try to stay to the smaller companies that focus on the small variety of outdoor specific products. Coalatree, Forclaz. I love gear but I’m not paying $500 for a breathable rain coat that wets out in less than an hour. Gortex is a hoax as well. A walk in the woods is almost always free. See you in the mountains.
It seems to me, the most important part about getting outdoors is... getting outdoors. Gear for going out is sometimes like a tool; get the right tool for the job. Going backpacking for a few days? Pretty much any ol' pack and tent and sleeping bag will do. Going for a through-hike of 20 days and 300 miles? Take the time to plan and get something lighter, stronger, and better so your gear won't fail on you when you're 3 days from civilization. I personally go out into the woods and mountains so I can see the woods and feel alone with God and His nature. I don't go out to use the best gear. I need boots, and a water bottle. If I'm going overnight, I need a few more things. Just go out and see what you need when you go. Learn and prepare and, most importantly, get out there! Thanks for this good video, Sir. A lot of good ideas here!
Crazy light gear allows you to hike further and get the same exercise; but more reps less weight sorta.
in 2015 I joined my brother for my first overnight backpacking trip. I went on amazon and bought an $80 set of low quality Chinese, brandless Backpack, tent, and sleeping bag. Spent $10 on a stove. Bought some fuel, some cans of food, packed (and wore) jeans and t shirts and wore my decade old work boots because I didn't own any hiking boots. My pack weighed in at nearly 80lbs. It got to 18°F that night and my tent filled with condensation by morning. I was unbelievably grateful for that morning fire. That experience changed my life and my perspective on what it means to enjoy the outdoors. I've gone backpacking once a year every year since and have upgraded my equipment one or two pieces at a time according to what I feel would make my stay in the wild more enjoyable.
You're right, the only barrier to entry is the will to do it. If you want to hike, hike with what you've got first. Then, if you enjoy it and seek to do it more, you can justify purchasing more or higher quality gear.
Right on, Friend. I hike in work boots too :0) Get out there and enjoy what is with what you have!
Also, maybe don't go your first trip when it's going to be 18 degrees!😂
Below 40 or so is when the more expensive stuff starts to be worth it.
The only reliably waterproof rain jacket I have ever owned is a $1 festival rain poncho. No water gets through, I always take one on multi day trips.
The most important gear you can take into the woods is knowledge and that weighs nothing
Great points, got started with free and cheap gear. That said I've upgraded most everything. My old gear didn't get thrown away, still makes great loaner gear. Great way to introduce gearless friends to the outdoors.
Still using boots instead of the trendy runners. My boots have kept shale/talus from shredding my feet. Last boots deserved a Viking funeral for their long life.
Tried and true beats trendy and new.
I am still using a solo cup and lid with a small cooker inside which I bought as an army cadet in 1967
Today I finally threw out a tent that I bought in 2004 for $25 CDN. I replaced it last spring with a tent on Amazon that cost 1/6 the price of the trekking pole tents currently being flogged by "influencers". Sure, it weighs more, but the weight saving isn't close to being worth around $700 CDN. Watch the brands that all those "influencers" flog simultaneously. The shoe that is the "Altra killer", the stove that "beats the Jetboil" (but who cares because who the heck buys a Jetboil for hiking?), the lightest "pump" for your air mattress. They all post the same nonsense at the same time saying they weren't paid for the video but they DID get the product for free with no strings. Yes, there are strings. Give a crap review, stop getting free junk. So yes, the are biased reviews. I feel better now. :) Subbed and liked. Thanks!
The World of cycling is the same.
It’s in everything I think, just the way it is.
I love it when people say they're going for a hike for exercise, and then spend thousands to shave off grams of weight. A lot of gear plays on safety fears also, even though hiking is safer than ever. I'm not even sure it really has the sense of adventure that it used to have.
And gear is better than ever too! It doesn’t matter what logo it has.
There’s a difference between day hikes and thru hikes.
Safety is important when you’re hours or even days away from civilization.
Have you been hiking in parks?
Go into the wilderness. It definitely still has the same sense of adventure
@@mason7438I primarily hike in wilderness areas.
I love it when people say they are going hiking for exercise, and then they get into a car instead of walking to the trailhead.
How the fuck am I supposed to walk to the trailhead? It's illegal and I'd get run over by a car.
It's the law of diminishing returns. The first motivation to buy more expensive gear is to increase the level of comfort. But, at some point you are spending large amounts of money for only an incremental increase in (perceived) comfort level. And then as you rightly mention there is the relatively new 'fashion' aspect for outdoor clothing specifically (not packs, tents etc.), where Arcteryx is like a different form of Gucci, for example. It's expensive mainly due to the logo.
The pandemic,social media gen z’s and easy Consumer credit are all driving factors in my opinion.
You blew away my expectations for this video. This needs more views. Great job! 👊
I just started backpacking again after a 25 year hiatus. I am in my 60's. The whole outdoors has been monetized. It isn't just the gear. The park passes, permits, etc. are extremely expensive. The trails are overcrowded and poorly maintained. The trails are lined with invasive weeds. There is human waste and toilet paper visible in many rest spots and camps. Very disturbing.
I started backpacking in the '60s. I like the new lite weight stuff. And Patagonia has proven to be pretty tough. But generally you're right about gear envy being stupid. The most valuable bit of gear, the thing you really need, is the people you're going with. Second is knowing about where you are going, water, weather and such. These are especially true if you get further from your day-to-day experience, heat, cold, long hauls.
I like your videos and agree with the sentiment of your message in this one. We all get sucked in to advertising, it’s unavoidable. We align ourselves with people whose opinions we agree with. Perhaps more content creators need to show what can be achieved with budget gear? Myself, I would rather buy a piece of quality equipment/clothing and look after it rather than buy something cheap that needs to be replaced after a couple of trips. This is where research and advertising actually helps
Yes, your point is what I touched on at the end. It’s tricky to know. Best to try things yourself and utilise return policies or find a rare gem of a resource that isn’t sponsored/biased (or just gear addicted).
My wife and I got involved in no motorized out door travel back in the late 60’s, in our mid 20’s. No in my early 80’s, I’m still using the same basic equipment. With a background in Exercise physiology, biology, and a bunch of other “ology’s I look at the science behind the equipment, not what some influencers tell me. When someone says I have 10 down quilts or 10 stoves and they are trying find out which one is the best, it is just so much Hog poop. Or how to save weight in a bike or canoe pack. They never stop to ask “What do I need to be safe, comfortable and will not fall apart on the trip I have planned.” They fail to ask “What would a nomad need to wear, eat, sleep, mode of travel, bath, not to survive ,but to live and thrive for years on end?” Travel Equipment are tools to do a job. How many tools that do the same job do you really need. The nomad would look at you as if your are crazy. When I look at a piece of equipment I don’t ask a influencer I look at the science behind the equipment. The influencer that I would listen to is a person who can explain why the piece of equipment (tool) Works. If it a piece of clothing what is the CLO of the garment. If it a stove how many BTU or Wats does it produce, or why a 2,000 year old stove design used by the Romans is so energy efficient and powerful or why a 11,000 year old tent design is the best tent to meet the needs of the person or group taking a month long journey living the life of a nomad. What is the diet of a monad and why do they include legumes in every meal. How can we living in the city sitting behind a desk design our lives to be physically active every day of our lives and hiking, biking, kayaking, X country skiing are an extension of who we are, so we don’t need to drill holes in our tooth brush to save one gram of weight.
Some people seem to have missed the point of this video. The problem isn’t buying good gear, it’s that influencers along with their sponsors are pushing people to replace good gear with new gear just because it’s new, and are making new campers feel like expensive gear is the only good gear. For those who are just getting involved, analysis paralysis is real. Yes, an ultralight tent may be nice, but your Coleman is a lot better than nothing and can still get you out there enjoying yourself and learning. If you get all of your info from backpacking RUclipsrs, you could easily end up believing everyone is out there camping with one of the same two tents, pads, backpacks, terrible freeze dried meals etc. when the reality is that there are campers out there with every brand, design, and age of gear imaginable. Also, not everyone is hiking as far as humanly possible just to set up a tent made of spider silk and collapse in it for the night. There are lots of us out here carrying all of our favourite comfortable gear for 10 km and then swimming, day hiking, fishing, cooking, chopping wood, birdwatching, reading in a hammock, and sitting by the campfire with a few drinks before going to bed happy, well fed and well rested. Hike your own hike, paddle your own canoe, and enjoy yourself.
Your last words encapsulate what I want people to get from this video. Just being in the outdoors is the point of it all, with or without trendy/expensive name brand gear.
Thanks Josh, a refreshing outlook. I've just spent 3 weeks hiking across northern England. At the end of the day hiking in cold & wet weather is hard and sometimes challenging no matter how expensive or modern your gear is. This is when your spirit to keep going comes into play, there is always sunshine after rain.
Cheers 😊
Great mindset, glad you enjoyed!
Mostly agree with what is said in this video, but personally all my big purchases have been due to _discomfort_ - having a bad time with an uncomfortable pack that was too heavy for my level of fitness, including a heavy tent, a raincoat which didn’t keep me dry and a pad that I got bad sleep on or wasn’t warm enough.
Buying new gear has made me get out more and go further, having a better time while doing it.
Nothing wrong with buying something you feel like you need, especially if it solves a critical problem you’ve identified through experience.
Buying lightweight gear made it possible for me to go on multi day hikes in the first place. And it already lasts since so many years.
Thank you, man. I needed to hear this. I am way too much focussed on gear, too. Not to meet other peoples' expectations or because of a certain self image, but just because I like stuff and tools too much and look to optimise. Who was it that suggested "Develop your skills, not you closet." ? Mark Twain probably. Lol... Thanks and greetings from Sweden.
AMAZING video , the best ive seen about outdoors/hiking and ive watched thousands..... really good job u got a new sub and thumbs up... Keep up the amazing work
This is an excellent video! You are right on point about consumerism, gear envy and name-brand price inflation. Let me throw in one more thing that was discussed in a few Outdoor Gear Review videos. That is big-box outdoors equipment retailers’ participation in price inflation of outdoor gear.
Mainstream big-box consumer retailers impact consumer behavior in a few ways. First, over the last 20 years or so, they have degraded product quality by forcing their suppliers to cut cost so drastically that even the branded camping/hiking products in their outlets are substantially inferior to their original versions. To see what I’m talking about compare the tent poles, fabric and features on a 15 year old Ozark Trail tent to its modern day equivalent. For some tent products, the modern day equivalents can’t even survive a mild rainstorm event. Secondly, these retailers over promise the performance of these average-to-sub average products which sets up novice users for nasty surprises when they encounter less than ideal, absolutely sunny conditions. This strengthens the consumer perceptions that cheap equals inferior. Thus the stage is set for the high end outdoor gear big box stores. The high end big-box retailers slap outrageous prices on midrange gear, then market that gear as “premium” outdoor equipment. The end result is a consumer ends up paying $400 for a REI/ Cabelas tent in response to the utter failure of his Walmart/Target tent. It’s interesting no one tells that consumer his Walmart/Target tent which he probably purchased for less than $75.00 would have been just fine if he had paired it with a solid $50.00 camping tarp.
I don’t believe the average hiker/camper truly needs:
$200 hiking/trail runner shoes
$400 800-fill down down sleeping bags
$700 damn-near translucent less-than-3 person tents
$100 hiking/camping specific clothing
$400 camping/hiking specific backpacks & totes
$600 worth of camp kitchen gear.
Maybe the medium-to-intense outdoors people need that stuff; but not beginners and/or occasional participants. The same can be said for golfers, cyclists, skiers, etc. There is nothing a $3,000 set of golf clubs will for me if I only have beginner-level golf skills or if I only golf once a year. I don’t need a $8,000 road bike if I can’t ride one mile before I’m winded!
Hit the nail on the head mate....I don't even subscribe to big RUclips channels who try to tell you what to buy and best gear and all that bullshit...make the decision yourself and talk to other hikers or friends about what gear you got and there are better options...done well mate love from Hobart
on the flip side some of my best gear has been picked up pre owned from outdoor consumerists needing the next lot of must haves. Top vid, nice one!
Ha ha, good one! I've noticed that great many people geared up for the coof and they are now practically giving away nice stuff.
I love a good video with no BS. Thanks for giving me a reality check that I very much needed. I already have enough, and I know that now. I got into long hikes about two months ago. I did realize that a TON of outdoor channels are nothing but repeated gear promotions and not much substance about hiking/outdoors as the act itself.
The only thing I really bought in the last two months that was needed was a sleeping bag (for the incoming winter) and a tent. I always had a hint in my mind I was going overboard but this brought it home for me. Thanks again for giving me a proper slap in the face.
I'll be coming back for more. Subbed and liked for sure.
Thanks mate I’m glad you found some value out of the video.
This is so true and I think youtube has a lot to answer for. My tent was getting old so I looked at some reviews. Many camping vloggers have a large collection of tents when one would do, maybe with 2 different inners for different weather. I'm being told that I need a hilleberg soulo, a fjallraven, at least 2 oex tents and a bivvy bag, each with its own sleeping "system" 😂
You’d be best off looking for the updated version of your old tent perhaps?
@@betterhiking thanks 👍 old tent has long disappeared but it was a Wild Country small tunnel, so I've opted for a Berghaus Cairngorm 2
As someone coming from rather poor eastern Europe, I fully agree that prices for some gear are ridiculously high. But I also have to say that this bald yellow north face bag in the background adds some spice to conversation about brands and gear 😂
It’s a rip off bag from Nepal! 🤣
“The North Fake”
😅
I live somewhere cold and wet 9 months out of the year, so there's some practicality to hiking technologies in daily wear such as vibram soles, gortex panels on winter boots, etc. But if you wouldn't wear it into a park, it's probably not even practical here
I did my first multi-day hike with a hip belt-less 30L laptop bag from amazon that I already had and cost me about £30. Moved up to an Osprey Exos 38 a couple years later, and literally a few days ago got my custom 40L Atom Pack. I generally do 20-30 mile days when I hike so shaving 10% off my base weight by getting the Atom eventually felt worth it, but only now that I've been hiking for like 5 years with 4000km (of just hiking) recorded on Strava. Of course, this was once I'd shaved off any weight I could by simply not taking stuff in the first place. And unlike a lot of people I don't have an extra 10-20kg I could easily lose off my body instead of worrying about tiny base weight changes
I gradually upgraded based on my own experiences and tried to wait longer than I wanted before moving up to the next thing. You could argue my Osprey bag is actually still fine and that I didn't need the Atom though..
Sounds like you’re going about it the right way. I still (of course) buy new stuff, but the most important thing is that I still get into the outdoors and get after it regardless of what I have.
I couldn’t be happier with the $1500 I spent getting my pack weight from 25lbs down to about 13.
When loaded with food and water on a week long trip, those 12lbs I’m not carrying make my whole experience that much more enjoyable, more comfortable, and warmer!
I don’t upgrade my gear often as it lasts forever, but if it’s been 15+ years since you’ve upgraded some items, don’t hesitate to spoil yourself with some new gear! You only live once. Get yourself the gear you love.
More power to you. It sounds like you’ve made informed decisions! To clarify as others seem to feel as though I’m attacking buying stuff - buy what you decide you need, but try and avoid being given the need to buy through marketing and a consumerism mindset.
If you notice, I use name brand products, but I buy once and buy good. I want my stuff to last as long as possible and I will repair it until it turns into dust!
Great video! I'm a beginner and been hiking for about year now. Some of my friends who are interested are scared off when I start telling them how much my gear cost but tell them that because I fell the "brand-identity" trap when first started hiking; however, today I purchase Frogg Togg rain suit for $20 where a year ago. I would have purchase Pantagonia for $200. Overall, I stop watching gear video and started buying what I need and at the right price
As a guy who has spent 50 seasons in the mountains, skiing, mountaineering and biking....stay away from Gore-tex, its just dosnt work in the wet....unless constantly getting the DWR recoated.
Most folk could do with brands like Columbia/Craghoppers etc....as you still have to recoat DWR.
Spend your money on your climbing boots....its the only sector where cheaper really dosnt work out in the long term.
What do you recommend for the rain then? Genuine question I always try to stay away from synthetics of i can
Bravo! Bravo! This can be said of many other hobbies and activities beyond hiking.
It is very apparent that part of the narrative for this frankly dangerous sport being portrayed by influencers is 'who can go the furthest at the fastest pace' which leads into the need for the ultra expensive ultra light gear revolving door that supports their influencer business. It is a pretty classic economic tale. The problem I have with this is that it is promoting people to ditch things like medical kits, paracord/rope ... a knife? If you had suggested to someone even 10 years ago that they go on a multi-day hike without a knife because it was to heavy ... I personally have a mixture of lightweight stuff and things that are good enough, but what I dont do is play stupid games and leave things behind just because I think I can get away with it. Play stupid games win stupid prizes.
Whoever is promoting to leave a medical kit behind is a fool that deserves a reality check. Ultralight is trendy and makes for good entertainment because it is gear centric, but thru-hiking is a high end variation of walking that does benefit a lot from lighter and multi-purpose equipment. The reality is that not all of us are thru-hikers (95% of us aren’t) and don’t need ultralight equipment for basic hikes.
What I find hard is:
I’m after long lasting stuff with enough flexibility to improvise & cope with (mainly) UK weather on moors & mountains.
The cheap stuff has the issue of bad design and bad quality, BUT the expensive brands don’t guarantee anything.
I hate things that break witching a couple of years, let alone on a single outing.
Older gear may be heavier, but I can kinda swallow that if it’s still in good nick. The waterproofing on new stuff is much better though.
I do tend (because I’m rarely on anything particularly dangerous) end up just grabbing things I already own & heading out. Mostly pretty “normal” clothes.
For anything that doesn’t require camping, good boots, socks, quick trying trousers and a packable waterproof jacket get me a long way with a non-hiking backpack, a water bottle & snacks. And a beanie. And maybe an extra layer for my top, in the pack.
I would like a pack with some kind of attachment points/webbing on it though for clipping stuff to.
1:21 Jeans were hiking pants, and ski pants, climbing pants, and hunting pants for a LOT of people if you grew up in or before the 80's. I would not recommend them for most people, but if that's all you have, you shouldn't let it stop you from going on a hike. Just make sure you're staying at lower altitudes and closer to civilization and check the weather, and above all else, take an extra set of dry clothes in a dry bag of some kind.
For easy hikes, sure! But I’ve seen people hiking with them in the winter. Jeans are cotton and won’t wick moisture nor dry out, so if you get them wet by whatever means and it gets cold, you’re stuffed. Buying a cheap and well fitted pair of hiking pants from decathlon or other solves the issue 👌
Went on a 4 day hike with a buddy but didnt own any gear anymore besides a sleeping bag and my boots. Went nuts at Decathlon and bought the remainder of my gear for just under 400 Euros. (bagpack, tent, sleeping pad, cooking set, thermal clothes, power bank, trekking poles etc.) Most items except for the tent were the cheapest they had of the kind. Except for one bended trekking pole all the gear performed just fine. Perhaps I'll change out some items over time but see no urgency at the moment.
I've been hiking all around France and Corsica with 3€ crocs.
The Nepalese porters get around in flip flops too (even though they really should have shoes). They don’t seem to complain.
@@betterhikingThey were certainly complaining when I was in the Himalayas in Pakistan... They were desperate to have our gear (which was just mountain warehouse cheap gear)
100%
All one needs to start and what one should spend the money on for safety are the following:
1. A good pair or two or wool or wool blend socks. Why? Because regular socks can cause blisters and, when they get wet, fungus and skin deterioration in hot climates or, in cold, frostbite, or at the very least make your hike miserable.
2. A good pair of trail shoes or boots. And no, they don’t have to have Goretex; in fact, you might be better without it. Why? Regular shoes do not have soles with a tread design that will grip on trails and are not made out of a grippy enough compound and do not have the lateral support for uneven terrain. Improper footwear is probably the number one way to get yourself injured and in trouble on even a relatively basic trail.
3. Performance underwear. Although if you are a gym goer you probably already have these and can use what you have. Why? Because chafing is real and sucks. And for the same reasons as socks.
4. A good Goretex or similar product jacket shell. Yes, this is essential unless every hike you do you can guarantee that it will not rain. Why? Getting wet is at worst the easiest way to get into danger with things like hypothermia or, at the very least, make your hike miserable. Get a quality jacket like this and it will last decades if not a lifetime. They pack down small so you will actually take them with you and they allow your body to breathe unlike traditional raincoats.
5. A good outdoor hat. Why? Because protecting your head and hair from the elements is key. Protects you from sun properly unlike many regular hats, protects from ticks and things, and if it rains will give some protection in light rain conditions. And they won’t get soaked from and hold the sweat like regular hats, in fact many have built-in headbands that to help prevent sweat from dripping in your eyes.
Everything else one can start with what one probably already has. And I totally agree with you- after that, get out there, see what you do and how you use your equipment, and decide for yourself what you need.
As a brazilian hiker, all thoose brands, north face, columbia, are insanely expensive for me. I've done a large ammount of hikes with cheap chinese gear. Clothing, tent, backpack, everything chinese. That's fine. Basically the people I met that owns branded gear don't use it that much.
Gear addiction is real. I got into backpacking last year and bought all my gear over the winter. After going on a few successful trips I kept buying new stuff that I didn’t really need. Why? I just missed the process of looking into and buying new gear.
Don’t watch gear videos anymore once you have your gear dialed in!
Thank you. More people need to hear your message!
Excellent observation. I’ve been guilty of gear envy myself. Buying more stuff, but still using my tried and trusted kit everytime.
In the army we used to call the gear obsessed guys "Geardos": Gear + Weirdo = Geardo
My entire get home bag is a 35L pack loaded with everything I need and it costed me around $250 for everything. The most expensive item in the pack is the powerbank which costs around $100. The second most expensive item was a CAT dumbphone. The pack contains around 70 items including medkit stuff, multi-tool, 2 knives, 2 headlamps, two walkie talkies etc.. And it certainly looks good visually, no noob or cheap looking stuff. So yeah you don't have to pay premium for sure.
Great content! For years now I have tried to make my own gear as far as possible, from food rations to my tent and bedroll. I am do not worry so much about a little extra weight. Remember those veterans of wwii carried 50 lbs weight on the front line. They were hero’s and in good shape. Get out and hike with someone and enjoy the trail!
I just picked up load of gear. I got 2 pairs of pants, 1 bottom base layer, 1 pair of hiking socks, a hooded puffer jacket, a hooded zip up sun shirt, an insulated beanie and a stuff sack to put my puffer jacket in. I paid $890! I lie, I did purchase all of those items, but I actually paid $89! 32 degrees makes great gear for rock bottom prices. I'm a fly fisherman who likes to fish off the beaten path and therefor I hike/backpack. I look at backpacking gear like I do fly fishing equipment, you can pay more, but you rarely get what you pay for if you do. I rarely buy high end brands and when i do it is always second hand. I did buy some brand name hiking gear, Gregory pack, ZenBivy sleep system, Sawyer water filter. I paid $111 dollars for my pack, $240 all in for my sleep system and $30 for my sawyer micro. I already had a Nemo tensor insulated I had purchased when the new Nemo pads dropped, I paid $89! I think there is some benefit to buying from trusted brands, but do research and find them on sale or buy last years model at a cut rate. I do really like your video and subscribed to your channel. I find it hilarious that Australia is in the "Western World" due to it's location South of the Far eastern Countries of Japan and Korea. Not a dig as my Grand was born in Brisbane, just funny.
Story time that adds to this conversation:
At goodwill shopping for cloths there were two used down jackets. One was from mountain hardware for $5 the other Patagonia for $25. Both about the same retail price and quality/condition but since Patagonia is fashionable goodwill puts its higher because they know people will buy it just because it's Patagonia and nothing to do with functionality. Pretty dumb but hey I got a better jacket for 1/5 of the cost
I wish I had that kind of luck! Good find.
The fit is different, Patagonia has long arms and narrow shoulders
Never had an issue hiking thousands of miles in jeans. Or climbing, mountain biking, snowboarding, running, playing sports, even canoeing and rafting. Is it ideal in all situations? Definitely not. Does it work? Definitely.
Why do you even need the jeans then? Just another product.
Former Austrian professional skier turned climate activist Julian Schütter did a really good promotion for this, posting content where he went hiking in Lofoten with as little gear as possible, to showcase that really basic stuff works, and what matters more is your knowledge and experience in the mountains
Wow... I really needed to hear that!! Guilty as charged, spending more time researching what I need for a weekend hike than actually hiking 😢
Thanks for this much needed message.
It's fun and necessary to plan and research
But pointless if you end up doing nothing… (and yes, it is necessary).
Yeah agreed, some planning and research is important, like figuring out where to go and what to see is fun, and at some level you need to plan what to pack so that you can be comfortable/safe, but I was focusing primarily on the gear side of things, which I now feel is a bit of a waste of my time if I don't end up camping/hiking. Anyway, thanks for the input guys!
Best video about the outdoors I've watched yet
Yes all designer outdoor gear prices are hiked up, and your'e sat in a Rab t-shirt !
I exactly, couldn't agree more! That being said... because of the obsession people have with buying high-end outdoor clothing the thrift stores in my home town are great for finding North Face, Helly Hansen, Prana, and Mountain Hardware... and if you are lucky, it is not odd to find some Arcterryx or Patagonia clothing.
That's it mate! Lets go back to 1800's camping gear I say 😂
In all seriousness, I love your videos and the thoughtfulness you put behind them.
I love what you do man, it’s super resourceful and adds a new dimension of physical and mental strength to bushwalking. Thanks for your support.
@@betterhiking Thanks mate ... though if I'm honest, I probably spend just as much money sourcing out vintage gear as you would if you had an addiction to modern gear 😂
@TheBeardedBushranger you should have a crack at making some of your own stuff. That would be cool. I’m toying with the same idea but I don’t even know how to sew!
Damn; Like I wasn't allready feeling guilty enough for buying the new backpack i did not need 😂
about time someone talked about this
You earned a subscriber with this video. Well done!
The only brand i see as "justifiable" to spend on is Patagonia. They just do such good and i only ever buy second hand anyway.
Great video. Really.
You put into the video something I always think about. I agree 100%.
Backpacking is an ancestral activity and people have been doing it for decades/centuries. But for some reason (marketing, influencers etc.) it is as if today it was a different activity which demands hi-tech stuff and a fat wallet. Of course it might help, but it is definitely not even close to being a real necessity. Things are much simpler than what big brands and "specialists" try to portrait.
This message should reach every single person out there.
Cheers bro.
You’ve hit a chord here! I crave being out to escape the pressures of wearing the “right” things just to find it’s perhaps more judgmental on a hike. When I watched video after video of people wearing a Rab beanie I just thought “sheep”. Yes, it’s a great brand but I get so triggered that I can’t concentrate on the video and feel a bit disappointed in them. I started at 60 and got over my gear obsession when I realised that I had three of everything and that I’d wear out before they did. I’ll probably be carrying about 30lbs and consider this my weight bearing exercise. My body has adapted and strengthened and it’s been a great confidence booster. It’d be a different story if I was younger and wanted to “crunch the miles” though.
It's delicate striking the right balance. Gear isn't everything but is not unsubstantiated. L. L. bean's synthetic mummy bag ($119) should be warm enough to give most people a decent night's sleep in fall, spring, or summer if you aren't in the mountains. You'll want a down sleeping bag in winter and/or anywhere in the mountains. Without a good R value sleeping pad, you'll be cold and sleep poorly.
True outdoors people - Mother Nature makes the world go round. Everybody else - Fame and Fortune makes the world go round.
Some good points. I still value high quality gear (which tends to be expensive) but recently I am trying to do more with less.
wow fantastic video. everyone needs to see this!
Good message mate .
I just buy what I will use. The brand doesn’t care I just want to take pictures and have a good time.
Consumerism is a heck of a drug, in my Rick James voice of course!
Drugs are bad m’kay
I’ve done some day hikes and now I’m trying to buy my first ever camping kit.
It’s been totally overwhelming and confusing and I can totally connect with what you just said.
Thank you for the eye opening video.
Ps. Still, understanding the right gear for the situation is valuable and better to learn through advice instead of experience.
It’s also a bit of respect for the nature. Everything is alright until it’s not, and then things can go bad real quick.
I almost lost my toes to frostbite for using the wrong shoes and socks.
Even though I didn’t lose anything, it was painful and needed over a month to heal/renew the damaged/dead cells.
I use the same pair of the outdoor arctics coveralls and I have two matching ones ready to go when those wear out so when you find something you like get it while you can or you might regret it like I have in the past
Incredibly important message. Subbed!
Your totally right mate, subbed
It's a little different for me. I usually did day trips to the hills (about 30km long) without a backpack. Just with a waterproof jacket and basic clothes I wear in the city.
As I started going for more days, I bought a good quality backpack and a solid tent. Plus a very inexpensive sleeping bag and pad. That's all I need.
Now I'll occasionally replace an item with a better (lighter) one, but I try to keep my pack as light as possible so I only carry the bare minimum. I don't even carry a stove. I only enjoy hiking if I can go "light".
Guys in the military put their life on the line with similar kit, and they don't have the same kit concerns as a casual hiker at all.
Not to mention that mil kit was made by the lowest bidder..
This message is important.
I realise it when i want to buy a tent. The price and the size is not appropriate. Then the glamping started. I understand some people want comfort, but how is camping in the wood supposed to be comfortable??.. Not to mention most places you need to pay. Permit, campsite, parking, to be honest the prices is almost the same with booking a cheap motel or hotel.
I was around before the consumerism really kicked in. Lots of surplus, second hand, hand me downs and the 3/4 dedicated brand new civilian items you had you really cherished. The only people who had tonnes of top notch stuff were the ones going to K2 or the Amazon and the like. You went lightweight then by not having much gear. I was utterly taken aback by all the gear when I first started watching yt and for a while thought I must be doing something wrong regardless of being old and ugly enough to know better. Bought some overpriced, useless s*it. In the end most of my kit is variations on the stuff I had before I fell for the nonsense. The best gear isn't always the most expensive, it's tried, tested and true. If you are buying more and more it's never that. Get out there and do the thing, you can sit and stroke your brand names when you can't do that anymore.
I started studying some mounths ago to become a wildlife guide without having that much experience of the outdoors before. Gear has been a really big headache since I started and its about how everything costs a fortune, you need so much gear to be able to experience the outdoors and just how toxic the world of gear reviewing is, how you need to own certain brands because others are´nt good enough or how you need to buy the newest and most expensive or else it wont work. It makes being out in nature a really big turn off and much harder than it has to. I have alvays loved being out in nature hiking skiing and doing similar things but the modern idea about outdoor gear really takes a lot of the fun away from being in nature.
Thanks for making this!
Cheap gear is just that Cheap gear. 40 plus years ago I was planning to get out into the wilds for the purpose of following my landscape photography hobby. I would be in remote locations alone, I spent money on top of the range gear known to be reliable. The down sleeping bag lasted forever on land and at sea, (even crossed the Atlantic with me on a sailboat, used every night for years literally) I still have the battered Trangia cook stove which I can still get spare parts for. My lightweight 1-2 man tent is still being used. Good Gortex rain jackets have kept me dry from inside and out for decades. Cheap backpacks failed, mostly due to poor zips, low end fleeces quickly wore out or the stitching failed. I still buy cheap gear but that generally happens when I am anticipating low usage, For reliability, I pay the money. Doesn't always work but I feel happier doing so.
Trangia is a keeper. I've had mine since the early eighties, just bought new pots and a new burner. Heavy and slow, but who's in a hurry.
Thank goodness theres someone on YT with some sense! Too damn right mate. What jacket can you buy under £200 these days. Everything in any hobby now costs stupid money and people fall for it.
All these stupid people being paid by manufacturer's to push their gear on YT with their dumb channels and tens of tents and a top a jacket a trouser for any day of the month. Its friggin stupid!
I love my hiking set up because it works so well and is extremely basic, for example my knitted jumper worked way better than my friends ultra light fleeces to keep me warm camping in the winter.
I started hiking in a giant cotton jumper (I thought it was fleece at the time lol). I love the thing. I made my most precious hiking memory in that jumper. But now I hike in a light fleece and also love it (and importantly use it lots).
👍👍👍 .. absolute Truth!
There is not much more that I can add .. you have said it all except (to add) that I am 'out of date and behind the times'.
That said, I am a 'Boomer' (YOB 1950), have, and still use, gear from the 60's and 70's. We grew up 'using and making do' with what we had 😏.
Yes, a lot of my stuff could be seen by some as being 'heavy and outdated'. But, for me, inter alia, it does the job and is paid for!
Good share .. thanks. I like your mindset and have subbed.
Take care ..
Good point mate! But I do like reading about tents and watching people’s experiences in them 😃. I buy Hilleberg tents because they last and you can buy or sell them second and third hand. They don’t go to landfill, and they’re repairable if needs be. And neither should my new Rab jacket (ArcEco) which is made out of single type of polymer to ease recycling. My boots are Scarpa and can be resoled. Hopefully you will inspire others to buy for the long term.
I do the same. I buy for the long term but also because I need professional grade equipment for the kinds of trips I do. I also rock the Arc Eco & Scarpa mountaineering boots 👌
army surplus for me, as much as i can its bomb proof but can be a tad heavy at times, buts its serving me ok and im happy,
stuff anyone else what others think
I had to smile when the guy in a Rab T shirt says brands aren't important lol. Good video well presented. eBay, Facebook marketplace and second hand stores are great places to pick up last years gear cheaply because people want the latest stuff. So personally I love the consumer outdoors people lol. Military stuff is cheap especially boots, midlayers and waterproofs. My main thought is buy what you want or what you can afford but see it for what it is, hill fashion. Most of all get outside. 🏴🇬🇧
Yeah, funny choice of shirt. I didn’t really think of it as I wear it so often, but isn’t that what it’s for? 😅
Spot on.
Yes! Thanks, more video like this please !
interesting video. greed has taken over these brands and the industry. if jeans didn't work - how did the old timers do it in the Klondike? sailors just used to wear a wholly jumper - boom, done. I'm going to seriously evaluate what I have and why I have it now.
Sounds to me more like a made up problem than a real one.
Has there ever been anyone who didn't go hiking because they couldn't afford gear X?
Do you go less hiking because you watch gear reviews? I don't. I watch videos when I can't or don't want to go outside. Looking for and buying new shiny gear does not hinder my hiking. It makes me excited for the next trip. It gives me something to do in the weeks and months between hikes.
I don't doubt that there are people like what you are describing, but that is in no way a "hiking-problem". People who value brands over other things exist in every hobby. Good look trying to convince them that they are wrong.
My observations suggested to me that it is a problem, and it was a problem for me personally so I imagine others would share in my sentiment. If it isn’t a problem for you then that’s great 👍
thanks for sharing this some great ideals being put across. I like your North Face small duffle with you toothbrush on the shelf behind you. Some good comparisons with previous era ethos.
I think rock climbing deserves its own comment here. While your point holds well for hiking, sports which involve PPE such as rock climbing often have a massive barrier to entry. The only safe way to participate is to invest in expensive UIAA rated gear, and to refresh it every 3-5 years. It's not gate keeping, and rock climbing like they climbed 50 years ago would be considered reckless today.
I think rock climbing gear can’t be considered wholly in this conversation because of that point you’ve raised - clothing yes, technical equipment no. There are different mindsets still in climbing - trad, alpine, free solo and so on, and style dictates your rack or lack thereof in the case of soloing (but that is an outlier). I personally have more of an alpinists mindset.
It’s like when a business promotes its sustainability. Surely the most sustainable outcome for the world is for the business not to exist in the first place.
I literally cannot contain my laughter when someone suggests a trekking pole tent over a conventional tent. These trends have gotten so ridiculous that you have people who don’t bat an eye spending HUNDREDS of dollars on tents that depend on equipment it doesn’t come with to erect a tent that could be pulled down by an angry squirrel!
Trekking pole tents are great if you know how to set them up properly
I agree. I love trekking pole tents and think they’re bomber. But not the super duper ultralight stuff, that ain’t my jam.
I hate logos. I also rock military surplus. I know that's just another subculture, we are called larpers, but are we? I wear the same jacket and camo as I did in the Army.
Thanks for telling me what not to do with my hard earned money.
Use it wisely my friend, it’s becoming harder to come by.
That's why I free solo
this shit is everywhere. I was in a public sauna this one time and wanted to punch people because they kept comparing their phones and sport watches and made anything they talked into data that can be compared. Going to the toilet needs to be turned into data that can be compared and posted to sociopath media. For outdoors its the next thing that costs another billion and is just 1 gram lighter but who cares how much money when its 1 gram off your total loadout. It's embarrassing really how shit is nowdays. Good thing I wont be here in the future. Also like watching reviews of stuff. Bull I say. Make your own decisions.
I've been on plenty of hikes with people that brought the wrong gear. They don't finish.
I've seen people not finish mostly because they took too much things for the distance they wanted to do. But if you take a tent, sleeping bag, mattress, bagpack, lamp, water and food, the rest is superfluous and having the cheapest of it will be absolutely fine. I've used the same stuff for the last ten years across thousands of hitchhiking and hiking miles, and even my 6€ foam mattress still perfectly fits my needs.
Well said, thanks. 🖖