I bought a Z-Packs Duplex and Arc Blast because I am 60+ years old and need to take advantage of such tech advances to lighten the load on those knees and hips. With the Enlightened Equipment quilt, I halved my total pack weight from 35+ down to about 15-20 pounds depending on luxury items I allow myself now. Well worth it in my opinion, even if I do not crunch long miles and am just a weekend warrior.
@@boredandagitated I love my Arc Blast, going on 5 years or so. Yes, the curve really does allow decent air flow between your shoulder blades and waist.
@@boredandagitated I own the Arc Blast but if I could do it again I would get Arc Haul with the carbon stays that have a pre bent arc. With the Arc Blast you need to set up the arc with the pack empty and make sure you get the arc adjusted on both sides evenly. The Haul the arc is set and does not change. I do like my Blast and all of my Zpacks gear. A couple of years ago I retired and started doing much longer hikes so I bit the bullet and went all in in UL and Zpacks. Zero regrets. A base weight of eight pounds has been a game changer. Take care
I feel the same way. But I'm fine with slowly reducing my weight over time. The downside of some of these gear reviewers is that some folks are needlessly turned off from long distance hiking because it seems too expensive. Most people can get their weight down by taking less stuff.
When I switched from a cheap synthetic bag to an Enlightened Equipment down quilt, I was also able to switch to a smaller lighter pack (bought cheaply on a close out sale) and shed several pounds of base weight. It made a huge difference in my base weight.
My original set up was really cheap and not that light or good (IMO). However, my current set up is relatively nice, is not comprised of Chinese intellectual property theft, and is still less than $1000 including shoes, clothing, everything. I buy things on close-out sales and do not buy the Gucci gear for clothing. Despite what some (not Dixie) UA-camrs might make you think, Backpacking doesn't need to be expensive. I track how much I spend on gear, food, and travel to the trail. Compared to a typical vacation with travel and hotels, backpacking can be a bargain vacation.
I’ve used Cascade Mountain CARBON trekking poles for 5 years with no problems. They weight the same as the Black Diamond poles, but can be bought for $35 at Costco. Now that’s a no-brainer!
Thank you for this thorough guide. I’ve slowly upgraded my gear several years but I always make sure my old gear goes to someone else who is just starting out so they can fall in love with backpacking as well. I just upgraded to the big agnes tiger wall and I’m stoked for the upcoming season
Great idea passing it along. Please consider donating excess gear to the local Scouts. As a Scout Leader it is great to be able to hand out some gear to new Scouts. We also use old equipment like water filtration and stoves for demonstration purposes.
@@michaelsakowich7026thanks for mentioning that, I always donate gear to the local Scout troop when I upgrade. The single parents are especially appreciative.
New people tend to worry about bear attacks but hypothermia is really the big one. Invest in a quality bag and pad to start with, and understand how to manage your food, energy and body heat. I worked in a backpacking store and about 85% of the couples coming in said the women were the colder of the 2.
I've always thought of house brands, like those at REI were an amazing value. REI gets to survey thee best features of each type of product all the time and then innovates just a little where customers input and then make a near-on-par-with-top-brands level of quality at at midrange price. I see these as smart compromises of the best quality and capability at the best price.
i love that Dixie is not "just" a gifted nature videographer; but a thoughtful researcher and communicator for ALL levels of those sseking to spend more time out of doors.
I do budget camping/bike-camping because I have to. I have a NatureHike Mongar 2 tent. For $150, it’s done me well for 2 years now with zero issues. They also make smaller and lighter weight models. I also found a budget down sleeping bag, and 2 different sleeping pad options (cold & warm weather). The one thing I spent money on was my cargo bike-trailer to haul my gear with. I also use my trailer around town for short grocery store trips, etc. There are also mid-priced ranged items that will provide more comfort/light-weight options.
I did the budget way for years. Nothing wrong with that. With experience I learned how to use what I had. And stay warm and dry. Peace and love hike on🙏✌️
I am a Scout Leader, and I am constantly recommending gear selections to youth AND adults, for early-stage backpackers. (And I have tried ALOT of them). But, full disclosure, I have never bought UL or Very High-End gear. So, my range is low-to-mid for price/quality. Generally, I stay away from alot of the lowest cost (walmart) items for the Big3. Alot of Scouts get the Teton Sports backpack, due to its durability and size adjustments. (My son has now used the same Teton 3400 ($80) for 10yrs.) For adult backpacks, Osprey gets high marks for price vs quality. Cheap tents are not bad, but their lousy rainfly is the downfall (aka Coleman or Ozark Trails) Kelty Grand Mesa 2(as-is) is a great budget option at $150. I have also used the Kelty Tanglewood2 at $100, and then swapped out the stock fiberglass poles for a replacement set of alum poles ($25) to drop weight. And sleeping bags have tons of options for size/rate/cost to fit and budget at Cabelas/BassPro. Again, Kelty seems to be the brand that has hit the sweet spot for moderate budgets/ quality. Unfortunately, I am all over the place on sleeping pads. I have a closet full of leaky air-pads and heavy yoga mats. Just have not splurged for the NeoAir. I use $500-550 as an average budget for the Big 3 +pad
I have the Cascade Mountain Tech carbon fiber poles (with cork handles and flick locks) and they have been great! I've had them for about 5 years and they have been on countless backpacking trips and long day hikes, from trekking through snowy passes to the Grand Canyon. Obviously the carbon fiber ones are more expensive than the aluminum ones, but I can't say enough good things about mine.
Same here! They have been serving me well for the past 4 years. Can't complain. They were recently on sale at Costco. I picked up another pair to keep as back up...
Love mine too. Replaced the tips on an older rubber handle pair that I've been using since 2014 (bought at Costco), and I also have a newer pair with cork handles (also from Costco). Great deal. Hard to believe that the aluminum poles are more expensive now than the carbon fiber poles in 2014.
Aloha Dixie, Mahalo for another great video. I do want to point out an error in your description of tent materials: nylon vs polyester. Nylon is hydrophyllic- it absorbs water and sags when wet. Polyester is hydrophobic- it doesn’t absorb water and doesn’t sag. Polyester is also more UV resistant than nylon. Nylon is a slightly stronger fabric that polyester, but tests have shown it is negligible. Mahalo Greg
I totally agree, her videos are top notch! Have you ever watched the video of her and her sister hiking the El Camino di Santiago trail? It's very nice and funny too!
I've been backpacking for about 50 years and my oldest pieces of kit come from 1978 and 1982, namely my tent and backpack respectively. The bag is frameless(but has a self-rigid sit-mat insert) and is just a big empty bag with a harness and padded back panel, but it's super comfy to carry and has hauled loads of 40lbs+. My tent is showing its age but still works and is quick to erect and weights 3.5lbs and has seen me through 60mph gales and -10C winter camps. My most modern gear includes an inflatable sleeping pad (2018 - I'd used closed cell pads up till then - big mistake!) and the BRS 3000 stove(2018 - and it's a mini miracle!). It's a mix of budget and expensive, I pick what works rather than go on price. My sleeping gear varies by season - we range from -30C to +30C, so no bag/quilt covers it all. Plus as I get older I only cover 12-20 miles per day, in my youth I could do 25-35 if I had to - so weight becomes less of a critical factor, it's now more about comfort and reliability.
For me it has become pay for less weight or don't go. I don't really mind that, I'm just happy it is a problem money can solve. Great research like your's can save some money as well. Thanks for the video!
Plastic spoon...Ozark trail long handle spoon...about a buck and indestructible. Try it...I love mine and it's long enough to reach the bottom of camping meal bags.
If you plan to use your gear more than once, it's VERY important to consider durability into the "actual" price. Tents and backpacks are the worst offenders by far. Buying a cheap tent say, that may struggle to last a full season before needing a replacement can be MUCH more expensive over time than biting the bullet and buying a high quality durable tent that may last you for 5-10 years. On the flipside, if you are just experimenting with camping/backpacking, don't worry about durability at all. Get the cheapest gear you can that will fit your needs, then upgrade as you go, because nothing is more expensive than the gear you buy and use a couple times before sending to live permanently in your garage.
A huge number of tents are sold to people like my daughter who will go to music festivals for a few days and leave the kit there on site, just walk away ! so cheap is good for them ! Before anyone shouts at me, the excuse is “ they charge ridiculous money for tickets and can afford it !”. And, “ the clean up crew need the money anyway” !
Chinese labor is no longer as cheap as other countries such as Mexico, some of the central american manufacturing hubs, or neighboring countries like laos/vietnam, and of course the DR.
I will "argue" the point all day long. I carry a 2lb Nemo tent. Hundreds of dollars cheaper than all of these "cottage" tents. Now I buy/carry very light foods, while people with all the over priced gear carry heavy foods and camera, etc gear. My 2lb Granite Gear, sale bought, carries the low weight 10x better than the overpriced gear and my pack weight is lighter. Hmmm.
Have you attempted trying the hammock gear economy series quilts? I believe they are made with duck instead of goose, might be something to look into you may be fine with the duck.
I do think there is a lot to percent of body weight. X percent of your body weight vs a 200 lb man can make for a big difference when it comes to counting grams. 👍
Hello and thanks for the video. Just as an addition, there are other choices somewhere in between these 2 extreme ranges, closer to the $250 range, which is too cheap to be acceptable for some decent hiking. 1) You can buy a Lanshan 25 oz tent for $180, a 2 lb excellent Durston for $240 or a Gossamer Gear The one, barely above 1 lb, for $300. My standard for the last few years has been an OR Helium Bivy, 1 lb, now selling for about $160 at the "A". 2) As far as backpacks, a Granite Gear Crown 2 (60L, less than 2 lbs) can be found new online for about $100 (holds 35 lb comfortably) or a Granite Gear Virga 2 50-58L Backpack which weighs in at 1 lb 2oz can be had for the same $100 (holds about 20 comfortably). They both carry really well. 3) Finally I would use a quilt/blanket since those are lighter than the bags. Anyone remember the $30 Costco blanket? I made one into a quilt by using some monster tape and it has been good to me to the 40s and less than 2 lbs. Nowadays they sell similar ones for about $60 at the "A". For a great quilt, may I suggest the Paria brand? Their 30 degree, 700 fill, 2 lb costs $160, their 15 degree, at 2 lb 3 oz is just $180. Combine that with a pad such as the Klymit Insulated Static V Lite Sleeping Pad, in regular size at 20 oz, R rating of 4.4 and $100 So for the big 3, you are talking more or less $600 and under 7 lbs....you can add the rest of the stuff and do da math which methinks is going to be an additional $100 - $150 (Sawyer, Frog Togs, Pot/cup, BRS, poles) which is about 1.5 lbs (total is 8.5 lbs).....As a matter of fact, think $750 which is 1.5 lbs heavier but about $1,700 cheaper than the best shown here. Yes, it is $500 more than the (possibly) "one time hike/use" gear but it is a whopping 5 lbs less! Meaning $100 per pound weight loss. So there you have it: Almost 7 lbs for $2,470, 13.5 lbs for $248 or 8.5 lbs for $750.
I am certainly for supporting American companies(I'm an American), but I won't buy something inferior for the sake of patriotism, nor go into debt. My first "real" pack is still going to be an Osprey AG, like what you used on the AT. If it was good enough for you, it'll work for me. Definitely going inflatable for the pad. I'm not a masicist, after all. With no sleep, and aching hips, knees, and back, it ain't gonna matter how light your gear is. I really enjoyed this one!
21:46 "foam pads can be cut down to match the height of the person" LOL, at 6'5", not so much. I ended up going with a Big Agnes Air Core inflatable, available in "wide long" for us bigger folk... And it's not the newest model, so not too crazy in price.
Great work again Dixie! In my opinion Decathlon is worth to have a look on. They offer a wide range of gear from cheap to expensive, but they are honest to tell the customer if the product is made for recently use or heavy use in all conditions. For most weekend-worriers the cheapest items from Decathlon will do the job perfectly for small money. For example, trekking poles: the cheapest are just 6$ each. I tested it and they performed quite good.
My message is sort of like yours, when starting out on your first shorter hiking outings, take cheap but servicable stuff that will not fail on you, and upgrade to better gear if/when taking on bigger hikes, or as $$ are available, or specific issues are found with the cheaper options.
Once a person has truly decided that they want to continue in this wonderful hobby, I believe in the old adage, “ buy once, cry once.” With the big three, lightweight, durability, along with COMFORT, are key. I’m 67, this all matters!! I have a Zpacks Duplex, and it was a painful day when I hit that button. Then I used it….. WOW!! Same with my Nemo Pad, when I used it, WOW!! Then, one can only get the gear they truly afford. Hike on, fellow babies!!!! BTW- base weight is sub 9lbs!!
I made a pledge two years ago not to buy anything made in China. Yes its cheap but it never lasts, the quality is inferior. In the UK, where I live, sadly almost everything required in the home is made in China. I will do without rather than subsidise a regime that I don't believe in ! In which case I tend to buy recognised brands that over years have proved themselves long lasting. ... In this video Dixie, the pros and cons of sleeping bags, I understand, but you didn't mention that down if wet, doesn't hold warmth whereas synthetic does. That should be a major consideration if hiking in consistently poor weather. ...So looking forward to your Arizona thru hike. I have hiked and camped over many years in the Four Corners and Grand Canyon. My favourite place in the world to explore. At 78, my visits are now limited to the UK where I live. Your vids remind me of what I'm missing but i take great joy in watching your content, so keep on keeping on Dixie.
I think the Big 3 are important to spend a bit of money on, because those are the things going to keep you alive basically. If you buy a cheap leaky tent, and a sleeping bag that's not going to keep you warm, then you're going to be miserable and potentially get hypothermia. Not fun! And a backpack that is too heavy, or not suited to your body type, is going to make you feel like you're dying! An ill fitting backpack will surely make you hate hiking! But there are still products out there that are affordable and lightweight. Just maybe not ultra light. We pick and choose our battles. 😊
Interesting video. You mentioned hiking the Arizona trail. How often do you resupply? Maybe you could do a video in the future of how you do the resupply. How often, where, what's in your resupply box. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I'm talented and got a heavy and expensive sleeping bag!! The zenbivy sleep system is just too good for my sleep for me to pass up on. Actually sleeping through the night is the toughest part of backpacking for me, so making my sleep system as lovely as humanly possible for me is the priority when it comes to luxury item weight
Hullo. Take note: heat bond can fail dramatically. My admittedly rather old Crux rucksack (RK30) split top to bottom right up the back seam, whilst moving through airport security. Had to improvise a repair with belt and webbing to make it home. Awkward... This was a unique sack in its day, built for ice climbing. Alas no more..
Remember please be a no trace camper. Pack out ,what you pack in. Don't trash your camp site, leave it the way you find it, maybe better than the way you found it. Thank you. Peace and love people 💕 ✌️👍❤️😍
A couple of mistakes: DCF is not strongest fabric in the world. Neither it is in the hiking community. Ultra fabric is using UHMWPE ,similar to Dyneema fibers but it is 3 times stronger. Polyester, similar to DCF, is hydrophobic. It does not absorb water. Nylon is hydrophilic and absorbs water.
Hi Dixie, good comparisons. I know you mentioned it, but I think it really should be highlighted, there is a difference between going for a 5 mile hike into the back country to camp for a night or two, versus doing the PCT or Appalachian Trail. When you are going out hiking every day, doing 10 to 20 miles a day for 6 months, that 6 lbs weight difference is a lot, but if you are only doing one day here and one day there, even if it is 10 or 20 miles, the 6 lbs isn't as bad and is tolerable.
Love your videos and this is no exception. Some cottage manufacturers opening in Australia, with gear for our conditions - we have some tough bush! Still prefer silpoly to DCF - it has some stretch, but does not absorb water like silnylon. Half the price too 😊
Good advice. Over time I think I have developed an eclectic mix of gear. Some things I prefer to invest a bit more on and other things the budget versions work just fine for me. In the end, I believe it boils down to personal preferences/needs/expectations and what works or is acceptable for one, might not be the right fit/mix for another.
Hi Dixie, I say That would be lots of research before you do this video. Thank you for all the details between budges and materials. Keep doing a good job and as always love your videos.
When I bought my ZPacks Arc Blast, the company was 4 people. When I bought my first UGQ quilts the company was 3 people. Now, both companies have about 10 or 15 people and a lot more equipment than 7 or 8 years ago. I will still buy form both. That said though, I also own several big name tents and other equipment and clothing. As well, I have "cheap" gear as well, some of which I will never regret buying because it has performed way beyond my expectations. Those Nylafume liners have an additional asset in that they also are smell masking. And you can repair them with simple tenacious tape.
Hey Dixie, Love your channel and these reviews; been subscribed since your early AT days. I wonder if you have seen the studies on stove efficiency vs flame height and pot shape, and the water purification series, on the GearSkeptic channel. I think you might find it interesting. From some of his comments, (not negative) I suspect he follows you. All the best
Closed cell foam is pretty consistent. That Walmart pad's R value is probably about a 2, based on other close cell foam pads of similar thickness. There's no real way to make that kind of pad more or less insulating than any other of the same type.
Hi, Dixie! At 66... (I have been backpacking since I was 14!) ... I have gear older than you are! I have a mish-mash of stuff... cheap, expensive, whatever works!
8:00 fiberglass poles can be replaced with some difficulty to aluminum ones off Amazon. I'd usually use a single aluminum tent pole with steel coghlans stakes to hold up a rainfly. Effectively making a floorless tent for cheap. Thanks for the tip on polyester vs nylon.👍
I bought a "wilderness technology " 1p tent for around $100, almost 10 years ago. And it's awesome; Waterproof, warm, easy to pitch....that, and a tyvek ground sheet...golden...
Great and informative video!!! I love these expensive v. cheaper, Cottage v. mass produced, American v. China/Foreign companies etc. etc. etc. Thanks and I believe in my opinion, you were right on target on all your opinions!!!!!!!
Ha, MRE's already come in a food bag! Also she didn't cover trail guns. Bear country is the AR-15 in 450 Bushmaster or a 12 Gauge. Rain gear Frogg Toggs is cheap and durable.
Backpackers are fed up with the grossly overpriced Dyneema stuff. Just a matter of time before a new more affordable gear fabric disrupts the outdoor recreation market.
Would love to see you do a review of etowah outfitters pack. Got it for my AT 2024 thru hike at hostel around the bend and its an amazing ultralight pack. And its made in Alabama. Its a great cottage company. Also paria outdoor company is a super overlooked cottage company that has great tents, sleep systems and accessories. I got their trekking pole tent, sleeping pad, quilt, pillow and am very pleased.
Love the discussion. 👍 For me, the only top of the line items are sleeping bags and sleeping pads (I personally don't use a sleeping pad - pod hammocker). 800+ fill dwr down is well worth the cost. As well as the fact that higher end bags use the comfort rating. In my experience, the comfort rated bag feels warmer than the 20 deg colder rated survival rated bag. For the other items in this video, mid grade is probably the way to go (even on a through hike). Silpoly over dyneema, synthetics over wool/down (mostly), and a two pound backpack from a quality company is going to work just as well as a 2 pound dyneema pack costing 2-3 times as much.
i just wanna know how much water youve had to carry. ive gotten in the habit of carrying 7 liters for overnights just for extra weight, but i never hear how much you actually need for places like the beginning of CDT/PCT.
Pack liner? You mean garbage bag? I'd just buy a box of heavy duty garbage bags of an appropriate size, carry an extra one and change them out every time you go out.
Ok I am by no means a gear snob…. Cheap is where I stand but think some items are worth it. I think cascade mountain carbon fiber trekking poles from Costco at $40 bucks is worth it, platypus quick draw is the same price as sawyer squeeze. Not sure on weight. I am getting back in to/ starting over backpacking last time I went was 1994… after 5 year of Marine Corps Service so Alice pack and combat boots was the standard 75 mile of AT from the base in Georgia in 9 days with 75lb packs… don’t want that again… yes we had can goods in our packs and mostly military gear…. I need a tent, pack, sleeping bag and air mattress and have say $500 to spend. Was thinking thinking. Kelty late start tent at $100, big Agnes pad at $120 and can get mystery ranch bridge 55 for $220. I get some discount where I work on the items.. have pocket rocket deluxe and stainless pot for now already. Not sure my 53 year old body will like me after years of inactivity but need to change things up and this is my thought.
Firstly, thanks you for your service. Go for it man. I dug out my old kit from the 90s last year and started walking again. Check out Chase Mountains youtube channel for simple but very effective exercises aimed at hikers. He has saved my knees.
Have you seen the Timmermade company? I've just been window shopping the guy's website but I'm impressed by the ideas and products! So I thought I'd bring him to your attention. I'd love to see you test out his sleeping quilts! They've a unique design. And his temperature ratings are a lot more realistic than any other seller, it seems.
I can understand many people can not afford expensive gear and resort to buying Made in CHINA stuff which only helps to Make China Great Again (MCGA).... Some will argue and say what's the alternative? Some will say to buy used gear instead to prevent China from profiting, but others will say buying used is yucky or junky and prefer new gear... Well, I say do what you want regardless because it's your money & your choice..... As for me personally, 99% of all my gear, items, equipment & clothing is either made in USA, European or Australian, and that goes for everything I own... However, my electronic gear is used, including my cell phone, computer & camera, so China doesn't profit... But this is my personal choice only... Everyone else can make their own choices.========= If anyone wants info on the name brands of my gear, just let me know.
It has probably been mentioned but if you have a Costco membership, you can get CARBON Cascade trekking poles with cork handles for around $35 (the last season they only had them in two-packs) for just shy of $70). They are phenomenal.
River Country trekker tents!! I have the 2v, They do need waterproofing but $69 and 3.7lbs everyone says they're very well made! I want all of them incase my husband and dog go with me!😂😂
Using Six moons lunar solo Six moons flight pack Msr deluxe stove kit Hangtight quilt bag Long handle rei spork Uber light air mat Eddie Bauer packable rain coat Amazon carbon trek poles Contractor trash bag Nitecore headlamp You can get a 7lb setup for right around 1,000 I think this is the best “middle” ground with the best bang for your buck
I think many people might be surprised what the full origin of an item labelled "made in XXXX country" actually is. For example, a car manufacturer might say "built in the UK", but all the parts used in its final construction might be manufactured in Europe. Very strange situation. To paraphrase John Wyndham: "most people in the Occident think they construct, and that the Orient contrapt".
kind of disagree when it comes to stoves. jetboil or something similar is far superior. much more efficient, (almost) immune to cold / windy weather and generally much faster. about 90 sek and you have hot water for two coffee's (or tea) really is worth the trouble. it's heavy but since the pot (non-stick surface) is integrated you can really do comparison directly. That you can fold everything and stuff it inside the pot (including a 100 gram gas canister, good for about 12l of hot water), is nice.weight for me stayed about the same. jetboil is only about big enough to cook for 2 people, so for big group things change. weight: jetboil complete 330g, conventional 26-80g + 200g gas (normalsize, jetboil uses half size, as it's more efficient) + something like 100g for a pot. you can use small gas with the normal one, but you gonna be screwed in bad weather unless you cook inside the tent (which really don't like, dumping all that steam into the tent.) also, if your at height, cooking does take considerably longer (change of boiling point) => normal gas stoves use about 150g/h and easily need 20+ min to get up to boiling point in cold weather. which did was a issue back before jetboil when i was way up in the andes. had to carry about 600g of gas with me, for multi day trips. (not a issue if you don't actually cook but just warm stuff up.) with something like the tent you not only get less weight but (often) also much more performance.
My friend wanted to start backpacking and just wanted some cheap gear. Found the sleeping bag, sleeping mat and tent used and for a cheap cook set he got the brs stove as you did and a Stanley Adventure Bowl + Spork Cookset which costs a little more than the Nesting Two Cup set. As for the backpack he found a Gregory Optic at a thrift store for 85dkk which is equivalent to ~$12 (I don't think they knew what they were selling 🤫). Apart from some wool socks he just used what he had at home.
Cheap pack liner? Just use a 3 mil contractor garbage bag. Almost free. You have to buy a box of them, but each individual bag is like a penny or two and the rest make AWESOME garbage bags. On the flipside, I'm not sure what you people are doing to your DCF pack liners, but mine has made it through 7 seasons, and has two small patches in it. Not sure how you are trashing them completely in under a season....
I use the Teton bag and it works well. I slept in it down to 30f and it was comfortable for me, but there were some cold spots below 40f. Wouldn’t want to trust it below 30 though.
The amount of weight that’s going up the hill includes the gear and the person. For myself, I could lose 7 pounds of belly, save $2200, and be healthier for it. I did actually use that logic with my tent…I have a great Big Agnes that weights about 4 pounds with the footprint. When getting my gear ready for the an upcoming thru hike, I realized I could just drink a few less beers and not have to spend 900 on a new tent.
Be very careful with gasoline stoves, its very easy to burn a complete national park! Referring to the res 23:36 ent Canadian wildfire disaster ! Its about 2,5 the size of Holland, Europe!
Both are equally as flammable as the other? *"if you use in Alaksa prepare to be un-alived right quick!"? Either way not surprised at all to see what has happened to VF Corporation.
No Most of it has to do with idiots, not ethics. A lot of "fair trade" people seem to think that it is equitable and ethical to pay the same as in the U.S. as oversees. Actually, that victimized the U.S. workers A lot. And, "fair trade" is not something for the young and novice at physical direct interpersonal trade, who are actually what the international business sector mainly consists of It is GROSSLY apparent here in the border regions.
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Though I think sleeping pads comparison wasnt fair. Since they are both different. There are cheap versions of small pack sized inflatable pads.
Do you think you might have developed an allergy to the Aluminum in your Aluminum pot? It says people can have an allergy to Aluminum, and have swelling issues. Just a thought.
rent the first time you go backpacking. If you like it then buy once cry once. That wasted $250 you spent on cheap gear is wasted and you'll never use it again and nobody will buy it used
I bought a Z-Packs Duplex and Arc Blast because I am 60+ years old and need to take advantage of such tech advances to lighten the load on those knees and hips. With the Enlightened Equipment quilt, I halved my total pack weight from 35+ down to about 15-20 pounds depending on luxury items I allow myself now. Well worth it in my opinion, even if I do not crunch long miles and am just a weekend warrior.
How’s the arc blast? Does it cut down on some sweat with that curve?
@@boredandagitated I love my Arc Blast, going on 5 years or so. Yes, the curve really does allow decent air flow between your shoulder blades and waist.
@@boredandagitated I own the Arc Blast but if I could do it again I would get Arc Haul with the carbon stays that have a pre bent arc. With the Arc Blast you need to set up the arc with the pack empty and make sure you get the arc adjusted on both sides evenly. The Haul the arc is set and does not change. I do like my Blast and all of my Zpacks gear. A couple of years ago I retired and started doing much longer hikes so I bit the bullet and went all in in UL and Zpacks. Zero regrets. A base weight of eight pounds has been a game changer. Take care
I feel the same way. But I'm fine with slowly reducing my weight over time. The downside of some of these gear reviewers is that some folks are needlessly turned off from long distance hiking because it seems too expensive. Most people can get their weight down by taking less stuff.
When I switched from a cheap synthetic bag to an Enlightened Equipment down quilt, I was also able to switch to a smaller lighter pack (bought cheaply on a close out sale) and shed several pounds of base weight. It made a huge difference in my base weight.
I really love how hard you work at making backpacking accessible to more people.
My original set up was really cheap and not that light or good (IMO). However, my current set up is relatively nice, is not comprised of Chinese intellectual property theft, and is still less than $1000 including shoes, clothing, everything. I buy things on close-out sales and do not buy the Gucci gear for clothing. Despite what some (not Dixie) UA-camrs might make you think, Backpacking doesn't need to be expensive. I track how much I spend on gear, food, and travel to the trail. Compared to a typical vacation with travel and hotels, backpacking can be a bargain vacation.
I’ve used Cascade Mountain CARBON trekking poles for 5 years with no problems. They weight the same as the Black Diamond poles, but can be bought for $35 at Costco. Now that’s a no-brainer!
Thank you for this thorough guide. I’ve slowly upgraded my gear several years but I always make sure my old gear goes to someone else who is just starting out so they can fall in love with backpacking as well. I just upgraded to the big agnes tiger wall and I’m stoked for the upcoming season
That’s a wonderful idea and I’m glad you liked the video :)
Great idea passing it along. Please consider donating excess gear to the local Scouts. As a Scout Leader it is great to be able to hand out some gear to new Scouts. We also use old equipment like water filtration and stoves for demonstration purposes.
@@michaelsakowich7026thanks for mentioning that, I always donate gear to the local Scout troop when I upgrade. The single parents are especially appreciative.
Fabulous philosophy!
New people tend to worry about bear attacks but hypothermia is really the big one. Invest in a quality bag and pad to start with, and understand how to manage your food, energy and body heat. I worked in a backpacking store and about 85% of the couples coming in said the women were the colder of the 2.
Don't let fear slow you down. Use common sense. I've camped all over. For years and I'm still alive. Peace and love ❤️ camp on. 🙏✌️🤔👍
I've always thought of house brands, like those at REI were an amazing value. REI gets to survey thee best features of each type of product all the time and then innovates just a little where customers input and then make a near-on-par-with-top-brands level of quality at at midrange price. I see these as smart compromises of the best quality and capability at the best price.
Or get a major deal on a returned item that may have been used once.
Except REI only warranties for 1 year and wont sell you parts
Not many companies warranty more than a year. REI's return policy is also among the best
i love that Dixie is not "just" a gifted nature videographer; but a thoughtful researcher and communicator for ALL levels of those sseking to spend more time out of doors.
I do budget camping/bike-camping because I have to. I have a NatureHike Mongar 2 tent. For $150, it’s done me well for 2 years now with zero issues. They also make smaller and lighter weight models. I also found a budget down sleeping bag, and 2 different sleeping pad options (cold & warm weather). The one thing I spent money on was my cargo bike-trailer to haul my gear with. I also use my trailer around town for short grocery store trips, etc. There are also mid-priced ranged items that will provide more comfort/light-weight options.
I did the budget way for years. Nothing wrong with that. With experience I learned how to use what I had. And stay warm and dry. Peace and love hike on🙏✌️
I was thinking of trying bike camping, good to know other folks are trying it
I am a Scout Leader, and I am constantly recommending gear selections to youth AND adults, for early-stage backpackers. (And I have tried ALOT of them). But, full disclosure, I have never bought UL or Very High-End gear. So, my range is low-to-mid for price/quality.
Generally, I stay away from alot of the lowest cost (walmart) items for the Big3. Alot of Scouts get the Teton Sports backpack, due to its durability and size adjustments. (My son has now used the same Teton 3400 ($80) for 10yrs.) For adult backpacks, Osprey gets high marks for price vs quality.
Cheap tents are not bad, but their lousy rainfly is the downfall (aka Coleman or Ozark Trails)
Kelty Grand Mesa 2(as-is) is a great budget option at $150. I have also used the Kelty Tanglewood2 at $100, and then swapped out the stock fiberglass poles for a replacement set of alum poles ($25) to drop weight.
And sleeping bags have tons of options for size/rate/cost to fit and budget at Cabelas/BassPro. Again, Kelty seems to be the brand that has hit the sweet spot for moderate budgets/ quality.
Unfortunately, I am all over the place on sleeping pads. I have a closet full of leaky air-pads and heavy yoga mats. Just have not splurged for the NeoAir.
I use $500-550 as an average budget for the Big 3 +pad
I have the Cascade Mountain Tech carbon fiber poles (with cork handles and flick locks) and they have been great! I've had them for about 5 years and they have been on countless backpacking trips and long day hikes, from trekking through snowy passes to the Grand Canyon. Obviously the carbon fiber ones are more expensive than the aluminum ones, but I can't say enough good things about mine.
Same here! They have been serving me well for the past 4 years. Can't complain. They were recently on sale at Costco. I picked up another pair to keep as back up...
Love mine too. Replaced the tips on an older rubber handle pair that I've been using since 2014 (bought at Costco), and I also have a newer pair with cork handles (also from Costco). Great deal. Hard to believe that the aluminum poles are more expensive now than the carbon fiber poles in 2014.
Your content is gold. Very educational, entertaining and not dry at all. I can tell that you're very experienced. You are awesome. Thank you.
Aloha Dixie,
Mahalo for another great video. I do want to point out an error in your description of tent materials: nylon vs polyester. Nylon is hydrophyllic- it absorbs water and sags when wet. Polyester is hydrophobic- it doesn’t absorb water and doesn’t sag. Polyester is also more UV resistant than nylon. Nylon is a slightly stronger fabric that polyester, but tests have shown it is negligible.
Mahalo
Greg
hey dixie! hair looks great. Keep these awesome video coming!
I am unlikely to buy or used any of these items, but I watched till the end. You produce terrific videos and you are a joy to watch.
I totally agree, her videos are top notch! Have you ever watched the video of her and her sister hiking the El Camino di Santiago trail? It's very nice and funny too!
I've been backpacking for about 50 years and my oldest pieces of kit come from 1978 and 1982, namely my tent and backpack respectively. The bag is frameless(but has a self-rigid sit-mat insert) and is just a big empty bag with a harness and padded back panel, but it's super comfy to carry and has hauled loads of 40lbs+. My tent is showing its age but still works and is quick to erect and weights 3.5lbs and has seen me through 60mph gales and -10C winter camps. My most modern gear includes an inflatable sleeping pad (2018 - I'd used closed cell pads up till then - big mistake!) and the BRS 3000 stove(2018 - and it's a mini miracle!). It's a mix of budget and expensive, I pick what works rather than go on price. My sleeping gear varies by season - we range from -30C to +30C, so no bag/quilt covers it all. Plus as I get older I only cover 12-20 miles per day, in my youth I could do 25-35 if I had to - so weight becomes less of a critical factor, it's now more about comfort and reliability.
For me it has become pay for less weight or don't go. I don't really mind that, I'm just happy it is a problem money can solve. Great research like your's can save some money as well. Thanks for the video!
Plastic spoon...Ozark trail long handle spoon...about a buck and indestructible. Try it...I love mine and it's long enough to reach the bottom of camping meal bags.
If you plan to use your gear more than once, it's VERY important to consider durability into the "actual" price. Tents and backpacks are the worst offenders by far. Buying a cheap tent say, that may struggle to last a full season before needing a replacement can be MUCH more expensive over time than biting the bullet and buying a high quality durable tent that may last you for 5-10 years.
On the flipside, if you are just experimenting with camping/backpacking, don't worry about durability at all. Get the cheapest gear you can that will fit your needs, then upgrade as you go, because nothing is more expensive than the gear you buy and use a couple times before sending to live permanently in your garage.
A huge number of tents are sold to people like my daughter who will go to music festivals for a few days and leave the kit there on site, just walk away ! so cheap is good for them !
Before anyone shouts at me, the excuse is “ they charge ridiculous money for tickets and can afford it !”. And, “ the clean up crew need the money anyway” !
Hammock Gear quilt 20 deg comfort deserved a shout. Affordable!
Chinese labor is no longer as cheap as other countries such as Mexico, some of the central american manufacturing hubs, or neighboring countries like laos/vietnam, and of course the DR.
Black Diamond Trekking Poles are made in Taiwan, the most free and democratic nation in Asia! Quality and Value!
I will "argue" the point all day long. I carry a 2lb Nemo tent. Hundreds of dollars cheaper than all of these "cottage" tents. Now I buy/carry very light foods, while people with all the over priced gear carry heavy foods and camera, etc gear. My 2lb Granite Gear, sale bought, carries the low weight 10x better than the overpriced gear and my pack weight is lighter. Hmmm.
This video cost me over a grand after all these recommendations...lol. Just bought a ton of gear to get started.
Have you attempted trying the hammock gear economy series quilts? I believe they are made with duck instead of goose, might be something to look into you may be fine with the duck.
depends how much you backpack but if you do backpack a lot it's worth everrrrrry single penny
I do think there is a lot to percent of body weight. X percent of your body weight vs a 200 lb man can make for a big difference when it comes to counting grams. 👍
Being your weight class, I agree. But we also need heavier stuff, wide/X-wide and long/X-long. Size matters. 😀
Hello and thanks for the video. Just as an addition, there are other choices somewhere in between these 2 extreme ranges, closer to the $250 range, which is too cheap to be acceptable for some decent hiking.
1) You can buy a Lanshan 25 oz tent for $180, a 2 lb excellent Durston for $240 or a Gossamer Gear The one, barely above 1 lb, for $300. My standard for the last few years has been an OR Helium Bivy, 1 lb, now selling for about $160 at the "A".
2) As far as backpacks, a Granite Gear Crown 2 (60L, less than 2 lbs) can be found new online for about $100 (holds 35 lb comfortably) or a Granite Gear Virga 2 50-58L Backpack which weighs in at 1 lb 2oz can be had for the same $100 (holds about 20 comfortably). They both carry really well.
3) Finally I would use a quilt/blanket since those are lighter than the bags. Anyone remember the $30 Costco blanket? I made one into a quilt by using some monster tape and it has been good to me to the 40s and less than 2 lbs. Nowadays they sell similar ones for about $60 at the "A". For a great quilt, may I suggest the Paria brand? Their 30 degree, 700 fill, 2 lb costs $160, their 15 degree, at 2 lb 3 oz is just $180.
Combine that with a pad such as the Klymit Insulated Static V Lite Sleeping Pad, in regular size at 20 oz, R rating of 4.4 and $100
So for the big 3, you are talking more or less $600 and under 7 lbs....you can add the rest of the stuff and do da math which methinks is going to be an additional $100 - $150 (Sawyer, Frog Togs, Pot/cup, BRS, poles) which is about 1.5 lbs (total is 8.5 lbs).....As a matter of fact, think $750 which is 1.5 lbs heavier but about $1,700 cheaper than the best shown here. Yes, it is $500 more than the (possibly) "one time hike/use" gear but it is a whopping 5 lbs less! Meaning $100 per pound weight loss.
So there you have it:
Almost 7 lbs for $2,470, 13.5 lbs for $248 or 8.5 lbs for $750.
I am certainly for supporting American companies(I'm an American), but I won't buy something inferior for the sake of patriotism, nor go into debt. My first "real" pack is still going to be an Osprey AG, like what you used on the AT. If it was good enough for you, it'll work for me. Definitely going inflatable for the pad. I'm not a masicist, after all. With no sleep, and aching hips, knees, and back, it ain't gonna matter how light your gear is.
I really enjoyed this one!
With some straps and the lid stripped off my Osprey Exos 48, it weighs 50g more than Dixie's Atom pack, cost me £100.
@@ashmaybe9634 That's what I wanted to hear! Thank you! 🙂👍
21:46 "foam pads can be cut down to match the height of the person" LOL, at 6'5", not so much. I ended up going with a Big Agnes Air Core inflatable, available in "wide long" for us bigger folk... And it's not the newest model, so not too crazy in price.
Great work again Dixie!
In my opinion Decathlon is worth to have a look on. They offer a wide range of gear from cheap to expensive, but they are honest to tell the customer if the product is made for recently use or heavy use in all conditions.
For most weekend-worriers the cheapest items from Decathlon will do the job perfectly for small money. For example, trekking poles: the cheapest are just 6$ each. I tested it and they performed quite good.
My message is sort of like yours, when starting out on your first shorter hiking outings, take cheap but servicable stuff that will not fail on you, and upgrade to better gear if/when taking on bigger hikes, or as $$ are available, or specific issues are found with the cheaper options.
Once a person has truly decided that they want to continue in this wonderful hobby, I believe in the old adage, “ buy once, cry once.” With the big three, lightweight, durability, along with COMFORT, are key. I’m 67, this all matters!! I have a Zpacks Duplex, and it was a painful day when I hit that button. Then I used it….. WOW!! Same with my Nemo Pad, when I used it, WOW!! Then, one can only get the gear they truly afford. Hike on, fellow babies!!!! BTW- base weight is sub 9lbs!!
I made a pledge two years ago not to buy anything made in China. Yes its cheap but it never lasts, the quality is inferior. In the UK, where I live, sadly almost everything required in the home is made in China. I will do without rather than subsidise a regime that I don't believe in ! In which case I tend to buy recognised brands that over years have proved themselves long lasting. ... In this video Dixie, the pros and cons of sleeping bags, I understand, but you didn't mention that down if wet, doesn't hold warmth whereas synthetic does. That should be a major consideration if hiking in consistently poor weather. ...So looking forward to your Arizona thru hike. I have hiked and camped over many years in the Four Corners and Grand Canyon. My favourite place in the world to explore. At 78, my visits are now limited to the UK where I live. Your vids remind me of what I'm missing but i take great joy in watching your content, so keep on keeping on Dixie.
I think a good feature would be someone to carry it for me…
I think the Big 3 are important to spend a bit of money on, because those are the things going to keep you alive basically. If you buy a cheap leaky tent, and a sleeping bag that's not going to keep you warm, then you're going to be miserable and potentially get hypothermia. Not fun! And a backpack that is too heavy, or not suited to your body type, is going to make you feel like you're dying! An ill fitting backpack will surely make you hate hiking!
But there are still products out there that are affordable and lightweight. Just maybe not ultra light. We pick and choose our battles. 😊
Zpacks is no longer a "cottage company". By definition. They used to be one.
Interesting video. You mentioned hiking the Arizona trail. How often do you resupply? Maybe you could do a video in the future of how you do the resupply. How often, where, what's in your resupply box. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Fancy Mae @ 34:45! 💌
The Soto WindMaster stove is my go to now. More efficient and lighter than the Pocket Rocket.
I'm talented and got a heavy and expensive sleeping bag!! The zenbivy sleep system is just too good for my sleep for me to pass up on. Actually sleeping through the night is the toughest part of backpacking for me, so making my sleep system as lovely as humanly possible for me is the priority when it comes to luxury item weight
You’re talented? What does that have to do with anything lol.
Hullo. Take note: heat bond can fail dramatically. My admittedly rather old Crux rucksack (RK30) split top to bottom right up the back seam, whilst moving through airport security. Had to improvise a repair with belt and webbing to make it home. Awkward... This was a unique sack in its day, built for ice climbing. Alas no more..
Remember please be a no trace camper. Pack out ,what you pack in. Don't trash your camp site, leave it the way you find it, maybe better than the way you found it. Thank you. Peace and love people 💕 ✌️👍❤️😍
A couple of mistakes:
DCF is not strongest fabric in the world. Neither it is in the hiking community. Ultra fabric is using UHMWPE ,similar to Dyneema fibers but it is 3 times stronger.
Polyester, similar to DCF, is hydrophobic. It does not absorb water. Nylon is hydrophilic and absorbs water.
Hi Dixie, good comparisons. I know you mentioned it, but I think it really should be highlighted, there is a difference between going for a 5 mile hike into the back country to camp for a night or two, versus doing the PCT or Appalachian Trail. When you are going out hiking every day, doing 10 to 20 miles a day for 6 months, that 6 lbs weight difference is a lot, but if you are only doing one day here and one day there, even if it is 10 or 20 miles, the 6 lbs isn't as bad and is tolerable.
Love your videos and this is no exception. Some cottage manufacturers opening in Australia, with gear for our conditions - we have some tough bush! Still prefer silpoly to DCF - it has some stretch, but does not absorb water like silnylon. Half the price too 😊
Good advice. Over time I think I have developed an eclectic mix of gear. Some things I prefer to invest a bit more on and other things the budget versions work just fine for me. In the end, I believe it boils down to personal preferences/needs/expectations and what works or is acceptable for one, might not be the right fit/mix for another.
Hi Dixie, I say That would be lots of research before you do this video. Thank you for all the details between budges and materials. Keep doing a good job and as always love your videos.
When I bought my ZPacks Arc Blast, the company was 4 people. When I bought my first UGQ quilts the company was 3 people. Now, both companies have about 10 or 15 people and a lot more equipment than 7 or 8 years ago. I will still buy form both.
That said though, I also own several big name tents and other equipment and clothing. As well, I have "cheap" gear as well, some of which I will never regret buying because it has performed way beyond my expectations.
Those Nylafume liners have an additional asset in that they also are smell masking. And you can repair them with simple tenacious tape.
Hey Dixie,
Love your channel and these reviews; been subscribed since your early AT days. I wonder if you have seen the studies on stove efficiency vs flame height and pot shape, and the water purification series, on the GearSkeptic channel. I think you might find it interesting. From some of his comments, (not negative) I suspect he follows you. All the best
Closed cell foam is pretty consistent. That Walmart pad's R value is probably about a 2, based on other close cell foam pads of similar thickness. There's no real way to make that kind of pad more or less insulating than any other of the same type.
Hi, Dixie! At 66... (I have been backpacking since I was 14!) ... I have gear older than you are! I have a mish-mash of stuff... cheap, expensive, whatever works!
8:00 fiberglass poles can be replaced with some difficulty to aluminum ones off Amazon. I'd usually use a single aluminum tent pole with steel coghlans stakes to hold up a rainfly. Effectively making a floorless tent for cheap.
Thanks for the tip on polyester vs nylon.👍
I bought a "wilderness technology " 1p tent for around $100, almost 10 years ago. And it's awesome; Waterproof, warm, easy to pitch....that, and a tyvek ground sheet...golden...
Great and informative video!!! I love these expensive v. cheaper, Cottage v. mass produced, American v. China/Foreign companies etc. etc. etc.
Thanks and I believe in my opinion, you were right on target on all your opinions!!!!!!!
Ha, MRE's already come in a food bag!
Also she didn't cover trail guns.
Bear country is the AR-15 in 450 Bushmaster or a 12 Gauge.
Rain gear Frogg Toggs is cheap and durable.
Aegismax down bags...great value for money and ultralight
Excellent product review and suggestions. Thank you ❤️
Backpackers are fed up with the grossly overpriced Dyneema stuff. Just a matter of time before a new more affordable gear fabric disrupts the outdoor recreation market.
Would love to see you do a review of etowah outfitters pack. Got it for my AT 2024 thru hike at hostel around the bend and its an amazing ultralight pack. And its made in Alabama. Its a great cottage company.
Also paria outdoor company is a super overlooked cottage company that has great tents, sleep systems and accessories. I got their trekking pole tent, sleeping pad, quilt, pillow and am very pleased.
Love the discussion. 👍
For me, the only top of the line items are sleeping bags and sleeping pads (I personally don't use a sleeping pad - pod hammocker). 800+ fill dwr down is well worth the cost. As well as the fact that higher end bags use the comfort rating. In my experience, the comfort rated bag feels warmer than the 20 deg colder rated survival rated bag. For the other items in this video, mid grade is probably the way to go (even on a through hike). Silpoly over dyneema, synthetics over wool/down (mostly), and a two pound backpack from a quality company is going to work just as well as a 2 pound dyneema pack costing 2-3 times as much.
Mystery Ranch packs. Hands down the most comfortable pack I've ever owned.
Ahhh I love these vids such a good comparison after I built my pack 🤣💀 still the best reference for most people
i just wanna know how much water youve had to carry. ive gotten in the habit of carrying 7 liters for overnights just for extra weight, but i never hear how much you actually need for places like the beginning of CDT/PCT.
Pack liner?
You mean garbage bag?
I'd just buy a box of heavy duty garbage bags of an appropriate size, carry an extra one and change them out every time you go out.
Ok I am by no means a gear snob…. Cheap is where I stand but think some items are worth it. I think cascade mountain carbon fiber trekking poles from Costco at $40 bucks is worth it, platypus quick draw is the same price as sawyer squeeze. Not sure on weight. I am getting back in to/ starting over backpacking last time I went was 1994… after 5 year of Marine Corps Service so Alice pack and combat boots was the standard 75 mile of AT from the base in Georgia in 9 days with 75lb packs… don’t want that again… yes we had can goods in our packs and mostly military gear…. I need a tent, pack, sleeping bag and air mattress and have say $500 to spend. Was thinking thinking. Kelty late start tent at $100, big Agnes pad at $120 and can get mystery ranch bridge 55 for $220. I get some discount where I work on the items.. have pocket rocket deluxe and stainless pot for now already. Not sure my 53 year old body will like me after years of inactivity but need to change things up and this is my thought.
Firstly, thanks you for your service. Go for it man. I dug out my old kit from the 90s last year and started walking again. Check out Chase Mountains youtube channel for simple but very effective exercises aimed at hikers. He has saved my knees.
Have you seen the Timmermade company? I've just been window shopping the guy's website but I'm impressed by the ideas and products! So I thought I'd bring him to your attention. I'd love to see you test out his sleeping quilts! They've a unique design. And his temperature ratings are a lot more realistic than any other seller, it seems.
It’s called the “Law of Diminishing Returns”. And applies to nearly everything.
how about pajak xc3 backpack there are more great companies in the world making great products not just ours advertised 😂
What you called seam tape on the Aglory is just stitching backer.
i am just gonna assume you are aware of the PROBLEMS WITH YOUR AUDIO.... ;+)
I can understand many people can not afford expensive gear and resort to buying Made in CHINA stuff which only helps to Make China Great Again (MCGA).... Some will argue and say what's the alternative? Some will say to buy used gear instead to prevent China from profiting, but others will say buying used is yucky or junky and prefer new gear... Well, I say do what you want regardless because it's your money & your choice..... As for me personally, 99% of all my gear, items, equipment & clothing is either made in USA, European or Australian, and that goes for everything I own... However, my electronic gear is used, including my cell phone, computer & camera, so China doesn't profit... But this is my personal choice only... Everyone else can make their own choices.========= If anyone wants info on the name brands of my gear, just let me know.
Cheap gear is problematic by default, UL gear does NOT wear well and fails quickly!
It has probably been mentioned but if you have a Costco membership, you can get CARBON Cascade trekking poles with cork handles for around $35 (the last season they only had them in two-packs) for just shy of $70). They are phenomenal.
The big "A" is running a Lightning Deal on the N NEVO RHINO Internal Frame Backpacks. 60+5L is at $65 and 65+5L is at $66.
River Country trekker tents!! I have the 2v, They do need waterproofing but $69 and 3.7lbs everyone says they're very well made! I want all of them incase my husband and dog go with me!😂😂
Using
Six moons lunar solo
Six moons flight pack
Msr deluxe stove kit
Hangtight quilt bag
Long handle rei spork
Uber light air mat
Eddie Bauer packable rain coat
Amazon carbon trek poles
Contractor trash bag
Nitecore headlamp
You can get a 7lb setup for right around 1,000
I think this is the best “middle” ground with the best bang for your buck
I think many people might be surprised what the full origin of an item labelled "made in XXXX country" actually is.
For example, a car manufacturer might say "built in the UK", but all the parts used in its final construction might be manufactured in Europe.
Very strange situation. To paraphrase John Wyndham: "most people in the Occident think they construct, and that the Orient contrapt".
kind of disagree when it comes to stoves. jetboil or something similar is far superior. much more efficient, (almost) immune to cold / windy weather and generally much faster. about 90 sek and you have hot water for two coffee's (or tea) really is worth the trouble. it's heavy but since the pot (non-stick surface) is integrated you can really do comparison directly. That you can fold everything and stuff it inside the pot (including a 100 gram gas canister, good for about 12l of hot water), is nice.weight for me stayed about the same. jetboil is only about big enough to cook for 2 people, so for big group things change.
weight: jetboil complete 330g, conventional 26-80g + 200g gas (normalsize, jetboil uses half size, as it's more efficient) + something like 100g for a pot. you can use small gas with the normal one, but you gonna be screwed in bad weather unless you cook inside the tent (which really don't like, dumping all that steam into the tent.) also, if your at height, cooking does take considerably longer (change of boiling point) => normal gas stoves use about 150g/h and easily need 20+ min to get up to boiling point in cold weather. which did was a issue back before jetboil when i was way up in the andes. had to carry about 600g of gas with me, for multi day trips. (not a issue if you don't actually cook but just warm stuff up.)
with something like the tent you not only get less weight but (often) also much more performance.
My friend wanted to start backpacking and just wanted some cheap gear. Found the sleeping bag, sleeping mat and tent used and for a cheap cook set he got the brs stove as you did and a Stanley Adventure Bowl + Spork Cookset which costs a little more than the Nesting Two Cup set. As for the backpack he found a Gregory Optic at a thrift store for 85dkk which is equivalent to ~$12 (I don't think they knew what they were selling 🤫). Apart from some wool socks he just used what he had at home.
Cheap pack liner? Just use a 3 mil contractor garbage bag. Almost free. You have to buy a box of them, but each individual bag is like a penny or two and the rest make AWESOME garbage bags.
On the flipside, I'm not sure what you people are doing to your DCF pack liners, but mine has made it through 7 seasons, and has two small patches in it. Not sure how you are trashing them completely in under a season....
I use the Teton bag and it works well. I slept in it down to 30f and it was comfortable for me, but there were some cold spots below 40f. Wouldn’t want to trust it below 30 though.
The amount of weight that’s going up the hill includes the gear and the person. For myself, I could lose 7 pounds of belly, save $2200, and be healthier for it. I did actually use that logic with my tent…I have a great Big Agnes that weights about 4 pounds with the footprint. When getting my gear ready for the an upcoming thru hike, I realized I could just drink a few less beers and not have to spend 900 on a new tent.
Be very careful with gasoline stoves, its very easy to burn a complete national park!
Referring to the res 23:36 ent Canadian wildfire disaster !
Its about 2,5 the size of Holland, Europe!
Great video, and good advice. Wanted to say that you may have footage of bigfoot at time marker 17:41. Top right corner of the video.
My guess: a truck barely visible thru the trees.
Wouldn't compression straps make a cheaper synthetic sleeping bag smaller even though the weight is the same...just a thought 🤔
Both are equally as flammable as the other? *"if you use in Alaksa prepare to be un-alived right quick!"? Either way not surprised at all to see what has happened to VF Corporation.
Yep, I a simple guy. But I don't call it lazy hahaha 😅😅😅 thanks Jessica
I appreciate your videos. I have my gear but I still like watching these. 😃
So, I can save $2000 by not going backpacking?? Great deal!!!
No
Most of it has to do with idiots, not ethics. A lot of "fair trade" people seem to think that it is equitable and ethical to pay the same as in the U.S. as oversees. Actually, that victimized the U.S. workers A lot. And, "fair trade" is not something for the young and novice at physical direct interpersonal trade, who are actually what the international business sector mainly consists of
It is GROSSLY apparent here in the border regions.
Thank you for taking the time to make this video.
Though I think sleeping pads comparison wasnt fair. Since they are both different. There are cheap versions of small pack sized inflatable pads.
You must have spent days on making this video. Amazing and thorough. Now I get the differences in pricing.
Do you think you might have developed an allergy to the Aluminum in your Aluminum pot? It says people can have an allergy to Aluminum, and have swelling issues. Just a thought.
Nice work, as usual. :-)
Thank you. Great post. :-)
Great effort on this video my friend. Awesome info. Have fun in my home state of AZ!!!
rent the first time you go backpacking. If you like it then buy once cry once. That wasted $250 you spent on cheap gear is wasted and you'll never use it again and nobody will buy it used
I’m a little disappointed. No “small-little” or “R-E-Ah.” 😊
I imported from China and India for 16 years, working directly with factories. I get it.
At 7:49 I said "Hey that looks like Sipsey." Turns out I was right. LOL
Costco has cork handled, carbon fiber treking poles for $35