my policy is generally to buy the budget option initially and use it until it breaks. That way I figure out what features I want/need or even if it's a piece of gear I'll even use.
A cheap do dad is better than no do dad when you need that particular do dad. I always factor in how often I will use something before deciding whether to go cheap, mid range or expensive. Also how much of an effect it can have on my life expectancy. Never cheap out on Brakes, Tyres, or something that can poison you, like a diesel heater. If a cheap do dad does the job of an expensive do dad, how many of the cheap ones can I buy before spending near to what the expensive one costs.
@@Jabber-ig3iw Exactly! totally agree with effect on life expectancy factor. if its cheap and it fails the 1 time you use it and that one time is to save your butt its not worth it.
100% I have a few lists. Bought a dual burner Coleman for $35 on clearance from a hardware store. I know what I like and what I don't so when it breaks, I know what features to look for. I do this for everything, whenever I think "Man, I wish ITEM had this feature"
I wish more people would share this mentality and just encourage everybody to live their best life whatever that may be without looking down upon each other.
I don't understand why anyone needs to share this mentality. Have you ever been on the trail with folks overnight? Gear matters nothing. It's all about the adventure, the people you get to meet and share the adventure with. I've never seen anyone who's told me I had the wrong gear....ever. If you lack something, everyone there is willing to pitch in and help.
As a backpacker/ thru-hiker, I fall more on the minimal side. I always wondered what was in peoples overland rigs because my gear takes up the space of a backpack. I guess my point is you don't need a bunch of stuff to go camping. Also, my tent takes less than a minute to set up, so not all tents take as long as the one he showed. Just go camping and leave no trace.
100% in the same boat, If I can spend 5 nights backcountry with only my pack why do I need to fill my vehicle with all this extraneous gear. Overlanding has become taking your home outdoors.
Definitely don't need much for camping. However if you are planning to overland to some of the most remote locations in the country in a vehicle, there is definitely a lot of stuff you need. Tools, and spare parts will take up a lot of space so you can fix your rig while in the middle of nowhere if disaster strikes.
Well said Matt. I have my nice $350 Gazelle tent I can set up and take down quickly while my $25 dollar single butane stove is on the table working just fine. I get what works for me best while managing budget.👍👍
FYI... The eureka ignite camp stove is very similar to the jet Boil in adjustability. It takes two full turns of the knob to go from low to high. It is extremely easy to set a temperature for quick boil or keeping something warm without burning it. And the great news is it retails for $129 and is often on sale for less than 100. It's a very good stove
I would recommend if someone wants the toughness of the 23zero/roam cases but doesn't want to spend that much for them go with the Milwaukee cases. I have both 23zero and a plano but I feel the Milwaukee are the happy medium between them, plus they stack/lock together. Great job as always Matt and all beginners should watch this to get started.
We used to floor tent camp but we had a bad experience where a bunch of coyotes started to poke their noses into the tent side walls. After that we did invest in a roof top tent. It’s worth it to us because we like to just take off sometimes and everything is in our tent already. It’s a quick set up and it’s not as easy for animals to reach us. I agree that it doesn’t matter what you have. It’s whatever works for you. You don’t have to spend a ton of money. It’s whatever you feel comfortable with and suits your lifestyle. We love this channel.
I believe there is an "overland tax" to one degree or another. A good example is storage boxes or totes. It's remarkable how much better contractor tool totes are than those marketed toward campers especially considering the prices.
@@wirebrush if you’re not in the southern states you may have to get them online, but Academy has camping totes that are AWESOME. They aren’t pelican quality but if pelican cases are a 10 and the junk cases that break all the time are a 1, the Magellan Outdoor Pro totes are probably an 8. They’re 80-100 bucks depending on size and worth every penny.
This is why I love this channel. Always great videos of the equipment you use or have used and why it doesn't matter if it's expensive or not. Many other RUclipsrs would just recommend more costly equipment or only their sponsor's brand. Matt's honesty and transparency in all things Overlanding is wonderful to watch. Someone who really cares about their hobby doesn't want you to join only if you can afford certain things, they want you to join so they have more people to make memories with on the adventure.
Matt - thanks for this message. I've seen a couple of the recent FB arguments... it's just sad. Way too many people are worried about what other people think of their setup or think that people want their opinion. You hit it - what matters is getting out and enjoying the outdoors. Thanks for saying it!
I've seen some videos from you lately where u r completely transparent about how/why u run the gear u do and how u obtain it. Super realistic, down to earth, and humble. It makes watching your channel so easy. No B.S. Thanks again and keep doing what u do!
Great well balanced video. I've never timed how long it takes to setup camp, because that's just part of the adventure for me. And if its raining, after the first minute, you're as wet as you're going to be.
Great video. As a fellow gear junky I’ve used and abused a huge range of equipment. After several years experimenting with RTT’s & wedge campers I’ve actually come full circle back to preferring a well made ground tent. Also love the Step22 or Kelty organization solutions. Ridgid Pro 22 tool box makes for a rad gear box. The older I get the more I appreciate simplicity, so I’m a less is more kinda guy. As far as a stove I agree with you, it’s all about what fits inside your gear box of choice. Cheers to your attitude about consumers choosing gear that fits their needs. It’s not about the price tag. 🤘
I'm a single dad with little kids so my Gazelle tent saves me so much time and hassel. I can get set up in seconds so I can enjoy the rest of camping. It's worth the price for me. I freaking love your videos!!! Keep up the good work!!!
Great video like the way you communicate! I am lucky to have my 97’ Land Cruiser Only have the two seats in the front so I just crawl in the the back with my pup on a simple mattress. However a couple of years ago I went skiing in Crested Butte and discovered that the “Buddy Heater” doesn’t work at all at the high altitude!!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
I love this! Everyone starts somewhere, and we all wheel within the budget we have to work with... I love the message of support and empowerment, and to act without judgment, because no matter what the budget is, the real object is to enjoy life... and support others enjoying theirs as well!
Excellent video Matt. The main thing is to get out there! I always think about my gear from a "cost per use" perspective. I looked really hard at fridges and then decided that for the 12-14 days a year I'm able to be out in the woods, I couldn't justify it. My $100 Ozark trail cooler is ok for me. I believe in spending good money on a sleep system and things that keep you dry. If I can stay dry and get a good nights sleep then I'm going to have a good time. My Gazelle tent and my Exped mat are my most expensive pieces of gear and I'm glad I spent what I did on them. I'm also still using my $30 Coleman stove that my parents gave me for my 18th birthday....uh, some decades ago :)
I have a Colman double burner cook stove that my buddy gave mine as a hand me down. I've had it for two years. It replaced my single burner. He bought the Jet boil when he gave me his. I love it,,, I'm sure I can speak for almost t everyone when I say you cant beat a good hand me down. lol
That JetBoil stove is amazing. I had a hard time spending the $ on it but now that I've used it, I agree it is worth it. Hint: buy a separate wind shield that folds up small to go with it (you can get them cheap).
I Really enjoyed this video. I’m seriously considering upgrading to the down blanket from Grandmas quilt. Side note: We (I’m the better half of kentuckyjeeper) watch RUclips videos on our tv. Both of us are subscribed to your channel but don’t always get the chance to “hit that like button” since we’re on the TV version of RUclips as guests. Love your content & it was a big factor in our visit to the Ozarks last year as our 1st stop out of Kentucky on our month long trip west.
I had a roof top tent, loved it, but it was more of a pain when I setup a base camp, you had to basically break down camp every time you wanted to leave in the vehicle. This was an awesome video by the way!
I don't know why I hadn't thought of that before, but it's just one more reason a rooftop tent is not for me. I am often out to a destination to photograph before sunrise and back after sunset, and having to break down and set up a rooftop tent in the dark isn't something I'd want to do. I don't spend much time at camp when I'm traveling. I am out photographing and hiking. Then there is the weight a rack and rooftop add to your vehicle and what they do to your gas mileage. If your overlanding vehicle is also your everyday driver (as it is for me), 80-90% of the time you're carrying all that weight around when you don't need it, unless you have (or rent) a place to store it when it's not in use and have people to help you get the thing on and off your vehicle. Also, if I had a rooftop tent on it, my 4Runner wouldn't fit in my garage. It barely fits as is, with the stock rooftop rails deleted. Buying a good rooftop rack and tent and having them installed costs several thousand dollars, and as I think it about it more I wouldn't want one even if was free.
Great point on stoves. I have a MSR dragonfly which packs small and very adjustable flame. It’s my favorite since it fits in my tote. The con is that it takes liquid fuel and priming.
Great video Matt. I am just starting my overlanding adventures and to follow an old drag racing adage, run what ya brung. I overland in a full size truck because that is what I have. The rest of my gear comes from Walmart or FB market place. I often feel like us bargain bin shoppers are looked down upon. This lets me know that isn't so. Thanks again.
Excellent video Matt. I really want a RTT but budget wise I bought a Gazelle tent. Still a ground tent but sets up fast and to put up is fast. Definitely agree with you, shouldn’t matter what anyone thinks. Just go out and enjoy the adventures
Thanks Matt !! I really like this video!! Im just starting out in overlanding and hope to someday to have the rooftop tent. but for now its a ground tent with a air up mattress lol
Great video with cost vs the quality of what your buying and then getting down to just have fun . Appreciate what you have and really just appreciate the Great outdoors . Really what it's all about.
Well said Matt, it all depends on needs. I paid full price for an EE quilt for backpack hunting a few years back, absolutely fantastic. Well worth the money. Been meaning to get their comforter for a while now for the RTT. For tents, those of us who are fortunate to get out a lot also value time saved to clean it. Sure setting up/tearing down in the rain faster is great but a huge perk is when it needs dried from the rain in between trips it’s not a big chore. Ground tents are very inconvenient if there’s bad weather. If they are wet, you better get it out of that wet dark stuff sack within a day or two, set it up yet again or else it will grow mold and need to be tossed. Like you said, this doesn’t matter if your not out often but holy smokes it gets old if you are. But at the end of the day, no one cares. If you show up with a 5$ garage sale stove I won’t even notice. It’s only when people announce they didn’t bring very basic camping gear intentionally that I get annoyed. I’ve had that happen too many times 🤦🏼♂️
Well said , nobody should care what you use and how much it cost! I run a colmon stove gazelle tent colmon tent for my kids and it all works just fine!
Just bought the Gazelle T4 Overland Edition (2min set up time) + Byer of Maine Easy Cot = new level of comfort. Like the rooftop tent, but SUV doesn’t lol Jetboil is amazing product. I’ve been using my stove since 2007. Original stove. Excellent customer service. Great review.
Just looking at getting into overlanding and loving your channel. I do find it relatively close to the backpacking community when it comes to gear. We've all started somewhere, and generally start with the budget but heavier option. Then, over time evolving into the higher quality light weight gear. Even though I only get out very infrequent, I'll invest in the higher end, more expensive gear because I get what I pay for and have a better experience with the better gear. Just my opinion though.
Excellent information, but what I truly enjoyed was you driving home the point that you don't have to have the top dollar equipment in order to compete with others out there. Just get out there and have fun and enjoy life. That's the point of it, not school age drama crap. Stay safe and well out there everyone 🤙💜✌️😊
Good point Matt!! I see a lot of people who say there are is only one way to do camping and that is to have the best of everything. There are a lot of people like myself that don't get out as much as we want to during the year and thus some of the mid range gear does great. I enjoy your product reviews as they save me from buying something I really don't need or show me something I do need to save time. I have a mix of gear and I agree that everything just has to fit the person that is using it. For example, I have a jet boil Mini mo that I dearly love and I pair that with a $40 Coleman stove. I have a nice Marmot ground tent with a really nice Thermarest Mondo King pad and love it. Use what you have and upgrade if you see the need. I believe in supporting women getting out and camping and exploring, don't judge is a great message for everyone. After all I started with a $15 leaky cheap tent and a 70's coleman sleeping bag in college and still loved every minute of it. Support and explore!
It’s not about the gear. It’s never been that way for me. When my Dad took me camping as a kid, it was more about being in nature and spending time with him than anything else. My kids share the same sentiment.
That’s awesome man. Now that I’m a dad I can’t wait to take my two kids out camping. I didn’t have a dad to do that with and I’m so excited for my kids.
@@BigRedOverlanding That’s awesome. Kids grow up way to fast. Get out and do things with them. Document as much of it as you can through photos and/or video. Trust me as they and you get older, you’ll appreciate the fact that you took the time to capture those memories.
Great video Matt, I love the common sense approach. To each there own. By the way, if you recall I was in the process of dealing with Open Road winches, I was able to get through to them and cross the language barrier. Hopefully will be installing it soon. Thanks and be safe.
I'm usually a believer on "you get what you paid for" and I am a strong practitioner of buying the best gear you can afford BUT paying for a Pelican rifle case to house tow straps & Shackles when a Plano box will do is where I draw the line.. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I would pay top dollar for an expensive box to store my gold bars and a Sterilite plastic tote will do for my socks. 🙃👍
I hope to see you on the trail! I'm new to all this so all your videos have been super helpful! I have a very similar philosophy to you and I am Wheeling out of an modified F-150.
Great video. But, I am curious to know if you have video review any of the Gazelle tents, since I would be interested in watching that. Their tents do look very easy to setup.
I've never reviewed a Gazelle tent but friends of mine have used them in our videos. They love them. They are awesome tents. If I were to start using a tent it would be a Gazelle.
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures Would you consider a Shiftpod over a Gazelle tent? Do you know what the pros or cons may be. They both look to be of high quality.
Greeting from the down under! Great videos. Some experience on our trips with ground tents, we've used it during both avg 3-night camping in the same campsite, and also week-long outback road trips stretching multiple towns and National Parks. We are carrying a ground tent, but it is an air tent, Zempire Evo ts. Ground tents have the advantage of better fuel economies and are quieter on the road. Also, we can simply leave our tent on the campsite we choose, and drive our rig away to explore the areas. We are jealous of RTT sometimes, especially we are tired and the weather isn't as great and the ground is super wet and we are tired after a long drive. But we've managed it, and doable with a fast tent. Seriously, buying a fast-pitch tent, like OZtent, or Gazelle tent, or some air tent like Zempire, is more expensive than a normal tent, but not that compared to an RTT and you won't regret it for sure. A 5-10min setup is not as hard when the multi-day trips involve many different kinds of campsites. In Australia, it means several days in Caravan Parks with booked and labeled campsites, and some days in first come first serve base National Parks campsites. With RTT, is hard to "secure" an FCFS campsite. Plus packing up the RTT in the morning, coming back in the evening, and then setting up the RTT again. Repeating for 2-3night is pretty tedious. After some trips, our final decision is, either choose a good ground tent or save some more money on gears like RTT and Awning and seek an offroad RV. for both camping and multi-day on/off road trips.
Great discussion. I appreciate you ability to recognize pros and cons for each side of the dollar so to speak. Being I don't have unlimited resources I'm always evaluating my bang for the buck. I try to save were I can so I can afford the more expensive gear wear it matters the most. I think the military sleep system "mss" is a great budget sleeping bag set. You can pick them up on the cheap and they build on each other to cover a wide temperature range.
I tend to take the same approach to camping equipment as I do photography equipment- buy the best equipment you can afford and upgrade as you go. Don’t wait around trying to save up for a top of the line RTT, get what you can afford and go have adventures. You can always sell used gear on Facebook as you upgrade so you can offset the costs of upgrading somewhat.
Thank you for this video. I live on Thornburg Mountain so, not far from you. We are way lucky to have amazing areas to explore and enjoy. I turned my sister on to your site and she absolutely loves you! Thanks again Brother, Rev.
I have roof top tent and it takes longer not all RTT's set up with same speed. Also something to consider between ground and RTT is if you plan on wheeling or having to go anywhere you will have to take down your RTT in order to do that. A ground tent is setup and you're done and can go play. There are pros and cons to everything. Good video thanks for sharing.
We are weekend warriors, have been for 10 years. We take probably 5-8 trips 3-4 days at a time per year, we wanted to spend $ 40 on a 2 burner stove but thought it was too much and spent $25 on a single burner LOL. It's done amazing for a family of two. Love the video mate!
One thing that could be interesting is seeing performance side by side. Say you're boiling 1L of water using a single burner - how long does it take on each stove in the same pot at high? I will say that one thing I have found with the Ozark/GSI/Coleman style is in windy scenarios - those backer/sidewalls seem nice. One thing not included in the tent comparison is that you likely spent some quantity of time leveling your rig. I've never had to do that, but I can imagine it's a bit difficult vs a trailer with jacks.
I just picked up the Jetboil for it's compact size. Fits my gear better. From what I've seen they all are about the same. My camp chef is faster but not racing to boil water, ever. So a minute or two faster isn't going to make a difference. But you're right about the wind control though. As for leveling, a lot of us use rv leveling blocks. Not bad at all. With ground tents, you have to find a nice level and somewhat smooth area to set up. Fine for campground but can be difficult for disperse camping.
@@TuanNguyen-ld8kl you're right, it's not a race. I'm just curious of objective ways to measure. But like Matt said, I don't really care what people bring. I just want to wheel. I pretty much exclusively dispersed camp, it's not much effort to find somewhere reasonable for a tent. Granted mine are 1-3man tents so the footprint is rather small.
Let me be the first to admit I was wrong on my assumptions of how this video was going to go. I expected "we got this free as test gear and it's great. you should go out and spend your hard earned money on it. affiliate links below." I was wrong. Liked the product reviews and the honesty of "we purchased this or my wife won this". Makes all the difference in the world when a RUclipsr reviews something they spent money on vs. received for free. Thanks.
On the Plano Sportsman cases, I been using mine (the bit larger, locking ones), for a decade now, I put some self stick weather strip in the lid channel, BAM! no dust or water...... Love this video! Thanks Matt
Those totes seem tough, but there is an absurd amount of wasted space around the outside of them just like a yeti cooler. There is a brand called Magellan that has nice camping totes that are waterproof and have air vents and you can get a 92 L for about 100 bucks. I think they are called the Magellan pro gear case or something like that.
Great video. Just subbed up! I am going to be starting to do some camping and "overland" type adventuring in the near future. I'm gathering all the information I can to make the best spending decisions as far as what gear I need and what I would "love to have" but don't need. I just purchased a 2019 Raptor and that's going to be my base for quite awhile. I have a set of Billie Bars and a Tepui Explorer Ayer 2 RTT coming to get started. I've never camped in my life (In my late 40s now) but I've decided to go out and start enjoying the outdoors like I've always wanted to do but never got around to doing. I'll get my RTT set up then pull my $35 Plano case out from under the bed cover! I'm going out to enjoy myself and I fully intent to regardless of what anyone thinks! Keep up the good work! Be safe!
I agree with most of what your saying except cost and time setup. I found a topper for $200 that fits my truck fine, then added some goodies. My Setup time is open the rear hatch. Unload some wood and done. So there are many more options that are not 200 times the cost of a tent. Even a one minute tent from colman is maybe 5 min real time. So your are correct shop for what you really need, test it and improve it as needed. Conservative spending is good for the average person while also focused on safety and security on or off road. Love your vids, Gear and tested items. Dan
Hi , thanks, you are a very nice guy. Just wanted to say you really inspire me to get out as often as I can. My Channel is not about making anything other than share the ride . I don't ask nor need any subscribers. Mine is for Family and all. I would prefer you give this gift to someone else that can really use it , that can't afford it. That would make me smile if you choose the next guy. Thank you so much for your sharing knowledge. I watch every video you make and test what you use to see if it fits my needs. So Far you have a good record in my book. Thanks again... Dan AKA SearaiderZSocal Please gift it forward to some one that that is short on cash. Dan
Thoroughly enjoyed this video. Talked all about gear BUT it's not an ad, or catered to a sponsor. I put a lot of money into my rig but I usually start cheap and only upgrade when that stuff fails or I see it could massively increase my enjoyment on adventures. I advocate that getting out with whatever you have is more important than staying at home saving for the "perfect setup". You said it best though, "no one cares" as long as you're out having fun. Thank you!
I have a 2006 Jeep commander 5.7 limited and looking to do Alaska hwy next year. Need rack, tent, tire rack, we will be using what we can afford. As long as it works.
Love the video but have an even better option on the tent - no tent. I have a sleeping platform in my JKU that stays setup; time to go to bed, 5 seconds. Time to pack up 0 seconds. The roof top tent keeps you out of the mud and minimizes the time in the rain. Sleeping in a properly setup rig means you never have to go outside - rain, wind, snow, loud neighbors, bugs, all are a non-issue. :) Budget: other than some scrap plywood, it's free. Been living full time in it for the last 5 months and sleeping great!
Great explanation. I ran into your videos while watching Trail Recon videos. You and Brad definitely are my go to guys for overland education. Also really like Marco's videos. Keep them coming.
Regarding tents. Sure, cost is hugely different, but to me it's about how you're going to use it. I go on 2 week dispersed camping trips where I usually spend 2-4 days in each location (I call it "basecamping"). For me, a good ground tent is an easy choice. The Gazelle sets up as easy as most rooftops, and cumulatively it's MORE efficient because I don't need to set up/tear down every day. I'm free to explore in truck without a top heavy rack, tent, and gear. I have a folding mattress--maybe the best money I've spent as a 50 year-old overlander, so the "comfort of sleeping on the ground" is a complete non-issue. The investment is far less and of course I don't have the weight and drag sitting on my truck the other 340 days a year (or alternatively trying to remount everything for trips). Aside from looking cool, I see limited advantages to a rooftop tent. It makes sense; 1) if you're changing locations every night, 2) space in your SUV is so tight that you can't fit a tent (the Gazelle sets up quickly, but it is bulky), 3) you are paranoid about animals, or 4) the hard shells can offer better protection against the wind and rain (then again, strong winds could pitch your vehicle back and forth all night).
thanks for sharing your knowledge. I’m a rookie to all of this, and just looking to get out for a 2-3 day trip. It can be overwhelming whats needed or what’s overkill. Especially, being on a tight budget. After all, it’s about getting out. Thanks
Food, shelter, and water is all you need! Everything else is a luxury that you pick up as you go out more often. The wife and I slept on a Coleman air mattress in the back of my 4Runner, and cook our food on a camp stove I traded my friend a bottle of Southern Comfort for on our first trip out hahaha
Food, shelter, and water is all you need! Everything else is a luxury that you pick up as you go out more often. The wife and I slept on a Coleman air mattress in the back of my 4Runner, and cook our food on a camp stove I traded my friend a bottle of Southern Comfort for on our first trip out hahaha
Matt regarding roof top tents vs. tents, there is another in between option for those whose budget does not allow for a roof top tent or if they use there roof for other storage or do not want the weight on top but do not want to deal with a tent. And that option is a swag, one example would be a one person Kodiak Canvas swag which rolls up with all your bedding just like a roof top tent. Add a camping cot and if ones budget allows add an awning all for around $1k give or take. And another huge benefit of an awning is that provides a shelter when you need to cook and sit out side and it is pouring rain.
I use my camp stove when I’m traveling to cut down on buying fastfood. I’d rather pull over & heat up some homemade chili or canned soup instead of over pay for McDonald’s lol. I like to “penny pinch” every chance I get 👍🏾
Just getting started in overlanding. In fact, I haven’t even taken my first trip yet. Just got my Jeep JK a few weeks ago. I’m in the process of building it out. So far I have 33” tires and a barricade bumper. My focus at first is going to be recovery and survival. Getting a winch, traction boards, straps, rear cargo organization, tools, cooking, water. I purchased Durst X-Mid tent, I have bags, getting pads, then I should be set. Eventually I’ll get a roof rack and rooftop tent, but not my priority at this time. Also want to get a fridge and power station with solar.
I'm SO NEW that I'm googling and youtubing everything. But I am learning a lot as I go. I'm in Houston and for now I'm getting a tent to camp in my F150. No 4x4'ing for me. It's a V6 RWD truck. But at least I can get away from the city and enjoy some quiet, restful time alone. I have to start off rather cheap for now. If I like it and do it often. Then perhaps I'll upgrade a few things. I like your vids and taking notes. Thx!!
Great video Matt. There is something to be said about the green Coleman camp stove. Just like a time x, it takes a beating, and keeps on ticking!!! I have my dad's Coleman from the 60s. It has never failed to light, always performed like a champ!!!
+1 on the vintage Coleman. We've only recently gotten into overlanding, but my ancient Coleman works so well I don't see a need for a replacement any time soon. Eventually I may want something lighter, smaller, or better in some way, but for now I am 100% satisified with this dinosaur, and we've been eating well out in the sticks!!
I’ve always enjoyed your overlanding videos and enjoyed seeing the fancy gear you have and how amazingly your jeep is outfitted, I’m pretty young and just starting out overlanding with my first truck so this has been a great video for me to realize that maybe not everything needs to be these insane setups you see on different people’s videos. Not only that but everyone starts somewhere and it takes time to build up a well-outfitted rig. Just because my rig isn’t 100% outfitted doesn’t mean it will be like that forever which is what I need to keep in mind 😂 thanks for the video!
Stumbled on your Website that i really enjoyed watching ... You have a nice demenor ! Nice that you take time in reading/ answering comments .. My BugOut Rig is a 2010 Rav4 Limited! No platform build . I use variousxa Ridged Tool Boxes in organizing gear .. I simply stack the boxes when home .. Nevertheless, I'm Subscribing your channel, and looking forward watching your other vides ! Stay Safe and Positive in this Negative Society 😊
RTTs seems cool, but the initial cost, needing to be super picky about where you park/level your rig at camp, then not being able to go anywhere once you’re setup were the biggest disadvantages for me. Love my Gazelle!
I’m never picky about where I park. With rocks or leveling blocks it’s much easier to level a vehicle on uneven ground than find a level spot for a ground tent.
I am a fan of the way you present your thoughts in this video and all of the others I have seen. I tried using your link to enlightened, but it took me to a different product from a different company. Thought you should know, maybe you can fix it. Thanks again for the great content!
I absolutely love how honest you are Matt I am a bit like you with the equipment i use . If it is a critical piece of equipment i spend the$$$ if it absolutely doesn't matter i will buy the cheapest one i can find (within reason)cuz "it doesn't matter!) I love all your videos on gear and you hit the nail on the head every time . And thanks for the heads up on the "Set Power " I plan to put one in the cart soon. Keep up the great work and thank you for taking the time to provide videos that help us make better gear choices.
As for boxes, I go the the hardware store. I use AEG, but you can use any brand tool storage, and movement boxes. They are dust and rain proof, and can be sat on, as well as stood upon.
I love this. I have had conversations with others spending so much time talking about how I camp and judging what i use and they havent even got out. Some spend lots and lots of time to make the trip perfect. I love your idea!! Prepare no matter how you want and just get out! If im doing weekend trip i got a tote and 2 bags ready to go throw in truck and leave super easy. Rooftop is great but i dont want to have it on all the time cuz the heat here in the arizona. In the fiuture I would like a teardrop trailor so its ready to go always. JUST GET OUT AND HAVE FUN!
Good vid.....and as usual "you get what you pay for". The key was how much you use stuff. Weekend warriors who get out 3-4 times a year don't need the 'good' stuff. But if you're a serious overlander of course buying the more expensive stuff is a must. One thing you showed that everyone should consider buying is that down blanket. That would come in handy in lots of situations and a comfortable sleep is priceless when camping.
I like my two Partner Steel Cook Partner stoves (18" dual burner & 9" single burner) and I like the fact that they give you the option when you order what side you want the hose on. The one I use on a table I want it on one side but the one I use in a vehicle slide I wanted on the other side. They also let you tell them how long you want the hose. I am a fan of the Cook Partner but I agree even the cheapest basic stove will get the job done if that is all you want to spend. I am not going to judge anyone for their gear. It is the getting out that matters most. The differences I see are simmering control, BTUs, builds quality, convivence, and are you buying for a lifetime. I also consider reparability, particularly field repair. I had the jet boil genesis basecamp- it is not a standard connector or burner and they won't even send you a replacement burner without sending the whole unit back to them for evaluation & repair. How do I know this? We were camping & the regulator on the gas connector failed & one burner clogged. Left without a functional stove & no where near to get replacements parts that you can't buy in stores anyway. I have Jet Boils, MSR Whisperlite internationals, Esbit stoves, you name I have it and tried them all. The Cook Partner is the winner for me.
Great video Matt! Enjoyed seeing the product ranges and appreciate your take. I have a mix of walmart gear and high end gear and you're right, no one cares, they're just glad I showed up with my contribution to dinner lol
25:39 is there anyone you know of that has posted videos I can watch on mounting totes on a roof rack? I’m wanting to have all my gear on my roof but I haven’t been able to find tutorials of how to actually do it. Just seen people with it done.
I have a Tacoma with a Smartcap but I sleep in the bed on an air mattress from Walmart. Recently got back from a week long trip through Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming and had an amazing time. Can’t wait to to it again. Had some fancy gear and some not fancy gear and had an amazing trip regardless.
Well said. You get what you paid for. Some of my kit is the higher end and some the lower priced. One thing, like you said is time. Bought a so called quick pitch family tent. Used twice and sold it. Took 2 to set up. Got a clam shell roof top tent.
Great video. I will never understand why people care what someone else does or has. Yesterday I went out to get a headband light and they didn’t have the one I wanted but they had something similar so I got that and it still does the job I want it to do.
I recently bought the ozark trail stove and my tank adapter stows flush. It come out of the box flush, but it takes a second to figure out how. The large end has to rest fully in the recess. As for lighting it, I’m carrying multiple ways to light a fire, so that’s no big deal. For the price, it’s amazing.
Your totally right. Everything works for everyone. Some preferences could make a difference based on your own experience. For example I love roof top tent, but mine it’s a soft shell and it takes more time to set it up and take it down, also there it’s a problem if I have to move every day, it takes time.
Just rewatching the video... Is there an overland tax??? On a lot of things... Yes. Marketers realized overland if a buzzword these days thus by attaching overland to the name or description they could sell it at a higher price. However, this is not always to say you do not get what you pay for. There is a yellow plastic tax on DeWalt tools, but they have a long standing reputation for quality and standing behind their product, and are often worth the money. If you can afford quality and it will serve you well, it is worth the extra money. It IS NOT a requirement to spend high dollar for equipment... As always though... One of the reasons I love your channel. You are open and honest about products. But so many of your videos, you promote the same ideals I looks for. Keep up the great work.
Great video the only thing I would like to add is get a good sleeping setup especially if your taking someone camping for the first time. Spending the night freezing in a tent is a deal breaker and they won’t want to go camping again. You don’t need expensive gear just a reasonable quality sleeping bag and a few blankets to keep you warm.
Plano tote with a small bead of silicon caulk laid in the lid channel has worked very well for making mine dust & rain proof for a few years now. And I feel like I don't have as much wasted space as those roam boxes.
my policy is generally to buy the budget option initially and use it until it breaks. That way I figure out what features I want/need or even if it's a piece of gear I'll even use.
i do this with tools being a mechanic and ive been incredibly surprised with some of the china quality tools ive found!!!
A cheap do dad is better than no do dad when you need that particular do dad. I always factor in how often I will use something before deciding whether to go cheap, mid range or expensive. Also how much of an effect it can have on my life expectancy. Never cheap out on Brakes, Tyres, or something that can poison you, like a diesel heater. If a cheap do dad does the job of an expensive do dad, how many of the cheap ones can I buy before spending near to what the expensive one costs.
@@Jabber-ig3iw Exactly! totally agree with effect on life expectancy factor. if its cheap and it fails the 1 time you use it and that one time is to save your butt its not worth it.
100% I have a few lists. Bought a dual burner Coleman for $35 on clearance from a hardware store. I know what I like and what I don't so when it breaks, I know what features to look for. I do this for everything, whenever I think "Man, I wish ITEM had this feature"
They say the poor man buys twice
I wish more people would share this mentality and just encourage everybody to live their best life whatever that may be without looking down upon each other.
I don't understand why anyone needs to share this mentality. Have you ever been on the trail with folks overnight? Gear matters nothing. It's all about the adventure, the people you get to meet and share the adventure with. I've never seen anyone who's told me I had the wrong gear....ever. If you lack something, everyone there is willing to pitch in and help.
Zootruck, you need a different crew if that's how they act.
Never met them on the trail. But I agree some keyboard hero's cn discourage newb's from trying the first time.
Matt, one of your best videos. No biased product endorsements, just plain experience driven information.
As a backpacker/ thru-hiker, I fall more on the minimal side. I always wondered what was in peoples overland rigs because my gear takes up the space of a backpack. I guess my point is you don't need a bunch of stuff to go camping. Also, my tent takes less than a minute to set up, so not all tents take as long as the one he showed. Just go camping and leave no trace.
As a jeep owner 60% of the space is wasted for spares :DDD
100% in the same boat, If I can spend 5 nights backcountry with only my pack why do I need to fill my vehicle with all this extraneous gear. Overlanding has become taking your home outdoors.
Just do what makes you happy! Live and let live.
Definitely don't need much for camping. However if you are planning to overland to some of the most remote locations in the country in a vehicle, there is definitely a lot of stuff you need. Tools, and spare parts will take up a lot of space so you can fix your rig while in the middle of nowhere if disaster strikes.
Unless you overland with the family and don’t want to buy hotels. You kinda need some stuff to keep the fam happy and run it smooth.
Well said Matt. I have my nice $350 Gazelle tent I can set up and take down quickly while my $25 dollar single butane stove is on the table working just fine. I get what works for me best while managing budget.👍👍
@YJ Overlander Losing that knife hurts. Believe me. I now carry mostly under $30 knives.
FYI... The eureka ignite camp stove is very similar to the jet Boil in adjustability. It takes two full turns of the knob to go from low to high. It is extremely easy to set a temperature for quick boil or keeping something warm without burning it. And the great news is it retails for $129 and is often on sale for less than 100. It's a very good stove
I would recommend if someone wants the toughness of the 23zero/roam cases but doesn't want to spend that much for them go with the Milwaukee cases. I have both 23zero and a plano but I feel the Milwaukee are the happy medium between them, plus they stack/lock together.
Great job as always Matt and all beginners should watch this to get started.
The Milwaukee cases have served me well. +1
The brand that harbor freight carries are good as well and about half the price of any of the other tool brands.
We used to floor tent camp but we had a bad experience where a bunch of coyotes started to poke their noses into the tent side walls. After that we did invest in a roof top tent. It’s worth it to us because we like to just take off sometimes and everything is in our tent already. It’s a quick set up and it’s not as easy for animals to reach us. I agree that it doesn’t matter what you have. It’s whatever works for you. You don’t have to spend a ton of money. It’s whatever you feel comfortable with and suits your lifestyle. We love this channel.
I believe there is an "overland tax" to one degree or another. A good example is storage boxes or totes. It's remarkable how much better contractor tool totes are than those marketed toward campers especially considering the prices.
No such thing as an overland tax it’s complete bs
@@wirebrush if you’re not in the southern states you may have to get them online, but Academy has camping totes that are AWESOME. They aren’t pelican quality but if pelican cases are a 10 and the junk cases that break all the time are a 1, the Magellan Outdoor Pro totes are probably an 8. They’re 80-100 bucks depending on size and worth every penny.
This is why I love this channel. Always great videos of the equipment you use or have used and why it doesn't matter if it's expensive or not. Many other RUclipsrs would just recommend more costly equipment or only their sponsor's brand. Matt's honesty and transparency in all things Overlanding is wonderful to watch. Someone who really cares about their hobby doesn't want you to join only if you can afford certain things, they want you to join so they have more people to make memories with on the adventure.
Wow! Thanks so much for that!!!
Yep. Matt and Cara seem like the RUclipsrs I’d most like to sit around a campfire with.
Matt - thanks for this message. I've seen a couple of the recent FB arguments... it's just sad. Way too many people are worried about what other people think of their setup or think that people want their opinion. You hit it - what matters is getting out and enjoying the outdoors. Thanks for saying it!
I've seen some videos from you lately where u r completely transparent about how/why u run the gear u do and how u obtain it. Super realistic, down to earth, and humble. It makes watching your channel so easy. No B.S. Thanks again and keep doing what u do!
I appreciate that!
Great well balanced video. I've never timed how long it takes to setup camp, because that's just part of the adventure for me. And if its raining, after the first minute, you're as wet as you're going to be.
Great video. As a fellow gear junky I’ve used and abused a huge range of equipment. After several years experimenting with RTT’s & wedge campers I’ve actually come full circle back to preferring a well made ground tent. Also love the Step22 or Kelty organization solutions. Ridgid Pro 22 tool box makes for a rad gear box. The older I get the more I appreciate simplicity, so I’m a less is more kinda guy. As far as a stove I agree with you, it’s all about what fits inside your gear box of choice. Cheers to your attitude about consumers choosing gear that fits their needs. It’s not about the price tag. 🤘
I'm a single dad with little kids so my Gazelle tent saves me so much time and hassel. I can get set up in seconds so I can enjoy the rest of camping. It's worth the price for me.
I freaking love your videos!!! Keep up the good work!!!
Great video like the way you communicate! I am lucky to have my 97’ Land Cruiser
Only have the two seats in the front so I just crawl in the the back with my pup on a simple mattress. However a couple of years ago I went skiing in Crested Butte and discovered that the “Buddy Heater” doesn’t work at all at the high altitude!!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Diesel heater is the way to go!!
I love this! Everyone starts somewhere, and we all wheel within the budget we have to work with...
I love the message of support and empowerment, and to act without judgment, because no matter what the budget is, the real object is to enjoy life... and support others enjoying theirs as well!
It’s an uphill battle - I appreciate you fighting it for the greater good.
Excellent video Matt. The main thing is to get out there! I always think about my gear from a "cost per use" perspective. I looked really hard at fridges and then decided that for the 12-14 days a year I'm able to be out in the woods, I couldn't justify it. My $100 Ozark trail cooler is ok for me. I believe in spending good money on a sleep system and things that keep you dry. If I can stay dry and get a good nights sleep then I'm going to have a good time. My Gazelle tent and my Exped mat are my most expensive pieces of gear and I'm glad I spent what I did on them. I'm also still using my $30 Coleman stove that my parents gave me for my 18th birthday....uh, some decades ago :)
If anyone takes away anything from this video, you said it best. "what matters, is you are getting out and having fun." Great vid.
I have a Colman double burner cook stove that my buddy gave mine as a hand me down. I've had it for two years. It replaced my single burner. He bought the Jet boil when he gave me his. I love it,,, I'm sure I can speak for almost t everyone when I say you cant beat a good hand me down. lol
That JetBoil stove is amazing. I had a hard time spending the $ on it but now that I've used it, I agree it is worth it. Hint: buy a separate wind shield that folds up small to go with it (you can get them cheap).
And a spare propane connector. That seems to be the only negatives I hear about them.
@@stacylolley Yes, that too! I carry a spare in the bag.
Recondition for the wind shield?
I Really enjoyed this video. I’m seriously considering upgrading to the down blanket from Grandmas quilt. Side note: We (I’m the better half of kentuckyjeeper) watch RUclips videos on our tv. Both of us are subscribed to your channel but don’t always get the chance to “hit that like button” since we’re on the TV version of RUclips as guests. Love your content & it was a big factor in our visit to the Ozarks last year as our 1st stop out of Kentucky on our month long trip west.
I had a roof top tent, loved it, but it was more of a pain when I setup a base camp, you had to basically break down camp every time you wanted to leave in the vehicle. This was an awesome video by the way!
I don't know why I hadn't thought of that before, but it's just one more reason a rooftop tent is not for me. I am often out to a destination to photograph before sunrise and back after sunset, and having to break down and set up a rooftop tent in the dark isn't something I'd want to do. I don't spend much time at camp when I'm traveling. I am out photographing and hiking. Then there is the weight a rack and rooftop add to your vehicle and what they do to your gas mileage. If your overlanding vehicle is also your everyday driver (as it is for me), 80-90% of the time you're carrying all that weight around when you don't need it, unless you have (or rent) a place to store it when it's not in use and have people to help you get the thing on and off your vehicle. Also, if I had a rooftop tent on it, my 4Runner wouldn't fit in my garage. It barely fits as is, with the stock rooftop rails deleted. Buying a good rooftop rack and tent and having them installed costs several thousand dollars, and as I think it about it more I wouldn't want one even if was free.
Great point on stoves. I have a MSR dragonfly which packs small and very adjustable flame. It’s my favorite since it fits in my tote. The con is that it takes liquid fuel and priming.
Glad to hear you had a good experience with down quilts I've been looking to replace my sleeping bags
Great video Matt. I am just starting my overlanding adventures and to follow an old drag racing adage, run what ya brung. I overland in a full size truck because that is what I have. The rest of my gear comes from Walmart or FB market place. I often feel like us bargain bin shoppers are looked down upon. This lets me know that isn't so. Thanks again.
Excellent video Matt. I really want a RTT but budget wise I bought a Gazelle tent. Still a ground tent but sets up fast and to put up is fast. Definitely agree with you, shouldn’t matter what anyone thinks. Just go out and enjoy the adventures
Thanks Matt !! I really like this video!! Im just starting out in overlanding and hope to someday to have the rooftop tent. but for now its a ground tent with a air up mattress lol
Great video with cost vs the quality of what your buying and then getting down to just have fun . Appreciate what you have and really just appreciate the Great outdoors . Really what it's all about.
Well said Matt, it all depends on needs.
I paid full price for an EE quilt for backpack hunting a few years back, absolutely fantastic. Well worth the money. Been meaning to get their comforter for a while now for the RTT.
For tents, those of us who are fortunate to get out a lot also value time saved to clean it. Sure setting up/tearing down in the rain faster is great but a huge perk is when it needs dried from the rain in between trips it’s not a big chore. Ground tents are very inconvenient if there’s bad weather. If they are wet, you better get it out of that wet dark stuff sack within a day or two, set it up yet again or else it will grow mold and need to be tossed. Like you said, this doesn’t matter if your not out often but holy smokes it gets old if you are.
But at the end of the day, no one cares. If you show up with a 5$ garage sale stove I won’t even notice.
It’s only when people announce they didn’t bring very basic camping gear intentionally that I get annoyed. I’ve had that happen too many times 🤦🏼♂️
Well said , nobody should care what you use and how much it cost! I run a colmon stove gazelle tent colmon tent for my kids and it all works just fine!
Just bought the Gazelle T4 Overland Edition (2min set up time) + Byer of Maine Easy Cot = new level of comfort. Like the rooftop tent, but SUV doesn’t lol Jetboil is amazing product. I’ve been using my stove since 2007. Original stove. Excellent customer service. Great review.
Just looking at getting into overlanding and loving your channel. I do find it relatively close to the backpacking community when it comes to gear. We've all started somewhere, and generally start with the budget but heavier option. Then, over time evolving into the higher quality light weight gear. Even though I only get out very infrequent, I'll invest in the higher end, more expensive gear because I get what I pay for and have a better experience with the better gear. Just my opinion though.
I recently got a Jeep Wrangler and I’ve been getting into the overland world.. Your videos help me out a lot, thank you so much Matt!
Excellent information, but what I truly enjoyed was you driving home the point that you don't have to have the top dollar equipment in order to compete with others out there. Just get out there and have fun and enjoy life. That's the point of it, not school age drama crap.
Stay safe and well out there everyone 🤙💜✌️😊
Good point Matt!! I see a lot of people who say there are is only one way to do camping and that is to have the best of everything. There are a lot of people like myself that don't get out as much as we want to during the year and thus some of the mid range gear does great. I enjoy your product reviews as they save me from buying something I really don't need or show me something I do need to save time. I have a mix of gear and I agree that everything just has to fit the person that is using it. For example, I have a jet boil Mini mo that I dearly love and I pair that with a $40 Coleman stove. I have a nice Marmot ground tent with a really nice Thermarest Mondo King pad and love it. Use what you have and upgrade if you see the need. I believe in supporting women getting out and camping and exploring, don't judge is a great message for everyone. After all I started with a $15 leaky cheap tent and a 70's coleman sleeping bag in college and still loved every minute of it. Support and explore!
It’s not about the gear. It’s never been that way for me. When my Dad took me camping as a kid, it was more about being in nature and spending time with him than anything else. My kids share the same sentiment.
Me, too. We ate canned beenee weenies and saltiness crackers. It was perfect!
That’s awesome man. Now that I’m a dad I can’t wait to take my two kids out camping. I didn’t have a dad to do that with and I’m so excited for my kids.
@@BigRedOverlanding That’s awesome. Kids grow up way to fast. Get out and do things with them. Document as much of it as you can through photos and/or video. Trust me as they and you get older, you’ll appreciate the fact that you took the time to capture those memories.
Great video Matt, I love the common sense approach. To each there own. By the way, if you recall I was in the process of dealing with Open Road winches, I was able to get through to them and cross the language barrier. Hopefully will be installing it soon. Thanks and be safe.
I'm usually a believer on "you get what you paid for" and I am a strong practitioner of buying the best gear you can afford BUT paying for a Pelican rifle case to house tow straps & Shackles when a Plano box will do is where I draw the line.. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I would pay top dollar for an expensive box to store my gold bars and a Sterilite plastic tote will do for my socks. 🙃👍
I hope to see you on the trail! I'm new to all this so all your videos have been super helpful! I have a very similar philosophy to you and I am Wheeling out of an modified F-150.
Great video. But, I am curious to know if you have video review any of the Gazelle tents, since I would be interested in watching that. Their tents do look very easy to setup.
I've never reviewed a Gazelle tent but friends of mine have used them in our videos. They love them. They are awesome tents. If I were to start using a tent it would be a Gazelle.
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures Would you consider a Shiftpod over a Gazelle tent? Do you know what the pros or cons may be. They both look to be of high quality.
@@mrderek800 I've never seen a shiftpod in person but I've heard great things about them.
Greeting from the down under! Great videos. Some experience on our trips with ground tents, we've used it during both avg 3-night camping in the same campsite, and also week-long outback road trips stretching multiple towns and National Parks. We are carrying a ground tent, but it is an air tent, Zempire Evo ts. Ground tents have the advantage of better fuel economies and are quieter on the road. Also, we can simply leave our tent on the campsite we choose, and drive our rig away to explore the areas.
We are jealous of RTT sometimes, especially we are tired and the weather isn't as great and the ground is super wet and we are tired after a long drive. But we've managed it, and doable with a fast tent. Seriously, buying a fast-pitch tent, like OZtent, or Gazelle tent, or some air tent like Zempire, is more expensive than a normal tent, but not that compared to an RTT and you won't regret it for sure. A 5-10min setup is not as hard when the multi-day trips involve many different kinds of campsites. In Australia, it means several days in Caravan Parks with booked and labeled campsites, and some days in first come first serve base National Parks campsites. With RTT, is hard to "secure" an FCFS campsite. Plus packing up the RTT in the morning, coming back in the evening, and then setting up the RTT again. Repeating for 2-3night is pretty tedious.
After some trips, our final decision is, either choose a good ground tent or save some more money on gears like RTT and Awning and seek an offroad RV. for both camping and multi-day on/off road trips.
Great discussion. I appreciate you ability to recognize pros and cons for each side of the dollar so to speak.
Being I don't have unlimited resources I'm always evaluating my bang for the buck. I try to save were I can so I can afford the more expensive gear wear it matters the most.
I think the military sleep system "mss" is a great budget sleeping bag set. You can pick them up on the cheap and they build on each other to cover a wide temperature range.
I tend to take the same approach to camping equipment as I do photography equipment- buy the best equipment you can afford and upgrade as you go. Don’t wait around trying to save up for a top of the line RTT, get what you can afford and go have adventures. You can always sell used gear on Facebook as you upgrade so you can offset the costs of upgrading somewhat.
Thank you for this video. I live on Thornburg Mountain so, not far from you. We are way lucky to have amazing areas to explore and enjoy. I turned my sister on to your site and she absolutely loves you! Thanks again Brother, Rev.
Awesome! thank you!!
I have roof top tent and it takes longer not all RTT's set up with same speed. Also something to consider between ground and RTT is if you plan on wheeling or having to go anywhere you will have to take down your RTT in order to do that. A ground tent is setup and you're done and can go play. There are pros and cons to everything. Good video thanks for sharing.
Great video. I am a budget overlander/ camper. Some stuff I have real expensive and some cheap stuff.
We are weekend warriors, have been for 10 years. We take probably 5-8 trips 3-4 days at a time per year, we wanted to spend $ 40 on a 2 burner stove but thought it was too much and spent $25 on a single burner LOL. It's done amazing for a family of two.
Love the video mate!
This one of the best ways I have seen brand integrations done, in a long time. Well done 👍🤙💪
One thing that could be interesting is seeing performance side by side. Say you're boiling 1L of water using a single burner - how long does it take on each stove in the same pot at high? I will say that one thing I have found with the Ozark/GSI/Coleman style is in windy scenarios - those backer/sidewalls seem nice.
One thing not included in the tent comparison is that you likely spent some quantity of time leveling your rig. I've never had to do that, but I can imagine it's a bit difficult vs a trailer with jacks.
I just picked up the Jetboil for it's compact size. Fits my gear better. From what I've seen they all are about the same. My camp chef is faster but not racing to boil water, ever. So a minute or two faster isn't going to make a difference. But you're right about the wind control though. As for leveling, a lot of us use rv leveling blocks. Not bad at all. With ground tents, you have to find a nice level and somewhat smooth area to set up. Fine for campground but can be difficult for disperse camping.
@@TuanNguyen-ld8kl you're right, it's not a race. I'm just curious of objective ways to measure. But like Matt said, I don't really care what people bring. I just want to wheel.
I pretty much exclusively dispersed camp, it's not much effort to find somewhere reasonable for a tent. Granted mine are 1-3man tents so the footprint is rather small.
Let me be the first to admit I was wrong on my assumptions of how this video was going to go. I expected "we got this free as test gear and it's great. you should go out and spend your hard earned money on it. affiliate links below." I was wrong. Liked the product reviews and the honesty of "we purchased this or my wife won this". Makes all the difference in the world when a RUclipsr reviews something they spent money on vs. received for free. Thanks.
On the Plano Sportsman cases, I been using mine (the bit larger, locking ones), for a decade now, I put some self stick weather strip in the lid channel, BAM! no dust or water...... Love this video! Thanks Matt
Those totes seem tough, but there is an absurd amount of wasted space around the outside of them just like a yeti cooler. There is a brand called Magellan that has nice camping totes that are waterproof and have air vents and you can get a 92 L for about 100 bucks. I think they are called the Magellan pro gear case or something like that.
Ya I totally agree I have a Yeti Cooler it’s just a waste of space! Not any better than more affordable Coleman 😢
Great video. Just subbed up! I am going to be starting to do some camping and "overland" type adventuring in the near future. I'm gathering all the information I can to make the best spending decisions as far as what gear I need and what I would "love to have" but don't need. I just purchased a 2019 Raptor and that's going to be my base for quite awhile. I have a set of Billie Bars and a Tepui Explorer Ayer 2 RTT coming to get started. I've never camped in my life (In my late 40s now) but I've decided to go out and start enjoying the outdoors like I've always wanted to do but never got around to doing. I'll get my RTT set up then pull my $35 Plano case out from under the bed cover! I'm going out to enjoy myself and I fully intent to regardless of what anyone thinks!
Keep up the good work! Be safe!
I agree with most of what your saying except cost and time setup. I found a topper for $200 that fits my truck fine, then added some goodies. My Setup time is open the rear hatch. Unload some wood and done. So there are many more options that are not 200 times the cost of a tent. Even a one minute tent from colman is maybe 5 min real time. So your are correct shop for what you really need, test it and improve it as needed. Conservative spending is good for the average person while also focused on safety and security on or off road. Love your vids, Gear and tested items. Dan
Hi , thanks, you are a very nice guy. Just wanted to say you really inspire me to get out as often as I can. My Channel is not about making anything other than share the ride . I don't ask nor need any subscribers. Mine is for Family and all. I would prefer you give this gift to someone else that can really use it , that can't afford it. That would make me smile if you choose the next guy. Thank you so much for your sharing knowledge. I watch every video you make and test what you use to see if it fits my needs. So Far you have a good record in my book. Thanks again... Dan AKA SearaiderZSocal Please gift it forward to some one that that is short on cash. Dan
What would help me is your Dodge Ram Gen 3 guys with more under armor DIY or other. My welder can fab anything I want.
Thoroughly enjoyed this video. Talked all about gear BUT it's not an ad, or catered to a sponsor. I put a lot of money into my rig but I usually start cheap and only upgrade when that stuff fails or I see it could massively increase my enjoyment on adventures. I advocate that getting out with whatever you have is more important than staying at home saving for the "perfect setup". You said it best though, "no one cares" as long as you're out having fun. Thank you!
I have a 2006 Jeep commander 5.7 limited and looking to do Alaska hwy next year. Need rack, tent, tire rack, we will be using what we can afford. As long as it works.
Love the video but have an even better option on the tent - no tent. I have a sleeping platform in my JKU that stays setup; time to go to bed, 5 seconds. Time to pack up 0 seconds. The roof top tent keeps you out of the mud and minimizes the time in the rain. Sleeping in a properly setup rig means you never have to go outside - rain, wind, snow, loud neighbors, bugs, all are a non-issue. :) Budget: other than some scrap plywood, it's free. Been living full time in it for the last 5 months and sleeping great!
Could you share the product information on the extended hose and connector your using to connect the propane tank to the camp stove? Thank You!
That very same Plano tote is still bouncing around in the back of my pickup today. It has held up very well.
Great explanation. I ran into your videos while watching Trail Recon videos. You and Brad definitely are my go to guys for overland education. Also really like Marco's videos. Keep them coming.
My bag is a teton from sportsmans warehouse. $80 on sale display model. LOVE IT!
Regarding tents. Sure, cost is hugely different, but to me it's about how you're going to use it. I go on 2 week dispersed camping trips where I usually spend 2-4 days in each location (I call it "basecamping"). For me, a good ground tent is an easy choice. The Gazelle sets up as easy as most rooftops, and cumulatively it's MORE efficient because I don't need to set up/tear down every day. I'm free to explore in truck without a top heavy rack, tent, and gear. I have a folding mattress--maybe the best money I've spent as a 50 year-old overlander, so the "comfort of sleeping on the ground" is a complete non-issue. The investment is far less and of course I don't have the weight and drag sitting on my truck the other 340 days a year (or alternatively trying to remount everything for trips). Aside from looking cool, I see limited advantages to a rooftop tent. It makes sense; 1) if you're changing locations every night, 2) space in your SUV is so tight that you can't fit a tent (the Gazelle sets up quickly, but it is bulky), 3) you are paranoid about animals, or 4) the hard shells can offer better protection against the wind and rain (then again, strong winds could pitch your vehicle back and forth all night).
Very good points. 1 and 4 are why I have an RTT. I don't base camp often and when I do, we have a trailer for that.
thanks for sharing your knowledge. I’m a rookie to all of this, and just looking to get out for a 2-3 day trip. It can be overwhelming whats needed or what’s overkill. Especially, being on a tight budget. After all, it’s about getting out. Thanks
Food, shelter, and water is all you need! Everything else is a luxury that you pick up as you go out more often. The wife and I slept on a Coleman air mattress in the back of my 4Runner, and cook our food on a camp stove I traded my friend a bottle of Southern Comfort for on our first trip out hahaha
Food, shelter, and water is all you need! Everything else is a luxury that you pick up as you go out more often. The wife and I slept on a Coleman air mattress in the back of my 4Runner, and cook our food on a camp stove I traded my friend a bottle of Southern Comfort for on our first trip out hahaha
Matt regarding roof top tents vs. tents, there is another in between option for those whose budget does not allow for a roof top tent or if they use there roof for other storage or do not want the weight on top but do not want to deal with a tent.
And that option is a swag, one example would be a one person Kodiak Canvas swag which rolls up with all your bedding just like a roof top tent. Add a camping cot and if ones budget allows add an awning all for around $1k give or take. And another huge benefit of an awning is that provides a shelter when you need to cook and sit out side and it is pouring rain.
I use my camp stove when I’m traveling to cut down on buying fastfood. I’d rather pull over & heat up some homemade chili or canned soup instead of over pay for McDonald’s lol. I like to “penny pinch” every chance I get 👍🏾
Just getting started in overlanding. In fact, I haven’t even taken my first trip yet. Just got my Jeep JK a few weeks ago. I’m in the process of building it out. So far I have 33” tires and a barricade bumper. My focus at first is going to be recovery and survival. Getting a winch, traction boards, straps, rear cargo organization, tools, cooking, water. I purchased Durst X-Mid tent, I have bags, getting pads, then I should be set. Eventually I’ll get a roof rack and rooftop tent, but not my priority at this time. Also want to get a fridge and power station with solar.
I have a colman stove I got when I got married 45 years ago and it still works great . We use it every summer when we go camping.
I'm SO NEW that I'm googling and youtubing everything. But I am learning a lot as I go. I'm in Houston and for now I'm getting a tent to camp in my F150. No 4x4'ing for me. It's a V6 RWD truck. But at least I can get away from the city and enjoy some quiet, restful time alone. I have to start off rather cheap for now. If I like it and do it often. Then perhaps I'll upgrade a few things. I like your vids and taking notes. Thx!!
Great video Matt.
There is something to be said about the green Coleman camp stove. Just like a time x, it takes a beating, and keeps on ticking!!! I have my dad's Coleman from the 60s. It has never failed to light, always performed like a champ!!!
+1 on the vintage Coleman. We've only recently gotten into overlanding, but my ancient Coleman works so well I don't see a need for a replacement any time soon. Eventually I may want something lighter, smaller, or better in some way, but for now I am 100% satisified with this dinosaur, and we've been eating well out in the sticks!!
I’ve always enjoyed your overlanding videos and enjoyed seeing the fancy gear you have and how amazingly your jeep is outfitted, I’m pretty young and just starting out overlanding with my first truck so this has been a great video for me to realize that maybe not everything needs to be these insane setups you see on different people’s videos. Not only that but everyone starts somewhere and it takes time to build up a well-outfitted rig. Just because my rig isn’t 100% outfitted doesn’t mean it will be like that forever which is what I need to keep in mind 😂 thanks for the video!
Thanks for your genuine review! I’m a newbie and appreciate your views.
Thank you!
Stumbled on your Website that i really enjoyed watching ... You have a nice demenor ! Nice that you take time in reading/ answering comments .. My BugOut Rig is a 2010 Rav4 Limited! No platform build . I use variousxa Ridged Tool Boxes in organizing gear .. I simply stack the boxes when home .. Nevertheless, I'm Subscribing your channel, and looking forward watching your other vides ! Stay Safe and Positive in this Negative Society 😊
RTTs seems cool, but the initial cost, needing to be super picky about where you park/level your rig at camp, then not being able to go anywhere once you’re setup were the biggest disadvantages for me. Love my Gazelle!
Some people like myself don't get hung up on perfectly level. As one that's done from tent, hammock, Tent-Cot, RV / T.T. now I've got a RTT too.
I’m never picky about where I park. With rocks or leveling blocks it’s much easier to level a vehicle on uneven ground than find a level spot for a ground tent.
Overland is you and what u wanna take and what your adventure leads you
I am a fan of the way you present your thoughts in this video and all of the others I have seen. I tried using your link to enlightened, but it took me to a different product from a different company. Thought you should know, maybe you can fix it. Thanks again for the great content!
I appreciate how not snooty this is about spending too much money. refreshing.
I absolutely love how honest you are Matt I am a bit like you with the equipment i use . If it is a critical piece of equipment i spend the$$$ if it absolutely doesn't matter i will buy the cheapest one i can find (within reason)cuz "it doesn't matter!)
I love all your videos on gear and you hit the nail on the head every time . And thanks for the heads up on the "Set Power " I plan to put one in the cart soon. Keep up the great work and thank you for taking the time to provide videos that help us make better gear choices.
Thanks 👍
As for boxes, I go the the hardware store. I use AEG, but you can use any brand tool storage, and movement boxes. They are dust and rain proof, and can be sat on, as well as stood upon.
I love this. I have had conversations with others spending so much time talking about how I camp and judging what i use and they havent even got out. Some spend lots and lots of time to make the trip perfect. I love your idea!! Prepare no matter how you want and just get out!
If im doing weekend trip i got a tote and 2 bags ready to go throw in truck and leave super easy. Rooftop is great but i dont want to have it on all the time cuz the heat here in the arizona. In the fiuture I would like a teardrop trailor so its ready to go always. JUST GET OUT AND HAVE FUN!
Good vid.....and as usual "you get what you pay for". The key was how much you use stuff. Weekend warriors who get out 3-4 times a year don't need the 'good' stuff. But if you're a serious overlander of course buying the more expensive stuff is a must. One thing you showed that everyone should consider buying is that down blanket. That would come in handy in lots of situations and a comfortable sleep is priceless when camping.
I like my two Partner Steel Cook Partner stoves (18" dual burner & 9" single burner) and I like the fact that they give you the option when you order what side you want the hose on. The one I use on a table I want it on one side but the one I use in a vehicle slide I wanted on the other side. They also let you tell them how long you want the hose. I am a fan of the Cook Partner but I agree even the cheapest basic stove will get the job done if that is all you want to spend. I am not going to judge anyone for their gear. It is the getting out that matters most. The differences I see are simmering control, BTUs, builds quality, convivence, and are you buying for a lifetime. I also consider reparability, particularly field repair. I had the jet boil genesis basecamp- it is not a standard connector or burner and they won't even send you a replacement burner without sending the whole unit back to them for evaluation & repair. How do I know this? We were camping & the regulator on the gas connector failed & one burner clogged. Left without a functional stove & no where near to get replacements parts that you can't buy in stores anyway. I have Jet Boils, MSR Whisperlite internationals, Esbit stoves, you name I have it and tried them all. The Cook Partner is the winner for me.
Great video Matt! Enjoyed seeing the product ranges and appreciate your take. I have a mix of walmart gear and high end gear and you're right, no one cares, they're just glad I showed up with my contribution to dinner lol
25:39 is there anyone you know of that has posted videos I can watch on mounting totes on a roof rack? I’m wanting to have all my gear on my roof but I haven’t been able to find tutorials of how to actually do it. Just seen people with it done.
I have the same Coleman ground tent and it’s really good for what I do
Nice video. 3rd option to the tent thing...sleeping platform built inside ones Jeep. Zero setup.
I got a Coleman Fold n Go 2 burner. Very limited space in my TJ. Similar size but more budget friendly than the jetboil. Love your videos ☺️
I have a Tacoma with a Smartcap but I sleep in the bed on an air mattress from Walmart. Recently got back from a week long trip through Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming and had an amazing time. Can’t wait to to it again. Had some fancy gear and some not fancy gear and had an amazing trip regardless.
Very nice!
I got my Enlightened Equipment 0° 7'8 bag about 6 years ago, love it. Top notch.
Well said. You get what you paid for. Some of my kit is the higher end and some the lower priced. One thing, like you said is time. Bought a so called quick pitch family tent. Used twice and sold it. Took 2 to set up. Got a clam shell roof top tent.
Thank you for this video. What is the company name of the sleeping quilt that cost $380?
Great video. I will never understand why people care what someone else does or has. Yesterday I went out to get a headband light and they didn’t have the one I wanted but they had something similar so I got that and it still does the job I want it to do.
I recently bought the ozark trail stove and my tank adapter stows flush. It come out of the box flush, but it takes a second to figure out how. The large end has to rest fully in the recess. As for lighting it, I’m carrying multiple ways to light a fire, so that’s no big deal. For the price, it’s amazing.
Your totally right. Everything works for everyone. Some preferences could make a difference based on your own experience. For example I love roof top tent, but mine it’s a soft shell and it takes more time to set it up and take it down, also there it’s a problem if I have to move every day, it takes time.
Just rewatching the video...
Is there an overland tax??? On a lot of things... Yes. Marketers realized overland if a buzzword these days thus by attaching overland to the name or description they could sell it at a higher price. However, this is not always to say you do not get what you pay for. There is a yellow plastic tax on DeWalt tools, but they have a long standing reputation for quality and standing behind their product, and are often worth the money. If you can afford quality and it will serve you well, it is worth the extra money. It IS NOT a requirement to spend high dollar for equipment...
As always though... One of the reasons I love your channel. You are open and honest about products. But so many of your videos, you promote the same ideals I looks for. Keep up the great work.
I’m considering that jetboil setup. I currently use a Coleman road-trip grill and I like it but it’s big.
Great video the only thing I would like to add is get a good sleeping setup especially if your taking someone camping for the first time. Spending the night freezing in a tent is a deal breaker and they won’t want to go camping again. You don’t need expensive gear just a reasonable quality sleeping bag and a few blankets to keep you warm.
Plano tote with a small bead of silicon caulk laid in the lid channel has worked very well for making mine dust & rain proof for a few years now. And I feel like I don't have as much wasted space as those roam boxes.
The best gear is the gear that gets you enjoying the outdoors