Nemo Tensor user here. Different pads for different bodies. I’m a side sleeper and love mine. You do have to make sure you’re not over inflating it or it’s uncomfortable
I also have a Nemo Tensor. I actually inflate it as much as I can to make it comfortable. Not to discredit you, just to reinforce your point of different pads for different bodies :)
Came here to say the same thing. I also have the long wide version that he talks about and would add that I never slide off the side or have cold shoulders like you sometimes get from a more narrow pad.
I've had Exped, Neo Xlite and Tensor All Season and the only uninterrupted, sleep through until morning was on the Tensor. By far the most comfortable and the warmth and packability is outstanding. Everything is subjective. After years of sleeping on Neo Air pads, I'm sure that is simply what you're used to now and will unlikely find anything different that you prefer, this is the case with many things in life - we're creatures of habit. You're a legend.
I was getting awful sleep on the tensor until I started under inflating it and it's been super comfortable. Every other pad is better (for me) hard as a rock, but the tensor hurts my back for some reason when it's over inflated.
That's kinda funny, I have never understood why someone would never use a footprint to protect their expensive gear. Every time I get home from a bikepacking trip my footprint is covered with sap, dirt, sand, etc. I also like having that extra protection for my sleeping pad, it's easy to miss something pointy when setting up your tent, especially when you are tired. Cheers
I agree. But I recently did a 4 a night trip on a difficult trail and needed to cut the weight. My tent did fine but I did miss having the footprint. I normally do 1-2 nights trips and will continue to use my footprint but should I do a long thru hike I'll cut the footprint.
It’s also an extra layer of insulation and water protection. I just came back from camping in Iceland and there were a couple days where it just rained nonstop. A properly setup footprint (slightly smaller than the tent) helped me from collecting rainwater under the tent which can inevitably seep in and also kept the moist and cold air from getting into the tent for the rest of my camping trip.
100% I'm in the PNW, so many places I backpack in are either wet, forested, or both. That footprint keeps the pitch, fir/pine needles, and other junk off my tent. Plus, when I hammock camp I stake out a footprint so I have a clean place to stand when I take off my shoes, change clothes, etc. so I don't bring the forest into my hammock
I love how gear items are subjective and change with style of hiking and personal preferences. Everybody needs to find their jam and not try to copy anybody. I love how you emphasize this truth.
I feel this. Like for me, due to poor arm flexibility, I struggle to get water bottles back into the conveniently angled side pockets of my backpack after I pull them out, so I end up using a water pouch instead. If I didn't have to take off my backpack to put my water bottle back in it's pocket it would be a different story, but I simply have stiff and ridiculous limbs. 😆 Don't know if it's my shoulders or what. I completely agree with Darwin's takes though!
@@Kipicuslike you, contorting my body to reach back into that side pouch where the water bottle was stashed was killing my neck. I since switched to Justin’sUL Water Bottle Carrier. LOVE them. I carry 2 1 liter smart bottles. One is just H2O the has electrolytes. I found I wasn’t drinking as much water as my body required and was getting dehydrated until I switched to carrying my water batters on my shoulder straps! Light weight, comfortable, affordable, and easy to use!
I'm a hammocker, and over the years I've gotten lots of footprints in the mega sale bin and use them as tarps. The biggest ones have often been the cheapest, and tons cheaper than a regular tarp. Thanks to manufacturers that hype them.
Agree with you on everything except the nemo tensor pad. I started with a thermarest pad and felt like I was sleeping on a bag of chips. I’m a side sleeper and I sleep very well on the tensor. Sleep is personal and subjective.
Side sleeping was the thing that drove me from Thermarest to Nemo, too. Thermarests are great quality pads, but I always, ALWAYS woke up with sore hips after using them.
I just bought a Nemo tensor because my thermarest got hole in it. Took a chance because it got lots of great reviews. I’m a side sleeper and I’ve been using the Neo air xlite for years with no issues, but I absolutely love the Nemo. But as far as the thermarest being noisy, I feel like they all are. Now mind you, this was a 40 + day motorcycle trip so I haven’t taken it on trail yet. The Nemo is definitely heavier for sure.
the hydration bladder thing comes down to one thing for me: If I go on a multi-day hike, I‘ll use bottles. As you showed in the video, it is quite annoying to refill it, especially if you don’t carry water for the whole day. However, I often don’t drink enough when I‘m using bottles, as I forget about it. When I‘m on a day hike, I‘ll probably always bring my bladder - it‘s just sooo convenient to drink, I‘ll take small sips often instead of half a bottle at a time (and then having it slush around in my stomach). As I‘m hiking in the Alps and mostly on ridges and peaks, I want to bring enough water for the whole day anyway, so no refilling needed. And I just make sure I clean and dry it well after every use and use baking powder every once in a while to deep clean.
I got a hydration hose that can connect to a bottle, so kind of best of both worlds. Easy refill/clean/replace of bottles, and easy drinking of a hydration bladder. I'm also a little confused on the "sloshing" of water in a bladder. There's no air volume in the bladder. Where is water sloshing to and from? The flexible container shrinks as water is used.
I don't really use my bladder while I'm hiking but when I get to camp I only want to refill water once so I fill my bottle and bladder and have enough water for the night and the morning.
Hydration bladders are great for day hikes. Esp ones that are longer without water on the trail. But I would never use one on a multi day and I probably won't if I can get water on the trail in favor of a Grayl. Yes the Grayl is "heavy" but oh, so convenient.
I resorted to writing the word "Drink" on my hand to remind me when I'm using bottles. Every time I see my hand I'm like "oh yeah!". Not the most elegant solution, but certainly cheap
I really like my JetBoil Stash. Yeah, it's a bit more expensive than the cheapest stove + pot, but I like how small it packs down especially for short trips, and the super high efficiency is a nice bonus for longer trips.
Great video and helpful to hear your take. My Hydration bladder opinion - I’ve totally solved the “refilling “ problem by adding a valve to the hose I can switch off to refill through the hose. It attaches to my filter and I just refill the bladder directly. I never have to take it out of my pack or open it up. Cleaning is easy. I just rinse it out at the end of the trip and put wadded up paper towel inside to keep it open to dry. Reasons I like the bladder: a) puts weight at center of your back where it should be b) super convenient on trail c) I can store up to 3 liters w/o having to stop and refill. Downsides: it’s not convenient for camp. I carry an extra collapsible silicone bottle I use to drink from around camp.
Crocs are possibly the best footwear in so many applications. Reasonaly light. Cool. Warm. Float. Slip on or buckle down. Dry while wearing. Wipe dry if not. For canoeing, kayaking, rafting and summer treks up north I wear nothing else!! Yes I do wish they looked better, packed smaller, and were lighter but I stand by them as one of the greatest footwear items ever!! And we use them all the time for water crossings. The grip is outstanding. From Arkansas to Iceland to Canada they kick but in water. 😮😁. And I may never take a water filter again. Tablets are lighter, purify, and are easier. Not sure just yet but leaning that way…
I consider Crocs an essential gear item for the hiking I do, which typically involves multiple fordings often above the timber line where drying shoes is rather impractical. As for Darwin's claim that Crocs are slippery when crossing creeks, baloney! At the end of my camping day, there's no warm cozy cabin waiting for me. Finishing off the day wearing wet footwear in 40F weather at the tent site is simply miserable.
Crocks are great for home and maybe a shopping trip. But I would never actually take them for hike. Just get proper hiking sandals if you are going to walk a lot or go outdoors. Something like Teva Hurricane is actually lighter too. I mean personally I would rather get them in first place since they look pretty nice and you can use them say day in town or something. Just much more pleasant to walk on. Ultimately, I just don't consider crocs walking shoes. Great for working around home or something though.
Groundsheets can be very light and keep most of the crud of your tent. Can double up for outdoor sitting (yes I also have a sitpad but...) and occasionally as a kilt.
I wouldn't take a water bladder for a backpacking trip, but water bladders are super useful for day hiking in hot temps or high altitudes because the easy access to water helps you stay hydrated without having to keep reaching back for a water bottle. My little hot weather day hike trick is to load my 3L bladder with ice water and load up my Osprey Stratos 24 daypack with the bladder between the back mesh and the pack. Nothing makes a hot hike go better than a cold ice/water bladder next to your back that lasts through a 12 mile hike in 95 F/35 C 80% humidity weather. This might be a problem particular to hiking in the Sam Houston National Forest in June through September.
I agree with a lot of it... But I sleep so well on the Nemo Tensor (I think it's all about how you sleep and it will be different for so many people) Like a pillow or even shoes.
Dear Darwin. When you go alone and drop into a shop every other day, you better use a small titanium pot, a mini gas burner and one 100 g gas canister. But if you go on a long hike or paddling tour, and you have to bring fuel for some weeks, you better use a jetboil. I`m from Norway and travel around in Scandinavian mountains, and has also been on long trips in Canada. A friend of mine followed your advices. He walked alone and burned the same amuont of gas as me and my wife together. We baked pan bread, cakes and fried fish besides heating water for 2-3 meals a day. My friend mostly heated water and seldom used his frying pan. Why did he spend twice as much gas as we do? Because the jetboil system is much more efficient with its heat exchanger and insolated pot! So my friend at last bought a Jetboil - the lightest of them - the jetboil stash. About 200 grams weight - no pot insolation - but the same efficiency as minimo. How many days do we need to be out on the trail to be lighter than your system? Three, four days, maybe a week if you eat mostly cold food? We are also trying the stash when backpacking, and so far it works well for two people too. Final I will give you all a great tips for how to make gas canisters independent of cold, and I mean freezing cold winter like 25 deg celsius below: Just keep a cup of warm or lukewarm water on a thermos and fill it in a bowl or similar. Place the gas canister into the water bowl, and the stove will run as it was summer time! Its 100% safe! The small bowl included in the minimo kit fits perfect for 100 gram canisters. Jetboil is our choice all year around, exept when we have to melt snow for all our water supplies. Then we bring a Primus.
As a part time mountain guide I use a water bladder as I am constantly busy assisting my guests on climbs/hikes. I also require a lot of hydration (sometimes >4 liters) so I am sipping on fluid all day. I find its just convenient to have the water right there which cuts down on how many times I need to access my pack. Also, when melting snow or providing water for a large group, a stove like the msr reactor is worth the weight.
A Tyvek floor is also good as a quick rain shelter for lunch, or a dry spot to sit when donning or doffing rain pants, or a windbreak, or a dozen other uses.
I use the same thing. On the AT it also serves as a Place to put your pad on I a shelter. I’ve also used it as a sit pad on the trail. I feel it’s more versatile, lighter and packs smaller than the GG 1/8 foam pad
I don't mind taking a small, light Tyvek sheet as it's great for breaks to sit or nap on, especially for wet ground,. It makes a nice layer to cowboy camp on, helping to keep your pad and quilt cleaner. With grommets or corner loops it makes a great shade structure with trekkng poles. You can write messages on it for hitchhiking.
Tyvek, ounce for ounce, is heavier and bulkier than most ground tarps I've seen or used. That does make it MUCH more water resistant and more durable though. And like you said, much more versatile.
@@helpfulcommenter true. It still barely weighs anything, but is *marginally* heavier than a ripstop nylon tarp, by about .01 oz per square foot. Tyvek, even then, is much harder to compact. Honestly though, now that I fact checked myself, I feel stupid for even bringing it up. So what if Tyvek is bulkier than ripstop? Tyvek has practically infinite applications.
I just finished a long section hike and loved my Nemo Tensor Alpine Air, long, wide. I’m a big guy and a side sleeper so the 3 inch depth was great. I slept so incredibly comfortable.
I certainly wouldn't bring a bladder on a multi-day hike for some of the reasons you indicate, but I will say that I've used them extensively trail running and as long as you get the air out they don't slosh around.
For anyone who doesn't know how to get the air out: Fill normally (& close) Turn upside down "Drink" the air bubble out until you get water Profit Took me too long to figure that out :(
Another person who loves their Nemo Tensor I have had two alpines. They are warm and comfortable. Used them in 15 degree temps and slept warm and comfy in the Sierras
I find the bladder perfect for day hikes, since they allow me to drink often without having to work around the bottles and side pockets. As soon as I go for an overnight trip though, I prefer bottles so I can keep track of how much water I have left vs water sources.
Absolutely this. Especially since I have shoulder impingement, so reaching a bottle on my backpack frequently is a nightmare. But I always use bottles at camp
@@xaderalert I use them for day trips. Totally agree regarding reaching round for water bottles. I can't either. That is why I either carry my bottle on the strap or in a pocket on the waist belt (osprey).
The snagstop hoodie from duluth trading is my favorite. It's cheap, synthetic, available in tall sizes, and can be stuffed into it's own hood for a comfy pillow. Everything I want in a hoodie.
Hey Darwin, thanks for the video. I agree with you except for 2 things. I love the Tensor pads. As a side sleeper I don’t bottom out and it’s quieter than other pads in it’s weight class. Second is a footprint. I do see your point. I carry mine because my tent allows me to do a minimalist set up with just footprint and rain fly. And so if bugs are not an issue I can have a 1lb shelter without spending $600 😁
footprint is good when it's raining, you setup your rain fly before your tent so you can avoid most of the rainwater going into the actual tent, depends on where you go pretty much.
Pardon the dumb question, I’m very new to backpacking but my rain fly attaches to my tent I’m not understanding how you could set it up before the tent. Could you explain? Or is this specific to just some tents? Mine is a budget tent so maybe only fancier ones are capable of this.
Agree with everything said except the crocs. I hike in europe and split my time sleeping in a tent and staying in huts. Most of the huts dont alkow you walk with hiking shoes in their residence. But even on the trail its nice wearing normal shoes in camp. Mine weigh 230 grams and i found a way to attach them to the side of the pack firmly so they don't dangle loosely. Once tied in have two little cubby holes inside the shoes to stuff some other small things i need quick access to on the trail. Too much convenience for only a small weight penalty for not taking them along.
In defence of hydration bladders… I have little T-Rex arms and hate taking my bag off just to grab water. I use a pump filter with a quick connect on hydration hose and it’s amazing!
You can buy attachable front strap pockets for your backback that you can put the water bottle into if you can't reach back, it has the added advantage that you distribute some weight to your front.
I took the old hose from a hydration bladder I wasn't using anymore & rigged a drinking tube that goes into the water bottle on my pack's chest strap. My shoulder mobility is poor, so it's hard for me to get bottles in & out of a side pocket. Ane with the hose, I can sip whenever I want to. I hate the "sloshy belly" feeling I get when I drink too much water at once. (I can't just take the water bottle out of the holder and drink while I'm still walking.)
Water bladder user here. All of the negatives that he brings up were solved by osprey, with their hydraulics bladder. The hose has a quick disconnect, so you don't have to fish it out of your pack. The filling opening is a fold top with slider bar, so you can get the air out super easy, and fill it anywhere, drinking fountains included. To each their own.
I gave up on camp shoes. Then Skinners put out a great one. It's basically a sock with a sole. It is pretty darn light, and rolls up so it's packable to about a soda can in volume. Love em
That face at 9:22 😝❤ I'm very much d'accord with everything you said but I love my footprint. I'm using it as an a**pad, to take a nap on, to dry out my gear when the sun comes out but the ground is still wet, or even as a little tarp to give shade while having a break, in the mornings I'm able to put my gear onto the footprint, so I wouldn't loose anything. And I used a Tyvek one to hide behind while changing my clothes after bathing in a mountain lake where a lot of other people were around. I think footprints are very versatile.
I like to use a tent footprint not to prevent punctures but to keep mud and dirt off the bottom of the tent, which could then get transferred to the body of the tent. I fold up the footprint with the dirty side trapped inside it. I've never bought a footprint, I used landscaping fabric in the past. It can be sewn to make it wide enough. For our current tent, I sewed one with some lightweight fabric I had leftover from a project. I agree that the purchased ones are a rip-off.
Yup, exactly. I use TYVEK construction sheet. Pretty much indestructible, super lightweight and packable, costs next to nothing and it keeps my tent clean. I keep it folded in my front mesh pocket and use it for sitting down during the day.
Agree about tyvek. I use it more in shelters to protect my sleep pad. It's super light weight. And very handy as a surface cover just to keep your stuff clean.
A couple caveats about water bladders. For roped mountaineering, it is extremely inconvenient to stop and take your water bottle out, hence why bladders are so popular in the high Alpine. Same goes for ski touring except ski touring packs are designed to literally have no exterior pockets so nothing get ripped out during an avalanche. Bladders are almost necessity
Tent footprints are invaluable when routinely backpacking in wet, muddy places. They keep the bottom of the tent relatively clean, and the footprint can be neatly folded dirty side in and packed in a waterproof sack to really keep it separate. Same thing again for really wet environments, they help you pitch a tent fly-first if you really need to. I realize there are other hacks for pitching fly-first that involve making a lightweight strap system, but because it also helps with mud, just bring the footprint.
I have a Nemo pad and the trick is to underinflate it. Also, when you’re setting up your tent in the Canadian Shield, you’ll find crushed granite and no matter how good your tent bottom is, those sharp pebbles cause flat tires on huge trucks. So a light sheet underneath can save you a whole lotta headaches.
I hike in and around Tucson Arizona. I use my hydration bladder when camping in the desert because water sources are scarce. I also use a footprint to protect my sleeping pad. I have a lanshan 2 which I modifed to always be attached to the tent. In addition I have a foam pad between the tent floor and the sleeping pad. Yes it is heavier but not much. Yes it is over kill. But I want to hike the AZT SOBO SOLO. I have no support crew and I am to poor to be buying new sleep pads at every town stop. This is a one and done for me (I hiked AT as a teen) but I do not forsee the PCT, CDT, or any of the other long trails in my future. I will be lucky to complete the AZT at 65. Love your channel. Thanks for all the great advice over the years.
Tyvek has many benefits, first of all, it makes it easier to select a camping spot, since if you are on grass, it prevents moisture from getting up from the ground and into your tent, and if you are on harsh terrain that could damage your tent floor, normally you just move on to find a better spot, but with tyvek, you just throw down where you are, no matter what is under you. Secondly, most people use an air mattress, well tyvek will prevent it from getting punctured if you failed to pay attention to where you set down your tent. Thirdly, you have a nice spot to lay on during your breaks, or to spread your gear on instead of it sitting in the mud. And lastly, a tyvek groundsheet actually comes with grommets, which means that you can set it up as a tarp if its raining mid day and you want a lunch break out of the rain. Its also a makeshift shelter that way in case your tent failed, tyvek doesn't fail.
I use Tyvek in the PNW and often find I have some globs of pitch stuck to the bottom of it at the end. So much easier to roll it up and clean off the pitch at home (hand sanitizer takes it off) than rolling or stuffing a whole tent with pitch on the bottom (which would get all over it). Pitch drips from tree branches on hot days; hard to see it on grass or moss before you set up. Also appreciate it as protecting my air mattress, as I don't bring a back up.
@@RowVsWadeGood points, tyvek just makes life easier on too many levels. Regarding you not bringing a backup pad, I recommend getting the Gossamer gear Thinlight Foam Pad (1/8 inch), get the folded one. Because it’s not only a backup sleeping pad that weighs practically nothing, it also means you can leave your 2 ounce thermarest foam Z- Seat at home, since this pad will double as a seat. And you can also use it under your main pad to add warmth and/or as a place to put your knee on as you are getting in and out of your tent. Lastly, you can hang it in your tent slanted on the wall facing where most of the sun’s light will be coming from in the early morning. Helps me a ton when I want to sleep in a bit.
As a person that worries a lot, it sounds like ground sheets are great for people that worry a lot😂and I guess Darwin just isn't that type of person that obsesses over "what if?" much.
@@LabroidasActually, Darwin was saying that there is an alternative to bringing a groundsheet, and that alternative is worrying about where you throw down your tent. Since if you worry enough, you look hard and well, and finally you find a nice place. I’m saying that Tyvek removes worrying about looking for the perfect place, you just throw down without worries anywhere you want.
I agree with most. I can't comment on the Nemo Tensor because I've never tried one. I have a limited budget, and so I need my gear to last. The footprint doesn't just protect from holes, it also protects from repeated abrasion that can damage/remove the waterproofing from the tent floor. I can also use it to set up my free-standing tent without the bug mesh, or as a sit pad.
Tent footprints also keep the bottom of your tent clean. In some campsites the wet needles and dirt just cling to the tent which is more time consuming and more of a hassle to clean than wiping off a ground sheet. they can also double as something to just lay out on or use as a "table" to organize your gear on. I use Tyvek, I go back and forth on trips taking it or not but several times now I regretted not taking it. Also got a very small hole in the bottom of my Durston X-mid Pro (dcf floor) when camping on a beach of all places.
Honestly that makes no sense. So instead of the bottom of your tent getting dirty, the footprint gets dirty which you still have to clean off. It really makes no difference.
@@tommybewick It definitely does make sense to me -- a) if need be, it is easier to shake a simple sheet vs shaking a whole inner tent, or even brushing off the bottom as you fold it b) when dirty or wet, you can fold it bottom side in to keep the grime inside - indeed, you do the same thing with the tent, but dirt might get dislodged when it dries up nd move around, or move to the actual tent when you unfold it next. c) it allows you to store that dirty/wet piece of gear away from the rest of the tent, say, outside your backback or on top of a bag if you're biking d) the bottom of the tent does stay drier, which keeps the whole tent drier when packed. I just bring a piece of nyloflume cut to the right size. Super cheap, hardly weighs anything and takes little space. Pretty versatile, multi-use piece of gear too, many other uses on the trail. Not for everybody, obviously, but it does make sense.
Hey Darwin, as an ultralight camper myself I think some of the newer Jetboils deserve a look. They have one called the Stash now that packs smaller and only weighs 7.1 oz. After spending several years with a base weight around 6 pounds, been watching your gear reviews since like 2019 so thanks for all the help with that, my stove is solidly #3 on the list of things I regretted going too light on (1 and 2 are a getting too short/narrow of a hammock and getting a tarp that didn't have the door flaps if anyone is curious). I have the tiny BRS stove and a 750ml titanium cookpot weighing in at 4.7 oz total and it was ok but it boiled slowly and churned through gas, especially with any wind needing to crank it up to not go out. When I discovered the Stash for sale it seemed like a pretty huge performance and convenience bump for a pretty small weight penalty and also like they were actually responding to community feedback. Been very happy with all but those 3 things on my kit and there's definitely enough extra weight I can still cut to more than make up for at least the stove increase.
The price of the stash is ridiculous. Check out the fire maple petrel and hornet stove combo. At least a third of the price of a stash. The design means you have the heat exchanger pot but it also protects from wind and the pot will still work with other stoves and the stove is just a regular stove. Combine them and you have a lightweight, fast and windproof system that also saves fuel.
Darwin, hello! I'm with you on bladders - I'm a busy mum and I've had so many of the bits and bobs go moudly on me. Upside with a bottle is, I can manage my water intake well - both in hot Aussie temps and cold winter temps, I often don't drink enough as I worry I run out of water. With bottles, I can see what I am drinking. Stoves - yes, unless backpacking with my fam of 5, we want quick hot water for all of us and we carry a Jetboil type system... but we also don't hike 20-30 miles and have to lug it around. Otherwise I'm a one pot person. And thanks for your tip on refilling gas bottles, totally bought that little gadget! Pads- yup totally personal. I own both. A higher R value has recently made me happier than anything else. Footprint - depends on where you are camping and how long you're going for. Long distance where you can't foresee every night, forget it, deal with your tent. Short trip with muddy forecast, yeah, nice to have to keep main tent from totally crusty. As always, love your insights.
A tent footprint is the ideal ground sheet to sit on with a friend to do your little picknick. We also used it at the beach because our towels are tiny of course. If you are just hiking it's fine to leave it home.
Soto Windmaster + Fire Maple Petrel is better and cheaper for HX pot systems, and HX pot systems are definitely worthwhile in cold and windy conditions (like on the PCT) not just for mountaineering. I don't use footprints to protect my tent. I use it to cowboy camp, to keep my tent clean, and as a vapor barrier layer.
Hi Darwin. I liked your hot takes and generally agree with them, except when it comes to tent footprints. I do a lot of backcountry canoe camping. The campsites tend to be heavily forested. If I don't use a footprint, the underside of the tent is invariably damp with condensation in the morning. This delays my being able to pack it up. I would have to flip it on its side (with the poles still in) and try to find some sun to dry it in first. Much faster to pull the footprint out and lay it on the beach to dry while I work on packing up my tent and other gear. I have never used Tyvek as a groundsheet. I wish I had thought to try it before I bought my last custom footprint, which was expensive and a ripoff.
Just finished two-month 1600-mile bike trip. 45% of time camping using a Tensor Pad. For me (big guy) very comfortable. I tried about 10 different pads befopre settling on this. BTW side sleeper and that makes a difference. Thanks for info.
I always just use 1 or 2 (depending on tent size) contractor bags as a footprint. I don't use it to protect the floor from being punctured, but instead to help keep any water from seeping up when it rains. I have some sort of curse on me where every time I go camping it has to rain at night. It doesn't matter what the forecast is before I go out, without fail there will be a freak storm. Some times it only rains a little, but most of the time it ends up being a torrential downpour at night where even the best tent will have a little water seep through the bottom, the contractor bag as a footprint helps to keep it to a minimum (usually keeps it from coming through at all).
Nemo Tensor is the best pad I’ve used. Same one as in this video, long wide, orange. Amazing. Inflating sack is magic. I also had to blow it up a few times with my mouth, no problem. The opening is the size of a wine bottle opening, how can it be tough to inflate I cannot imagine.
Love the 30" x 7' Nemo Tensor Extreme. I'm > 200lbs, a side sleeper and my Nemo is incredibly comfortable, and I've struggled to find comfort with other pad brands. Maybe when i'm slender it will not be as great, but I love mine! Getting excited for great sleep on the trail. To add insult to injury, i've combined it with the ZenBivy 10degree quilt. Is AWESOME!!
Great video, love it! Wouldn’t the polycro floor be worth it just to keep vapor and all the dirt and stuff from ever contacting your tent? Stuff the floor away and a clean tent is always going back into the bag.
I agree with all however I always carry a plastic survival bag which is about 8x4 in size and I sometimes put it under the inner floor in boggy areas because the hydrostatic head on most tent floors isn’t enough to stop the wet coming through if you kneel on it. Similarly, I’ll use it as a tent floor in the vestibule if the ground is boggy. I also use it as a sit mat on wet ground and even as a temporary shelter for lunch in the rain. Super versatile, super cheap and in the worst case can even be used as a survival bag!😮
A couple reasons to use a hydration bladder: -when the design and location of your pack's side pockets combined with the length of your arms makes it difficult to access a water bottle; -I can squeeze the nozzle and dribble out a small enough stream that my dog can drink it with out much waste. A couple reasons I no longer use the hydration bladder except for day hikes: -It is holy hell to get it in the pack when you're carrying a bear canister; -I finally discovered I cold put a sleeve on my shoulder strap that carries a very accessible cheap grocery store water bottle (extras in side pockets to switch out when needed). -It finally occurred to me to weigh the hydration bladder. Empty, mine weighs over 8 ounces. That's 8 ounces I could be carrying in something fun like M&Ms!
I'll be honest. I was fixing to go keyboard warrior on you about the stoves lol but then you did cover when they are a good idea. We go light and easy for over nighters or weekends in the warmer months but in fall and early winter hunts in the high country we have found the efficiency and speed of the stove systems to be so valuable and worth the weight penalty. Dead on with everything else I think though I've never tried a Nemo pad. Thermarest for life!
@@DarwinOnthetrail Don't you get a pretty big weight penalty on longer trips with those less efficient stoves in the form of additional fuel (canisters)? Especially if the wind is blowing.... I don't really cook, mostly just boil water. But I can get 5 days "cooking" 2 meals per day (for 2 people) with a 4 oz canister on my Reactor. And it doesn't matter what the wind is doing. What's your fuel formula for those tiny stoves? I mean, they are nice and small! I do a lot of winter/snowy trips where I'm melting snow for water. The Reactor is king for that use case. So I'll never give it up. But they are heavier than those little guys you show (again, disregarding the weight of the fuel cans). Thanks!
Not a thru- hiker, kayaker and biker here. I agree on the topic of tent footprint. I only consider taking one when I know that the weather is going to be horrible for a few days, as an extra layer of protection - my tent is 15 years old and I haven't found anything worthy of replacing it yet. As for bladders - I use them less and less, mostly for biking or whenever I feel it would be beneficial to reduce the volume of my gear when I'm out of water. But when you bleed the air out after filling it up, there is no sloshing in your backpack when you walk. One thing that can be gross when hiking with a bladder in summer, but a godsend in winter - depending on your backpack type, the water can warm up from the heat off your back. I sometimes use it on one-day bike trips as a cooler for my back, filled with cold water.
Still love my 3.5 oz crocs! I was a hater for years, but have been won over by how fast they dry out vs my trail runners. I have used them for stream crossings, but you make a good point about slipperiness. Next time I'll cross streams in my trail runners, knowing I have dry crocs to wear in camp.😊 😊😊😊
Finally a list I agree with 100%, the only exception is the tent footprint that I use when car camping just to keep the tent body dry. I never use it when backpacking.
I must say it’s interesting and appreciated that all of us can have our personal opinions on hiking gear. And as many established hikers say, your milage may vary or this opinion is subjective and works for me. Just wanted to say it’s appreciated and noted, after all the final decision lies with the individual hiker.
I'm not a thru hiker, just an occasional backpacker, bikepacker, and motorcycle camper. I typically do use a footprint. I've used DIY polycryo, Tyvek, 'space' blankets, and I have one commercially made footprint. Why? Partly to keep things like pine sap from sticking to the floor of my tents, partly because I tend to hang on to tents that I like. I have some that range from 20 to over 30 years old. Yeah, they're getting a bit beat up, but I doubt that they would have lasted as long as they have if I hadn't used a footprint. The one production footprint also allows me to pitch that semi-freestanding tent w/o the inner if I'm going somewhere in early or late shoulder seasons when I can count on bugs being pretty much a nonissue.
I’ve never even heard of that hoodie 😂 I have such jetboil envy whenever I see someone with one but I have a system like yours that’s a fraction of the weight and price. You can pry my bladder out of my dry dead hands! I would not drink at all if I didn’t have a bladder. I’ve used the same one for the AT, AzT, and PCT. Never has it gotten me sick. The annoying thing is that you need to guess how much water you have and I have run out before. The reason I got a footprint was so I could set up my tent fly first in the rain and keep the inside of my tent dry.
I like footprints because where we go there is generally a fair amount of sap and it makes post trip cleanup easier. I agree, use the cheapest option available; don’t buy the one sold for a specific tent.
Crocs rubber compound has really good grip on river rocks in my experience… I use them fly fishing because they are the best wet wading shoes in the summer. Most shoes have poor rubber for algae/slippery rocks even though they do have better tread for on trail use. But I agree that I wouldn’t take em backpacking either hahaha
Corcs are great for working around home, or something like boat or like what you said. But they are not walking shoes. Hiking sandals are way to go if you actually want alternate shoes. Something like teva hurricane.
For those of us with big frames (54 chest, 38 waist) that cannot reach a bottle in the side pocket, hose based hydration systems are a must. Bladders suck, but a "smart water" bottle adapter to hose is superb.
Right on! A One Bottle Hydration hose operates the same but connects to a SmartWater bottle. I don't have to reach back, but I don't have to rearrange earth to refill a bladder and I eliminate the nightmare of having a bladder leak while in my pack.
I always used 4 season tents in the past from Hilleberg and Terra Nova, never needed a footprint with them sine they used truly sturdy groundsheets. Now I have a Big Agnes Copper Spur and an MSR Freelite, these tents use the same fabric as the flysheet for the groundsheet and a footprint is essential. I use the Big Agnes footprint with my Copper Spur as that's my comfy camping tent, but the MSR footprint is horribly heavy. I found that a mylar thermal blanket cut to size makes a super light footprint, and is surprisingly durable, lasted and entire 6 months of regular camping on rough British hillsides.
I used a bladder in my pack for years, with the filter inline so I fill the bladder with dirty water and suck/squeeze out clean water. Worked great. This year I'm trying a different system, the platyquick draw.
I’m with you on all points! Never could figure out why people use water bladders. The ICK factor alone, Nevermind the inconvenience. I use Gatorade or smart water bottles on my hip pockets. If they get gross after a long hike, simply recycle and pick up a couple more for a few bucks. Also, I frequently add a Zipfizz if I have a particularly hot, long and elevation gain day. Easy to rinse the flavor out of a bottle. Footprints- agreed. No point. Stove- a little pocket rocket and a small canister last a long time if all you are doing is quickly bringing a little water to a boil. Love my thermarest xtherm! So light, warm and comfy! About to start Section B of GDT!
I get where your coming from Darwin, and I understand your packing/hiking philosophy and agree with most. I was sure you’d include a chair, which I have discovered I can’t live without! I have a Jetboil, I bought some time ago, and will be replacing it soon.
Water storage and consumption is personal preference and comes down to application. For normal backpacking, I agree bottles are more convenient to refill and filter with, assuming you’re using some type of bottle top filter. But for long distance fastpacking, a combo of shoulder strap bottles and camelbak is the best setup for me. I can cover 40-50 miles in a day with a 2-3 liter bladder and a couple 500ml shoulder strap bottles and not have to stop to refill until I’m at or close to camp.
I totally agree if with everything except for the footprint. Jetboils are just simply overkill, but I having a footprint keeps moisture from the inner when packing away to leave.
I agree with a fair amount of this. However I live in Oregon. A tent footprint is very important here. Especially because of ground moisture. Even on nice days the ground will just decimate your bag, pad etc.
Agree with all, but only partial on the first one. I like having a second pair of shoes for around camp or the dreaded “just in case”. Crocs are not that heavy, but they are bulky. I prefer a pair of lightweight sandals.
Oh, Crocs. When I used to hike in good quality leather hiking boots, I loved getting my Crocs on around camp after a long day. Now that I use trail runners, I'd never even think about taking Crocs. I'm with you on hoodies in general (decent fleece and a cap or beanie for me). I've not purchased a Jetboil, but have been with friends that use them. I'll stick with a simple canister and stove, or a Trangia in cold weather. Hydration bladders are great on long distance motorcycling trips and trail runs, but that's about it. Have to disagree on the tent footprint though, but that might be more to do with me using the same groundsheet for tarp/bivvy camping and using it out of habit with my tent. Cheers.
Exeption on the footprint is when you don't have an inner tent. You can go without any of course but it's nice to have something between you and the ground as well.
1. I’m with you on camp shoes, but it’s nice to have some very lightweight sandals to protect your delicate tootsies if you want to go swimming. 2. Melly’s are great when weight’s not that important, but Alpha 90 is the way to go for a thru-hike. 3. Totally agree re footprint!
I like my footprint for many reasons, but mainly in case of rain. I have the B.A. tiger wall ul1, and you can set up the rain fly with it, before setting up the inner tent.
Great video Darwin. Thought provoking as always. I do use a ground sheet for the tent but run it orthogonal to the tent to give me a floor for the two vestibules - saves my backpack etc getting so dirty. Might try though without. I do use a jetboil (Sumo) but usually I am cooking for a group of up to four people. Size weight and cost starts to become more reasonable than everyone bringing their own cook system. Possibly another corner case? What are your thoughts?
For me, I don't keep my footprint for the rough ground as the tent floor is durable enough to handle the terrain where I live. The problem is the rain. My tent's design allows for fast fly setup, meaning I can set up just the fly if I end up stuck in a slightly dangerous flash of rain or, the much more likely scenario, when I get to camp I set up the outside first so I don't get as much water on the inside of my tent.
Yeah came to say the same thing. The quick setup without having to expose my inner is worth the cost/weight IMO. The other side bonuses of extra protection and whatnot are just that- bonuses lol. Even used mine as a quick makeshift tarp a few times.
Sleeping pads are so personal. I started out on Thermarest mats (first All Season, then XTherm) and almost never slept well. Back pain, arm falling asleep... I recently switched to a Big Agnes Rapide SL and couldn't believe how much more comfortable it was for me. Also, water bladders are purely a day trip thing for me. Fill it up at home, rinse it out & dry it at home. On a multi-day hike a bottle is much, much easier.
Have a jetboil, and even though I do use mine, I can see what you’re saying and I have considered switching to something like the Soto Windmaster or one of the MSR stoves (or a decent quality knockoff). It all boils (see what I did there😂) down to use and requirements. I am a Scout leader, and when dealing with youth, something like a Jetboil is more versatile (especially if you can fit the stove, fuel canister and base into the pot). It is more easier for fumbling pre-puberty fingers to get working. And after a days hike, you want something that is just going to work. As far as the Nemo Tensor pads, again I think it is a matter of what works for you. I have used other pads before buying my Nemo (Big Agnes, Eureka) and I have found the Nemo to be the most comfortable “for me”. It also helps that it packs up very small, as I used it on a backpacking trip to Taiwan with my Scouts and Ventures (Canada’s equivalent to Eagle Scouts)…in August (47°C…at night). Yes, I also have a Therm-a-Rest which I use for winter camps (7.3 R value) which is also very comfortable, but it is bigger packed and also quite noisy. The Nemo I have is an older model (first or second generation Tensor), so it has both types of valve (the flat dump valve and the screw open/shut type). The newer Nemo Tensor doesn’t have the screw valve. All in all, the best nights sleep I have had was using my Nemo (or my Therm-a-Rest) on top of a folding cot (I use the el-cheap-o-deluxe-o Cascade Teck camp cot). At home or at camp. Hydration bladders. I have two. I think they came with my packs. Used one once, but after cleaning it I didn’t see find it any more convenient and if anything it was more inconvenient. The only benefit I see with them is if using as a transport for your water as they can hold a fair amount (usually 2-3 litres), but I wouldn’t use the straw to drink out of. As far as footprints go, I definitely feel they are necessary as again, I am a Scout leader, and if I end up loaning my tent to a youth they better be using a footprint. I would rather replace a $50 footprint than the floor of a $500 tent. They also make sense when camping in rainy weather when the ground is already wet. Easier to set up. With all my tents and all the ones my group uses, you can set up the tent and footprint first, letting them get wet (they will get wet anyways) and then set up the tent from inside where it is dry (or more dry than without the makeshift shelter). Much easier to dry a footprint (and fly) than the floor of a tent. It also is beneficial in Winter Camping when you are on packed snow. Inevitably the snow below the tent will shift/melt and whatever was hidden below the snow (rocks, sticks) may end up a little too close to the floor.
It's always interesting to see what gear people love and hate on the trail. Darwin has maligned some of my favorite trail gear in this video. I hike in boots rather than trail shoes and I always appreciate changing into my camp shoes at the end of the day. I do agree that Crocks seem like a poor choice for camp shoes. My current camp shoes are actually water shoes that are lightweight and packable with great tread. Here in Washington we have many creek crossings and my water shoes work great. Plus, they dry out after a couple hours on the back of my pack and are dry for the evening. I also love my Platypus bladder. I can connect my squeeze water filter directly to the hose (after removing the mouthpiece) and refill it quickly without removing it from my pack. I also love my Jetboil. The stove and fuel canister fits inside the pot, so it's relatively space efficient. The heat transfer system does add a few ounces but it's so efficient that you burn less fuel, so in the end you save weight on fuel for longer trips. I'm not sure why he ignores the fuel efficiency factor. Yes, the valve is a bit large but it allows me to simmer, which again saves on fuel and it also convenient when you need to cook rather than just boil. I have both the Neoair Uberlite and the Nemo Tensor and I find the Nemo tensor slightly more comfortable. I really like the light weight of the Uberlite but I have had to fix numerous tiny punctures and it currently has a very slow leak that I can't find. It requires 1-2 re-inflations per night. I do agree that tent footprints are unnecessary except when you want to leave the tent body at home and just go with the fly. I am picky about the ground beneath the tent and often spend a few minutes removing rocks, twigs, pinecones, and other debris.
I agree with most of these. 2 I take exceptions with are the camp shoes. While I agree, crocs wouldn't be my choice. Having a simple, lightweight shoe for around camp is a must for me. The 1 time I didn't bring something was on the lost cost trail in Norcal.... regretted it with every stop we made. My new go to camp shoe is xero shoes sunrise shoe at only 5.6oz it's well worth it. The next I would disagree with is a tent footprint. I don't use the footprint to protect against puncturing the tent floor. It's more to keep moisture from getting all over the bottom which over time will start to deteriorate the fabric. I also feel it provides an extra layer of insulation from the cold forest floor. Another benefit of having my big agnes footprint is being able to set up the footprint and rainfly first in the case where im caught in a rain storm while setting up. Maybe I'm misinformed on some of this but that is my experience.
I love the Nemo pads FOR the valve. The valve’s simplicity is much more robust in my experience as the complicated twist valve on the thermarest is bulky and more likely to have issues because of its complexity when compared to the simple valves on the tensor.
About footprint. It's not only about damage to tent floor, but about keeping tent floor clean from dirt. Especially if you live in a small appartment and have to place to clean your tent floor after small weekend hike
I won't give up my camp shoes. To shed those gross smelly trail runners while I'm not hiking is pure bliss, and a pair of slides weigh nothing. Also love my basically free Tyvek footprint because it not only gives me a little bit of extra protection, but also a nice dropcloth of muck-free space while I'm packing up. They pack down to nothing and weight nil as well. Anyway, great vid!
Those BRS stoves are so cheap and inefficient. I found they waste so much fuel that any weight savings is lost because I have to carry more fuel. I started the PCT with one but (after trying cold soaking) I switched back to my MSR Pocket Rocket. YMMV.
I agree with a lot of these, but only for covering long miles on a thru hike type trip. For a more relaxed trip with lots of time in camp, things like crocs are super nice to have. Also I will argue that the newer jetboil stash is actually way lighter than other lightweight stoves, because it’s so much more fuel efficient.
Also for wetter climates like western Washington, your trail runners will never dry if you wear them in a stream unless you can put them in the sun for multiple hours. I always bring small light sturdy sandals like the xeros for river crossings so I don’t risk blisters and cold wet feet.
I use a polycro sheet to keep my tent cleaner and gives me some place dry to lay my gear in the vestibule. It also helps in the morning packing up. I can break down the tent and have all my gear laid out until I am ready to load it into my pack. I do not use a ground sheet out of fear for my tent floor.
Sleeping pads are very personal. My husband loves his seat to summit pad that is thick and self inflating. I started with a sea to summit but it didn't support my back enough. I tried several blowup pads and the Nemo turned out to be just right for me. The baffles conform to my back to provide support, and as a side sleeper it stays full enough around my hips to keep me off the ground. The problem most people have is that is expensive to try a bunch of different pads, but once you find the right one for your body then you will get a good night's sleep.
I’ve been backpacking all my life (cub scouts and on, I’m 37 now). I live in Rochester, NY and mostly backpack in the finger lakes region and adirondacks. The tyvek is great, but not for under the tent, for inside it. If we get intense rain, it can be a saving grace toward keeping oneself and gear dry. But, I agree, putting anything under the tent is silly.
agree with nearly everything but love the comfort of a Tensor pad. The most comfortable pad for me since ever. Unfortunately mine always leaked due to some sort of delamination, got it replaced but still moved to Thermarest again. Also I use a Tyvek under my tent to keep things cleaner and a bit protected. Might be not needed but it weights not a lot and cost nearly nothing and acts as a rest mat during the day.
Nemo Tensor: I slept on a NeoAir XLite for several years and finally tried a Nemo Tensor and it was a huge improvement in my sleep comfort. Regarding the flat valve: EVERY company has moved to a flat valve. I don't think any of the major brands are making inflatable pads with the older style twist-valve any longer! My biggest complaint is that the early gen Nemo Tensor pads had a design defect where they could get pinholes where the dimples were welded in the pad. At least on our 1st gen Tensors, which still had the old twist valves, this was a big problem. I don't have long-term experience with the newer models (Tensor Trail or All-Season) to know whether they've solved that issue.
Just got back from a 4 day 3 night in the eastern Sierra with my crocks, Jetboil, Nemo pad, hydration bladder, and footprint.
Had a great time.
Touche 😂
Lol
😂
LOL that's all that's important
😂😂😂
Nemo Tensor user here. Different pads for different bodies. I’m a side sleeper and love mine. You do have to make sure you’re not over inflating it or it’s uncomfortable
Also a tensor user. Condensation is bad compared to other pads inside
I also have a Nemo Tensor. I actually inflate it as much as I can to make it comfortable.
Not to discredit you, just to reinforce your point of different pads for different bodies :)
Came here to say the same thing. I also have the long wide version that he talks about and would add that I never slide off the side or have cold shoulders like you sometimes get from a more narrow pad.
Love mine. Totally comfortable and not like sleeping on a bag of potato chips like on the uberlight thermarest
@@smallberries Perfect description. I love how light it is. That's where what I like about it ends.
I've had Exped, Neo Xlite and Tensor All Season and the only uninterrupted, sleep through until morning was on the Tensor. By far the most comfortable and the warmth and packability is outstanding. Everything is subjective. After years of sleeping on Neo Air pads, I'm sure that is simply what you're used to now and will unlikely find anything different that you prefer, this is the case with many things in life - we're creatures of habit. You're a legend.
I was getting awful sleep on the tensor until I started under inflating it and it's been super comfortable. Every other pad is better (for me) hard as a rock, but the tensor hurts my back for some reason when it's over inflated.
@@dcl97same here, but you lose some R value I believe when it’s not fully inflated
That's kinda funny, I have never understood why someone would never use a footprint to protect their expensive gear. Every time I get home from a bikepacking trip my footprint is covered with sap, dirt, sand, etc. I also like having that extra protection for my sleeping pad, it's easy to miss something pointy when setting up your tent, especially when you are tired. Cheers
I agree. But I recently did a 4 a night trip on a difficult trail and needed to cut the weight. My tent did fine but I did miss having the footprint. I normally do 1-2 nights trips and will continue to use my footprint but should I do a long thru hike I'll cut the footprint.
It’s also an extra layer of insulation and water protection. I just came back from camping in Iceland and there were a couple days where it just rained nonstop. A properly setup footprint (slightly smaller than the tent) helped me from collecting rainwater under the tent which can inevitably seep in and also kept the moist and cold air from getting into the tent for the rest of my camping trip.
@@sio2ch.168 Thank you, forgot about the protection against rain water seeping in!
100% I'm in the PNW, so many places I backpack in are either wet, forested, or both. That footprint keeps the pitch, fir/pine needles, and other junk off my tent. Plus, when I hammock camp I stake out a footprint so I have a clean place to stand when I take off my shoes, change clothes, etc. so I don't bring the forest into my hammock
Exactly. Also, I don't want to put my dirty tent floor into my backpack.
I love how gear items are subjective and change with style of hiking and personal preferences. Everybody needs to find their jam and not try to copy anybody. I love how you emphasize this truth.
It's the MOST important thing to keep in mind when looking for YOUR "Perfect" piece of gear 🤙
I feel this. Like for me, due to poor arm flexibility, I struggle to get water bottles back into the conveniently angled side pockets of my backpack after I pull them out, so I end up using a water pouch instead. If I didn't have to take off my backpack to put my water bottle back in it's pocket it would be a different story, but I simply have stiff and ridiculous limbs. 😆 Don't know if it's my shoulders or what. I completely agree with Darwin's takes though!
@@Kipicuslike you, contorting my body to reach back into that side pouch where the water bottle was stashed was killing my neck. I since switched to Justin’sUL Water Bottle Carrier. LOVE them. I carry 2 1 liter smart bottles. One is just H2O the has electrolytes. I found I wasn’t drinking as much water as my body required and was getting dehydrated until I switched to carrying my water batters on my shoulder straps! Light weight, comfortable, affordable, and easy to use!
@@KipicusI use an aqua clip for this same reason if that helps!
@@chemistryflavored It does, thank you!
I'm a hammocker, and over the years I've gotten lots of footprints in the mega sale bin and use them as tarps. The biggest ones have often been the cheapest, and tons cheaper than a regular tarp. Thanks to manufacturers that hype them.
Nice!!
Agree with you on everything except the nemo tensor pad. I started with a thermarest pad and felt like I was sleeping on a bag of chips. I’m a side sleeper and I sleep very well on the tensor. Sleep is personal and subjective.
Side sleeping was the thing that drove me from Thermarest to Nemo, too. Thermarests are great quality pads, but I always, ALWAYS woke up with sore hips after using them.
Similar story for me but my goto is the Exped 3R Ultra.
Funny, I have both pads and am a side sleeper as well. I sleep better on the Thermarest
I just bought a Nemo tensor because my thermarest got hole in it. Took a chance because it got lots of great reviews. I’m a side sleeper and I’ve been using the Neo air xlite for years with no issues, but I absolutely love the Nemo. But as far as the thermarest being noisy, I feel like they all are.
Now mind you, this was a 40 + day motorcycle trip so I haven’t taken it on trail yet. The Nemo is definitely heavier for sure.
the hydration bladder thing comes down to one thing for me: If I go on a multi-day hike, I‘ll use bottles. As you showed in the video, it is quite annoying to refill it, especially if you don’t carry water for the whole day. However, I often don’t drink enough when I‘m using bottles, as I forget about it. When I‘m on a day hike, I‘ll probably always bring my bladder - it‘s just sooo convenient to drink, I‘ll take small sips often instead of half a bottle at a time (and then having it slush around in my stomach). As I‘m hiking in the Alps and mostly on ridges and peaks, I want to bring enough water for the whole day anyway, so no refilling needed. And I just make sure I clean and dry it well after every use and use baking powder every once in a while to deep clean.
I got a hydration hose that can connect to a bottle, so kind of best of both worlds. Easy refill/clean/replace of bottles, and easy drinking of a hydration bladder.
I'm also a little confused on the "sloshing" of water in a bladder. There's no air volume in the bladder. Where is water sloshing to and from? The flexible container shrinks as water is used.
I don't really use my bladder while I'm hiking but when I get to camp I only want to refill water once so I fill my bottle and bladder and have enough water for the night and the morning.
Hydration bladders are great for day hikes. Esp ones that are longer without water on the trail. But I would never use one on a multi day and I probably won't if I can get water on the trail in favor of a Grayl. Yes the Grayl is "heavy" but oh, so convenient.
Same. I only use bladders for longer day hikes. Multi day, I only carry bottles. With bottles, I am definitely bad at drinking enough.
I resorted to writing the word "Drink" on my hand to remind me when I'm using bottles. Every time I see my hand I'm like "oh yeah!".
Not the most elegant solution, but certainly cheap
I really like my JetBoil Stash. Yeah, it's a bit more expensive than the cheapest stove + pot, but I like how small it packs down especially for short trips, and the super high efficiency is a nice bonus for longer trips.
Great video and helpful to hear your take.
My Hydration bladder opinion - I’ve totally solved the “refilling “ problem by adding a valve to the hose I can switch off to refill through the hose. It attaches to my filter and I just refill the bladder directly. I never have to take it out of my pack or open it up. Cleaning is easy. I just rinse it out at the end of the trip and put wadded up paper towel inside to keep it open to dry. Reasons I like the bladder: a) puts weight at center of your back where it should be b) super convenient on trail c) I can store up to 3 liters w/o having to stop and refill.
Downsides: it’s not convenient for camp. I carry an extra collapsible silicone bottle I use to drink from around camp.
Weird about the tensor….by far the most comfortable pad I’ve owned. Guess everyone’s different.
Crocs are possibly the best footwear in so many applications. Reasonaly light. Cool. Warm. Float. Slip on or buckle down. Dry while wearing. Wipe dry if not. For canoeing, kayaking, rafting and summer treks up north I wear nothing else!! Yes I do wish they looked better, packed smaller, and were lighter but I stand by them as one of the greatest footwear items ever!! And we use them all the time for water crossings. The grip is outstanding. From Arkansas to Iceland to Canada they kick but in water. 😮😁. And I may never take a water filter again. Tablets are lighter, purify, and are easier. Not sure just yet but leaning that way…
Yes x 1000!!
I consider Crocs an essential gear item for the hiking I do, which typically involves multiple fordings often above the timber line where drying shoes is rather impractical. As for Darwin's claim that Crocs are slippery when crossing creeks, baloney! At the end of my camping day, there's no warm cozy cabin waiting for me. Finishing off the day wearing wet footwear in 40F weather at the tent site is simply miserable.
According to this video, Crocs are heavy 😂😂😂
Crocks are great for home and maybe a shopping trip. But I would never actually take them for hike. Just get proper hiking sandals if you are going to walk a lot or go outdoors. Something like Teva Hurricane is actually lighter too. I mean personally I would rather get them in first place since they look pretty nice and you can use them say day in town or something. Just much more pleasant to walk on. Ultimately, I just don't consider crocs walking shoes. Great for working around home or something though.
Nope.
Groundsheets can be very light and keep most of the crud of your tent. Can double up for outdoor sitting (yes I also have a sitpad but...) and occasionally as a kilt.
I wouldn't take a water bladder for a backpacking trip, but water bladders are super useful for day hiking in hot temps or high altitudes because the easy access to water helps you stay hydrated without having to keep reaching back for a water bottle. My little hot weather day hike trick is to load my 3L bladder with ice water and load up my Osprey Stratos 24 daypack with the bladder between the back mesh and the pack. Nothing makes a hot hike go better than a cold ice/water bladder next to your back that lasts through a 12 mile hike in 95 F/35 C 80% humidity weather. This might be a problem particular to hiking in the Sam Houston National Forest in June through September.
I agree with a lot of it... But I sleep so well on the Nemo Tensor (I think it's all about how you sleep and it will be different for so many people) Like a pillow or even shoes.
Dear Darwin. When you go alone and drop into a shop every other day, you better use a small titanium pot, a mini gas burner and one 100 g gas canister. But if you go on a long hike or paddling tour, and you have to bring fuel for some weeks, you better use a jetboil. I`m from Norway and travel around in Scandinavian mountains, and has also been on long trips in Canada. A friend of mine followed your advices. He walked alone and burned the same amuont of gas as me and my wife together. We baked pan bread, cakes and fried fish besides heating water for 2-3 meals a day. My friend mostly heated water and seldom used his frying pan. Why did he spend twice as much gas as we do? Because the jetboil system is much more efficient with its heat exchanger and insolated pot! So my friend at last bought a Jetboil - the lightest of them - the jetboil stash. About 200 grams weight - no pot insolation - but the same efficiency as minimo. How many days do we need to be out on the trail to be lighter than your system? Three, four days, maybe a week if you eat mostly cold food? We are also trying the stash when backpacking, and so far it works well for two people too. Final I will give you all a great tips for how to make gas canisters independent of cold, and I mean freezing cold winter like 25 deg celsius below: Just keep a cup of warm or lukewarm water on a thermos and fill it in a bowl or similar. Place the gas canister into the water bowl, and the stove will run as it was summer time! Its 100% safe! The small bowl included in the minimo kit fits perfect for 100 gram canisters. Jetboil is our choice all year around, exept when we have to melt snow for all our water supplies. Then we bring a Primus.
😂❤
As a part time mountain guide I use a water bladder as I am constantly busy assisting my guests on climbs/hikes. I also require a lot of hydration (sometimes >4 liters) so I am sipping on fluid all day. I find its just convenient to have the water right there which cuts down on how many times I need to access my pack. Also, when melting snow or providing water for a large group, a stove like the msr reactor is worth the weight.
Bladder is great for something like that, dayhikes and whatnot. But it can actually get pretty inconvenient with longer trips.
Do,a series on how to convince your wife you want to do a thru hike
😂 How to convince MY wife.... or YOURS? 🤔
Or husband lol
@@sheedove23 This. 😁
I started when I was in my 40's I'm 60 now and still no thru hike. Good luck.
Or a video on how to convince them to come with you 🤣
I use the lighter version of tyvek as footprint as I hate dealing with dirty wet tent floor otherwise. It weights just couple of ounces
I agree. Tent floors aren’t for protecting the floor but keeping the mud off
A Tyvek floor is also good as a quick rain shelter for lunch, or a dry spot to sit when donning or doffing rain pants, or a windbreak, or a dozen other uses.
I use the same thing. On the AT it also serves as a Place to put your pad on I a shelter. I’ve also used it as a sit pad on the trail. I feel it’s more versatile, lighter and packs smaller than the GG 1/8 foam pad
Same here.
Don't you still have to deal with a dirty wet tyvek sheet, though?
I don't mind taking a small, light Tyvek sheet as it's great for breaks to sit or nap on, especially for wet ground,. It makes a nice layer to cowboy camp on, helping to keep your pad and quilt cleaner. With grommets or corner loops it makes a great shade structure with trekkng poles. You can write messages on it for hitchhiking.
I always carry a tyvek groundsheet. It weighs nothing and has a thousand uses.
Agreed. Wrapping it around my sleeping pad to keep the pad dry/clean on the outside of my pack works well .
Tyvek, ounce for ounce, is heavier and bulkier than most ground tarps I've seen or used. That does make it MUCH more water resistant and more durable though. And like you said, much more versatile.
@@ForzaMonkey barely weighs anything
@@helpfulcommenter true. It still barely weighs anything, but is *marginally* heavier than a ripstop nylon tarp, by about .01 oz per square foot. Tyvek, even then, is much harder to compact.
Honestly though, now that I fact checked myself, I feel stupid for even bringing it up. So what if Tyvek is bulkier than ripstop? Tyvek has practically infinite applications.
I just finished a long section hike and loved my Nemo Tensor Alpine Air, long, wide. I’m a big guy and a side sleeper so the 3 inch depth was great. I slept so incredibly comfortable.
I certainly wouldn't bring a bladder on a multi-day hike for some of the reasons you indicate, but I will say that I've used them extensively trail running and as long as you get the air out they don't slosh around.
For anyone who doesn't know how to get the air out:
Fill normally (& close)
Turn upside down
"Drink" the air bubble out until you get water
Profit
Took me too long to figure that out :(
Another person who loves their Nemo Tensor I have had two alpines. They are warm and comfortable. Used them in 15 degree temps and slept warm and comfy in the Sierras
I find the bladder perfect for day hikes, since they allow me to drink often without having to work around the bottles and side pockets. As soon as I go for an overnight trip though, I prefer bottles so I can keep track of how much water I have left vs water sources.
yup
Absolutely this. Especially since I have shoulder impingement, so reaching a bottle on my backpack frequently is a nightmare. But I always use bottles at camp
@@xaderalert I use them for day trips. Totally agree regarding reaching round for water bottles. I can't either. That is why I either carry my bottle on the strap or in a pocket on the waist belt (osprey).
Me as well.
The snagstop hoodie from duluth trading is my favorite. It's cheap, synthetic, available in tall sizes, and can be stuffed into it's own hood for a comfy pillow. Everything I want in a hoodie.
Hey Darwin, thanks for the video. I agree with you except for 2 things.
I love the Tensor pads. As a side sleeper I don’t bottom out and it’s quieter than other pads in it’s weight class. Second is a footprint. I do see your point. I carry mine because my tent allows me to do a minimalist set up with just footprint and rain fly. And so if bugs are not an issue I can have a 1lb shelter without spending $600 😁
footprint is good when it's raining, you setup your rain fly before your tent so you can avoid most of the rainwater going into the actual tent, depends on where you go pretty much.
Pardon the dumb question, I’m very new to backpacking but my rain fly attaches to my tent I’m not understanding how you could set it up before the tent. Could you explain? Or is this specific to just some tents? Mine is a budget tent so maybe only fancier ones are capable of this.
Agree with everything said except the crocs. I hike in europe and split my time sleeping in a tent and staying in huts. Most of the huts dont alkow you walk with hiking shoes in their residence. But even on the trail its nice wearing normal shoes in camp. Mine weigh 230 grams and i found a way to attach them to the side of the pack firmly so they don't dangle loosely. Once tied in have two little cubby holes inside the shoes to stuff some other small things i need quick access to on the trail. Too much convenience for only a small weight penalty for not taking them along.
ah! I like the idea of using the Crocs for extra storage. Thanks for the idea.
In defence of hydration bladders… I have little T-Rex arms and hate taking my bag off just to grab water. I use a pump filter with a quick connect on hydration hose and it’s amazing!
You can buy attachable front strap pockets for your backback that you can put the water bottle into if you can't reach back, it has the added advantage that you distribute some weight to your front.
I took the old hose from a hydration bladder I wasn't using anymore & rigged a drinking tube that goes into the water bottle on my pack's chest strap. My shoulder mobility is poor, so it's hard for me to get bottles in & out of a side pocket. Ane with the hose, I can sip whenever I want to. I hate the "sloshy belly" feeling I get when I drink too much water at once. (I can't just take the water bottle out of the holder and drink while I'm still walking.)
Water bladder user here. All of the negatives that he brings up were solved by osprey, with their hydraulics bladder. The hose has a quick disconnect, so you don't have to fish it out of your pack. The filling opening is a fold top with slider bar, so you can get the air out super easy, and fill it anywhere, drinking fountains included.
To each their own.
I just dont want to carry an extra 6-8+ oz "container" to hold my water.
I gave up on camp shoes. Then Skinners put out a great one. It's basically a sock with a sole. It is pretty darn light, and rolls up so it's packable to about a soda can in volume. Love em
That face at 9:22 😝❤
I'm very much d'accord with everything you said but I love my footprint. I'm using it as an a**pad, to take a nap on, to dry out my gear when the sun comes out but the ground is still wet, or even as a little tarp to give shade while having a break, in the mornings I'm able to put my gear onto the footprint, so I wouldn't loose anything. And I used a Tyvek one to hide behind while changing my clothes after bathing in a mountain lake where a lot of other people were around. I think footprints are very versatile.
I like to use a tent footprint not to prevent punctures but to keep mud and dirt off the bottom of the tent, which could then get transferred to the body of the tent. I fold up the footprint with the dirty side trapped inside it. I've never bought a footprint, I used landscaping fabric in the past. It can be sewn to make it wide enough. For our current tent, I sewed one with some lightweight fabric I had leftover from a project. I agree that the purchased ones are a rip-off.
Yup, exactly. I use TYVEK construction sheet. Pretty much indestructible, super lightweight and packable, costs next to nothing and it keeps my tent clean. I keep it folded in my front mesh pocket and use it for sitting down during the day.
Agree about tyvek. I use it more in shelters to protect my sleep pad. It's super light weight. And very handy as a surface cover just to keep your stuff clean.
A couple caveats about water bladders. For roped mountaineering, it is extremely inconvenient to stop and take your water bottle out, hence why bladders are so popular in the high Alpine. Same goes for ski touring except ski touring packs are designed to literally have no exterior pockets so nothing get ripped out during an avalanche. Bladders are almost necessity
Tent footprints are invaluable when routinely backpacking in wet, muddy places. They keep the bottom of the tent relatively clean, and the footprint can be neatly folded dirty side in and packed in a waterproof sack to really keep it separate. Same thing again for really wet environments, they help you pitch a tent fly-first if you really need to. I realize there are other hacks for pitching fly-first that involve making a lightweight strap system, but because it also helps with mud, just bring the footprint.
I have a Nemo pad and the trick is to underinflate it. Also, when you’re setting up your tent in the Canadian Shield, you’ll find crushed granite and no matter how good your tent bottom is, those sharp pebbles cause flat tires on huge trucks. So a light sheet underneath can save you a whole lotta headaches.
I hike in and around Tucson Arizona. I use my hydration bladder when camping in the desert because water sources are scarce. I also use a footprint to protect my sleeping pad. I have a lanshan 2 which I modifed to always be attached to the tent. In addition I have a foam pad between the tent floor and the sleeping pad. Yes it is heavier but not much. Yes it is over kill. But I want to hike the AZT SOBO SOLO. I have no support crew and I am to poor to be buying new sleep pads at every town stop. This is a one and done for me (I hiked AT as a teen) but I do not forsee the PCT, CDT, or any of the other long trails in my future. I will be lucky to complete the AZT at 65. Love your channel. Thanks for all the great advice over the years.
Tyvek has many benefits, first of all, it makes it easier to select a camping spot, since if you are on grass, it prevents moisture from getting up from the ground and into your tent, and if you are on harsh terrain that could damage your tent floor, normally you just move on to find a better spot, but with tyvek, you just throw down where you are, no matter what is under you. Secondly, most people use an air mattress, well tyvek will prevent it from getting punctured if you failed to pay attention to where you set down your tent. Thirdly, you have a nice spot to lay on during your breaks, or to spread your gear on instead of it sitting in the mud. And lastly, a tyvek groundsheet actually comes with grommets, which means that you can set it up as a tarp if its raining mid day and you want a lunch break out of the rain. Its also a makeshift shelter that way in case your tent failed, tyvek doesn't fail.
I use Tyvek in the PNW and often find I have some globs of pitch stuck to the bottom of it at the end. So much easier to roll it up and clean off the pitch at home (hand sanitizer takes it off) than rolling or stuffing a whole tent with pitch on the bottom (which would get all over it). Pitch drips from tree branches on hot days; hard to see it on grass or moss before you set up. Also appreciate it as protecting my air mattress, as I don't bring a back up.
@@RowVsWadeGood points, tyvek just makes life easier on too many levels. Regarding you not bringing a backup pad, I recommend getting the Gossamer gear Thinlight Foam Pad (1/8 inch), get the folded one. Because it’s not only a backup sleeping pad that weighs practically nothing, it also means you can leave your 2 ounce thermarest foam Z- Seat at home, since this pad will double as a seat. And you can also use it under your main pad to add warmth and/or as a place to put your knee on as you are getting in and out of your tent. Lastly, you can hang it in your tent slanted on the wall facing where most of the sun’s light will be coming from in the early morning. Helps me a ton when I want to sleep in a bit.
As a person that worries a lot, it sounds like ground sheets are great for people that worry a lot😂and I guess Darwin just isn't that type of person that obsesses over "what if?" much.
@@LabroidasActually, Darwin was saying that there is an alternative to bringing a groundsheet, and that alternative is worrying about where you throw down your tent. Since if you worry enough, you look hard and well, and finally you find a nice place. I’m saying that Tyvek removes worrying about looking for the perfect place, you just throw down without worries anywhere you want.
I agree with most. I can't comment on the Nemo Tensor because I've never tried one. I have a limited budget, and so I need my gear to last. The footprint doesn't just protect from holes, it also protects from repeated abrasion that can damage/remove the waterproofing from the tent floor. I can also use it to set up my free-standing tent without the bug mesh, or as a sit pad.
Tent footprints also keep the bottom of your tent clean. In some campsites the wet needles and dirt just cling to the tent which is more time consuming and more of a hassle to clean than wiping off a ground sheet. they can also double as something to just lay out on or use as a "table" to organize your gear on. I use Tyvek, I go back and forth on trips taking it or not but several times now I regretted not taking it. Also got a very small hole in the bottom of my Durston X-mid Pro (dcf floor) when camping on a beach of all places.
Honestly that makes no sense. So instead of the bottom of your tent getting dirty, the footprint gets dirty which you still have to clean off. It really makes no difference.
@@tommybewick It definitely does make sense to me -- a) if need be, it is easier to shake a simple sheet vs shaking a whole inner tent, or even brushing off the bottom as you fold it b) when dirty or wet, you can fold it bottom side in to keep the grime inside - indeed, you do the same thing with the tent, but dirt might get dislodged when it dries up nd move around, or move to the actual tent when you unfold it next. c) it allows you to store that dirty/wet piece of gear away from the rest of the tent, say, outside your backback or on top of a bag if you're biking d) the bottom of the tent does stay drier, which keeps the whole tent drier when packed.
I just bring a piece of nyloflume cut to the right size. Super cheap, hardly weighs anything and takes little space.
Pretty versatile, multi-use piece of gear too, many other uses on the trail.
Not for everybody, obviously, but it does make sense.
@@tommybewickMakes sense to me. I just chuck the tyvek in a washing machine if it is super dirty.
Hey Darwin, as an ultralight camper myself I think some of the newer Jetboils deserve a look. They have one called the Stash now that packs smaller and only weighs 7.1 oz. After spending several years with a base weight around 6 pounds, been watching your gear reviews since like 2019 so thanks for all the help with that, my stove is solidly #3 on the list of things I regretted going too light on (1 and 2 are a getting too short/narrow of a hammock and getting a tarp that didn't have the door flaps if anyone is curious). I have the tiny BRS stove and a 750ml titanium cookpot weighing in at 4.7 oz total and it was ok but it boiled slowly and churned through gas, especially with any wind needing to crank it up to not go out. When I discovered the Stash for sale it seemed like a pretty huge performance and convenience bump for a pretty small weight penalty and also like they were actually responding to community feedback. Been very happy with all but those 3 things on my kit and there's definitely enough extra weight I can still cut to more than make up for at least the stove increase.
The price of the stash is ridiculous. Check out the fire maple petrel and hornet stove combo. At least a third of the price of a stash. The design means you have the heat exchanger pot but it also protects from wind and the pot will still work with other stoves and the stove is just a regular stove. Combine them and you have a lightweight, fast and windproof system that also saves fuel.
Darwin, hello!
I'm with you on bladders - I'm a busy mum and I've had so many of the bits and bobs go moudly on me. Upside with a bottle is, I can manage my water intake well - both in hot Aussie temps and cold winter temps, I often don't drink enough as I worry I run out of water. With bottles, I can see what I am drinking.
Stoves - yes, unless backpacking with my fam of 5, we want quick hot water for all of us and we carry a Jetboil type system... but we also don't hike 20-30 miles and have to lug it around. Otherwise I'm a one pot person. And thanks for your tip on refilling gas bottles, totally bought that little gadget!
Pads- yup totally personal. I own both. A higher R value has recently made me happier than anything else.
Footprint - depends on where you are camping and how long you're going for. Long distance where you can't foresee every night, forget it, deal with your tent. Short trip with muddy forecast, yeah, nice to have to keep main tent from totally crusty.
As always, love your insights.
A tent footprint is the ideal ground sheet to sit on with a friend to do your little picknick. We also used it at the beach because our towels are tiny of course. If you are just hiking it's fine to leave it home.
Soto Windmaster + Fire Maple Petrel is better and cheaper for HX pot systems, and HX pot systems are definitely worthwhile in cold and windy conditions (like on the PCT) not just for mountaineering.
I don't use footprints to protect my tent. I use it to cowboy camp, to keep my tent clean, and as a vapor barrier layer.
Hi Darwin. I liked your hot takes and generally agree with them, except when it comes to tent footprints. I do a lot of backcountry canoe camping. The campsites tend to be heavily forested. If I don't use a footprint, the underside of the tent is invariably damp with condensation in the morning. This delays my being able to pack it up. I would have to flip it on its side (with the poles still in) and try to find some sun to dry it in first. Much faster to pull the footprint out and lay it on the beach to dry while I work on packing up my tent and other gear. I have never used Tyvek as a groundsheet. I wish I had thought to try it before I bought my last custom footprint, which was expensive and a ripoff.
Just finished two-month 1600-mile bike trip. 45% of time camping using a Tensor Pad. For me (big guy) very comfortable. I tried about 10 different pads befopre settling on this. BTW side sleeper and that makes a difference. Thanks for info.
I for one am glad that there are other companies making fleece hoodies with kangaroo pockets and a cowled hood
I always just use 1 or 2 (depending on tent size) contractor bags as a footprint. I don't use it to protect the floor from being punctured, but instead to help keep any water from seeping up when it rains. I have some sort of curse on me where every time I go camping it has to rain at night. It doesn't matter what the forecast is before I go out, without fail there will be a freak storm. Some times it only rains a little, but most of the time it ends up being a torrential downpour at night where even the best tent will have a little water seep through the bottom, the contractor bag as a footprint helps to keep it to a minimum (usually keeps it from coming through at all).
Nemo Tensor is the best pad I’ve used. Same one as in this video, long wide, orange. Amazing. Inflating sack is magic. I also had to blow it up a few times with my mouth, no problem. The opening is the size of a wine bottle opening, how can it be tough to inflate I cannot imagine.
Love the 30" x 7' Nemo Tensor Extreme. I'm > 200lbs, a side sleeper and my Nemo is incredibly comfortable, and I've struggled to find comfort with other pad brands. Maybe when i'm slender it will not be as great, but I love mine! Getting excited for great sleep on the trail.
To add insult to injury, i've combined it with the ZenBivy 10degree quilt. Is AWESOME!!
Great video, love it! Wouldn’t the polycro floor be worth it just to keep vapor and all the dirt and stuff from ever contacting your tent? Stuff the floor away and a clean tent is always going back into the bag.
I agree with all however I always carry a plastic survival bag which is about 8x4 in size and I sometimes put it under the inner floor in boggy areas because the hydrostatic head on most tent floors isn’t enough to stop the wet coming through if you kneel on it. Similarly, I’ll use it as a tent floor in the vestibule if the ground is boggy. I also use it as a sit mat on wet ground and even as a temporary shelter for lunch in the rain. Super versatile, super cheap and in the worst case can even be used as a survival bag!😮
A couple reasons to use a hydration bladder:
-when the design and location of your pack's side pockets combined with the length of your arms makes it difficult to access a water bottle;
-I can squeeze the nozzle and dribble out a small enough stream that my dog can drink it with out much waste.
A couple reasons I no longer use the hydration bladder except for day hikes:
-It is holy hell to get it in the pack when you're carrying a bear canister;
-I finally discovered I cold put a sleeve on my shoulder strap that carries a very accessible cheap grocery store water bottle (extras in side pockets to switch out when needed).
-It finally occurred to me to weigh the hydration bladder. Empty, mine weighs over 8 ounces. That's 8 ounces I could be carrying in something fun like M&Ms!
I'll be honest. I was fixing to go keyboard warrior on you about the stoves lol but then you did cover when they are a good idea. We go light and easy for over nighters or weekends in the warmer months but in fall and early winter hunts in the high country we have found the efficiency and speed of the stove systems to be so valuable and worth the weight penalty. Dead on with everything else I think though I've never tried a Nemo pad. Thermarest for life!
I'm glad you decided to listen to everything I had to say before reacting. You my friend are a Rare Breed on the internet these days 😉
@@DarwinOnthetrail Don't you get a pretty big weight penalty on longer trips with those less efficient stoves in the form of additional fuel (canisters)? Especially if the wind is blowing.... I don't really cook, mostly just boil water. But I can get 5 days "cooking" 2 meals per day (for 2 people) with a 4 oz canister on my Reactor. And it doesn't matter what the wind is doing. What's your fuel formula for those tiny stoves? I mean, they are nice and small! I do a lot of winter/snowy trips where I'm melting snow for water. The Reactor is king for that use case. So I'll never give it up. But they are heavier than those little guys you show (again, disregarding the weight of the fuel cans). Thanks!
Not a thru- hiker, kayaker and biker here. I agree on the topic of tent footprint. I only consider taking one when I know that the weather is going to be horrible for a few days, as an extra layer of protection - my tent is 15 years old and I haven't found anything worthy of replacing it yet.
As for bladders - I use them less and less, mostly for biking or whenever I feel it would be beneficial to reduce the volume of my gear when I'm out of water. But when you bleed the air out after filling it up, there is no sloshing in your backpack when you walk. One thing that can be gross when hiking with a bladder in summer, but a godsend in winter - depending on your backpack type, the water can warm up from the heat off your back. I sometimes use it on one-day bike trips as a cooler for my back, filled with cold water.
Still love my 3.5 oz crocs! I was a hater for years, but have been won over by how fast they dry out vs my trail runners. I have used them for stream crossings, but you make a good point about slipperiness. Next time I'll cross streams in my trail runners, knowing I have dry crocs to wear in camp.😊 😊😊😊
Finally a list I agree with 100%, the only exception is the tent footprint that I use when car camping just to keep the tent body dry. I never use it when backpacking.
I must say it’s interesting and appreciated that all of us can have our personal opinions on hiking gear. And as many established hikers say, your milage may vary or this opinion is subjective and works for me. Just wanted to say it’s appreciated and noted, after all the final decision lies with the individual hiker.
I'm not a thru hiker, just an occasional backpacker, bikepacker, and motorcycle camper. I typically do use a footprint. I've used DIY polycryo, Tyvek, 'space' blankets, and I have one commercially made footprint. Why? Partly to keep things like pine sap from sticking to the floor of my tents, partly because I tend to hang on to tents that I like. I have some that range from 20 to over 30 years old. Yeah, they're getting a bit beat up, but I doubt that they would have lasted as long as they have if I hadn't used a footprint. The one production footprint also allows me to pitch that semi-freestanding tent w/o the inner if I'm going somewhere in early or late shoulder seasons when I can count on bugs being pretty much a nonissue.
I’ve never even heard of that hoodie 😂
I have such jetboil envy whenever I see someone with one but I have a system like yours that’s a fraction of the weight and price.
You can pry my bladder out of my dry dead hands! I would not drink at all if I didn’t have a bladder. I’ve used the same one for the AT, AzT, and PCT. Never has it gotten me sick. The annoying thing is that you need to guess how much water you have and I have run out before.
The reason I got a footprint was so I could set up my tent fly first in the rain and keep the inside of my tent dry.
I like footprints because where we go there is generally a fair amount of sap and it makes post trip cleanup easier. I agree, use the cheapest option available; don’t buy the one sold for a specific tent.
Crocs rubber compound has really good grip on river rocks in my experience… I use them fly fishing because they are the best wet wading shoes in the summer. Most shoes have poor rubber for algae/slippery rocks even though they do have better tread for on trail use. But I agree that I wouldn’t take em backpacking either hahaha
Corcs are great for working around home, or something like boat or like what you said. But they are not walking shoes. Hiking sandals are way to go if you actually want alternate shoes. Something like teva hurricane.
For those of us with big frames (54 chest, 38 waist) that cannot reach a bottle in the side pocket, hose based hydration systems are a must.
Bladders suck, but a "smart water" bottle adapter to hose is superb.
Right on! A One Bottle Hydration hose operates the same but connects to a SmartWater bottle. I don't have to reach back, but I don't have to rearrange earth to refill a bladder and I eliminate the nightmare of having a bladder leak while in my pack.
Mine is Blue Desert, who are out of business now. Glad I bought 6 sets! I use on all my hiking and hunting rigs.
I always used 4 season tents in the past from Hilleberg and Terra Nova, never needed a footprint with them sine they used truly sturdy groundsheets. Now I have a Big Agnes Copper Spur and an MSR Freelite, these tents use the same fabric as the flysheet for the groundsheet and a footprint is essential.
I use the Big Agnes footprint with my Copper Spur as that's my comfy camping tent, but the MSR footprint is horribly heavy. I found that a mylar thermal blanket cut to size makes a super light footprint, and is surprisingly durable, lasted and entire 6 months of regular camping on rough British hillsides.
Same I find Abt my abisko footprint,it s just heavy,I m going to try foil blanket,or just nothing if ground is fine ..
I used a bladder in my pack for years, with the filter inline so I fill the bladder with dirty water and suck/squeeze out clean water. Worked great. This year I'm trying a different system, the platyquick draw.
I’m with you on all points! Never could figure out why people use water bladders. The ICK factor alone, Nevermind the inconvenience. I use Gatorade or smart water bottles on my hip pockets. If they get gross after a long hike, simply recycle and pick up a couple more for a few bucks. Also, I frequently add a Zipfizz if I have a particularly hot, long and elevation gain day. Easy to rinse the flavor out of a bottle. Footprints- agreed. No point.
Stove- a little pocket rocket and a small canister last a long time if all you are doing is quickly bringing a little water to a boil.
Love my thermarest xtherm! So light, warm and comfy! About to start Section B of GDT!
I get where your coming from Darwin, and I understand your packing/hiking philosophy and agree with most. I was sure you’d include a chair, which I have discovered I can’t live without! I have a Jetboil, I bought some time ago, and will be replacing it soon.
Water storage and consumption is personal preference and comes down to application. For normal backpacking, I agree bottles are more convenient to refill and filter with, assuming you’re using some type of bottle top filter. But for long distance fastpacking, a combo of shoulder strap bottles and camelbak is the best setup for me. I can cover 40-50 miles in a day with a 2-3 liter bladder and a couple 500ml shoulder strap bottles and not have to stop to refill until I’m at or close to camp.
This is what I always respect about Darwin, he doesn't care about the latest and most expensive brands. If something works, it works
I totally agree if with everything except for the footprint. Jetboils are just simply overkill, but I having a footprint keeps moisture from the inner when packing away to leave.
I agree with a fair amount of this. However I live in Oregon. A tent footprint is very important here. Especially because of ground moisture. Even on nice days the ground will just decimate your bag, pad etc.
Lots of sharp lava rock too.. my nemo hornet got sliced even through the foot print
Agree with all, but only partial on the first one. I like having a second pair of shoes for around camp or the dreaded “just in case”. Crocs are not that heavy, but they are bulky. I prefer a pair of lightweight sandals.
Love my Tensor and I’ve never aired mine up by blowing straight into it. I use their super light pump sack. 5 puffs and it’s done.
Oh, Crocs. When I used to hike in good quality leather hiking boots, I loved getting my Crocs on around camp after a long day. Now that I use trail runners, I'd never even think about taking Crocs. I'm with you on hoodies in general (decent fleece and a cap or beanie for me). I've not purchased a Jetboil, but have been with friends that use them. I'll stick with a simple canister and stove, or a Trangia in cold weather. Hydration bladders are great on long distance motorcycling trips and trail runs, but that's about it. Have to disagree on the tent footprint though, but that might be more to do with me using the same groundsheet for tarp/bivvy camping and using it out of habit with my tent. Cheers.
Exeption on the footprint is when you don't have an inner tent. You can go without any of course but it's nice to have something between you and the ground as well.
1. I’m with you on camp shoes, but it’s nice to have some very lightweight sandals to protect your delicate tootsies if you want to go swimming. 2. Melly’s are great when weight’s not that important, but Alpha 90 is the way to go for a thru-hike. 3. Totally agree re footprint!
Agree with you on the tent footprints. Got rid of mine and have never looked back.
The nemo pads are so comfortable. I also love their air valves as they don't stick out and snag. Everyone is different.
I like my footprint for many reasons, but mainly in case of rain. I have the B.A. tiger wall ul1, and you can set up the rain fly with it, before setting up the inner tent.
Great video Darwin. Thought provoking as always. I do use a ground sheet for the tent but run it orthogonal to the tent to give me a floor for the two vestibules - saves my backpack etc getting so dirty. Might try though without. I do use a jetboil (Sumo) but usually I am cooking for a group of up to four people. Size weight and cost starts to become more reasonable than everyone bringing their own cook system. Possibly another corner case? What are your thoughts?
For me, I don't keep my footprint for the rough ground as the tent floor is durable enough to handle the terrain where I live. The problem is the rain. My tent's design allows for fast fly setup, meaning I can set up just the fly if I end up stuck in a slightly dangerous flash of rain or, the much more likely scenario, when I get to camp I set up the outside first so I don't get as much water on the inside of my tent.
Yeah came to say the same thing. The quick setup without having to expose my inner is worth the cost/weight IMO. The other side bonuses of extra protection and whatnot are just that- bonuses lol. Even used mine as a quick makeshift tarp a few times.
I use a Tarptent and similar setups that pitch in one unit, so you never get the interior wet. No need for a groundsheet in that case.
Sleeping pads are so personal. I started out on Thermarest mats (first All Season, then XTherm) and almost never slept well. Back pain, arm falling asleep...
I recently switched to a Big Agnes Rapide SL and couldn't believe how much more comfortable it was for me.
Also, water bladders are purely a day trip thing for me. Fill it up at home, rinse it out & dry it at home. On a multi-day hike a bottle is much, much easier.
I never agree with anyone 100 percent, but this video was right on point. Great job.
Great minds think alike? 🤔
@@DarwinOnthetrail Exactly. Let’s go with that.
Have a jetboil, and even though I do use mine, I can see what you’re saying and I have considered switching to something like the Soto Windmaster or one of the MSR stoves (or a decent quality knockoff). It all boils (see what I did there😂) down to use and requirements. I am a Scout leader, and when dealing with youth, something like a Jetboil is more versatile (especially if you can fit the stove, fuel canister and base into the pot). It is more easier for fumbling pre-puberty fingers to get working. And after a days hike, you want something that is just going to work.
As far as the Nemo Tensor pads, again I think it is a matter of what works for you. I have used other pads before buying my Nemo (Big Agnes, Eureka) and I have found the Nemo to be the most comfortable “for me”. It also helps that it packs up very small, as I used it on a backpacking trip to Taiwan with my Scouts and Ventures (Canada’s equivalent to Eagle Scouts)…in August (47°C…at night). Yes, I also have a Therm-a-Rest which I use for winter camps (7.3 R value) which is also very comfortable, but it is bigger packed and also quite noisy. The Nemo I have is an older model (first or second generation Tensor), so it has both types of valve (the flat dump valve and the screw open/shut type). The newer Nemo Tensor doesn’t have the screw valve. All in all, the best nights sleep I have had was using my Nemo (or my Therm-a-Rest) on top of a folding cot (I use the el-cheap-o-deluxe-o Cascade Teck camp cot). At home or at camp.
Hydration bladders. I have two. I think they came with my packs. Used one once, but after cleaning it I didn’t see find it any more convenient and if anything it was more inconvenient. The only benefit I see with them is if using as a transport for your water as they can hold a fair amount (usually 2-3 litres), but I wouldn’t use the straw to drink out of.
As far as footprints go, I definitely feel they are necessary as again, I am a Scout leader, and if I end up loaning my tent to a youth they better be using a footprint. I would rather replace a $50 footprint than the floor of a $500 tent. They also make sense when camping in rainy weather when the ground is already wet. Easier to set up. With all my tents and all the ones my group uses, you can set up the tent and footprint first, letting them get wet (they will get wet anyways) and then set up the tent from inside where it is dry (or more dry than without the makeshift shelter). Much easier to dry a footprint (and fly) than the floor of a tent. It also is beneficial in Winter Camping when you are on packed snow. Inevitably the snow below the tent will shift/melt and whatever was hidden below the snow (rocks, sticks) may end up a little too close to the floor.
So proud to see you come back on melanzana like that. I wrote them off then they became impossible for me to get one. So I agree, not worth the hype.
It's always interesting to see what gear people love and hate on the trail. Darwin has maligned some of my favorite trail gear in this video. I hike in boots rather than trail shoes and I always appreciate changing into my camp shoes at the end of the day. I do agree that Crocks seem like a poor choice for camp shoes. My current camp shoes are actually water shoes that are lightweight and packable with great tread. Here in Washington we have many creek crossings and my water shoes work great. Plus, they dry out after a couple hours on the back of my pack and are dry for the evening. I also love my Platypus bladder. I can connect my squeeze water filter directly to the hose (after removing the mouthpiece) and refill it quickly without removing it from my pack. I also love my Jetboil. The stove and fuel canister fits inside the pot, so it's relatively space efficient. The heat transfer system does add a few ounces but it's so efficient that you burn less fuel, so in the end you save weight on fuel for longer trips. I'm not sure why he ignores the fuel efficiency factor. Yes, the valve is a bit large but it allows me to simmer, which again saves on fuel and it also convenient when you need to cook rather than just boil. I have both the Neoair Uberlite and the Nemo Tensor and I find the Nemo tensor slightly more comfortable. I really like the light weight of the Uberlite but I have had to fix numerous tiny punctures and it currently has a very slow leak that I can't find. It requires 1-2 re-inflations per night. I do agree that tent footprints are unnecessary except when you want to leave the tent body at home and just go with the fly. I am picky about the ground beneath the tent and often spend a few minutes removing rocks, twigs, pinecones, and other debris.
I agree with most of these. 2 I take exceptions with are the camp shoes. While I agree, crocs wouldn't be my choice. Having a simple, lightweight shoe for around camp is a must for me. The 1 time I didn't bring something was on the lost cost trail in Norcal.... regretted it with every stop we made. My new go to camp shoe is xero shoes sunrise shoe at only 5.6oz it's well worth it. The next I would disagree with is a tent footprint. I don't use the footprint to protect against puncturing the tent floor. It's more to keep moisture from getting all over the bottom which over time will start to deteriorate the fabric. I also feel it provides an extra layer of insulation from the cold forest floor. Another benefit of having my big agnes footprint is being able to set up the footprint and rainfly first in the case where im caught in a rain storm while setting up. Maybe I'm misinformed on some of this but that is my experience.
I love the Nemo pads FOR the valve. The valve’s simplicity is much more robust in my experience as the complicated twist valve on the thermarest is bulky and more likely to have issues because of its complexity when compared to the simple valves on the tensor.
About footprint. It's not only about damage to tent floor, but about keeping tent floor clean from dirt. Especially if you live in a small appartment and have to place to clean your tent floor after small weekend hike
I won't give up my camp shoes. To shed those gross smelly trail runners while I'm not hiking is pure bliss, and a pair of slides weigh nothing. Also love my basically free Tyvek footprint because it not only gives me a little bit of extra protection, but also a nice dropcloth of muck-free space while I'm packing up. They pack down to nothing and weight nil as well. Anyway, great vid!
Those BRS stoves are so cheap and inefficient. I found they waste so much fuel that any weight savings is lost because I have to carry more fuel. I started the PCT with one but (after trying cold soaking) I switched back to my MSR Pocket Rocket. YMMV.
I agree with a lot of these, but only for covering long miles on a thru hike type trip. For a more relaxed trip with lots of time in camp, things like crocs are super nice to have. Also I will argue that the newer jetboil stash is actually way lighter than other lightweight stoves, because it’s so much more fuel efficient.
Also for wetter climates like western Washington, your trail runners will never dry if you wear them in a stream unless you can put them in the sun for multiple hours. I always bring small light sturdy sandals like the xeros for river crossings so I don’t risk blisters and cold wet feet.
I use a polycro sheet to keep my tent cleaner and gives me some place dry to lay my gear in the vestibule. It also helps in the morning packing up. I can break down the tent and have all my gear laid out until I am ready to load it into my pack. I do not use a ground sheet out of fear for my tent floor.
Sleeping pads are very personal. My husband loves his seat to summit pad that is thick and self inflating. I started with a sea to summit but it didn't support my back enough. I tried several blowup pads and the Nemo turned out to be just right for me. The baffles conform to my back to provide support, and as a side sleeper it stays full enough around my hips to keep me off the ground. The problem most people have is that is expensive to try a bunch of different pads, but once you find the right one for your body then you will get a good night's sleep.
I’ve been backpacking all my life (cub scouts and on, I’m 37 now). I live in Rochester, NY and mostly backpack in the finger lakes region and adirondacks. The tyvek is great, but not for under the tent, for inside it. If we get intense rain, it can be a saving grace toward keeping oneself and gear dry. But, I agree, putting anything under the tent is silly.
could not agree less on you over the crocs...worth the weight and bulk in gold.
agree with nearly everything but love the comfort of a Tensor pad. The most comfortable pad for me since ever. Unfortunately mine always leaked due to some sort of delamination, got it replaced but still moved to Thermarest again.
Also I use a Tyvek under my tent to keep things cleaner and a bit protected. Might be not needed but it weights not a lot and cost nearly nothing and acts as a rest mat during the day.
Nemo Tensor: I slept on a NeoAir XLite for several years and finally tried a Nemo Tensor and it was a huge improvement in my sleep comfort. Regarding the flat valve: EVERY company has moved to a flat valve. I don't think any of the major brands are making inflatable pads with the older style twist-valve any longer! My biggest complaint is that the early gen Nemo Tensor pads had a design defect where they could get pinholes where the dimples were welded in the pad. At least on our 1st gen Tensors, which still had the old twist valves, this was a big problem. I don't have long-term experience with the newer models (Tensor Trail or All-Season) to know whether they've solved that issue.
I appreciate candid videos like these
Missed you at PCT Days, but you ran into my friend Shrek, and he got a photo for me. Thanks. I look forward to seeing you somewhere on the trail.