Additional thoughts on backpacking chairs: I notice that many people arguing against chairs are younger, often in their 20s. Now that I'm in my 40s, a chair with back support is key to me taking proper care of my body on the trail. I would not have bothered 20 years ago if they had been available.
Wait until these young hikers get older, especially if they get in few car accidents and acquire a bad back in the process. A chair with back support is so nice in camp to also give your legs a break to stretch out. If weight is the only criteria, then ditch the chair but for some of us, we will take a chair over those drones/cameras/GoPros etc. for vlogging. It really boils down to priorities. Mine is enjoying the backpacking experience as a whole. I enjoy camp cooking and taking in the mountain sounds, smells and sights. As I get older, I enjoy comfort more than expediency. I will never cold soak my food just to save 3 ounces. Live is short - savor every moment! 😉
Totally agree. I'm closing in on 60, have shot knees, and back courtesy of my time in the army. Trekking poles enable me to hike, and I can't help but think that some of my injuries could of been avoided if I'd been able to use trekking poles back then; which of course not have been practical.
... Trekking poles or even a single staff have dozens of uses beyond only a support system ... ..A little or a lot of hiking ,, trekking poles can be a lifesaving piece of gear ... ... Don't live on "luck" ,, remember Murphy ?? ...
Even on my long hikes (10-14) days I always bring a chair. It elevates the camp experience so much and I believe it's worth the extra weight. Coming from a fit 27 year old
51 year old man here. Just did my first trip/shakedown hike of the season last weekend. I hadn’t noticed on my last trip that one of the legs on my chair had bent. To avoid a major fail, I didn’t use it for the remainder of the trip. Gotta say, I don’t mind sitting on the ground...once I’m down there. My sit pad is comfy enough. However, getting up off the ground is another story. I missed my chair this trip. My lower back is killing me... Backpacking chair FTW!!!
As a 66 year old hiker I can attest, trekking poles are huge to me. They relieve my way too many marathon race knees, and provide stability on severe terrain. But I found great ones for less than $50 each. Great content!
Totally agree. I was getting bad tendonitis flare ups thanks to old sports injuries (ruptured Achilles, torn ACL). Hiking poles significantly reduced the risk of inflammation while providing added stability/safety.
I agree... youth is wasted on the young... it's proven over long distances trekking polls are so helpful., help with the knees also without them I have a habit of holding on to my shoulder strap instead of swinging my arms which help blood flow... my trail buddies ( aluminum) for 24. dollars have held up for 2 years...I don't waste my time on ultra backpackers talking garbage.. if they want to buy my gear then they can tell me what to hike with or what's better for me...people love big name brands
At 26, I could pack the kitchen sink, skip over the fells, perch on a log and sleep on rocks! At 56, I need as much ultralight gear as my money will allow, hiking poles, a seat and an inflatable mattress with an extra foam pad!
Chairs are NOT overrated. I have REI Flexlite (1 pound) and another one that I loan to my hiking buddies. We're old guys and really appreciate a chair after doing 8 miles on trail. I think a chair is underrated. Maybe if I were 25 years old I would be OK with sitting on the ground. I ise trekking poles. They have SMA several times. I'm with you about Jetboil. Big, heavy, expensive. Don't care if it's 10% faster and slightly more efficient than my Soto Amicus. I am in no hurry so might use my excellent alcohol stove. See the build and burn test on my channel; Tom Loves DIY. Lots of other stuff. Thanks
Never thought that trekking poles are something i would use, it's for old people, right? But as i always found myself coming back from a tour with a wooden stick or two, i ended up purchasing a set for a long trip with a LOT of ascents and descents. Any skepticism i had about them vanished after first 35km and 2500m of elevation. They saved a lot more than just my knees. Now i take them on every tour, especially with a well loaded pack on my back. As for overpriced, well, you get what you pay for in lot of cases. I wouldn't do any serious mountain tours with a cheap chinesium set that costs $30. If you can't rely on them to take your weight safely they become pointless and even a serious danger on more technical trails.
When I was young, I used a walking stick which I made from a small maple tree for hiking on the trail. I watched hikers when trekking poles just came into fashion and I thought, "that's not for me!" Well, that was about 40 years ago and I use them now every time I hike. People who scoff at them will probably be facing knee surgery as they get older. Wish I'd study to be a knee surgeon instead of an artist, LOL! 😂
If u wanna use the word cheep then use the word cheep, there are plenty of them instead of chinesium. Do u known Black Diamond having fabric in Taiwan? Jaja Leki is made inGermany, but where do they import the aluminium alloy ？ As a Chinese I really feel getting offended. China contributes so much convenient to people’s life in the whole world, it deserves a little appreciation and respect from us, dude!
@@kimoleeuaw China has saturated the market with cheap low quality items over the last decades. And yes, chinesium is a stereotype, but the thing about stereotypes is that they are usually based on reality and truth. No one is saying that China cannot make quality stuff, they can. Nitecore is my preferred flashlight brand for example. But vast majority of products coming from your country are sub-par. Sure, you could see it as bringing convenience and affordable items to the world...or you could see it as undercutting the local industries and making it almost impossible for anything but high-end and niche producers to survive. Also, Taiwan is not China 🤷🏻♂️
I thought about getting a Dyneema stuff sack for my Helinox but that did nothing for the rest of the outside of my pack. I solved it by getting the Z Packs large Dyneema pack cover which weighs 1.5 ounces and covers everything in the main compartment inside and out of my GG Mariposa. It's twice the price of the Dyneema custom Chair Zero bag from Hilltop packs but it covers all of the gear in every outside pocket. For me, that's the best of both worlds.
The main attraction to the jet boil for me, which I don’t own… is the fact the pot is connected to the burner. I have lost more than one meal to the ground because I took my eyes off the pot and it tipped over. Especially when using a micro burner like the brs.
I ended up bending and snapping three pairs of cheap trekking poles in the White Mountains before investing in a good pair of Black Diamond ones. I had thought they were overpriced, but I ended up spending more replacing cheap ones!
I have been backpacking since 1968. I have used more stoves than you can count. I'm not a weight weeny with food for 5 days my pack weighs in a 30lbs. I have a jetboil, it works, and until something better comes along or when it dies I see no reason to replace it.
Trekking poles saved me from falling many times with a heavy backpack. Certainly not overrated. Agree with the fact that you don't need to buy the expensive ones. Just buy aluminium, they don't break but bend.
Been using some type stick or trekking pole since my teens years back in the 80s. Damn sure used something on my AT thru in 90 as well. If used correctly and intended, trekking poles help tremendously. However, I see plenty of people using them incorrectly. Proper use is that you should look like an four legged animal in motion when using them. Right/Left and Left/Right.
Completely agree with Jetboil being overrated. I fell into this exact trap of purchasing the Zip and only recently switched to the BRS stove with a titanium mug. Very much enjoying the simplicity of it. If people want to be faster on their hikes, I'd say carrying less bulky/heavy gear (like a Jetboil) makes more sense, instead of carrying a Jetboil that saves only a fraction of time to boil water. Fun vid, thanks for sharing your perspectives!
Should have had people include their base weight with their overrated item suggestions. Sounds like a lot of sub 10 lb ultralighters and all the stuff they justify not having.
haha, interesting, my take: 47 years of hiking, never used chairs, too bulky, too heavy, seems to me so unnatural to use them in the wild, chairs are out, jetboil, never used but if you have extra buck and you don' mind extra grams, then I would understand, before modern trekking poles got popular among hikers, I would always find a walking stick or sticks to help me out. dyneema, way too expensive but enjoying my first dyneema shelter, tarptent stratospire li
My Jetboil is several years old and I use it daily. But I don’t hike with it. I use it for 4WDing ( I believe you’d call it overlanding) and when I’m at work (I drive a roadtrain in Australia). My Jetboil has been to hell and back and even though it is expensive it has payed for itself many times over.
The Jet Boil is OVER Rated. Don't get me wrong. It is EXTREMELY well designed and EFFICIENT. It will boil faster using less fuel. BUT, its HEAVY/BULKY. I use it on day hikes, but the $20 BRS on Amazon that weights less than an ounce is my goto.
Trekking poles are not just for people with bad knees, physical inadequacies, or severe elevation change. I don't think the way you framed trekking poles is necessarily complete. Trekking poles can decrease the cumulative impact of mechanical load by up to 20%. They truly are a safety item. You don't NEED them, but properly used, they have a benefit for every single hiker or backpacker on variable terrain. They don't really fall into the category of luxury the same way the other items in this list do. Certainly ultralight carbon is overrated with aluminum poles meeting or exceeding performance of the flagship carbon models, but "any pole will do" is wholly inaccurate. Some 30 dollar poles are decent (buyer beware), but you're much better off in the midrange price point to ensure better reliability of clamps, grips/straps, and rolled material. Buying the best deal on Amazon is a terrible idea. Research your poles. Again, they are a SAFETY ITEM. Unless you're just cruising the flats, a quality trekking pole can literally be the difference between safely traversing terrain and serious injury. There is an abundance of research on the topic showing virtually no downside to trekking poles and copious benefits. For those interested, UA-cam does not look kindly on links in comments, but a Google Scholar search can generate a number of results. A 2020 meta analysis by Hawke and Jensen, a 2007 paper by Bohne, a 2008 study by Saunders et al, and a very compelling 2010 article by Howatson are a few great examples with further referenced research to explore. If memory serves, all of these papers can be found in full text without paywall with a little searching.
I can tell you trekking poles have saved me from bailing on dozens of occasions and my knees wouldn't exist without them! But mine are a pretty cheap pair of leki's
I had a tibial plateau fracture (lower surface of the knee joint), and if it weren't for trekking poles, I probably wouldn't be able to do what I can backpacking without them. Granted, I'm not super-wealthy, and wouldn't pay more than $120 for a pair, and think I spent somewhere in the $60 to $80 range for my current pair. I've never owned a backpacking chair, & have never been able to justify the weight & space trade-off. Granted, I may be being a bit hypocritical here, seeing as I took a ukulele with me on my last backpacking trip, but I justified that with it only being 2.1 miles from the road to the trail camp (amusingly, I encountered a PCT thru-hiker, who was also packing a ukulele).
...I'd bought a $20 to $30 pair of aluminum trekking poles, where one of the poles got jammed in the rocks, as an ankle-breaker slid under one of my feet & caused me to put a lot of force on that trekking pole. That pole bent, & I leveraged it in the rocks & bent it to at least make the tip parallel to the bulk of the shaft of the rest of the pole to get me through the rest of that trip. After that, I was convinced that bottom end frugality in this case might be more expensive in the long run.
Ooh geez, that doesn't sound like a fun injury. Trekking poles would be a huge benefit for that. I would argue for a chair that weighs 1 pound that you cannot genuinely tell a difference on your back in 24 pounds vs 25 pounds. So adding a 1 pound chair isn't a big deal imo.
..a couple of years ago there was a hiker that had a Tuba on trail .. never heard a negative comment about it ... I think that's where a term of "Hike to your own tune" came from ....
As an Australian, all those prices you quoted are double or triple over here - yet our wages are not all that dissimilar. So while those items listed all have their place, the prices are way overinflated, making all of them overrated in that sense I guess. I would love a pair of trekking poles but my options seem to be cheap rubbish that leaves broken parts on the trail or Ferrari-level carbon fibre 'sticks'; there's very little in between. That Jetboil system is over $250 here and those tents are well over $1000. Even Sea to Summit, an Australian company, is ridiculously overpriced. Someone's having a laugh! Not me though lol.
I don't know if "clothing gear" was included in your original poll but I will have to say that trail runners are way overrated in the sense of disparaging the value of hiking boots. I have nothing against trail runners for those who like them but I gave in and tried the popular Altra Lone Peak 5's last year and found them worthless. They were like a very well made soft slipper, with no structure or support for backpacking. I even started to get plantar fasciitis pain from them. It's pretty obvious that many people do well with trail runners but I detest the boot-shaming articles that pop up several times a year, telling people to switch to trail runners and, worst of all, claiming that boots do not offer ankle protection and support. You can show me 10 so-called scientific studies but I will tell you unconditionally that mid height boots that cover most of your ankle absolutely do prevent injury by catching your ankle when it starts to roll on uneven rocks or whatever. So, more power to those for whom trail runners work but stop alleging that boots do not offer great value and features for those who like them, like me. Thank you for allowing me to rant 🤨.
An important point to note here is that those studies do universally acknowledge that if the boot covers you entire ankle, it will provide support. It's the "low profile" boots that genuinely provide none
Good video! I like how you described both pros and cons of the items. I like having a chair and a dyneema tent. Sticks are essential for me, though not for everyone. I think Jetboil is too bulky, heavy and expensive but ok with me if people love them! One item I think is over-rated is the Gossamer Gear 1/8" foam pad. Happy hiking y'all!
I agree with you on the gg pad, mainly because they disintegrate so easily and are too narrow for me. I hate having to focus on keeping my arms from flopping on the ground when I'm trying to sleep.
I bough my own pad from Foam Shop in Canada (wider and shorter as you can pick your dimensions) and LOVED using it in the Pyrenees for three weeks last month. For Canadian trips, its a mix of the dog's mat and a yoga mat. In Europe, I used it as a sit pad (folded), a stretch/yoga pad, in my tent as extra insulation (est. 0.5 R value, so not much) and to limit my S2S pad from shifting around, and as a wind break inside my tent on a particularly windy night when a draft woke me up. I didn't bring a chair on this trip. I loved my 1/8 in foam pad and found it indispensable. It was $16 CAD and has held up well despite massive abuse by me and the dog!
Those hiking poles you were holding are the ones I use and they have been great. You should have mentioned those are very inexpensive, not even close to $200.
Agree with the Jetboil being overrated. There are about 4 or 5 other stoves you can use to just boil water, but most of them will allow you to cook food as well. Not to mention, you don't need any sort of special adapter to use a fry pan, or different size pots with them.
That's why I would never buy their zip/flash model. I have their MiniMo stove and it's the best stove I've ever used (it has superb regulation and heats evenly), i might buy a smaller and lighter pot for it though.
Yesterday, I did an easy hike with about 1,700ft of simple switchbacks and EVERYBODY had a damned trekking pole. yes, they're overrated. Yes they're unnecessary for the majority of hikers. Yes, teenagers and healthy adults do not need to buy them. Sure, if your doing an overland through hike with potential snow they have their place. Just like if you're going surfing you need a board but don't bring one to a kiddy pool
Dyneema is not overrated. The issue is the cost. I make Dyneema tents and heat reflective tents. My 3.86 ounce DIY diamond shaped floorless tent , 4 ft X 9 ft X 3.5 ft high is constructed entirely with glue versus sewn versus adhesive tape. Using glue, construction goes quickly and am able to make alignment adjustments while the glue is setting. Both sewing and adhesive tape construction leads to four problems that gluing avoids. My 3.86 ounce tent Dyneema material cost me less than $100. All up cost was about $125 with zippers, glue, spectra fishing line and mosquito netting.
@@vinoto 100 lb test strength Spectra fishing line was used for 5 stake tie-down loops, open entry/exit folded/rolled tent material tie-down loops, interior peak hanging loop for flashlight and other gear and outside peak loop for hanging/ supporting the tent from above by 8 different means.
Dynema, slightly overrated (still want). Trekking polls, legit. Camping chair, legit, but it's a hard yes or hard no for each person. Jetboil, completely overrated, but some people want that type of "system."
>I used to blast down the trail hands free. Now that I'm in my 60's trekking poles have become a staple. Even when scrambling up and down a steep bolder trail with a 40 lbs. pack I found them very important. >A fancy tent? I got a 3+ season Alys one man tent. Is the weight savings really worth it? I'm thinking of looking into a 2 man tent for the added room, maybe... > I'm toying with the idea of a chair, one that uses trekking poles. Getting up from the ground isn't as easy as it used to be! >Back in the day I'd cook my dinner in my mess kit over an open fire! But let's face it, a freeze dry package is lighter and doesn't attract wildlife like a grilled steak! The isobutane fuel cartridge fits in my stainless-steel cup and the Primes stove doesn't take up much space. No need to upgrade!
I absolutely love my Big Agnes Skyline UL chair. It’s extremely comfortable and worth the small weight penalty compared to my Helinox Chair Zero. I would probably like slightly lighter weight trekking poles, but I’m perfectly happy with my inexpensive Foxelli trekking poles that I bought off of Amazon. They truly help with going uphill and downhill. Great video, Devin. Thanks for sharing.
DYNEEMA... maybe after I'm dead... a single WALKING STAFF made from an old hardwood broom or mop handle used a WALKING STAFF for many years, a stick is your friend don't like those chairs with all the PLASTIC JOINTS had too many plastic breakages Jet Boil - WOW, all that PLASTIC around FIRE... might work with the intended stove but... If you go really BUSHCRAFT - PLASTIC & FIRE don't mix that and Jet Boil is $$$ I don't know about you but I'm on a TIGHT BUDGET!
I don think any of the items are overrated. They can be super useful for the right type of hikers. Personally though a Dyneema tent is the only thing I'd buy for myself. Possibly trekking poles too, but it's not something I'd use on most hikes.
Dyneema... overrated for me, my main concern ususally is space, not weight. Trekking poles? trash them out, if i need a stick i can get literally infinity of them in nature for whatever i need them Chair.... absolutely a must in all of my trips!!! I remember the times when the camping chairs were literally impossible to carry inside a backpack, so glad for the new ones! (and i use a super cheap chinese one) jetboil, no need for it! I usually take with me a double combustion wood stove, it also works with alcohol if needed or pellets. Yeah, the jetboild is "all in one" but for the same price i can get the stove and a full cooking set if i want to For me, another overrated item are the famous water filters... yeah, all good until you are in an area (like most of my area) where waters are contaminated with agrochemicals, they can't be filtered, so you will be poisoning yourself anyways
From a fuel efficiency standpoint jetboil is great but beyond that it's overkill for backpacking. For me an MSR pocket rocket has been bomb proof. Just a completely reliable piece of gear. It's never failed after at least 1000 uses in the field in often terrible weather.
I begrudgingly tried trekking poles thinking they wouldn't really by my jam but ended up being pleasantly surprised. I don't hike with trekking poles but I most definitely backpack with trekking poles, cant hardly go without them now. Jetboil was an upgrade for me. I found that I need those 230gram canisters with my Pocket Rocket but only need a 100 gram canister with Jetboil so you really don't get much weight savings by going with the more drama queen in the wind Pocket Rocket due to the extra fuel. I also hated the way everything didn't fit together quite right with Pocket Rocket. My stove was slightly cockeyed in my cook pot and the fuel canister was slightly off and it all clanked and rattled and threatened to get crushed because it didn't fit together quite right. The Jetboil is a compact all-in-one unit; everything just fits together perfect down to the millimeter. The new MSR Windburner looks better than Jetboil but I haven't tried it. Both Windburner and Jetboil are too damn expensive! A decent budget chair option is CampTime Pack Stool at 14oz, $25 and 10 second setup time. I like my Helinox Chair Zero better because it's more comfortable but again just sooo expensive!
👍. Trekking Poles overrated? ABSOLUTELY NOT! But then, I was born in 1950 😏. I use them mainly for Nordic Walking but they also accompany me on my 'Wanderings'. Price .. a $50.00 set of Poles from Decathlon do the job just fine. Chairs .. don't have one .. yet. Am looking again to Decathlon to see what they can offer.
I’ve been backpacking for over 40 years and I love my JetBoil because it makes boiling water easy. I’ve had other stoves and they were fickle, inefficient and a chore to set up. Was my JetBoil expensive? Beats me. It was a gift.
Agree on dyneema. Not that it is not a great material but there is NO WAY I would spend that kind of money for it in either a pack or a tent. When it eventually comes down in price I will consider it but I love my Sierra designs Lightning 2 fl tent so probably not even then. Jetboil, overrated. Anything by Patagonia or Arcteryx, overrated. Not that it is bad but they have become status brands. Way overpriced. Western Mountaineering sleeping bags..not that they aren’t great but again, overpriced. Down is down. $600+ for a down sleeping bag is crazy! Ultra Light backpacks…overrated. They are like frameless sacks with shoulder straps and cost a fortune.
I love my jetboil. I have 3. Yes I have the tiny msr pocket rocket but I prefer my jetboil. I love the size as i like a big coffee and enough water for my food. I've taken them on 3 thru hikes.
Trekking poles are essential pieces of gear -- especially if solo walking. However having two poles is definitely not necessary and in some cases creates it's own issues because having one pole allows a truly unencumbered hand which is essential in the back country to navigate safely over downfall, etc. Having to take a pole off of ones hand each time you need to grasp or steady over obstacles is one more thing to potentially go wrong -- including tripping. So one pole is best in my opinion and essential for consistent stability when solo walking in the back country, but two poles becomes unweildly in potentially dangerous ways in many circumstances where obstacles are just common. But hands down the piece of equipment that has saved me from a fall or added stability to prevent injury was a single trekking pole. It has save my life and prevented tens of thousands of dollars of medical and rescue costs. Single pole = safety. Dual poles unnecessary in most circumstances. In terms of comfort cork handles are best and I disagree on not spending the money -- within reason -- because cheapers ones that are less ergonomicwill destroy your hands with blisters rendering the poles effectivness useless.
Dyneema fabric might be great but it's massively overpriced on their tents. Is saving 1 lb worth $400? To me no. I used to be anti-trekking pole, living in Southwest Washington close to the PCT the one thing I noticed, almost every PCT through hiker had trekking poles. I ended up buying six sets of Costco trucking holes for roughly $35 a set. Carbon fiber, cam locks, core handles, replaceable feet tips. Have had them for approximately 6 years and never had an issue. Never owned a jetboil too heavy for one purpose. No I'm not cheap I just looked for good value for my money. Even value shopping my base weight for an overnight is approximately 18 lb plus or minus.
Trekking poles are a must if, you hike through elevation and you know how to use them correctly. SO many people don’t have a clue and don’t even bother to adjust them when ascending or descending! Completely clueless
Trekking poles. You can ruin your knees with just one major mountain descent. And, I assume, trekking poles can avoid this type of injury. I have no experience with trekking poles. However, having walked about 2/3 of the PCT I do have trekking experience. And during my hikes I noticed many people, if not most, lock their knees on descent. Which is horrible on your knees. Especially when carrying a backpack. I use a downhill technique using my hamstrings without locking my knees. It works. No need for trekking poles. Having no trekking poles, I cannot forget, lose or break my trekking poles. As to some energy efficiency claims, I am skeptical. How was this objectively measured? As to balance and/or scouting your way when river crossing, there might be a point. Though I personally never experienced a need for trekking poles for any of my hiking trips. By the way, I am Dutch and turning 60 coming February.
I dont understand people who whips out their poles on a flat easy ascent even descent. I only pull out poles when the trails gets REAL gnarly such as deep mud, ice, cliff on 1 side. Any scenario that requires me not to fall or slip basically.
Haaah! I love the hot takes. And I appreciate your balanced feedback. I am a big ol trekking pole fan, it keeps my ADHD self in stride and occupied and gives my upper body something fun to do. Also makes me faster downhill! Haha between backpacking motorcycling and skiing, I like to give my knees as much of a break as possible… and I’m 24… ha!
This still seems to be apologizing for every high priced yuppie hike gear you list below, except for expensive trek poles. Jetboil: overrated A BRS stove knockoff is $10, and a used small coffee can is lighter than a titanium pot or jetboil by many many oz. It seals up nicely with the butane can, stove, a cup, coffee bag and stays super clean. Flashy $700 tiny tents...overrated unless you're going to use it for months on the AT. I have a $30 one man tent that weights 2lbs 3 oz. I seam sealed it with a tube of sealer in ten minutes and a goopy finger. Had it a long time. Works great. Add a light tarp fly if rain is coming which adds 3 oz. Never packed a chair. I do have an inflatable chair pad. My wife uses a hickory quarter staff. I just cut a stick or two if grades get steep.
Honestly, there are a lot of outdoor gear that is highly overrated. Or over-advertised, including from youtubers, not only companies and retailers. Overrated? well, so are many of the so-called well ventilating sweaters, jackets and mid-layers made today, including merinowool/plastic combos, of which I have a few. Seriously, they don't ventilate that much better, but hold some warmth when wet. I will list a few examples of gear that I have and which I know well from my own limited experience: For example, I have some gear from Fjällräven, including some pairs of trousers made in various versions of their G1000 polycotton fabric, and they are comfortable, they flap a little, they use good snaps and have more belt loops than some, and that's it. Their claim about the wax you have to apply to enhance the performance of G1000 is pure bs. It just doesn't work and you only get a pair of slimy stiff trousers that doesn't repel any rain anyway. I'd say you have just degraded a good pair of trousers. Another example is their shell jackets. I have a Fjällräven Bergtagen Eco-shell top of the line jacket, and it's not water proof, it doesn't become waterproof by using Fjällråvens own product and it gets torn and holed real easy. I got soaked on a trip and had to buy another jacket locally. Completely overrated jacket. Worn down in near 3 years on just a few trips and actually very sparingly used. I for example also have their Kajka 65L, their 30L and 38L Bergtagen backpacks and while all heavy, they work really really well, except the shoulder strap tighteners which loose their position very very easy and you have to tighten the straps again. The main fabric on the Kajka is old design and it looks terrible and worn after only unpacking it, and more so, after use. But that's it. It woks extremely well and it have sideways shoulder width adjustability and that is by far the best feature I've seen on any pack, no matter the brand. For example I also have Fjällrävens neck gaitor in merino, in their expensive Bergtagen line, and it rips super easy. Works well, but doesn't last well. Not at all. I do have Fjällrävens synthetic light packable insulation jacket, and it wears the handcuffs in no time. Two trips and it's done. Bad material on an otherwise good light insulation jacket. I do have Fjällrävens old tent called Akka Shape R/S 2 and it's a really goof well lasting hard tough tent that never let's me down. It's design is better than their present day model. Another example is the new Exped Ultra 7R mats of which I have bought two, one M regular, one long/wide. They are said to be better than previous model, and they are not. They are slippery, no antiskid as the old one, and the heavier double valve is bad, Just doesn't let air out easily. Also, the new surface ripstop material is terrible to clean and it's actually nearly undoable. Bad design on those points. It's also heavier than the old model. One step forward, to steps back. Another example is The North Face. I have their VE 25 older all yellow but still presnet day featured expedition tent, and it looses all it's sealing tape on the floor, it lost both windows and it lost both foam pads on the sides. No spares, no help, no nothing, despite a written brochure that came with the tent, that says lifetime warranty, apart from all the exclusions. I cannot even get a footprint sheet for it. so had to make it myself, despite it's the exact same model today with it's newest iteration. It's a really great tent, really good design, can take a beating in really hard weather, and works well for a short time, then fades down with many faults. Of course I repair it. I am very cautions with my stuff and I am not hard on it, and take good care of it. So is my TNF futurelight hardshell jacket (the second most expensive model), which is not windproof, and not waterproof. Not at all. And TNF claims that because it's Futurelight, it doesn't need under arm zips to get rid of too much warmth when climbing or skiing etc. What a bad claim. It needs exactly that. I do have other TNF products that work okay. In my humble view, The North Face has gone down under to be yet another silly fashion company, with a previous outdoor background. Terrible service, no spares and no repairs - terrible company. Then there is for example Arc'Teryx most expensive hardshell jacket, which while waterproof, is not ventilating well and can wake up any mountain troll from far away. It's that loud. Really annoying. Then there is for example Canada Goose, that I also have, and Expedition works well apart from loosing down and the hand cuffs are terrible: loose and rips apart immediately. Same on the most expensive CG Snow Mantra, which I also have, and CG won't help. They demand that I ship them to Canada Gosse in Canada at my own cost and pay to have it repaired. No way. Bad bad service. They are of course all original. I do love my CG Snow Mantra and it is fortunately the old model, that is better made than todays version. To me, they are not fashion jackets, but that's what they have become. Skinny strange weirdoes looking like on drugs and very unhappy, in their clothing posing for the camera in cities. When I bought my CG Snow Mantra, Lance Mackey had just won yet another dog sled race in the worlds warmest jacket. And it works. And another example is the Yeti/Nordisk Passion Three sleeping bag. I found it to be too thin not holding it's temperature claims, looses down and the pull string to be wayyy to long and the zip to be snagging every single time. It's very expensive for what it is, and a bag like for example Sea to Summit Spark SPII is lighter, warmer and better made, far better design and cost much less. I have both. On the other hand, there are good stories too (incl. the Kajka and Bergtagen bags), for example the old Lowe Alpine Cerro Torre 65+10 bag which I have and simply cannot wear out. Not the most comfortable hip belt on me, but it works for linger trips okay. And their Lowe Alpine Triple Point Ceramic hardshell jackets and their fleece (the later a bit sweaty but that they all are), stuff of which I have many, and it took near 20 years before the ceramic layer fell apart. No other signs of wear, no zip problems, no tears etc, and it's been with me on many trip in forests, mountains and deserts. Of course they stopped making it... and the Lowe Alpine super thick mits and their gloves and also their mid length boot gaitors that works really well and just last and last. Cannot wear them out. Super happy about them. Also the Lowe Alpine Triple Point Ceramic mountaineering trousers (with suspenders) that I have and use. Doesn't wear down. Of course they also stopped making all of that... I also have a Mountain Equipment Everest 1250 as my warm bag and it's a super tough bag that never let's me down. No probs, just good design. It's not made any more, but there is a new design similar, but I haven't tried that myself, so cannot say anything. Or my two Black Diamond Raven Pro axes, which always performs albeit I did tape them to be a bit warmer holding them. My normal Mammut hiking boots and other stuff seems to work well. The boots are originally Reichle boots that were rebranded by Mammut and works well. Also the Reichle boots I used to have for hiking in mountains. Modern stainless steel Black diamond steigeisen and my old trusty lightly rusted steel Grivel steigeisen works well. I use a semithin down jacket with black stretchy inserts in elbows and sides of chest, from The North Face Summit Series, and it's really good and hard wearing and light too. They don't make that any more. All this stuff are not overrated. And there are many more examples, these are just some of my own. I can think of many more, for example La Sportiva Nepal Evo boots that looses their mid sole. I've seen it a few times, but I don't have these myself. I use my old pair of Scarpa Phantom Guides and they are really good as long as you remember to lubricate the zips with silicone grease on a regular basis. So are the many pairs of Scarpa approach shoes like Vitamin (old model), I had 3 pairs over many years, and the present day one I also have. None of these are overrated. This whole extreme lightness fashion is a bit weird to me. Of course I prefer not to carry anything unnecessary heavy, but to just suffer on a mountain or just in hard rain on a flat plain in a mini tent, on a minipad in a superthin sleepingbag is not my cup of tea. It may work well for a short time under perfect conditions, but not under pressure and in the long run. It's a naked king walking in front of an audience, everyone claiming that he is not naked, but well dressed. But he is not. He is just naked. Don't get me wrong, I do like lightness on bikes, cars and motorcycles and also in this field, but to a limit. Oh well, I guess some people wants to be cheated. Kind regards and have a nice safe trip. Jacques
JetBoil is overrated because there are perfectly great knockoffs for less than half the cost. If we're only hiking out a short distance to camp, we splurge (weight wise) and bring our faux JetBoil. It's exactly the same (boils same speed too) and cost us like $60.
After hiking for miles, then setting up a camp the last thing I want to do is sit on the ground... Chairs rock! I want to enjoy myself and I'm not going to suffer over 32oz...(looking at you Big Agnes Mica Basin)! One more thing. Jetboil is overrated!
I use an ancient XKG stove with ;liquid fuel It would burn dirt if I could liquidize it . I started backpacking in the 70's. I laughed so hard when someone suggested a chair that I think I hurt myself. I still use a thermorest mattress I got in 1978, It doesn't self inflate anymore but so what portable inflation devises what a wast of weight. People want the craziest things though I have to admit trading in my 5 pound North Face tent for a 2.25 pound Big Agnes nothing but pure delight.
The issue with trekking poles is the piss-poor design of the mainstream brands. They evolved from ski-poles and require inconvenient and uncomfortable straps to function. A small company near to me in the English Lake District produces the PacerPole with a properly ergonomic handle. No need for straps. Much more efficient and comfortable. It's a game-changer - I wouldn't use anything else. Many of the most experienced and influential backpackers and mountaineers in the UK agree. You can get them in the US and they come highly recommended.
I would put HMG packs or anything else they make as highly over-rated. I am saying this from experience. Having owned one of their packs for a short period of time, I found it to be the most uncomfortable pack I have ever worn. The thing is no more than a sack with straps.. I mean, is saving a couple of pounds worth having a sweaty back and complete lack of adjustability? I'd have to say absolutely not. Don't get me wrong, HMG does make some high-quality pieces of gear. However, they certainly charge a significant amount more than company B, which makes similar gear for half the cost. Let's put it this way, I have been at this game for over 40 years, and within that time, I have tried numerous packs and designs. At this point in my life, I would gladly carry a few extra pounds, especially when it comes to a backpack, that actually distributes that extra weight evenly rather than sacrifice having sore spots , rubbing straps and a pack that has absolutely no padding between my back and the contents stuffed inside the pack. At the end of the day, I go backpacking to enjoy myself.
I have well over 1000 miles on my cork handled 7000 series aluminum poles from Cabellas. Think I paid 60ish for the pair. Have saved me on more than one occasion.
Hiked PCT last year 2400 miles . 60 years old with disabilities, pack weight 20 pounds. Dyneema is cold drafty and wet noisy .Nemo one and 2 were my tent of choice sacks and pack were dyneema. From Yosemite to Canada chair all the way on distance hikes cooking is time consuming go with the lightest gear you can so you can carry a chair. Poles Zpack can’t break them very light also used for bear bells and camera mount never witnessed a hiker without poles? Regrets wearing light weight trail running shoes Mexico to Yosemite were boots after Yosemite switch back to trail runners.
I think dyneema is overrated. A tent only lasts one thru hike. There are many materials that are just as light but not as strong. So, make a tent out of less expensive, weaker material. Maybe it only lasts for 1/4 of a thru hike but it only costs $100. It’s a weird direction we are heading. Disposable outdoor gear.
I can’t really comment on chairs or Dyneema. Chairs because I’ve just never tried taking one, and I don’t see the need, for myself. I’ve never once felt during a trip “Man I wish I had a chair.” I’d probably forget to take it out of my pack and set it up. Dyneema because I can’t afford to see if I like it. It does have the drawback of bulk and I understand can be kinda loud getting hit by the rain, but I don’t really know. There also aren’t as many choices. Eg I love my WB Minifly tarp with the small doors - I don’t think anyone makes a small door hammock tarp in Dyneema.
GENUINE QUESTION: why do hikers not wear 1/3 of their wieght on their front? It's really good for your back and I'll guarantee you'll hike further easier and recover better.
Hi there, I have never owned any trekking poles, however when I'm in the Indian Himalayas above 5500 meters using a single hand made stick (and very strong at that) is a must for me... I agree, most don't know how to use their sticks.... it has save my knees!!!
If dyneema was not so expensive people would love it. My Duplex cost me 750 dollars so some knuckleheads love to hate on it .Do any long distance hiking and you will learn to love it. It’s so light and easy to set up. It retains no rain water and the condensation issue is way over blown. Poles are a no brainer and for my old body totally necessary. Jet Boils to me are just way to heavy. The money is not that issue. A Toaks 550 with BRS is a perfect set up and weights next to nothing. I have only seen one person ever who hiked real miles carry a chair. It’s your hike carry what you want. Me I hike until nearly dark, eat, sleep and repeat. I am well into my 60s and this is how I roll. On this list the one item I am not hiking without is the poles. I need them big time. If I was young I could carry all this heavier gear because back in the day 45 plus pound backs were normal. Now I carry next to nothing and my back is about 16 to 20 pounds minus water for a five day stretch. I also carry stuff for my dog.
Instead of a chair, a daylite hammock from superior gear is 4 oz, with the elite suspension for another 3 oz. Better for the midday siesta,far less weight than a chair, setup under two minutes, less expensive than most UL chairs. YMMV of course if you’re above the tree line.
Trekking poles are only for people that trek. Car camping, nah. Hunting? If you haul out once with poles, you will, I guarantee, never again haul without them.
Take my trekking poles off me and I refer you to bambi on ice ! Agree some are over priced. £60-80 will get a decent pair. Agree with jet boil, fell for the hype then went back to my £20 stove and crusader kit without bottle, I also have a small back burner and solid fuel base if gas runs out. Never without hot water.
Sometimes I don't understand some of these ultralight guys. They are busy bragging how light their baseweight is and that they don't need luxury items. I spend about half the day at camp, so I want to enjoy it. A nice chair is great. A pillow is great etc. I get that you don't want to have too much weight during your hike, but 1 extra kg isn't going to hurt if it adds comfort massively. Same for those people bragging how many km's they hike a day. What's the point of hiking through beautiful nature if you don't take the time to take it in.
I'm 57, and won't go out there without my chair and hammock. And my hiking poles help me get those 4 litres of wine out there. And yes, I use a Jetboil MiniMo. And I don't care what anyone thinks of my kit.
I would love to bring a chair but after trying both the version that are light enough for me to consider, I've found them to be way, way to leaned back. That hurts my neck after sitting for a while. I sold both my Chair Zero and REI Flexlight Air. Still trying to figure out a more comfortable sitting solution.
Poles. There is a reason so many ultra mountain runners etc.. use the poles, they wouldn’t carry them if there wasn’t a benefit. Also often become tent poles, and fantastic for dodgy descents, river crossings and taking weight off your joints. Common sense really. Would ditch the chair, and Jet Boil, nice for base camp type use though!
Tracking poles r not over rated , I have cane's for a reason , & they would benefit a lot of us ! & boil cup thing , seriously over , to easily to replace & fir cheaper , nice video !
I would never need a chair or table not operating portable ham radio. And in that case, table is more important than a chair. Of course it is possible to operate for a short periods of time from anything, but for prolonged operation some organization of workplace and holding the equipment away from wet and dirt (especially tablet/notebook when operating digital) is an advantage. But during normal hikes, I would left both table and chair at home. (And no, I am not young anymore, but every gram counts.)
Trekking Poles? - i could not do the long distance trails that i do without the trekking poles i use. They have saved me so many times and i use them for pitching my tent as well so for me, they are indispensable. Chairs?? - Definitely overrated!! A bit of black plastic on the ground is fine. It also doubles up as a entrance to your tent. Jetboil? - Oooh tricky... I got the jetboil at the start and yes it is heavier and bulkier which is a pain when you need to cut both from your pack. The problem is i keep going back to it because it is reliable, complete and very frugal on gas use which is paramount on long distance trails away from stores.
Those products are part of problem of this world huge " waste problem". Trekking poles would be useful for situation like crossing dangerous river, but why to buy it, since You can get "trekking poles" from nature(just collect couple of small tree before that river from ground)
All these items are overrated. You don`t need e Dyneema Tent, an expensive Chair (there are cheaper ones), a Trekking Pole (you can use a wood Stick) and a Jet Boil (you can use a Pocket Rocket or similar at a lower price).
I have broken trek poles on a hike but they saved my knees. Told my wife she should use them but she wouldn't then on one hike she tripped and fell and hit her knee and it is still messed up a decade later. After that fall, she started using them. I also have a bit of a bad back, the poles take about 20% of the weight off my back.
Jet boils are NOT over rated. They have a much better boiling efficiency in cold/windy climates. I know this because I had a pocket rocket and by buddy had a jet boil on a cold windy evening. My water took forever to boil. I finally had to bring it in my tent to boil. His was done in minutes. I will always bring my jet boil If I think it will be cold and windy.
On cook systems, using the windburner most often, the price is for ease of use. Almost any condition, can bring out my windburner with little concern, crank out breakfast in a bag and get coffee done in time without effort. I trimmed enough weight to enjoy the next cup of coffee without fuss. If I need to cook proper, this still works and have a windpro, and if I want to trim more weight but handle the fuss then have a litemax or gigapower and trek 700 mug. Think weight shaving here is overrated because there is a trade off.
Trekking poles have saved my ass from a fall on many occasions. And, I love my dyneema tent. Carbon fibre are poles are great, and are poles for the tent. I love the combination... Agree to disagree....
Additional thoughts on backpacking chairs: I notice that many people arguing against chairs are younger, often in their 20s. Now that I'm in my 40s, a chair with back support is key to me taking proper care of my body on the trail. I would not have bothered 20 years ago if they had been available.
Wait until these young hikers get older, especially if they get in few car accidents and acquire a bad back in the process. A chair with back support is so nice in camp to also give your legs a break to stretch out. If weight is the only criteria, then ditch the chair but for some of us, we will take a chair over those drones/cameras/GoPros etc. for vlogging. It really boils down to priorities. Mine is enjoying the backpacking experience as a whole. I enjoy camp cooking and taking in the mountain sounds, smells and sights. As I get older, I enjoy comfort more than expediency. I will never cold soak my food just to save 3 ounces. Live is short - savor every moment! 😉
Just turned 45 and a chair starting to sound really nice…
I'm mid 40's and anything involving sitting on the floor/ground sucks. It's hard on my back and my legs go to sleep after awhile.
as a big dude in my mid 40's... A chair is totally a luxury item that I will take.
I use a hammock and almost always hike solo and all day. I have a chair, but it rarely goes.
trekking poles have saved me from so many potential falls on trail.
I don’t get how people think they are over rated. They literally help you climb and descend while using less leg power
Totally agree. I'm closing in on 60, have shot knees, and back courtesy of my time in the army. Trekking poles enable me to hike, and I can't help but think that some of my injuries could of been avoided if I'd been able to use trekking poles back then; which of course not have been practical.
I feel like people who say Trekking Poles are over rated are the super UL jerks or people who dont actually do alot of hiking.
Great for sketchy creek crossings too
... Trekking poles or even a single staff have dozens of uses beyond only a support system ...
..A little or a lot of hiking ,, trekking poles can be a lifesaving piece of gear ...
... Don't live on "luck" ,, remember Murphy ?? ...
Even on my long hikes (10-14) days I always bring a chair. It elevates the camp experience so much and I believe it's worth the extra weight. Coming from a fit 27 year old
51 year old man here.
Just did my first trip/shakedown hike of the season last weekend.
I hadn’t noticed on my last trip that one of the legs on my chair had bent.
To avoid a major fail, I didn’t use it for the remainder of the trip.
Gotta say, I don’t mind sitting on the ground...once I’m down there.
My sit pad is comfy enough.
However, getting up off the ground is another story.
I missed my chair this trip. My lower back is killing me...
Backpacking chair FTW!!!
Also 51 and completely agree. If only I could afford those gold plated trekking poles to help me get up off the ground 😆
The only chairs are Helinox chairs.
The most overrated thing is Ultralight Backpackers.
As a 66 year old hiker I can attest, trekking poles are huge to me. They relieve my way too many marathon race knees, and provide stability on severe terrain. But I found great ones for less than $50 each. Great content!
Totally agree. I was getting bad tendonitis flare ups thanks to old sports injuries (ruptured Achilles, torn ACL). Hiking poles significantly reduced the risk of inflammation while providing added stability/safety.
I agree... youth is wasted on the young... it's proven over long distances trekking polls are so helpful., help with the knees also without them I have a habit of holding on to my shoulder strap instead of swinging my arms which help blood flow... my trail buddies ( aluminum) for 24. dollars have held up for 2 years...I don't waste my time on ultra backpackers talking garbage.. if they want to buy my gear then they can tell me what to hike with or what's better for me...people love big name brands
Care to share the brand name for the inexpensive ones?
Montem, a small family brand. I use the extra strong because I tend to fall on them a lot!
At 26, I could pack the kitchen sink, skip over the fells, perch on a log and sleep on rocks!
At 56, I need as much ultralight gear as my money will allow, hiking poles, a seat and an inflatable mattress with an extra foam pad!
I do need tracking poles. I would not be able to hike without them. My knees and my balance are not good. They help a lot
Chairs are NOT overrated. I have REI Flexlite (1 pound) and another one that I loan to my hiking buddies. We're old guys and really appreciate a chair after doing 8 miles on trail. I think a chair is underrated. Maybe if I were 25 years old I would be OK with sitting on the ground. I ise trekking poles. They have SMA several times. I'm with you about Jetboil. Big, heavy, expensive. Don't care if it's 10% faster and slightly more efficient than my Soto Amicus. I am in no hurry so might use my excellent alcohol stove. See the build and burn test on my channel; Tom Loves DIY. Lots of other stuff. Thanks
Never thought that trekking poles are something i would use, it's for old people, right? But as i always found myself coming back from a tour with a wooden stick or two, i ended up purchasing a set for a long trip with a LOT of ascents and descents. Any skepticism i had about them vanished after first 35km and 2500m of elevation. They saved a lot more than just my knees. Now i take them on every tour, especially with a well loaded pack on my back.
As for overpriced, well, you get what you pay for in lot of cases. I wouldn't do any serious mountain tours with a cheap chinesium set that costs $30. If you can't rely on them to take your weight safely they become pointless and even a serious danger on more technical trails.
When I was young, I used a walking stick which I made from a small maple tree for hiking on the trail. I watched hikers when trekking poles just came into fashion and I thought, "that's not for me!" Well, that was about 40 years ago and I use them now every time I hike. People who scoff at them will probably be facing knee surgery as they get older. Wish I'd study to be a knee surgeon instead of an artist, LOL! 😂
If u wanna use the word cheep then use the word cheep, there are plenty of them instead of chinesium. Do u known Black Diamond having fabric in Taiwan? Jaja Leki is made inGermany, but where do they import the aluminium alloy ？ As a Chinese I really feel getting offended. China contributes so much convenient to people’s life in the whole world, it deserves a little appreciation and respect from us, dude!
@@kimoleeuaw China has saturated the market with cheap low quality items over the last decades. And yes, chinesium is a stereotype, but the thing about stereotypes is that they are usually based on reality and truth. No one is saying that China cannot make quality stuff, they can. Nitecore is my preferred flashlight brand for example. But vast majority of products coming from your country are sub-par.
Sure, you could see it as bringing convenience and affordable items to the world...or you could see it as undercutting the local industries and making it almost impossible for anything but high-end and niche producers to survive.
Also, Taiwan is not China 🤷🏻♂️
4:47 I think we have the winner: helinox chair zero in dyneema stuff sack 🙂
Lol I can one up it. A dynema food bag with a picture of my cat sitting in a chair zero on said bag.
I thought about getting a Dyneema stuff sack for my Helinox but that did nothing for the rest of the outside of my pack. I solved it by getting the Z Packs large Dyneema pack cover which weighs 1.5 ounces and covers everything in the main compartment inside and out of my GG Mariposa. It's twice the price of the Dyneema custom Chair Zero bag from Hilltop packs but it covers all of the gear in every outside pocket. For me, that's the best of both worlds.
The main attraction to the jet boil for me, which I don’t own… is the fact the pot is connected to the burner. I have lost more than one meal to the ground because I took my eyes off the pot and it tipped over. Especially when using a micro burner like the brs.
Exactly. This man has huge point here
@@Francisco.Rizzuti Built in wind sheild by design makes it one less thing that you don't have to carry.
I ended up bending and snapping three pairs of cheap trekking poles in the White Mountains before investing in a good pair of Black Diamond ones. I had thought they were overpriced, but I ended up spending more replacing cheap ones!
Black diamonds are excellent. I have the Black Diamond Trail trekking poles and they are great! Not overrated at all!
I prefer aluminum poles over carbon fiber ones. They weight more, but should be more reliable
I have been backpacking since 1968. I have used more stoves than you can count. I'm not a weight weeny with food for 5 days my pack weighs in a 30lbs. I have a jetboil, it works, and until something better comes along or when it dies I see no reason to replace it.
backpacking chairs are the bomb!
Lighter is better as long as it is good stuff. Personally I think quilts are the most overrated items, next would be Melanzana pullovers.
Trekking poles saved me from falling many times with a heavy backpack. Certainly not overrated. Agree with the fact that you don't need to buy the expensive ones. Just buy aluminium, they don't break but bend.
Been using some type stick or trekking pole since my teens years back in the 80s. Damn sure used something on my AT thru in 90 as well. If used correctly and intended, trekking poles help tremendously. However, I see plenty of people using them incorrectly. Proper use is that you should look like an four legged animal in motion when using them. Right/Left and Left/Right.
@@canadafree2087 seen that many times lol
Completely agree with Jetboil being overrated. I fell into this exact trap of purchasing the Zip and only recently switched to the BRS stove with a titanium mug. Very much enjoying the simplicity of it. If people want to be faster on their hikes, I'd say carrying less bulky/heavy gear (like a Jetboil) makes more sense, instead of carrying a Jetboil that saves only a fraction of time to boil water. Fun vid, thanks for sharing your perspectives!
BRS is a great yet super economical piece of gear. I love mine.
Should have had people include their base weight with their overrated item suggestions. Sounds like a lot of sub 10 lb ultralighters and all the stuff they justify not having.
ha ha! Could be...
I love my chair, I love my poles!! They’re functional and greatly improve my wild camping / hiking experience.
Chair and poles nope, the older ya get the more you like those comforts.
haha, interesting, my take: 47 years of hiking, never used chairs, too bulky, too heavy, seems to me so unnatural to use them in the wild, chairs are out, jetboil, never used but if you have extra buck and you don' mind extra grams, then I would understand, before modern trekking poles got popular among hikers, I would always find a walking stick or sticks to help me out. dyneema, way too expensive but enjoying my first dyneema shelter, tarptent stratospire li
My Jetboil is several years old and I use it daily. But I don’t hike with it. I use it for 4WDing ( I believe you’d call it overlanding) and when I’m at work (I drive a roadtrain in Australia). My Jetboil has been to hell and back and even though it is expensive it has payed for itself many times over.
r/ultralight_jerk anyone?? lmao
The Jet Boil is OVER Rated. Don't get me wrong. It is EXTREMELY well designed and EFFICIENT. It will boil faster using less fuel. BUT, its HEAVY/BULKY. I use it on day hikes, but the $20 BRS on Amazon that weights less than an ounce is my goto.
Trekking poles are not just for people with bad knees, physical inadequacies, or severe elevation change. I don't think the way you framed trekking poles is necessarily complete. Trekking poles can decrease the cumulative impact of mechanical load by up to 20%. They truly are a safety item. You don't NEED them, but properly used, they have a benefit for every single hiker or backpacker on variable terrain. They don't really fall into the category of luxury the same way the other items in this list do. Certainly ultralight carbon is overrated with aluminum poles meeting or exceeding performance of the flagship carbon models, but "any pole will do" is wholly inaccurate. Some 30 dollar poles are decent (buyer beware), but you're much better off in the midrange price point to ensure better reliability of clamps, grips/straps, and rolled material. Buying the best deal on Amazon is a terrible idea. Research your poles. Again, they are a SAFETY ITEM. Unless you're just cruising the flats, a quality trekking pole can literally be the difference between safely traversing terrain and serious injury.
There is an abundance of research on the topic showing virtually no downside to trekking poles and copious benefits. For those interested, UA-cam does not look kindly on links in comments, but a Google Scholar search can generate a number of results. A 2020 meta analysis by Hawke and Jensen, a 2007 paper by Bohne, a 2008 study by Saunders et al, and a very compelling 2010 article by Howatson are a few great examples with further referenced research to explore. If memory serves, all of these papers can be found in full text without paywall with a little searching.
I can tell you trekking poles have saved me from bailing on dozens of occasions and my knees wouldn't exist without them! But mine are a pretty cheap pair of leki's
I had a tibial plateau fracture (lower surface of the knee joint), and if it weren't for trekking poles, I probably wouldn't be able to do what I can backpacking without them. Granted, I'm not super-wealthy, and wouldn't pay more than $120 for a pair, and think I spent somewhere in the $60 to $80 range for my current pair.
I've never owned a backpacking chair, & have never been able to justify the weight & space trade-off. Granted, I may be being a bit hypocritical here, seeing as I took a ukulele with me on my last backpacking trip, but I justified that with it only being 2.1 miles from the road to the trail camp (amusingly, I encountered a PCT thru-hiker, who was also packing a ukulele).
...I'd bought a $20 to $30 pair of aluminum trekking poles, where one of the poles got jammed in the rocks, as an ankle-breaker slid under one of my feet & caused me to put a lot of force on that trekking pole. That pole bent, & I leveraged it in the rocks & bent it to at least make the tip parallel to the bulk of the shaft of the rest of the pole to get me through the rest of that trip. After that, I was convinced that bottom end frugality in this case might be more expensive in the long run.
I bet it was a UL Ukelele though🤣
Ooh geez, that doesn't sound like a fun injury. Trekking poles would be a huge benefit for that.
I would argue for a chair that weighs 1 pound that you cannot genuinely tell a difference on your back in 24 pounds vs 25 pounds. So adding a 1 pound chair isn't a big deal imo.
..a couple of years ago there was a hiker that had a Tuba on trail .. never heard a negative comment about it ...
I think that's where a term of "Hike to your own tune" came from ....
As an Australian, all those prices you quoted are double or triple over here - yet our wages are not all that dissimilar. So while those items listed all have their place, the prices are way overinflated, making all of them overrated in that sense I guess. I would love a pair of trekking poles but my options seem to be cheap rubbish that leaves broken parts on the trail or Ferrari-level carbon fibre 'sticks'; there's very little in between. That Jetboil system is over $250 here and those tents are well over $1000. Even Sea to Summit, an Australian company, is ridiculously overpriced. Someone's having a laugh! Not me though lol.
I don't know if "clothing gear" was included in your original poll but I will have to say that trail runners are way overrated in the sense of disparaging the value of hiking boots. I have nothing against trail runners for those who like them but I gave in and tried the popular Altra Lone Peak 5's last year and found them worthless. They were like a very well made soft slipper, with no structure or support for backpacking. I even started to get plantar fasciitis pain from them. It's pretty obvious that many people do well with trail runners but I detest the boot-shaming articles that pop up several times a year, telling people to switch to trail runners and, worst of all, claiming that boots do not offer ankle protection and support. You can show me 10 so-called scientific studies but I will tell you unconditionally that mid height boots that cover most of your ankle absolutely do prevent injury by catching your ankle when it starts to roll on uneven rocks or whatever. So, more power to those for whom trail runners work but stop alleging that boots do not offer great value and features for those who like them, like me. Thank you for allowing me to rant 🤨.
An important point to note here is that those studies do universally acknowledge that if the boot covers you entire ankle, it will provide support. It's the "low profile" boots that genuinely provide none
@@bflagg94 I didn't know that. Thanks!
Good video! I like how you described both pros and cons of the items. I like having a chair and a dyneema tent. Sticks are essential for me, though not for everyone. I think Jetboil is too bulky, heavy and expensive but ok with me if people love them!
One item I think is over-rated is the Gossamer Gear 1/8" foam pad.
Happy hiking y'all!
I agree with you on the gg pad, mainly because they disintegrate so easily and are too narrow for me. I hate having to focus on keeping my arms from flopping on the ground when I'm trying to sleep.
I bough my own pad from Foam Shop in Canada (wider and shorter as you can pick your dimensions) and LOVED using it in the Pyrenees for three weeks last month. For Canadian trips, its a mix of the dog's mat and a yoga mat. In Europe, I used it as a sit pad (folded), a stretch/yoga pad, in my tent as extra insulation (est. 0.5 R value, so not much) and to limit my S2S pad from shifting around, and as a wind break inside my tent on a particularly windy night when a draft woke me up. I didn't bring a chair on this trip. I loved my 1/8 in foam pad and found it indispensable. It was $16 CAD and has held up well despite massive abuse by me and the dog!
Those hiking poles you were holding are the ones I use and they have been great. You should have mentioned those are very inexpensive, not even close to $200.
Trekking Poles = No Fat Fingers / No Sausage Fingers. Worth it for that alone.......
ha ha ha! Good point!
I'm surprised that UA-cam hiking channels did not make the list ;)
😂😂😂
Agree with the Jetboil being overrated. There are about 4 or 5 other stoves you can use to just boil water, but most of them will allow you to cook food as well. Not to mention, you don't need any sort of special adapter to use a fry pan, or different size pots with them.
That's why I would never buy their zip/flash model. I have their MiniMo stove and it's the best stove I've ever used (it has superb regulation and heats evenly), i might buy a smaller and lighter pot for it though.
@@vaseklepic12 I'm very much considering the MiniMo.
Yesterday, I did an easy hike with about 1,700ft of simple switchbacks and EVERYBODY had a damned trekking pole. yes, they're overrated. Yes they're unnecessary for the majority of hikers. Yes, teenagers and healthy adults do not need to buy them.
Sure, if your doing an overland through hike with potential snow they have their place. Just like if you're going surfing you need a board but don't bring one to a kiddy pool
I won't backpack without poles. I carry a chair on most trips. I don't car camp so I don't need a Jetboil.
Dyneema is not overrated. The issue is the cost. I make Dyneema tents and heat reflective tents. My 3.86 ounce DIY diamond shaped floorless tent , 4 ft X 9 ft X 3.5 ft high is constructed entirely with glue versus sewn versus adhesive tape. Using glue, construction goes quickly and am able to make alignment adjustments while the glue is setting. Both sewing and adhesive tape construction leads to four problems that gluing avoids. My 3.86 ounce tent Dyneema material cost me less than $100. All up cost was about $125 with zippers, glue, spectra fishing line and mosquito netting.
What did you use the fishing line for
@@vinoto 100 lb test strength Spectra fishing line was used for 5 stake tie-down loops, open entry/exit folded/rolled tent material tie-down loops, interior peak hanging loop for flashlight and other gear and outside peak loop for hanging/ supporting the tent from above by 8 different means.
Dynema, slightly overrated (still want). Trekking polls, legit. Camping chair, legit, but it's a hard yes or hard no for each person. Jetboil, completely overrated, but some people want that type of "system."
>I used to blast down the trail hands free. Now that I'm in my 60's trekking poles have become a staple. Even when scrambling up and down a steep bolder trail with a 40 lbs. pack I found them very important.
>A fancy tent? I got a 3+ season Alys one man tent. Is the weight savings really worth it? I'm thinking of looking into a 2 man tent for the added room, maybe...
> I'm toying with the idea of a chair, one that uses trekking poles. Getting up from the ground isn't as easy as it used to be!
>Back in the day I'd cook my dinner in my mess kit over an open fire! But let's face it, a freeze dry package is lighter and doesn't attract wildlife like a grilled steak! The isobutane fuel cartridge fits in my stainless-steel cup and the Primes stove doesn't take up much space. No need to upgrade!
I absolutely love my Big Agnes Skyline UL chair. It’s extremely comfortable and worth the small weight penalty compared to my Helinox Chair Zero. I would probably like slightly lighter weight trekking poles, but I’m perfectly happy with my inexpensive Foxelli trekking poles that I bought off of Amazon. They truly help with going uphill and downhill. Great video, Devin. Thanks for sharing.
Dyneema is overated, jetboil too, chairs well it deppends, but Walking poles defenatly not overated.
DYNEEMA... maybe after I'm dead...
a single WALKING STAFF made from an old hardwood broom or mop handle
used a WALKING STAFF for many years, a stick is your friend
don't like those chairs with all the PLASTIC JOINTS
had too many plastic breakages
Jet Boil - WOW, all that PLASTIC around FIRE...
might work with the intended stove but...
If you go really BUSHCRAFT - PLASTIC & FIRE don't mix
that and Jet Boil is $$$
I don't know about you but I'm on a TIGHT BUDGET!
I think the price argument on JetBoil is a bad argument. I got mine on sale, at REI, for $80. Got a lighter one than the big one you have.
I don think any of the items are overrated. They can be super useful for the right type of hikers. Personally though a Dyneema tent is the only thing I'd buy for myself. Possibly trekking poles too, but it's not something I'd use on most hikes.
Dyneema... overrated for me, my main concern ususally is space, not weight.
Trekking poles? trash them out, if i need a stick i can get literally infinity of them in nature for whatever i need them
Chair.... absolutely a must in all of my trips!!! I remember the times when the camping chairs were literally impossible to carry inside a backpack, so glad for the new ones! (and i use a super cheap chinese one)
jetboil, no need for it! I usually take with me a double combustion wood stove, it also works with alcohol if needed or pellets. Yeah, the jetboild is "all in one" but for the same price i can get the stove and a full cooking set if i want to
For me, another overrated item are the famous water filters... yeah, all good until you are in an area (like most of my area) where waters are contaminated with agrochemicals, they can't be filtered, so you will be poisoning yourself anyways
From a fuel efficiency standpoint jetboil is great but beyond that it's overkill for backpacking.
For me an MSR pocket rocket has been bomb proof. Just a completely reliable piece of gear. It's never failed after at least 1000 uses in the field in often terrible weather.
About dynema… if you sew dollar bills one next to another is the area cheaper than dynema?
I begrudgingly tried trekking poles thinking they wouldn't really by my jam but ended up being pleasantly surprised. I don't hike with trekking poles but I most definitely backpack with trekking poles, cant hardly go without them now.
Jetboil was an upgrade for me. I found that I need those 230gram canisters with my Pocket Rocket but only need a 100 gram canister with Jetboil so you really don't get much weight savings by going with the more drama queen in the wind Pocket Rocket due to the extra fuel. I also hated the way everything didn't fit together quite right with Pocket Rocket. My stove was slightly cockeyed in my cook pot and the fuel canister was slightly off and it all clanked and rattled and threatened to get crushed because it didn't fit together quite right. The Jetboil is a compact all-in-one unit; everything just fits together perfect down to the millimeter. The new MSR Windburner looks better than Jetboil but I haven't tried it. Both Windburner and Jetboil are too damn expensive!
A decent budget chair option is CampTime Pack Stool at 14oz, $25 and 10 second setup time. I like my Helinox Chair Zero better because it's more comfortable but again just sooo expensive!
👍.
Trekking Poles overrated? ABSOLUTELY NOT! But then, I was born in 1950 😏.
I use them mainly for Nordic Walking but they also accompany me on my 'Wanderings'. Price .. a $50.00 set of Poles from Decathlon do the job just fine.
Chairs .. don't have one .. yet. Am looking again to Decathlon to see what they can offer.
I’ve been backpacking for over 40 years and I love my JetBoil because it makes boiling water easy. I’ve had other stoves and they were fickle, inefficient and a chore to set up. Was my JetBoil expensive? Beats me. It was a gift.
I got an oex burner (exactly the same as the jet boil) for 35 pounds. I'm more than happy with it at that price
Agree on dyneema. Not that it is not a great material but there is NO WAY I would spend that kind of money for it in either a pack or a tent. When it eventually comes down in price I will consider it but I love my Sierra designs Lightning 2 fl tent so probably not even then. Jetboil, overrated. Anything by Patagonia or Arcteryx, overrated. Not that it is bad but they have become status brands. Way overpriced. Western Mountaineering sleeping bags..not that they aren’t great but again, overpriced. Down is down. $600+ for a down sleeping bag is crazy! Ultra Light backpacks…overrated. They are like frameless sacks with shoulder straps and cost a fortune.
I love my jetboil. I have 3. Yes I have the tiny msr pocket rocket but I prefer my jetboil. I love the size as i like a big coffee and enough water for my food. I've taken them on 3 thru hikes.
Trekking poles are essential pieces of gear -- especially if solo walking. However having two poles is definitely not necessary and in some cases creates it's own issues because having one pole allows a truly unencumbered hand which is essential in the back country to navigate safely over downfall, etc. Having to take a pole off of ones hand each time you need to grasp or steady over obstacles is one more thing to potentially go wrong -- including tripping.
So one pole is best in my opinion and essential for consistent stability when solo walking in the back country, but two poles becomes unweildly in potentially dangerous ways in many circumstances where obstacles are just common.
But hands down the piece of equipment that has saved me from a fall or added stability to prevent injury was a single trekking pole. It has save my life and prevented tens of thousands of dollars of medical and rescue costs.
Single pole = safety. Dual poles unnecessary in most circumstances.
In terms of comfort cork handles are best and I disagree on not spending the money -- within reason -- because cheapers ones that are less ergonomicwill destroy your hands with blisters rendering the poles effectivness useless.
Jet boil has always seemed overrated to me but I've only used an MSR Pocket Rocket with GSI aluminum 1L pot because it works great.
Don’t buy the Big Agnes skyline chair. The front poles will twist out of their crimped stays. Rendering it extremely uncomfortable. I weigh 180lbs.
Dyneema fabric might be great but it's massively overpriced on their tents. Is saving 1 lb worth $400? To me no.
I used to be anti-trekking pole, living in Southwest Washington close to the PCT the one thing I noticed, almost every PCT through hiker had trekking poles. I ended up buying six sets of Costco trucking holes for roughly $35 a set. Carbon fiber, cam locks, core handles, replaceable feet tips. Have had them for approximately 6 years and never had an issue. Never owned a jetboil too heavy for one purpose.
No I'm not cheap I just looked for good value for my money. Even value shopping my base weight for an overnight is approximately 18 lb plus or minus.
Trekking poles are a must if, you hike through elevation and you know how to use them correctly. SO many people don’t have a clue and don’t even bother to adjust them when ascending or descending! Completely clueless
Trekking poles.
You can ruin your knees with just one major mountain descent. And, I assume, trekking poles can avoid this type of injury. I have no experience with trekking poles.
However, having walked about 2/3 of the PCT I do have trekking experience. And during my hikes I noticed many people, if not most, lock their knees on descent. Which is horrible on your knees. Especially when carrying a backpack. I use a downhill technique using my hamstrings without locking my knees. It works. No need for trekking poles.
Having no trekking poles, I cannot forget, lose or break my trekking poles.
As to some energy efficiency claims, I am skeptical. How was this objectively measured?
As to balance and/or scouting your way when river crossing, there might be a point. Though I personally never experienced a need for trekking poles for any of my hiking trips.
By the way, I am Dutch and turning 60 coming February.
I dont understand people who whips out their poles on a flat easy ascent even descent.
I only pull out poles when the trails gets REAL gnarly such as deep mud, ice, cliff on 1 side.
Any scenario that requires me not to fall or slip basically.
Haaah! I love the hot takes. And I appreciate your balanced feedback. I am a big ol trekking pole fan, it keeps my ADHD self in stride and occupied and gives my upper body something fun to do. Also makes me faster downhill! Haha between backpacking motorcycling and skiing, I like to give my knees as much of a break as possible… and I’m 24… ha!
This still seems to be apologizing for every high priced yuppie hike gear you list below, except for expensive trek poles.
Jetboil: overrated
A BRS stove knockoff is $10, and a used small coffee can is lighter than a titanium pot or jetboil by many many oz. It seals up nicely with the butane can, stove, a cup, coffee bag and stays super clean.
Flashy $700 tiny tents...overrated unless you're going to use it for months on the AT. I have a $30 one man tent that weights 2lbs 3 oz. I seam sealed it with a tube of sealer in ten minutes and a goopy finger. Had it a long time. Works great. Add a light tarp fly if rain is coming which adds 3 oz.
Never packed a chair. I do have an inflatable chair pad.
My wife uses a hickory quarter staff. I just cut a stick or two if grades get steep.
Honestly, there are a lot of outdoor gear that is highly overrated. Or over-advertised, including from youtubers, not only companies and retailers.
Overrated? well, so are many of the so-called well ventilating sweaters, jackets and mid-layers made today, including merinowool/plastic combos, of which I have a few. Seriously, they don't ventilate that much better, but hold some warmth when wet.
I will list a few examples of gear that I have and which I know well from my own limited experience:
For example, I have some gear from Fjällräven, including some pairs of trousers made in various versions of their G1000 polycotton fabric, and they are comfortable, they flap a little, they use good snaps and have more belt loops than some, and that's it. Their claim about the wax you have to apply to enhance the performance of G1000 is pure bs. It just doesn't work and you only get a pair of slimy stiff trousers that doesn't repel any rain anyway. I'd say you have just degraded a good pair of trousers.
Another example is their shell jackets. I have a Fjällräven Bergtagen Eco-shell top of the line jacket, and it's not water proof, it doesn't become waterproof by using Fjällråvens own product and it gets torn and holed real easy. I got soaked on a trip and had to buy another jacket locally. Completely overrated jacket. Worn down in near 3 years on just a few trips and actually very sparingly used. I for example also have their Kajka 65L, their 30L and 38L Bergtagen backpacks and while all heavy, they work really really well, except the shoulder strap tighteners which loose their position very very easy and you have to tighten the straps again. The main fabric on the Kajka is old design and it looks terrible and worn after only unpacking it, and more so, after use. But that's it. It woks extremely well and it have sideways shoulder width adjustability and that is by far the best feature I've seen on any pack, no matter the brand. For example I also have Fjällrävens neck gaitor in merino, in their expensive Bergtagen line, and it rips super easy. Works well, but doesn't last well. Not at all. I do have Fjällrävens synthetic light packable insulation jacket, and it wears the handcuffs in no time. Two trips and it's done. Bad material on an otherwise good light insulation jacket. I do have Fjällrävens old tent called Akka Shape R/S 2 and it's a really goof well lasting hard tough tent that never let's me down. It's design is better than their present day model.
Another example is the new Exped Ultra 7R mats of which I have bought two, one M regular, one long/wide. They are said to be better than previous model, and they are not. They are slippery, no antiskid as the old one, and the heavier double valve is bad, Just doesn't let air out easily. Also, the new surface ripstop material is terrible to clean and it's actually nearly undoable. Bad design on those points. It's also heavier than the old model. One step forward, to steps back.
Another example is The North Face. I have their VE 25 older all yellow but still presnet day featured expedition tent, and it looses all it's sealing tape on the floor, it lost both windows and it lost both foam pads on the sides. No spares, no help, no nothing, despite a written brochure that came with the tent, that says lifetime warranty, apart from all the exclusions. I cannot even get a footprint sheet for it. so had to make it myself, despite it's the exact same model today with it's newest iteration. It's a really great tent, really good design, can take a beating in really hard weather, and works well for a short time, then fades down with many faults. Of course I repair it. I am very cautions with my stuff and I am not hard on it, and take good care of it. So is my TNF futurelight hardshell jacket (the second most expensive model), which is not windproof, and not waterproof. Not at all. And TNF claims that because it's Futurelight, it doesn't need under arm zips to get rid of too much warmth when climbing or skiing etc. What a bad claim. It needs exactly that. I do have other TNF products that work okay. In my humble view, The North Face has gone down under to be yet another silly fashion company, with a previous outdoor background. Terrible service, no spares and no repairs - terrible company.
Then there is for example Arc'Teryx most expensive hardshell jacket, which while waterproof, is not ventilating well and can wake up any mountain troll from far away. It's that loud. Really annoying.
Then there is for example Canada Goose, that I also have, and Expedition works well apart from loosing down and the hand cuffs are terrible: loose and rips apart immediately. Same on the most expensive CG Snow Mantra, which I also have, and CG won't help. They demand that I ship them to Canada Gosse in Canada at my own cost and pay to have it repaired. No way. Bad bad service. They are of course all original. I do love my CG Snow Mantra and it is fortunately the old model, that is better made than todays version. To me, they are not fashion jackets, but that's what they have become. Skinny strange weirdoes looking like on drugs and very unhappy, in their clothing posing for the camera in cities. When I bought my CG Snow Mantra, Lance Mackey had just won yet another dog sled race in the worlds warmest jacket. And it works.
And another example is the Yeti/Nordisk Passion Three sleeping bag. I found it to be too thin not holding it's temperature claims, looses down and the pull string to be wayyy to long and the zip to be snagging every single time. It's very expensive for what it is, and a bag like for example Sea to Summit Spark SPII is lighter, warmer and better made, far better design and cost much less. I have both.
On the other hand, there are good stories too (incl. the Kajka and Bergtagen bags), for example the old Lowe Alpine Cerro Torre 65+10 bag which I have and simply cannot wear out. Not the most comfortable hip belt on me, but it works for linger trips okay. And their Lowe Alpine Triple Point Ceramic hardshell jackets and their fleece (the later a bit sweaty but that they all are), stuff of which I have many, and it took near 20 years before the ceramic layer fell apart. No other signs of wear, no zip problems, no tears etc, and it's been with me on many trip in forests, mountains and deserts. Of course they stopped making it... and the Lowe Alpine super thick mits and their gloves and also their mid length boot gaitors that works really well and just last and last. Cannot wear them out. Super happy about them. Also the Lowe Alpine Triple Point Ceramic mountaineering trousers (with suspenders) that I have and use. Doesn't wear down. Of course they also stopped making all of that...
I also have a Mountain Equipment Everest 1250 as my warm bag and it's a super tough bag that never let's me down. No probs, just good design. It's not made any more, but there is a new design similar, but I haven't tried that myself, so cannot say anything.
Or my two Black Diamond Raven Pro axes, which always performs albeit I did tape them to be a bit warmer holding them.
My normal Mammut hiking boots and other stuff seems to work well. The boots are originally Reichle boots that were rebranded by Mammut and works well. Also the Reichle boots I used to have for hiking in mountains. Modern stainless steel Black diamond steigeisen and my old trusty lightly rusted steel Grivel steigeisen works well.
I use a semithin down jacket with black stretchy inserts in elbows and sides of chest, from The North Face Summit Series, and it's really good and hard wearing and light too. They don't make that any more. All this stuff are not overrated.
And there are many more examples, these are just some of my own. I can think of many more, for example La Sportiva Nepal Evo boots that looses their mid sole. I've seen it a few times, but I don't have these myself. I use my old pair of Scarpa Phantom Guides and they are really good as long as you remember to lubricate the zips with silicone grease on a regular basis. So are the many pairs of Scarpa approach shoes like Vitamin (old model), I had 3 pairs over many years, and the present day one I also have. None of these are overrated.
This whole extreme lightness fashion is a bit weird to me. Of course I prefer not to carry anything unnecessary heavy, but to just suffer on a mountain or just in hard rain on a flat plain in a mini tent, on a minipad in a superthin sleepingbag is not my cup of tea. It may work well for a short time under perfect conditions, but not under pressure and in the long run. It's a naked king walking in front of an audience, everyone claiming that he is not naked, but well dressed. But he is not. He is just naked. Don't get me wrong, I do like lightness on bikes, cars and motorcycles and also in this field, but to a limit.
Oh well, I guess some people wants to be cheated.
Kind regards and have a nice safe trip.
Jacques
JetBoil is overrated because there are perfectly great knockoffs for less than half the cost. If we're only hiking out a short distance to camp, we splurge (weight wise) and bring our faux JetBoil. It's exactly the same (boils same speed too) and cost us like $60.
Trekking poles are a must for me in PA. Jet Boil - overrated. Chair - overrated. Dyneema - wish I could afford it; I'd buy a Zpacks Duplex.
After hiking for miles, then setting up a camp the last thing I want to do is sit on the ground... Chairs rock! I want to enjoy myself and I'm not going to suffer over 32oz...(looking at you Big Agnes Mica Basin)! One more thing. Jetboil is overrated!
I use an ancient XKG stove with ;liquid fuel It would burn dirt if I could liquidize it . I started backpacking in the 70's. I laughed so hard when someone suggested a chair that I think I hurt myself. I still use a thermorest mattress I got in 1978, It doesn't self inflate anymore but so what portable inflation devises what a wast of weight. People want the craziest things though I have to admit trading in my 5 pound North Face tent for a 2.25 pound Big Agnes nothing but pure delight.
The issue with trekking poles is the piss-poor design of the mainstream brands. They evolved from ski-poles and require inconvenient and uncomfortable straps to function. A small company near to me in the English Lake District produces the PacerPole with a properly ergonomic handle. No need for straps. Much more efficient and comfortable. It's a game-changer - I wouldn't use anything else. Many of the most experienced and influential backpackers and mountaineers in the UK agree. You can get them in the US and they come highly recommended.
I would put HMG packs or anything else they make as highly over-rated.
I am saying this from experience.
Having owned one of their packs for a short period of time, I found it to be the most uncomfortable pack I have ever worn.
The thing is no more than a sack with straps..
I mean, is saving a couple of pounds worth having a sweaty back and complete lack of adjustability?
I'd have to say absolutely not.
Don't get me wrong, HMG does make some high-quality pieces of gear. However, they certainly charge a significant amount more than company B, which makes similar gear for half the cost.
Let's put it this way, I have been at this game for over 40 years, and within that time, I have tried numerous packs and designs.
At this point in my life, I would gladly carry a few extra pounds, especially when it comes to a backpack, that actually distributes that extra weight evenly rather than sacrifice having sore spots , rubbing straps and a pack that has absolutely no padding between my back and the contents stuffed inside the pack.
At the end of the day, I go backpacking to enjoy myself.
I have well over 1000 miles on my cork handled 7000 series aluminum poles from Cabellas. Think I paid 60ish for the pair. Have saved me on more than one occasion.
Hiked PCT last year 2400 miles . 60 years old with disabilities, pack weight 20 pounds. Dyneema is cold drafty and wet noisy .Nemo one and 2 were my tent of choice sacks and pack were dyneema. From Yosemite to Canada chair all the way on distance hikes cooking is time consuming go with the lightest gear you can so you can carry a chair. Poles Zpack can’t break them very light also used for bear bells and camera mount never witnessed a hiker without poles? Regrets wearing light weight trail running shoes Mexico to Yosemite were boots after Yosemite switch back to trail runners.
I think dyneema is overrated. A tent only lasts one thru hike. There are many materials that are just as light but not as strong. So, make a tent out of less expensive, weaker material. Maybe it only lasts for 1/4 of a thru hike but it only costs $100. It’s a weird direction we are heading. Disposable outdoor gear.
I can’t really comment on chairs or Dyneema. Chairs because I’ve just never tried taking one, and I don’t see the need, for myself. I’ve never once felt during a trip “Man I wish I had a chair.” I’d probably forget to take it out of my pack and set it up. Dyneema because I can’t afford to see if I like it. It does have the drawback of bulk and I understand can be kinda loud getting hit by the rain, but I don’t really know. There also aren’t as many choices. Eg I love my WB Minifly tarp with the small doors - I don’t think anyone makes a small door hammock tarp in Dyneema.
GENUINE QUESTION: why do hikers not wear 1/3 of their wieght on their front? It's really good for your back and I'll guarantee you'll hike further easier and recover better.
Hi there, I have never owned any trekking poles, however when I'm in the Indian Himalayas above 5500 meters using a single hand made stick (and very strong at that) is a must for me... I agree, most don't know how to use their sticks.... it has save my knees!!!
Love my Jetboil... can you buy a cheaper setup, absolutely... if you can't afford one don't buy one, you can take a pack of matches...
If dyneema was not so expensive people would love it. My Duplex cost me 750 dollars so some knuckleheads love to hate on it .Do any long distance hiking and you will learn to love it. It’s so light and easy to set up. It retains no rain water and the condensation issue is way over blown. Poles are a no brainer and for my old body totally necessary. Jet Boils to me are just way to heavy. The money is not that issue. A Toaks 550 with BRS is a perfect set up and weights next to nothing. I have only seen one person ever who hiked real miles carry a chair. It’s your hike carry what you want. Me I hike until nearly dark, eat, sleep and repeat. I am well into my 60s and this is how I roll. On this list the one item I am not hiking without is the poles. I need them big time. If I was young I could carry all this heavier gear because back in the day 45 plus pound backs were normal. Now I carry next to nothing and my back is about 16 to 20 pounds minus water for a five day stretch. I also carry stuff for my dog.
Instead of a chair, a daylite hammock from superior gear is 4 oz, with the elite suspension for another 3 oz. Better for the midday siesta,far less weight than a chair, setup under two minutes, less expensive than most UL chairs. YMMV of course if you’re above the tree line.
Trekking poles are only for people that trek. Car camping, nah. Hunting? If you haul out once with poles, you will, I guarantee, never again haul without them.
Take my trekking poles off me and I refer you to bambi on ice ! Agree some are over priced. £60-80 will get a decent pair. Agree with jet boil, fell for the hype then went back to my £20 stove and crusader kit without bottle, I also have a small back burner and solid fuel base if gas runs out. Never without hot water.
Sometimes I don't understand some of these ultralight guys. They are busy bragging how light their baseweight is and that they don't need luxury items. I spend about half the day at camp, so I want to enjoy it. A nice chair is great. A pillow is great etc. I get that you don't want to have too much weight during your hike, but 1 extra kg isn't going to hurt if it adds comfort massively.
Same for those people bragging how many km's they hike a day. What's the point of hiking through beautiful nature if you don't take the time to take it in.
I'm 57, and won't go out there without my chair and hammock. And my hiking poles help me get those 4 litres of wine out there. And yes, I use a Jetboil MiniMo. And I don't care what anyone thinks of my kit.
I would love to bring a chair but after trying both the version that are light enough for me to consider, I've found them to be way, way to leaned back. That hurts my neck after sitting for a while. I sold both my Chair Zero and REI Flexlight Air. Still trying to figure out a more comfortable sitting solution.
Poles. There is a reason so many ultra mountain runners etc.. use the poles, they wouldn’t carry them if there wasn’t a benefit. Also often become tent poles, and fantastic for dodgy descents, river crossings and taking weight off your joints. Common sense really. Would ditch the chair, and Jet Boil, nice for base camp type use though!
I have the 3k version of the poles you are showing. Im 240 pounds and beat them to hell. They are still holding up perfectly. I dont use the straps.
Tracking poles r not over rated , I have cane's for a reason , & they would benefit a lot of us ! & boil cup thing , seriously over , to easily to replace & fir cheaper , nice video !
I would never need a chair or table not operating portable ham radio. And in that case, table is more important than a chair.
Of course it is possible to operate for a short periods of time from anything, but for prolonged operation some organization of workplace and holding the equipment away from wet and dirt (especially tablet/notebook when operating digital) is an advantage.
But during normal hikes, I would left both table and chair at home. (And no, I am not young anymore, but every gram counts.)
Trekking Poles? - i could not do the long distance trails that i do without the trekking poles i use. They have saved me so many times and i use them for pitching my tent as well so for me, they are indispensable.
Chairs?? - Definitely overrated!! A bit of black plastic on the ground is fine. It also doubles up as a entrance to your tent.
Jetboil? - Oooh tricky... I got the jetboil at the start and yes it is heavier and bulkier which is a pain when you need to cut both from your pack. The problem is i keep going back to it because it is reliable, complete and very frugal on gas use which is paramount on long distance trails away from stores.
Those products are part of problem of this world huge " waste problem". Trekking poles would be useful for situation like crossing dangerous river, but why to buy it, since You can get "trekking poles" from nature(just collect couple of small tree before that river from ground)
Chairs are only overrated if you're in your 20's or 30's. Once you get into your mid 40's and beyond they are invaluable.
All these items are overrated. You don`t need e Dyneema Tent, an expensive Chair (there are cheaper ones), a Trekking Pole (you can use a wood Stick) and a Jet Boil (you can use a Pocket Rocket or similar at a lower price).
for me treking poles are worth every penny for hiking/backpacking in the mountains. on flat terrain, treking poles are less useful.
trekking poles are a MUST if you are a serious long distance hiker gaining altitude. PERIOD.
Wtf?
Trekking poles are essential.
Some folks apparently find their operation too difficult.
Now You Know
I have broken trek poles on a hike but they saved my knees. Told my wife she should use them but she wouldn't then on one hike she tripped and fell and hit her knee and it is still messed up a decade later. After that fall, she started using them. I also have a bit of a bad back, the poles take about 20% of the weight off my back.
Jet boils are NOT over rated. They have a much better boiling efficiency in cold/windy climates. I know this because I had a pocket rocket and by buddy had a jet boil on a cold windy evening. My water took forever to boil. I finally had to bring it in my tent to boil. His was done in minutes. I will always bring my jet boil If I think it will be cold and windy.
On cook systems, using the windburner most often, the price is for ease of use. Almost any condition, can bring out my windburner with little concern, crank out breakfast in a bag and get coffee done in time without effort. I trimmed enough weight to enjoy the next cup of coffee without fuss. If I need to cook proper, this still works and have a windpro, and if I want to trim more weight but handle the fuss then have a litemax or gigapower and trek 700 mug.
Think weight shaving here is overrated because there is a trade off.
Trekking poles have saved my ass from a fall on many occasions. And, I love my dyneema tent. Carbon fibre are poles are great, and are poles for the tent. I love the combination... Agree to disagree....