GEAR LOADOUT | Hiking the South Downs Way
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- In this video, I unpack my NatureHike UL 40+5L backpack for my upcoming hike on the South Downs Way. I am an experienced wild camper but this is my first thru hike (multi-day hike). Exciting! I have tried to balance the pack with reliable new gear, budget equipment and some items I own already. I weigh the gear with and without food/water for comparison.
Many thanks for watching. 👍
Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes info on my camping and other projects: @benhikescamps
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MAIN GEAR FROM THE LOADOUT:
Robens Glacier 1 sleeping bag:
www.thebushcra...
Exped 3R Ultra MW:
ultralightoutd...
Wild Country Helm Compact 1 tent:
www.terra-nova...
Montane Prism gloves: ultralightoutd...
Danish Endurance recycled beanie:
danishenduranc...
Trekology ALUFT 2.0 pillow:
trekology.com/...
Forclaz (Decathlon)Trek 100 down jacket:
www.decathlon....
Rab Downpour Eco raincoat: rab.equipment/...
Blacks - Peter Storm waterproof trousers:
www.blacks.co....
Bridegedale Men's Trail Run Lightweight T2 Merino Sport 3/4 Crew Socks: www.bridgedale...
NatureHike UL 40+5L backpack:
a.aliexpress.c...
Brooks Cascadia 16 trailrunners: startfitness.c...
really nice to see someone do a practical loadout vid were there not spending an arm and a leg on gear well done.😊👍
Thanks Dave. Not all about the big brands eh! Just need to do it wisely. Thanks for watching. 👍
@@benhikescamps Having watched your review from some years ago on the Forclaz down jacket, I was particularly pleased to see that it was good enough for a re-buy. You made my mind up for me, thanks :)
Tidy, mate! Good luck!
A great blend of higher end kit with some cheaper alternatives. Not all adventures should have to cost the earth. We think you have selected your kit well and it doesn't matter what other people think, it is you that has to carry it so it is important to be comfortable and feel safe. Best of luck Ben, we are sure you will smash it😊👊👍
Thanks both 🙂
Take a few rubberbands with you to place over your socks,keep's your foot in place,ie. traction within your shoe's = less blisters/hot spots.I know you want to be light but...100g Galaxy bar to reward yourself for "Carrying On"! Good goings for ya',Cheers!!
Thanks Richard!👍🙂
Thanks, this has helped for my first long distance walk in 40 years lol. I bought the Naturehike rock 60+5 so hopefully ill have all the space i need. Cheers, Gary.
Looks a good set up. Good look with the hike, looking forward to the video! 👍
Thanks Graham.
Nice one Ben, looks like you're well prepared. Really like the fact that you said you've not gone mad buying new and expensive stuff - great to see a multi-day load out that looks realistic for most of us 😂. Good luck on the trek, can't wait to see the vids.
Many thanks for that feedback Jake. 👍👍Can’t wait to get started.
Good luck with the thru hike, and most importantly.... Enjoy. Looking forward to seeing your vlogs. Have a great time.
Thanks. Hope you enjoyed all the episodes.
All the best mate for the walk, looking forward to the videos👍👍
Thanks 👍
Be aware not all the water taps on SDW will be functional. There's a few stops on the trail you can get supplies , but check if they are open this early in the season ( ymca's & cafe's). Wild camping is no issue on the trail. Just be discreet 🥷
Hope you get good views , sunsets & sunrises ! Enjoy.
Many thanks Evil. Thanks too for the heads up re taps. 👍
Looking good Ben. It’s amazing how quickly the weight gets up. I was shocked how heavy my pack was first part of C2C. I made a few changes for next section and realised I could cut down and enjoyed hiking so much more with less weight. Really depends on weather though. Hope it goes well
Best wishes for your trip
Look forward to seeing the videos
Thanks. 👍
Nice setup Boss 👌 I think the only thing I’d ditch is the tent footprint but I like to live life on the edge 🤓
Have toyed with it but the ground can be chalky, stony and thinking might need it…
Thanks for your videos I’m planning to do it in May. I’m hoping to use a hammock to keep the weight down with a tarp. Good luck on your trip 👍👍
Glad to be of help Ed. I would really discourage the use of a hammock though. Opportunities to use that kind of shelter are limited. You need something that can just go up almost anywhere hence why I took and benefitted from a small tent that pitched quickly. Also weather up there may catch you out. I was glad I had my tent to retreat into each day. There are some woods and forest but not always accessible. Much is over rolling hills and paths and accessing woods is often cut off by barbed wire fences. Good luck though! 👍
@@benhikescamps thanks I’ll probably buy a DD Hammock bivvy with the tarp then as that will give me shelter.
Good luck with your adventure. 😊
Good luck mate. 👍🏼
Thanks!
Good luck with this endeavour.
Thanks!
One thing I would suggest is, apart from the obvious stuff like tent, sleeping bag & pad etc etc; have all your stuff listed on a note on your phone and try and make a note of stuff you actually use each day. That way, when you're done you can have a peruse and go "well, I thought I'd use that a lot and I used it once/never" or vice versa.
Also, think about chafe-age, in my experience (although you may not suffer as much as I do, if you do occasionally suffer a multi-dayer can exacerbate it): I use a stick of Cocoa Shea butter nowadays on multi-day bits, and honestly it's increased my sweaty comfort by a factor of at least 3 and a half. Also can negate your smell quite a bit.
Edit/ ffs! Good luck and enjoy!
Great idea Andy. 👍 For Chaf-age, I’ve been suing Vaseline and it’s been quite good. Been using Vaseline for that and for feet.
@@benhikescamps I did wonder why your "small" tub of vaseline is the size of summat we've had in our cupboard for years 🤣
😂
Nice one
Good morning Londoner, thanks for sharing your advrntures. Did your gas canister last the whole journey or do you expect it to last your whole adventure? Also what size was the gas canister, hoe much gas did it contain? Im new to backpacking and am curious about the whole experience from pack weight to gas usage etc, thanks
Good luck with it and I too will be doing this walk west to east too. Hopefully mid april if weather forecast is kind for the week I'm off. Multi day trips is all I do now with wild camping, they are a fun way to get out their. They feel like proper adventures. The south downs way although long isn't a technical walk so it's just a matter of putting in the miles everyday. Theirs a few shops and villages on the way and also some cheap campsites if you want some luxury although depending on when you go they may not be open. Water is definitely an issue down south due to lack of rivers to collect from. Their is a list of current water points on a website. Stopping off at a pub for lunch or dinner and they are normally happen to refill you.
Cheers Andy. Wishing you well for your SDW too!
@@benhikescamps Looking at the long term weather forecast then I suspect my hopes of an April trip were a bit hopeful so will probably be done in May.
Great view of your kit, Ben. I like your ethos on the tent, why skimp on weight if it’s going to mean enduring rather than enjoying. Wishing you kind weather & great trails 😊
Thanks mate.
Nice shout out to Ben 2 LOL
Great gear load out Ben, think you've covered all eventualities. I would suggest some water purification tablets or drops, just to add to tap water, you never know. Some blister plasters are a defo ! Maybe a multi tool as well, in case or repairs, more options?
Like your down jacket, does it fold into it's self?
Good luck on your journey fella.
Thanks Michael. Blister kit in my first aid kit. Got to watch the weight so will make do with Swiss Army Knife I think. Yes, jacket does fold into itself although I tend to just stuff it into backpack corners. 👍
@@benhikescamps thought would have some, their essential LOL I thought you had a leatherman skeletool? Might be thinking of someone else LOL What make is it again? Considering getting one!
Good luck I'm sure it will be a great trip.dont leave the gas canister touching the bottom of the pot the 2 metals react and leave a ring in the bottom
Thanks for watching! Got kitchen towel at the bottom of the pot to avoid what you mentioned. 👍👍
👍… hope it goes well for you Ben. Enjoy 👌
Many thanks.
Great video there. Can you tell me what size bag you use to pack the Helm 1 tent in please?
I think it's about a 20L bag.
Cool, might be worth checking out water options on route to drop some weight. Certainly since being in the Highlands I hardly carry any as unfortunately there's always plenty on the way.
No real water sources unfortunately. Hence relying on taps at certain points along the trail.
Really good video. Can I ask what footwear will you be bringing. I'm looking at several types of walking boots. I just wondered
Many thanks. I’ve put a link to the footwear in the video description. They are Brooks Cascadia 16 trail runners. I’ve worn them for all of my training for this and (to date) not had a single blister. So glad I abandoned boots. 👍
@@benhikescamps thank you for your help. Much appreciated 👍👍
Looks Good Ben 👍👍
I have been after tenacious tape inc the holder. We’re did you get yours
Cheers Graham
Thanks Graham. Can’t remember tbh. Bought it yonks ago.
lol pack will get lighter as you eat the food - keep the footprint -can be chalk/flint underfoot - have you got water purification tablets -looking forward to videos of your journey
Thanks Louise. I was thinking the same about pack getting lighter as I eat too!
@@benhikescampsi did it about 20 years ago - water supplies are hopefully better now - was great fun trying to find some
Best of luck Ben. What sort of distance are you planning per day?
Thanks Allan. Aiming for 15-20 a day. With a couple of shorter rest days thrown in.
@@benhikescamps good idea. I was happy doing 15-20 a day, any more and my feet started complaining. 😁
Wow you have your own dungeon….😂 Looks a well thought out carry, do you need the footprint?
Chains off camera! Lol. Hmmm.. don’t want to damage Helm but maybe could lose it….🫤
@@benhikescampsno.. don't its chalk/flint underfoot in most places
Yep. Good point.
if you want the latest list of water taps (last summer) let me know
Thanks. National Trails did send me a new list and have plotted these on my map. So fingers crossed they’re working!! 🤞
Water filter, spare socks, ??
Didn't need the filter as so many taps along the route. Socks worked out fine,
South Down Way is better as a bivvy route. Then use a
Maybe yes.
The more weight you carry, the more you'll enjoy your camping. The less weight you carry, the more you'll enjoy your walking. .just sayin'😊
Food for thought! 👍