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Gear Doesn't Matter!
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- Опубліковано 14 чер 2022
- Gear (that doesn't matter) Used in this video:
Waymark Lite Pack: geni.us/wvbc
Zpacks Plex Solo: geni.us/reUOLKS
Nemo Tensor: geni.us/YUKk
Nemo Fillo: geni.us/qubAN
@Stakes: geni.us/7sBFP
Katabatic Gear Paliside 30: geni.us/HPANyg
Helinox Chair Zero: geni.us/b9bPk
ZOLEO: geni.us/7usdChG
Vargo Bot 700: geni.us/b8eB9jx
MSR Pocket Rocket: geni.us/miwAd
Platypus Quickdraw: geni.us/pAYGCK
Farpoint Alpha Hoodie: geni.us/fdIA
Vargo Dig Dig Trowel: geni.us/BCN5
Nitecore NU25: geni.us/BRwZRB
Hilltop Packs Food Bag: geni.us/bMRjy
Water Bottle Straw Adapter: geni.us/VStBts8
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Gear (that doesn't matter) Used in this video:
Waymark Lite Pack: geni.us/jjqHAwQ
Zpacks Plex Solo: geni.us/ahG1KjD
Nemo Tensor: geni.us/7zc0kJa
Nemo Fillo: geni.us/JGBYwtT
@Stakes: geni.us/qJUQJ
Katabatic Gear Palisade 30: geni.us/CBJbCa
Helinox Chair Zero: geni.us/LR2hUH
ZOLEO: geni.us/AOpo
Vargo Bot 700: geni.us/N46h92n
MSR Pocket Rocket: geni.us/raKi
Platypus Quickdraw: geni.us/0CABg1c
Farpoint Alpha Hoodie: geni.us/EGWb9nd
Vargo Dig Dig Trowel: geni.us/rErjc
Nitecore NU25: geni.us/Bm2CU0u
Hilltop Packs Food Bag: geni.us/HU01w
Water Bottle Straw Adapter: geni.us/x0ojc8r
Don’t worry! I’ll be back with another gear video next week.
Hilarious :P
I think you'll get a weird sample size here on youtube. I found the channel searching for gear, not to know what's the absolute best but to get domain knowledge (i.e. what's absolutely not worth getting, what are the factors you consider). I may not buy the absolute best bit of gear you recommend but now I at least know what to look for (e.g. R-values).
That matters to everyone, but hikes in Colorado don't - after all I'm in a different country
That's probably the most important video you've made, and as you say, may become the least watched. I thank you all the same. I feel better for watching it.
Don't bother. No one's gonna watch it. jk lol
Stephen this was probably the best video you’ve ever made! And you are a favorite backpacking UA-camr. All of your videos are so well thought out and so well presented. I’ll watch your videos if they’re about the outdoors and not gear reviews. Thank you for sharing this!
Spot on finally some one in the UA-cam hiking community calling out this obsession with gear. I am obsessed with gear my self but have know that gear isn't everything. For someone getting into this hobby and looking at youtube for knowledge there is a lot of emphasis on gear and hardly any in important topics like Bush smarts, navigation or trip planning.
buy the way im way more into waching your actual hiking videos then just gear videos keep them coming 👍
There are good tips on coal cracker Bushcraft about survival skills however he shows gear too
Yep. Your 100% correct. Gear only exists to keep you relatively dry, warm or cool, and fed, everything else is peripheral. With that knowledge, enjoy your next hike 😊
Dudes a stud and appears way more genuine than so many other UA-cam advertisers. I did this same loop a couple weeks ago, hope to see you out there!
People for sure enjoy collecting gear more than hiking sometimes I suspect. I went a bit gear crazy getting my UL setup dialed, but now that I have, I've stopped watching gear videos altogether - and I don't look at gear anymore either as I am so content with what I have. Sidenote: I really love your hiking videos. I live in SoCal and had no idea the Matilija Wilderness even existed until I saw your video about it.
You are so right on. I was Sobo on PCT. People in WASHINGTON finishing up Nobo were carrying big packs, little packs, kinda skinny, kinda fat, and it hit me. It's not the perfect gear, it's not the perfect food, it's what is inside you that you thrive on being out there. You are enjoying being there.
(For me atleast) some people do love the "idea" of doing something. More than actually "doing" it.
Maybe my favourite video of yours so far, thanks! You know what, I just finished packing for my first backpacking trip ever. I'm turning 39 soon, so I guess it's never too late to start. Your channel has been extremely useful in preparing for this trip. So much f*ing gear out there.... You helped me understand what I needed and you inspired me, so thanks!
I've been thinking about this recently. I'm just this year getting into hiking and backpacking, and going from no camping equipment to full kit has been a chore more than anything. I like what gear does for me. I want functional gear. But getting from point-A to point-B of "gear-having" felt like being stuck behind a locked door, on the other side of which was not the gear itself, but the trips I wanted to go on and the places I wanted to visit. That 1/2" foam pad is a key to that door just as much as a top-of-the-line ultralight inflatable pad would be.
I love seeing people's videos of their trips, but of course the bills don't pay themselves and UA-camrs need to consider the algorithm when deciding what to spend their time producing. And anyway, the best way to experience backpacking is to get out there yourself. I think this type of messaging is super valuable and I'm glad you made this video.
I’m trying to build up stuff to go backpacking and agree so much. I can go super budget but then I’m lugging 60 pounds of stuff. Or drop over a thousand bucks for a super lightweight setup that I don’t need. The biggest hurdle is the initial acquisition and then slowly dialing things as life progresses. I’ve only ever car camped in my life so weight and size was never a factor.
So I’m into gear right now, mainly because I want to hear people’s philosophies behind their gear so I can make informed decisions to the best of my ability and funds.
But all of that is just a means to an end of going backpacking with my kids, which is the goal and the joy itself.
I've been doing this since I was 9 years old, making this my 45th year of backpacking. I did the AT in 90. I was heavy, miserable, and even depressed at some points across that thru. Once I began shedding gear, the trip became more enjoyable, my hips stopped hurting, my days covered more miles and more views. Since then, I dialed my pack in many times over through the years. The last 10 years though, have been the greatest. I've only updated the tent once and the pack once since then. The older the lighter the more I enjoy the views, resting at camp, and sitting around in the evening with friends around the fire after a long day of backpacking. It's been real over the years, but now it's even more real and I'm happy where I'm at with all my gear and will upgrade as needed when things wear out. I love your gear and scenic videos, they both have a place and both are awesome! Keep it up, brother!
Steven, this was great and so refreshing to see. I watch your channel because you are authentic, honest, intelligent, and have a talent for narrative. This video is emblamatic of the overall spirit of your channel and it made my day, truly. Wishing you happy hiking and I look forward to continuing to watch your channel - thank you!
Thank you for this video. I’m pretty new to this whole scene but I was finding myself more than a little turned off by the commercialism that creeps into hiking and backpacking. For me, it’s about shedding that type of thing and leaving it behind. Gear will be necessary for sure and I understand the enthusiasm but I don’t want to forget why I’m hitting the trails.
Thank you Steven for this video. Although I like checking out new gear and stuff, I love being out in nature more. My mental stress level goes down the minute I start a hike.
Every time I watch your videos...your the only popular UA-cam gear guy that gets it. The sentiment here is right on. Smart decisions about gear need to be made, especially in winter but really we put too much time into it and often buy new stuff we really don't need.
This is true!
Gotta say, this video hit me in feels! Been a tough week with a steep increase in work-stress that's not going to let up for awhile. Just what I needed to decompress on a Friday night and inspire my next trip. Thanks for all of the great videos and well thought-out opinions/reviews!
Love, love, love this! I am finishing up a week long trip away from my personal work bears. Being alone in the woods gave me the space to quiet the internal dialog of all the things I wish I could say to them. However, I want to offer a different angle about why your vids about gear get more hits than your trips. I think you're seeing it through a numbers perspective, but while your hikes are beautiful and truly amazing.... They are yours. Meanwhile, people are planning their own adventures and deciding on what gear to take and seeking your advice. This is part of the fun and helps pass the time while we anxiously wait for the day to arrive where we can strap the bare minimum to our backs and hit the trail. I love all your stuff, but your adventures are the best. Keep up the great work regardless of the numbers.
I’m a self proclaimed gear junkie and sometimes fall victim to the “best of” reviews. The buy buy buy or what’s shiny and new mentality has been shoved down our throat for so long it may even be Pavlovian. But I do agree that it really doesn’t matter. Looking back to my first and most basic of gear setups and praying that my external frame pack was under 45lbs (that silly BSA cook kit was heavy) still has many a fond memory. The lasting impression and physical impact it seemed to have on my being lasted longer than a $200, 4” thick sleeping pad.
There really is nothing else like getting to camp,taking off the boots and socks, planting your feet in a creek or the leaf fodder and feeling the earth breathe.
That was one of the most profound and inspiring UA-cam videos I have seen. I tell people that backpacking is my drug of choice. You just explained to me how the drug works. Well said and well done. Now I will sit and think about it.
Absolutely. Hiking is a reflection of life. I remember as a young person struggling some but getting by with just the basics for food, housing, clothes, cars, etc. When I look back those were actually some of the best times. Now, my life has changed and I'm more comfortable and can relax and not struggle so much. I still enjoy life very much but sometimes I yearn for those simpler times and I'm comforted by the thought that I know I could still get by with just the basics if I needed to.
Excellent video, Steve. Been having similar thoughts. So many videos that do so well are the ones that say "WRONG!" making us suddenly fear that we're doing something wrong with our gear or experience. But I think the only way to do it "wrong" is when we don't take the time to soak it all in, appreciate the experience, and really enjoy it.
Great video!
This is exactlyhwhat I needed to see. I legitimately became so obsessed with having the latest and greatest, and when you actually get out there, you realize it's not about the gear at all. I think my issue was obsessing over weight and getting everything so dialed in, I wasn't even enjoying myself and I spent way too much. I'm happy with what I have now, though, and I'm honestly just trying to avoid a lot of gear videos so I don't get that "grass is greener" attitude.
This is the kind of video every outdoors channel should have. Great job and keep up the great messages (and gear vids)
Loved seeing this. My favourite hiking times were with old surplus / borrowed gear, knowing nothing but seeing everything new. As you get older, injuries and work cramp the style, so it's nice seeing new places on UA-cam!
No truer words have been spoken. As a fairly new creator to YT I find that I have to reset my mind from "Making a film to enjoying the trip" on a regular basis. We all get to caught up in the exact opposite from why we go into the woods. I have to just stop and look around and marvel at the world.
Now, at 64 yrs old I have been hiking since the lightest hiking boot was 2.5lbs before you soaked them with snoseal, sleeping bags were 6lbs and were good down to 40f. So, the new light and ultra light gear are something I enjoy. BTW thanks for the tip on the Alpha Cruiser by FarPointe, just got mine the other day and will be heading into the North Cascades with it next weekend. Cheers!
Thank you for sharing this! I totally agree with this sentiment. Gear is only important if it gets you outdoors having fun. I went a little gear obsessive trying to get my baseweight down near 10lbs, and then realized I was spending more time on gear than on planning backpacking trips. So I just took the gear I had and ran off to the Olympic coast with my wife and watched a stunning sunset from our campsite. It helped me realize what was important. I really hope you continue to make amazing videos!
Makes sense to me. Reasons I love watching gear videos:
- I want to prepare myself for the precious little time I have over weekends / holidays to fully enjoy the outdoors.
- Everyone's needs are different, so I need to watch reviews from multiple people to see the pros and cons.
- Manufacturers claims cannot be fully trusted, I hope that content creators are honest with their opinion.
- I'm stuck here behind a computer, and watching beautiful hiking videos just make me more sad that I can be out right now!
Love this video. Other things that don't matter are lots of miles in a day and NO ELECTRONICS. I know I'll get pushback about how critical cell phones and podcasts are to live out there but I think people are afraid of silence. They would have to actually spend time with their own thoughts. Sure there are different reasons people go into wilderness but to get away from ALL the distractions and stress of the daily world seems to be the basic point. So glad I quit my job years ago to do a lot of solo backpacking, even being female. In 32 years of packing I've never met a backpacker that that ever had any trouble at all. I had the chance to ask Cheryl Strayed if she thinks all this new stuff is a good thing and she agreed on being so grateful she did her adventures without all that....a completely different experience than people have now.
Also I usually went 6 to 8 miles in one day (35 miles in a week in the mountains) and cannot imagine what is lost if one runs through 20 miles in one day. Truly being fully aware and present is more glorious than a glance at a whole lot of scenes. (Respectfully, I know all the arguments, just save it.)
I've gone on group trips with an old Ikea curtain or Harbor Freight tarp as a shelter. I've slept in wool and an India Gum Blanket and a REI polyfill bag I got thrifted for $6. I was the only in my group warm and dry. I've used an old external frame and an Alice Pack. A lot of it came down to skill - where I chose to sleep, how I set up my tarp. Albeit I did not have to carry all my food and other gear, but it got me out into nature. I too use nature to stop me from thinking, to give my mind a break . . . to just be. Good video. Really beautiful wilderness.
Great take. I'm surprised "trip report" style videos struggle to get views, especially since there are people who complain about "Gatekeeping" in the outdoors and all the big National Park destinations have become crowded and/or difficult to obtain permits for.
But I also get the gear thing. I live in the Midwest. This time of year, it's hard to get outside. And even during the best weather, the number of trips I can make to interesting places are limited by how far I'm willing to drive or can afford to fly. So it's almost natural to sit here on a cold winter's day and obsess over little things like stoves or the newest, bestest tent while I wait for spring.
I agree 100% with ur points. Especially the "gear doesn't matter point".
2 years ago I completed a multi day hike that I had on my bucket list for years. While still in a small community, a few hundred feet from the trailhead start my 25 year old outdated back pack failed. 1 roadside repair later and we embarked on one of the best memory making hikes ever!👍👍
I've been watching gear videos because I'm planning for a 3 day hike. I've never gone that long before and don't know what to expect. I don't really know what to bring. I know what items are good for camping, but I don't know what makes a good item for backpacking.
Gear videos typically hit all those checkboxes. GOOD gear videos will tell me about what you do at camp, what you do during a hike, how you handle problems and what solutions you have. The best ones teach me tips and tricks that help me feel prepared for my future hike.
Seeing how things are used, knowing what pitfalls may happen, and learning what to do.
A video that I don't see, or maybe just don't get advertised, is "a day in the life of a backpacker". I want to see what you do when you leave your car. How you handle a river crossing (from you approaching the crossing, how you take off your pack, where you put water shoes, where you store your normal shoes, etc). What you do when you find various types of water sources. How often you find water sources. When do you take breaks. What makes a good spot to take a break. What do you do if it's raining, windy, too warm, too cold, or maybe something else that's annoying (too sunny??). When do you decide to start looking for a camp spot. How much time do you spend setting up your camp spot, getting your food to cook, switching to camp shoes, moving away from your camp to cook (downwind, right?), taking care of your feet blisters, relaxing, etc. Do you wait till dark to sleep. What happens at night. What do you do in the morning.
Gear videos hint at the answers to all of these in a very indirect way.
I ABSOLUTLY agree. i am someonme that buys gear for whats its needed and if it suits my needs. i carry 6 pounds extra because its maybe not the ultra light weight gear from the next moon and i walk 3 miles less. but i enjoy using my gear. its ok when it breaks, beacuse (exept for the backpack) it is dirt cheep compared to what others buy. i walked around the last 4 years with the exact same stuff. i only bought a new rain jacket because it was 7 years old and ripped. REALY good video.
Spot on! Doesn’t matter what gear you take with you as long as you’re not making it a safety issue. On my last trip, I was sure happy that I packed an emergency blanket as a backup.
Obsessing about outdoor gear is a pasttime exactly as old as getting outdoors. Nessmuk and Kephart even wrote about being obsessed with gear over 100 years ago, Nessmuk went to extreme lengths to have a custom double-bit ultralight hatchet made, and went through a succession of ultralight canoes he pressured Henry Rushton to build for him, ultimately getting down to the 10.5 lb "Sairy Gamp", which is on display at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, NY.
As someone whose been hiking for 10+ years, I have the same gear from when I started. I spend less time in tents and try to get public use cabins. I backpack maybe 1-2 times a month on 10-20 mile roundtrip hikes so it's nothing crazy. Friends from the past are often to surprised to see the same gear in photos from 10 years ago.
However I've been that person new to backpacking with a small budget and no one to go to for resources in a pre-approval UA-cam world and it was a bit overwhelming.
I've seen some UA-camrs explain what to get on a Walmart budget, with actual gear from Walmart and then go through to say when your budget increases, these are the top five things to get in this order. That's very helpful.
I think many backpackers take for granted that not everyone has the same budget or is as adventurous as they are. Some people just want the Toyota Corolla of gear. They don't need the Tesla or Dodge Ram.
Thank you for highlighting this subject. I realized recently that there appears to be more gear videos than actual destination hike videos, which is what initially drew me into watching backpacking videos. I enjoy both, but the hike and scenery documentaries are my favorite because they spark my interest to get out into nature and experience new trails. Will always enjoy your presentations, usefull skill teaching, philosophical views, and gear reviews. The quality of your work is obvious.
Truth!! We each need to hike our own hike. The only gear you truly need are those items that get you there safely within your own skill set. An $1100 tent doesn’t make the sunset any more beautiful!
This has been one of the most enjoyable outdoor videos I have ever seen. Thank you for this.
I enjoy gear talk. It helps when I need to buy something. But I love watching videos of people in the outdoors. And if I plan a hike I will always travel to that location first, on UA-cam. You need good gear. But gear is a means to an end. And spending time in the outdoors is one of the great joys of my retired life. Keep moving everyone. It’s so worth the work.
Very true, and for a day-hike. You can make do with very limited gear, like that clothing you wear, a water bottle, raincoat, flashlight, a fully charged phone and some extra batteries, a bit of candy for when you need to think. Always mention to others where you are going, for what time you estimate to be gone, and to phone back once you are back. like the rest like you said is all about being more comfortable. Thinking you need expensive stuff just creates an excuse as to not go outdoors.
Í think people want to go see beautiful locations on their own. But they (we), want you to use your experience to show us the best way to enjoy the experience when we actually get there. But I (we), also like to enjoy your great gear reviews while you're "on location" in the back country. It's the best of both worlds. Thanks for what you do. 🙂
I hate to admit it, but gear is kind of way to live vicariously outdoors when we can't get outdoors. I'd love to get out more, but the reality is that I only have so much PTO and so many open weekends that don't have family obligations.
So gear becomes a mild way to scratch the itch. If I can't get out for another month, but I can order a new piece of gear... well that just gets me even more excited for that limited time I get to spend outside. Gear buying is a symptom of the inability to get out as much as I'd like.
“Sometimes you’ve gotta come out where the bears live, to get away from the bears of regular life” that was perfect!! I’ve been trying to get my brother to go backpacking with me and that line sums it up perfectly!!
Its mostly about the memories and seeing the country and different environments for me. That's why I love David Gray's videos...it's just about backpacking with his dogs and his son and recording the memories. He started his channel to record memories, not for views...and he still doesn't care about views and that's refreshing. But gear is a fun part of this hobby too. I used to be an addict and I'd much rather spend money on gear than pain killers. But I'd still go out, even if I couldn't afford anymore gear.
At my age being senior I need a lighter system. I used to carry so much gear where I have fallen over backwards. Going to lightweight gear with backpack tent and sleeping quilt has really helped. Now I am carrying total weight around 30 lbs. I used to carry packs well over 40 and it was so uncomfortable. You don't need to suffer these days with lightweight and I have felt the right mix to stay in the back country. Carrying lighter gear has helped me to travel through this beautiful backcountry and not feel pain from always trying to re-adjust my heavy pack.
Honestly, gear reviews matter far more to me, I am in the process of reoutfitting myself after a 10 year hiatus, and starting from 0. My biggest concern is quality for price, and that matters to me a lot. I don't want to have to be filling up a landfill in 5 years because the gear I chose is shoddy, and there is an awful lot of gear out there I expect will not last 5 years let alone 1 year.
So to accomplish this goal of reoutfitting with durable quality gear, has taken at least a hundred hours of work. We are spoiled for choice and at times choosing can be really difficult.
Ultimately what I care about is me getting out again, not watching other people do it (unless those videos have things I can relearn, that is the exception. EG: useful knots I have forgotten, bushcrafting methods, how to turn a tarp into a bomb proof shelter, and etc.)
Well Said! My theory is two fold. Gear is more universal in that out of a thousand people might spend their weekend in different places apart from each other but they could all be researching the same pieces of gear whereas a specific place might only be searched out by one of those thousand people to spend their weekend. Secondly, I think there's a certain psychology for a lot of us, myself included, where we're always 2nd guessing our purchases, or always rethinking how we can improve our system, what will make our experience more efficient or more comfortable and so on. It's that's instinctive drive to always be better, always improving. That's a good thing with most things in life but certainly carries over into being a consumer of gear. At a certain point, I do think one can dial in their system pretty well and then become content with it and stop second guessing it. Just be confident with it and I think that can then play into enhancing the backcountry experience even further.
Thank you! Every trip I have been on I never once came home and remembered the gear I used. I remember that weird tree, or my water bottle rolling downhill on a rock scramble, or the really cool couple we met.
I remember doing an Iceland hike with a lot of international hikers. At one of the camps we are repacking our gear and they were asking what was in our huge bag. It was our tent! My only tent and its served me well. Then about 4 of them pulled out little bags showcasing how small their tent/bivy systems were. I thought, well those look nice but here we are together.
I love my gear as I am a gear nerd and I like hearing about the latest and greatest. But you hit the nail on the head. At the end of the day it is the escape from the world. Nature is always calling, one just needs to slow down and answer. The most enjoyable times are taking my daughter out. Watching her face and excitement as she crests a big hill, sees animals, and beautiful views. At three she was doing 1800 ft in elevation change like it was nothing. No help from me. Now she’s 7 and we are going to begin section hiking the OHT. This is what it is all about.
Thank you for the great video. This is 1,000% correct. I have experience working with teens in wilderness therapy and have seen first hand the healing impact of going out into the wilderness. Have a plan for what to bring, informed by good gear reviews :-) , but much more importantly - GET OUT. Your discussion of the fight / flight response vs helping your body relax was spot on. Well done.
This is absolutely true. I also think that for a lot of people, they feed off the initial excitement and happiness you get from purchasing a new piece of gear. However, that happiness is very temporary, and then it creates the endless cycle of "needing" to purchase another piece of gear to maintain that feeling. When I first really got into backpacking, I was upgrading my gear constantly to try and go lighter and lighter. I thought to myself, "I think I'm happy with this piece of gear. But how do I know FOR SURE that this gear is good for me, unless I try this other piece of gear." I finally came to the same realization you did- the gear DOES NOT MATTER! In the past couple of years, I haven't purchased anything new, and I've actually increased the weight of my pack by a couple pounds, by carrying a few extra luxury items with me. I've never once noticed the "extra weight" on my back. For me, getting outdoors removes far more "weight" off my shoulders than it puts on.
I think the persons choice of the ‘best gear’, just makes it easier and quicker to enjoy the great outdoors. Time is often a large factor for many people,too. Throw up a tent in ten minutes or take a good few hours to make a warm,weatherproof shelter…you know what I mean?
All the best.👍🏾
Fantastic video. I just took my cousin and one of our mutual friends out for their first back country camping trip. Looking back my cousin says it wasn't for him, saying it's too much work. The boy fasts for 16 hours a day and when we were out there he needed to eat almost eight times a day. We ended up without an extra day supply of food at the end of the trip. The more and more I go out with people that just don't get "it". The more and more I want to go solo again. The reasons why like minded people go out were well described in this video. Thank you mylifeoutdoors!
So true. Most of my kit is second hand, as I’m only just returning to camping and backpacking now I have the time. My sleeping bag is over 20 years old. I’ve picked up some budget gear to fill gaps. It’s just about getting out and being safe.
Wonderful video! The exclamation mark on BEING OUT IN NATURE!
This bringing one self down and calm is most important 🦌
I was out working outdoors for more than 13 hours last week and felt anxious suddenly. I wanted to keep up and maintain my energy level. Your advice is good advice!
Thank you,
VV
Great point, I absolutely agree. I try to not get obsessed by gear and planning (sometimes I was so perfectionist that I ended with kind of OCD about the trip, spoling the fun in the field). Other thing was too long journeys, suffering in the end of the day. I was spoiling a little my trips for a while, I had to re-educate myself. By the way, I spent 200€ on one of the best inflatable mattresses. My back (48 and sick) needs that treat and I followed your advice in the end. Maybe you remember me: but no more foldable foam matress! (If I have a flat, well, as you said there is no big difference between a flat inflatable and a foam one). :D Regards!
This video sold me on your channel. I've been hiking/ backpacking since the late 70's and have been all over the Northeast, Nova Scotia, Patagonia and parts of the midwest. I've never cared about the gear I carry. I believe the genius marketing campaigns of companies make people think they need it, which makes people forget why they're going into the wild in the first place, to be in nature and escape society for a while. I understand your channel isn't against gear, but my style definitely relates to this video. I'll still watch your gear videos in case I need technology to assist my aging body in any way, lol
I really needed this today. Thanks for the perspective, and for your continued quality content.
Yes. You are spot on. I live in Colorado as well and working on the very thing you point out as the main subject matter. Loss of organic nature in favor of innovations. We should have a coffee over this.
amen brother, preaching to the choir. its not about what you carry, its about getting out there. my pack for a 5 day trip is about 26 or 27 pounds. my sister anther boyfriend are usually about 35 to 37. we enjoy it the same.
Great point. I had to start looking at gear as I strted tramping (I am in NZ),again after taking a break and concentrating o Underwater hocky and spearfishing. Now in my retiremet, I am hiking agai, but a quadruple bypass and two hart attacks later, i have started lookimg at gear, as I can't drag 32kg of gear up mountains as trough rivers. I was amaze with the quality and spectrum of gear available. So, I got a Dunston X Mid 2 which at 1 kg replace my 4 season 4kg 2P tent, ditto with my heavy pack. I have reverted back to my 40 year old Methelated spirits Optimus Storm cooker and ligh wok. started using lighter boots and trekking poles, to support the old knees. So, thanks for this...
Best video I've seen in a while. This channel is very insightful. Steven, these videos are the reason I watch here. I really connected with your "silence" video as well. Thank you.
I am coming off of a failed section hike of the AT this week; I needed to hear this today.
Thank you.
Great video, really hit the nail on the head with the perspective you came from. From my perspective I’m watching this now coming to the end of 2 weeks holiday, one half out hiking and the other in a resort with family, both just as enjoyable for the reasons you mentioned.
Thank you for this! I'm tired of trying to keep up with the Jones's or try to use equipment I'm told I need. What gear I have shouldn't have to meet up with anyone's weight or purpose, or whether it's needed or not. I have FINALLY chosen what works for me, without needing others approve, or an empty bank account! With that said.... I'm looking forward to your next gear review. 😁 And also appreciate you sharing some of your ramblings (could always throw a gear review in to keep gear geeks happy...). Cover both bases then, location and gear.
Good point my friend. The outdoor experience is the reason we have the gear in the first place.
If you have blisters between your toes, the skin between your thighs has chafed away and every step you take red underskin is rubbing against each other, when you freeze at night or wake up because your bones are hitting the rock under you, when your back starts to ache because you are carrying 50 pounds and you can't walk for a few days until you are healed, etc. etc. I guarantee you that gear is definitely important to have a pleasant experience. This is all from experience doing multiple week hikes and good rest and preventing injury definitely boosts morale and help to actually appreciate where you are in nature instead of just hating it because you suffer constantly. I've gone through some serious pain to find out what is important and unfortunately good stuff that actually is worth it can be quite expensive and should be researched carefully to correspond to your needs.
The fact youtubers make money from being corporate prostitutes all the time does not mean the gear is not important.
I love the length of your videos. Right to the point and easy to digest.
This is the same video that every content maker in every hobbyist community makes eventually. It's still a good topic. I'm always glad to see it.
As a 62 year old man who has a considerable amount of trouble sleeping at home in the most comfortable bed, wonderful air conditioning, and all the comforts of home, I struggle to find the gear that will at the very least allow me to get some kind of rest in the field, so I love and need the gear reviews because when I get to the place that I can’t find that kind of rest there won’t be much left to look forward to.
So refreshing. I asked one of my native American friends what he would take on an outing. He was silent for a little bit, and then he said, "Maybe a jackknife would be nice, but I don't need it." He taught me that everything you need is outside. You don't need to go to a store. It completely changed how I hunted, and how I enjoyed the outdoors. Good video.
The gear is what I do when I am not able to get out there, but once I get out there the gear takes a backseat. By nature, UA-cam is not out there, so that's why the gear videos gets so many views. But you have it pegged; in reality, the gear doesn't matter. Loved this video!
The trails you showed in this vid was super gorgeous thank you. I'm def going to watch it a few times. Thanks for all the back tracking to get the perfect shot
Well seeing the places you go to are nice and best when mixed into your gear videos. I don’t want to sit and watch you going places, I want to go out and explore them myself. You need to,have the right gear and most of the people who watch you are new to camping. So don’t fret gear itself is just gear but when I can see how it’s applied to support me getting outdoors inspires me to get out there even more.
I took my 8-year-old backpacking for his first time last week. To be sure I could basically take his entire load if needed, i used a giant, heavy, 25-year-old pack that's been unused in my shed for at least a decade. I assumed it would be uncomfortable and a general step down from the pack I usually use, but it was totally fine. Barley noticed the difference (aside from a couple of features). Many people who are into backpacking share a collection of values around simplicity and sustainability, but are blind to the fact that the outdoor industry is just another sector of a consumerist capitalist economy which exists to convince us to buy things we don't strictly need. I think we would be well-served by examing that and resisting the urge to buy the shiny thing that weighs a little less and packs down a little more and make do with what we already have for the good of our own wallets and the world at large.
I love Lost Creek, one of my favorite places in CO. I've gone there as my first hike of the year a few times.
As someone who is 50% completed on an AT thru hike, I can whole heartedly say gear doesn't matter. I've seen more UL gear on UA-cam channels than on this trail.
I like how Bill Bryson writes about it in _A Walk in the Woods_ . I also remember Patrick McManus' columns about camping as a boy with their primitive heavy equipment.
You made a hiking video that was a gear video but wasn’t. Was a bright spot in my day. Thank you.
Excellent video man and I for one have found myself enjoying every video you post, gear related or otherwise. Keep up the good work and know that your videos inspire others. Hope to run into you in the White Mountains some day 🤙🏼
You are right but as a nee backpacker the gear for beginners is overwhelming. There are lots of reviews saying different things are the best. So I watch a lot of videos and find things that are repeated. And I start a lot of videos and don't finish them on gear becaue it isn't covering items I am interested in.
Just finding a good tent that won't be a waste of money, same for sleeping bag and backpack.
I have done several day hikes over the years but am new to overnighter. I don't need to learn about new places. I jave a laundry list of places I want to go and where I live it is at least a 4 to 5 day trip so I can only do a couple a year.
Thanks, heading out this weekend with my 12 yr old osprey aether 70. has never let me down.
I totally get it. I was the same way when I was younger with music. I spent more time perfecting my audio systems than I did picking music. My friends picked the best music and I had the best platform.
Here is a side to consider... thinking about, wishing for, obsessing over gear during the in-between times that we can't get out into nature helps one get excited about and look forward to those precious moments when we can get away and have a hike about. I am an icu nurse and it wasn't until this summer that my hospital granted vacation longer than a week. Then there are the kids to consider... the ones who don't wanna go along with mom. So all these gear videos have given me an escape from the devastation I've seen in the last two years in the covid icu. Yes I also watch all the actual hiking videos just as much too. Thru hiking vlogs are my jam. Anyway, I appreciate you and all of your different videos. Thank you.
I think you are exactly right. This is a perspective I hadn’t really considered, but it is a big part of why we “obsess” over gear. We are really obsessing over the outdoors. Maybe I’ll do a follow up. Thank you.
I am so sorry society has put you in that position! You deserve time in nature to help recover from all the work you do. ❤️
Doug, from Backcountry Pilgrim, recently told me the same thing. The hiking videos take more time to produce but receive less views. That's a pity. We enjoy seeing areas we may never get to visit from your trips. Please keep posting your hike videos.
As many people have noted, the social media generation is about having experiences, rather than having things. So, I think people really want to maximize their enjoyment of their own experiences in the backcountry. So, when you can't be actively experiencing the trail, increasing your future enjoyment of the trail by making sure your gear is right for you is about the best you can do. That's why I think gear videos are more popular. Watching someone else's trip doesn't serve the same purpose. Another factor, which probably applies to fewer people, but I personally don't like to watch trip videos of destinations that I may visit. I want to be surprised in the moment, not reminded of a UA-cam video I saw of the same place.
As someone new to the hiking and backpacking community, I really depend on your reviews. I would love to watch the videos of gorgeous hikes from across the country. But right now, my main concern is not wasting my money. With some tents running hundreds of dollars as well as the expense of sleeping bags and pillows and backpacks and shoes, etc. I want to make sure I’m not wasting my money. In order to do that I depend on people like you who have the experience and the knowledge that I am looking for. That’s why I am obsessed with your reviews right now. As I become more experienced and more confident in my own abilities, I’ll be able to enjoy the video logs of other places to hike. But right now I’m concentrating on what’s near me and how to get the best out of my experience without wasting thousands of dollars.
The gear I use, as often as possible, is a mix of old and new. I love any activity that gets me outside. Nature is nurturing.
Great reminder to all, as to what all the kit is actually for!, to enhance/enable your enjoyment of the great outdoors! Like the hat.
I agree. I think the reason it seems to matter so much is the pressure on content creators to maintain a deluge of new stuff, and gear reviews is an easy way of doing that. And I’m grateful for that when I finally need a new thing, but I agree, sometimes videos about the simple joy of being outside makes for a better experience.
It’s why I like those traditional bushcraft vids instead these days b
You'd be surprised but bushcraft channels mostly lose on gear reviews. Whenever theres a "review" in the title the video gets really low views, not just my experience but from people with actually succesfull channels. Other side of it is that reviews earn some $ and making videos is not cheap when you're a beginner so it a double edged sword.
@@frostys_bushcraft absolutely makes sense. the pressure on content creators is immense.
side note, I checked out your channel and it looks really cool! subbed :)
@@archangelcharlie thanks, glad you like it!
Amen Brother! Actually I passed on this video several times because I thought it was another gear review. I much prefer destination videos. It helps me replenish my bucket list. So glad I watched this. Let’s recenter on why we love this sport.
Well said and well done. Thanks! The best gear is the gear that works so well that you don’t think about it.
Actually when I'm Outdoor, the people I meet and me hardly speak about gear at all.. we experience. But I still love it, the refinement of equipment, and UA-cam is a good place for that. Same as I do sport but don't watch people do sport, but still look for the exercises and execution of other's.
Love the emphasis on seeing the big picture & appreciating nature. And just like that you got yourself one more subscriber.
Without the gear, hiking becomes walking ;) I love the gear, and everyone that hikes with me ends up buying something they've seen me use. Hiking is a passionate hobby for me like fishing, and I have estuary rods, kayak rods (heavy and light), boat rods and surf rods, because I love fishing across a wide variety of environments and conditions. Sometimes I go fishing with a single rod, sometimes I pack an arsenal of piscatorial weapons. Same with hiking. Sometimes minimal, sometimes (like last weekend), two nights in a wilderness area carrying in steaks, sausages, flask of whisky, foldable saw, table and chair!
Great video Steve👍
I completely agree.
I wild camp in Wales/UK
And its always nice getting away from the concrete jungle
We all live in.
I often go alone
Not through choice although I still enjoy it
But Alot of my family or friends are not up for roughing it for a couple days etc
I feel they are really missing out.
More of us need to get back to nature for sure.
"To get away from the 'bears' of everyday life." That nails it! That's why I need to backpack! I feel safer in the outdoors than I do at home.
You are correct. Love seeing amazing nature. Have to admit I came across your channel recently as I was researching the different gears etc for my camping adventures with the motorbike. Learned a lot by watching gear videos. Coming to the conclusion that you don't need the most expensive stuff to enjoy camping.
When I get treated with videos of amazing nature and enjoyable adventures, I enjoy watching them.
It does have a down site. It makes me conclude that I am starting to not enjoy my day to day job and am trying to figure out what I want and how to get to that point.
The reason that gear videos do well is that we all want the gear that best suits us, and do not want to waste money on what doesn’t. With that in mind we cannot purchase every piece of gear out there and try it in real world backpacking scenarios. Nor can just eyeing the gear in the outfitter be a yardstick of usefulness. Gear videos help us virtually try before we buy. Sussing out what will fit into our individual hiking styles and preferences. I have saved many thousands of dollars by watching these reviews and many others and have built a solid system that works for me with a minimum amount of gear wasting away in a garage.
I think that our obsession with gear is come by honestly. Personally, I gear hound for my ideal kit so that I no longer need to worry about that element of my experience. It feels more akin to preparedness. Once (if ever) I"m able to relax on the gear component, find items that are of the quality, weight, and function that works for my priority, I feel that I won't be concerned about it anymore. I'm already getting to that point with some elements of what I take (eg. my cooking system!); it fades into the background and lets me refocus on the reasons I'm out.
That said, I think that videos simply exploring/highlighting nature, while absolutely stunning and wonderfully shot, never really scratch an itch for me (personally!). They look great. They feel great. After I'm done watching it though, I settle into the understanding that the hike/trip depicted is thousands of kilometres away. It doesn't feel attainable, ultimately. To go on such a hike, I'd need to spend >$1,000 on a round trip plane ticket, rental vehicles, etc. over something that's more localized costing me hundreds (mainly food and gas). I appreciate the exposure to new places but there's always a hint of understood sadness that I have limitations that currently don't allow me to go on +20km hikes or the finances or free time to enable those. I want to be there with every fibre of my being, but ultimately I know that I can't and it's something for another day.
All the same, cheers to you and all of your content. I value all of it and can't imagine the effort it takes to thoughtfully create.
Absolutely, without a doubt, the best video on UA-cam! Thank you for saying this. This is what matters.